Today I’m delighted to feature author Della Galton who writes escapist feel-good fiction with themes such as strong female friendships, family and of course love, all served up with a pinch of humour.
Della Galton is a bestselling novelist, short story writer and journalist with over 30 years’ experience and over 2000 short stories published.
She was the agony aunt for Writers’ Forum magazine and is a qualified Adult Education tutor.
Her novels are published by Boldwood.
Over to Della :
Which five pieces of music/songs would you include in the soundtrack to your life and why?
Take That – Greatest Day – because I love life and am an optimist.
David Bowie – When I live my dream – because I’m basically an old romantic!
Blancmange – Living on the Ceiling – because it’s so up-tempo and I just love it.
Gloria Gaynor – I will Survive – because it’s been a key song in my life.
Abba – Fernando – because it’s so haunting and powerful.
What five things (apart from family and friends) would you find it hard to live without.
My dogs – it’s utterly impossible to live without dogs.
My chickens – I only have two now because I don’t have much space, but they are cheeky little characters.
My laptop – because it’s got my writing on. I once carried a computer out of a burning house (my house) because I didn’t want to lose my writing. There was no ‘cloud’ in those days.
My peace of mind – I’m not sure it counts as a thing but it’s hugely important.
My car – I’d hate a live without driving and being able to give people lifts.
Give five pieces of advice to your younger self?
You really are loveable.
You’re slimmer than you think. Enjoy it.
Marrying a kind man should be your priority.
But you don’t need a relationship to be happy.
You’ll never regret getting that dog.
Tell us five things that most people don’t know about you
I’m very good at chilli eating competitions.
I’m a scuba diver and qualified twenty-five years ago. I’ve been on many a dark shipwreck in the English Channel.
I’m scared of heights and once went up in a hot air balloon to try and cure myself. It didn’t work. I sat in the basket with my eyes closed for the entire duration of the ride.
Horses are one of my passions. I used to ride a friend’s horse in One Day Events.
I met most of my 7 siblings later in life. Six of my siblings have different mothers to me.
Tell us five things you’d still like to do or achieve.
I’d like to be able to play the piano a lot better. I’ve had lessons for a while and find practising cathartic, but I’m definitely not musically gifted.
I’d like to own a kunekune pig. I’ve put them in my romcom novels, and I actually went and met one at the Margaret Green Animal Sanctuary last Monday – she was called Thelma – but I’ve never owned one.
I’d love to own a fenced woodland area to take my dogs. One of my dogs (an ex street dog) isn’t keen on coming back, especially if she sees something to chase so it’s tricky to find a place to let her off the lead.
I’d like to go wild swimming in the sea. I’ve been in a river but it was FREEZING and I haven’t yet plucked up the courage to go in the sea.
I’d like to travel the UK with my dogs in a camper van. (I’ll need to get a camper van first!)
Many thanks for joining me today Della, it’s been a pleasure. Thank you for bringing your love of dogs (they are never a regret) and for bringing Blancmange. Living on the Ceiling is one of my favourites and takes me back to my student days, days when much of your advice to your younger self wouldn’t have gone amiss for me! I applaud your bravery with the hot air balloon, the hard part was getting in, didn’t matter that you sat in the basket. With courage like that, I’m sure wild swimming in the sea is definitely do-able! Travelling in a camper van sounds great too, I keep suggesting that to my OH but it falls on deaf ears. That said, he is a kind man, so that’s all good.
Della’s Books
(NB This post features Affiliate links from which I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases)
Duck Pond Cottage series
A New Arrival at Duck Pond Cottage #1
It’s not just animals who need to be rescued…
Following the unexpected death of her mother, and the breakdown of her relationship, animal loving idealist Jade Foster, uses her inheritance to buy a smallholding in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside hoping to realise her dream of providing a sanctuary for unloved animals in need of a new home.
Jade employs the enigmatic Finn McTaggart to help out at Duck Pond Lane Rescue and forms a friendship with both Finn and her local Vet, Aiden Southerland. But Finn is running from his own demons and Aiden longs for a more romantic relationship with broken-hearted Jade.
Romance is not on the cards for Jade, but as both men fall for her natural beauty, the rivalry between them hots up. But can any of them heal enough to find lasting love?
What none of them realise is that a devastating secret from the past has the power to destroy the present and that love, however wonderful, isn’t always enough.
Summer Secrets at Duck Pond Cottage #2
Can love conquer all?
Jade and Finn are idyllically happy in their little corner of rural Wiltshire. A rescue centre jampacked with animals keeps them super busy. With Finn’s art going from strength to strength, Jade can’t believe they’re living the dream until an arrogant property developer with questionable motives jeopardises their perfect lives and the future plans of the rescue centre.
Jade and Finn both have trust issues and they’ve promised there’ll be no more secrets. But keeping promises is harder than either of them imagined, especially where Finn’s past is concerned.
