Watch this space for Karen's interview and book review!
September 6th, 2018, Dubai (UAE): Following on from her previous best-selling success, Karen’s second book The Home was released across all digital formats on September 4th, 2018 and in paperback on 4 October 2018, published by Aria Fiction. Another chilling read, the fictional work delves into the darkness of living in a children’s home, casting a shadow over family ties and what it means to belong.
Abandoned as a baby, Angela is desperate to escape her supposed refuge, yet despite being adopted and taken into the hearts of a wealthy couple, the scars of her childhood remain. When Angela discovers the identity of her birth mother Evelyn, their reunion is no fairy tale and as sinister events start to unfold, Evelyn fears she may not survive her daughter’s return.
Karen’s literary career began after winning the Montegrappa Writing Prize at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature for her psychological thriller The Good Mother and she subsequently secured a three-book deal. Released to critical acclaim, The Good Mother is available in both digital and paperback formats, and currently rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.co.uk.
“I have been so pleased with the success of The Good Mother and writing The Home has been another incredible experience. I wanted to take a similar look at complex relationships, this time going back to childhood when we all deserve to feel safe. The book explores how everyone has multiple sides to their personality and to what extent an individual’s actions are shaped by influences beyond their control.”
Sarah Ritherdon at Aria Fiction says:
“We’ve all been looking forward to Karen’s second book and once again, she has demonstrated a fantastic talent for tackling difficult subjects without jeopardising the pace. Just when you think things have come to a conclusion, The Home has even more shocks in store.”
Karen is currently working on her third novel, The Perfect Lie.
In addition to being an author, Karen runs her own UAE business Travel Ink, which she founded in 2011 offering specialised writing and communication services for the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector. She also teaches writing masterclasses and is regularly invited to showcase her work at various international literary festivals.
The Home
Karen’s second novel The Home is a dark psychological thriller, set between the 1970s and 1980s, about successful career woman Angela whose memories of an abusive children’s home affect her adult life. After discovering the identity of her birth mother, the journey takes them both even further away from the dream of a perfect family.
The Good Mother
Released in 2017, The Good Mother is a thriller, set in the North of England about a mother who writes to a convicted murderer in prison as part of a volunteer programme. It’s not long before she is involved in a complex relationship with the inmate, which sees her descend into a world of plotting, deception, and revenge.
About The Author
Award-winning author, entrepreneur, and luxury travel journalist and editor, Karen has lived the expat life for almost twenty years across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Originally from the United Kingdom, Karen has built an impressive enterprise combining her two passions: luxury travel and the English language.
In addition to being an award-winning author, Karen founded niche communications company Travel Ink in 2011, providing content writing and strategy, public relations, social media, training, and translation services to hotels, airlines, and tourism establishments.
Karen uses her commercial experience in luxury hospitality, combined with her academic qualifications, which include a BA in Linguistics and English Language from the University of Durham and a Teaching (TEFL) Certificate from the University of Cambridge.
As a testament to its success, Travel Ink was shortlisted as a finalist for the SME Advisor Stars of Business Awards in two categories (Hospitality & Tourism and Communications) just one year after the company’s inception.
Karen has been recognised for her achievements in the areas of entrepreneurship, luxury travel, and the written word and has featured in various regional and international publications including Hello!, Stylist, Forbes, The National, Ahlan!, and Gulf News to name a few. She has also been included in 2017’s edition of Ahlan’s Hot 100 People, an accolade recognising the pioneers and game-changers shaping the UAE’s social and cultural landscape.
