Hero or heroine—same, same but different?

I found myself going down this rabbit hole after reading  a recent article by Anastasia Safioleas on ABC online— Romantasy isn’t just hot, it’s shaping modern day fairy tales. The article interviews Australian romance author and academic Dr. Jodi McAlister and some devotees/Tiktok influencers about their passion for the genre. As Dr. McAlister reminded us romance only has two rules, a central loveContinue reading “Hero or heroine—same, same but different?”

A Just Man—Choosing Family Book 4

Sometimes I feel like a bower bird. So many bright shiny things to collect, store, study, then turn into a book. And it can take years for all of the pieces to fall into place. A Just Man fits that category. The initial inspiration for this book was my rage at the increase in the number ofContinue reading “A Just Man—Choosing Family Book 4”

Comparisons, reviews and well damn!

I’ve come to this topic via a roundabout route. I find it difficult to compare my writing and stories to other contemporary romance writers—to say, hey I’m the next Emily Henry, but shorter, or the next Ali Hazelwood without the STEM characters. I could say, my lead characters respect and like each other—Emily Henry andContinue reading “Comparisons, reviews and well damn!”

Dear diary

Today I dug out an old manuscript from my bottom drawer. You know the drawer? The drawer of discarded dreams. I was thrilled with it when I set it aside. I’d had some nibbles from editors of the bigger publishing houses—well-written, very evocative of Finland, and I should know because a family member is married toContinue reading “Dear diary”