Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born in England but came to Canada when I was a young man.  I met my wife shortly after arriving here and we lived in Toronto for many years but now live in a village on the north shore of Lake Ontario. We have two children.  We always loved ballroom dancing and some years ago discovered the Argentine Tango.  My wife and I joined an Argentine Cultural Association dance troupe and performed with them for several years. I am a graphic designer by profession and a member of the Canadian Authors association and the Writers’ Community of Durham Region.

Describe your book ‘The Regiment's Woman’ in 30 words or less.

Janetta Rundel is determined to become a lady by marrying an officer of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, but she did not count on being involved in blackmail and murder. 

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Without a doubt it was the research. Although a novel, it’s actually the life of my scandalous great grandmother. It took me three years and a considerable amount of digging to collect the material and find her true character. After that the book virtually wrote itself.

What books have had the greatest influence on you?

As a lover of history, I have been greatly influenced by the works of Bernard Cornwell. Not only does he bring history to life but he has also mastered the art of keeping you engrossed in the story. For story telling and humor I have read and reread the books of Jerome K. Jerome many times over. Three men in a Boat is a ‘must read’ as far as I’m concerned.

Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?

Apart from my website and blog, I have also listed myself in several book publishing and author websites. But I like to be more hands-on and enjoy book signings. I have also been interviewed on television a couple of times and will continue to pursue that avenue. And I have entered my book in a couple of competitions with good results.

How do you spend your time when you are not writing?

Boy! I keep busy! During the day I have a part-time profession and in the evenings I teach ballroom dancing at a local dance studio. When the weather is good I love to potter in my Japanese garden and twice a week I join other virtual pilots around the world in WWII air combat.  You might wonder when I find time to write.  

What are you working on next?

My second novel The Undermerchant’s Woman is currently with my publisher and is about the tragic events that surrounded the Batavia disaster in 1629. I hope it will be out towards the end of this year. I am currently writing The Mafeking Woman, which is about spies and romance during the siege of Mafeking in 1899. After that I have three other novels planned. The forth will probably be a thriller set in London during the reign of King James.