Introductions
ME
First of all, a big welcome! I am DR Coghlan, or Donna to my friends. I’m a woman shaking off the shackles of the past, striving (most days) to live my best life and do what I can to make this place a better world. With sleeves rolled up, I am trying to cut through the bullshit, both out there, and in my own being. My hope is that in doing so, I can become ever closer to being free, free to be me, to be all that I can be.
MY WEBSITE
This website, like me, is a work in progress. It may never be finished, may not live up to its potential. Its parents are dead so they can no longer be disappointed and don’t have to be placated when truths slip out. The content is deeply personal – or will become so as I slowly transition from a boring writer’s website to something that actually includes topics that I find valuable.
WHAT AM I ON ABOUT?
I’m sharing my inner workings on this website, my journey, hoping somewhere out there in the universe, I may find other like-minded souls. If what I write speaks to you, let me know. I’ll give you my therapist’s number, lol. Maybe we can talk about how we get through each day, how we choose to rebel, our pet projects, our creativity, reading, writing, health, or our favourite psychics.
A MISFIT AND A FRINGE DWELLER
I’m a curious misfit who spent far too many freakin years on the hamster wheel, doing what the system, society, family … wanted me to do – doing what was expected of me. I’m now in recovery, not nearly out of the woods, still screwed up inside, but in much better shape than I was even a few years ago.
I mean, I never fit anyway and trying meant I was bent out of shape most of my life. I’m now working at becoming a better friend to myself and with each step, my health improves.
I am also a fringe dweller, the black sheep, always had a tenuous place in friendship groups, not a lot of people understood or were interested in what I wanted to talk about, and I thought most of them were pretty boring. Many people don’t get my dry (and somewhat irreverent) sense of humour – but boy when they do!!!
And, I love to dress up and have some fun!
MY WRITING
I’ve always written and the process finally came together in 2018 when I released my first novel, The Secrets We Keep, a slightly autobiographical piece about a young troubled woman who goes to Europe trying to escape her past and find her place. Yup, did that.
Next, I wrote the lesbian romance duology, Maddie And Kara, about two young women from different worlds who meet at University under curious circumstances.
I followed this with a novella, Good Girl Bad Girl: A Lesbian Romance which has been my best seller.
MY LATEST RELEASE!!
My most recent release, heading in another direction, was Himalayan Awakening, Book One in the Heart of a Warrior series. This one is set in Nepal, a country I am deeply connected to and love. The first book in the series introduces us to Ronnie, a woman in her forties who is searching for meaning in her life after her marriage explodes. Ronnie’s search takes her to Nepal where a visit to a monastery brings a spiritual awakening, unearthing her latent psychic abilities. These abilities are then put to the test when two girls vanish from a remote Himalayan village. I loved writing it as I included a lot of things that I’m into. This one is also “clean” (no sex, no swearing) unlike the others. Anyway, it’s getting great feedback.
NEPAL
Ah, Nepal. I’ve been to Nepal twice and have developed deep attachments to the people and the mountains. I miss them dearly. I financially support two young women from a remote village so they can complete their studies in Kathmandu. You’ll meet them soon. I love them and miss them so much. They are both beautiful people with so much potential. And there are many others like them who need support. One of these days I’ll tell you about my dreams…
MY BIGGEST KICK IN LIFE
Without doubt I get the biggest buzz from empowering myself and others to overcome the trauma and limitations from the past that hold us back. As we overcome obstacles, we can grow a little closer into realising our true nature and potential. This is the work of a lifetime, with few quick fixes. True, but each time we are able to step forward with just a little less weight on our chest and shoulders … that’s powerful!
LIFE DOWNUNDER
I live on the South Coast of Australia with my bestie MJ and my rescue kelpie, Molly (aka The Dogfish). That’s her in the pic with me at the top of the page. There are also a variety of free-range offspring and their associates who float through the place from time to time. At the moment, that includes Avery, a 17-year-old Beagle who is looking great for his age and almost has more stamps in his passport than I do.
This country is becoming a pretty screwed up place, but I’m not sure how much I want to talk about that right now.
I’d love to have you join me.
Donna
Latest From The Blog
Volunteer Adventures in Nepal – My First Trip
MY FIRST VOLUNTEER ADVENTURE IN NEPAL I HAD ALWAYS WANTED TO GO I had always wanted to visit Nepal. Trekking adventures, Buddhist spirituality. There was even a period where I walked about singing the old Cat Stevens song, “Kathmandu, I’ll soon be seeing you …” In...
Himalayan Awakening – A Woman’s Spiritual Journey
INTRODUCING MY NEW NOVEL HIMALAYAN AWAKENING Heart of a Warrior Book 1 Himalayan Awakening takes us on a spiritual and emotional journey with our middle-aged protagonist, Ronnie. When we first meet Ronnie, she’s all heart and no self-confidence, feeling powerless to...
Is Love In The Time Of Corona the Perfect Book Title?
Love In The Time Of Corona I Was Waiting I was waiting ... waiting. It had to happen, and it did. The perfect book title - or so it seemed. As I write this there are currently sixteen, yes, sixteen books on Amazon titled Love in the Time of Corona. And that's not...
Praise for
The Secrets We Keep
This is the 1st book I’ve read by D.R. Coghlan and she has done an excellent job. I will definitely be reading more of her books. The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book. I loved the chemistry between the characters.
– Jeanne Richardson
Goodreads 19 Jan 2019
I found this story to be a very enjoyable read. An amazing attention grabber with great characters, detail and depth that keeps you interested and totally engaged throughout. Great book by D.R. Coghlan.
– Nadea Croix
Goodreads 21 Feb 2019
This was a great book and very well written. You could immediately identify with the characters, and there were even some surprises that kept me fully engaged right to the end. I’m very excited to see what D.R. Coghlan comes out with next!
– Sylvia Lane
Goodreads 25 Jan 2019