It's Wisteria Season...

I don't know about you, but I am loving all the Wisteria out. 

Please send me your photos of your favourite Wisteria... do you have it on your own home, or is there a National Trust house that you love? 

This is a gentle reminder that Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage is available in paperback and ebook - if you've not read it yet!

It's my best seller and when I talk to readers, they all say this is their favourite. (Harry is one hot hero and I was inspired by Henry Cavill when I wrote him.)

Currently only 99p in eBook!

Blurb: 

'A striking example of two pasts threatening a joint future…A great read'Sue Moorcroft, bestselling author of Just for the Holidays

‘Warm, funny…a wonderful read’ International bestselling author Nicola Cornick

A Cornish Escape

After her house is set on fire and her love life is left in tatters, Maddy Hart can’t believe her luck when a friend offers her the temporary haven of Wisteria Cottage. Overlooking the turquoise blue waters of the Cornish coast, the fresh air feels like a fresh start for her and her broken heart.

Peeking out of the cosy cottage windows, Maddy’s surprised to see her gorgeous but insufferable neighbour Harry Tudor has been employed to landscape the garden. But as the wisteria winding its way around the cottage begins to bloom, an unlikely friendship starts to blossom…

Buy on Amazon here.

Sunsets and Happy Ever Afters 3rd Book Birthday!

Happy book birthday to Sunsets and Happy Ever Afters, the third book in my Kittiwake Cove series. 

I can't believe it's THREE already. It's the perfect summer holiday read... 

A gorgeous sun-soaked romance set in Somerset and Cornwall! Perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley, Victoria Walters, Heidi Swain and Phillipa Ashley…

Will Maya ever find the right man for her…?

Having recently gone through a painful divorce, Maya Rosevear has been concentrating on running her mobile beauty business and raising her two young children. Now ready to meet someone new, she decides to give online dating a try.

As she juggles her responsibilities with her love-life, Maya keeps crossing paths with Sam Trescott, the father of her daughter’s best friend. Despite initially getting off on the wrong foot, the two bond over their children and form a tentative friendship.

As a widower, Sam understands what it is like to be lonely. Watching Maya launch herself back into the dating world, he questions whether he is also ready to pursue a new relationship.

Seemingly unable to meet the right man, Maya takes solace in Sam’s companionship more and more. And as they grow closer, both begin to wonder whether they have finally found what they’re looking for…

Can Maya and Sam help each other heal? Will they have a second chance at love?

Or will their painful pasts come back to haunt them…?

SUNSETS AND HAPPY EVER AFTERS is a fun and flirty holiday read you won’t be able to put down. Venture between the Somerset coast and the gorgeous beaches of Cornwall with this sun-soaked romance.

‘The perfect summer escape!’ – Fay Keenan

Now also available in Audible 

Cocktails At Kittiwake Cove - Happy Book Birthday

Fancy a trip to Kittiwake Cove? 

Cocktails at Kittiwake Cove, the first in my Kittiwake Cove series, turns four today! 

Happy book birthday! 

Four years ago I had a little party in my garden. Obviously cocktails were consumed. And plenty of cake! 

A sparkling summer romance set in Cornwall! Perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley, Victoria Walters, Heidi Swain and Phillipa Ashley…

Can Rhianna realise her dream without losing her heart…?

After breaking up with her boyfriend, Rhianna Price has decided to take a break from romance. Determined to focus on her career, she moves to Kittiwake Cove to fulfil her dream of opening a cosy beachside cocktail bar.

But things get complicated when she crosses paths with Joe Trescott — a handsome pub manager and her old holiday fling.

After hearing of her plans, Joe takes Rhianna under his wing to help her feel at home in Kittiwake Cove as she prepares to launch her business.

As they spend more and more time together, both feel their connection starting to rekindle. And although she knows he’s a serial player, Rhianna soon finds herself falling for Joe’s charms once again…

Will Rhianna be able to resist her attraction to Joe? Can she stay focused on her new venture?

And will she make a success of her Cocktails at Kittiwake Cove…?

Cocktails at Kittiwake Coveis a fun and flirty holiday read you won’t be able to put down. Venture to Cornwall in this gorgeous sun-soaked summer romance.

Available here

Happy Paperback Birthday!

Plus One is a Lucky Number first came out in eBook on the 29th August 2013 - which officially made me an author. 

It's like having your first child, and you're officially a mum. There's no going back! 

Anyway, you can imagine our surprise when, as newly made authors, we turned up at HarperCollins HO for a party, to see our paperbacks out on display. 

