Partners in Storytelling: Celebrating the Voice of Safe Haven

Looking back on a journey that spans years and millions of words, it’s hard to believe that my partnership with Kim Bretton almost didn’t happen. Today, as I share the news that Kim has officially finished recording Safe Haven: Meltdown—the 14th book in the series—I can’t help but reflect on how far we’ve come since that first encounter in 2019.

Back then, I was a relative newcomer to the audiobook scene. I was searching for the perfect voice for The End of Everything, hoping to find a narrator who could capture the grit and soul of the series. I remember spotting Kim’s profile and thinking she’d be perfect, but there was a hurdle: at the time, I didn't have the funds for a flat-fee production, and Kim’s profile stated she worked solely on a per-finished-hour basis.

Fate, however, had other plans. Despite the initial mismatch in logistics, Kim sent over an audition the very next day. When I explained I could only work on a royalty share basis, she didn’t hesitate. She said yes, and the rest is history.

In hindsight, that royalty share agreement was the best thing that could have happened. It transformed our relationship from a simple business transaction into a true creative partnership. We aren't just author and narrator; we are equal shareholders in this audiobook universe. Kim is a true artist, and I’ve always believed that an artist needs freedom. Whether she’s tweaking a bit of vocabulary to help a character’s dialogue flow or bringing an atmospheric "Celtic magic" to life—aided by the incredible production talents of her husband, Lee—Kim’s work is a tour de force.

Every time I receive a finished file, it’s a magical experience. Even though I’m the one who wrote the words, listening to Kim is like experiencing the story for the first time. She doesn't just recite the text; she inhabits it.

Of course, it’s not all serious business. Our friendship has grown to the point where I feel comfortable indulging my mischievous streak. After Kim sent me a hilarious outtake of her struggling with the word "anomaly," I may or may not have ensured that the word appeared multiple times in the very next script. It’s all part of the joy of working with a "mate" who truly gets the creative process.

With Meltdown now fully recorded, the 14th chapter of the Safe Haven audio journey is nearly ready for your ears. Hearing Kim bring these characters to life while the ink is still wet on the page is the ultimate celebration of finishing a new book. I can’t wait for you all to hear what she’s done with this one. It’s haunting, it’s emotional, and it’s classic Kim Bretton.

Onward to the next one!

A Secret New Journey: Book #41 is Officially in the Bag!

I have some news to share that has been keeping me fuelled by caffeine and pure excitement lately: The first draft of the newest Safe Haven standalone novel is officially finished!

Writing this story has been a milestone for me in more ways than one. Not only is this the 41st book set in the Safe Haven universe, but the process has taken me on a completely different journey than any of the stories that came before it. Even after forty books, this world still finds ways to surprise me, push my boundaries, and lead me down paths I never expected to tread.

I know the first thing you want to ask is: “What’s the title?!”

Trust me, I am dying to tell you! However, I have to keep it under wraps for just a little while longer. The title itself is such a huge giveaway for the plot and the setting that revealing it now would spoil the surprise. Just know that it represents a fresh, thrilling corner of the universe we’ve built together.

What comes next? I’m currently doing my final polishes and expect to hand the manuscript over to my editor by next weekend. Once the pros have worked their magic, things will move very quickly.

Stay tuned to this space—I should have official release news, a title reveal, and perhaps even a cover look for you very soon. Thank you for being part of this 41-book legacy. The journey is far from over!

When the Nightmare Becomes a Dream: 10 in the Top 100!

There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you wake up, brew a coffee, and check the charts to find that your world—the one filled with shadows, survival, and the relentless undead—has truly resonated with readers.

This morning, I was floored to see ten of my books sitting in the British Horror Top 100 simultaneously. From the latest chapters of the Unsafe series to the long-running journey of Safe Haven, seeing so much of my work represented at once is a milestone I won't soon forget.

