My first event of the year is organised. If you've ever wondered what kind of chaos surrounds me as I write, this is the talk you need to hear! 

I'll be talking about how it started, and how it's going, and sharing some top tips, probably 😎

If you're in or around Bude (or just like to drive) in April, come and see me. Apparently the food is delicious too.

2024 was a mixed year - a book launch in May, and then a slight case of writer's block for the rest of the year.

Writing isn't always easy - it pulls you apart and puts you back together in a completely different way; it stretches you to your limits, and it pushes you down into the depths of your emotions, trying to get the right word or sentence or paragraph onto the page. For me, that means I'll have a scene in my head so perfect that no words will do it justice. And yet, it's my job to make it so.

But I wouldn't be without it. I can't remember a time I didn't, and image a time I won't, write.

And that's all down to you, my wonderful readers, who buy and review and email to tell me how much they enjoy my work. So thank you!

Plans for 2025 are in flux right now, but my block as lifted and the words are back, so watch this space. In the meantime, please check out my back catalogue, and this amazing 4-book bundle from my publisher, and keep up with all my daily musings on Facebook or Blue Sky.

You can also keep up with my news via my monthly newsletter, which I'll be sending out at the end of this week, and giving away a copy of my latest novel. Sign up here, and receive three free short stories.

Looe is one of my favourite places. When I was a child, it's where my parents would take me for Saturday fish and chips, where I'd catch a train and hang out with friends, and where I spent a whole day making up answers to a questionnaire for a geography project. (Would you want to ask strangers why they'd decided to come to Looe on holiday when you were 14??)

Looe Festival of Words 2024 is being held from 1st - 6th October, with all manner of events and talks, and I'll be attending the book fair on Saturday, 5th.

The itinerary for the week is here.

Pop along to meet loads of local authors, grab some bargains, and have a chat. See you there!

The launch week for ONE TUESDAY, EARLY was hectic and fun and involved a lot of walking, only some of which was in the pouring rain. Here's what I got up to! 

Ten events: one Q&A session, one very short reading, a great discussion, several cups of coffee, one bag of Maltesers and a scone (different days), rain, wind, sun, tights, summer dresses, trousers and jumpers, lovely people who stopped and chatted, and being in bed at nine o'clock at least twice.

Thank you to everyone who came specially to see me, or happened across me and stopped to say hello.

​On a very cold and rainy day in April, I met with Claire Manning from ITVX to talk about ONE TUESDAY, EARLY. To watch, and see some of the areas featured in the novel, click the image below.

​​And on a much warmer May day, yesterday, I travelled to Truro to meet Julie Skentelbery. You can listen to the interview by clicking the image.

And then, (without having to leave my house at all), my very good author friend Melissa Ann Goodwin invited me onto her blog for a chat about all of my books and my writing in general. Click below to be whisked off to Melissa's blog.

And, finally,  if you've popped in to check the times and dates for my book signing - week beginning 13 May - then here's all the info you need. 

As you probably know by now, my latest novel ONE TUESDAY, EARLY is set in my hometown, Saltash, and to celebrate both the release and the place that inspired it, I'm going on a little tour of the local businesses.

So, here's where I'm going to be, with links to these wonderful businesses and community groups.

Monday 13 May
10 am     The Bookshelf
2 pm      Bandits

Tuesday 14 May
10 am     Poolside Cafe @ Saltash Leisure Centre
2 pm       Saltash Library - in conversation with the library manager.

Wednesday 15 May
10.30 am  The Beauty Collective
2 pm         Ashtorre Rock

Thursday 16 May
10 am      The Core
7 pm      Ploughboy Book Club (private event, but if you're interested in joining I'm sure they'd love to hear from you)

Friday 17 May
10.30 am   The Tanning & Beauty Lounge
3.30 pm    Saltash Bakery


Important note: The event at the library is a seated event where I'll be discussing all things related to my latest release and my author career in general.

The other events are drop-in book signings, although I'll be happy to chat. The novel will be on sale at every event, but apart from the Bookshelf, I can only accept cash. I aim to be at each of those venues for around an hour or two - depending on how quickly my copies are sold! If you've pre-ordered, or have other books of mine you'd like signed, please bring them with you.

And then this morning, I received a wonderful review from the team at The Wishing Shelf .

It's not often I get pulled instantly into a novel. But that was the case in this intriguingly entitled novel, One Tuesday, Early. It's the story of Lexi and her partner, Finn. It’s Tuesday morning and Lexi finds herself in an empty town – and when I say ‘empty’, there’s nobody there; nobody! Finn, however, is oddly not affected by this phenomenon, waking up and simply finding Lexi’s not there! It’s all very confusing – deliciously so. What follows is a character-led drama as we follow Lexi exploring the empty streets and Finn who thinks Lexi must have left him.

There were a number of aspects of this novel I particularly enjoyed. Firstly, I love the way the author developed the way Lexi feels. As she so aptly puts it - It’s a ball and a fist and a whimper and a yell. All swallowed down and shackled within you. The author is adept at putting over her protagonist’s feelings, developing the suspense along the way.
 
Secondly, I enjoyed the pacing; it’s oddly slow – which is normally a bad thing – but not here, the author in no rush to ‘reveal all’; and that is the novel’s biggest strength. Thirdly, the writing style is wonderful – atmospheric, richly descriptive with strong, thought-provoking dialogue.

So, who’s this book for? Well, I suspect readers who enjoy a good mystery will find this story a blast. They’ll also enjoy getting to know Lexi and Finn and rooting for them to find a way of reuniting. I remember enjoying another book by this author, Small Forgotten Moments, which was excellent too (and also a bit creepy). But I think this latest book is even better.
​
‘A smartly plotted psychological drama packed full of mystery – and suspense. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf

You’re on your own and you shouldn’t be. Your partner is missing. The streets are empty. Even the birds have disappeared. What do you do?

★★★★★ “A world both familiar and nightmarish. Eerie, atmospheric and immediately gripping.” Charlie Carroll, author of The Lip