Good morning Alli and welcome. Can I start, as always, by asking you a little about yourself?
Hello! I am Australian born and raised but have lived abroad for many years including Argentina, Peru and Canada. I’ve worked as a mountain guide and tour guide, and have climbed some of the world’s highest mountains. I write stories that capture the romance and thrill of exploring new destinations and cultures, as well as taking the reader on a journey of discovery.
You have an amazing amount of expertise – writing for the travel industry, ghost writing biographies, translating and editing as well as having written your Wandering Skies series with Kensington Books. What prompted the move from fact to fiction?
I spent a great deal of my teenage years and early twenties reading biographies written by some of the world’s greatest adventurers. Although based on fact, these books told amazing stories about incredible journeys around the world. When I decided to try my hand at fiction, it made sense for me to incorporate my own love of culture and travel and have my characters undertake their own journeys both in foreign lands and within themselves. For me, travel has always been about learning from others, learning about yourself, and fostering friendships with people from an array of backgrounds and experiences. My stories have a lot of facts in them as they delve into the culture and history of the country the story is set in (Midnight Serenade – Argentina; Under the Spanish Stars – Spain, and Under the Parisian Sky – France) so for me, the leap from fact to fiction never felt like a huge one.
Who are your favourite authors and have they had any influence on your own writing?
I am a huge fan of Monica McInerney, Deanna Raybourn, Belinda Alexandra, and Kate Furnivall. All are experienced authors who write complex, interesting characters and often have a strong cultural and/or historical slant in their stories. I don’t know if they have had a direct influence on my writing but following their successful careers has certainly inspired me!
Have you a special place to write?
I am lucky enough to have an office at home. I’m surrounded by all my favourite travel artefacts that I’ve collected over the years so it’s a place of inspiration (most of the time!).
How do you spend your chill out time?
I have two young kids so my chill time is often spent ferrying them to after school activities! Although my husband and I do love taking the kids to the beach and enjoying some family downtime. And if I get time to myself my favourite chill time is reading, of course!
And lastly, if you were chosen for an ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’ type TV programme, which four celebs would you choose to join you and why?
Ooooh! That’s an interesting question! Hmmm …. Taylor Swift because I think she’s a fabulous role model for kids (and I think she would be a cool person to hang out with), Antonio Banderas because … well … he’s Antonio Banderas, what’s not to love about him and that gorgeous accent? I’d also love to have J.K. Rowling as she is such a great inspiration to so many people and has managed to get whole generations reading again (plus my daughter is currently obsessed with the Harry Potter books and so I would be in trouble if I didn’t say J.K.!). And lastly, but by no means least, I would love to be joined by Tom Jones because I think he would be a bit of a joker and would have some pretty hilarious stories to tell about his life.
ABOUT ALLI SINCLAIR:
Alli Sinclair is a multi award-winning author of books that combine travel, mystery, and romance. An adventurer at heart, Alli has climbed some of the world’s highest mountains and immersed herself in an array of exotic destinations, cultures, and languages. Alli’s stories capture the romance and thrill of exploring new destinations and cultures that also take readers on a journey of discovery.
BLURB – UNDER THE SPANISH STARS
Amid the vivid beauty of Granada, a woman entrusted with unraveling a family secret will discover the truth about her heritage–and the alluring promise of love…
When her beloved grandmother falls ill, Charlotte Kavanagh will do whatever she asks of her–even if it means traveling to a country that broke her abuela’s heart. Can an unsigned painting of a flamenco dancer unlock the secrets of her grandmother’s youth in Spain? To find the answers she needs, Charlotte must convince the charismatic and gifted musician, Mateo Vives to introduce her to a secluded gypsy clan.
The enigmatic Mateo speaks the true language of flamenco, a culture Charlotte must learn to appreciate if she wants to understand her grandmother’s past–and the flamenco legend that has moved souls to beauty, and bodies to the heights of passion. As Mateo leads her into the captivating world of the music and the dance, Charlotte embraces her own long-denied creative gift and the possibility of a future rich with joy…
BOOKS:
KENSINGTON BOOKS
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/34060
AMAZON USA
AMAZON UK
iBooks
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/under-the-spanish-stars/id1128182702?mt=11
GOOGLE PLAY:
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9781601838940&c=books
KOBO
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-au/Search/Query?q=9781601838940
BARNES & NOBLE
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-the-spanish-stars-alli-sinclair/1123516113?ean=9781601838940
CONTACT:
Website: http://www.allisinclair.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AlliSinclairAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/allisinclair
Instagram: alli_sinclair
Google +: Alli Sinclair
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Alli-Sinclair/e/B00MSGMON0/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1456709127&sr=1-1
VIP Club that anyone can join and there are often give aways and competitions especially for members. You can sign up here:
https://allisinclairauthor.wordpress.com/newsletter/
JO LAMBERT 
Thank you so much for having me on your blog, it was so much fun!
Alli thank you so much for coming along to chat – a great interview.