Publishing my novels has been quite the adventure for me, and by far my favourite aspect has been connecting with readers. At first, my readers were in English-speaking countries like the USA and Britain and Australia, but now my stories are reaching people all over the world, thanks to the publication of translations of my novels.

Here are my novels Burning Embers, The Echoes of Love, Indiscretion and Masquerade, published in Macedonia by Toper Publishing House:

In May, I will be attending the Macedonian International Book Fair in Skopje. I am thrilled to be returning to this country, which is one of the most beautiful I have visited in the world. Here are some of my favourite places in Macedonia with vistas to fire up my writing muse.

Church of Saint John the Theologian, Kaneo

According to legend, the city of Ohrid, on the shores of Lake Ohrid, once had no fewer than 365 churches, one for every day in the year. Today, the number of churches is much smaller, but those that remain bring visitors from far and wide. The 13th-century church of Saint John the Theologian is located on a cliff overlooking Kaneo Beach, and is devoted to the saint who wrote the Book of Revelations. Restoration efforts in the church have uncovered some amazing historical frescos inside the dome.

Archaeological Museum of Macedonia, Skopje

Such a statuesque building! It looks ever so historic, but in fact the museum was built in 2014. Here, you can see all manner of treasures from archaeological excavations that give a broad picture of Macedonia’s long and varied history. The bridge in the picture is called ‘The Bridge of Civilisations’ and it connects to Macedonia Square (see below).

Samuel’s Fortress, Ohrid

Samuel’s Fortress dates back to at least the tenth century, and is so-named because it was from here that Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria ruled the First Bulgarian Empire. It sits on Ohrid Hill, a hundred metres above the lake, and affords far-reaching views over the water and city. Archaeologists believe Samuel’s Fortress was constructed on the site of an earlier fortification built in the fourth century for King Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great.

Statue of Alexander the Great, Macedonia Square, Skopje

Macedonia Square is at the heart of Skopje. It was here that the country’s first president declared the independence of Macedonia from Yugoslavia. The fountain shown in this picture was created to mark the 20-year anniversary of Macedonia’s independence in 2011. It depicts Alexander the Great on his horse, Bucephalus; Macedonia was part of this historical Ancient Greek king’s empire.

Matka Canyon, near Skopje

People flock to Matka Canyon in the summer for swimming, kayaking, fishing, climbing and hiking. A boat trip is the perfect way to take in the views, but there’s much to explore on foot too, like the famous Vrelo Cave, with its impressive stalactites, and the monasteries overlooking the canyon.

Plocha Michov Grad, Ohrid

This is the Museum on Water in the Bay of Bones in Ohrid Lake. Here, underwater archaeological explorations have revealed Plocha Michov Grad, a prehistoric settlement from the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age, and it has been reconstructed above water so that we may learn about our ancient ancestors. Oriel, heroine of my novel Aphrodite’s Tears and a specialist in underwater archaeology, would love this site!