I believe we have a lot to learn from dogs, well-behaved dogs, that is. When Ramsès joined my family at Château de Détilly in the Loire Valley, my life changed in a very positive way. He really did become my muse and has appeared in two of my novels, 'Gray Day in Paris' and 'Fabulous Ramses'. I'll tell you more about that later. In my other novels, 'Death Canyon and 'Jack's Promises', there are also dogs. Ramsès is our welcoming committee at Château de Détilly which we run as a bed and breakfast and writers' retreats. My first dog was a black chihuahua called José. Apart from living a dog-centred life, in what is probably the most the historical part of France, my days are largely filled with maintaining the expansive rose garden that was installed in the 1990s and writing, of course. During the cold months, our writers' workshops take place inside the château in the grande salon and during the warm months, in a variety of places such as the orangerie (pool house), by the pool in the garden or on the terraces. 

A child at heart, I enjoy reading and writing adventure stories that take me to worlds one can only dream of. Having lived in North Queensland by the barrier reef, I'll read anything about tropical islands, beaches and pirates. 'Robinson Crusoe' and 'Treasure Island' are two of my favourites and I can't remember how many times I've watched 'Swiss Family Robinson.' Other novels I've enjoyed reading recently are 'The Island of the Day Before' by Eco Umberto and 'The Friend' by Sigrid Nunez.