It’s always an exciting time on the run up to the publication of a new book – and in this case, a new series published by the awesome Aria Fiction team! On pre-order now ( https://smarturl.it/HometoPenvennanCove ) and releasing 8 October 2020, the fictional village of Penvennan and the cast of characters have taken over my office… and not just the desk!

Writing a series is very different to writing a standalone novel. My working file is normally about three, or four, inches thick for each story I write. That comprises general background research, notes, copies of spreadsheets I use to track the chapters once they’ve been written etc. But for a series, once the first book is written that information is the starting point for the next two books. So, the characters begin to build as their individual storylines unfold.

Kerra Shaw left home because she was ambitious, and the bright lights of London were calling. The truth is that she never really fitted in and while she mixed with a group of her peers, she only really had one close friend, Tegan. And one ex-flame… Ross. It’s been such fun bringing these characters to life and I can’t wait to see where they take me as I’m about to begin writing book two.

After all, returning home having achieved everything Kerra set out to do, and more, there’s nothing left to prove…

I have been lucky enough to have lived in a number of old cottages, a hunting lodge, and a small barn conversion, in close-knit, rural communities. Writing this series invoked so many memories of some great times. But the location, too, is a blast from the past. Cornwall was a favourite holiday destination for our family when I was a child and also when my own children were young. There’s something familiar, comforting and hauntingly romantic about the landscape and the coastline.

My last visit was in 2019 (book research, of course!) and, as usual, we had an amazing time, even though it was in winter and rained most of the time we were there. As an avid Poldark fan, I could imagine Aiden Turner, dressed as Ross, at every turn. And at Charlestown, where some of the filming took place with the tall ships in the background, I was in heaven.

Lawrence and I had a wonderful, and romantic, candlelit meal at The Longstore in Charlestown https://www.thelongstore.co.uk/ and can thoroughly recommend it. The food was amazing – I had: Wild Mushroom Arancini, Roasted Hake Loin with bacon & mushroom puree, pickled mushrooms and beef jus (gorgeous!) and Blue Cheese with honey & walnut bread and port glazed fig. I hasten to add that I shared the starter and the dessert with my other half!

And I came away dazzled by Cornwall yet again…

Penvennan Cove is fictional, of course, and it’s close to the fictional Draketown… which is based on the enchanting Charlestown.

And Kerra’s Ross is just as strong-willed, broody, caring and wonderful as Mr Poldark himself. But Ross Pendrevan’s life hasn’t been easy since Kerra left and he’s no longer that carefree person she remembers. Can she reawaken his wounded heart?

I will admit, I am very excited to see the sparks fly as these two strong personalities meet up once again…

Until next time… thank you for dropping by and stay safe, everyone!

Staying motivated and positive during difficult times means digging deep, doesn’t it? After all, an online chat with those you love is wonderful and I’m grateful for that, but it’s not the same as a hug, is it? But the first half of 2020 has been about determination, staying positive and setting an example.

Our family members have shared the highlights of our days; we’ve laughed (and shed a few tears) and encouraged each other from the eldest, to the youngest. When a soon-to-be six-year-old talks non-stop for 27 minutes when making a video about her latest Lego project, you can hardly sit back and say you spent your time watching films all day, can you?

I think authors have been particularly lucky during this time. We’ve used to working from home and spending lots of time on our own. My latest news was announced yesterday and ‘Coming Home to Penvennan Cove‘ is what has been keeping me sane:

Before I began writing, I always had my nose in a book, and it was a wonderful way to take a break from real life. Now I escape by tapping away on the keyboard and letting the characters take me on a journey.

A part of my lockdown has been spent in the fictional Penvennan Cove, getting to know a whole cast of new characters. Kerra Shaw is heading home after ten years away. Her life in London was successful but having sold her business, family comes first and her dad, Eddie, is struggling.

Having moved home sixteen times over the years, I have experienced village life, living in rural, and sometimes isolated locations, and there are times I miss that. Other times not so much. There is a very wonderful thing about a tight-knit community who have no choice but to help each other out… on the other hand, every little thing that happens is news!

Kerra is nervous about going home because she left for a reason – “a square peg in a round hole”, as her mum would have said. Not that there is anything wrong with being different, but Kerra longed to fit in. She was the shy, clever one, but as a teen she just wanted to be noticed by Ross Treloar. The other girls flirted with him with ease, but that wasn’t something that came naturally to her. Even though on the occasions when those gorgeous brown eyes met hers, it always succeeded in melting her heart.

Going back to the place she grew up, Kerra is hoping to slot back in quite seamlessly. Older, wiser, and confident, Kerra no longer has anything to prove. Besides, Ross is married and no longer living in the village, so their paths probably won’t cross.

But what if…

Immersing myself in village life, the gossip, and family tension has kept me going. The characters made me laugh, shed a tear or two, frown, and raise my eyebrows at times. And Kerra is about to be taught a big lesson. Helping your friends when they are struggling sounds like a great idea, but when she introduces Sy, an ex-colleague, to her childhood friend, Tegan, things don’t turn out quite as she’d planned!

It’s coming on 8 October 2020 and up for pre-order now if a virtual trip to Cornwall will put a smile on your face:

HometoPenvennanCove

Book one in a series of three novels set in Penvennan Cove, it’s almost time to suck in a deep breath and taste the tang of the salty breeze and hear the seagulls circling overhead. As Kerra begins to renovate her grandparent’s old cottage and kick start her new life, what will the future hold?

I’m so grateful to Kerra, Ross and the rest of the cast of characters for making my lockdown bearable. In my head I’ve been walking along the beach, sitting amongst the dust and debris in Pedrevan Cottage, and eating Cornish saffron buns… it’s been an adventure!

Thanks for dropping by!