Biography

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Born the same year as the Russians launched Sputnik, I confidently expected that by the time I reached adulthood, the human race would have a pioneer colony on the Moon and be heading off towards Mars. So I was at a loss to know what to do once I realised the Final Frontier wasn’t an option and rather lost my head - I tried a lot of jobs I didn’t and married a totally unsuitable man.

Now I've finally come to terms with the fact that I’ll never leave Earth, I have a lovely time writing science fiction novels and teaching Creative Writing at Northbrook College in Worthing. I live in Littlehampton on the English south coast with a wonderful husband and a ridiculous number of books.

Recent Blog Posts

SUNDAY POST – 10 September 2023

This is part of the weekly meme over at the Caffeinated Reviewer, where book bloggers can share the books they’ve read and share what they have got up to during the last week.
We are in the grip of a heatwave. And yes… those of you enduring crazy temperatures up in the 100s day after day will probably roll your eyes at the fact that we are struggling with high 80s and low 90s. But we’ve had a summer where most of the time, the temperature has been in the high 60s, low 70s, occasionally dipping down into the 50s with lots and lots of rain. And very few of us have aircon. So muggy nights and hot days at a time of year when the children are all returning to school has taken everyone by surprise.
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Castellan the Black and his Wise Draconic Tips on Life

9 September 2023

By all means enter into treaties with the likes of dwarves and humans once you’ve beaten them. But remember they don’t live all that long, so are liable to claim after a relatively short period of time that their grandparents or great-grandparents didn’t sign anything of the sort.
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Review of NETGALLEY arc Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson

8 September 2023

During the last two years, I’ve been hoovering up a number of fabulous feminist retellings of the Greek myths – the latest only a few days ago. But when this one caught my eye – it was the difference that registered, rather than it being more of the same…
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Can’t-Wait Wednesday – 6 September 2023

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. This week’s Can’t-Wait offering – Mrs Pargeter’s Patio – Book 9 of the Mrs Pargeter Mysteries by Simon Brett – release date – 3rd October, 2023
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SUNDAY POST – 3 September 2023

This is part of the weekly meme over at the Caffeinated Reviewer, where book bloggers can share the books they’ve read and share what they have got up to during the last week.
After a week of rain showers and sunny spells, we’ve had two lovely warm days. But I can’t believe just how early the berries are this year – or how quickly the trees are losing their leaves. Although, there’s a disease afflicting many of the trees, so that also might be the problem.
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Castellan the Black and his Wise Draconic Tips on Life

2 September 2023

Queens are always impressed by a large, sparkling hoard – but for some reason, they become a whole lot friendlier if you also keep your latrine clean.
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Review of NETGALLEY arc Murder Off Stage – Book 5 of A Roaring Twenties Mystery series by Mary Miley

1 September 2023

I enjoy Miley’s writing. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed her engaging Maddie Pastore series – see my reviews of The Mystic’s Accomplice and Spirits and Smoke and Deadly Spirits. But my introduction to Miley’s work was Renting Silence – the third book in this series featuring Jessie, an ex-Vaudville starlet. So when I saw this one was available, I immediately requested it, knowing I was in for an entertaining whodunit.
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Can’t-Wait Wednesday – 30 August 2023

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. This week’s Can’t-Wait offering – Starter Villain by John Scalzi – release date – 19th September, 2023.
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Review of House of Odysseus – Book 2 of The Songs of Penelope series

29 August 2023

I’ve been a fan of Claire North’s writing for a while – see my reviews of The Pursuit of William Abbey, The Sudden Appearance of Hope, Touch and The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August.. Last year I got hold of the audiobook of Ithaca, the first in The Songs of Penelope series, a retelling of the adventures of Odysseus from the women of Ithaca’s viewpoint, which blew me away. So I was delighted when I saw this one pop up on Netgalley.
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