I was born in Cardiff, Wales and I love hiking and camping in The Gower Peninsular in South Wales.Australia is my second home. I spend my time between the 'Old' South Wales and the 'New' South Wales! The climate allows me to indulge my passion for orchid growing and snorkeling.I am now an Author but, with a diverse background as a radio telegraphist, archaeologist, travel guide and financial broker, my experiences have shaped the ongoing themes in my books. The professions I've been involved with over the years are not those traditionally seen as 'women's realms' you could say! I write about things that I am familiar with. So, I write about alternative investments, archaeological artifacts,works of art, and cryptocurrencies, as ways to move money undetected, around the World. I delve into areas that challenge stereotypes, particularly focusing on empowering women in the world of finance and mathematics. My new Historical Fiction book, Hidden Agenda explores the intersection of alternative finance, history, mystery, and intrigue.Here is a snippet from the back page blurb:Embark on a journey through intrigue and history in "Hidden Agenda."In 2013, the tranquil beauty of the Gower Peninsula, Wales, is shattered when Evelyn Jones, a beloved grandmother, meets a violent end while walking her dogs. As the South Wales Police grapple with the inexplicable nature of her death, Detective Nia Farriday, a sharp-minded investigator from The Met, is summoned to assist with the case that appears to be a chilling professional assassination.Nia is a quirky character - a unique blend of ex-archaeologist and ex-stockbroker, with unorthodox methods. Farriday must look to the past to find the keys to this case... Traversing the landscapes of Wales and a medieval town in Denmark, Nia follows a trail of enigmatic clues hidden amongst priceless pieces of art, censored diaries and classified documents, she discovers a history-altering hidden agenda. Hidden Agenda is a riveting tale inspired by real events and characters from World War II and the Cold War era. Themes of morality, guilt, and survival intertwine with a timely exploration of the power of misinformation on a mass scale. As the lines between past and present blur, readers are drawn into a world where truth is the ultimate prize.I am already working on Book 2 of the Nia Farriday series and many of the same themes come up again, but in very different contexts.Little known facts about Von (that's what all my friends call me)I have a degree in Archaeology from University College London and have excavated sites in Turkey, Bahrain, Cyprus, Isreal, Spain, Portugal and Germany.I am a talented re -upholsterer. A new talent discovered during Covid 19 lockdowns!I start to sing Welsh songs as soon as I cross the Seven Bridge!I love dancing - particularly to Amy Winehouse, Billy Idol, U2, Madonna ...I love traveling and exploring archaeological sites, but when I'm at home I turn into a recluse.I sometimes forget to turn on my mobile phone for days on endI love Darjeeling tea and cake!I have postcard and stamp collections and a library full of antiquarian books.I invested in Cryptocurrencies back in 2012 and have written Kindle books on Bitcoin and Crypto currencies for charities.I love my delivery of 'World Archaeology' magazine every two months.I hate guns, having been shot in the foot when I was a teenager!I am a huge nature lover and I do my best thinking whilst hiking or snorkeling.I am an avid orchid collector and can spend hours in my shadehouse splitting and potting on … I sincerely hope that you enjoy reading my books!Read more about this authorRead less about this author