Eek! I can't believe it's been nearly 6 weeks since my last newsletter... I kept meaning to drop you a line and kept getting sidetracked... 😔 The past few weeks have been even more chaotic than usual because my computer suddenly died on me! Cue a panicked search for a reputable IT person to retrieve all my data, set up a new machine and transfer everything over safely, as well as install all the necessary software and backups again... etc, etc. 

Oh my goodness, it all took so much longer than I expected, with the IT person having to return several times to sort out tech issues - honestly, "moving computers" is worse than "moving house" these days! 

Naturally, this all happened the week that my tax return was due and after spending hours - days - going through royalty statements, bank statements & receipts, compiling all the numbers... I lost the entire spreadsheet in the computer meltdown.😨 It was meant to be automatically saved but somehow, the backup failed. Which meant that once the new computer was finally installed, I had to start from scratch again and all those days I'd previously devoted were all wasted. I wanted to cry! 

Although it could have been worse, I suppose - I could have lost an entire manuscript - so I guess one has to be thankful for small mercies.

On a more positive note, I've also been pleasantly preoccupied the past few weeks because we've had a house guest... my lovely mother-in-law has come from the UK for a visit! (More on that below for those who love a gossip... 😉)

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In book news...

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Well, I'm about halfway through my new "secret project" - which I'm dying to tell you about but I'll have to keep the cards close to my chest for a little while longer. 

That's the problem with writing books, you know - everything is so rough and amorphous for ages, while you're still moulding the story (ie. writing it!), that nothing feels permanent enough to even share. It's not like a house that's halfway through being built - where you can take someone to the building site and show them the kitchen and living room that's complete, even if the rest of the house is still unfinished. 

With a book, the kitchen might get completely torn down again... or the living room re-arranged upside-down, after the bedrooms are finished... or you might even build the whole thing and then decide that actually, it should be a 4-bedroom bungalow and not a 2-bedroom townhouse after all... (Well, at least that's the way I write. Other authors may do it differently! )

But anyway, I'm hoping to get the whole house - er, that is, first draft - done by June. Once I get to "The End" and know the general shape of the whole story, then I'll feel more confident about sharing more.

And of course, after that, I'll be starting work on the next Oxford Tearoom Mystery! It's actually very timely that my mother-in-law has come for a visit because - as many of you will know - she's very much the inspiration for Evelyn Rose - haha! Well, that character is partly inspired by my mother-in-law and partly by my own mother. So spending time with either of them always helps to spark ideas for what Gemma's mother might say or do! 😉

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Czech, please! One Tearoom Mystery coming right up!

Speaking of the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries, I'm very excited to announce that I was approached last year by a Czech publisher who was interested in acquiring the foreign language rights for the series in their country. I signed a book deal earlier this year... and the Czech language editions have just been released! 

Here's a peek at the Czech covers. What do you think? They're very different from the English ones, aren't they? It's always fascinating to see how different cultures and countries prefer different styles. 

(By the way, contrary to popular belief, traditionally-published authors don't usually have any say over the cover art for their books. I was lucky that my Czech publisher was nice enough to share the creative concept with me before release...  but overall, when you sign a traditional book deal, publishers make all the decisions and rarely solicit authors' input. It's different if you independently-publish your books, as you retain all creative control.)

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Audiobook Deal for April: A magical mystery to tickle your earbuds!

If you’ve been curious about my Bewitched by Chocolate series—or just in the mood for a cozy mystery with a magical twist—this is the perfect time to dive in (or grab your headphones, rather!) 

The first book, Dark, Witch & Creamy, is part of Audible’s April Monthly Deal for Premium Plus members (US only), which means you can pick up the audiobook at a special price for a limited time. Set in a quaint English village where old spells and new secrets simmer beneath the surface, it’s a story full of enchanted chocolates, a mischievous cat... and one rather inconvenient murder!

Pearl Hewitt, my brilliant narrator, brings the world to life with such warmth and flair—every character has their own distinct voice, and I still chuckle every time I hear her version of Uncle Viktor (my all-time favourite character out of all the ones I've created 😊). 

Whether you’re new to the series or fancy a re-listen, now’s a lovely moment to enjoy some magical mischief!
🎧 Listen on Audible
📚 Also in Kindle & Paperback
 

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And... something for my German-speaking fans too!

There's a new book out for my German-speaking fans! This is the 6th book in my English Cottage Garden Mysteries - called Ein Ende mit Schnecken in German - featuring more clever sleuthing & gardening mayhem! Roses aren’t the only thing blooming this summer—Poppy’s got a date, a murder to solve, and a runaway slug to catch!

Kindle | Taschenbuch

(ps. if you haven't started this series yet in English, you can check it out here: https://books2read.com/cottagegarden-deadhead)

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For those who love a gossip... 

There's always a lot of excitement when my mother-in-law comes from the UK to stay, as we live so far away from family, it's so lovely to be able to spend quality time with her. There's always a lot of spring-cleaning too, before she arrives - haha! - because, well, you know how your domestic standards are never quite the same as your mothers' ? 😉

So if ever our mothers come to stay, it always sends my husband & me into a frenzy of cleaning and dusting beforehand... (I'm embarrassed to admit that the last time we washed the car properly was probably two years ago, just before my MIL's last visit!) - but wow, the house has never looked so amazing! 😄

Muesli, of course, is enjoying the freshly-plumped cushions and newly-cleaned sofa, not to mention the extra cuddles. 

In fact, it's always interesting to watch her reaction to my mother-in-law's arrival. Unlike her fictional counterpart in the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries, the real-life Muesli is very shy & timid, and she often runs and hides when visitors come to the house. 

But from the very first time she met my mother-in-law, Muesli took to her instantly - snuggling up to her and trying to climb into her lap. I'd read once somewhere that animals can recognise extended family members by their similar scent, even if they'd never met them before... perhaps there's some truth in that! 

Oh, but before anyone thinks this is sounding too sickly-sweet and perfect, I have to confess that there has been some family drama and tensions. You see, my mother-in-law absolutely loves sitting out in the garden, soaking up the Aussie sunshine, and we'd got a new sun lounger recently especially for her visit. Naturally, Muesli immediately made herself comfortable on the new garden furniture - and she was most put-out when the guest arrived and she discovered that the chair hadn't been put there for her sole benefit! 

So Muesli has taken to stalking around and plonking herself down in front of my mother-in-law, giving her death glares, whenever my MIL dares to sit in her garden chair... 

Thankfully, though, I'm pleased to report that after a week of frosty standoffs (and the occasional race for that coveted blue seat) Muesli and my MIL have come to a mutually-satisfactory Time-Share Agreement on the garden chair and so peace has been restored...

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