I grew up in Stratford upon Avon, surrounded by all things Shakespeare. To this day, I believe he is the greatest writer that ever lived. I went to boarding school from the age of nine - I'm not complaining about this. On the contrary, it gave me access to so much I wouldn't have had at home, including wonderful drama, sport, art and endless books. The downside? My English teachers always said I could write well enough but had no imagination. It's taken me 35 years but I think I've now proved them wrong!

About 5 years ago I had the idea for my novel, Too Long To Die, and I started writing it 3 years ago.

Set 30,000 years ago, Too Long To Die takes us to a prehistoric world where a murder is committed. Lonell, the world's first detective, must solve the crime or die. The Pescovari tribesman has to overcome danger from every quarter and rely on his own unique intuition to save himself and his tribe.
Searching for the Guardian, Lonell and another man find his body and are brought before Saretta, the albino High Priestess. The scheming leader of the Enlightened Ones fails to implicate Lonell in the mysterious death but she sends the other man for sacrifice instead. This blatant injustice and an attempt on Lonell's own life drive the world's first detective towards the crime's solution and rebellion against the despotic Saretta.
Lonell and his friend, Valon, overcome the white wolf that guards the innocent man and engineer his escape. Lonell's unusual intelligence and spiritual intuition may help him to sift through the contradictory facts surrounding the murder - yet his own life is always at risk. And, when he and Valon undertake a challenging overland journey, Saretta hires mercenaries to subdue the Pescovari to her will.
A day of reckoning waits, but Lonell and his friends are outnumbered and unprepared for battle . . .

I sent my first three chapters to one agent. He wanted to see the whole book. He was marvellous and sent me back pages of suggestions and rewrites, all of which I did, and then I waited. I didn't want to approach anyone else so I was in limbo. A year later I received an email saying that his firm would not take me on. At that point I decided that this was the route to follow. If my book gets picked up later on, so be it, but I wanted to get it out there.

I am not one of those writers who has the book planned out in advance. I didn't even know who the murderer was going to be until almost the end! The book seemed to write itself (and the second one is doing the same). So my greatest joy is seeing the plot all come together, when all the ideas gel. Oh, and of course, when someone tells me they have really enjoyed reading it!

I'm working on the second book in the series. I expect Lonell, the world's first detective, to travel to many different tribes, solving their crimes, so I hope the series will consist of many books.

Oh, so many. Shakespeare, of course. Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, George Orwell, Oscar Wilde.
Then more modern authors: Victoria Hislop, JK Rowling (in all forms), Jean M Auel, Ellis Peters, Dan Brown and, if I'm not feeling well, I curl up with one of my Dick/Felix Francis books - I have them all. I could go on and on. I just love reading - any genre.

I read tarot cards and give spiritual healing. I also tutor Spanish. I love golf but haven't had the time for the last few years - I would love to get back to it. Oh, yes, I'm also trying to learn the clarinet - poor neighbours!

I must admit that I used to think I would never like an e-book. I love the feel of a printed book in my hands. How wrong could I be?! I have a Kindle Paperwhite and the fact that I can take it with me, wherever I go, and choose what I want to read because I've got a whole library to choose from, makes it the best thing since sliced bread, as far as I'm concerned. Also the fact I can read in bed without disturbing my husband is a real plus as I always read last thing at night. I'm sure that other e-readers are just as good. I just haven't tried them and was given my Kindle as a birthday present.

Certainly not the housework or the shopping! No, I want to know what's going to happen to Lonell and his friends! Also, if I am due to give a Tarot reading or healing to someone. I'm very privileged to do that. it's wonderful to be able to help people and I take it very seriously.

I don't usually browse. I tend to pick books that have been recommended to me or are by authors I know. I also look at other books that have been purchased with the books I know. Then I can pick up something unexpected and it can start me on a whole new trail! I don't normally choose books because of their cover, although a cover can put me off.

Too Long To Die should appeal to a number of audiences: those who love crime, particularly historical crime before DNA, finger printing and all the science that helps to solve modern day crimes; those who are fascinated by prehistory (this is set in the Upper Paleolithic era); those who love a bit of spiritual mystery and intrigue; and those who want good to win out over evil.
One reviewer on Amazon said: 'I say it's a great 'cross-over' novel because this could easily be read by adults or children'. Someone else told me they thought it was a great YA novel. There is no graphic sex in it and the violence is real but understated.
I think this novel will appeal to most readers.