The Women Who Walked Before Us – Real Stories That Inspire Fiction

Historical fiction doesn’t appear out of thin air. It’s born from the real lives of those who came before us. Their stories—sometimes remembered, sometimes buried—are the heartbeat of the novels I write.

I devoted the whole of my Island Secrets Series to women from history, from the 1990s and all the way back to the 1890s.

Out on June 17th 2025 is Wherever You Will Go, book 1 of my forthcoming Hope Series. The book takes you on an historical journey to World War 2 Europe, post-war London as well as post-war Dominica in the Caribbean. Essie, the heroine of Wherever You Will Go, was inspired by women like my own mother, who travelled from the Caribbean to England during the Windrush era. Women who built new lives from scratch. Who loved, lost, and persevered in a world that didn’t always welcome them.

One such woman was Mona Baptiste, a Trinidadian singer who sailed on the Empire Windrush. Her story is woven into my novella In 5 Days' Time and brushes past the edges of Essie’s in Wherever You Will Go.

These women lived extraordinary lives in ordinary ways. And telling their stories feels like honouring them.

💌 Want to read more stories that blend fact with fiction? My newsletter is where I share research gems, early book excerpts, and launch-day treats. So, don't miss out, pick up a Free copy of In 5 Days' Time—sign up today!