Rosemary Noble

For someone who always loved reading and history, writing books was always there, lurking in my subconscious. After four decades teaching students how to research in my day job as an education librarian, I began research into my family and discovered stories that begged to be told. Now I have indulged that dream. It's brought me a wonderful retirement, several trips to Australia and rewarding connections between long-lost relations.

No one knew about Helen, who trekked the country eking out a living with her family, until a life changing mistake. Some remembered hearing about Jane (she was called the dragon) - a real Australian pioneer. Close family members mentioned Sadie and her tragic story. These strong women went through trials and tribulations, the like of which, I could never imagine - until I did. They began to live with me as they told me about their lives, their hopes and their dreams.

Then there is the farmer in Ranter's Wharf who discovered a mission to save others and the cook who served the Duke of Wellington before becoming a celebrity chef of his day - he is only a bit part player in my novel, The Bluebird Brooch. It's a dual timeline mystery about mothers and daughters and the consequences of their actions.

My latest book, Isabella's Curse is a dual-timeline mystery set in Norfolk where I now live. The spark which set it off is a ruined ivy-clad church where a large oak tree grows in the nave. There's a local story about a witch's leg but I had different ideas. Read the prologue and find out. Hopefully, you will then be intrigued enough to read the whole book.

I have now discovered a new love - writing. What a wonderful new occupation.