Another recent photo of the beautiful Yorkshire dales. I love the way the sun catches the distant hills.

Yesterday I took a break from writing my latest Regency adventure, and did a bit of painting in the Derbyshire countryside (watercolour)

I've just spent a week in the Yorkshire Dales, to take a break from writing my latest. It's so beautiful there - and quiet! (don't tell anyone 🤫)

This is my watercolour sketch of a hellebore - I love their delicacy

Just a few roses have survived the recent heavy rain. Here's a pink beauty

Storm clouds gathering over a Norfolk estuary (watercolour)

Sketch of sea holly - memories of a summer stroll by a deserted beach (watercolour pencils)

Beautiful Scotland - here's an acrylic sketch I painted recently. Can't wait to go back there.

Whatever else you think about 2025 - it's been a good year for the roses. Love this beauty

Lovely little lake high above Chatsworth, Derbyshire. Ideal for dreaming up my next story - or just dreaming 😎 🖊️

It's been a lovely day so I've not done any writing. Instead, I pottered around the garden and watched a blackbird splashing in the bird bath. (I suppose there should be flowers, but maybe it hardly needs them? 🌺)

Right - my latest book has been sent to my editor 🤞so I've been indulging in a watercolour dabble again. This time it's a (fairly imaginative) depiction of my favourite castle of all, the former coastal Viking stronghold of Peel, in the Isle of Man

Yet another fascinating castle, Bodiam, in Sussex. It was built in the fourteenth century when a French invasion was feared, and its superstitious stonemasons carved ritual protection marks into its doorways and windows, hoping to guard it against supernatural forces also.

For Regency romance fans - I was writing up revisions to my latest WIP, when I noticed that an earlier book of mine, The Master of Calverley Hall (Harlequin), is on kindle unlimited in the U.S. #writing #authors #historical #fiction #romance #heroes #enemiestolovers #strongheroines #Regency

A coastal scene on a hot day (acrylics) 🎨 'And the gentle winds and waters near Make music to the lonely ear' (Byron: It Is The Hour)

Gorgeous weather here in Derbyshire, so I've been strolling and sketching. AND... I'm nearly through the revisions to my latest book (reminder to self - Don't alter too much! Don't dig plot holes!) 🙄🎨📝

Saw an article recently asking why novels these days are sad and depressing. Well, I guess it depends on what you choose to read (and review. And pick for top prizes.) Me, I like happy endings with romance and humour along the way. Which leads me to my latest, out in April, US and UK.

Yesterday I put aside my writer's pen and got out my watercolours instead. Here's Bradda Head in the Isle of Man, the site of ancient copper and lead mines. (Looks a little like Poldark's Cornwall, do you think?) 🎨😍

This reminds me of those bad writing moments, when you realise there's a huge hole in your plotline and you'll have to do a hell of a lot of work to get it right. 😧🗑️✏️ Anyone else??

Whenever I come across an old country track like this one in Cumbria, I'm reminded of Kipling's poem about the ghosts that haunt a long-forgotten path. It's short, it's called 'The Way Through The Woods' - and it's a gem.

Another castle I love, Kenilworth. It's both the setting and the title of a historical novel by Sir Walter Scott, about the Earl of Leicester's dangerous ambition to marry Queen Elizabeth I. Scott was a huge admirer of Jane Austen. But while his popularity as a writer has faded, hers has endured.

Fellow writers - isn't it the best feeling in the world when you're struggling with a plot glitch in your novel, and the solution suddenly decides to show up? (As if to say, 'Hey, I've been here all the time...') 🪄😲

Okay it may seem bad that Meta appropriated the entirety of the written word without compensating or even consulting with any writers, but consider what the world got out of it: a thing you accidentally tap in Instagram

Heroine: 'Darling, is this the end of our adventures, now that AI has 'borrowed' all our author's books?' Hero: 'Don't worry. We'll find a way round it somehow.' (Author in background muttering: '🤬👊💢⁉️' etc etc) #writers #writing #fiction #Regency #romance #romantiic #historical #community

True majesty here, folks. I write stories. Beethoven wrote music that encompasses the world. Chesterfield Symphony Orchestra are playing his Pastoral Symphony (and other works) at Matlock County Hall, 29th March at 7.30pm. Beautiful setting, beautiful music (I play violin) 🎻🎼

Trees at Chatsworth a few days ago. How I love them! As for revisions to the latest wip, I note that my editor advises me to dismiss some annoying minor characters. I am doing so with pleasure. Only wish I could do the same in real life... 🫢🖊️

They say, “Misery loves company”. Commiserations over what is wrong, somehow justifying rage and anger or wrong/negative views. And these people even manage to wreck those who are normally the light. If you happen to be one who normally shines, shine on. Don’t let them break you. Turn it up.

