Good morning everyone and happy Saturday. I’ve been seeing this Dear Reader Challenge on Instagram knew I wanted to join in!
Did you meet your reading goals?
Yes I always set my goal quite low though as I don’t like to be disappointed. I wanted to read 52 books and I managed to read 75.
What are your 2025 reading goals?
I’ve set my Goodreads Challenge to read 52 books again but I’m hoping to read a few more. I’m hoping to read what I feel like and not feel pressured into reading certain books. I’ve stopped doing a lot of blog tours for this reason.
What books on your tbr are you looking forward to?
I’m excited to read The Sirens by Emilia Hart, The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare, Human Remains by Jo Callaghan and The New Neighbours by Clare Douglas. I’ve loved the previous books by these authors so I’ve been looking forward to reading them.
What releases are you excited for this year?
There’s so many great books out this year but I’m especially excited for two new books from the Dream Harbour series coming out this year as I’m a huge fan of that series!
Any bookish resolutions/ aims?
I’d like to read a bit more non fiction as there’s some fascinating books out there and increase my audiobook listening. I’m hoping to start walking more when it gets warmer so I’ll get to listen to more then.
Any non bookish resolutions/ aims?
To work on my anxiety and try to be a bit more social as in my spare time I just like sitting at home reading.
Taking part in any challenges/ buddy reads?
No challenges this year as I failed dramatically with all my challenges last year. I’m a huge mood reader so I don’t like to be tied down to reading anything. I’m always up for a buddy read though as it’s fun discussing a book with someone.
Any bookish exploring?
I have a few book events planned this year which I’m looking forward to. I also plan to go to Hay Festival and Cheltenham Literature Festival, even if it means going on my own
Any bookish tips to share?
Read what you want , when you want as often as you want and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. Life’s too short to read bad books!
Good afternoon everyone and happy Friday. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey recently.
It sounds really good and as I’m enjoying my romance reads at the moment I’m hoping to read this next. This will actually be the first book I’ve read by this author but I keep hearing great things about her books so I’ve been looking forward to reading this one.
Huge thanks to @indie_thinking and @avonbooksuk for sending. Find out more about the book below ⬇️
Dream Girl Drama is out now!
Book Synopsis:
A steamy chance encounter between a professional hockey player and the manic pixie dream girl he just can’t seem to forget takes a turn when the pair realize that their parents are engaged—in an all-new rom-com by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey.
When professional hockey player Sig Gauthier’s car breaks down and his phone dies, he treks into a posh private country club to call a tow truck, where he encounters the alluring Chloe Clifford, the manic pixie dream girl who captivates him immediately with her sense of adventure and penchant for stealing champagne.
Sparks fly during a moonlight kiss and the enamored pair can’t wait to see each other again, but when Sig finally arrives to meet his dad’s new girlfriend over dinner, Chloe is confusingly also there. Turns out the girlfriend is Chloe’s mother. Oh, and they’re engaged.
Sig’s dream girl is his future stepsister.
Though the pair is now wary of being involved romantically, Chloe, a sheltered harp prodigy, yearns to escape her controlling mother. Sig promises to teach her the ins and outs of independence in Boston—but not inside his bedroom. They both know there can never be more than friendship between a famous hockey player and his high-society, soon-to-be stepsister. But keeping their relationship platonic grows harder amid the developing family drama, especially knowing they were meant for so much more…
About The Author:
New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.
Good morning everyone and happy Valentine’s Day. It seemed fitting to share a stack of romance books today! I always love a good romance book and featured in the stack are some of my favourite authors.
❤️Cross The Line by Simone Soltani 🩷A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston ❤️The Spell Shop by Sarah Beth Durst 🩷 Love Unwritten by Lauren Asher ❤️Love Story by Lindsey Kelk 🩷 Powerless by Elsie Silver ❤️Deep End by Ali Hazelwood 🩷Love & Other Paradoxes by Catriona Silvey ❤️The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gillmore 🩷 Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey ❤️ First-time Caller by BK Borison 🩷 Spiral by Bal Khabra ❤️ Icebreaker by Hannah Grace 🩷Collide by Bal Khabra
I’ve lent my other Dream Harbour books to a friend so I only have the Christmas book left ATM but wanted to include it as I love those books. I’m currently reading Collide and really enjoying it so I’ve already bought Spiral the next in the series.
