Thanks to Eileen from Paper Plus Meadowbank for finishing my book and giving it the thumbs up. Eileen's waiting for a prequel and a sequel so ...

For those who have read or are reading my book I am thrilled to find a banyan tree in Waikiki that fits the description I gave for the Booth's treehouse ... They come across the tree within minutes. It stands like a protector, dwarfing anything near it, surrounded yet left alone, as if the other trees know not to intrude. Golden rays reach its branches, giving them an ethereal beauty.

BUY ONLINE NOW FOR DELIVERY IN TIME FOR FATHER'S DAY. THIS BOOK WILL MAKE DAD, (AND MUM), SMILE. MYSTERY, INTRIGUE, ADVENTURE, SEX AND 'DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING' SURPRISES WITH EACH CHAPTER.

Hello there - Yes, this rather ridiculous picture is me having a ‘Rafa’ moment. After three and a-half long years it does feel fantastic to be holding my first book, having people buying it and now getting those lovely reviews coming in. A big thank you to you and especially the person who rang me on Saturday to say how much she loved the book. I really do appreciate it and to answer her question of how I came up with it - well, I started imagining an actor as one character and it all went from there. Saw it so visually as a film/TV series and pretty soon most of my characters had a current actor guiding them along and there you have it.

Okay visitors, I am having a bit of trouble with my Facebook page and the reviews. For some reason, unknown to me at this stage, the kind reviews some of you have posted have vanished. I have Googled and Googled and tried to fix with the information given, but like others, nothing seems to be working. I will try to get to the bottom of it in the next few days (when I have another three to four hours spare). In the meantime I have managed to find some hidden, in my review page on the computer, (these do not come up on mobile), and have copied and pasted below. If anyone knows how to fix this and can provide how to do so, in very simple steps, I would really appreciate the advice.

A big thank you to the three people listed below. My reviews total state 2 but clearly there are these 3 and if there are more, they are not showing. I do apologise if this is the case because I am so grateful to be receiving them.

Heather Falkenstein reviewed Carne Maxwell Author — 5 star

July 12 at 8:33pm ·

Think live contests on TV - now in an easy to read form. Carne Maxwell has the courage as an author to put the suspense and drama of current TV themes into the written genre. Well done.

Hayley Maxwell reviewed Carne Maxwell Author — 5 star

July 12 at 9:04pm ·

I know I might be a little bit biased as I'm her daughter, but honestly this novel was so catching and engaging that I didn't want to put it down, and that's saying a lot. It is a striving and captivating read about 10 families of contestants who have to try to remain on an island for three months. Hidden dangers begin to appear, causing the families to mistrust their morals. I seriously rate this novel for young adults and up.

Julia Mead reviewed Carne Maxwell Author — 5 star

July 12 at 10:02pm ·

Get ready to sit on the edge of your chair! This book had me hooked from the first page. Fast and full of action and suspense plus a little romance along the way. Can't wait for the next book.

Need another thrill after the excitement of the past few weeks?

Buy a copy of The Contest.