As you know, I write in three genres, ‘hens’ lit’, cozy crime and dual timeline, under my own name and the pseudonym of my grandmother’s, Elena Collins. Location is really important to me in terms of inspiring my writing. I’ve featured exciting places from Mexico to Amsterdam, from Devon to Ireland, but here are a few of my favourites, to celebrate the fourth birthday of our wonderful publisher, Boldwood Books.

Wishing the team so many more birthdays and so many more wonderful books.

Scotland

I discovered a real passion for Scotland only a few years ago. I set The Highland Hens in Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness. It’s the story of Mimi, who is in her eighties, an ex-dancer who dreams only of the past. She has three sons, who each adore her in their own way. The location is a huge feature of this novel, with mists, woodlands, deer and mountains.

 Elena Collins’ The Lady of the Loch was one of my favourites to write. I love the protagonists, especially Agnes and Cam in 1306. When she spies him swimming in the loch, their fate is sealed. If you haven’t read this book, please do – it has romance, tragedy, a little of the supernatural and the most stunning location of a castle by the loch and among snow-capped mountains.

Somerset

I live in Somerset, and the location inspires me to write – I’m often walking in woodlands dreaming up plot and characters. The Golden Oldies’ Book Club is set in a Somerset village and the action takes place in a cider farm, in a library and amongst the community. I love books that feature friendship, second chances and humour. I know you’ll love the characters of Ruth the librarian and Barney, the Cider Farm manager.

The Witch’s Tree by Elena Collins is another Somerset-inspired novel. It moves from the present day, when Selena moves into Sloe Cottage, to Slaugh Cottage in 1682, where Grace and her father struggle to make ends meet. I know there is much fondness for this sweet, tragic novel, and it all started in my own house when I found a witch’s mark on the wall.

France

The beautiful scenery of France inspires so many novels. Five French Hens tells the story of five older women who decide to take off to Paris to celebrate a hen party. The action moves from casinos to clubs and they meet the most fascinating people. Of course, the adventures cement their friendship and they return home very different people – if they return at all…

I’m very fond of Brittany – all of France, in fact, and you’ll often find references to the location in my books.

Cornwall

I lived in Cornwall for a while and fell in love with the location and the people. The sea and the surrounding countryside, the history and the culture are a huge inspiration for my writing. I decided to set my cozy crime Seal Bay series there. Foul Play at Seal Bay comes out on August 4^th. The main protagonist, Morwenna Mutton, becomes a sleuth by accident and through the series, her skills develop. She is a mother, a daughter, a grandmother. She is a librarian and part-owns a tearoom. She loves wild swimming and riding her bicycle through Seal Bay, interacting with the community and she is a character who is full of mischief. The location for this series meant me spending time in Cornwall, which I adore. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about Seal Bay as much as I enjoyed creating the location.

In four years, Boldwood Books have gone from strength to strength. The team is like a family, second to none. The writers are a supportive community. In the three-and-a-bit years I’ve been with them, I’ve written fifteen books and sold so many copies in so many countries. It’s probably close to 75,000.

So it’s with huge thanks and appreciation and love that I say Happy Birthday, Boldwood.

 May our joy and success long continue to grow.