Iola is from New Zealand

Yes, I’m a Kiwi. Meaning, from New Zealand, that land Down Under most people know from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. (As an aside, I live not far from Hobbiton, and once spent a night camping in an igloo on Mt Doom, better known as Mt Ruapehu).

I’m also a reader, a writer, a freelance editor, and a book reviewer. I read pretty much anything, but my favourite genres are Christian romance and romantic suspense.

My professional background is a degree in marketing and business, and twenty years in management consulting, which doesn’t exactly explain why I’m now a freelance fiction editor and book reviewer, but did give me a sound understanding of the principles of business, marketing, and good writing.

Yes, reading and reviewing hundreds of novels helped on that last one. I regularly review books here, at Suspense Sisters reviews, Australasian Christian Writers, and occasionally on other sites. I also review Christian fiction on my blog, Iola’s Christian Reads, and books related to writing, editing, publishing and marketing on my website, Christian Editing Services.

And I’m a wife, a mother, and a Christian.

I’m married with two teenagers and one cat (she’s the jealous sort). I live in the sunny Bay of Plenty in New Zealand, where I attend a small church with a focus on Jesus, the Bible, community outreach, and I play horn in the local brass band. I also enjoy cardmaking, scrapbooking, coffee and chocolate. And books.