Art, history, and books are my passion and now I am lucky enough to be able to combine all three. For many years I worked as an art consultant. During this time, I also painted and exhibited my own work. But about fifteen years ago, I decided to go back to college to get a deeper knowledge of art and history. While I was there, I got hooked on the detective work that is involved in historical research. However, I found that days spent pouring over ancient volumes in dusty libraries don’t always yield the results to tell a compelling story. And I started thinking about, painting, and telling stories, as a way for me to get a clearer understanding of the past.
As well as painting and writing, I am an avid reader, a member of a rowdy book club, and a writing group, and these friends have given me great support on my journey to become a writer. I also love cooking and drinking good white wine and having the craic. To burn all of the calories I consume in this way, I cycle madly, walk and swim in the Irish Sea – whenever it’s not Baltic – which is not often, to be honest! My husband, who is my best friend, and I, have two daughters both amazing young women of whom I am enormously proud: and we are grandparents of adorable one-year-old twins. I am writing this and thinking, my life like most peoples has not been without its ups and downs – but having family and friends to stand by you is the greatest blessing of all. I hope you enjoy my books and get as much enjoyment from reading them as I have had writing them
The Art Collector’s Daughter is my debut novel and I have another one in the pipeline. So, watch this space! My second novel is based on my research into the life of Margaret Allen, a Victorian Irish artist, who was written out of history because her paintings sympathised with the Irish nationalist cause.