Living with Mr Spock the potty-mouthed parrot and Mickey the dog who barks at TV baddies there’s never a dull moment at Duck Pond Rescue. But will the humans get their ‘happy-ever-after’ too?
Can they lay the ghosts of the past to rest and find a bright new future together?
Puddleduck Farm series
Coming Home to Puddleduck Farm #1
When your heart’s broken, all roads lead home…
London City Vet, Phoebe Dashwood, finds her partner Hugh and their boss in a passionate clinch beneath the mistletoe at their works Christmas party.
Heartbroken, she bolts to the New Forest, her childhood home to regroup and soul search.
Being home gives Phoebe the chance to reconnect with friends and family and especially with her fiercely independent gran, widower Maggie Crowther, owner of Puddleduck Farm, and makeshift animal shelter New Forest Neddies.
Deciding not to return to London, Phoebe hunts for work locally, hoping she can also help Maggie, who’s clearly swamped and not coping. But will Maggie accept Phoebe’s help?
Her quest is hampered by stubborn grandmothers, meddling mums, an attractive childhood friend, a real-life Lord, a remorseful ex, and a best friend who’s determined to play matchmaker.
Can Phoebe find happiness professionally and personally in the place she calls home, surrounded by those she loves or does fate have other plans for Phoebe?
Rainbows Over Puddleduck Farm #2
Don’t dream your life, live your dreams….
Phoebe Dashwood is a passionately committed vet who’s living the dream. She’s about to open her own small animal practice at her grandmother’s animal shelter, Puddleduck Farm in the New Forest.
Phoebe is helped by her two oldest friends. Her best friend Tori is a mix of hard-headed journalist and hopeless romantic, who thinks love will conquer all when she finds the right man!
Then there is Sam, Phoebe’s staunchest ally, whose integrity and selflessness mean he would do anything to make Phoebe happy, no matter what the cost to himself.
Very soon Phoebe discovers that fantasy and reality don’t quite match.
An unscrupulous bunny breeder, a poisoned stream, and a complicated attraction all conspire to throw her dreams in a spin.
Events come to a shocking climax at the New Forest Show where Phoebe’s world is turned upside down and she has to make some life changing decisions.
Love Blossoms at Puddleduck Farm #3
How can life be too busy for love?
Phoebe Dashwood is living the dream. She’s running her own successful vet practice, Puddleduck Vets, alongside her grandmother’s animal sanctuary.
She’s also dating the gorgeous, yet slightly broken Rufus Holt, the most eligible bachelor in the New Forest.
So why isn’t she blissfully happy?
Both Phoebe and Rufus are consumed 24/7 by their own commitments. Their relationship is always last on the list.
Phoebe juggles quirky, yet demanding clients and their pets whilst widowed Rufus is consumed by his anxieties, responsibilities of fatherhood and the unenviable tasks of being a Lord in waiting with a huge estate to manage.
Phoebe knows that when you’re a vet, there isn’t always a happy ending. But will there be a happy ending for Phoebe, Rufus and everyone else at Puddleduck Farm?
Is it ever really possible to have it all?
Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm #4
Life would be idyllic if everyone else was on the same page…
Puddleduck Vets Practice is busier than ever.
Phoebe Dashwood is juggling the usual crazy animal antics of her quirky clients, whilst organising the wedding of her bridezilla grandmother and thankfully dating her perfect man.
Phoebe loves every minute of being a New Forest vet, even if she hardly has time to catch her breath. If only she could find some quality time for her and the man of her dreams, life would be perfect.
When an ex’s heartbreak stirs up some emotions from the past, Phoebe realises she must deal with some unfinished business. It would seem a miracle is needed to pull off a happy ending for everyone – but is it within Phoebe’s power to work miracles?
Happy Ever After at Puddleduck Lane #5
When life throws up the unexpected, can Phoebe hold strong?
In the idyllic setting of the New Forest, talented vet Phoebe Dashwood envisions a picturesque life alongside her beloved fiancé. However, the course of true love is fraught with unexpected hurdles.
Career wise, Phoebe encounters a goat who is seemingly experiencing a phantom pregnancy, and a highly-strung talking parrot who pushes her professionalism to the limits.
Things take an unexpected turn for the worse when Phoebe is confronted with a glamorous love rival, and a surprise Valentine’s Day ‘date’ to see a financial advisor! Can things get any worse?
When tragedy strikes Phoebe realises that nothing in life should be taken for granted and fears she will lose everything she holds dear.
Whilst her friends find their own happy endings, Phoebe is beset with doubts that she and Sam will never find theirs. Is love enough to carry them into the future they deserve?
A New Family at Puddleduck Farm #6 (due August 2025)
Are there enough hours in the day for everyone to find their happy place?
