Sizzling September 🧡

September 05, 2025

On Writing, Reading and Relaxation

It’s been the strangest August/September in my little bubble.

On Writing:

I experienced major writer’s hangover after a massive creative burst in August.

However, I did start the beginnings of a story that struck 16 months ago while on holiday in Wells, UK. The Fox and the Fairy came to me while visiting Wells Cathedral; the image below explains the creative flow better than any words could:

Stained glass wing sculpture by Edgar Phillips

Add to that, a gorgeous silver fox trinket which I regrettably didn’t purchase but think of frequently, in the adjoining curios shop to Wells Cathedral. Hence, The Fox and the Fairy is borne.

For those wondering, Marriage & Mayhem, a midlife romcom, is still on track for a November release. Currently working on the second round of edits.

On Reading:

Several good reads kept me busy, Red Dust Running by Anita Heiss, and The Jam Maker by Mary-Lou Stephens. Both reviews are linked below. Both stories enhance the qualities we look for in a partner and the lifestyle we seek in a relationship.

🧡 But the one that stole my heart is Twice in a Lifetime by Breyanna I.L. Evans. I blogged a full review, such was the impact on me. You can read the post at this link:

Twice in a Lifetime Review

On Relaxation:

After a deluge of continuous rain throughout our NSW winter, it literally felt like coming out of hibernation in Springtime.

So far, and it’s only the beginning of spring, I’ve cycled, paddle boarded, walked, swum (ok waded lol). And, of course, gardened to my hearts' content.

One momentous event worth sharing includes a splurge I made just for me. If you remember, in Awesome August’s blog post, I mentioned an armillary I fell in love with. (Read here if missed: Awesome armillary).

I discovered through research - NOT the infamous algorithm - that the shop in question was having a week-long special for new members to receive a big discount. Just one week! And I researched in that week!

So, I signed up as a new member at Bed Bath ‘n Table, and lo and behold, was granted the massive discount. Believe it or not, I still umm’d and ahh’d about buying the significantly reduced armillary.

Eventually, I finally “got it” - the planets had aligned in both armillary and reality for me, so, I bought it!

Not to mention a post I'd made earlier in the week on LinkedIn about living the life we intend for ourselves.

Partial quote here: (Full post linked below)

Want to change a habit? Start by behaving as if it is done.

• save or mini-splurge your current riches *my note to self
In other words, act as if it is so, and it is.

Even if it only feels as if it is so, until it becomes your reality.

Sometimes I think the Universe just sits back and shakes its benevolent head at me; some things take a while to sink in.

But sink in it did and I’m now a happy armillary owner for my two upcoming 2026 book releases; Moonflower Maiden, and It’s About Time; the irony of that title 🤣