I have been entranced by medieval history ever since I started reading European folk tales as a child, and for years I nursed a dream to fashion stories of my own that would blend my enthusiasm for the past with romance. And I have. Determined Damsels, set during the turbulent times of King Richard the Lionheart, is my first historical romance series, and features five clever, ambitious, savvy young women and the men who can’t help falling in love with them.

It’s been a long road to get to where I feel confident to write what I want and not what I need to. I’ve spent most of the past twenty-odd years in Europe tending to a career in journalism and immersing myself in the local cultures, but I recently returned to my homeland, Canada, and now reside in the middle bit with a precocious daughter and a load of books. I can’t count the number of incredible castles and cathedrals I have visited.

I write stories that I would want to read, character-driven tales with handsome, courageous and passionate heroes and sassy, sensual and smart heroines who threaten break the rules to achieve seemingly impossible dreams. My aim is to immerse the reader into the historical epoch so that they can experience the romantic relationships of the distant past, see how much is the same and how much is different. But make no mistake — it is my heroines who lead. I’m just a chronicler of their adventures.

My stories will always have a bit of spice to complement the nice, although whatever happens behind closed doors is left for the reader to piece together. And there is always a purpose to the passion.