I was so sad at the very end of last year when I learned of the death of one of my favourite writers of all time, MC Beaton. I absolutely loved all her novels from the Regency romances to her cosy mystery series featuring Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin. One of my favourite things about her (apart from her amazing plots, superb use of the English language, wry humour, and fantastic dialogue) was...
Okay, I’m not going to pretend that a few tips in a short blog post are going to change your life, but I’m writing this one because handling stress is something I struggle with at times. Life gets on top of us and it’s easy to lose ourselves in all the life admin and our enormous to do lists. So, here are a few things I’m trying to do to make life easier and hopefully they’ll be useful to you too...
Love happens when you least expect it… Jodi is panicking. It’s only weeks until her little village in Devon holds its first ever festival and everything is falling apart. Desperate to avoid disaster, she brings in notorious party planner Christian to save the day. Although she wasn’t prepared for just how gorgeous he would be! Men are off the cards for Jody and surely Christian is the last man...
One writerly question, one answer, one minute to read! Here we go…How much backstory does my character need? When I started writing, I went on my merry way happily creating characters left right and centre without much thought about them or where they came from. The result was that they only seemed to be there for the benefit of the main characters. Whilst this may not seem a big deal, it’s...
It’s time to ask the editor! I’ve compiled a list of questions and my lovely editor at HarperCollins, HQ Digital, the amazing and super-intelligent, Abigail Fenton, has answered them! Read on to find out more about the work of, and some tops tips, from one of the best editors in the business! Q. What do you, as an editor, expect from your authors? Editing should be a collaborative process, so I...
1920’s London Rosemary Lillywhite had no intention of becoming a lady detective, but when a desperate woman knocks on the door of her dead husband’s investigative office, she’s forced to make a choice: either take the case or turn Grace Barton away. Working cases with Andrew had been fulfilling, but a woman in 1920’s London couldn’t run such a business by herself—or could she? When Rosemary...
Welcome to Swallowtail Bay! Today is ebook publication day for Spring Tides at Swallowtail Bay, the first in my new series with HQ Digital. I know the world has gone crazy at the moment and it’s so hard to feel or do anything normal, but I’m trying my best to carry on as normally as possible. So, with that in mind, I’ve cracked open the bubbly and I’m still celebrating...
One writerly question, one answer, one minute to read! Here we go…Name some good writing books! I love me a book on the craft of writing. I seriously can’t get enough because there’s always something to learn, a new way of doing things, or a take on things you never thought of before. So here are three of my faves: Self Editing for Fiction Writers, Renni Browne & Dave King This is one...
It’s time to ask the editor! I’ve compiled a list of questions and my lovely editor at HarperCollins, HQ Digital, the amazing and super-intelligent, Abigail Fenton, has answered them! Read on to find out more about work, and some tops tips, from one of the best editors in the business! Q. What’s your approach with a new book? I always read through from start to finish away from my desk. I make...
I’m very excited about all the books coming out over the next few months. In fact, when I was compiling this list, it took me ages to choose the five I wanted to feature because there are just so many good books coming out. I’d love to know your recommendations in the comments below, but here are mine to see you through spring! Aria’s Travelling Book Shop Aria’s Travelling Book Shop Rebecca...
When Cara Howard’s husband passes away, she and her teenage daughter, Mae, are left with nothing except their beloved family home at Cove End. Overlooking the sparkling sea, Cara decides to renovate the house in time for the summer season, turning it into a gorgeous bed and breakfast for visiting tourists. But with the arrival of the B&B’s first guests and secrets tumbling out of the closets...
I’m so excited to reveal the cover for the second book in the Swallowtail Bay series, Summer Strawberries at Swallowtail Bay! Isn’t this cover simply stunning? As soon as I saw it, all I could think about were long hot summer days and picnics in the park! So who are we meeting this time and what’s going on? Read on to find out more… Grab your strawberries and cream and get ready to return...
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!