A Catch Up

 Spring has finally sprung! Winter seemed to go on forever but the sun is finally shining and there's bits of colour appearing in the garden. A lot has happened during my last catch up, including:

My 40th birthday

Multiple edits of my summer 2023 book

The Little Bed & Breakfast by the Sea reached 1,000 ratings on Amazon - and then 2,000!
(I remember being over-the-flipping-moon with 50)

The RSPB's Big Garden Watch
(I spotted 4 great tits, 4 blue tits, 4 magpies, 3 pigeons, 2 robins and 3 squirrels)

The first instalment of my three-part quick read, 9 Summers going out to my newsletter subscribers

The start of my new crochet project: a books read blanket

So many visits to Costa

So what else has been happening over the past few weeks:

With my latest edits for my summer 2023 release back with my editor, I'm working on Book 17, which I started before Christmas but had to put aside. It's another rom com, this time with a dual POV, set in Clifton-on-Sea (which you'll recognise from some of my other books) and a very busy community centre.

I'm currently reading Never Greener by Ruth Jones.

Other books I've read recently are:

The Catch by T.M. Logan

The Glass House by Eve Chase

Teenage Kicks by Jax Ward

Her Name Was Rose by Claire Allan

Like most people, we were totally hooked on Happy Valley a few weeks ago, and we also finally caught up with The Traitors (yes, we were very behind, but it was SO GOOD and we can't wait for more).

I've also recently really enjoyed Funny Woman on Sky Max and Life Begins on ITVX (which is a massive throwback but I enjoyed it just as much this time round as originally).

Last week, we went to see the new Super Mario Bros. Movie at the cinema and it was brilliant, especially Bowser (who is evil and everything but also the CUTEST). Continuing on the video game theme, I watched Tetris on Apple TV last night and loved it!

Books, writing. the beginnings of spring in the garden, all those Costa visits and Miss Luna.

You can find me on Instagram here

So that's what I've been getting up to these last few weeks. How about you? Let us know in the comments below :)

A New Year Catch Up

We're over halfway through January (but it feels like this month has been going for at least six months) so I thought I would do a quick catch up of what I've been up to so far in 2023:

I'm currently editing my 14th book, which will be released in July. It doesn't have a title yet because although I can write an 80k+ novel, I can't think of a few more words to give my book a decent name.

The book is crammed full of summer, which is quite nice to dive into when it's so cold here at the moment. I've really enjoyed visiting Elodie in the sunshine while it's been snowing in reality! I'm time travelling again in this book, which is loads of fun and I can't wait to share Elodie's story a bit later on in the year.

I'm also thinking about the three-part short story I'm going to be writing and sending out with my newsletter. I already know it's going to have a magical time-hoppy element to it so I'm looking forward to starting it once this round of edits are done. If you'd like to read my not-yet-written story, you can sign up for my newsletter here.

I'm reading Josh Widdicombe's memoir, Watching Neighbours Twice a Day which is full of 90s nostalgia of popular culture. I was born in the same year as Josh Widdicombe so this book is the perfect trip down memory lane of TV and music (and yes, I do remember the 999 episode with the javelin through the neck. Vividly).

There's some great telly on at the moment: The Masked Singer, the return of Dancing on Ice, Call the Midwife and, for the mega-nerd in me, Only Connect. I've also been enjoying Marie Antoinette, which I wasn't sure I would, and I've finally started to watch Jane the Virgin on Netflix (which wasn't such a good move as it's being removed on 2nd February. I'm hoping to power through the first season at least).

I've also been re-watching the first two series of Happy Valley with my oldest teen so we can watch the third instalment. We've only got one episode of series 2 to go and I'm looking forward to jumping into a series I haven't watched yet.

I've started 2023 by Instagramming my usual combo of books, tea, Luna and sweet treats.

So that's my New Year catch up. I hope you've had a good start to 2023 :)

A 2022 Catch Up

 It's been quite a while since I've posted a catch up (December, I believe - oops) so I thought it was about time I did one!

The beginning of 2022 started well; as my new diary says on the cover, Positive Mind, Vibes, Life. I'd been getting some work done on my house, which had all stopped over Christmas, but I was getting back on track with that. I was writing and enjoying life. And then I became ill.

