Dear readers
I hope you are all well and 2023 is a wonderful year for you all. One of my New Year resolutions was to start my own blog so I can keep you updated on what’s going on in my life. My mailbox is often full and I can’t answer every letter personally so thought this would be a good format – do let me know what you think!
I plan to post every few weeks so do keep an eye on my website and I’ll also flag on my Facebook and Instagram too.
So what’s the latest with me? You’ll be pleased to know that I have just finished writing my 40th book which will be out in the US and UK in autumn this year. It’s called The Wonder Of It All and it is the third book in the House of Falconer series. It follows the life of James Falconer, the barrow boy who has built a retail empire, whose outlook on life is forever changed after he is gravely wounded at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Through his convalescence, he swears to repair his fractured relationship with his daughter and to hold different things dear. But glamorous post war society is changing fast, and he must weather both personal and professional storms ahead. My publisher has just informed me that the book is available to pre-order now too via this link: Click link.
I can’t actually believe it’s my 40th novel. When I receive the first finished copy of my latest book, I open it at the beginning and look through the ever-growing list of titles I’ve written – it’s a bit like going down a literary memory lane! I can’t believe I’ve written all these books in 41 years.
After I finished writing The Wonder Of It All in September, I then went straight in to hospital to have a hip replacement. It was my second bionic hip so I knew what to expect. It’s quite amazing – you are up and walking about the day after the operation. I am pleased to say that I have recovered very quickly given I’m in good health and I am strong mentally and physically. I do believe having a positive mindset helps a lot and I try to adopt this attitude whenever. I’m so thankful of my physio as, while the exercises can be challenging, he has got me walking again without aid.
In other news, as a well-known author, I often get approached for comment on a wide range of subjects. The most recent one was for the Daily Mail in the UK and the journalist posed the question: What luxuries in your life would you not give up? I had to give a list and explain why so here’s what I said:
1. Car and driver
I work in the car, make calls to my publisher, PR, banker, friends, use the time wisely and, as I’ve cleared all my calls, it then enables me to write at my desk without interruption. Having a driver service that I can use as and when I need to also means I feel safe travelling and am always taken directly home post a dinner or evening appointment.
2. Hairdresser
I’ve been going twice a week to the hairdresser for the last 70 years and don’t intend to stop now. Even when on holiday I go twice a week. My hair is important to me and if it doesn’t feel right nor do I. As a young woman I didn’t care what outfit I would wear, as long as I had my hair done. I couldn’t live without my hairdressers both in New York and London.
3. British newspapers
I live in New York and I religiously read the British newspapers every day as I want to know what’s going on in my home country. As an author and journalist, I need to have a cross section of newspapers so that I get different points of view. They are a big part of my life and I enjoy reading then more than watching the news on TV. I admire many British journalists who often reflect what I am thinking myself.
4. Going out for dinner at a nice restaurant with a close friend
My home is also my place of work so I need to get out of the house for a break and going out for dinner is part of my weekly schedule. I like to go to nice restaurants and have a meal with a friend and chat about all sorts. I live by myself so it’s important to socialise.
5. My mobile
I very rarely use my landline and my mobile phone gives me access to the world. I’d be lost without it.
On that note, I’m going to sign off and open the papers and see what is happening in the world today. I hope you have a good month ahead and I look forward to sharing with you more news soon.
Love
