Gin and Smutty Scrabble

This collection of 15 feel-good short stories includes love stories to melt your heart, cosy crime to curl up with, and twist in the tale stories that will keep you guessing.

• Chalk and cheese mother-of-the-bride Ruby and mother-of-the-groom Marina find they have more in common than simply being in-laws. But what happens to their friendship when their children’s marriage breaks up?

• There’s a twist in the tale when a bad-mannered couple moves in across the road from a nosy neighbour.

• Collecting other people’s shopping lists gives a woman a new lease of life – and a surprise encounter.

• Big-hearted Keith gets a helping hand in love from an unexpected source.

• A young mum finds a novel way to overcome her son’s picky eating.

• An ice-cream parlour is the setting for the stars of the silver screen and a second chance at love.

These stories were all previously published in women’s magazines in the UK and abroad. Each is prefaced by a short introduction showing where the inspiration for each story came from, how the original snippet of an idea was developed, and what happened when the story was submitted for publication. Perfect if you’ve ever wondered where writers get their ideas or what it’s really like to be a professional writer.