My feet started to feel numb. Then my calves. Within a couple of days I was numb up to my stomach. When it started in my hands and arms, I could no longer work. By now, my feet, legs and torso were fine, but my hands were so numb I couldn't hold a knife and fork properly, I couldn't do my hair or fasten buttons, and my arms were so weak they were pretty much useless. And I was exhausted.

I had blood tests and it turned out my vitamin B12 was really low, which was causing havoc with my nervous system. It was a relief because the symptoms could have been indicative of much worse. I had a course of B12 jabs (6, 2-3 days apart, which sounds horrific for a wuss like me, but was actually very welcome after feeling so rubbish) and I've been having one every three months since. I'm so much better now. My fingers aren't quite right yet but they don't stop me doing anything anymore and I'm back to working again and getting back to normal.

I'm busy writing - my new book will be out in three weeks (you can pre-order here) and I'm working on a time-travel rom com that will be out in July 2023. The work has started back up on my house and I've been enjoying spending time in my little garden. I couldn't plant much this year (I managed some wildflowers, but my hands and arms were too messed up during the spring!) but luckily I had quite a few flowers that returned from previous years.

We had the heatwave, which I wouldn't have enjoyed so much if it wasn't for Costa and their air conditioning. We have one a short walk away, which came in handy.

My Instagram grid is definitely starting to get an autumn vibe - which I'm very happy about as it's the BEST season. There's even a teeny bit of Christmas creeping in (not sorry).

It's been pretty tough this year, but I've got brilliant friends and family and my daughters (and Luna!) have been amazing and really helped me. And now I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of 2022 has to offer!

A Quick Catch Up

 

Have you put your tree up yet?

It's December, so of course I have to ask. We put our tree up at the weekend and it looks lovely and festive when it's all lit up and gives me the warm and fuzzy feels. December feels much more relaxed than November did - I was taking part in Nanowrimo, there were appointments for my youngest, and there just didn't seem like there were enough hours in the day. It does help that I've finished my Christmas shopping and I've only got a bit of wrapping left to do!

Here's what else I've been up to over the past few months:

I'm currently working on Book 16, which I started as part on Nano. I didn't reach the 50k (not even close!) but I've made a start and I'm happy with that.

Confession: my reading has been terrible lately (not the books, I hasten to add, just having the time to sit down with them).

I kicked off my festive reading with Ann Cleeves' latest Vera book, The Darkest Evening, which I really enjoyed. I'm hoping they adapt it for the TV series so I can look clever by working it all out.

I'm currently reading Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage by Katie Ginger and although I'm reading so slowly at the moment, I'm really loving it when I do manage to sit down with it.

I've been enjoying this year's Strictly (John and Johannes are my faves) and catching up on crime dramas and panel shows that have filled up my Sky box. I need to make room for all the festive stuff that will be coming very soon!

Writing, special birthdays, Luna, and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

You can find me on Instagram here

So that's what I've been up to over the past few months. Do let us know what you've been up to in the comments below - and don't forget to let us know about the tree!

A Quick Catch Up

 

Can you believe we're at the tail end of September already?

Luckily, I LOVE September as we start to edge into autumn, with the weather cooling, the leaves falling, and the promise of Halloween. I haven't switched my summer clothes over for warmer ones in my wardrobe yet, but it will be happening soon (Jumpers! Snuggly cardis!)

The summer passed really quickly and I (finally) had my second pfizer jab, met up with some writer friends in Manchester (for the first time since Lockdown 1) and enjoyed the summer holidays with my girls.

Here's what else I've been up to over the past couple of months:

I've just finished the first draft of a new book, which was a bit of a surprise as I hadn't planned on starting a new book until Nano. I wrote it over the summer and I really enjoyed discovering Tessa's story (you can find out more about it here).

I've already plotted out the book I'll be writing for Nanowrimo, so I'm now writing some short stories. If you're a newsletter subscriber, you'll be able to read them soon (if you're not a subscriber yet but would like to be one, you sign up for free here)

I'm currently reading The Love Square by Laura Jane Williams.
I loved Our Stop last year, so I've been really looking forward to diving into this one!

