I love writing contemporary novels, as the research is also into jobs and professions, how they are carried out, and by whom, what it feels like day-to-day. People sometimes suggest it might be boring, but I have often found research unearths plotlines and forces me to consider a completely new (and usually better) way forward.
But my readers don’t want a travelogue, and, at some stage, I get down to writing the story. I write in my study at home, sometimes four or five hours a day, once I’m in the story. It’s scruffy, but I’m not in there to admire its décor. Generally, I’m seated by a lovely Art Nouveau window which glows gradually brighter, as the sun moves around the house in the afternoon.
Inspiration comes from newspapers and news website articles, stories people tell me, history, but mainly from observing how people react in different situations.
English archaeologist Dr Amancia Harding has looked after her family for five years. Now it’s time to take care of herself, and leading a team on a dig in Spain is the perfect way to propel her career forward. Her good intentions are threatened when she meets vineyard owner Max Serrano.
Damaged by war in Ukraine and a tragic event in his past, Max has given up on relationships and taken refuge in making wine, but the attraction he feels to Amancia forces him to confront painful issues. There’s also the gulf between their two cultures to consider if a relationship is to have any chance of success.
Ambitious and fiery in character, can either accept that compromise is sometimes necessary to find happiness?
Excerpt:
She warmed at the sight of her oldest friend. They’d been at primary school together and, although they’d studied at opposite ends of the country, the friendship had continued right through university. But five years ago, they’d both returned to Bristol, and here Lizzie was, to provide the support that friendship demanded. Just seeing her made Amancia feel better, stiffening her backbone. Despite the rubbish day she’d had, she found herself grinning.
Sliding onto the rough wooden chair, she pointed to the wine. “Not sure about this, Lizzie. I might get seriously into it, the way things are going.”
The other woman laughed. “I did feel for you for a couple of minutes, when you texted me the result.”
“Only a couple of minutes?” What did she mean? Surely this was the one person she could count on for support.
“Well, I decided it’s for the best.”
“What? I thought you were my friend.”
“I am – and you can stop being sorry for yourself because I’ve got some good news.” She paused dramatically, watching Amancia’s face. “Hope you really are prepared to leave your job at the museum – like right now.”
“How did you know what I’d decided?”
“I didn’t but I knew you had to come to that decision sooner or later and I think it’s the right move.” Amancia began to protest but Lizzie wasn’t having it. “I’m only judging from what you’ve been saying recently and it’s clear you’re not appreciated – or not enough.” She grasped her friend’s hand and pulled it towards her, turning it to reveal the dark stain on the inside of the wrist. Her eyes flicked to Amancia’s chin and back to the wrist. “Not appreciated – and not only by the museum.”
“What? – oh this? I dropped a stone exhibit, tried to grab it before it hit the floor, and this was the result.” Her laugh sounded artificial to her own ears and wouldn’t have convinced a stranger, let alone her best friend.
“Don’t lie to me, Amancia. He did this, didn’t he?” She reached across and gently touched the almost invisible bruise on her friend’s jaw. “And when did this happen?”
Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. “Three days ago. I … I couldn’t believe it, but he’s under terrible pressure just now, and I know I annoyed him. It was such a silly argument. Please, Lizzie – can we not talk about this for the moment? I’ve had a tough day, and I’m meeting him later – maybe. That’s more than enough of James.”
Lizzie gave her a long, hard look.
Then Time Stands Still published by The Wild Rose Press
I’ve lived and worked in several countries in Europe and also in south America and visited many more, using my language skills to understand the culture and how it affects anyone with a different background. I taught and was writing educational materials but not fiction until about ten years ago.
Now I use the setting of those countries in my novels to give my readers the experience of being in that place in the same way as I am as I write..
I like to make the main character in my novels a strong young woman determined to make her way in the world and each novel has a love story at its centre.
I live on the beautiful English Riviera in the UK with my artist husband where I indulge in my passions of writing, reading and creating things, especially in fabric.
My next romance will be set in France, a country I know well, though I have noticed that doesn’t seem to make it any easier to write.
I have since written three further novels:
The Disappeared is romantic suspense and not yet published. (Colombia)
No comments:
Post a Comment