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.

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? 

11th Day of Birthday

On the eleventh day of my birthday, I would like sent to me...

Tom Hiddleston

I would love to meet this guy in the flesh! My obsession started when I saw a YouTube video of him dancing, and it was instant love for the man! (I then stalked more YouTube videos of this man!) Nothing sexier than a man who can dance - in my opinion anyway.

Brilliant actor, fun guy (or at least he comes across that way). Blue eyes and blond hair! Love love love!

I have a Pinterest Board just for this guy too! He's on my inspirational hero list for writing.

6th Day of Birthday

On the sixth day of my birthday, I would like sent to me...

Henry Cavill 

Oh, how I would love to meet Henry. He's played my favourite superhero and he comes across as just a really nice guy. Henry was also my inspiration behind Harry in Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage.  I would love to meet him. Probably go completely shy, for the first time ever, but even so...

For more up to date images of Henry Cavill... go visit my Pinterest Board. 

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.

It's #WisteriaHysteria Season...

Photo by Alison Folwell. 

May is such a beautiful month with the spring flowers, and most importantly, the wisteria.

And currently, we're being really lucky with some fantastic sunshine!

I'm not sure if Amazon are doing this to celebrate the 'wisteria Season', but Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage paperback is currently ONLY £2 on Amazon UK. !

So perfect opportunity to grab a holiday read! Escape to Cornwall...



I've been trying to snap some wisteria where I can, and when out with Fay Keenan for coffee and catch up, and a lot of writing brainstorming, I found a cottage in Winscombe with wisteria too. It could so easily be Wisteria Cottage.

Cottage in Winscombe

Please share your photos of any wisteria! Would love to see them. 

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

The Worst Part Of Writing

Have I told you how much I hate writing a synopsis? I haven't written many, so don't feel at all comfortable or confident in writing them. And it feels so alien to how you write, because you're talking about your characters, and it feels much more telling, not showing.

How long does a synopsis need to be?

Do I really need to tell all the twists?

And then when I read it back I question the story I've written!

This is definitely the worst part about writing. And do you write it before or after you've finished your first draft? I tend to write it after, as my storyline likes to change as the characters decide to do things differently to my original plan.

So I now have the fun job of writing my synopsis for my third novel, which I'm in the process of editing. It all feels a bit more worrying too, because I'm out of contract, so will Harper Impulse like this novel? My goal is to try and get this novel out there before Christmas if I can as I'd love to see it in print next year. This will keep me on target of a book a year then.

In the meantime, the characters in potentially what may be my fourth novel keep talking to me. So it looks like I'm going to be writing them next. They've just demanded it really, even though I had thought of other storylines I wanted to tackle, this one 'Cinderella meets James Bond' just keeps growing inside my head.

With the digital release available, there are more fan vids for The Man From UNCLE now, and Illya and Gaby are my inspiration for book 4. (I can't wait to get my Bluray copy).

A New Obsession... The Man From UNCLE

Ever since watching this film with my friend on Thursday, I haven't stopped obsessing about it. I wanted to see it because of Henry Cavill who plays Napolean Solo (the American Spy). Ever since seeing him as the Man of Steel, I've been a fan! And in this movie he doesn't disappoint either. He shares the screen with two other great actors, Armie Hammer (Illya Kuryakin) and Alicia Vikander (Gaby Teller) and the chemistry between the three of them is amazing.

Solo and Illya (the spies) have a love/hate relationship which is fun to watch but as this story unfolds, I found myself loving the relationship between Illya (the Russian spy) and Gaby (the East German girl). I don't want to ruin this film with any spoilers, but they have to pretend to be engaged... and you all know how I love relationships that are pretending to be in a relationship. Yes, I've been on YouTube and yes there are fanvids of these two already :)

There are a few moments in this film where these two sizzle. You think they're about to kiss... you want them to kiss... desperately...

Guy Ritchie directed this film. It's of his usual calibre, but I would say it's better - if not his best yet! Brilliant. You will be entertained from start to finish, there is never a dull moment, the comedy is timed to perfection. But the comedy isn't spoofy, it's just dry and fun. The film is set in the 60's to keep it in line with the TV series it is inspired by.

One fantastic action movie! My friend and I came out of the cinema wishing we could go back in and watch it all over again.

Don't worry, I still have a love for Henry, who is my inspiration for book 3 (which I'm currently writing) but I think it's safe to say, Armie Hammer, my Russian Spy, with his blond hair, blue eyes and slim, muscular build at 6' 5" will be my next book inspiration - or he'll be fighting it out with Tom Hiddleston.

If you're wondering - like I was - where have you seen Armie Hammer before, he's The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp which is okay, and he's Prince Alcott in Mirror Mirror which is the tale of Snow White and is another fantastic movie.

Here's the official trailer of The Man from UNCLE. I promise this isn't showing you all the jokes and best bits. The whole movie is the best bit!

If they can make a million Mission Impossibles... then they can make a sequel to this movie!

*I've found the pictures/photos off the internet, I've lost track of who they belong to, but they don't belong to me. And I hope the owners don't mind me borrowing them for the cause of bigging up this awesome movie.

My Secret Obsession With Short Men

It's not much of a secret, but the title sounded good.

Now, I'm 5'6". Not particularly tall, but not particularly short either for a woman. I'd say I'm average really.

I prefer tall/taller men. However, the man I married (now my ex-husband) was 5' 6" - actually he'd argue he was half an inch taller because that made all the difference. How did this happen, when I prefer taller men?

Actually I've learnt over the past couple of years, I don't really have a 'type' as such. They do have to have something appealing, and the chemistry, obviously, but it doesn't really matter if they're short or tall, I'll still fancy them - as long as they're not shorter than me! But it's hard to put a finger in my type of guy.