(In the photo is Jane Lark, Lorraine Wilson and Charlotte Phillips.)

Plus One is a Lucky Number came out in paperback on this day - 8th May - 9 years ago in 2014. Different cover back then. It's had a makeover now and is free in Kindle Unlimited if you want a warm, uplifting, fun romance. 

This is one of my favourite romance tropes, the whole pretending to be in a relationship. Films like The Wedding Date, The Proposal and Just Go With It are favourites of mine. 

When Adam kisses Sophie, is it for real, or is it for show? 

Buy here on Amazon

Happy Book Birthday Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage

Happy book birthday for Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage.

This book turns 8 today. Where has the time flown? 

This has certainly been my biggest selling novel, with the paperback making it into Sainsburys and The Works.

It also meant I got to go to the HarperCollins' summer party of 2017 - which I believe was its 200th anniversary party too. 

Harry is inspired by the lovely and most delectable Henry Cavill, if you want a visual of my super hot hero. The cornish setting is inspired by my family holidays in Polzeath, North Cornwall. 

So grab a glass of wine, or tea/coffee, whatever your tipple, and enjoy the romance... 

'A striking example of two pasts threatening a joint future…A great read' Sue Moorcroft, bestselling author of Just for the Holidays

‘Warm, funny…a wonderful read’ International bestselling author Nicola Cornick

Blurb: 

A Cornish Escape

After her house is set on fire and her love life is left in tatters, Maddy Hart can’t believe her luck when a friend offers her the temporary haven of Wisteria Cottage. Overlooking the turquoise blue waters of the Cornish coast, the fresh air feels like a fresh start for her and her broken heart.

Peeking out of the cosy cottage windows, Maddy’s surprised to see her gorgeous but insufferable neighbour Harry Tudor has been employed to landscape the garden. But as the wisteria winding its way around the cottage begins to bloom, an unlikely friendship starts to blossom…

It's available on all good ebook and book sites. Or from the library. Here's the link to it on Amazon though.

And please remember, if you enjoyed this book, please make an author happy and leave a review. 

Thank you for reading x 

Cocktails At Kittiwake Cove's Publication Day

Cocktails At Kittiwake Cove's publication day was on the 15th June 2021 and I hosted an open house to celebrate the day. 

Cakes, scones, and of course cocktails... as well as lots of  lovely visitors. 

It was such a fabulous day and the weather was fantastic! (Possibly a bit too warm at times, as guests fought for the shady parts of my garden).

Overall, throughout the course of the day, I had around twenty visitors calling in. I've realised I've not shared some of the photos on my blog, so here they are! 

It wouldn't have been a great success without my friends, so thank you to all who were able to attend! 

Cocktails At Kittiwake Cove is the first novel in a three book series published by Sapere Books. It's been fun to write and especially to research with cocktail and wine tasting experiences.

If you've not ordered your copy, you can do so here!   

My Favourite Place

Last week, I took the boys on a mini break/holiday to Cornwall. I booked three nights in a Premier Inn in Bodmin, thinking Bodmin was a rather central location in Cornwall. (And the popular places were all full). 

We usually go away May half-term, but this year we had to defer it to the 4th July. But when the time came, we decided not to go, with everything going on. The holiday campsites would only be opening that week after being closed. It just felt too soon. And wouldn't be the holiday we usually enjoy. 

On the Tuesday, we got up early, and did the same as we would normally, as if heading to Polzeath on May half-term. We stopped at McDonalds breakfast at the services about 45 minutes into our journey and arrived in Polzeath around 9.30am - we'd had to take a country lane detour due to a road being closed. That was fun! Not! (I did my fair share of Cornish country lanes in those four days!)

As we drove closer to our destination, I could feel myself getting emotional. I didn't think I'd get to see my favourite place this year. I was filled with such joy and happiness. (I kept it together though, or the boys would have thought I was weird - well weirder than they already think I am).

The weather was kind to us, and we had a good six hours on the beach before heading off to check in at our hotel in Bodmin. The boys enjoyed the water, even though the surf was flat, and digging dams in the sand, blocking a stream.

The fact that I got to be on Polzeath beach, even if just for a day this year, has made me so much happier. It's one of my favourite places, and a huge inspiration to all of my books. To feel the sand between my toes, the wind on my face, to hear the roar of the ocean and to breathe the briny fresh air... 

The water was warm, so the boys were in there for a long time, and I got to sit on the beach, reading my book, in a bikini! 

Usually, when away, I try not to move the car for a week but these four days we decided to see different parts of Cornwall and have a kind of road trip, Bodmin being the perfect location for this. We managed to also visit another favourite place of mine; Charlestown. 