I’m off today and hoping to tidy up the house a bit before half term next week. I’m then planning a little Valentine’s Day dinner for the kids tonight. I’ve got them a notebook with a heart on it and hoping to get some chocolate for them today as well as some pink drink for them to enjoy with some pizza. Stuart and I celebrated on Tuesday with curry and the theatre as tonight is always hectic with clubs.
I’ve tagged a few people on Instagram who might want to join in and share a romance stack but, as always, no pressure.
Good evening everyone and happy Thursday. I’m on the blog tour for Careful What You Hear by Helen Dunlap Newton today and I have an exciting extract to share with you.
This book sounds really intriguing and I’m going to get a copy for my daughter to read as I think she will enjoy it.
Careful What You Hear is out now and you can find out more about the book below as well as read the tantalising extract!
Huge thanks to Rachel for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Helen for providing me with the extract.
What super power do you wish you had?
Book Synopsis:
After a surgical mix-up gave 13-year-old Noah Baker mind reading powers, he became a spy tasked with stopping the bad guys.
Ever since he accidentally got an experimental cochlear implant, Noah and his secret agent partner, Lena, have been going on secret missions for the government. Now, they’re in for a reward for all their hard work-Space Camp! But all is not as it seems. When Noah accidentally overhears thoughts that reveal a plot to steal top secret plans from nearby Redstone Arsenal, he must make a choice.
From award-winning author and educator, Helen Dunlap Newton, Careful What You Hear is an engaging middle-grade read.
Grab your copy now and dive into this thrilling adventure!
Extract Introduction:
Noah is beyond excited about the special trip Captain Billings is giving them. Space Camp was something he had wished for ever since he could remember. Only problem—he and Lena weren’t quite sure if this was a reward or a cover for another mission.
Extract:
A month later, Noah felt adrenaline pulse through his body as the plane sped down the runway of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C. He should have been ready to take a nap since the government car picked him up at five a.m., but he was wide awake. During the secret missions over the last year, the flights were one of the few things he loved.
Loved the fear mixed with excitement as the wheels bumped on the ridges of the pavement.
Loved how the plane’s nose lifted from the tarmac, quickly followed by the tail.
The plane took off over the Potomac River and banked hard to the left. Noah strained his neck to get a glimpse of landmark buildings along the grassy National Mall. Early morning sun winked across the white exterior of the Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the edge of the White House.
He turned to Lena on his right and tapped her arm. She ignored him. With her earphones buried deep in her wavy hair and her eyes closed, most observers would assume she was a bored teenager trying to grab a few more minutes of sleep.
Noah knew better.
Lena hated when Noah could read her private thoughts with his special cochlear implant. But it didn’t take his secret thought-reading ability to know how she felt. One look at her white-knuckled fingers squeezing the front of the armrest, and he knew.
This no-fear girl hated takeoffs.
She’d never said it out loud. She never wanted anyone to know she was afraid of anything.
But Noah knew.
On their first mission as fake junior ambassadors, they’d both been excited to fly to New York City. Even argued who would get the window seat. Lena had stopped taking her turn in the prime viewing spot when, on a later mission, their plane almost collided with another plane on the tarmac in Chicago. The pilot had to slam on the brakes, and their plane skidded off the edge of the runway.
Noah tapped Lena’s shoulder. “You okay?” he asked. She pulled one side of the earphones from her head and gave him a “leave me alone” look.
He waited until she closed her eyes, then he smiled. He knew better than to make her think he was laughing at her.
The plane continued along the Potomac, quickly leaving the Earth below. When they rose above the clouds, he clicked the screen on the back of the seat in front of him and followed their route across Virginia. Noah glanced at Lieutenant Green and Corporal Powell
in the nearby seats. It always seemed strange to see them in their undercover civilian clothes instead of military uniforms.
The lieutenant winked at him and said something to Corporal Powell.
Noah often wondered why the government chose a nurse and a driver to be their chaperones on every trip. There had to be more to their stories than checking blood pressure and a car’s oil. He was tempted to press the secret button on his cochlear so he could hear their thoughts. But he didn’t. He’d learned to be careful what he heard. Knowing everyone’s thoughts wasn’t always a good thing.
Except maybe that girl in health class. He felt a smile spread across his face.
The plane finally leveled off, and Lena pulled her earphones from her head.
“This is my armrest, Upchuck,” she said. “Use the other one.”
Lena reached for her bag under the seat in front of her.
