Bloodstone
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https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/feelings-and-symptoms/self-harm/
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/cutting-and-self-harm.htm
About the Author
On the 17th of November in Lion City: Singapore I arrived, (a passionate Scorpio, with the Chinese Zodiac sign a lucky rabbit,) second child and only daughter to my proud parents’ Paula and Ronald. I grew up in a mountainous court in the Peak District in Hong Kong with my elder brother Donald. My parents dragged me away from my exotic childhood and my much-loved dog Topsy to the frozen wastelands of Scotland. In bonnie Edinburgh I mastered Scottish country dancing, and a whole new Och Aye lingo.
As a teenager I travelled to many far-flung destinations to visit my abacus wielding wayfarer dad. It’s rumoured that I now live in the Venice of Cambridge, with my six-foot hunk of a Rock God husband, my two enchanted daughters are making their way, nesting not too far away.
After such an upbringing my author’s mind has taken total leave of its senses! When I’m not writing, I eat exotic delicacies while belly dancing, or surf to the far reaches of the moon. To chill out, I practise Tai Chi or Yoga. If the mood takes me, I snorkel with mermaids, or sign up for idyllic holidays with the Chinese Unicorn, whose magnificent voice sings like a thousand wind chimes.
My influences have been many and varied, most of which are not of the human variety, but are spectacular, nonetheless. I must mention the black cat that appeared in my garden many years ago, who I fashioned into the much-loved character of Shadow. Such a stunning fellow, so magical, he inspired me to write The Curse of Time series. In fact, he was such an incredible creature that I had to find a cat model to take his place when he upped and disappeared. I found Lily via my blogging friend Gary Jefferies who put me in touch with Lily’s owner: Samantha Murdoch. Lily is stunning, a dead ringer for my black cat character Shadow and her owner Samantha is so lovely. She has a fantastic blog about cats and crystals: http://samanthamurdochblog.wordpress.com.
A few years ago, my old school friend Christine Souter suggested an outing with Helen Roberts to a sculpture park, Juniper Artland https://www.jupiterartland.org/ in Wilkieston, Edinburgh. How fortuitous. It was on that day that I first saw the crystal grotto––The Light Pours Out of Me by Anya Gallaccio—that inflamed my imagination to write this story. To this creative mix of crystals, I added reading, a great love of mine (focusing on Dorian Grey,) and a fascination with art, which triggered my story writing skills further.
This labour of love, my first novel in this series, has developed out of my growth as a person. I know that sounds a bit new-agey, but it is true. I suppose the crystals and my love of alternative therapies represent this part of me. My first crystal purchase was Malachite—a stone of transformation! It did its job! I have discovered a ‘new me’ that has developed like a slow burning fire. The ‘new me’ is much more adventurous—she likes to write novels, short stories, poetry, Tanka and haiku, and engages in creative pursuits such as photography.
Dear readers, let me share with you my motto of life, the thought that rocks me, that has kept my heart pounding these past years whilst writing, editing, and rewriting this book:
Always Do What You Love, Stay True To Your Heart’s Desires, And Inspire Others To Do So Too, Even If It Appears That The Odds Are Stacked Against You Like Black Hearted Shadows.