I’m delighted to welcome Award-Winning Historical Romance Author KATE BATEMAN (writing as K. C. BATEMAN) to Rakes and Rascals today for an exclusive interview.
Hello, and thank you for having me!
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R&R:
Could you tell us where you were born and what it was like growing up there?
Kate:
I was born in Cambridgeshire, England, but my parents also had a house on the coast of Southern Spain, so my childhood was split between school in England and idyllic summers on the Costa Blanca. I love the deeply-rooted history of the UK – my old school was founded in 1556 and I can honestly say that if you want to imagine what it was like, just think of Hogwarts, but without the loch! We had pillared stone cloisters, a great hall, and a lovely chapel. In contrast, my summers were spent driving haphazardly through Europe on our way to or from Spain, with my adventure-loving parents often saying, ‘let’s just keep going until we reach Switzerland, shall we?’ or ‘who wants to stop at that chateau and have some lunch?’ Since both my parents were artists, and later had an antique shop, we were always rummaging around flea markets, antique shops, or attending auctions. I remember once we were staying somewhere in southern France and my father (who speaks very bad French) was sent out for milk. He returned, many hours later, with a light-up globe and an accordion! Mum wasn’t even surprised; that was completely typical for my family. We’ve had some wonderful adventures.
Me tucking into a melon in Spain
With my little sister on a donkey in Spain
(I’m at the front)
R&R:
How would you describe yourself – temperamental or easy-going?
Kate:
I think I’m pretty easy going. I tend to get along with almost everyone and I definitely dislike arguments and drama – unless it’s written on the page in one of my books! Then, love to write snarky, argumentative heroes and heroines. The only person I’m tough on is myself, since I tend to set myself high standards – although my three children / monsters might disagree with me there, especially when I insist they do their homework!
R&R:
When it comes to food do you like sweet or savoury or both?
Kate:
Both. I love trying new foods, especially from other countries, and I really enjoy cooking and baking with my kids. My favourite meal (and one I really miss now that I live in the US) would probably be a traditional English afternoon tea, complete with lots of little sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, assorted cakes and pastries, and a nice cup of tea. Perfect!
R&R:
What is your most treasured possession?
Kate:
It’s an enormous painting by my father, artist Ronald Bateman, that he gave to me for my birthday one year. It’s of daffodils, (he’s Welsh, and daffs are the Welsh national flower) and it’s the one inanimate thing I’d probably run back into a burning building to save. Back in England I didn’t have a wall large enough to hang it on, but my US house has a double-height living room which is perfect. I’m lucky to have such a wonderful loving, creative, and supportive family. The painting makes me feel close to them all, despite the fact that I now live on a different continent for most of the year.
My father’s painting
R&R:
If you could afford a second home anywhere in the world where would you choose and why?
Kate:
I adore Italy, especially Tuscany, Umbria, and the Amalfi Coast. The history geek in me loves all the history, plus there’s the architecture! The landscape! The food! The wine! The art! I’d live in a massive crumbling castle / villa perched on the edge of a cliff with a view of the sea and a garden full of lemon trees, figs and olives. (The house used in the Kenneth Branagh film version of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ would be perfect.) Hopefully it would be close to Florence or Siena, so I could bask in the renaissance architecture and grab a cup of coffee on a shell-shaped piazza while people-watching. The fact that I don’t speak much Italian would only be a minor inconvenience to this plan. I would definitely learn with such an inducement.
R&R:
Finally, what has been your most embarrassing moment?
Kate:
That’s tough, I have embarrassing moments all the time! I do remember once, a few years ago, I happened to have been invited to an evening reception with the Prime Minister at Number 10 Downing Street in London. Thoroughly excited, I enjoyed a glass or two of wine to steady my nerves. Since there was very little food, I got increasingly ‘jolly’ as the evening wore on. The next morning, I was horrified to discover that my friend had a photograph of me, in front of the famous black front door of No. 10, kissing the cheek of the very solemn-looking policeman standing guard! She assures me I asked – and was granted – permission, but I have very little recollection of it, and needless to say, that embarrassing photograph has never seen the light of day! Looking on the bright side, I always reassure myself that it could have been much, much worse!
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Thank you for taking time out to be here today and sharing these interesting facts about yourself, Kate.
Thank you for having me! Hope to see you all again soon. And Happy Reading!
If you would like to find out more about Kate and her books, here are the links:
Rakes And Rascals 
Great interview, Carol and Kate. Love the embarrassing moment! May I ask which Prime Minister you were dining with?
I too love the Amalfi coast. And yes the ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ house would be wonderful, preferably with Kenneth Branagh in residence 😂.
Thank you, Wendy. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the interview. 🙂
Hi Wendy!
As to the Prime Minister, it was Tony Blair, and I’d been invited to represent my small business (my auction house) because we had employed a female reservist who was called up to serve in the Gulf War (in a pacifist capacity, not fighting!) The reception was a way of thanking business who’d supported / employed reservists. It was a completely random selection, but I was lucky enough to be invited so I went – mainly to have a snoop around No.10! The interior of No.10 Downing Street was lovely, a classic Georgian House, and I remember they had a very nice Henry Moore picture in the front hall! The wine served, I recall, was English – very patriotic!