CAROL HELLIER

Hello and thanks for visiting my author page. First a little about myself. I was born on Christmas day in Oldchurch Hospital, Romford. I grew up thinking I was the youngest of 7 children. In my mid 20's I found out my eldest sister was my real mum. (Bit of an EastEnders moment). My childhood was good, coming from such a large family there was always lots to do, people to visit and places to go. I had many aunts, uncles and cousins that we would holiday with every year, camping.

When I left school I started my hairdressing apprenticeship. I met my future husband while working who was a Romany/traveller.

We run off when I was 19, and married when I was 20. Married life started living in a trailer on my father in laws piece of land. This has given me an insight to the Romany way of life. We had a family and I devoted my time to raising them.

I have had many jobs from cleaner, barmaid, kitchen designer, waitress, medical lab assistant and now work in cancer diagnostics as a medical secretary. I write in my spare time.

I started reading at a young age, an avid reader. Enid Blyton and the famous five had been a favourite. Later in life turning to Gangland fiction.

When lock down hit I decided to have a go at writing and Dolly King, the gangsters daughter was born. That was a trial run, I then wrote The Stepney Feud and self published. Next I wrote a fantasy, The Orion Prophecy, in the shadows, published under the name of Carol McDonald. I'm now writing the follow on from The Stepney Feud - The Stepney Alliance. Stepney was where my grandad came from, which was why I used that as the setting for my story. The other big influence in my life was my nans side who were from Cork, Ireland.

In the last few years I found my real father (Wish I hadn't) who turned out to be a face in the 60's/70's and possibly 80's/90's. He didn't want to know but I have contact with his daughter and found another daughter, who like me was brought up by her grandparents. Us sisters still see each other.

I now have my own large family and spend time with my children and grandchildren. The most precious of times.

That's a rough look at my life. It's been nice chatting. If you would like to chat some more you can find me on face book - Carol Hellier, Instagram - author_cahellier, and Tic Toc - carolmc441

Many thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy my books.

Carol X