Veronica Henry The bestselling author of romance novels

Veronica lives in North devon with her youngest son and her miniature Schnauzer.

What are you doing this christmas? Christmas has been a bit odd for the past couple of years, since my divorce and my father dying. My boys tend to go to their dad and I have lunch with my mum, then we all get together again in the evening.

Which book would you like to be given? The Maverick Soul: Portraits of the Lives & Homes of Eccentric, Eclectic & FreeSpirited Bohemians by Miv Watts (hardie grant). I love interior design and describing my characters’ homes in my books. this book is both pleasurable and useful. Which book will you be giving? Completely Perfect: 120 Essential Recipes for Every Cook by felicity Cloake (Penguin). I’m a huge felicity fan. her research is impeccable and her recipes always work.

Which book has influenced you? The Darling Buds of May by he bates (Penguin). both for its wonderful description – you can smell and taste the strawberries in that strawberry-picking scene – and for its glorious characterisation. you feel as if you know all the larkins and you want to be there, which is the feeling

I want to give my readers.

Veronica’s latest novel, Christmas at the beach hut (Orion), is out now