Those four days were great. And it kept the boys off their PS4's for at least four days, too! Now fingers crossed they're back to school next week, and I can get down to the writing... 

Have you managed to visit your favourite place this year? 

Sand, Sun, Sea and Surf

Surfer Kieran

Back from my holidays, and I know I've been neglecting my blog, so I thought I would post some photos of my inspiration for Tinners Bay, which is a seaside town that features in most of my books (and I'm in the process of writing a series which Tinners Bay will feature).

Last year we changed our holiday location to Woolacombe, and although we thoroughly enjoyed our holiday, except for the naff weather, we missed the beach.

Woolacombe has a gorgeous beach, but where we were staying meant not being able to visit without taking the car down. It was a bit of a trek, so didn't get there every day, especially as the weather wasn't great.

Surfer Ben

However, in Polzeath, where we stay, the beach is only a short walk. So if it's miserable, we can head down for an hour or two, and if it's glorious sunshine we can stay there all day. High tide was growing later each day, so we ended up being on the beach later each evening actually.

We were on the beach every day!

When we first arrived, and walking the beach, the boys both said, "I've missed Polzeath." And so had I, if truth be told.

Revisiting Polzeath has kind of hit a reset button for me personally too.

I've made myself a promise that I must try to visit each year with the boys, while they're still children at least, and funds permitting. I paid for a surf session for them both, (it'll help with some research for me too) and they took to surfing with surf boards (rather than body boards) easily. In fact, the only reason they came out of the water - other than the boards needing to go back - was because they were bloody knackered!

Anyway, here's some photos I promised. I have put some on my Facebook page, but thought I'd share here too.

News For US Readers! All 3 books are $0.99

US readers! All three of my books are currently $0.99 on Amazon Kindle! (or do you write it 99 cents?) 

Such exciting news! I'm not sure how long this offer will last so grab your bargain now, and escape into the English countryside, with feel good stories and adorable, handsome heroes! 

My debut novel, set mainly in Cornwall and my introduction to Tinners Bay:

Plus One is a Lucky Number

Sophie needs a favour, a wedding favour...

Sophie’s going to a wedding where the invite is strictly plus one… but with her single girl status not exactly fitting in with the bridesmaid dress code, and the best man being none other than the ex she would rather forget, Sophie needs a favour and she needs it fast!

Luckily for Sophie, her dreamy but distant co-worker Adam Reid owes their mutual friend James big time…and his gorgeousness more than fills the role of the ‘Perfect Boyfriend’!

As they take off to the sunny shores of Cornwall for the wedding weekend, it’s not long before pretence leads to passion and Sophie and Adam must decide; is their relationship real or is it all for show?

Plus One is a A Lucky Number Amazon.com link: http://amzn.to/1dPRM72

My second novel is set in Bristol, the city near where a live...

One Fine Day 

Just a boy standing in front of a girl…

Actor Steve Mason has it all … gorgeous looks, the perfect starlet girlfriend hanging on his arm and his name on every Hollywood producer’s lips. That is, until it turns out the ‘perfect girl’ is actually a perfect PR stunt! Dumped and with his name plastered across every tabloid headline, Steve decides to head home to England, questioning if he’ll ever find a woman who genuinely loves him for who he is, and not just his place on the Sexiest Man Alive list.

It’s been fifteen long years since Ruby last saw her big brother – but the new LA version of Steve complete with designer wardrobe, California tan and an American accent is too much to bear – Ruby hardly recognises him and decides it’s time to get her brother back!

With Ruby’s help, Steve goes undercover as he plays the part of a regular guy who leads a regular life. And then one perfectly fine, ordinary day he meets lovely, funny, down-to-earth Lydia. But when Hollywood comes calling, will Steve be able to leave both Lydia and his little sister behind?

One Fine Day Amazon.com buy link: http://amzn.to/1xQ1JIx

And my latest novel, returning to Tinners Bay...

Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage 

A Cornish Escape

After her house is set on fire and her love life is left in tatters, Maddy Hart can’t believe her luck when a friend offers her the temporary haven of Wisteria Cottage. Overlooking the turquoise blue waters of the Cornish coast, the fresh air feels like a fresh start for her and her broken heart.

Peeking out of the cosy cottage windows, Maddy’s surprised to see her gorgeous but insufferable neighbour Harry Tudor has been employed to landscape the garden. But as the wisteria winding its way around the cottage begins to bloom, an unlikely friendship starts to blossom…

Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage Amazon.com buy link: http://amzn.to/2jZ6CO7

Enjoy! And remember to leave a review if you enjoyed my books! Thank you x x x 

Wisteria Cottage makes Amazon Summer Sale

Such exciting news! Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage has made it into Amazon's Kindle summer sale! The ebook is 99p and because most price match, it means that it's not only 99p in Amazon but across all the ebook retailers.

