‘First Christmas’ in July.

Free image courtesy pixel2013 on Pixabay.

When one conjures up images of Christmas, it usually consists of snow, warm fires, and hearty dinners. Here, in the southern hemisphere, Christmas is a time of sun, surf, and barbeques. This is why Christmas in July has become popular in Australia; so that we can enjoy a traditional Christmas.

I’ve written two short stories that portray two very different Christmas’s, and lately I’ve been experimenting with creating book videos. They’re time consuming to make, and at times frustrating, but I’ve had fun working with another creative outlet. I’m even thinking of making some more! 😉

Here’s the video for First Christmas. I hope you like it!

Christmas spirit comes in the most unexpected ways.

In 1916, young newlywed, Caroline Owens spends her first Christmas alone. Or is she?

Shy nurse, Linda Graham, struggles with a tragic loss. Can a ghost help restore her broken heart?

‘Lots of emotion packed into a short story… I was left wanting more.’

Amazon Review

First Christmas is available on Amazon.

Comfort Reads & Christmas in July.

Free image courtesy lisa870 on Pixabay

Hi everyone!

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, and/or read some of my stories, you’ll know I don’t write romance per se, but some of my stories do have romantic elements. Writing romance was a part of the craft I needed to improve, which is why I joined Romance Writers of Australia.

As it is now winter here, I was pleasantly surprised to be asked to be a guest on their blog and talk about my comfort read.

But be warned – my book of choice does not fit the modern definition of a romance novel. 😉

So, grab a cuppa. I hope you join me. ☕

Image courtesy Pixabay

Speaking of romance…

In other news, Christmas has come early!

If you’re looking for a romantic read this month, I’ve got together with romance writers to celebrate ‘Christmas in July’.

In fact, I’ve joined two promotions, so there’s over a hundred books for you to choose from!

My book, First Christmas, is included and contains two paranormal romance short stories.

Click the links below for further details.

Christmas Romance in July

Sweet Christmas Romance in July

These promotions are for this month only, so grab them while they last!

Happy reading and have a great weekend. 😊

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Home is Where the Heart Is.

Free image courtesy David Mark from Pixabay.

This time last year, I entered my first RWA short story competition. Although my entry didn’t place, I managed to step out of my comfort zone. That story, along with one other, would later go on to become ‘First Christmas’, my first foray into the world of sweet paranormal romance. Even though I had fun writing both those stories, when my book was published in November, I felt happy to go ‘home’.

And where is that, exactly?

They say ‘home is where the heart is’, and for me that place is a spooky old mansion, full of dark shadows and forbidden secrets. My home, my real home, is among the darkness. Like many journeys we take, we sometimes need to spread our wings, but we always return to our roots.

In her book ‘Dear Writer, You Need to Quit’ (which I recommend for all you writers out there), Becca Syme says that we need to quit focusing on our weaknesses. Instead, we should focus on our strengths. Once we know what they are, development is the next step.

I recently finished reading Stephen King’s ‘Full Dark, No Stars’, and one of the things he had to say in the afterword resonated with me. ‘When it comes to fiction, the writer’s only responsibility is to look for the truth inside his own heart’.

Yes, I’m a bit of a hopeless romantic, but the dark side is my comfort zone. I have always been drawn to the horrors of what human beings are capable of, as well as the supernatural. I have come to accept it and learned to embrace it.

As we head into 2021, my path leads me into the shadows. I hope you’ll join me.

Where is your natural ‘home’ as a writer? Do you plan on writing in a different genre this year? Have you experimented with other genres, only to return where you’re the most comfortable?