Promises To Keep

"I won't have her forced," Jack said. "Let her decide for herself."Amy knew her father meant it. She could say no if she wanted. But this marriage would make everything all right. They could put all the trouble she had caused behind them. Everyone would be happy again.Everyone except her."Sentence of Marriage" is the first book in the three-volume "Promises to Keep".In nineteenth century New Zealand, there are few choices for a farm girl like Amy. Her life seems mapped out for her by the time she is twelve. Amy dreams of an exciting life in the world beyond her narrow boundaries. But it is the two people who come to the farm from outside the valley who change her life forever, and Amy learns the high cost of making the wrong choice."One of the best historical novels I've had the pleasure to read in years." - WorkingGirl Reviews."The story was captivating, the characters real, the dialogue crisp. I admit to having cried and laughed and even having wanted to murder a character and beat another one within an inch of his life - which is simply a testament to how well written these books are." - AmericanEditor. I write historical fiction set in New Zealand, starting in the 1880s and continuing through to the 1920s. I'm fascinated by social history, particularly that of my own country.I live in a state of barely-controlled chaos; fortunately I share my life with an invariably calm and endlessly optimistic husband. I divide my time between an apartment in the city, in reach of good espresso, and a few acres in the country, where the rank grass in the orchard is kept under control by a small mob of sheep (and where we have our own espresso machine).When I'm not writing, reading, or engaged in mundane activities, I play the piano rather badly.

Amy tries desperately hard to be a good wife and mother. She puts her whole heart into doing the best she can. But will her best ever be good enough for this man?"Mud and Gold" is the second book in the three-volume "Promises to Keep". It follows directly on from Book One, "Sentence of Marriage". I write historical fiction set in New Zealand, starting in the 1880s and continuing through to the 1920s. I'm fascinated by social history, particularly that of my own country.I live in a state of barely-controlled chaos; fortunately I share my life with an invariably calm and endlessly optimistic husband. I divide my time between an apartment in the city, in reach of good espresso, and a few acres in the country, where the rank grass in the orchard is kept under control by a small mob of sheep (and where we have our own espresso machine).When I'm not writing, reading, or engaged in mundane activities, I play the piano rather badly.

Amy watches in growing fear the worsening confrontation between her husband and her son, until she realises that only one of them can survive it. How long can she keep them apart?The final volume in "Promises to Keep". It follows directly on from Book Two, "Mud and Gold". I write historical fiction set in New Zealand, starting in the 1880s and continuing through to the 1920s. I'm fascinated by social history, particularly that of my own country.I live in a state of barely-controlled chaos; fortunately I share my life with an invariably calm and endlessly optimistic husband. I divide my time between an apartment in the city, in reach of good espresso, and a few acres in the country, where the rank grass in the orchard is kept under control by a small mob of sheep (and where we have our own espresso machine).When I'm not writing, reading, or engaged in mundane activities, I play the piano rather badly.