IN THE SPOTLIGHT: AN INTERVIEW WITH MEARA PLATT

I’m delighted to welcome USA Today Bestselling, Award Winning and Amazon UK Allstar author MEARA PLATT to Rakes and Rascals today for an exclusive interview.

Carol, it is such a pleasure! I’m a great fan of Rakes and Rascals and love the fabulous authors you feature. I am jumping for joy and so honoured to be with you today.

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R&R:
Could you tell us where you were born and what it was like growing up there?

Meara:
My early years were most unusual and I can happily say that my life for the past decades has been happy and quite normal. I was born in Cairo, Egypt, an incredibly beautiful country – our sandbox was the desert and we played in the shadow of the Great Pyramid at Giza. But it was also a country with deep problems. So, I actually spent my childhood as a refugee and my family had to move from country to country until we were resettled in Australia. Reaching Australia was like stepping into heaven for us. We lived in a small apartment near Bondi Beach and there were beautiful flowers, passion fruit and strawberries growing in our garden – the impact of that beauty was huge for me, so it is no surprise that my Farthingale Series features sisters each with the name of a flower and my paranormal series is called Dark Gardens! We spent a summer outside of Canberra where kookaburra birds nestled in eucalyptus trees, and kangaroos hopped into the meadow promptly at tea time every day to take the bread we offered. We eventually made it to the United States because most of our family had settled here and have been here ever since, very much enjoying the opportunities offered to all.

In grade school in Australia

In high School

In college

R&R:
How would you describe yourself – temperamental or easy-going?

Meara:
I am one of the most easy-going people you’ll ever meet and it certainly has everything to do with the turmoil of my childhood. This will sound completely corny, but I wake up every day thankful for the beautiful life I’ve been given and the wonderful friends and family with whom I share it. So, when I’m standing on a freezing train platform in the early, early morning, I don’t mind. And when I’m stuck in traffic or the bills seem to come in fast and furious, I don’t mind. The one thing I do go out of my way to do is make an outsider or new person I’ve met feel welcome, because through all the travails of our early years, the things I remember most are the kindness and incredible generosity of those who reached out a helping hand. Even a smile or a pat on the hand can make a difference.

 

R&R:
When it comes to food do you like sweet or savoury or both?

Meara:
I’m very even-handed, I’ll overindulge on both! Chocolate and warm, crusty bread are my downfall. I love food with lots of flavour, especially all the great Middle Eastern foods, but my stomach rebels at too much spice. So, no hot sauces or hot peppers for me!

R&R:
What is your most treasured possession?

Meara:
I have two favourite possessions: a book that has travelled the world with me containing two stories – Robin Hood and the Tales of King Arthur’s Court – and so I learned to love romance stories and knights in shining armour at a very early age. The second possession was a gift of two toy koala bears given by one of the dear friends we’d made in Australia as we boarded our ship to head to the USA. Her father ran a toymaking factory and so my sister and I each got a father koala and baby koala as a farewell gift. To this day, those koala bears have NEVER left our side!

 

R&R:
If you were able to afford a second home anywhere in the world where would you choose and why?

Meara:
Easy question! England – Cotswolds or Lake District, or really anywhere in England! There is no more romantic, charming place on earth. The beautiful old structures, historic castles, Tudor homes, charming countryside, high tea, English accents, Regency fashions, gorgeous gardens, Shakespeare, double-decker buses! What’s not to love?

 

R&R:
Finally, what has been your most embarrassing moment?

Meara:
A childhood memory: We boarded our ship to sail from Australia to the USA and my twin sister and I were inspecting the deck chairs one sunny day, trying to determine if our heads would fit through the slats on the back of the chairs. My twin, being ten minutes older and far wiser, suggested I try it and find out. Jump ahead thirty minutes when, to my mom’s great relief, the capable ship steward managed to squeeze my firmly-wedged head out from those slats to the cheers of the HUGE crowd that had now gathered around me. No doubt they were all giving thanks that their children were not THAT stupid!

 

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Thank you for taking time out to be here today and sharing these interesting facts about yourself, Meara.

Thank you, thank you so much! It has been a treat and a huge delight to be with you! Sending love to you and all the kindred spirits who love historical romance!

 

 

If you would like to find out more about Meara and her books, here are the links:

Website
Goodreads
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