Village secrets, quiet lies, and twists you won't see coming.

My day is not complete unless I have written down some words, be it for a crime novel, a children's book or simply jotting down ideas. I have always loved a good story and I remember as a child my Dad making up stories which he would tell me at bedtime. Perhaps I knew then that I would have to make up stories of my own, and I think he planted the seed of storytelling way back then. Sadly, my lovely Dad died when I was 27, and I still miss him every single day. I hope he would have been proud of my achievements.

I read to my young daughter every night at bedtime, with Roald Dahl stories being her favourite books, and I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, her or me! I remember trying to mimic the different characters' voices and even now, we laugh at my feeble attempts. I think it is so important to encourage children to read, and introducing them to books at a young age is a great way to pique their interest. Today, my daughter is now a beautiful young woman and not surprisingly, is an avid reader when she's not busy working or studying to enhance her career. I am incredibly proud of her, and I know that she is proud of me, too.

My crime novel, The Mysterious Disappearance of Marsha Boden, has received some fantastic reviews, and one phrase that I keep hearing is: I couldn't put it down. It is such a thrill to read and hear those words, knowing that my story has transported readers to another place, another time and connected them with some great characters.

For me, reading and writing go hand in hand, and I try to do both most days. Reading is a great way to escape from the fast-paced modern world that we live in today, and a good way to get away from all the noise. Reading is definitely good for the soul.