Words are like chocolate, sweet and irresistible.
I was born in Trinidad and grew up surrounded by mango trees and palm trees, the smell of the ocean, the warmth of the sun and people. Yet always, in the background, there was a pulse in the air that tugged at my awareness, a whole other reality that thrived within Trinidad’s folklore, an energy embedded in words like douens, soucouyant and Papa Bois, to name but a few.
You could say that my imagination was triggered at an early age,
and that’s where I lived much of the time. My mind swirled with images and ideas from the books of adventure and fantasy which I devoured like candy.
My other great love was languages and I graduated with a Joint Honors Degree in French and Spanish from Mount Saint Vincent University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Later I worked at the United Nations in New York, and became a freelance translator. Later still I married and became the happy mother of a beautiful daughter.
Somewhere in the middle of all this I started writing.
But it wasn’t until my daughter was born that ideas for children’s books came flooding in. Of course, now that you know something about me, you won’t be surprised to learn that I write books of fantasy, where I let my imagination fly.
Writing is my passion and one of the most fulfilling aspects of my life. Yet it can also be challenging, frustrating, terrifying even; but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
In my blog I’ll deal with the dichotomy that being a writer presents. I will also share tips on writing, not only from me but from other authors whom I interview and who will talk about their journeys and breakthroughs as they too pursued and achieved their dream.
On a more personal note:
I believe in the power of a dream, a force so strong that it carries us to unimagined heights. So dare to dream and hold on to that thing that makes you want to get out of bed every morning and take step after step after step, no matter what life throws your way.
I will never undervalue the power of friendship or family. It’s even better than chocolate.
To me, laughter is the ‘balm’ of life and something I’ll never get tired of.
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In the midst of the events leading up to the Black Power Movement in Trinidad in 1970, twelve-year old Alex Donaldson struggles to get comfortable in her own skin. She’d give anything to have a lighter, beautiful complexion like her mother and two siblings. One stormy night, she and Granddad discover that a Soucouyant is living down the road. Soucouyants suck people’s blood like vampires. With a kiss, they take control of a person.
It’s best to ignore them; chances are they’ll return the favor. Then her brother does the one thing she cannot resist. He dares her to get the Soucouyant skin.
Alex’s attempt to acquire the skin brings her to the attention of Mrs. Henry. To make things worse, Alex learns that Mrs. Henry used to be Granddad’s girlfriend. Mrs. Henry wastes no time in giving Granddad a peck on the cheek and worms her way back into his heart.
Though wary of Mrs. Henry, Alex finds her intriguing. Mrs. Henry is everything Alex dislikes about herself: dark complexioned, big breasted, plump. But that doesn’t bother her. She walks with pride and confidence. She is fun! She calls Alex beautiful. Alex starts to believe in herself. Is she wrong about Mrs. Henry?
Yet Mrs. Henry is hiding something. Many things she says don’t add up, and Granddad is acting like he is under some sort of spell. Alex has to uncover the truth about Mrs. Henry, or Granddad and her family might be the Soucouyant’s next victims.