THE INCA’S CURSE – PAPERBACK OUT NOW

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The Inca’s Curse

Set in 1928 in Victoria, Australia. The Thornton family made its money in the goldfields during the 1850s and the antiques trade. Thornton Park is their lavish mansion close to Melbourne. They also own a home and a goldmine in Daylesford, in the heart of Victoria, where their close friends, the Bassetti family, are part of a thriving Swiss-Italian community.

Alexandra Thornton has married Benedict Archer. On their honeymoon in Daylesford, Alexandra’s pearls are stolen and within days there are two murders.

Back at Thornton Park, Alexandra discovers a secret compartment in a desk. Inside is a gold and diamond necklace and a letter written by her grandfather, James Thornton. It’s a love letter, Alexandra assumes written to his wife after her death. He claims the necklace is cursed. 

After further investigation, Alexandra uncovers the deaths of two miners at Thornton Goldmine. 

The family return to Daylesford where Thomas Thornton is accused of murder.

Alexandra is determined to work out how it all connects. 

What is the link to the Inca Emperor Atahualpa? Is it gold? 

Is gold the curse?

THE INCA’S CURSE – E-BOOK IS RELEASED

I’m very excited to announce the release of my second book THE INCA’S CURSE

Book 2 in The Thornton Mysteries

At the same moment, the thief stepped closer to the lake’s edge. Without any hesitation, he dropped the girl’s body into the cold, dark water.

The book is historical fiction/cosy murder mystery/romance.

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Published by Crimson Cloak Publishing

Set in 1928 in Victoria, Australia. The Thornton family made its money in the goldfields during the 1850s and the antiques trade. Thornton Park is their lavish mansion close to Melbourne. They also own a home and a goldmine in Daylesford, in the heart of Victoria, where their close friends, the Bassetti family, are part of a thriving Swiss-Italian community.

Alexandra Thornton has married Benedict Archer. On their honeymoon in Daylesford, Alexandra’s pearls are stolen and within days there are two murders.

Back at Thornton Park, Alexandra discovers a secret compartment in a desk. Inside is a gold and diamond necklace and a letter written by her grandfather, James Thornton. It’s a love letter, Alexandra assumes written to his wife after her death. He claims the necklace is cursed. 

After further investigation, Alexandra uncovers the deaths of two miners at Thornton Goldmine. 

The family return to Daylesford where Thomas Thornton is accused of murder.

Alexandra is determined to work out how it all connects. 

What is the link to the Inca Emperor Atahualpa? Is it gold? 

Is gold the curse?

THE INCA’S CURSE – RELEASE DATE

I’m very excited to announce the release date for my second book THE INCA’S CURSE

Book 2 in The Thornton Mysteries

Benedict says this quote below to Alexandra.
“You are a part of my soul, part of my every thought, my every action. I breathe for you. I exist for you.”

How romantic is he? 

The book is historical fiction/cosy murder mystery/romance.
Out soon!
Crimson Cloak Publishing

Set in 1928 in Victoria, Australia. The Thornton family made its money in the goldfields during the 1850s and the antiques trade. Thornton Park is their lavish mansion close to Melbourne. They also own a home and a goldmine in Daylesford, in the heart of Victoria, where their close friends, the Bassetti family, are part of a thriving Swiss-Italian community.

Alexandra Thornton has married Benedict Archer. On their honeymoon in Daylesford, Alexandra’s pearls are stolen and within days there are two murders.

Back at Thornton Park, Alexandra discovers a secret compartment in a desk. Inside is a gold and diamond necklace and a letter written by her grandfather, James Thornton. It’s a love letter, Alexandra assumes written to his wife after her death. He claims the necklace is cursed. 

After further investigation, Alexandra uncovers the deaths of two miners at Thornton Goldmine. 

The family return to Daylesford where Thomas Thornton is accused of murder.

Alexandra is determined to work out how it all connects. 

What is the link to the Inca Emperor Atahualpa? Is it gold? 

Is gold the curse?

The year is almost over…

This year has been an exciting one for me with the release of The Dragon Sleeps in November. It’s the first book in The Thornton Mysteries. A cosy mystery series with a tender love story.

 

Book 2 is with my publisher, with book 3 soon to follow. I’ve finished it except for a last read through.

In January, I’m starting book 4. The research is done. I’m looking forward to writing it.

Book 1 is set at Thornton Park, the family home in Victoria.

Book 2 is principally set in Daylesford, a small town in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria. Dayleford is a beautiful place, and today is known for its spas and for its natural mineral springs.

Book 3 is set at Thornton Park and the Barossa Valley in South Australia. The Barossa is prime wine country.

