I
reluctantly left Bristol to move to Chippenham when I was six months pregnant with
my second child as well as struggling with my very active two-year old. My
husband had landed an amazing career advancement and we would’ve been crazy to
turn it down. So we left Bristol on the understanding if I was still unhappy in
twelve months time, we’d move back…that was almost sixteen years ago.
The
town of Chippenham is fairly small but after living in a city for so many
years, I have come to love a trip into town taking no more than ten minutes and
seeing a familiar face every time I venture out of the house. More than
anything, what I love about living here is its location to the surrounding
towns. We have the wonderful, historical Bath in one direction and the gorgeous
countryside and incomparable Cotswolds in the other.
Bath
is an historical author’s dream and it is just thirty minutes drive from where
I live – and yes, I take full advantage! My first historical “The Arrival of
Lily Curtis” was set there, as are the four books I have contracted with eKensington.
I love that I can jump in the car and stroll around a city where the buildings
and architecture are so unchanged you can still see how things were and looked
in the 1800s.
As
for the Cotswolds, I would love to live in Bourton-on-the-Water, one of my most
favourite places to visit in the world (so far!). I love to go there each
season and watch it change. It is as beautiful in the mid-summer sunshine as it
is in the February snowfall. The tiny shops, the stream running through its
centre and fabulous old pubs provide the perfect Sunday afternoon out.
Gorgeous!
As
well as Bourton-on-the-Water, a visit to the Cotswolds means a visit to a whole
bunch of other stunning villages and hamlets just a few minutes drive away. If
you want to stay over, a visit to the famous water park, hotels and campsites
near the beautiful shopping town of Cirencester are well worth it too.
I
have plenty of inspiration to keep me busy for the next few novels at least,
right on my doorstep – then again, maybe there’s even more inspiration in the
States, Canada, the Maldives… ;)
My
latest historical release, Her One True Love - here’s the blurb and an excerpt:
Blurb:
She Can't Forget Him…
Jane Charlotte Danes has loved the squire of her idyllic country town for as long as she can remember. He is good, kind, and alluring beyond words… and he chose to marry another. Tired of dwelling on her futile longings, Jane plans a move to Bath, where she dreams of a new beginning. But the man who has so imprisoned her heart is only a few steps behind…
He Can't Let Her Go…
Until now, Matthew Cleaves has endeavored to meet the responsibilities of his position with dignity and good spirits--including his dutiful marriage. But when his wife leaves him for another man, Matthew is at last free to pursue his one true love. Only one vital question remains: will the captivating, stubborn, beautiful Jane allow him the challenge, and the pleasure, of winning her back?..
Jane Charlotte Danes has loved the squire of her idyllic country town for as long as she can remember. He is good, kind, and alluring beyond words… and he chose to marry another. Tired of dwelling on her futile longings, Jane plans a move to Bath, where she dreams of a new beginning. But the man who has so imprisoned her heart is only a few steps behind…
He Can't Let Her Go…
Until now, Matthew Cleaves has endeavored to meet the responsibilities of his position with dignity and good spirits--including his dutiful marriage. But when his wife leaves him for another man, Matthew is at last free to pursue his one true love. Only one vital question remains: will the captivating, stubborn, beautiful Jane allow him the challenge, and the pleasure, of winning her back?..
Matthew
turned and faced Jane. “When are you leaving for the city?”
She took
another step back, her gaze darting over his face. “The day after tomorrow.
Why?”
“Because I
will escort you. We can travel together in my carriage.”
“No, I do
not need your––”
“I will be
going anyway. I planned to visit some contacts in the city in the hope of
securing guaranteed trade for Biddestone in the coming year. It seems
unnecessary for us to make the trip separately when I have a carriage plenty
big enough for us both.”
“There is
absolutely no need. Jeannie will be coming with me.”
“My offer
still stands.”
She glared.
“It’s my intention to start on the path of independence, of finding out what
the world has to offer me on my own merit. I will hardly be carving out my own
path when at the first step from my home, I lean on you.”
“You are
being stubborn.”
She pulled
back her shoulders. “And you are not?”
The longer
he looked at her, the more Matthew saw the quiet beauty he’d desperately tried
to ignore. He took a steadying breath. “Please, Jane. Let me escort you to
Bath.”
The seconds
passed, but Matthew held his tongue. It was imperative she spoke next, that she
understood he didn’t mean to bully her but wanted to ensure her safety to a
city ravaged by danger, as much as opportunity.
She sighed. “Fine.
On one condition.”
He held her
gaze. “Which is?”
Her eyes
softened, slowly lighting with mischief. “You smile. Now. You smile at me like
you did before she left.”
Heat rose to
his face. “You want me to smile?”
“Yes. Smile
for me, Matthew.”
Empathy and
passion swirled in her eyes, but they also bore a deep, painful awareness that
scratched hard over his heart. The longer he stared, the more he wanted to make
her happy.
He smiled,
his gaze on hers…and was surprised to find the trade no effort at all.
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