Research visiting

 A few weeks ago it was Oxford for a day trip. Research for the WIP. That same week I also took myself out on a research visit to Insole Court, which is a grade two listed Victorian Gothic mansion, in the suburbs of Cardiff. It was a lovely warm sunny day. I enjoyed the house, got plenty of ideas for the mansion I am creating for the WIP, had an ice-cream sitting in the grounds. 

The house was built and then extended by a local man who had made his fortune in coal, docks and railways, as did a number of others in the late nineteenth century. The house was extended in the Gothic Revival style, influenced by the work of William Burges, who was responsible for the fabulous and slightly crazy interiors of Cardiff Castle. Which is exactly what I am planning for my mansion - The Scholars' House.  Of course I took pictures to remind me what I had seen.

Exterior front. Sharp gables, tall chimneys, bay windows, a tower. 

The entrance. Lovely details. Looks like a church. 

Back view of the house 
 balustraded area overlooking the garden 

Interior. Painted frieze. Going to have one of those. 

So now you know what I am doing at the moment - creating a house of my own. I have some useful and heavy books out of the library. It is a lot of fun. 

New Look for my Christmas Romantic Suspense

 The new publisher Joffe has decided on a Christmas refresh to revamp the book formerly known as What Happens at Christmas. 

It is now A Stranger in the Snow, with an atmospheric new cover. Still the same mix of Xmas vibes with a scary plot. Lori and Drew are snowed in together, but you don't want to know how he came to be there. Actually, if you do, you need to read the book. 

PLEASE NOTE THST THIS IS A REISSUE. IF YOU HAVE READ WHAT HAPPENS AT CHRISTMAS YOU DON'T NEED TO BUY IT AGAIN. 

NOT UNLESS YOU REALLY LIKE THE NEW COVER! 

Out and About

 I recently did a book fair in Cathays. Now I'm out and about again, this time in Cardiff Library, at an event organised by Crime Cymru. I'm part of a panel and the whole thing is taking place on Halloween. 

Ticketed, through Ticketsource, but free. More details in a later post, but here is the poster, to give you the idea.