April Updates
Hi there
It’s been a while since I was last in touch. A lot has been going on in the background, but there’s not been much to talk about. Until now…
I’m delighted to share the cover of the third book in the Olivia Wells Mysteries, A Deadly Abode, which will be published this October. It’s also being recorded on Audible.
As you can see, it’s set around Hallowe’en. I’m really pleased that my publishers, Bedford Square, have used Ken Dawson who also designed the first two covers, for this one. I love how well they all now blend together
Here’s a bit more about book 3 …
“It’s autumn and with crisp frosty weather and the leaves as colourful as they’ve ever been, Olivia and Jago are nestling into their life in Penbartha. Until local resentment about incomers and second-home ownership is ignited by what seems to be an increasingly militant action group.
Maybe Penbartha isn’t the happy place Olivia thought it was? Is the discontent really about second homes or is someone pursuing a much more personal agenda?
When a neighbouring house is set on fire and a body found in one of the outbuildings, Olivia and Jago need to find the source of the trouble before it gets even closer to home...”
You can pre-order A Deadly Abode now from Amazon by clicking on the button below.
I’m now busy writing book 4, which is set at Christmas and it feels a bit weird to be writing wintry scenes when the sun has been shining here and summer is definitely on the way. Unlike some writers though, I don’t think I’ll be listening to Christmas carols to get me in the mood!
A quick shout-out for my fellow cosy crime with an eco-twist writing pal across the pond
Iris March and I ‘met’ when our first novels were both shortlisted for an international writing award, and we were thrilled to discover we both write in the same niche genre.
Her sleuth, Molly Green spends her days tending her eco-friendly garden centre. She wants nothing more than to nurture her nursery and share her plant passion with the world, but keeps finding herself tangled up in murder investigation – again and again.
There are five book in the series, including two mini mysteries. The Corpse By The Creek is the latest, full length mystery and is out on June 2.
Do check out her website
What else I’ve been up to…
It’s been a busy year so far on a personal level. I was 60 in March and had a wonderful time celebrating in Belfast with friends. The whole weekend was fabulous, but I think my favourite part was going to The Giant’s Causeway.
I felt really bad about flying (for the first time in sixteen years), but couldn’t face the sea crossing. So I’ve been trying really hard to do more ‘green’ things since, including a LOT of train, bus and tube travel.
We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary last week with a trip (by train) to London and had such a good time that, despite taking my laptop, I only wrote 143 words…
I’ve been seeing a lot on my instagram feed about it never being too late to start doing what you’ve always wanted to do. That’s something I talk about in my author talks and I’m particularly enjoying following Lesley Kara and her wise words on the subject.
The other thing that’s very topical for ‘women of a certain age’ at the moment is strength training. I tore the medial meniscus in my left knee somehow at the beginning of the year and have been hobbling round ever since. As walking is what keeps me (and the dogs) active, I realised I can no longer take something as simple as walking for granted and I needed to work on my strength and fitness. And as sitting writing for long periods of time does not aid flexibility or mobility, I knew I also needed to work on that. So, I started strength training the week after my birthday. All I can say is that it takes my mind off the pain in my knee! I don’t yet look forward to going, or being there, but I always feel better afterwards. To quote Olympic champion Sally Gunnell (who I now also follow on instagram), I need to see it as a privilege, not a punishment!
I’m still active on instagram, and post regularly there about my writing, the dogs and life in general. Why not give me a follow?
Other green things I’ve been doing…
As summer is on the way I’m trying to be more eco-friendly in the garden. I’m just waiting for a few days without rain to attack the weeds on my drive and pathways. Instead of using any chemicals, I’m going to give Nancy Birtwhistle’s boiling water and table salt technique a go. And I’ve just mixed up some of her eco-friendly houseplant bug spray as my six-foot high umbrella plant has unwanted visitors. I’ll let you know how it goes, and if any of you have any tips, please do let me know.
I’m back to using Substack for my newsletter. I tried to use Squarespace, who host my website, last time but it was far too technical and complicated for my poor, non-technical brain. Please don’t worry, your details are completely safe.
I’ll be in touch over the summer with updates and giveaways. Until then, if you have any questions, just let me know.
Happy reading
