Girl in Trouble blog splash

Something a bit different today, readers. A good friend of mine, Rhoda Baxter, has a new book out, Girl in Trouble. As well as being a friend, she’s also a fabulous writer and I jumped at the chance to be part of her blog splash.

For the splash, Rhoda asked me to blog on an allied topic. Her hero and heroine, Walter and Olivia, face changes they think are bad, but end up being positive. So, my topic is:

A blessing in disguise

Eight years ago I walked away from a well-paid, corporate career – and it turns out to have been one of the best decisions I ever made.

At the time I was newly-divorced, newly moved halfway across the country, and had a four-year-old child to look after. I’d been a bit battered by life the previous couple of years, and looking back I think this was me reasserting control. Throwing away financial security (I had a redundancy payment, but nothing to go to) might have seemed mad, but I knew I was miserable and needed to make a radical change in my life.

I didn’t dislike my job. I thoroughly enjoyed it, actually, but it was all-consuming. I was always in a rush. First was the travelling required (commuting into London for meetings – oh, joy!), and the long hours (my PC was regularly on at 10pm) which meant I didn’t get much time with Offspring. I also had almost no time or energy left for my writing. So, when work started casting about for people to push out the door, I jumped and started a new phase in my life.

There commenced a year of financial stress. I would have made things easier for myself if I’d thought matters through a little more thoroughly. I didn’t get a new job quickly, and ended up having to sell my house and move somewhere smaller (and selling a house is never a good thing to do under pressure). But alongside the job hunting and other stresses, I relaxed into being mum, and (most importantly for me) I found time to write.

Now, I’m an ace with a small budget, I have a part-time job that pays the bills on my teeny terraced house, I’m mum to the best twelve-year-old I know, and I now have seven books out, with more in the pipeline. I’m still busy, but I’m content with my life in a way I never was when I was part of the rat race.

It was a tough decision at the time, but that scary step brought me so much good that I really do feel blessed.

If you’ve had a blessing in disguise, please tell me about it in the comments, I’d love to hear your experience.

More about Girl in Trouble:

Grown up tomboy Olivia doesn’t need a man to complete her. Judging by her absent father, men aren’t that reliable anyway. She’s got a successful career, good friends and can evict spiders from the bath herself, so she doesn’t need to settle down, thanks.

Walter’s ex is moving his daughter to America and Walter feels like he’s losing his family. When his friend-with-benefits, Olivia, discovers she’s pregnant by her douchebag ex, Walter sees the perfect chance to be part of a family with a woman he loves. But how can Walter persuade the most independent woman he’s ever met to accept his help, let alone his heart?

Girl In Trouble is the third book in the award nominated Smart Girls series by Rhoda Baxter. If you like charming heroes, alpha heroines and sparkling dialogue, you’ll love this series. Ideal for fans of Sarah Morgan, Lindsey Kelk or Meg Cabot’s Boy books. Buy now and meet your new favourite heroine today.

Get a copy from your preferred bookstore.

Don’t delay – it’s 99p today and tomorrow (after which its regular price is £2.99) – plus you can get your hands on a load of bonuses – a short story and recipe book – if you buy early. Grab a copy now!