In Night Music by Jojo Moyes the author poses a question. What would you do if your beloved husband and father of your two children suddenly dies, leaving you with a mountain of debt. But then, you unexpectedly inherit a crumbling house in the Norfolk countryside. So begins a new chapter for violin player Isabelle …
I’m very excited to announce that I’ll be at two Northumberland Libraries events next week to celebrate National Reading Group Day. I’d love it if you could join me at Newbiggin Library on Mon 9th Sept, 10:30am or Cramlington Hub on Thurs 12th Sept at 2pm to chat about my Greek-based Apokeri Bay series. If …
Northumberland Libraries Celebrates National Reading Group Day Read More »
Have you ever wanted to jump off the hamster wheel? To quit the nine to five (and then some) and head off into the wilds? I think a lot of us have. Why else would television programmes like Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild have such a loyal following. And some (me included) have …
Nervous anticipation bubbled in my stomach. Nicely mixed with the bran flakes and strong cup of tea I’d had for breakfast. The day had arrived for Darlington Libraries Library Takeover Day and yours truly had a coveted spot in the Adult Author Tent. A few cotton wool clouds scuttled across a blue sky. Had summer …
I love a great whodunit and I adore a twist in the tale thriller. But when it comes to novels labelled a great ghost story, I tend to avoid them. There are two main reasons. One, the main character usually gets on my nerves. Two, the author gets so far into the story, builds up …
Over twenty years ago I holidayed on the Greek island of Crete. I spent a fortnight in the sun before heading off to university, so money was tight. My shoestring budget allowed for one trip only and I had two choices: trek the Samaria Gorge or visit the former leper colony of Spinalonga. I chose …
Last week I switched off my mobile and unplugged my laptop. Going off grid is great or is it? For five days I shunned the digital world to commune with nature. In other words, I went camping in The Lake District. Back to basics in a little corner of Cumbria The Lake District. Three words …
Starting The Satsuma Complex by Bob Mortimer I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d never watched Shooting Stars or The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer. However, I like Bob Mortimer’s quirky sense of humour from watching the delightful Gone Fishing series multiple times. And I (like vast swathes of the public) laugh at his retelling …
‘It’s a year ago this week since I published Apokeri Bay,’ I remarked while unwrapping an Aldi Titan chocolate bar. An amusing name for a treat that would fit snugly in a gnome’s shirt pocket. My partner lounged on the sofa, watching another rerun of Would I Lie To You, and barely raised his head. …
One year as a published author and what have I learned? Read More »
I picked up the House at Riverton by Kate Morton and flipped to the back cover. The very bottom line stated ‘one of the most successful debuts of all time’ – now that’s a way to get my attention. Coming in at almost six hundred pages, this was going to be a significant investment of …