Creating Sparks and Sentences - and Happily Ever Afters

  BOOK REVIEW:   Your Happier Life Toolbox How a Data-Driven Dad Cracked the Code on Happiness (And How You Can Too) By Billy Marshall    Today's blog post is a rare opportunity to shine a light on a book that may very well change how you think about life, love and the choices we make. I know it changed mine! My review reflects my own opinions, and I want to thank the author, Billy Marshall, for gifting me with an ecopy of  Your Happier Life Toolbox .    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐   5 stars from me     I'll begin my review with a quote from the book:   "Becoming happier is a journey we can all start today."   Simple, yet packs a punch. There's no urgency for immediacy; there's no unattainable expectation of utopia.  Just real and reachable reassurance for everyone.   That brings me to: What I loved about this book: What it promises, is a becoming, a starting, of journeying toward a better way of l...

I'll show you how they fit together hand in glove:  I have a few tricks up my sleeve when it comes to keeping a story flow alive while travelling away on holiday. My current work-in-progress has me inspired to keep writing every day, trouble is, we had an extensive holiday planned long in advance.   Not a sit and stay type holiday, but a hop and a skip to new places every day kind of holiday . Still, I managed to fit in a writing sprint every single day, and enjoy our holiday adventures to the full! How? Come with me: I used Pockets of Productivity (PoPs) in 10 minute writing sprints on my laptop: • My PoPs included at a cafe sipping an extra shot small skinny latte while waiting for vehicle feedback. • In the evening instead of watching television (hubs preoccupied with rugby). • In the campsite while admiring the view when my husband read his book (I had time to read too). • Early morning with birds twittering in the background before breakfast. • Basically any time you can ...

February Delivers February is often touted as the month of love with its infamous Valentines Day midway through, and what better way to celebrate than with a free romcom novella! Yes, you read that right! The first book in my Midlife Romcom Series, Love & Laughter (and other disasters) is free for 48 hours only from today! Free ebook at this link:  Love & Laughter: Follow the link to your country. An added bonus is the second book in the series, Marriage & Mayhem (and some pandemonium) on sale for just .99c - yes, you read that right too! But Amazon has only allowed 24 hours on  1 February 2026 😭 Reduced to just .99c ➡️ Marriage & Mayhem   on February 1st only. Check back if it’s not showing as .99c yet. Two books for just .99c - that's a Valentine bargain if ever I saw one.     In keeping with both previous book titles, I have a tentative title for the third book which I'd love your help with. The working title has been Friendship & Fun (...

And Happily Ever Afters Happy Belated New Year everyone! I hope it’s been grand so far. I took some time off over the holidays to read, write and build a miniature bookshop at my leisure and it has, in fact, been grand. And now I’m so energised to start afresh with a brand new look for my author blog. Did you notice the new title? I kept a bit of the old title to keep its original appeal, but added more of a writerly subheading for readers to easily identify the vibe of my writing. Let me know what you think in a comment or email below! I’d love to hear your opinion. On To Bookish News The launch of book 2 in A Midlife Romcom series, Marriage & Mayhem (and some pandemonium) , in December was delightful. It was slow, gentle and completely calm. And I’m thrilled that my author talk at Gloucester Library, NSW was cosy, intimate and conversational. My guests were warm, welcoming and friendly. We enjoyed the event like old friends chatting over dinner. So memorable 🤗 And the libraria...

Holidays and Happy Days Silly Season is upon us; let the festivities begin!  Welcome to the final month of the year! Can you believe it?  There is plenty happening in my world before I can even think about holiday season, though.  I have, serendipitously, almost finished the first draft of the third and final book in A Midlife Romcom Series, and on the cusp, too, of my author talk for the second book, Marriage & Mayhem (and some pandemonium) . Book three, tentatively titled Friendship & Fun (and romance undone) , ties the series up very happily with the folks of Pelican Cove finding new ways of enjoying romance, friendship and family gatherings. There are wedding bells, banquets, infatuations and more as the eclectic cast enjoy their usual hectic lifestyle. But, on to my author talk on 10 December 2025 at the Gloucester Library, NSW. This will be a follow-on from my talk there in March for the release of the first book, Love & Laughter (and other disasters) . ...