So you can get it from iTunes/ Kobo / Google Play / Amazon UK

It is available at Amazon US or Barnes & Noble but not yet at the sale price. (You'll have to pay $2.99)

And if you would prefer the paperback, Amazon UK is still selling it for a bargain of £2.99 or look out for it in The Works. It should be in stores from mid July.

I can't tell you how thrilled I am at how well this book is being received. 29 FIVE STAR reviews on Amazon! But it could certainly do with some more. So please feel free to leave a review on Amazon or wherever you bought the book. (It could do with reviews on the other retailers too).

Loved it from its very first line until its very last - 5 STAR Amazon review

Blurb: 

'A striking example of two pasts threatening a joint future…A great read' Sue Moorcroft, bestselling author of Just for the Holidays

‘Warm, funny…a wonderful read’ International bestselling author Nicola Cornick

A Cornish Escape

After her house is set on fire and her love life is left in tatters, Maddy Hart can’t believe her luck when a friend offers her the temporary haven of Wisteria Cottage. Overlooking the turquoise blue waters of the Cornish coast, the fresh air feels like a fresh start for her and her broken heart.

Peeking out of the cosy cottage windows, Maddy’s surprised to see her gorgeous but insufferable neighbour Harry Tudor has been employed to landscape the garden. But as the wisteria winding its way around the cottage begins to bloom, an unlikely friendship starts to blossom…

The Backdrop To Wisteria Cottage

I write stand alone contemporary romance stories, not sequels. I have been asked if I'll write a sequel to Plus One is a Lucky Number (Cassie really has a story to tell) and One Fine Day (Ruby and Brett's story could be expanded...) but as yet, I haven't got to those... if I ever will.

However, I did set Meet Me at Wisteria Cottage in Tinners Bay which is where Plus One is a Lucky Number is set. In fact, there are a couple of characters from Plus One who feature in Wisteria Cottage. My main antagonist in Plus One is a bit of thorn in Harry's side in Wisteria Cottage.

And to tie in my other novel, I have Maddy's parents based in Clifton, Bristol, which was the back drop One Fine Day. Sadly no cameos there though.

Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage is available to pre-order on Amazon here... it releases 6th April. So if you haven't read my previous novels, you could always read those while you wait for the 6th April!

Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage blurb:

Is this a chance for a fresh start?

After her house is set on fire, Maddy Hart’s gorgeous neighbour, Harry Tudor – ex-firefighter turned landscape gardener – comes to her rescue. He invites her to stay at his place during the investigation, but living with Harry soon has Maddy hot under the collar!

Wary after a bad experience with her ex-boyfriend, Maddy decides to slow things down with Harry by moving out. She can’t believe her luck when a friend offers her the temporary haven of Wisteria Cottage, but somehow she’s not surprised to discover Harry’s been employed to landscape the cottage’s garden. Is fate is trying to tell her something?

Can't Beat Cornwall When The Sun Shines

Ben about to brave the waves... I mean millpond.

View from coastal path to Daymer Bay

Every year, for the last twelve years, I've holidayed with my family in Polzeath, Cornwall. It's situated north of Newquay, with Padstow around its corner and is a great surfing beach.

This year the waves weren't so good, but the sunshine was fantastic! (It usually happens that way). And the wind had dropped too, which meant we could actually stand on the beach and not freeze. The water even felt warm.

To be honest, in the twelve years, the network problems still haven't improved for Vodafone, so I am cut off from the world wide web pretty much all holiday. Which is probably a good thing. I can only send text messages from the beach! I couldn't check emails, and it was hard to peruse Facebook with the sun glaring on the screen... and the kids demanding games of cricket.

Polzeath Beach

The irony is that I seem to get a better reception and 4G out on The Rumps. In my caravan, zilch.

Polzeath Beach

Anyway, I wanted to share some photographs I took. (Unfortunately some may have my children in them). This is my inspiration for Tinners Bay, for the setting/back drop of Plus One is a Lucky Number, and (if I'm lucky enough to get my third book published too), for To Love Again. (Although this title may change. I've learnt not to get attached to a title. Let's play it safe and just call it book 3, because it's the 3rd book I've written).

While walking the coastal footpaths, I wondered if I'd done this scenic coastline any justice in my books. Can't do much about Plus One is a Lucky Number, but I can certainly go back to book 3 and edit some of Polzeath's character into it.

