This week’s Inheritance Books are from Victoria J Brown – chick-lit writer and fellow Famous Five fan.

Hi Victoria, welcome to Inheritance Books. please tell us a bit about yourself. 

I’m a chick-lit writer and love writing stories that relate to real-life issues. I have a MA in Creative Writing, but I’m a storyteller not a literary writer. I love using drama in my stories, but drama that many women can relate to.

When I was studying for the MA I won a short story competition judged by Adele Parks. This was really amazing. I was so lucky to have mentoring with Adele as part of the prize.

I live with my hubby, our two girls, who are 7 and 5 years old, and our cocker spaniel Daisy. On top of looking after them all and writing, I also have an online wedding boutique called Calm Weddings. I am a qualified wedding planner and have also written 3 non-fiction wedding books. I am currently working on a series of novellas, all based on Lucy the wedding planner. They are fiction books but include wedding tips, hints and advice.

Which book have you inherited from generations above? Why is it special?

As a child I loved Enid Blyton. She was such an inspiration to me. She was one of the main reasons that I knew from a young age I wanted to write. I loved her stories and the adventures she created, however it was mainly the characters that I loved the most. I felt as if I knew them. I loved her classics, such as the The Faraway Tree. I loved following Jo, Bessie and Fanny in their adventures. However, my favourite books from Enid Blyton were, The Famous Five series and The Secret Seven series. I can still remember, Peter and Janet’s (from The Secret Seven) golden spaniel – and now I have my own. Although Daisy wouldn’t be as good at the adventures like Scamper was J

The Famous Five involved Julian, Dick, George, Anne and Timothy the dog. There was always some shock, mystery or adventure to follow. Even now I love to think back on that nostalgic feeling of falling into one of her books and being on the adventure with them.

I have a copy of Five Go Off in a Caravan which I believe is the fifth in their adventures.

I think Enid Blyton’s books are so special because she involved the reader very quickly. It was so easy to become absorbed into this make-believe world but feel as if you were there living it with the characters – who felt like friends. She also had the talent to address issues that may have affected children, such as, relationships with parents and family members. She definitely showed the dynamics of the characters in the group, but she showed how to accept each other and always showed their more endearing side.

 Hooray! I love The Famous Five. I’m reading them to my daughter these days and reliving all their adventures. I’d forgotten how compelling they were. I’m definitely more into Famous Five than Secret Seven. I’m waiting for my daughter to discover Five Find-outers and a Dog…

Anyway, back to business. Which book would you leave to future generations?

 I would definitely leave my daughters, the Enid Blyton books that we have. A friend found some in a charity shop and bought them for my girls. (That’s a Good Friend, that is!) I keep trying to encourage my 7 year old to read them, however it just shows how times change, as my daughter is more interested in reading the Fairy Collection by Daisy Meadows. But I know once she’s read one she’ll want more. Roald Dahl also had a huge impact on me as a child, we have several of his books and I would love these to be passed down through the family.

However, admittedly I would leave a non-fiction book called The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. This book is all about The Law of Attraction. I’m a huge believer in this way of thinking. Life throws so many obstacles in our way, but how we deal with these difficulties (or opportunities) is our choice. I want my future generation to love and be grateful for all they have. The Secret gives a simple explanation as to why The Law of Attraction works. It is full of examples, tips and advice on living the life you deserve. I’d want that for my family, even when I’m not here to tell them how to look on the brighter side, and be thankful for what you have and not what you don’t have!

The Secret sounds like an interesting read. I’ll have to look it up.

Thank you for sharing your Inheritance Books with us Victoria. All the best with your book.

Victoria’s new book How my Life Became Chaos is available now. You can find out more about Victoria on her website, Facebook or on Twitter (@victoriajbrown).

Victoria is giving away a signed copy of books 1, 2 and 3 of her Chaos series. To win, enter the raffle here: a Rafflecopter giveaway. AND, as if that weren’t enough,  while How My Life Became Chaos is touring, if you buy a copy of the book and send proof of purchase to Victoria, she will send you an ecopy of Daily Inspirational Messages 2014! What are you waiting for? Go, go, go!