How did you discover you wanted to be a writer?
I have read books all my life. It seemed a natural progression. I had always written short stories and poems. I wrote my first novel at 18 years old and I kept writing books.
What did you do to actively pursue writing? (Joining RWAus, Mentorship etc)
I retired and moved from North Queensland to South East Queensland. I found myself with more time to write.
What do you find are the advantages of being part of RWAus?
I find there are some many opportunities, for competitions, and engagement. I haven’t been to a conference yet but I hope to go in the future.
What is your favourite genre and why?
I love mystery and fantasy. I read a lot of Agatha Christie books, which inspires my love of mystery and suspense. I have always loved myths and legends, and I now write fantasy.
Share a little about your writing process?
My cosy mystery books are set in the 1920s/1930s Australia, so there is always research to be done. With my fantasy series, I also research various myths.
Some of my characters are with me from the start while others develop during my research. As I discover more facts, it inspires me to create more characters.
I like to write a first draft, and follow it with the second draft. Then I let the book sit and breathe for a while.
I go on with another book, maybe research again.
Tell us about your current work in progress…
My current work in progress is the second book in my Triple Goddess series. They are re-imagining of the Triple Goddess Brigid and the Tuatha Dé Danann. My protagonists are Bree and Lu.
And your latest book…
A relaxing weekend by the sea is anything but, and turns into a tale of mystery and intrigue for the Thorntons.
My latest book is #6 of The Thornton Mysteries, cosy mysteries set in Victoria. They are standalone, with a new mystery in each book. However, the Thornton family frequently go on trips and voyages. Book #4 took them to Norfolk Island. In Book #6 Murder at Monterey, they go to Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula. The murder and mayhem starts on their first night at Monterey, the Carmichael’s home, where they’ve been invited to stay.
There is also romance in each Thornton mystery, close friendships, and strong family relationships.
Murder at Monterey (The Thornton Mysteries Book 6)
A long weekend at the seaside should be enjoyable for the Thorntons, but murder soon changes everything.
Mr George Carmichael has invited them to his home to celebrate the birthday of his elder daughter Prudence. Alexandra and Edith can’t understand why, because even though they had attended Miss Violet’s Finishing School together, they never liked Prudence Carmichael, nor she them.
Alexandra suspected that Mr George wanted to quiz her father over the prices of his various antiques. This had happened before, but they’d never all been invited.
After travelling from Thornton Park to Queenscliff, a town on the Victorian coast, they arrive at Monterey, the Carmichael’s home. On the first evening, tensions run high between Prudence and her younger sister, Winifred, over the possession of an emerald necklace.
Alexandra also discovers that almost everyone has their hand out wanting money, as if they consider George Carmichael their personal bank manager.
Later that evening when murder happens, Alexandra isn’t surprised. However, she is astonished at who is murdered.
Available for sale from June 16.
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