This week I’m delighted to welcome Zana Stoneley to Inheritance Books.  Hi Zara, welcome to Inheritance Books.

Hi Rhoda, and thank you for the invite, it’s lovely to be here.

It’s lovely to have you here! So, tell us a bit about yourself.

So, a bit about me… I spend most of the year in Cheshire surrounded by horses, dogs, cats and amazing countryside which has a massive influence on my writing. When I’m not scribbling away I can often be found in the local wine bars, artisan markets or admiring the scenery (all very inspirational and great for people watching!).

Every other weekend I normally head for our Barcelona apartment and enjoy some sunshine, long walks on the beach and afternoons sampling the tapas and cava! These days I seem to do an awful lot of my writing on planes, in airports or by the sea.

I write hot romance, fun-filled chicklit and bonkbusters. My most recent release, ‘Stable Mates’, is a fun romp through the Cheshire countryside and combines some of my greatest loves – horses, dogs, hot men and strong women (and not forgetting champagne and fast cars). I’m currently working on a follow up which has the same sexy men but even more scandal!

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

My parents weren’t particularly avid readers, but I always had my nose stuck in a book! In my early years the books had a common theme – animals. Ranging from ‘Black Beauty’ (horses were a favourite) to ‘My Family and Other Animals’ and a wonderful book called ‘Tschiffely’s Ride’. Then ‘The Hobbit’ and LOTR took over, followed by thrillers (James Bond and Dick Francis books topped the list). But one book that stayed with me, probably because it marked a stage in the progression from child to adult was my mother’s (now slightly battered) copy of Shirley Conran’s ‘Lace’, after that it was Jackie Collins and Jilly Cooper all the way!

Sounds like those books inspired you a great deal! Which book would you  leave to future generations? Why?

I think I’d want to leave a book of our times, a book that has made a difference in my lifetime, and so that probably has to be Harry Potter. Whether you love it (and my son did), or not, JK Rowling has to be credited with reigniting a love of stories in so many of our children. My eighteen year old son is taking science/maths ‘A’ level subjects at school, like I did, but is also now writing a book in his spare time – and I’m sure that Harry Potter followed by LOTR played a huge part in kindling his interest in story telling.

Good for him (your son, I mean)! My Dad always said that I should do science to get a job and then write in my spare time. As plans go, it’s a pretty sound one.

Thank you for sharing your favourite books with us, Zara. Please drop by again soon.

Zara’s book Stablemates is available to buy now. You can find out more about Zara on her website, or catch up with her on Twitter (@zarastoneley), Facebook or Google+.