Book 4 will take us to Norfolk Island, a beautiful island in the South Pacific not far from Australia. I went there last year to do some research. I’m going back in 2020.

I hope you’ll come on this journey with me.

This year also saw the release of Broken, a story that is free on my website.

After the tragic death of her parents, Rachael Watson ran away, leaving her sister to manage the family lavender farm and shop. Three years later, crushed by her unrelenting grief, workplace bullying, and guilt and shame for letting her sister down, Rachael decides to return home.

There, Rachael meets Ebony, a black mare who has been mistreated and beaten. Rachael realises she is not the only one who has been broken.

The Treasure is also free on my website. It’s a novelette – short than a novella but longer than a short story. YA/NA Fantasy.

Lastly, I’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas – or Happy Holidays if you don’t celebrate Christmas – and a Happy, Healthy New Year.

 

Book Two Title Reveal : The Thornton Mysteries

I’m very pleased to announce the title of Book Two in The Thornton Mysteries Series.

THE INCA’S CURSE

 

 

In the 1850’s, Daylesford, in Country Victoria, found itself in the grip of a gold rush. Thomas Thornton Senior made his fortune during those days, as did his friend, Aquilino Bassetti. Giacomo Rigoni remained a dirt miner before he worked for Thomas Thornton Senior.

By 1928, when the Thorntons visit Wombat Hill Manor, their holiday home, tucked into the side of Wombat Hill, Daylesford’s new ‘rush’ is spring water. Mount Franklin, which most Australians know for its spring/mineral water, is close by.

The Thorntons have kept their gold mines in operation, but others, like the Bassettis, have gone into the hotel business. Hungry miners have to eat and drink. In 1928, the Bassettis still own an hotel, cheese factory and mineral springs. The Rigonis remain at Wombat Hill Manor as caretakers and staff.

Through the years, the Inca’s curse has insidiously filtered through the generations, killing with its touch, until at the end, it nearly tears three families apart.

BLURB:  Inca’s Curse – Book 2  is set at the Thornton’s holiday home in Daylesford, country Victoria. Alexandra and Benedict are no sooner there, than Alexandra’s pearls are stolen. Two murders follow. A girl’s body thrown into a lake. The second body is found at the bottom of a collapsed gold mine tunnel.

What do these have to do with the drowning of Thornton Antique’s acting manager in Melbourne?

Then, Alexandra discovers an old love letter written by her grandfather, along with a necklace that is missing a large diamond.

Are the rumours about a cursed necklace true? Can a curse cling to an object and unleash its power through the decades?

Alexandra must discover the truth before more people are killed.

 

Merry Christmas and Season’s Greetings to Everyone

You may wonder why I have a wombat in my photo. This is Waddles. I bought him in Daylesford when I was researching my next book. So what does a wombat have to do with a cozy murder mystery?

My next book, the second in The Thornton Mysteries is set in Daylesford, Victoria, Australia, where the Thorntons have a holiday home. It isn’t as grand as Thornton Park but it’s a large house set into the side of Wombat Hill. There’s the clue. Daylesford, in its gold mining days, was called Wombat.

I first went to Daylesford about ten years ago. It’s set in the Macedon Ranges and is a favourite spa town. The area is known for its mineral springs. Mt Franklin, which most Australians know of, is about a twenty minute drive away.

The Thornton’s home is Wombat Hill Manor, and just as I did with Thornton Park, I based Wombat Hill Manor on a real building. It was initially built as a private residence and later sold to the Catholic Church as a Convent.

It’s now The Convent Gallery, beautifully restored as an art gallery and restaurant/cafe. If you go to Daylesford, I recommend going there. It’s about a one hour drive from Melbourne and worth the trip.

I’ve been to Daylesford twice this year, the first time to do research for my book. The second time was after I finished my first draft and I wanted to check on some details.

This year has been a busy one. The two trips to Daylesford. A trip to Adelaide and the Barossa Valley, which besides being a wonderful holiday, was also research for book three. For those who don’t know, the Barossa Valley in South Australia is famous for it’s wineries. I’ll be starting book 3 early in the new year. You’ll remember from reading The Dragon Sleeps that Benedict’s family own a vineyard in South Australia. There’s a hint about book three.

I’ve not long returned from a trip to Hawaii. It was another fabulous holiday with my family. I thought I can’t go to such a location and not write a book set there. I didn’t have any ideas for a story when I arrived but I had the start of Book 4 before I left. My dilemma was why would the Thorntons want to go to Hawaii. Book two is set in 1928. Book three in 1928 also. So why in 1929 would they want to travel so far? The reason came to me. I was so pleased! Originally, I intended writing three books but now book four is on the schedule.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends and I wish you a Happy New Year.