SIMPLY THE BEST! Meet debut author Taryn Bashford

Today, I'm delighted to welcome my lovely friend Taryn Bashford to the blog! Her debut YA contemporary novel, THE HARPER EFFECT, is out now and to help celebrate this awesomeness we're having a bit of fun with a quickfire round of questions. Here we go! 

TARYN'S BEST! ​

Best Book: I have a new one every year. This year, without doubt, it’s Cath Crowley’s Words in Deep Blue

Best Band: I know Adele’s not a band, but I’m still saying Adele.

Best Song: I Can’t Make You Love Me - Adele

Best Holiday: A ski season in Colorado

Best Animal: Dog

Best Item of Clothing: Handbags – you wear them right? Don’t leave me alone with a credit card in a book shop – or a leather goods shop

Best Food: Sushi – the seafood ones

Best Drink: Coconut Water. I’m addicted.

Best Alcoholic Drink: French Champagne of course!

Best Friend: My laptop. We’re very close. She’s seen me through everything. 

Best Writing Moment: Being offered a two-book deal with Pan Macmillan. My throat ached for two days from the shouting.

Best Childhood Memory: Swimming the waterfall pools with my cousin.

Best Word: I’m not sure I have a best, but I do have a ‘most-overused’ which is JUST

Best Shop: Any bookshop with coffee and sofas

Best Sport: Running. Yep. Been doing that a while now.

Best Job: Being a writer. Sitting down at my writing desk every day feels like I’m coming home.

Best Saying: This too shall pass – courtesy of my Grandma. Whenever I’m having a tough time of it, this saying makes my spine straighten again.

Best Teacher: The Deputy Head, Mrs Nichols. She inspired me to be the best I can be.

Best Time of Day: 4.30am. Writing time.

​Best Room: Writing room. I feel calm and love what happens in there

​
Best Day Ever: Days – because I had two children, so their births.

Best Smell: Limes

Best TV Show: Billions

Best Gadget: My Bullet for smoothies

Best Sound: Singing tenors – a bunch of them together. Heaven.

Best Restaurant: Any decent sushi train, preferably on the beach

Best Movie: Forrest Gump – I get inspired every time I watch it.

Best Time of Year: January – the start of all new things.

​Best School Subject: English. Seriously. I studied it at University too. It has something to do with the books!

​The Harper Effect is in-stores today in Australia and New Zealand. If you don't feel like going out to do more shopping after the Christmas craziness, but you fancy curling up with a fab summer read, then you can also order it online right now.

This debut novel is an inspiring and heart-warming story of a girl who learns to win from a boy who has lost everything. Set in the world of international tennis, it's Million Dollar Baby meets the movie Wimbledon.



Harper can’t have happiness and the US Open.
 
Sixteen-year-old Harper was once a rising star on the tennis court until her coach dropped her, leaving her feeling abandoned by the sport she loved. Even worse, she now finds comfort in the arms of her sister's ex-boyfriend—a secret that could start a family war.
 
But when Harper is offered a chance to get back in the game by training with young tennis phenom, seventeen-year-old Colt, she throws herself back onto the court . . . and into his family’s scary world of steroids and alcoholism. 
 
As she walks a fine line between Colt’s secrets, her forbidden love, and a game that demands nothing but the best, Harper must choose between her past and her future, two boys who tempt her heart, and whether the cost of winning will actually cost her everything.

THE HARPER EFFECT should appeal to readers of Stephanie Perkins, Cath Crowley, and Heather Demetrios.
 
 
EXCERPT... 
 
Aria turns to switch off the music.

There’s a rap on the door. But when I open it to find Jacob on the other side I’m overwhelmed by the image of him and Aria kissing – doing it. I gulp against a pinched-up feeling inside and swing away from the newly showered, lemon smell of him, from his tousled wet hair, from his Aria-kissed lips and those eyes that seem to search for something in my face.

‘Ready for pizza?’ Aria asks, taking her earrings out and keeping her eyes in the mirror.

Jacob leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, lazy grin settling in place. ‘Does Mr Greedy need pudding?’



Want to know more? View the book trailer now.
Want to read more? Click to buy The Harper Effect.
If you’re in the US/UK you’ll need to wait until May 2018 to purchase The Harper Effect. But for now, you can mark it ‘to-read’ on Goodreads to get reminders and giveaways.
Check out Taryn’s website! www.tarynbashford.com