A Time to Reflect

Peace be upon you

Hello and welcome!

I have put my out-of-office replies on and will not be going into the office again until 6 January 2025. It feels good not to get up early and drive to work in gloomy weather.

But what did I do on my first day off? I got up at 07:00 to go and play golf. But that was different. No rushing around packing my lunch, defrosting the car or working to a timescale. I like routine, but at this time of the year, it is time for a break. To unwind, chill out, and relax. It is also a time for reflection.

This past year has been a mixed bag for me on a personal level. The highlight was the publication of my book in September. My dream came true. The Mysterious Disappearance of Marsha Boden continues to garner some great reviews and I am thrilled with the way it has been received.

The lowlights: being involved in a minor road traffic accident and writing off my car. Not my fault. Back and neck injuries were sustained but nothing too serious, hopefully. Although, of course, time will tell.

I changed jobs and moved from self-employed status to employed. Self-employment gave me more freedom but no guaranteed income or future employment. Then again, there are no guarantees in life. At least now, though, I am getting paid for my two-and-a-half-week holiday break.

My dear sister has undergone major surgery for cancer and is currently undergoing an intensive course of chemo and radiotherapy. She is very positive and we all wish her well for a full and speedy recovery. It’s been a tough year but we are all here for her. My heartfelt wish is to see my sister fit and healthy again.

On the writing front, I would like to have my second book (another cozy crime novel) published, but again, there are no guarantees in life. I have written and edited it, but whether my publisher will like it or not, remains to be seen. I will, of course, keep you posted.

My first children’s book, Mr Tiddy’s Garden, is due for publication in the Spring. Again, I will keep you posted.

I will continue to promote The Mysterious Disappearance of Marsha Boden and am incredibly proud of the reviews it has received so far. If nothing else, when work feels overwhelming and I find less and less time to write, I just look at my bookshelf. When I see my book sitting there with my name on the spine I think to myself, ‘I did it. I wrote a novel and saw it through to publication.’ And, I have to remind myself, that is a huge achievement and I will be forever proud of my accomplishment.

If you haven’t bought a copy yet, please do. ‘I couldn’t put it down,’ and ‘I read it in one sitting,’ are just two of the phrases I have heard more than once from various people who have read it. If you do enjoy it, please leave a review on the Waterstones, Foyles or Amazon websites. It’s also available as an eBook on Amazon Kindle for just £3.99 or $5.25.

And on that note, it only remains for me to say a very special thank you to all of my paid subscribers and my non-paying ones. Your loyalty and support mean the world to me, so thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

I will be back next Sunday, where I will be writing from an old Wheat Store in Cornwall, as my other half and I have decided to treat ourselves to a festive break.

I wish you all a peaceful, healthy and happy holiday break.

Best wishes,