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From Scammed to Stronger: How a Real-World Threat Inspired My New Book

There isn’t a day that goes by without hearing about yet another scam that’s ruined someone’s life. It really freaks me out! These schemes prey on innocent people, manipulating their trust and exploiting their vulnerability. And they’re not picky either: these predators target anyone, anywhere. More often than not, their victims are women, and that fact hit me hard.

Scams are cruel not only because of the money they steal but also because of what they take from the victim emotionally: their confidence, sense of safety, and ability to trust. They don’t just drain bank accounts, they shatter lives. As an author, I couldn’t help but feel that this was a story worth telling.

I decided to weave this universal problem into my plot, putting my protagonist through the all-too-common experience of being scammed. She’s not stupid or naïve by any means. She’s smart, savvy, and confident. But like so many others, she becomes a victim. The carefree, happy-go-lucky woman she once was disappears and is replaced by someone wary and suspicious. She feels like she’ll never be able to trust again.

Of course, there’s a twist—after all, this is a romance.

I believe stories have the power to educate and empower. So, to anyone who’s ever felt betrayed by someone they trusted, this story is for you. And to the rest of us, let it serve as a reminder: Stay vigilant, protect yourself, and remember that while the world may be full of scammers, it’s also full of people worth trusting.

Secrets of Her Heart is out on March 1st 2025

Feb 24, 2025
Three Years, One Book, and a Bruised Ego: My Latest Writing Adventure

It’s been three long years since Caribbean Dreams graced the shelves. Three years is a long time. That’s enough time to master a new language or grow your hair out or, in my case…do none of those things. Naturally, you might wonder: Have you had writer’s block? Been backpacking across the globe? Fallen off the edge of the earth? Let me save you the suspense: No, no, and no.

What I did have was a cycling accident, followed by a malaise that could outlast a rainy Monday and an alarming lack of motivation to do much of anything—except, perhaps, avoid writing altogether. Yes, I admit it: for a while, I really couldn’t be arsed to lift a pen, much less craft a novel.

So how did I get back on the proverbial horse? (Don’t worry, no more cycling analogies.) It took a cocktail of nagging friends, well-timed pep talks, a shiny new laptop, and what can only be described as a “kick up the backside” to jumpstart the process. Oh, and one more thing: I decided to turn my recent, ahem, life experiences into fuel for the fire.

Writing this book was unexpectedly cathartic. (Who knew pouring your soul into pages could be better than binge-watching Netflix?) It’s amazing what happens when you turn a mishap or two into plot twists and channel minor existential crises into character development. The result? A book that’s not just another story—it’s a piece of me. And while I can’t promise it’s entirely free of my questionable humour, I can promise it’s written with honesty from the heart.

So, if you’re ready to laugh, cry, and maybe feel a little less alone in your own mishaps, I hope you’ll join me on this new adventure. It’s been a wild ride, and this time, I stayed on the bike (metaphorically, of course). Secrets of Her Heart is set for release on 1^st March 2025.

Feb 17, 2025
New life. Accident.

Hey there, fellow adventurers of the written word! Welcome to my humble corner of the internet, where I shall hopefully amuse you with tales of my triumphs and trials and today, my tumble off my bicycle. Buckle up and strap on your…kneepads.

Picture this: It’s a sunny day, the birds are chirping, and you can’t wait to get out and explore your new territory. Your trusty bike comes out for a spin because there’s nothing quite like a ride down to the beach to fuel one’s creative thoughts.

Careering down the hill, the wind on my helmet, with a grin on my face.

Motorhome meets my bike lane… “Hey, this is my space, you moron,” I shout. I make a quick move onto the pavement but he still hits me. Front tyre up, back tyre skids in the sand…and off goes KK, a over t!

Did a great job on my knee and ended up with open reduction internal fixation surgery…lots of screws, plates, rods, and wires. But unfortunately, it hasn’t made me bionic! No more chasing white balls around the golf course or cycling for me. Snivel, snivel, snivel.

A treasured memory…

To add insult to injury, literally, I’ve had all this time on my hands but had no interest whatsoever in writing! Plenty of painkillers and lots of self-pity, but my new laptop gathered dust.