Noah didn’t have to look to know she was searching for a piece of grape gum.
He smiled. “Glad to have you back,” he said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lena asked. She blew a bubble and popped it in her mouth.
“Oh, nothing. You think Lieutenant Green is going to let you chew that gum the whole flight?
“Why not? We’re on vacation, aren’t we?”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Noah’s mind immediately went to the magazine article he’d read about Space Camp. Pictures of a rocket park, flight simulations, and smiling kids filled his head. He so hoped Captain Billings wasn’t keeping something from them.
“Lena,” Noah said, “I’ve been thinking about this vacation Captain Billings is giving us.”
“Good for you,” she said and popped another bubble.
Noah ignored her normal put-down and said, “Going to Space
Camp is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a little kid.” He cleared his throat and leaned closer to her ear. “I just can’t believe they’re not going to have some kind of job for us to do while we’re there.”
“Maybe, but I’ve decided to enjoy it while we can. Relax, Upchuck.” She reached in the seat pocket in front of him and grabbed the airsick bag. “Just keep this close by.” She gave him a toothy smile. “You know, just in case.”
About The Author:
Helen Dunlap Newton, a veteran middle grade language arts teacher, has been a serious writer for children since she became involved in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Her debut middle grade novel, NIGHT OF THE AMBER MOON, was published in 2021 by Yorkshire Publishing and was a 2022 finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award. The novel received the Creative Women of Oklahoma Award from Delta Kappa Gamma in 2023. Her second middle grade novel was published by Yorkshire Publishing in 2022 and was also a finalist in the 2023 Oklahoma Book Award. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, music, and helping her husband care for their plants, backyard chickens, and rowdy Australian shepherd in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is the hilarious YA rom-com debut from actor and comedian Harry Trevaldwyn, perfect for fans of Heartstopper.
First there was Bridget Jones. Then there was Georgia Nicolson. Now get ready to meet Patch Simmons . . .
Patch has decided that this is the year he will get a boyfriend. Fate finally intervenes when two new mysterious boys join drama club: Peter, who’s just moved from New York (very chic) and his best friend, Sam.
Patch is confident that one of them will be his first boyfriend. So, armed with his over-supportive best friend Jean and an alarming level of self-confidence, Patch sets out to make his mission a success. Whether or not they actually like boys or him is a problem for later.
My Review:
The Romantic Tragedies Of A Drama King is a funny, romantic read that will make you glad you’re not a teenage any more.
Firstly I thought the main character Patrick, or Patch as he likes to be called now, was a very unique character who I enjoyed following throughout the book as he tries to find himself his first boyfriend. It took a little while for me to warm to him as I initially found him to be quite self absorbed which definitely had me cringing for him at times. He grew on me as the story continues and there were some very touching, emotional moments which made me warm to him as I realised he wasn’t as annoying as I initially thought.
I thought the book had a great pace to it and there always seemed to be some drama happening that kept me reading. This book definitely made me re-live my awkward teenage years as we follow Patch through friendship problems, family feuds and first crushes. There were some moments that made me laugh out loud and some that made me want to hug Patch as he learns a few difficult lessons. There were some wonderful secondary characters which made me smile including his lovely best friend and the teachers he interact with who need a medal for their patience when dealing with Patch. I half read this, half listened on audiobook and the narrator for the audiobook was absolutely brilliant and very fitting for Patch’s character.
This is the author’s debut novel and I’d definitely be interested in reading more from him in the future.
Huge thanks to Pan Macmillan and Book Beat for having me on the read-along and for sending me a copy of this book.
About The Author:
Harry Trevaldwyn is an actor, comedian and writer who has been listed as a Screen International Star of Tomorrow.
Initially rising to fame through writing and starring in his own online skits, Harry has since been nominated for Best Debut Writer at the New Voice Awards.
His acting credits include Ten Percent, The Outlaws, How To Train Your Dragon, My Lady Jane and The Acolyte and he has multiple writing projects in development with leading production companies. He has worked with the Soho Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and the Bloomsbury Theatre.
The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is his first novel.
Good morning everyone and happy Wednesday. I was tagged by the lovely @nothing.beats.a.good.book to share her latest silly stack of marshmallows and sprouts.
