Christmas Book List 2025

The 2025 Christmas book list features fifteen books, including eleven incredible books from authors I’ve interviewed throughout the year and four of my own – two Jade Riley mysteries and two anthologies, each featuring one of my short stories.
The genres range from romantic comedy to psychological thriller, so find something to suit your loved ones’ tastes … or treat yourself. Continue reading Christmas Book List 2025

Sarah Hawthorn on Love. Camera. Action.

In our last interview, Sarah and I discussed her writing genre change from her first book, psychological thriller, A Voice in the Night, to her second book, historical fiction, The Dilemma. And she’s done it again! Her third novel, Love. Camera. Action is a romantic comedy.
Today, we discuss her ability to shift genres, and the details of her latest release. Continue reading Sarah Hawthorn on Love. Camera. Action.

Jade Riley is Back

In my last post about my writing life, I lamented the fact that my publisher, Wings ePress, is closing down at the end of 2025. At my request, they unpublished my books right away, so I could jump back into the pitching game.
…I’m happy to announce that I’ve signed with a new (aptly-named ) publisher: Next Chapter Publishing. Continue reading Jade Riley is Back

Writing a Mystery: Crafting a Series

In the first part of this blog series, Writing a Mystery: Introducing Jade Riley, I introduced the protagonist for The Godfather of Dance. A journalist by trade, Jade hails from Melbourne and has a past tinged with the tragedy of her best friend’s death. Today, I share how I am developing the Jade Riley Mystery Series, and how I envision future books. Of course, this will almost certainly change along the way due to factors beyond my control or my evolving creative preferences. Continue reading Writing a Mystery: Crafting a Series

Writing a Mystery: Introducing Jade Riley

Jade is an everyday hero. In the first book, she’s a rookie journalist with more ambition than experience, more passion than finesse. She’s Australian, from my hometown, Melbourne, but she’s living in The Woodlands, Texas, a satellite suburb of Houston, where she works for a local newspaper. By no coincidence, this is where I lived with my family for five years. She’s also passionate about ballroom and Latin dance. Continue reading Writing a Mystery: Introducing Jade Riley

Bella Ellwood-Clayton on Weekend Friends

Dr. Bella Ellwood-Clayton’s debut novel is set in a cliquey suburb where belonging to the in-group is everything. It features intense female friendships and explores parenting in our perilous times when social media can build someone up as quickly as it can tear them down.
Join us as we talk about motherhood, friendship and how to write a good plot twist. Continue reading Bella Ellwood-Clayton on Weekend Friends