Chasing Butterflies

The truth is hidden in the past

What's it all about?

Chasing Butterflies is the story of Hope.

​

It's the story of a girl who is damaged by life. A story about finding love against all odds. It's a story of hidden truths and painful lies.

​

The main character Hope is on the cusp of her fortieth birthday. She has just about got her life together. She is married to Ben who she absolutely adores, she has an amazing job as an architect.

Everything changes following a devastating twist of fate. Hope's life starts to spiral out of control, she is troubled by dreams that remind her of the past she left behind.

​

Hope returns to the idyllic Cornish village of her childhood to find the answers she needs to find peace.

​

Will she find the truth is more painful than the lie?

Finding Hope

Meet Hope, the protagonist of Chasing Butterflies.

Who is Hope?

Hope is an amazing architect who has a passion for sustainable design. She spent her twenties and thirties absorbed in her work. Designing passive buildings gave her a sense of purpose and self worth.

Hope is married to her best friend Ben. They adore one another and have amazing chemistry, both in and out of the bedroom. But their relationship wasn't always plain sailing.

Hope is uncoordinated and awkward, this has been the cause of embarrassment at times. Hope is beautiful, but lacks confidence. When she looks in the mirror she only sees the flaws.

​

Hope doesn't talk about the past life she left behind at the age of eighteen. There are some very painful aspects of her childhood that she doesn't feel ready to share.

More than anything Hope dreams of having a family of her own.

Follow Hope as she journeys into the past.

Chasing Butterflies is available as a paperback, to download or on Kindle Unlimited through Amazon. 

​

Ben and Hope

Sometimes the chemistry is just there

Excerpt from Chasing Butterflies

​

It was early one Monday morning when Ben called at my desk.  

“It’s your birthday next week.” he announced. 

“Is it?” I asked sarcastically.  

“So, what are you doing to celebrate?” he asked. 

“I’m going to treat myself to an extra hour in the office.”  I smirked. Ben was always pulling my leg about working too many hours. 

“Is that so?” He asked playfully. “If those plans are set in stone then I understand.” 

“I think they are.” I replied. 

“I have a better idea.” He said. 

“Oh yes?” I looked up from my drawing board. “Let me guess, you’re playing five a side again and you need someone to stand in the freezing cold cheering you on?” 

“Not this time.” He laughed. 

“Your parents are coming for dinner and you need someone to cook for you and pretend to be your girlfriend?” 

“They’d never fall for that one after last time when you messed the whole thing up.”  

“I swear it was like that Gerard Depardieu film where they have to pretend to be married so he could stay in America.” I laughed at the memory. 

“They liked you though.” He smiled broadly. “Dad is always asking what happened to that pretty girl Hope.” 

“Don’t lie.” I laughed. “Your mum was horrified. Especially when she discovered the take-out containers in the bin.” I giggled at the memory of me trying to pass off the Thai dishes as my own and Ben’s Mum continually commenting that the food was every bit as good as that Thai take-away down the road. 

“What I have planned is much more fun.” He tried his best to assure me. 

“Another twenty mile bike ride?” I asked. 

“Nope,” he laughed. “and don’t try to make out that you didn’t love that.” 

“I loved all of the pit-stops in the pubs along the way.” I winked with a wry grin. “Admittedly though, you do know all of the best pubs with beer gardens.” 

“I really do.” He nodded. “We should do that again. It was such a fun day, although I swear that copper was ready for doing us for being drunk in charge of a bicycle.” 

“Yeah,” I agreed, “good job he got that emergency call.” 

“Yes,” he laughed in an exaggerated fashion, “then you wanted to go after him on the bikes because you wanted to know what the call was.” 

“I’m concerned about public interest issues.” I protested. 

“You’re bloody nosey.” He said. I pouted. 

“So, what’s your big idea this time?” I asked to change the subject. 

“Karaoke.” He announced, clearly very proud of himself. 

I frowned. “Isn’t that a bit 1994?”

“It’s retro.” He told me. 

“Retro?” I rolled my eyes. “You’re so funny.” 

“I’m hilarious, that’s what you love about me.” He gave me one of his most charming looks. 

“That’s Blue Steel right there.” I smirked. 

“So, we’re going to Karaoke for your birthday.”