the Books

One day, whilst experiencing some downtime, ‘resting’, I thought I’d just locate a manuscript I had written previously and see if I could salvage something and maybe get a publisher interested. I had at one stage organised quite a few weddings and had written a long story about what might have happened at one of the weddings. It was quite an experience. Some effort later I submitted it, and one publisher came back to say they might be interested. While waiting to hear, in great excitement, I wrote a sequel. The publisher did not take up my original story although expressed great interest. Something about it not fitting in any of the writing genres!!! I thought ‘Blast them All’, and I self-published my sequel – Snatch and Grab. I split my original novel in half and rewrote two more adventures of my wedding coordinator extraordinaire Belle Saint James. I then had to see Belle through and at the end of about four years, I had self-published six books.

By the Way, I proclaim a new genre – Old Chooks Books. If you can have Chick Lit you can have Old Chooks Books.

So, really, they were published out of order. I had a lot of fun writing them, which I hope is reflected in the novels themselves. I am quite inspired by Belle Saint James. She is quite a gal. She has a FaceBook Page which I neglect horribly.

The books are available in hard copy and by eBook.

In my mind the correct order to read the novels is;

Hide and Seek which introduces Belle and her friends and family.

Snatch and Grab which focuses on Belle’s partner Marcel(Mark) Smith

Round and Around is a story of friendship and focuses on Sylvie Sutton

Inside the Tent is Clara-Rose Duggan’s story and her relationship with Belle. It is also, probably, the most autobiographical.

Rule of Thumb involves all the main characters and could be seen as a social commentary around an issue that is starting to get more air, Domestic Violence.

Here Comes the Bride is Belle’s memoirs of weddings she has organised; the good, the disgusting and the disastrous.

the book for 2023

A Matter of Chance. Here is the story of the most maligned and misunderstood female character in English Literature, Mrs Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Her story continues past Jane and Elizabeth’s weddings. It addresses her situation now her daughters’ futures are settled.