🩷 Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell 🤍 Nephthys by Rachel Louise Driscoll 💚 Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito 🩷The Romantic Tragedies Of A Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn 🤍By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult 💚Poor Girls by Claire Whitfield 🩷The Sirens by Emilia Hart 🤍Birthday, Deaths And Marriages by Laura Barnett 💚 Death And Other Occupational Hazards by Veronika Dapunt
All of these are tbr apart from The Romantic Tragedies which I really enjoyed and will be reviewing later hopefully. I’m also hoping to read The Sirens and Victorian Psycho soon as I’ve been hearing lots of great things.
I’m off today and I’m hoping for a quiet one as I’m very tired after a night out last night. We went out for an early Valentine’s Day celebration with a curry and a trip to the theatre to see Animal Farm. I managed to spill curry down my white jumper just before so had to wear my coat the whole time to cover it. The play was interesting, powerful but it was bit weird though as my husband pointed out it’s a weird book.
I’ve tagged a few people on Instagram who might want to join in and share a marshmallow and sprouts stack but, as always, no pressure.
What was the last book adaptation you saw at the theatre?
Good morning everyone and happy Tuesday. Today on Two For Tuesday I’m featuring two books by Mizuki Tsujimura.
I’m a huge fan of Japanese translated fiction and I’ve been hearing lots of great things about this author. I’ve not actually read either of these but bought Lonely Castle In The Mirror as I thought it was a series but it doesn’t seem to be. Lost Souls sounds similar to Before The Coffee Gets Cold which I loved so I’m excited to read it soon.
Huge thanks to @doubledayukbooks and @allaboutindies for sending me a copy of Lost Souls Meet Under A Full Moon it’s really appreciated.
Lost Souls is out on the 3rd of April 2025 and Lonely Castle is out now!
Q: If you could choose to meet anyone who had passed away, who would you choose?
A: My son Christopher and my dad
Lost Souls Meet Under A Full Moon
Is there anyone you wish to see?
So asks the smart young man, Ayumi, to his clients who have come to him for a reunion with the person who once changed their life.
But it is no ordinary reunion The people they ask to see have passed away.
Calling himself the go-between, Ayumi lays down strict rules around the meetings between the living and the dead: the deceased cannot have been summoned by anyone else; they may refuse; and they must meet under a full moon.
– Anxious Hirase asks to see the celebrity who showed her kindness at a critical moment; – An arrogant family man wants clarity about a will from his beloved mother; – After a bike accident, a school girl has a question for her former best friend; – A salary man wants to ask the only woman he ever loved what caused her to run away.
With each reunion, tantalizing clues are scattered for readers to piece together the emotional truth behind the go-between in this mesmeric and unputdownable tale of kindness, compassion and connection.
Who would you like to see?
Lonely Castle In The Mirror
Would you share your deepest secrets to save a friend?
In a tranquil neighbourhood of Tokyo, seven teenagers wake to find their bedroom mirrors are shining.
At a single touch, they are pulled from their lonely lives to a wondrous castle filled with winding stairways, watchful portraits and twinkling chandeliers. In this new sanctuary, they are confronted with a set of clues leading to a hidden room where one of them will be granted a wish. But there’s a catch: if they don’t leave the castle by five o’clock, they will be punished.
As time passes, a devastating truth emerges: only those brave enough to share their stories will be saved.
Tender, playful, gripping, LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR is a mesmerizing tale about the importance of reaching out, confronting anxiety and embracing human connection.
About The Author:
Mizuki Tsujimura is a bestselling Japanese author whose books have sold over 10 million copies, and whose readership continues to grow. Several of her books have been made into high-profile Japanese-language films and/or manga. Loved by booksellers and readers alike, she is the only writer to have won both the Japan Booksellers’ award and the more literary Naoki Prize.
Good morning everyone and happy Monday. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Open, Heaven by Seán Hewitt recently .
Open, Heaven is a coming of age, love story between two teenage boys and it sounds absolutely beautiful. I’m really looking forward to reading it soon
Huge thanks to Jonathan Cape and Vintage Books for sending me a copy I can’t wait to read it.
Out 24th April 2025 and you can find out more about the book below.
Book Synopsis:
On the cusp of adulthood, James dreams of another life far away from his small village. As he contends with the expectations of his family, his burgeoning desire – an ache for autonomy, tenderness and sex – threatens to unravel his shy exterior.
Then he meets Luke. Unkempt and handsome, charismatic and impulsive, he has been sent to live with his aunt and uncle on a nearby farm. Luke comes with a reputation for danger, but underneath his bravado lie anxieties and hopes of his own.
