WHAT KIND OF BOOKS DO I WRITE?
I collect the stories hidden in the landscapes I know, whether it be in the Forest of Dean UK, where I live, or in my home country of Australia. I write about women influenced by those landscapes, who must navigate an obstacle-strewn path to achieve their dreams and ambitions – and the outcome isn’t always what you might expect.
“I found myself unable to set down the book, reading into the wee hours of the night, wanting to find out how the story would unfold. She kept me guessing until the final paragraph!“
The author’s storytelling is exceptional, making you breathe, move and feel alongside the characters, sharing their dreams and sometimes despairing at their choices.” Reader Review The Past can Wait
“How Hester navigates her plight kept me turning the pages late into the evening.” Reader Review River Witch
“Novels give you the matrix of emotions, give you the flavour of a time in a way formal history cannot.” ― Doris Lessing
My women fight societal prejudice, including often from their own families; they battle enemies who would break them – sometimes literally; and they struggle with their own dilemmas on what is right for themselves and those they love most in the world.
“I couldn’t stop reading as I was so desperate for Hester to get the ending she deserved.” Reader Review River Witch
Relationships matter deeply, but these are stories of courage, belonging, family, and the choices that shape generations. They are about the emotional journey, and I delight in immersing the reader as they travel side by side with the characters.
“The reader feels they are right there, in the thick of the scenery, weather, terrain, and life at the time this story is set. This book is highly worthy of five shiny gold stars.” Reader Review Keepers
“You really feel like you are there with Rose as she works to find her place in life. This is a story that will make you cry, but also feel uplifted as well, definitely a historical romance done correctly.” Reader Review The Gift of Belonging
“I felt I was part of the magical quest to solve a mystery.” Reader Review The Herbalist’s Daughters
As one reader put it: “Chapter after chapter, you live the lives of the characters, tread the paths that they tread, and participate in their everyday chores. You learn about their dreams and hopes. You start wishing that they succeed. You are angry when someone hurts them, and your heart leaps with joy when someone helps them.” Reader Review The Gift of Belonging
IF YOU’RE NEW TO MY BOOKS, WHERE BEST TO START?
Each of my novels for grownups is a standalone, so in that respect order doesn’t hugely matter. So where you start depends on whether you prefer your historical fiction with or without a sprinkling of magical realism. If the latter, start with the KEEPERS series. If you love fantasy and magic, herbal lore, and rivers that whisper, dive into River Witch first and get hooked on what happens to the next generations of women in that family in the THE WISE WOMEN series.
If you enjoy outright fantasy THE GUARDIANS OF THE FOREST trilogy and its prequel and sequel have fans from eight years old to eighty (plus), so don’t be shy about giving them a go. No one need know! And if you’re after some award-winning short stories to dip into in spare moments, try my two collections, most of the stories a few minutes read.
IF YOU ENJOY THESE AUTHORS …
You will likely enjoy my books too –
Susannah Kearsley – folklore, history, strong women, a little of the supernatural, and beautiful settings.
Kate Morton –layered family tales, secrets, landscape as a character (including the same Australian landscape on at least one occasion), and history.
Rachel Hore –dual timelines, family stories, and deeply researched historical settings.
Barbara Erskine – history with a supernatural or folklore thread.
Paula Brackston – witches, wise women, folklore, history … the perfect complement to The Wise Women series.
DISCOVER THE STORIES
THE WISE WOMEN
Generations of women shaped by healing, folklore and the River Severn.
KEEPERS
Life and romance in the changing world of post war Australia.
GUARDIANS OF THE FOREST
Callie leads an army of wild creatures to battle the destruction of their Forest home by a rapacious warlord.
SHORT STORY COLLECTIONS
Award winning short stories celebrating history, myth, and legend in the Forest and beyond.
Read for free! My books are also available on Kindle Unlimited.
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AND A REQUEST
When you’ve finished enjoying the books, please spend a minute to leave a review (it can be one sentence, that’s fine) on Amazon, Goodreads, or BookBub. Even a simple rating is fine – there should be the opportunity to do that at the end of each kindle book. Indie authors don’t have the resources of publishing houses behind them to market their work, so every review and every word of mouth recommendation is gold. Thank you so much.