Last post of the year

Hello my loves! Can you believe we've made it to the end of the year? No, me neither. It's been a real roller coaster, hasn't it? And we can't unbuckle our belts just yet because I fear the bumpiest bits are still to come. 

My plan is to stay safe, keep immersing myself in escapist fiction and make the most of the great outdoors - at a socially responsible distance, of course. I suggest you do the same - as I mentioned in THE WINTER GARDEN getting some daily fresh air and observing green things growing gives us a great mental boost and we all need to be looking after our mental health, don't we?

If you've visited the blog before, you'll know that at the end of each month I've been posting a little round-up of what I've achieved on the #amwriting front during the previous four weeks. I've written the post for myself as much as to keep you all up to date, to keep track of my work rate and remind myself that I am still being productive. This is to be the last of these posts as my imminent schedule is going to be proof enough that I'm keeping busy but before I list what I got up to in December, I want to say thank you.

This year has been extremely difficult for all of us and I'm amazed that I have managed to write books during all the fear and uncertainty, but then I shouldn't be because I've had you wonderfully supportive crew reading, championing, photographing and kindly reviewing my efforts and, thankfully, enjoying them too. You've let me whisk you away to the seaside and we've been to the city for Christmas and I am, as always, exceedingly grateful that you are reading my books, and recommending them and sharing the Wynbridge, Nightingale Square and Wynmouth love.

I wish you all a safe and healthy 2021 and look forward to sharing more stories with you over the coming months. Please look after yourselves and those you love and avoid those still taking risks and further jeopardizing our chances of a swift return to the normality we're craving. I'm sending you all a virtual hug and looking forward to our first IRL #swainette clan gathering!

So, what did I get up to in December?

The final month of the year has been extremely busy and full of fabulous news!

At the Books and The City Blogger event we had the reveal for A TASTE OF HOME which went down a storm!

Then, hot on the heels of that excitement, I was able to share the news that SUNSHINE AND SWEET PEAS IN NIGHTINGALE SQUARE has been selected as a World Book Night title. This is a huge honour and a real career highlight for me. I can't wait to join in with the 10 year anniversary celebrations next year!

I took part in some wonderful online events in December too. Oriana Blyth (Head In A Book) kindly hosted another Insta Live where we finally managed to answer everyone's questions and had lots of laughs doing it. I also chatted with Norfolk Libraries via Zoom and that was another fabulous event and completely sold out!

Online events have been a real lifeline this year. I'm used to meeting folk at signings and parties, but this year I've had the pleasure of 'meeting' so many more of you thanks to the joys of technology! Long may these events continue.

And of course last, but by no means least, I was able to reveal the title of next year's festive release. Those of you who have attended events this year will be well aware of how difficult I find it to come up with titles so this is a miracle and a very well received one!

UNDERNEATH THE CHRISTMAS TREE will take us back to the wonderful coastal setting of Wynmouth for the second time and for Christmas too which is going to be extremely exciting. I have the most gorgeous festive setting for you and can't wait to get the book written.

So, there we have it. That's the end of my #amwriting year and I'll be starting the brand new one next week. Again, thank you all so, so much for journeying along with me and I look forward to sharing many more stories with you and introducing you to a whole host of new characters.

No matter what the world throws at us, rest assured that we'll always have fabulous fiction!

With love and thanks,

H x