With red pen and coffee close at hand, I'm about to start revisions - and to ponder how best to convey my hero and heroine's past before their all-important meet-up. (Reminder to self - do NOT indulge in the dreaded info-dump 😟🧩) #writing #historical #fiction #writing #romance #regency #writers

The last - really the last of my Lake District posts! Then I must settle down to the business of editing my latest book (aided by super-helpful comments from my editor). This is Loughrigg Tarn. It's fascinating how these mountain pools attract tales about mermaids, faery folk and dark goings-on🧜‍♀️🧜‍♀️

The Lake District, a few days ago. I'd love to live there and write or paint all day. Good news about Hugh Walpole, author of the Herries Chronicles set in long-ago Cumbria. There is a Hugh Walpole society, on bluesky. I must read those books again...

Here's the Lake District, looking as beautiful as ever on a recent trip. Writers and readers - does anyone remember 'The Herries Chronicles', by Hugh Walpole? They are marvellous fictional recreations of life in Cumbria 200 years ago

Yet another castle to inspire any writer of historical novels - wonderful Bamburgh in Northumberland. Last time I was there the weather was wild, but perhaps appropriate for a fortification battled over by Celts, Saxons and Normans.

I've just completed a piece about dialogue in romantic fiction, and I'd love to know what my hero is thinking here. Probably:- 'I knew I was in for trouble the moment I saw her...' (Out in the UK and North America, April) #Regency #Romance #Historical #Writing

This little scene reminded me of a poem by Anne Bronte, called 'Memory' - 'One little flower - a primrose fair, Just opening into sight' #poetry #flowers #writing #gardens

Last week, as I was about to give a talk to a book group, one woman announced, 'I am not interested in happy endings.' Right. No Jane Austen, then? None of Shakespeare's comedies? Okay, of course I wouldn't dream of comparing myself with either. But it's her loss. #romance #JaneAusten #writing

Oh, this is so true! If I'm writing a new story, some bits flow and some are a grind - but I press on, because then I have something to really work on.

I love the poetry quotes appearing here. One of my own all-time favourites is Keats' 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci.' It's mysterious, beautiful and haunting. What has happened to the knight? Who is the lady, 'the faery's child', who has him in thrall? Exquisite poem.

Here's another place whose history fascinates me - Castle Rushen, in the Isle of Man. It was one of the last strongholds of the Royalists in the English Civil war and finally surrendered to Parliament's forces in 1651.

A tree in Chatsworth Park yesterday. My photo doesn't do it justice, but it was beautiful.

I've just sent in my latest novel to my editor, and I'm always nervous about her reply. So I've been painting instead (acrylics this time).

Love Kit Marlowe. To me, the final speech of Faustus is comparable to Shakespeare at his best; likewise the dungeon scene at the end of Edward II (saw Joseph Fiennes in the role. Audience in tears).

Another of my heroes from historical fiction is Colonel Charles Audley from Georgette Heyer's 'An Infamous Army'. This book is acknowledged by experts to be a superb retelling of the battle of Waterloo. (The love story is gorgeous too💘) #historical fiction #historical romance #Regency

Saw an article recently asking why novels these days are sad and depressing. Well, I guess it depends on what you choose to read (and review. And pick for top prizes.) Me, I like happy endings with romance and humour along the way. Which leads me to my latest, out in April, US and UK.

Another castle - what an atmosphere this painting has

I'm writing the final scene of my latest WIP, which is a humorous historical romance. The vital question is - has our dashing hero grovelled enough to the heroine for his errors? Hmm, just about. This lady certainly thinks so.

Viking at Largs:- On the subject of Vikings, I spotted this spectacular one last October, in Largs on the beautiful west coast of Scotland. The seagull on his head looks undaunted

OK, I admit I could wander around castles for hours. In fact I often do. Here is a photo I took of Peel Castle in the Isle of Man, built to overlook the Irish Sea by Vikings

A woman haunted by her past, a man determined to win her heart & another who would possess her at all costs. "I was completely in love with the characters." 5 Stars -Kerliza Foon, Readers' Favorite #AmWriting #Romance #Suspense #KindleUnlimited #Books amazon.com/dp/B00IIRLIBC

Poppies by the Irish Sea last summer

I've been painting again (which I like to do as a break from writing). Here's a watercolour of a Derbyshire river