Review of A Gift From Tiffany's and Q&A with Melissa Hill

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Q&A With Melissa Hill
A Gift From Tiffany’s
Melissa, welcome tothe B&N.com General Fiction forum.
Debbie - Tell us a little about A GiftFrom Tiffany’s.
Melissa - I’ve been in love withthe little blue box and its related allure since my UK publisher very kindlygave me a gorgeous Tiffany’s charm bracelet (much like the one Gary buys in thenovel) when one of my previous novels went to No 1.  After that, every time I went to New York I visited theFifth Avenue store for a charm to add to the bracelet, and one time my husbandand I went to take a look around the diamond floor, where we saw all thesehappy couples choosing their engagement rings and walking away swinging bagscontaining that little blue box. EachTiffany’s shopping bag looks the same, irrespective of what’s inside, and thereand then the thought struck me - imagine the mayhem if a couple of identicalbags, but with very different contents somehow got mixed up? This is what happens in A Gift From Tiffanys – onChristmas Eve one man is buying an engagement ring, the other a last-minuteChristmas gift, and when those two very different gifts get mixed up, mayhemensues!
You also co-write aforensic thriller series with your husband (congratulations on the series beingoptioned for TV).
Tell us the ups and downs of writing with your spouse?
Thank you! They say that when you find a job you love doing you never work a day in your life again, and this is especially true of writing. But it must be doubly true when you get to share it with your partner and best friend. It’s not all a bed of roses, and we arguelike cats and dogs over plot points and character development, but ultimatelyit’s great fun, and we feel very lucky to be working together in this way.
Between women’sfiction and thrillers. Do you have a favorite to write?
When I first began writing, I knewabsolutely nothing about genres, and just wanted to write stories that I myselfliked to read. I particularly enjoy novels in which there are underlyingmysteries to be solved and are full of shocks and surprises, so I used theseaspects in my women’s fiction right from the beginning. Much of these same elements are used in crime writing and the aim is still the same; to create a story with strong identifiable characters and a compelling plot that hopefully readers won’t be able to put down. I don’t have a favorite and even though bothgenres have their own challenges, the wonderful escapism of women’s fiction isfor me, the perfect antidote to writing a more realistic gritty thriller.
Are you a reader?
Yes, I read absolutely everything I canget my hands on, and have been known to read the back of a milk carton if I don’thave a book to hand!

Do you preferfiction or non-fiction?
I primarily prefer fiction – usually women’s fiction and thrillers (surprise) but do enjoy reading travel-related non-fiction, usually while travelling.
What’s the bestthing about being an author?
There are so many great things, it’salmost impossible to choose just one, but if I have to, I think it’s connectingwith readers. I’m always hugely humbled by the letters and emails I receivefrom people who tell me how much they enjoy reading about the hopes, desiresand challenges the characters in my books face, and that it helps them betterunderstand their own lives and what they might do if similar situations presentthemselves. I feel so honored and very grateful to think that something I’vewritten could affect people in this way.
What’s one of yourfavorite Christmas traditions?
I live in Dublin near the sea, and everyChristmas morning (despite the Irish cold!) my family and I go for a bracingdip in the freezing waters of Dublin bay. It’s a bit of local tradition, and anenergetic way to start the day! 
Do you ever get overto this side of the pond, if so do you have any events planned at a Barnes& Noble location?
I adore the US and try to visit New Yorkat least once a year for research (and shopping!) purposes. I also adoreClearwater Beach, Florida where I’m currently working on my next book whilehiding out from the cold Irish weather. Nothing planned yet, but I would be delightedto visit a Barnes & Noble store anytime!
Melissa, thank youfor taking time to answer a few quick questions.
Nollaig Shona Duit !
Thank you so much! Have a wonderfulChristmas!
My Review of A Gift From Tiffany's
A Gift From Tiffany’s
Melissa Hill
St. Martin’s Griffin
ISBN13:97812500210222
404 pages
It’s Christmas Eve in New York city, visiting from London professor Ethan Greene along with his daughter, Daisy has one special purchase to pick up before his holiday is complete. Unfortunately while being a good Samaritan his package is mixed up, when his girlfriend, Vanessa opens the gift on Christmas morning he’s at a loss, instead of a brilliant Tiffany’s Marquise engagement ring inside the iconic blue box is a simple charm bracelet.
Dubliner Gary Knowles has almost finished his Christmas shopping and with alast thought that he should get his girlfriend, Rachel something because after all shedid gift him with this trip to the big apple for Christmas, he stops atTiffany’s to get her a little something special. Unfortunately before they cancelebrate he’s struck by a New York taxi and ends up in the hospital. When theydo finally get to exchange presents he’s astounded to find that instead of acharm bracelet his girlfriend removes a beautiful and expensive diamondengagement ring from the little blue box.
What happens next is a comedy and tragedy of errors, mistakes, lies andbetrayals and perhaps a little fateful magic all brought about by a little bluebox.
Melissa Hill’s beautifully penned Christmas novel is rich with scenes from both sides of the pond. With characters that are both naughty and nice who play their roles to perfection and one little girl who believes in magic. Her plot takes twists and turns so sharp you might think you’re clinging to the side of a cliff and just when you think there’s a straight-a-way ahead it’s only a mirage as you plunge down another steep dip in the story. It’s rife with humor and heartache, with both comedy and tragedy and it reminds us that fate is indeed a force to be reckoned with.
If you’re looking for a holiday tale to get the spirit started, a perfect giftfor a friend or maybe, just maybe that perfect accompaniment to a certainspecial gift in a little blue box.
Melissa, thank you for a novel I will cherish for years to come that will definitely come off the shelf to be re-read every Christmas season. I can’t wait to see where you take me on our next journey together.Buy the book here, visit the author's website here.