I've written here before about how I had to apply for British citizenship in order to guarantee that, after Brexit, I am able to remain in Britain, which has been my home for the past 34 years, and where my British grandchild, children, and husband all live. Glad to Be British Although I resented … [Read more...]
Where to find your Nordic Hygge in London
As today is the International Hygge Day, I thought I'd let you know where I take myself when I feel homesick and need my Nordic Hygge fix. Whether it's Swedish Fika (coffee with cake or bun), Danish Hygge (feeling cozy) or food old-fashioned Finnish silence, you can find it in London. Nordic … [Read more...]
Celebrating Finland’s Centenary Year
Finland, my country of birth, has been celebrating the centenary year of its independence for all of 2017. The events organised by SuomiFinland100 committee, culminated around the country yesterday. Celebrating Finland in Finland I'm feeling incredibly lucky that I've been able to celebrate the … [Read more...]
What a Week!
Last week was the best and yet the worst of my life. I’m not sure I’ve ever had one like it. Come to think of it, the past month has been pretty extraordinary. Appearance on Live TV Those of you who follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram may know how I very nearly couldn't join my sister on … [Read more...]
Tom of Finland
In Finland, homosexuality was illegal up till 1971, and was only declassified as an illness in 1981. The age of consent was equalized to 16 in 1999. Now Tom of Finland creator, Touko Laaksonen, who began drawing his homoerotic images in the 1950s, is celebrated across the land. A new film about … [Read more...]
Nordic Film Wins at Cannes and Other News
The Square Wins at Cannes 2017 The Square, a film described as a social satire set in the art world, and directed by Ruben Östlund, whose previous film, Force Majeure was critically acclaimed as an 'icily disturbing family drama set in the French Alps', has won this year's Palme d'Or at the Cannes … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day Kindle Giveaway
I wanted to let you know about the Valentine's Day Kindle Giveaway that I'm sponsoring with The Englishman e-book. I've always loved February. I think of this short month as a prelude to spring and the last hurrah to winter. In Finland we celebrate February with cake: first there's … [Read more...]
The Englishman Box Set Limited Offer
The first three books in my Navy romance series are now in a boxed set. What's more, the books are on a limited Kindle Countdown Offer for the next three days! I hope 2017 has got off to a good start for you! Here in the UK we've had a bit of a cold spell, something which I managed to escape … [Read more...]
How to Write in Another Language
How do you write in another language? How can you make your words flow in a language that's not your mother tongue? I write in English even though it's my third language after Finnish and Swedish. Why I do this, is one of the most common questions readers and other writers put to me. A few … [Read more...]
An Independence Day Offer!
To celebrate Finland's Independence Day, I am giving away a free novella AND two exclusive, unpublished bonus chapters from the first two books in the Nordic romance series: The Finnish Girl and The Englishman. The Englishman series now has four books: The Finnish Girl: Can you be too young for … [Read more...]