Spring is here!
04 March 2010
Fabulous flowers from my editor and publishers arrived this March morning to remind me that today is publication date for the paperback of Happy Ever After. A lovely start to a lovely day. The sun was glorious, the skies cobalt blue and spring flowers decorate the garden. Isn’t it fantastic that the days are getting longer and spring is around the corner? Then, reminding me once again of how thoughtful she is, I got an email card from my ex editor, Francesca, to say congratulations and wish me success. I was so touched. She was made redundant last year and we had been together for sixteen years.
The recession is playing such havoc with people’s lives. Here in Ireland the second biggest bookstore chain, Hughes & Hughes went into receivership on Friday and the shutters came down on the shops with the loss of over two hundred jobs. I’ve known many of these lovely booksellers for the last twenty years and did many happy signings and events with them. So my paperback publication is a bittersweet experience. As I gear up to begin the publicity and book tour, it will be strange and sad not to visit the Hughes & Hughes shops all over the country. I’ll miss the banter and chat and warm welcome I always received when I called in to say hello and sign stock.
The recession is having an impact too on the third part of the trilogy, Love and Marriage? When I started Forgive and Forget and followed it up with Happy Ever After?, we were in the midst of boom times, which, as I write about real life, were mirrored in the lives of my characters. How times have changed! And the plotlines I’d planned have gone by the wayside as ‘real life’ takes hold and my characters too, have to deal with the economic downturn. Challenging times indeed for an author! I’m enjoying writing some very meaty scenes indeed. One character, Barry has just lost a pile of money on an investment, he borrowed heavily to fund, and his wife, Aimee, knows nothing about it. I’m looking forward to that row!
Thank you all so much for the lovely comments on my last blog. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my books. Jenny and Dolores I’m delighted to tell you that Book 3, Love And Marriage? is well under way, see above.
Janet, Not sure about more City Girl, wrote the trilogy and moved on…but never say never! Glad you liked it. Must go and continue writing, about to give some poor unfortunate a heart attack, which may prove fatal!
Have a lovely spring and here’s to sunny days.
5 comments
Written by Eden High on 08 March 2010 at 20:20:00
Oh! The answer to my question is here :)
Sorry about that.
So there's another trilogy as well (City Girl) what are the other titles in that one please?
Many thanks Eden
Written by Kasia Hordyniec on 04 May 2010 at 13:31:00
I am so glad I found this website and your blog. Since I came to Ireland from Poland (8 years ago) I learn how to understand the Irish soul by reading books, among them all you novels. I love them so much. Each one of them is a real page turner and once started you cannot put it down until finished. I am so dissapointed that they are not translated to Polish, I would like to recommend them to my no-English-speaking friends but it's not possible. Maeve Binchy and Cathy Kelly are very popular in Poland, maybe it is just a matter of looking into it? Anyway, I just wanted to say, I am glad I found you here, in Irleland. All the best
Written by Elaine Hooper on 15 June 2010 at 21:16:00
Hi im a new fan, bought you city girl trilogy as holiday reading and am hooked.......! through my local bookstore ive bought all your books 14 in total including Winter Blessings which im saving for the next cold an rainy day. One title Finishing Touches i cannot get hold of even thorugh the internet, is it now out of print ? If i contacted your publisher would they be able to help do you think? you have such a spellbinding talent for writing i finished cooking sunday lunch while reading the last chapter of Two for Joy .health permitting,KEEP WRITING .Sincere regards.
Written by marie kerwick on 06 July 2010 at 12:51:00
I have all your books and read them over and over. Being truly irish I can associate with the characters and the liftstyle. I usually buy your books in Easons and can never wait for the paperbacks. I got hooked originally on City Girl triology and the lives of Maggie, Devlin and their friend whose name escapes me as I write. Her terrible marriage fiasco to Richard and her imminent trip to Abu Dhabi kept me enthralled as well as the other girls lives. All your books touch on lives and are really warm and endearing. I always await your latest title. Keep it up. Sincere regards
Written by Tracy Shaw on 11 August 2010 at 17:58:00
Hi, I've been a fan of your work for many years & have read the lot! Just wish you could write as quickly as I read! My favourite books are Promises ,Promises & Mirror Mirror which I've nearly worn out I've read them so many times. Have you ever thought of writing a sequel perhaps with Stephanie,Julie Ann & Rebecca as adults? Keep up the good work & can't wait until your next release in March 2011. Tracy