What do you do when your fake engagement starts to feel too real… Aspiring clothes designer Victoria Scott spends her days working in a bar in Chelsea, and herevenings designing vintage clothes, dreaming of one day opening her own boutique. But these aspirations are under threat from the new department store opening at the end of her road. She needs a Christmas miracle, but one is not forthcoming...
One writerly question, one answer, one minute to read! Here we go…Here are my top 3 tips on writing a series! Make notes! When writing a series, you don’t want, character’s, views and locations changing because you’ve forgotten where they were in the first place or what they were doing! It’s always useful to make notes and the more detailed the better! 2. Draw a map! I love it when I see...
Hey, folks, it’s time to ask the editor! I’ve compiled a list of questions and the lovely Abigail Fenton, Editorial Director at HarperCollins, HQ Digital, has answered them. Read on to find out more about the work of, and some top tips from, one of the best editors in the business! We’re getting personal this month and I’m giving you a sneak peak into the life of an editor, as this month’s...
I’m so excited that today, Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay is out in the big wide world! I absolutely adored writing this book and Tom and Nell have a very special place in my heart. Writing a Christmas book at Christmas time when you’re surrounded by the scent of pine and sparkly lights is something really special. This our last visit to Swallowtail Bay and I’ll be so sad to say goodbye to this...
After last weeks behind the scenes, I thought it was about time I shared a little update on my writing and what’s going on! The good news is, that although Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay is the last book in the Swallowtail Bay series, I’m still writing and the location of my next series is something a bit more in-land. Currently untitled, my next series will be another three-books, but this...
When I read polls about what readers would like to see on an author’s blog, behind the scenes stuff always come up first. I don’t know what it is about seeing someone’s writing cave, or an actor’s life off-camera, or just seeing a glimpse inside someone else’s home, it’s just interesting! So, here’s a little snapshot of my writing desk! It’s not very glamorous as it’s just a desk in the corner of...
January is a hopeless romantic who narrates her life like she’s the lead in a blockbuster movie.Gus is a serious literary type who thinks true love is a fairy-tale. But January and Gus have more in common than you’d think: They’re both broke. They’ve got crippling writer’s block. And they need to write bestsellers before summer ends. The result? A bet to swap genres...
One writerly question, one answer, one minute to read! Here we go…How important is the setting of a novel? Nothing evokes the readers imagination than picturing not just what your characters are doing and saying, but where they are. Characters floating in a bland background is just boring! We want to know where they are and what they’re seeing and feeling. It all helps to create a world...
Hey, folks, it’s time to ask the editor! I’ve compiled a list of questions and the lovely Abigail Fenton, Editorial Director at HarperCollins, HQ Digital, has answered them. Read on to find out more about the work of, and some top tips from, one of the best editors in the business! As the world gets into a new normal with the easing of lockdown, you might be thinking of submitting that book you...
I know it’s still only August, but us bookworms like to plan our reading don’t we? And if you’re like me, even this so summer hasn’t been great, I’m even more excited for autumn when the leaves change colour and I can snuggle up under a blanket with the fire on, reading. So here’s my top picks for autumn. Don’t worry about there not being many Christmas books listed here, I’m going to do a...
Treat yourself to a glorious novel full of food, sunshine, friendship and love! Things haven’t always been straightforward in Poppy’s life but her dreams are finally within her reach. She’s moving into a cottage in beautiful Nightingale Square, close to the local community garden, where she can indulge her passion for making preserves and pickles. She may not have the best relationship with...
One writerly question, one answer, one minute to read! Here we go…Are Twitter pitches worth it? In my opinion, one hundred percent yes! Twitter pitches are a fabulous way to get your name out there and land a book deal – it’s what I did! I entered a Twitter pitch for what became Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage shortly after HQ Digital started up. They were running it through July and one...
The first thing you need to know about me is, I like gin. Lots and lots of gin.
I live in the South East of England in a lovely little town by the sea and spend my time working, running around after my kids, walking our King Charles Spaniel, Wotsit, and writing!
I love history and have a Master’s degree, but have also been lucky enough to work in various castles and museums over the years. I’ve yet to get one of them into a story though – I really must try harder!