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The jasmine hedge at Langland. One of many hedges I feel the need to stick my head in every time I pass. Divine scent, flowers like stars. At the end of The Rose Garden is a scene where the 2 children play in the jasmine & pretend it's a fairy bower. Tempting... #books #Flowers

As soon as I decided to publish The GoldenFeather, I knew I wanted illustrations. Not loads, it's not a picture book, but 12. Books for adults rarely do but I'm 53 & I still love them! I also knew exactly who I wanted for the job: my friend & talented illustrator Carina Roberts

Latest read: The Teacher Evacuees by Rose Warner aka Jen Gilroy/Rose Warner 🇨🇦 🇬🇧 A delightful read for summer. Following 3 teachers from different backgrounds who are evacuated with their pupils in WW2, it's warm, nostalgic & good-hearted. Out soon from Canelo #amreading #books #thursdaymorning

I'm working on The Brightwater Sisters today (moving from room to room in a bid to stay cool). I'm at that stage where the trusty book of baby names comes out! So helpful for naming minor characters. They can't all be called Jim #amwriting #HistoricalFiction #Friday #heatwave

It's the only way! And maybe I did hang out in the freezer section longer than strictly necessary but I am British and I am melting #heatwave #SaturdayVibes #writing #historicalfiction #thebrightwatersisters #weekend #summer

Early morning castle. Trying to beat the heat these days so short walks at 7am, sticking to the shade. Then back and trying to get a little writing done before my brain melts at noon #walking #writing #books #heatwave #summer #historicalfiction #thebrightwatersisters

Epic day with Carina Roberts going through 1st draft illustrations for The Golden Feather. For 6 hours we discussed every little detail. I'm completely enchanted with her beautiful artwork - it captures so beautifully the spirit of the story #MondayVibes #books #art #illustration

And now the typeset page proofs of The Golden Feather have arrived from my brilliant typesetter! The excitement just keeps on coming. I can't wait to go through these. It feels surreal, honestly #tuesdayvibe #books #publishing #authorlife #fairytale

Sea lavender and sparkles. It's still hot but cool enough to enjoy walks again. I bumped into my old boss from a long-ago job today and it was so lovely to connect #walking #sea #Wednesday #sunshine #books #authorlife

My latest read: The Husbands by hollygramazio is funny, sharp and different. As premises go, I'm not sure you can beat an attic that keeps magically producing an endless supply of husbands! #amreading #books #funny #contemporary #Wednesday

A very grey, dull, humid day today (doing my hair no favours) so here are some pics of radiant blooms from the recent sunny days, to brighten it up #Flowers #walking #thursdayvibes #books #authorlife

DAY OFF!!! And what's more, a weekend away. I caught the train to beautiful Herefordshire to stay with a lovely friend and her gorgeous family for a couple of days. Instant relaxation #weekend #fridaymorning #friends #books #Countryside #NatureBeauty

Wonderful afternoon in pretty Ross-on-Wye, including a visit to Rossiter Books where, yes, I bought a book. And then bubbly in the swimming pool. A truly relaxing weekend #WeekendVibes #Saturday #friends #books

Latest read: The Names by #florenceknapp has a wonderful premise. I love names, I'm fascinated by names, so I loved seeing how these three different lives, directed by the choice of a name, played out. Heart-rending, unusual & vividly characterised #amreading #books #sundayvibes

Halfway through a manically busy Monday, a beautiful walk. Wildflowers, cliffs, sea and countless bees. What heaven. Spirits soothed, sanity saved #walking #nature #MondayMorning #MondayMotivation #AuthorLife #books #flowers

Today's errand: Before the finished copies... before the advance proofs... the printed, bound manuscript! Or, as lovely Kevin in the print shop said, "The first edition!" 🤣 3 copies. One for me to work from, one for my Dad & one spare #books #tuesdayvibe #TheGoldenFeather

6 weeks ago, I came back from my research trip to Dubrovnik. My heroine hasn't arrived yet, but she's on her way! I'm reminiscing about my time there and looking forward to hers. What a perfect setting for a bit of drama! #thebrightwatersisters #writing #books #HistoricalFiction

Latest read: ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas. Brilliant! I mean, too violent for my delicate comfort zone, but a fabulous story. Exciting, beautifully written, strong characters & lashings of fairytale magic. A sweepingly crafted world to get lost in #amreading #books #thursdayvibe

A brief but lovely interlude this afternoon visiting friends in their ever-so-pretty garden. The vibrant colours in the sunshine were so uplifting. Jolly nice people too! #garden #friends #flowers #thursdayvibe

When I signed my contract with Quercus Books for The Brightwater Sisters, I treated myself to this gorgeous painting by talented artist David Cowdry I couldn't post about it then - it was before the official announcement - but 3 months on, I still love it #Friday #art #books