Phoebe Dashwood and Sam Hendrie welcome their beautiful baby daughter into their already busy lives. With motherhood now top of Phoebe’s to-do list alongside being a vet, and running an animal sanctuary there’s no time for day dreaming.
As Phoebe battles sleepless nights, extra challenges arise in the shape of abandoned African Pygmy Hedgehogs, stolen cats, and a worrying trend to keep wildlife as pets.
Meanwhile, Sam is selflessly left holding baby and when a familiar face from the past returns old feelings are tested. With so many plates spinning Sam worries something may get broken – he just hopes it won’t be their relationship.
Can parenthood, a relationship, and a professional life be successfully juggled and is it really ever possible to have it all?
Puddleduck Farm Box Set: Books 1-5
This boxset contains books 1-5 in the Puddleduck Farm series:
- Coming Home to Puddleduck Farm
- Rainbows over Puddleduck Farm
- Love Blossoms at Puddleduck Farm
- Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm
- Happy Ever After at Puddleduck Farm
Bluebell Cliff series
Sunshine Over Bluebell Cliff #1
Clara King is left in sole charge of a fabulous new clifftop hotel for the summer.
The owner has barely left the country when Clara realises that someone is hell-bent on putting the Bluebell Cliff Hotel out of business.
It becomes a race against time to hunt down the sneaky saboteur before they succeed in bringing the hotel to its knees.
With her dream job under threat and her personal life in chaos, Clara discovers that, when what you love the most is in danger, it can bring out the very best in you.
Summer at Studland Beach #2
Animal loving Samantha Jones is on a mission to ‘live the dream’.
When best friend Abby has a beautiful baby boy Sam’s priorities change and she realises she wants more from her life.
Uninspired with her dull day job Sam plans to expand Purbeck Pooches, her seaside pet sitting business into a full-time career and embarks on a mission to find her perfect man.
Sam soon hits trouble. Her boss accuses her of moonlighting. The perfect man is frustratingly elusive and her parents make a shock revelation.
The odds are stacking up against her but Sam finds that sometimes when you reach for the moon, you get a handful of glittering stars thrown in for free.
This book was previously published as Moonlight Over Studland Bay.
Shooting Stars over Bluebell Cliff #3
Unlucky in love Poppy Allen is the producer of a brand-new TV show, ‘Date for a Day’ – think ‘Take Me Out’ meets ‘It’s a Knockout’!
Lovelorn contestants must perform a series of seaside challenges to win the hand of the starring lady and a ‘Date for a Day’.
Left heartbroken when Stephen, her childhood sweetheart eloped with her best friend on her hen night – Poppy has no plans to risk her own heart again. Besides, she’s far too busy filming contestants against the backdrop of the beautiful Bluebell Cliff Hotel and the stunning Jurassic Dorset coastline.
However, when sabotage on set threatens to stop shooting, Poppy discovers soulmates can be found in the most unexpected places…
Sunrise over Pebble Bay #4
Talented, yet relatively unknown actress and celebration cake baker extraordinaire Olivia Lambert is running out of time.
Approaching forty, she’s yet to land the role that will launch her television career and she’s desperate to be a mum.
Her new man, Phil Grimshaw from the Bluebell Cliff Hotel, seems the perfect match, but seems to be in no rush to settle down.
Having ditched her childhood sweetheart and fiancé, Tom Boyd, when he backtracked about being a dad, Olivia dreads making the same mistake again.
Rocked by confessions from both her sister Ruby and Tom, Olivia knows it’s time to make some life changing decisions.
Then a terrifying incident off Chesil Beach changes the course of her future and brings Olivia to question everything she values and loves.
Confetti over Bluebell Cliff #5
Art dealer Ruby Lambert is on a mission to lose her baby weight ahead of her sister’s Olivia’s wedding in 6 months’ time.
To add fuel the fire, Ruby has also been ‘honoured’ with the unenviable task of being Head Bridesmaid. So determined not to let Olivia down, she signs up to a swanky new diet & fitness club, The Bluebell Booty Busters.
Uncertain of what to expect Ruby meets Harry Small, a wealthy local businessman who ‘joins’ Booty Busters, after pressure from his wife, who’s worried about his health and growing waistline.
Ruby and Harry soon team up as diet buddies, supporting each other through their dieting crisis’s. But something seems amiss at Booty Busters when they both discover that if it looks too good to be true; it probably is….
Will Ruby and Harry ever reach their targets?
And will Ruby do her sister proud and be the Belle of the Ball?
Bluebell Cliff Box Set : Books 1-5
This boxset contains the complete Bluebell Cliff series from Della Galton
- Sunshine Over Bluebell Cliff
- Summer at Studland Beach
- Shooting Stars Over Bluebell Cliff
- Sunrise Over Pebble Bay
- Confetti Cover Bluebell Cliff
