I live in the North East of England with my husband Andy. I grew up in Ipswich and met my husband at the University of Warwick. He was studying Electronic Engineering. I was studying French and European Literature. I spent a year of my degree living in Chartres in France and went on to teach French in Secondary Schools in the Colchester area. We had two sons.

We moved to the North East when my husband left computer journalism to work for Traidcraft. We were then drawn to fostering and went on to adopt three children. I rediscovered a love of writing and began to write school assemblies, Sunday School materials and catalogue copy. The novel within me started to develop until I could no longer keep it in. I started writing ’Secrets Such As These’ at Centerparcs in January 2012. I thought that may be the only novel I had inside me, but no. I have now completed my second novel ’embrace’, inspired by a trip to Antwerp in November 2012 to visit my niece Lauren.

I don’t know what you else you may want to know but maybe some of these twenty things will be of interest:-

• I am now approaching 50 with a bundle of mixed feelings and still feel like a child at heart.
• I do not dye my hair and am therefore embracing a ‘salt and pepper’ look.
• I find being in groups exhausting
• My puppy Dempsey and my cat Troy bring me an immense amount of joy.
• I am allergic to all sorts of ridiculous things.
• I used to love my bed, but have now learnt that getting up early means more quiet time for writing!
• I come up with most of my ideas when I’m running.
• My heart aches with love for all my children.
• I have far more ideas than I know what to do with.
• Writing is the best thing ever.
• I love choosing what to wear in the morning.
• There is no such thing as a normal week in this house.
• I love talking to people about their journey of faith.
• Listening to the radio lifts my spirits.
• My husband and I are so good for each other.
• I find watching the fire mesmerising.
• I need sunshine.
• I see the good.
• I am learning to accept my limitations.
• I love my job.

And as for what I do in a ‘normal’ week…I perform all the necessary household tasks to keep this show on the road. I am the Community Life Colleague at Asda Living Gateshead. I retreat as often as possible to my studio in the back garden to write. I treasure connection with my family and friends. I have gone from never running before to training for the Great North Run. I phone my Dad. I keep in touch on Facebook. I am challenged in my faith. I have a lot of fun. I read. I write.