Time and Time Again

How much fun have I had writing this new series? Totally inspired by the fabulous writings of Keith A Pearson and the wonderful crew at the Broadhall Social Club, this story is a meld of the geeky camaraderie of Big Bang Theory, the quirky, role-playing adventure of Stranger Things and the outrageous fantasy of the phenomenal Labyrinth, featuring an unforgettable performance by the awesome David Bowie.

Ok, so probably not the best decision to try yet another new genre, especially one that combines such disparate genres as Time Travel (sci-fi), Dungeons and Dragons (fantasy) and contemporary lad-lit (comedy). But I’m hoping it will find fans from all three disciplines.

A massive shout-out to my new cover designers – a fabulous Ukrainian outfit called getcovers, who created this gorgeous cover in just two days. I’m in awe, guys. As well as my fabulous editor Katy Haye – a phenomenal author of so many fabulous books, I’m thrilled to have found a couple of brand new beta readers, Andrea and Paul, who have generously supported me with their technical expertise. Thank you so much guys, I couldn’t have done this without you – you brighten my days and rock my world!

So, here’s the blurb – you can pick up book 1 of the Time Doctors series for the next couple of days at the pre-release price of a meagre £2.99/$3.49. Fingers crossed.

Time and Time Again
Big Bang Theory meets Stranger Things meets Labyrinth with a huge helping of time travel.
Ben has a problem. Well, several really, if the truth be told. With a borderline narcissist for a boss and a prankster lady-killer for a desk-mate, his work life at a gaming firm isn’t wall-to-wall playtime. The last thing he needs is a promotion, much less a bright, attractive feminist as the first addition to his new coding team. But when they all join the same Dungeons and Dragons party, it makes for an interesting life. Throw in a claustrophobic living arrangement and a global pandemic and there's plenty of scope for fun and adventure.
But what they find in the attic turns everything on its head.

For fans of modern adventure and quirky fantasy with irreverent British humour and a slice of the unexpected.

My Favourite 1980s Movie - Labyrinth

Actually, there's probably another half-dozen movies vying for favourite, but we'll get to them in another post.
This one has always had a special place in my heart, and now it has an even more special place as it's found its way into one of my books, as the setting for a Dungeons and Dragons campaign.

Coming to an e-reader near you very soon - look out for Time and Time Again.

Yeah, it's a great story with lots of twists and turns (literally), mazes, monsters and cracking puzzles, but the very best thing about it? David Bowie in his prime.

I have to admit to a huge thrill when I met Brian and Wendy Froud at a Fairy Festival - they were both truly magical, creative people, and how fun was it that their son, Toby played the baby in the film? Thankfully, he followed them into the movie industry - such a talented family.

And I couldn't finish without a mention of THAT DANCE.
If I ever did Strictly, this would be my Waltz.

Chrysalis – finding your inner butterfly

Goodness me what a ride this has been. I wrote the first draft of this story back in 2011, it was intended to be the 6th in the Hengist series, called Aurora. But it quickly became clear this was not the same “sweet, clean” adventure stories of the sixteen year-old heroic boys living in a world filled with medieval values (and lack of technology).
Poor Rory suffers every bit as much at the hands of nasty bullies as Archer and his friends, but when girls do it, it’s much less physical, more psychological. And the best kind of grounding for when she meets a real-live psychopath – but I’m getting ahead of myself.

The Nature’s Tribe series set the groundwork with a series of medieval romances. This one features probably the longest-running will they/won’t they love story since Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd spent four years and 67 episodes finding reasons not to be together in Moonlighting. Or for those way too young to remember late eighties rom-com detective shows, think Harvey Spector and Donna Paulson in Suits (2011-19). I’ve just gone through all eight series for the third time since I first heard about it after watching Meghan marry Harry.
Mmm – there’s a whole other blog post on its own!


Anyway – Chrysalis is available on Amazon at a tempting $1.75/£1.42 for a little while longer Click on the piccie to go straight to your store and snap it up before it goes full price.
Here’s the blurb – with a huge thank you to Julie at Hidden Gems for helping to polish it.

An unrequited teenage crush. A suppressed super-power. 
A world under threat from evil incarnate. 
When Archer rescued Rory from bullies many years ago, she was smitten, but he was lukewarm. She doesn't realise what she'd do to grab his attention until her supposed BFF decides he'd look good on her arm. When Rory's gift, delayed from puberty, has her blacking out in the lighting box for a high school show, only he can help. What was that about being careful what you wish for?