Walking coastal path to the Rumps.

The highlight of this holiday was on Friday, 3rd June, when we strolled to the Rumps (it's a good fair trek, I tell you!) we were rewarded when we reached them, because there were two seals in a small bay below. Absolutely fascinating to watch. We were sure they were waving at us.

Sat on The Rumps

Researching Truro

No longer having a book in hand, I'm now tapping away at book 3. Admittedly, reading some of it back the other day, I was thinking, God, I will need to put some excitement into this! lol! But I figured, I can do that with the editing stage. It's a good idea to just get the base of the story down - yes?

One of the scenes I was writing was based in Truro. I'd found out through the powers of Twitter (I love social media) this is the best place to shop for those living in Cornwall. However, I'm writing this scene and I've never been to Truro - I don't even know what to picture. Does it have a Costa?

I messaged my friend who lives in Cornwall, and from that and checking out hotel prices on Booking.com, realised I needed to go visit the place for myself.

Shame I hadn't set it in Paris, Madrid or Rome huh? But unfortunately my book is set in Cornwall... maybe book 4 - but this would mean me getting a passport.

So, last weekend, with beautiful blue sky - it could have been summer only the car was telling us it was 5 degrees Celsius out there - we headed off to Truro Saturday afternoon and killed two birds with one stone - well, three actually. On the Saturday evening, I caught up with my friend who I haven't seen in over 20 years. We've been chatting to each other via Facebook (this is the positive side to Facebook) so we weren't strangers, but it really is lovely to meet someone in the flesh and give them a hug.

Mr Aquarius and I stayed in the County Arms, which was a very lovely hotel, but the price didn't include breakfast. This was good because it meant we had to get out there and explore Truro on the Sunday and hunt out a good cafe.

Mr Aquarius unaware he's in a photo

Francis Potts, who is a cyber friend - as in I've only met him over the internet; we're Twitter and Facebook chums - came and met us for a coffee and a chat as he only lives in Penzance. So now I feel we are no longer just virtual friends. :)

My school friend, Karen. 

Then, Mr Aquarius and I walked around the streets of Truro, exploring the high street and even visiting inside the Cathedral. And on the way home, we stopped off to take a look at The Jamaica Inn like true tourists.

I'm so glad I went to Truro. I observed and listened to the sounds - seagulls, even though Truro is not technically on the coast  - and I hadn't realised the Cathedral could be seen from pretty much anyway in Truro... or at least heard when the bells chimed.

And the city does have a Costa...

Now I've just got to weave this into the chapter of my book...

Holiday Antics - Everybody Go Surfin'

Day 6: Thursday 30th May - Surfs up!

The way the tide was working, it was coming in during the morning. High tide being around 10-11am. Perfect for getting the surfing out of the way and not having to walk miles up the beach. That tide does go out a long way!

Kieran decided he wanted to stay at the caravan with Nanny Sylvie - the last time he'd surfed he'd had a couple of near-drowning wave-tumbling experiences which may have knocked his confidence (so Dad thought).

Therefore, Dad, Ben and I, like proper surfers, donned wetsuits, and carried our surf boards (boogie boards) to the beach. All we had in belongings were our flip-flops which we left by a wind-breaker of a family already set up on the beach for the day. When we returned - an hour later - it was hunt the wind-breaker as more had arrived on the beach.

Again, it was too cold to stay sitting on the beach and the boys wanted to have a go on the trampolines. I have some excellent videos of them somersaulting... one day I'll learn how to upload them!

Later we came back to the beach to do rock pooling. At 4pm, the tide was well and truly out and there are lots of rock pools to search through. As you can see by the pictures the sun was always out... however, it doesn't capture the chilly wind.

Summer Holiday Antics Day 3

Day 3: Monday 27 May 2013: Rain Rain Go Away

Monday was the worst day for weather. Of course it was, it was a Bank Holiday Monday.

I don't really have many photos. Who takes photo in the rain?

Dad and I took the boys for a walk (well, they cycled, we walked) around to Daymer Bay as we thought we'd beat the rain. Apparently not. We got soaked!

After some dry clothes and lunch in the caravan, and some board games played, I took the boys over to the club house. They played pool, air hockey, football and a few other arcade games, while I drank Bud. Well, I was on holiday.

I also abused the WiFi while I was there and updated Facebook etc.

In the evening we all settled down to watch Spring Watch. Luckily, that was the last we saw of the rain. We heard it in the night a couple of times... but didn't see any again.