With the passing seasons, the two teenagers grow closer and the bond that emerges between them transforms their lives. James falls deeply for Luke, yet he is never sure of Luke’s true feelings. And as the end of summer nears, he has a choice to make – will he risk everything for the possibility of love?
About The Author:
Seán Hewitt was born in 1990. His debut collection of poetry, Tongues of Fire, was published by Jonathan Cape in 2020. Tongues of Fire won The Laurel Prize in 2021, and was shortlisted for The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award, the John Pollard Foundation International Poetry Prize, and a Dalkey Literary Award. In 2020, he was chosen by The Sunday Times as one of their “30 under 30” artists in Ireland.
His memoir, All Down Darkness Wide (2022), won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature in 2022, and was shortlisted for a LAMBDA Award, Foyles Book of the Year (Non-Fiction), the RSL Ondaatje Prize, and an Irish Book Award.
A collaboration with the artist Luke Edward Hall, his fourth book is 300,000 Kisses: Tales of Queer Love from the Ancient World (2023).
His second collection of poetry, Rapture’s Road, will be published by Jonathan Cape in 2024.
He lives in Dublin, where he teaches at Trinity College.
Discover bestselling author Nicola Cornick’s brand-new heart-breaking historical tale of unforgettable courage, hidden secrets and lasting love, perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Philippa Gregory and Christina Courtenay.
1715: With the country on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forster’s life at Bamburgh Hall is ruled by the men in her life – her feckless brothers stirring up trouble at court, her elderly father with his dangerous secrets and the man she loves who the world seems determined to keep her apart from. As tensions grow, Dorothy finds herself caught between the warring factions, danger everywhere. Then Dorothy discovers her family are the keepers of the legendary Rose, the talisman both sides believe will guarantee them victory in this deadly conflict. Now Dorothy will have to risk everything to keep the Rose safe; the fate of the country and the men she loves rests in her hands.
Present Day: Hannah Armstrong has returned home to Bamburgh Hall for work but when she discovers that her stepmother Diana has been keeping worrying secrets, her focus shifts to getting to the truth. Their family home once belonged to heroic Dorothy Forster, whose portrait graces the walls and whose spirit lingers in her home, but soon Hannah learns that there was much more to this formidable woman. Because Dorothy left behind a mysterious legacy and it’s not long before Hannah realises it’s one people are willing to kill for. Now Hannah is in a race against time to unravel the secrets of the past before danger arrives at their door.
Two women divided by time but bound by a centuries’ old mystery. Bestseller Nicola Cornick is back with a brand-new thrilling adventure, a heartbreaking love story and the unforgettable story of how the courage of one woman can save a family and even save a nation.
My Review:
The Secrets of The Rose is an absorbing, thrilling read from one of my favourite dual timeline authors.
The book is told in two timelines. In the past timeline we follow Dorothy Foster a strong, independent lady whose brother’s get caught up in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715 to restore Prince James Stuart to the throne. She discovers that the women in her family are keepers of a mythical talisman that both sides of the rebellion think will help them to win. In the present day we follow Hannah Armstrong a historian who has finally returned home after a number of years to research Grace Darling- a Victorian lady who saved her family and others from a shipwreck. Once there she finds it difficult to deal with the tension in the household cause by her stepmother keeping secrets from her and her brother Brandon who is trying to find a missing portrait of Dorothy Foster and the rose. I enjoyed both timelines equally and enjoyed finding out about the Jacobite Rebellion as well as more about Grace Darling’s heroic actions as I hadn’t heard much about either of them before. I always love it when a book teaches me something new and I lost lots of hours googling the events to try and find out more.
I thought the book had a great pace to it and I was quickly absorbed into the story. The two women were amazing main character’s and I soon found myself to be completely on their side, cheering them on from my sofa. There was lots of action that ensured I kept reading as well as lots of twists that took me completely by surprise which I always love. There was a supernatural side of the book which was really well done and I enjoyed finding out more about the mysterious rose’s powers. I’ve read pretty much every book that this author has written and in my opinion she keeps getting better and better.
Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Boldwood for my copy of this book via Netgalley. If you are a fan of dual timeline mysteries then I highly recommend this book. I’ve just bought myself a physical copy as I need to share it with my family and friends.
