Where the River Bends

What made you want to write this book?

I wanted to write something about the Anglo Boer War, a war that changed the course of the history in South Africa. While researching the war, I discovered that a regiment of Canadian soldiers were sent to South Africa

to help the British and that they were accompanied by eleven Canadian nurses. This triggered the idea for Suzie, the ghost in the story. I added a wounded heroine and an extreme sports athlete with issues as the hero and the story developed from there.

Where do you get your storylines from?

Sometimes from articles in magazines or newspapers. Zack, the hero in Where the river bends, is an extreme sports athlete and it was after reading about such an event that I decided what the hero in the story would do. And I love to listen to people’s stories, especially their love stories!

Was this book easier to write than others?

Parts of it were very difficult to write. Kalinda’s bad experience in her abusive marriage is very similar to the one our own daughter went through and writing the scenes where Kalinda remembers certain incidents from her past, was heart-breaking. I only heard what happened to our child and was traumatized, she endured four years before she had the courage to walk away.

Do you only write one genre?

I also write in Afrikaans and I have also written a few inspirational romances. But I love writing contemporary love stories.

Do you have a specific place or setting where you write?

We have a big bedroom with a bay window and that is where I have my computer and books – my happy place!

Describe what made you want to be a writer?

Ever since I can remember I’ve had voices in my head having long conversations about all sorts of things. I thought everyone had those until I discovered it wasn’t something I should say out loud J And I’ve always loved to read so when our kids left home and I retired I thought I was time to give the voices in my head names and families and settings and see what happens.