Unsafe: Book 7 recently hit an incredible peak at #2. For any author, that’s a win, but for me, it was particularly special because of who held the #1 spot: James Herbert.

Growing up as a fan of horror, James Herbert was a titan. His work, especially The Rats, redefined the genre with its grit and "short, sharp shock" pacing. If you’re going to be held off the top spot, there is no greater honour than doing so for a legend who helped shape your own love for the macabre. Herbert’s influence on the genre is undeniable, and his work continues to set the gold standard for British Horror.

But beyond the rankings and the household names, this post is really about you.

To every reader who has taken a chance on Unsafe or Safe Haven, to everyone who has left a review, shared a post, or recommended my books to a friend—thank you. Writing is often a solitary journey through the dark, but moments like this remind me that I’m never truly alone in the wasteland. Your support is the engine that keeps these stories moving, and seeing ten books on that leaderboard is a testament to the incredible community we’ve built together.

We’ve still got plenty of miles left in this apocalypse. Thank you for walking them with me.

A Quick Update on the New Safe Haven Project

Hey everyone,

I wanted to give you all a little update on what’s been happening behind the scenes lately. I’ve been working incredibly hard on the new Safe Haven standalone, and the progress has been exhilarating.

I’ll admit, I can’t give too much away just yet, because that would ruin the surprise, and we certainly can’t have that! As I’ve hinted before, this project covers ground I’ve never navigated in this series, and I’m genuinely excited about it. The creative flow is hitting a great stride; I’ve been writing 5,000 words a day, and the story is just pouring out of me. It’s a fantastic feeling when everything clicks into place this well.

Regarding the look and feel of the project, I’ll be talking covers soon. I have a very precise vision of what I want it to look like, and I can’t wait to bring that to life. I’ve also settled on the title, but again, that’s another secret I have to keep—it would give far too much away if I told you now!

What I can share is that you can expect some brand-new characters alongside a few names you already know well. It’s set in the Safe Haven universe, but it can be read entirely separate from it. You won’t need to have knowledge of the other books to jump in, as it is a completely self-contained story. It’s a fresh entry point while still honouring the world we’ve built together.

I am so grateful for all the support you’ve shown me as I work through this draft. Your patience and enthusiasm mean the world, and it really fuels these long writing sessions. I’m currently deep in the trenches of the narrative, but everything is moving along perfectly.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to post a further update for you all soon. Stay tuned—I promise it will be worth the wait!

Keeping the Connection Alive: Introducing Signed Bookplates!

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about the state of the world. With prices rising and budgets feeling the squeeze, I know that many of the "extra" pleasures—like ordering signed physical books—are becoming harder to justify.

These are challenging times, and I know that the rising costs of shipping and international postage are affecting everyone. I see you, and I truly appreciate every bit of support you’ve shown me, regardless of the circumstances. Because I want to make sure that getting a signed piece of my work remains accessible to everyone who wants one, I’ve decided to launch something special.

The Solution: A Personal Touch, Without the Heavy Price Tag

I am thrilled to announce that I’ve had a limited run of professionally printed, personally signed bookplates created!

I didn’t want shipping costs to be a barrier between you and a signed copy of my work. With these bookplates, you get the same personal connection, but at a fraction of the price of mailing a paperback.

What exactly are they?

These are premium, adhesive stickers that I will personally sign. You can peel and stick them into the front of any book you've purchased (from Amazon or your local bookstore), add them to your laptop, jazz up your planner, or stick them wherever you like!

Why You’ll Love Them:

• Affordability: I’m keeping the cost of the plates themselves low, and because they are lightweight, shipping is incredibly cheap.
• Versatility: You aren't limited to just one specific book. You can bring a bit of "signed" flair to your entire collection.
• The Personal Touch: Every single one is signed by yours truly, making them a unique keepsake.

Stay tuned to the website—I’ll be dropping the link to purchase these very soon. I can’t wait to see where you decide to place them!