Wow!

So it's been four years since I was on here. Sad but true. I have another job now, so don't write anywhere near as much as I'd like to or should, though that has little to do with my job and a lot to do with my laziness. I'm currently on lockdown with my family, due to my kids being a bit poorly at the beginning of the week. They are now fine! Yet we have made the commitment to follow the NHS guidelines and self-isolate wish us luck! (I know no one reads this but every now and then you just need to write stuff down!) Stay safe stay healthy X

Did I mention...

I have a new (old) book out! Say hello to Travis! It's my Kiwi veterinarian hero in Cat's Eyes. Well, it was time our heroine Sarah found herself a nice bloke. The question is will she keep him?

Sarah Cole is one shapeshifter who is always in control that is until she meets sexy Kiwi and zoo vet, Travis Hunter.

He has a way of rattling her cool exterior and making her feel like no man ever has. The problem is in Sarah's experience when shapeshifters and humans get together someone always gets hurt.

If that weren't enough, Sarah's zoo outing brings her to a cursed Amur leopard who needs her help to become human again.

Can Sarah save the shifter and her heart, or will her cat's eyes only see the damage that magic wreaks on the unsuspecting. 

Cat's Eyes is available as an ebook at Smashwords, Amazon (UK and US), itunes and  many more. All you need to do is pick your favourite retailer. X

Not a natural!

You may have noticed but blogging doesn't come naturally to me... writing a diary never did either. You'd think these things would for someone who pretends to be a writer, but my real life never really interested me that much unless it was something very special, such as the previous post. What I did find came naturally was plucking stories out of thin air. I remember doing my 5th Form Certificate English exam and we had to write a short story (nowadays it would probably be called flash fiction) about a picture. It was a person standing in front of a door with their umbrella up in the pouring rain. I just looked at it and thought, she's hesitating, it's something she's not sure she wants to do but is HAS to. Then I realised she was meeting her birth mother for the first time. That's all I remember of the exam and the story, but I knew that was the story I had to tell. So though I'll try and stop by and say hello to anyone who may be passing I won't make any promises ;) X

My 40th, Phantom & JK Rowling!

On Tuesday (19th January) I turned 40. My husband, nay my incredible husband, decided to treat me by taking me to an extremely famous hotel in London the following weekend, and he threw in tickets to Phantom of the Opera for good measure.

The staff were exquisite. We'd barely walked in the door, one of the receptionists heard our surname and immediately said "Happy Birthday", this was reiterated throughout our stay by many more lovely staff members. On arrival in our room we were greeted by this divine piece of deliciousness too...

This was a completely different world for me. I've stayed in nice hotels, but this was luxury par excellence. After a gorgeous dinner that bought me and my husband both many memories of our homeland (wiener schnitzel and shellfish being staples of our New Zealand diet), I was given another surprise...

None of this had been arranged by my husband, he'd mentioned it was my birthday and this is obviously what they do for those who choose to celebrate their special occasions with them. Every staff member we encountered was professional, courteous, gracious and kind. What I expected to be a once in a lifetime experience already has us thinking about our next stay. These touches that cost a company so little, but mean so much really do make all the difference. (We had similar at a local 4* hotel I took my husband to for his 40th).

On top of all this, my beloved then took me to see Phantom of the Opera. He'd wanted to take me there the night he'd proposed but couldn't get decent seats so we went to We Will Rock You instead, a fantastic substitute. 

Although we saw Phantom a couple of years ago on tour, nothing can compare to the atmosphere and magic of seeing it at Her Majesty's Theatre, and John Owen-Jones was heartbreaking as the Phantom.

Unfortunately, my DH awoke feeling very unwell, and while I dug into a hearty breakfast he had to return to the room leaving his salmon bagel and scrambled eggs untouched. After an emergency dash to Tescos for painkillers I let him sleep a while longer, making us leave the room later than intended. Once downstairs we chatted happily to the hostess that had shown us to our breakfast table. It is because of these delays I ended up seeing my literary hero, JK Rowling. The woman that inspired me to actually put my fingers on a keyboard and begin to write. As I almost hyperventilated my other half wondered what was going on. When I told him, he smiled and sent me off to get the kids a gift (we'd intended on that already), whilst he settled the bill. As she was with children I didn't want to be rude or indiscreet, but I had to say something. I'm not even sure what I said, it's a blur, but it was along the lines of "Thank you, for writing your books." She was gracious and lovely, and as I was leaving the shop, I also told her I was loving the new Robert Galbraith. To which she again thanked me. 

