The idea for the Anna Puzzle was born when I learned more about the Ukrainian people from my Homes4Ukraine guests. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, there have been struggles in Eastern Europe unrecorded in the main European news - until 2022. I knew I wanted to tell a love story, not a war story, although the two elements are intwined. I also wanted to tell a story of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events.

Daisy Chain is set in 1930's America. Montecatini is set in 2016, Tuscany. My forthcoming novel is set in both 1990 Berlin, (the fall of the Berlin Wall), and in 2021, (leading to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.) All of my novels are about love & death & loyalties in times of crisis. More about my upcoming novel in later posts...

To all those who beaver away at creative endeavours, whether that be painting or writing or quilting or design in any capacity, you know what I mean when I say A PRIZE IS LIKE A KISS, and the mention of a shortlist, your name displayed, if not in lights, at least in print - well, that's a warm hug on a cold day. I am thrilled to be shortlisted, one of five, for the Paul Torday Memorial Award. I will be going to the Society of Authors Prize Giving evening held at Southwark Cat