Stacee was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, to a British born Merchant Navy Engineer and a New Zealand born Psychiatric, Paediatric Nurse.
Growing up in a small town by world standards, it allowed her inquisitive mind to try as many new things as possible. She was involved with dancing, sports, police service, the guiding movement, theatre and wrote for local papers. In fact, the first poem she had published was at the age of 7.
She always had a love of reading. 'I was a big fan of Carolyn Keene’s, Nancy Drew'. This inspired her to began writing her own detective stories.
'I think I must have come from an abnormal background, because when most people tell their stories they tell of great hardships and rough beginnings. I've had a wonderful upbringing with a loving, close family.'
But growing up with a family whose background was so varied meant she was destined for two things, firstly to travel and secondly to develop a strong understanding of different types of people.
Stacee's first big trip was at the age of 15 when her parents took the family to England for 3 months. The architecture and romance of English cities and villages helped to develop her interest in history. The trip also gave her the travel bug and was the beginning of many trips to come.
Still thinking of writing as more of a hobby than a job, Stacee studied Hospitality Management. Upon graduation Stacee managed a diverse range of establishments, from hotels to catering services, from fine dine to gang pubs. 'I got to meet several celebrities and VIPs, from New Zealand and all around the world. It opened my eyes to the differences in human nature, and how people react to each other within the modern-day class system.'
Finally, the pull to return to England was too much and she decided to move over in 1998. After a small stint in office work, she fell back into Hospitality and managed several West End venues, as well as those in the city and Canary Wharf and now runs a Hospitality Business Consultancy. But she is never far away from pen and paper and the next story she is writing.