I've always preferred taller men, thinking they should always be that bit taller than their girlfriends/wives. And when writing, my heroes will always be tall, and taller than the heroines.

For me, I do like guys around the 5'10" mark or taller. Brad Pitt is 5' 11" - PERFECT!

Too much taller than 6' and they'd scare me I think. Bradley Cooper is 6' 0.5" (1.85m) - even better! So, basically, I'm looking for a guy between Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper :)

But what is it with short men, because I really like them too... yet the one needs to be tall. Please be tall!

I mean I just LOVE Martin Freeman but he is only 5' 6.5" tall (1.69m). (Arguably as tall as my ex-husband).

And then there is Richard Hammond in all his 5' 7" (1.7m) greatness. He is the only reason I watch Top Gear!

Tom Cruise is the same height as Richard Hammond.

However, in comparison, the lovely, delectable, Tom Hiddleston is 6' 1.75" tall (1.87m) - Another reason why I am in love with Tom. He's tall, he can dance, act... he has blond hair, blue eyes... What is not to like about Tom Hiddleston.

Opps, sorry, was supposed to be talking about my obsession for short men...

The RNA Conference Buzz

Me, Rachel Brimble and Jane Lark selfie.

I am probably, like every other writer who attended the RNA Conference at the weekend, now blogging about it.

And why not!? It makes good blogging fodder!

Everyone who attended will agree with me here. The conference gives you such a buzz, and you meet so many lovely authors, and aspiring writers, you just can't help get a high from it all.

My good friend Mary Cross with Lizzie Lane

In fact, I'm feeling rather deflated today... missing the lovely people, the delicious food and the scrumptious wine... I ate so much good food! (And drank too much wine.)

This year felt particularly good for me actually.

1) I met up with lots of authors I hadn't seen in three years, since the last (and my very first conference) I attended.

2) I was no longer a conference virgin. I knew what I was doing :-)

Me, Sue Fortin and Mandy Baggot

And 3) I had fellow writers to hang around with. It was really fab, because a good majority of my RNA chapter group made it to the conference, and so we all hung out together :) It was like an extended RNA chapter meeting.

The Romaniacs :-) 

It's a good reflection for me also. In 2011, I attended the RNA conference as an aspiring romance writer, not even a member of the RNA. But that conference encouraged me to join the RNA New Writers' Scheme, and here I am returning, three years later, now a full member of the RNA with a novel published.

Nikki Moore, Linn B Halton, Mandy B and
Jane Lark
Harper Impulse authors :)

It also enabled me to meet up with my fellow Harper Impulse authors too!

Anyway, with this blog post I'm going to share some of my favourite photos - however I have plastered the lot over on my website :)

Nikki Moore and Sue Moorcroft
(Not sure who the lady in pink is)

Morton Gray :-) Who I Love!

As you can see, I've managed to get some great photos of great authors :-) And you can see how smiley we are... or is that the free wine?

Our RNA Bath and Wiltshire Chapter group.

Gosh, there were so many more photos I wanted to add on this blog post...

Maybe It's Time For A Change...

What I'm about to say may go down like a lead balloon, but I'm saying it anyway! I do have a point. This post is only a bit of fun, even if I'm speaking my mind just a little! Honest.

For nearly nine years now I've worked in a convenience store - the corner shop. I see the same kind of people who come into this store on a regular basis.

Sometimes it amazes me the amount of junk in people's baskets - that's another story.

Now this is a generalisation, because not everyone fits into this 'category' (some fitness fanatics also shop in convenient stores too), but basically, the kind of people who generally come into the store is for it's convenience. Convenient food. Also cigarettes. And so I see a proportion of the population who are overweight (and usually less attractive). Sorry I said it. If I go to hell, I go to hell. 

After a few shots of squashed frogs last night, my dear friend said that maybe I should work in a gym. Because he quite rightly pointed out that I'm seeing a percentage of the population who use convenient foods. The human race is a mix of all sorts at the end of the day. And would these same people use the gym? (It's quite clearly visible that a lot of them do not - sorry - again!).

No, in a gym I'd be surrounded by fitness junkies with lovely trimmed, muscular bodies. I would be surrounded by men like this...

Which in my opinion are beautiful and a much better view to help the mundane job go by. That is my opinion. It may not be yours...

So yes, time to find a job in a gym. Agree?

My Type Of Guy

Friday night I watched "What's Your Number?" with Chris Evans (the American actor, not the British radio DJ with red hair!) and Anna Faris.

Evans as Captain America!

Now, I recommend this film on the nudity of Chris Evans alone! He usually has a towel or something covering his nether regions, but OMG the man is LUSH.

The film is fun actually, a chick-flick romantic comedy, and starts very much like Bridesmaids, the heroine sneaking out of bed to do her make up and brush her hair so she looks pretty when the guy she's in bed with wakes up.


Anyway, I'm not here to talk about the film, I'm here to talk about the blue eyes.

I do tend to love blue eyes and blond haired males... and my heroes in my books will take on this.  Bradley Cooper anyone? ...Daniel Craig, Josh Holloway...

But with my latest addiction of Henry Cavill - The Man of Steel - he certainly doesn't have blond hair.

It's certainly left me torn between Captain America and Superman!

So do I have a type?


I think it has to be the eyes! I prefer blue over brown... It has nothing to do with being Drop Dead Gorgeous and one fit body... I'm looking at only their eyes - honest!

Even in real life, I tend to fancy men with blue eyes...

Do you prefer your heroes to have blue or brown eyes? Or do they just have to be good eyes?