The Accidental Plus One Down Under by Alison Ripley Cubitt   I'm delighted to feature this travel memoir   by Alison Ripley Cubitt who says: Travel for me now isn't just about the destination, but savouring every moment of the journey. Ebook  publication date: 24 November 2025 New Year's Eve 2019 While everyone else is popping champagne corks and ringing in a new decade, Alison—The Accidental Plus One—is crammed into a flying tin can somewhere over the Equator, obsessing over whether she remembered to lock the front door. Can she really uproot her life halfway across the world—again? Rural calm was sweet while it lasted, but when Alison's partner's job prospects dwindle, the lure of a new adventure on the far side of the planet proves irresistible. This time, she promises herself, it'll be easy. Fewer things to pack. No dog to uproot. Renting rather than buying. And before she knows it, Alison is heading for a land of giant spiders, the world's longest lockd...

I have the most exciting author event coming up!! I am overjoyed to be launching my latest novella, Marriage & Mayhem , at the Gloucester Library! In the story, there are numerous landmarks from Gloucester and Barrington outlined, as the friends from Pelican Cove go hiking in the area. The librarian at Gloucester Library has warmly welcomed me with support to sell both my books. The library has also stocked copies of both books for readers to borrow! Love & Laughter and Marriage & Mayhem will be sold as both a set, and individually. (No EFTPOS available; apologies). Both sets and individual books will be wrapped in a “book pocket” created with free sparkling new dish towels since the story includes much baking and even a neighbourhood dinner crawl.  Bookmarks and lollies will be yours for the taking! I do hope to see you there! It is free to attend, but bookings are essential at the link provided: Free Author Talk Tickets: Here are links for both books, which, inciden...

🎉🥳 🎉 It's Launch Day! I never expected to be releasing book two, Marriage & Mayhem, in the same year as book one, Love & Laughter.  But that day has arrived and I am bouncing up and down with excitement. My Midlife Romcom Series is growing. Not only is it launch day for Marriage & Mayhem, it is also freebie day for Love & Laughter. That's right, when you purchase Marriage & Mayhem, you can download Love & Laughter for free - two books, one price!  Both are quick-read, closed-door romance novellas with a touch of drama and a sprinkle of humour throughout. This is what early readers have to say: "A fabulous cosy story with a flirtatious twinkle in its eye." S. Bavey "This romantic comedy was a joy to escape into ." Susan, Goodreads review " Sharp and witty , escapist fun." Pauline Reid "I adore this series and set of individuals so much!" Emma, Goodreads review "You're up for a great time , following t...

Treats, News & Exciting To-Do’s Just a quick catch up this week! I have some dates locked in for you and a recipe to share. 🥳🥳🥳 Marriage & Mayhem is now available  for preorder:   Preorder here: Marriage & Mayhem When it releases on 3 November 2025 , you can download the first book, Love & Laughter, for free 🥳🥳🥳 2-4 November 2025 - set your reminder now. Two books, one price - Sounds like a win to me and you’ll have your holiday reading sorted! Both are romantic comedies, both are novellas, both delightful. Recipe Share: In Marriage & Mayhem, Meryl’s daughter, Ruth, makes up for her bad manners by making Cherry Ripe Slice for dessert at a family dinner. It’s so delish I decided to share the recipe with you: Recipe: Cherry Ripe Slice If you can’t access the recipe video, comment below and I’ll share it with you.  That’s it today, short and sweet - literally, haha! Take care and keep smiling.

When Opportunity Knocks Welcome the opportunity! This has been the underlying message throughout the publishing process (hint: and the story itself) of my upcoming novella, Marriage & Mayhem . As scary as it is to take opportunities you wouldn't normally take, the rewards are almost always worth it. The book is currently with early readers and I wasn't going to take that stressful path. But, on advice from those more experienced than me, I did, and I am thrilled with the outstanding outcome making the story shine 🤩 Writing novellas this year has been the best fun!  And now, it's time for the big reveal! As promised, I have the cover reveal of Marriage & Mayhem for you, my valued blog subscribers first , before social media! Massive thanks to Amber Grosjean for her commitment to giving readers the best 'first glance' of my book. I love it! Ebook cover by  @ambergrosjeanwrites Paperback cover with blurb. Never before seen by anyone! Cover designer:  @ambergr...

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...