But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining (or in my case a load of silver plates and screws.)

They’ve rebuilt my leg but the doctor said I’d never walk again. No one tells me what I can and can’t do though… and now I’m back, though my mobility is limited, I can still get around.

Wakey, wakey. Here I am, a writer with a penchant for dramatic plot twists, and I’ve got one here on my doorstep. I found myself knee-deep (’scuse the pun) in a brand new book as unpredictable as the journey that inspired it.

So, dear readers, sometimes the best stories are the ones that catch you off guard. I’m hoping the adventure is worth the ride. Look out for details of my new book coming soon!

Mar 19, 2024
Caribbean Dreaming

Howdy there, folks. Time to reveal another sensational book cover created by Nicci Robinson at Global Wordsmiths.

I loved writing Caribbean Dreams, and having been a mad cruising fanatic in the past, it was great fun writing about the life and loves of people on a small cruise ship. My vivid imagination also helped! Life on board was always like living in a beautiful six-star bubble, and revisiting all the islands brought back such happy memories.

Caribbean Dreams is due for release on the 15th December…just in time to chill out with over the Christmas holidays. It’s a romance, and we all know that finding new love is never without its complications…

When love sails into your life, do you climb aboard?

Cori Lewis writes children’s books. It’s been her escape from reality, especially during her last eight-year relationship. It’s not easy breaking out on your own, and Cori isn’t the most confident woman by any means, but luckily, her best friend convinces her to go on a cruise.

On the other hand, Steph Graves looks like she’s oozing confidence. But is that just a front? She knows she has some big decisions to make, and they’re going to affect the rest of her life. Will she take the plunge into unknown waters…and will Cori join her? Or will they settle for a holiday fling?

Nov 15, 2021
Come Read with Me

Hi there, folks. Here’s another beautiful cover Nicci Robinson over at Global Wordsmiths has created for me.

I’m doing a double somersault as we’re preparing my new book, Come Dream with Me, released on 15^th July, just in time for those chilled out reads on the beach, by the pool, or in the garden. It’s a story of two different loves, one from the past and one in the present. As per usual, I cover another subject. Dementia. My mother suffered from it, my dear friend too, and sadly, my sister has this dreadful condition. At some point in life, everyone has known someone with this cruel syndrome. Many, many moons ago, as a student nurse I worked in the dementia unit of a psychiatric hospital. They didn’t differentiate between the types of dementia, even though their symptoms were so diverse. I was lucky to work with Sister Phillips, a caring and compassionate woman who treated each individual with kindness. She brought as much fun and laughter into their lives as she possibly could: favourite foods, favourite tipples, walking, gardening, listening to music, singing to it and dancing to it. You name it, we did it. At the time, it was frowned upon by many of the hierarchy, but she didn’t care! I praise the Sister Phillips’ of this world.

I hope I’ve treated this subject with all the respect it deserves, showing not only the sadness, but also the times of happiness and laughter. Dementia is like travelling from an old life to a new. If you have support…the journey can be brighter and less frightening. Never travel alone; there are many friends out there waiting to help…it’s just a question of finding them. Watch this space for a release day competition 🙂

When your past and your future collide, who do you become in the present?

When Dani Cavell returns home from Australia to help her parents, her life isn’t what she’d thought it would be. Single and living with her mum and dad, Dani knows it’s time to move on but isn’t sure how to do it. Until she takes a job in a dementia unit where Caroline Kingley, the woman who broke her heart many years ago, is now a patient.

Angel Lamb has always been a free spirit. Life is an adventure meant to be enjoyed and no woman has ever made her want to settle down. But when Dani Cavell walks into her life, she wonders if she’s met the woman who could make her dreams of a perfect partner reality.

When she learns Dani’s history with the elegant and renowned painter in the dementia unit, she isn’t sure that Dani’s heart is ready for what she has to offer. Can Dani let go of the woman who’d once captured her heart? Or will she and Angel miss their chance at the greatest adventure of all?

Jun 3, 2021