Emilie follows a young woman who struggles to find her identity during the bloody 16th century French Wars of Religion. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?

Curiosity about my French Huguenot ancestry on my mother’s maternal side led me to researching and writing my debut novel Emilie. All the women in my family are strong willed and resilient. I started imagining what my female ancestors would have been like escaping from religious persecution and starting their lives again in a foreign land. From there my narrative grew.

Emilie is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?

Emilie is only 16 years old and trying to find herself in one of the darkest periods in French history. Her character is quite complex. Like many teenagers she is contrary, vulnerable and flawed. But what shines through in her character is her authenticity. No matter what she is faced with, she remains true to herself.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Emilie is set in the 16th Century but the themes are just as relevant and pertinent today. The story is as much an internal story of self-discovery as an historical story of religious persecution, gender inequality, suffering and loss. The themes of overcoming adversity, love and redemption make what could be a dark story very inspirational.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

I have started researching the sequel to Emilie. I am aiming for a 2022/3 release.

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