You SPHINX so?

Am mulling over ideas for my new book which will be set in an imaginary Sheikhdom of golden sands, azure skies and palaces of impossible beauty.

What would you call YOUR imaginary kingdom?

I have several book prizes to give away - so send me your entries now!

More from Fuerteventura....and breakfast

This is one of those images which I look back on (rather wistfully) - whenever I want to imagine myself in a Sheikh-type land. Actually, I'm about to run a Sheikh-type competition so

WATCH THIS SPACE!

And this is pretty much my perfect breakfast: chilled and juicy pink grapefruit, strong black coffee and delicious bread - all served by someone other than myself! The sunshine and the distant view of the sea add yet another layer of enjoyment.


What was, or is your perfect breakfast?

ATMOSPHERE AND ITALIA

It's the long Bank Holiday weekend and so I'm off to glorious Italia.

(Which is where I am photographed with my "children", this time last year).

Black and white photos can be so atmospheric, don't you think?


I think I've come up with a new plot for my next book - but will definitely garner some information while I'm over there.

What are you doing for the weekend?

THE SANDS OF TIME

Just back from holidaying with my daughter in glorious Fuertevenura.

When I booked it, I thought it was a Balearic island (I really should have paid more attention to my geography lessons at school) and was very surprised (and excited!) to discover that it was actually one of the Canary Islands - and just 100 kilometres off the coast of Africa.

Which might explain the climate (hot all year round, but with a delicious breeze).

And the terrain....

The photo above shows the lush, tropical foliage.

While the interior was barren and sandy (lots of Sheikh material here!).

It was quite different to anywhere I'd ever been before - and gave me lots of inspiration.

So now I'm looking out at the rain falling on green leaves back in Winchester and wondering where you might have been recently, which has inspired you...?

You can see why they say....

sunsets are romantic.



Thanks, Dan - for sending this picture-perfect shot. Can you tell us where exactly it is so that I can fix the location in my mind (and perhaps use it sometime!). Does anybody live nearby? Are there shops? Roads? Trains?

As for romantic settings - does anybody have a favourite?

NOTORIOUS! Talking about the past....

as well as my newest release - over on iheartspresents


Well, actually - it's a re-issue of two titles I wrote back in 2004.

Please come over and visit - even make a comment!

MY FIRST EVER AUDIO BOOK!

BOUGHT FOR THE SICILIAN BILLIONAIRE'S BED is available NOW from:

WHOLE STORY AUDIO BOOKS

Go on - you know you want to.....