About The Author:
Nicola Cornick is a historian and author who works as a researcher and guide for the National Trust in one of the most beautiful 17th century houses in England. She writes dual time novels that illustrate her love of history, mystery and the supernatural, and focus on women from the footnotes of history. Her books have appeared in over twenty five languages, sold over eight million copies worldwide and been described as “perfect for Outlander fans.” Nicola also gives writing and history talks, works as a consultant for TV and radio, and is a bookseller at the Wantage Bookshop.
Her new dual time novel, ‘The Secrets of the Rose’ is set during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715 and features the Northumbrian heroine Dorothy Forster, whose family owned the mighty Bamburgh Castle. ‘The Secrets of the Rose’ will be published by Boldwood Books on 7th February 2025 in all formats and is up for pre-order now!
Nicola loves to chat to readers about history, reading and writing.
Eek I’m so thrilled to receive a copy of The Secrets Of Dragonfly Lodge by the lovely @rachel.hore.
I’m a huge fan of her books and have been so excited to read more from her. This book sounds fantastic and I’m really looking forward to reading it soon. I’m also on the blog tour in July so watch out for my review!
Huge thanks to @bookminxsjv and @simonschusteruk for my copy as well as the sweets! They do taste like Eton Mess which is amazing 😍
Out 31st July 2025. Swipe to see the synopsis.
What are your favourite sweets?
Book Synopsis:
Secrets from the past, unravelling in the present…
Uncovering secrets that span generations, Rachel Hore delivers intriguing, involving and emotive narrative reading group fiction like few other writers can.
Nancy Foster has harboured a devastating secret that shattered her professional and personal life. On meeting her, journalist Stef Lansdown realizes that she has the power to restore Nancy’s reputation and to heal the wounds, if only Nancy will trust her. But someone else wants to get to the bottom of the story first, someone who doesn’t want it to be told.
Set in the beautiful environs of the Norfolk Broads in 2010, and in London in the ’40s and ‘50s, when life for career-driven women was so different, The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is Sunday Times multi-million copy bestselling author Rachel Hore’s utterly compelling new novel, interweaving the past and the present.
About The Author:
A warm welcome to my page. I’m the author of thirteen bestselling novels, the most recent of which is The Hidden Years, now available in all the usual formats. My fourteenth novel, The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge, will be published in Summer 2025.
I came to writing quite late, after a career editing fiction at HarperCollins in London. My husband and I had moved out to Norwich with our three young sons and I’d had to give up my job and writing was something that I’d always wanted to try. I originally studied history, so it was wonderful finally to put my knowledge to good use and to write The Dream House, which is partly set in the 1920s in Suffolk and London.
Most of my novels are dual narrative, with a story in the present alternating with one set in the past. I love the freedom that they give me to escape into the past, but also the dramatic ways in which the stories interact. My characters are often trying to solve some mystery about the past and by doing so to resolve some difficulty or puzzle in their own lives.
The books often involve a lot of research and this takes me down all sorts of interesting paths. For The Glass Painter’s Daughter I took an evening class in working with coloured glass. My glass creations were not very amazing, but making them gave me insight into the processes so that my characters’ activities would feel authentic. For A Week in Paris I had to research Paris in World War II and the early 1960s through films and books and by visiting the city – that was a great deal of work for one novel. Last Letter Home involved me touring a lot of country houses with old walled kitchen gardens in search of atmosphere and to explore the different kinds of plants grown there.
Places often inspire my stories. The Memory Garden, my second novel, is set in one of my favourite places in the world – Lamorna Cove in Cornwall – which is accessed through a lovely hidden valley. A Place of Secrets is set in a remote part of North Norfolk near Holt, where past and present seem to meet. Southwold in Suffolk, a characterful old-fashioned seaside resort with a harbour and a lighthouse, has been a much loved destination for our family holidays and has made an appearance in fictional guise in several of my novels, including The Silent Tide and The Love Child.
Until recently I taught Publishing and Creative Writing part-time at the University of East Anglia, but now I’m a full-time writer, which felt like a bit step. My boys are all grown up now and finding their way in the world, but we still see a lot of them. My husband David is a writer, too (he writes as D.J. Taylor), so we understand each other’s working lives.
I find I have to have a regular routine with my writing, not least to keep the book in my head. My aim is to sit down at 9am every morning and write till lunchtime, then again the afternoon, but there is often something ready to interrupt this, not least our Labrador girl Zelda, so I go with the flow.
I hope that you are able to find my books easily and enjoy them – I am always happy to hear from readers!
Over The Rainbow Blog 