The revelation that her mum and Archer come from a quasi-medieval alternate-world should have knocked Rory for six, but strange dreams clue her that she might have something in common with her idol, Buffy. As if! Archer's attempts to help control her powers bring a bittersweet torture, but with college looming, she must persevere

Archer's mission to scope out the threat from the technology-obsessed world breaching into his own includes protecting Rory. But his orders are clear - inter-world relationships are verboten. It hurt to spurn her pre-teen crush, but grown-up Rory proves irresistible. As her gifts develop, her connection to the monster threatening his world makes her dangerous to be around, and he has to choose between his heart and duty.

The chemistry between them unleashes a devastating energy as the monster escalates his evil plan. They must dig deep to endure unbearable torment, and defy fate to stop him from destroying everything they hold dear.

A blend of magical realism and humour, this medieval-meets-modern romance will delight fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Masquerade series.

Warning: Although mild in terms of sex, profanity and violence, some readers may be upset by the torment in a couple of scenes. Nothing fans of Hunger Games or Divergent can't handle.

This story runs in parallel with the Hengist series, but it is not necessary to read them before enjoying this series, as the stories in Context give a good summary of key events.

Colour of Light series:
#1 Context: Seven short stories of rebellion and redemption - Available May 2020
#2 Chrysalis: Medieval magic meets modern-day mystery - Available June 2020
#3 Captive: Modern-day mystery meets medieval magic - Available August 2020
#4 Catalyst: Modern military thriller meets medieval magic - Available October 2020

Bad Boys and Good Girls

Some of my detractors criticize the way even my villains turn out to have hearts of gold. I hold my hands up - I believe every person has at least one redeeming feature. Even when I spent a decade and a half trying to teach kids who'd rather be anywhere but in a maths class, I found enough goodness to keep me turning up to school every day. And more than enough material to fill a dozen books.

So this "fun bridge between the Hengist and Colour of Light series" gives a brief glimpse into some of the unsung characters - not necessarily heroes except in their own minds. Although they never made it to the mic, they all have a part to play in the bigger picture of the Hengist people’s adventures when two worlds collide.
Please indulge me with the fairytale blurbs, they kinda fit. The stories are way darker than the Hengist YA series with no guarantees of HEA endings, but the satisfaction that justice was done. Mostly.

Context is available for 99c/99p. Here's the blurb:

Seven unlikely protagonists. Seven taxing situations. 
Seven opportunities for rebellion and/or redemption.

Maura's Magical Saviour
A poor-little-rich-girl follows the hippie trail to become a poor-little-poor-girl. All essential preparations for meeting a time-travelling Viking prince.

Lynette's Stonehenge Rite
A spunky misfit meets a rugged soldier at the Dark Side of the Moon in this psychedelic, Alice-in-Wonderland adventure.

Edlyn's Evil Scheme
A villainous bully with no redeeming features plots a violent revenge against a virtuous hero. Bonus - you get to hear Archer's side of the story too.

Jack Jumps Hoops
A cowardly anti-hero learns valuable lessons from a tyrant-with-a-twist. Watch out for the Punkarella ending.

Kia's Hot-dish Revenge
A rebellious Cinderella's accidental revenge on her lazy mother backfires big time.

How Tamas Got his Scar
A happy prince falls under the spell of the most craven of bullies after a life-changing accident.

A Lie, a Witch and a Wardrobe
What is a drama brat to do when her lie results in incarceration and certain death? Why, rant, wail and wring hands, of course. Luckily, Claire's geeky friend is trapped with her, so she can engage science brain and figure out their survival.

And finally, although not exactly vintage, these stories are mostly set in the 80s and 90s, when your average teen didn't own a mobile phone and messaging/streaming/Netflix were mere twinkles in someone's eye.

Colour of Light series:
#1 Context: Seven short stories of rebellion and redemption - Available May 2020
#2 Chrysalis: Medieval magic meets modern-day mystery - Available June 2020
#3 Captive: Modern-day mystery meets medieval magic - Available August 2020
#4 Catalyst: Modern military thriller meets medieval magic - Available October 2020