I've also recently read:

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver

Autumn Dreams at Mermaids Point by Sarah Bennett

The River Home by Hannah Richell

I've been getting my fix of quiz/game shows recently, with Only Connect and The Hit List being my favourites, and I've also been feeding my nerdiness with A House Through Time.

The kids and I recently discovered Ackley Bridge on Netflix (and found series 4 on All4) and we really enjoyed watching it. There isn't much that the three of us will sit and watch together, so this made it extra special.

The teen and I have been catching up on our crime dramas, including Vigil and Lucan and the first two episodes of Vera, and we loved the latest series of Ghosts. I'm really looking forward to watching the rest of this year's Bake Off and getting stuck into Strictly.

Reading and writing in the garden, the flowers I've been growing, Luna and day trips.

You can find me on Instagram here

So that's what I've been up to over the summer. Let us know what you've been up to in the comments below :)

A Quick Catch Up

It seems like forever ago that I posted a quick catch up, but it turns out it was only a couple of months ago. A lot seems to have happened in that time, though, which probably explains it.

Over the past couple of months I've:

• had my first Covid jab
• been for a meal INDOORS for the first time since Lockdown 1
• been into town for shopping that didn't involve school shoes
• visited family
• Published my twelfth book
  
  
  

It really began to feel like we were starting to get back on track with restrictions being lifted, but then on Friday my youngest daughter was sent home from school to self-isolate after someone in her bubble tested positive for Covid. So she's back to home learning for a little while until they're allowed back to school.

Here's what else has been happening over the past couple of months:

I've just released the third book in the Beginner's Guide series, A Beginner's Guide To Family Life, so now I'm working on my next book. I'll be writing it during this year's Nano, so I'm plotting it all out now so I'm ready.

Over the past few weeks I've read:

The Little Bookshop of Love Stories by Jaimie Admans

Mix Tape by Jane Sanderson

The Switch by Beth O'Leary

And I'm reading Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella at the moment

I recently discovered Motherland and binged them all because I absolutely LOVED IT. And now I need more.

I'm still catching up on the dramas I've recorded and recently (finally) watched The Pact and Innocent, both of which I enjoyed. I loved watching The Great British Sewing Bee as it's proper comfort telly and I can't wait for the next series.

Books (old books, new TBR read books, and my own books), flowers from my garden and a bit of baking.

You can find me on Instagram here

So that's what I've been up to - but what about you? Let us know in the comments below :)

A Quick Catch Up

It's been a couple of months since we've had a catch up. I'd love to hear what you've been up to - do let us know in the comments! Here's what I've been up to over the past few weeks...

I've been busy working on three different writing projects:

1. I released the paperback of A Beginner's Guide To Salad

2. I finished the second draft of Book 12

3. I re-plotted the third book in the Beginner's Guide series and started Draft 6 (!)

I'm really happy with Draft 6 of the Beginner's Guide Book 3 (thankfully!) and I'm inching towards The End.

I've read some brilliant books over the past few weeks:

If You Could See Me Now by Keris Stainton

The Escape by Clare Harvey

The Family Holiday by Elizabeth Noble

Perfect Ten by Jacqueline Ward

The Ice Cream Girls and All My Lies Are True by Dorothy Koomson

Would Like To Meet by Rachel Winters

I read and loved The Ice Cream Girls a few years ago, and I wanted to re-read it before I read the follow-up, All My Lies Are True.

I'm currently reading The Glittering Hour by Iona Grey.

Like millions of others, I've been watching Line of Duty, and I'm desperate to know what happened at the end of last week's episode! I also gobbled up Behind Her Eyes on Netflix, which I'd been looking forward to after LOVING the book.

I've also been watching the new BBC gameshow, I Can See Your Voice, which I thought would be absolute trash from the trailer but... I like it. It's fun, and we need a lot more fun in our lives right now.

I've also welcomed the return of Call The Midwife and The Great British Sewing Bee with open arms, and I've been catching up on some dramas I recorded recently: Finding Alice, McDonald & Dodds, Too Close, and had my heart broken by It's a Sin.

Books, birthdays, tea, gardening stuff and Luna.

You can find me on Instagram here

So that's what I've been up to lately, but what about you? What have you been reading or watching? And have you had your Covid jab? (I haven't yet, but fingers crossed it won't be too much longer)