Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write romantic suspense, and Shadows in the Dust is my fourth full-length novel. My other books are; Island Redemption – a game of survival on a tropical island, Chasing Bullets – He took a bullet to save her life, but now she’s on the run from him and Glass Clouds – danger and intrigue set in the lavender fields of Provence. I also have 2 free prequel novellas, Island Souls (prequel to Island Redemption) and Chasing Tara (prequel to Chasing Bullets)
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Shadows in the Dust is the first book in a new series, called The Colours of the Earth, a romantic suspense set in the heart of the Outback. This was the very first manuscript I ever wrote, a labour of love, which has sat at the bottom of my drawer for many, many years. I’ve taken it out, dusted it off, re-worked and re-mastered it. This story was born because I had to write about all of the characters I met during my years working on a sheep farm as a jillaroo in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. There’s even a slight paranormal twist, as I’ve always been fascinated by the deep spirituality a person encounters in the Australian bush. The heroine doesn’t trust anyone because of an event from her past and her journey towards finally breaking down that wall of loneliness to let people in, as well as finding love, is a long, hard, but in the end, joyful one.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One day I’m going to save up enough money to buy myself a stand-up desk, but until that day I have an improvised version instead. It’s a cardboard box covered in a pretty table cloth that is just the right height, so when I need to stand for a while I just lift it up onto my desk and voila.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love to read any Australian author, as I believe in supporting our industry, and Aussie authors are amazing. Writers like Bronwyn Parry, Rachel Johns and Liane Moriarty are among my favourites. And I love anything with a bit of spice and suspense in it. Authors like Lisa Gardner and Karen Rose are inspirations for me.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the second book in the Colours of the Earth Series, called Shadows in Deep Blue. The second book is linked to the first one in that it tells the story of Jenna’s (heroine of the first book) mother, who abandoned Jenna as a child so they might both escape her violent husband. The story can be read as a stand alone novel as well.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My newsletter subscribers are my biggest fans and they always give me lots of love whenever I release a new book.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Slow and steady wins the race. This is a marathon, not a sprint. All those wonderful cliches, but they’re true. Every time you release a new book it’s a wonderful learning experience and your knowledge grows, your wisdom grows and so does your fan base.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As an author, it would be; You can’t edit a blank page. In other words you have to write something, anything, to be able to turn it into something better. It might never be perfect, but it will always be better than if you wrote nothing.
What are you reading now?
The Lavender Keeper by Fiona McIntosh.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I think I’ve got the writing thing going fairly well now, and so I need to learn how to market myself. Most authors tend to be introverts, which is me 100%, and it’s hard to have to push myself to get out there and make some noise so people can discover my books.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Lord of the Rings is may absolute favourite book of all time. I read it as a teenager and have been in love with it ever since. I’ve read it at least 10 times, maybe more. I would have to take Liane Moriarty’s latest release, whatever that may be. My other go-to book would be Eat, Pray, Love, because there is so much to be learned from Elizabeth Gilbert’s wonderful journey to find herself.
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