I’m always blown away when I read the reviews of my books.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had stories in me just bursting to get out — but with no formal writing training, I never really knew where to begin. Around this time last year, a run of festive short stories turned up in my head and wouldn’t leave me alone, so I started writing them down. Within a few weeks I had a handful of tales, and two of them are now out on Amazon.

I love all of my stories and the characters in them, but if I had to pick a favourite, it would probably be The Man Who Saved Christmas. Of course, I’d love you to read them all — but if you only choose one, that’s the one I’d recommend.

After those short stories, I decided to take the plunge and write a novel. The Light Between Us arrived as an idea and I got to work. It took a lot longer than the short stories and went through several drafts, but eventually it became the book I’d been trying to write all along. It isn’t a retelling of my life, but I did draw on a few real bits of myself — Sean definitely has a little of me in him. And Linda, for me, has always been the one that got away… so I had to let that into the story too. What came out was exactly what I wanted to share with you.

Since finishing The Light Between Us, I’ve been working on my next novel for the past few months, and it’s pretty much ready to go — so keep an eye out for it early in the new year. The Way To You is more personal to me, and people in my life might recognise certain details or shades of people who have come and gone. Writing it was genuinely therapeutic, but it was never intended as a memoir or anything like that. I mean… it includes a bit of time travel, and I’ve not managed that yet!

And that brings me back to the reviews.

Thank you so much to everyone who’s taken the time to write a few words of encouragement. I really do appreciate it. It gives me a huge mental boost — and if you leave a review on Amazon, it also helps the books climb the listings so more people can discover them.

So, truly: thank you, thank you, thank you.