About

Thank you for taking the time to visit my website.

My lifelong love affair with books and reading started very early on. My mother, a book lover herself, read to me in bed every evening, and I was entranced by the stories.

Once I could learn to read for myself, I devoured everything I could lay my hands on – including the family’s multi-volume encyclopedia. The volume that recounted the Greek, Roman and Norse myths and legends was by far my favourite. I dressed up and acted out these tales, and that’s where I got bitten by the storytelling bug.

I’d better draw a veil over my first attempts at writing, which usually involved witches, magic and mythical beings. And, life being what it is, career came in front of writing for a long time.

Fast forward many years to 1997, when my husband and I moved to the countryside of Southwest France to live in an 18th-century farmhouse. I’m a self-confessed history nut – also inherited from my mother – and I’m lucky to live in an area that’s absolutely steeped in history.

I also decided to try my hand at writing fiction again, with the help of a fabulous expat writing community, Writers Abroad. This talented group of writers taught me so much and provided help, support and encouragement. I couldn’t have done it without them. Sadly, Writers Abroad was disbanded in 2020.

In 2003, we visited the Mediterranean island of Corsica for the first time. I was smitten. We’ve been back five times, and that’s where I found the inspiration for my first novel, The House at Zaronza. Now, the landscapes and culture of Corsica and France provide endless ideas and material for my writing.

There are three published novels so far: two in the Tales of Corsica series (and more are to follow); and the first in a trilogy set in France between 1987 and the end of World War II. Books 2 and 3 are in progress, and a prequel novella, Augustine, was published in 2020.

I also write short stories. A collection inspired by and set in France, French Collection: Twelve Short Stories, was published in 2017. It’s dedicated to my mother. I only wish she had lived long enough to know her daughter is a published author.

You’ll find details about all my books on the Books page.

You’d be amazed by how much literary endeavour goes on in the wilds of Southwest France! I belong to the local Parisot Writing Group and a book group. I was also a founder of the Parisot Literary Festival in 2013, now an established annual event in the literary calendar.

Do leave a comment via “Contact me” or connect with me on my Facebook Author Page, Amazon Author Page, Twitter or Goodreads.

And I’d love you to sign up to my monthly newsletter and receive updates about my writing, exclusive content and offers available only to subscribers. It’s free and always will be.