BEYOND THE GARDEN WALL

Mike accuses Chloe of jumping to conclusions, creating chaos and dragging others along with her. Annoyingly he’s right. Geoff’s in no rush to tackle the wisteria. They’ve got all the time in the world for that – which is precisely what’s worrying his wife. Freya’s broken arm means she can’t enter the flower arranging competition herself. Even so, she’s not going to let Celia get away with her usual tricks.

Barbara gives her step-granddaughter a gift which just might give her a lifetime of happiness. Hospital rules mean Henry can’t take flowers to Millie, so how can he carry out The Idea? Colin is quiet and doesn’t really do much, but he has the gift of getting Cynthia out of unwanted situations.

Rhonda is a little sad to be leaving the garden she’s developed for over fifty years, but discovers a perfect alternative. Maria’s garden is looking better than ever – but who or what answered her plea for help with the design? The conservatory is as much of a wreck as Ginny, restoring one brings back the other’s joy.

Gardens, flowers, plants and people all have their stories. Beyond the garden wall is where you’ll find these tales.

Something which is the draggiest is even draggier than anything which is simply draggy. It’s that which is the most draggy, in fact. Draggy means tedious or unpleasant.

Which is the draggiest – looking at all my photos, or reading the comments I type in an attempt to justify dragging them in?

Taking My Own Advice is the title of a story I have in the October issue of Take A Break’s Fiction Feast – not something I’m trying to actually do!

‘Write what you know’ is advice I’ve had from others. Although I don’t feel we should be limited to only writing about subjects we’re familiar with, there are lots of advantages to doing that at least some of the time. That’s why both my first published novel, and this story are set on farms.

To festoon is to decorate elaborately. It’s also the name of a chain of flowers and/or foliage hung in a curve as decoration (also known as a swag) or a carved or moulded ornament reflecting this.

It’s not listed in my dictionary, but I believe festooning is the name for the technique of bending and tying down fruit tree branches to restrict vigour, whilst increasing productivity.

Ungulate means hoofed. An ungulate is a hoofed animal – and a good enough excuse for gratuitous cute animal pictures.

Three of my short story collections are currently on special offer at 99p (99c) each, which means you can get them all for a little less than you’d normally pay for the novel! (Or just get one or two of course.) This discount is available until the 23rd of August.

Family Feeling contains 25 family related stories (related – see what I did there?) With Love And Kisses has just as many tails. In this case the connection between them is love.

Leave Nothing But FootPrints is a fun romance novel, which I think makes a great holiday read. Actually it made a good holiday write too, as most of the work was done on location in our own campervan. Luckily I had an excellent photographer on hand to help with the technical details and some of the other research too.

Here’s the blurb –

Jessica Borlase always gets what she wants. From cocktails in the exact shade of her manicure, holiday on Capri with friends, to a spacious apartment, her father’s money makes it possible. She enjoys the luxurious lifestyle and is grateful for his support, but frustrated to always be treated as Daddy’s pampered little girl. She tries to break free, by leaving Borlase Enterprises and studying photography.

Now what Jess wants is the utterly gorgeous Eliot Beatty; a world famous photographer who often uses his talents to benefit conservation projects. Her father attempts to bribe Eliot into taking Jess on an assignment in order to teach her the skills she’ll need to develop a career. Although annoyed at the interference, she’s delighted to discover this means two weeks with Eliot in the beautiful countryside of South Wales and close confines of a campervan. Trouble is, the man can’t be bought.

Jess eventually manages to persuade Eliot to take her. She believes she can earn his respect and that she’s ready for the hard work, long hours and living conditions far short of those she’s used to. She’s wrong on all counts. Can Jess learn to cope with the realities of the trip, and is Eliot really worth the effort?

If you do read any of these books, I really hope you enjoy them!

Despite how it sounds, a portent isn’t anything to do with camping under two sticks and a bin liner…

A portent is a sign or omen. Storm clouds may gather portentously on the horizon.

Something which is like, or serves as, a portent is portentous. Anyone coming to this blog for the first time might consider the opening line of this post a portentous warning, especially if they’re not fond of really terrible puns.

Another meaning of portentous is pompously solemn. Don’t think anyone can accuse me of that.

I have a story in the current My Weekly Special. As you might have already deduced from the title, and that lovely illustration, it’s about cake. Lots of cakes actually, and yes, most of them are iced!

The idea for this story had been in my mind for a long time before I wrote it – since attending the wedding of two of our friends several years ago. The cake they chose was far from traditional, but was perfect for them, and absolutely delicious. It made me think about what our food choices, especially those for important events, say about us and our personalities.

This was our wedding cake. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions. (It was sweet, if that helps!)

I enjoy writing about food. Some of the reviewers for my novels, particularly Escape To The Country have mentioned getting hungry as they read! I’ve written recipes too. Here’s one (free) for onion bhajis for those of you who prefer something savoury.

Coffee & Cake is a buffet of 25 food and drink related stories, available as a paperback, ebook and audiobook.

I do get a bit restless on hot summer nights, but it must be much more uncomfortable for those who are pregnant like the main character in my story which is published in the September issue of Take A Break’s fiction Feast. (Out now.)

The idea for the story came when I misunderstood something my husband said. I asked him to repeat it and immediately realised my mistake – but it occurred to me that if anything had prevented me getting a quick explanation I may well have reached a different conclusion. Especially if it had happened whilst I was already feeling unsettled and a little vulnerable, and was lying awake at night.

A lot of my stories originate in a similar way. There’s a real situation and I start wondering what would have happened in slightly different circumstances, or if different people were involved, or it it led to another incident.

Bordure is a heraldic term and refers to the border around a shield.

I don’t seem to have a photograph of a bordure. Clearly I need to visit a lot more castles.