Monthly Archives: July 2025

Blue Beach Time (poem)

A sea of blue

Blue chairs

Blue umbrellas

Blue skies

Blue ocean

Blue aura

A sea of calm

Beach Time….

This year when it came to choosing a destination for my summer holiday (summer vacation) believe it or not, I did pause to think twice.

Should I go back?…

My heart screamed a resounding “YES!” so I listened to it.

As a result, at the end of last month, I found myself back in my “happy place”, walking through the pages of my Silver Lake books.

I returned to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in the USA.

Perhaps I am biased after all these years but there’s something magical about that small town. It’s some 45 years since it stole a piece of my heart as a 10-year-old.

When I saw the first road signs for Rehoboth Beach as I was driven down the Coastal Highway, my heart skipped a beat.

What if the magic was gone?…

I needn’t have worried. As soon as my toes sank into the soft warm sand, I knew I was back in the right place.

My soul sighed with contentment.

I spent 11 days soaking up the sun (and some thundery rain that soaked me to the skin), living and breathing the pages of my novels.

This year, as well as feeling as if I was walking through the lives of Jake and Lori, I also felt as if I was looking out for scenarios that the characters could naturally slot into.

**** slight spoiler alert ahead if you’ve not read all the books ****

When I was in the amusement arcades with my cousin and her young son, I could picture Jake there with his kids. I could almost see his patience being tested as Jesse played “the claw” machines, determined to win a certain plushie or more tickets.

On the beach one morning, I watched the lifeguards teaching the younger kids who had signed up for the Junior Lifeguard Program. Would that be something that Jake and Lori’s kids would want to do? Would they be encouraged to do it?

Watching the Rehoboth Beach Patrol lifeguards working, I wondered if Grey’s daughter, Becky, would enjoy a summer being a lifeguard or Melody perhaps. Were Grey or Rich or Paul or Jake lifeguards in their earlier lives?

The creative wheels began to turn…

All too soon it was time to say goodbye to my happy place.

Til next time, Rehoboth Beach.

If you’ve missed the Silver Lake series and want to check it out, here’s the link-

Amazon.com links –

Stronger Within – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VXDSC1M

Impossible Depths – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C0GS30K

Bonded Souls – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSQHG71

Shattered Hearts – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZY8ZSDM

Long Shadows – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RR1FGLG

Amazon.co.uk links  –

Stronger Within – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VXDSC1M

Impossible Depths – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C0GS30K

Bonded Souls – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XSQHG71

Shattered Hearts – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZY8ZSDM

Long Shadows – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08RR1FGLG

Meet The Author 2025 – pt 3

A lotus flower

The last few years have been beyond challenging on a personal level and in a creative sense as time moved on I became further and further stuck in the mud and the words refused to flow freely. Now, over the past few months, the lotus blossom is slowly emerging from the mud and the words are beginning to flow. I’m hoping in time to see the lotus bloom in time🪷

I’ve thought about this one on and off all day. .. 🤔

I’ve always been open on my Author page and my blog about myself so it’s beyond difficult to think of something that I’ve not already shared

As its mental health awareness week, it feels right to say that my key coping mechanism is journaling. I’ve kept a daily diary since 1982 but over recent years have journaled extensively. Maybe one day I’ll share them with the world.

I get the most support from my friends and family. Without my Infamous Five I wouldn’t have got this far. I draw support from this Facebook author community and from the lovely reviews that are left online for my book babies. Those honest words help to fuel the fire of my creativity.

The dream would be to see my books on the shelves in bookstores.

For now the immediate dream is to get book baby 9 over the line. It’s getting there but it’s just taking more time than I’d like.

Oh…. 🤔

Respected, entertaining and heartfelt

As for where you can find more of my words….Amazon or here on my blog 😀

Summer This or That…just for fun

Beach or Pool?

Beach every time! Love the feel of the warm sand under my toes, the sound of the waves crashing ashore and the breeze off the ocean. Bliss!

Bookstore or Library?

Bookstore. I gave up going to the library a very long time ago because I ended up in the bookstore buying the books I’d borrowed and returned from the library. I need my own copies. I’m weird that way.

Ice Cream or Popsicles?

To be honest, I can live without either but I do enjoy the occasional vegan ice cream.

Sunset or Sunrise?

Ideally both. I’m greedy that way! I love the peace of a beach sunrise that promises a new day ahead. I also love the weary warmth of a beautiful sunset at the end of a perfect day.

Walks on the beach or Hikes in the mountains?

Walks on the beach. I love grounding myself with a walk along the beach. I love the feeling of the damp sand under my bare feet and the ocean waves gently lapping over my skin.

Ebook/Audiobook or Actual Book?

Ebook generally, especially if I’m travelling or sitting on the beach or outside in the sun. I love an actual book too but never ever an audiobook.

Get up early or Sleep in late?

Get up early, some mornings earlier than others. I’ve never been one for sleeping late unless I’m ill.

Fireworks or Fireflies?

I associate fireflies/lightning bugs with summer. I love to watch them flitting about at dusk whenever I get the chance. Fireworks mean Gut Fawkes Night and winter to me.

Sports or Concert?

No surprises with this answer – concert! I love my live music.

Bookmark or Dog Ear?

Bookmark…always bookmark. Readers who dog ear pages should be banned from bookstores and libraries for life!

Independence Day (acrostic poem)

Invitation to all to invade the beach

Not a square inch to spare

Decisions… Decisions about where to stop

Eventually settling on a sandy sunny spot

Preparations are key

Everything is set up just so

No tents allowed…sorry Mr Lifeguard

Duly noted, sir

Equilibrium restored

Now to soak up some sun

Charging my batteries

Emotionally restored

Daring to hope for a better life

Anxious about what my future holds

You have this under control, girl.