What I really wanted to tell her was "You're amazing, you inspired me to write, I have "I solemnly swear I am up to no good" as a decal on my car, I already have tickets to The Cursed Child, I admire your charity work and your courageous efforts to make this world a better place. And why can't Robin see that Strike thinks she's brilliant but wants her to be safe and that Matthew is a pillock? Plus can I have a picture with you and an autograph, please? 

But none of this would have been okay. People don't want to be harassed when they're out with their kids, and kids don't want to hear crazed fans rant at their adults. This is also why I haven't named my wonderful hotel, though I'm sure it would be easy enough to figure out for anyone who cares. 

It's not often you get to speak to someone you admire so deeply. It's mind-bending that one weekend could be so filled with dreams made into reality, yet that is exactly what happened. So to conclude my long-winded post I just want to say thank you to all the people that made my birthday exceedingly special, whether you knew it or not, and most especially my husband for choosing me. I may not always act like it, but I know everyday how lucky I am to have you. XXX

Her Merry Mix-Up

It’s not so much that Amber Curtis gave up on Christmas, but that Christmas gave up on Amber.

After a string of chaotic Christmases, and one awkward break-up Amber is looking for some alone time. Unfortunately, the silly season seems out to get her, and instead of the haven of tranquillity she is hoping for she gets Will Stone.

Her unexpected roommate makes it his mission to prove she’s not the jinx she’s decided she is, and with the help of his family, she just might realise that a merry mix-up can be a good thing after all.

Excerpt:

Will had stomped ahead a few paces, as they came to the top of a rather hefty hill. Amber turned to take in the view and catch her breath, only for it to be taken away again by the landscape. It was beautiful, covered in pristine white, a true winter wonderland. The cottage topped the scene off by looking like a Christmas card painting. She scooped up a handful of snow and began shaping it into a decent replica of a softball.

"Hey, slowcoach, are you coming?" She turned to see Will about twenty feet away his hands tucked deeply into his pockets.

By using his footprints, she eased her progress towards him. He was looking over her head at the scenery seemingly unaware of the projectile in her hand. Just as he turned and began walking up the slope again, she sent the snowball on a collision course with the back of his head.

"What the hell?" was all she heard as she quickly rearmed herself.

"You didn't really just hit a six foot three full back in the back of the head with a snowball did you, because that would be very silly." There was a sexy menace to his words and a shiver ran through the length of her body that had nothing to do with the cold.

His slow turn gave her a moment to aim before landing another hit, right in the centre of his face.

The fight was on as he shovelled up snow with his gloved hands and continually missed her, either due to her blinding him with her very accurate throws or just his atrocious snowball making ability. She now had the higher ground having snuck past him whilst he was wiping his face.

"You might be a big mighty rugby player, but I played rounders!" she laughed loudly and turned her back to carry on towards the now visible farmhouse, she just had time to register some people walking towards them, before realising her mistake.

There was a shuffling sound behind her and she turned just in time to glimpse the vast chest—she’d first noticed less than 48 hours ago—far closer than she’d ever expected to see it. He lifted her off the ground and placed her on her back on the freezing snow, in one fluid movement. It showed great strength and speed, unsurprisingly, but also incredible control, she hadn’t felt any impact whatsoever. His legs lay next to hers, but his arms still encircled her, holding his body mere inches away. A triumphant gleam lit his eyes before he began shaking his head vigorously letting the water and snow, she’d pummelled him with, shower down on her.

"Get off." She gasped laughing.

The head shaking stopped, but he didn't move.

"You might have a good aim, but I know how to tackle." His voice held a heat which made her stomach knot and breathing deepen.

Despite knowing she was currently on a bed of snow, Amber would have sworn she was lying on hot coals—fire was surely the only explanation for her temperature spike.

Wolf's Heart - Feral Book One Available NOW!

Larissa Lovell is standing in the middle of her own personal idea of hell: A Sci-Fi and Fantasy convention.

When Larissa's best friend sends her on a mission, to get the autograph of Zane Adamson: the sexy star of the paranormal television hit 'Feral', she is far from thrilled. Larissa is a realist, and silly fantasy worlds are not her idea of fun. When she meets Zane however, she decides her fortunes are looking up.  Unfortunately, for Larissa, Zane is harboring secrets that affect both of their lives, past, present and future.

As reality and fantasy collide, will Zane be able to convince Larissa that she has the strength to ensure her own survival as well as protect the existence of the world she turned her back on long ago?

Returning to the muggle world soon...

You might not believe it, but I have been busy. After some extensive time with a proof-reader the rewrites for Wolf's Heart are complete and Zane and Larissa will be returning to the published world soon. So looking forward to sharing them and the rest of the Feral world with all the muggles again. Also I'm near completion of my Christmas novella and I can't wait to bring Amber and Will to you all. X