I’d been looking forward to this October, which is unusual for me as I hate the thought of summer being over for another year, but I had some nice things to look forward to. As I mentioned in my last blog, I have reduced the number of days I work at QVC from four a week to three a week and Chris and I had a trip to Javea in Spain planned. Not only that, but it was also publication month for The Dilemma, and it had been a much longer gap than usual between books because of my medical problems last year.
Things started really well with the early arrival of the paperback copies of my new book. Last year, The Woman on the Beach copies only arrived the day before publication, so it was a rush to get the obligatory unboxing video done. The Dilemma copies arrived two and a half weeks before my publication day, so I was able to have a nice leisurely unboxing chat on Instagram Live after getting home from QVC. If you ‘do’ social media but don’t yet follow me on Instagram, you can find me at juliagroberts. And, big news, although I’m probably a bit old to be on there, I’ve just created a Tik Tok account @joolswritesbooks. To be honest, there’s not a lot on there at the moment, but there will be… I promise.
So, not only did I get my paperback copies of The Dilemma early, I was also sent the sample first fifteen minutes of the audiobook to listen to. I’m not going to lie, I turned it on with a degree of trepidation as narrators don’t always speak your words in the way that you’ve said them in your head. Well, I couldn’t have been happier with the delivery from actress, Daphne Kouma who you may have seen in Bridgerton, Stranger Things and most recently Eastenders. I immediately checked out her social media so that I could send a message to thank her and was surprised to notice that a friend of mine, Sunita Schroff, who some of you may remember as a QVC presenter and more recently guest, followed Daphne. A quick text to Sunita confirmed that she does indeed know Daphne and has done since childhood – what a small world. We’re hoping to all get together for lunch later this month.
Speaking of lunch, I‘m going to skip ahead to the day before publication when I met up with my lovely editor, Ruth Tross for a bite, a catch up and my first visit to the Bookouture offices. It was so lovely to put faces to the names I’ve seen on email although I have met most of the team at the Bookouture summer parties.
This photo of me with Ruth was taken on the rooftop garden of Carmelite House where Bookouture now ‘live’ and overlooks the Thames. What a glorious outdoor space to have in a central London office building.
That trip into London was the day after I’d driven up to Nottingham to visit my mum and also my sister, Lynda who had driven down from south-west Scotland to stay with Mum for a few days having not seen her in a couple of years. It was even longer since I’d seen my sister – Mum’s 90th birthday if I remember correctly – so I was determined to make the five-hour round trip. We had intended to visit Lynda and her husband, Geoff when we were up in the Lake District in February, but Storm Eunice had other ideas. My brother also turned up while I was at Mum’s, so it was nice for her to have all her children together.
So, in an already busy week, Publication Day arrived, and I was working at QVC. It did make it a bit full on responding to all the messages from people who had bought the book and also from bloggers who’d had an advance copy to review, so a slightly more muted celebration, dinner out with my family worked well particularly in light of what had happened ten days previously.
As mentioned above Chris and I had booked to go to Javea for a short break and for me to get some words written on my next book – yes, that is already in the works. We took the early morning flight and arrived at the villa we’d rented for our stay around lunchtime. After unpacking and having a light lunch we were sitting by the pool in the warm sunshine when my mobile phone rang. It was our son, Daniel. He’d rung to tell us that Nana, Chris’s mum had had a fall, resulting in a broken hip and was in hospital. At that point, the talk was of a hip replacement operation as she seemed quite well apart from the hip, but her condition deteriorated overnight. Despite having changed our flights to return home the next day we couldn’t get back in time to say our farewells. Both Chris and I are eternally grateful that the hospital contacted our daughter, Sophie suggesting that the family should attend as a matter of urgency. As a result, Daniel and Sophie were with their nana, holding her hands and talking to her when she passed from this world.
As I’m sure you can understand if you’ve been in a similar situation, we’ve all been in a weird kind of limbo over the past three weeks, knowing that she’s gone but struggling to come to terms with it. The celebration of her life was last Thursday and although there were tears it was also good to share memories with her friends and family. Christmas will not be the same for us this year. She has been to stay every year for the past 22 years since Chris’s dad passed, apart from the covid lockdown year of course. I have a video of my mum, and Audrey as they decorated the cake last Christmas which I’ve watched a few times already – don’t they look pleased with the result.
Sadly, Audrey never got to read The Dilemma. I’d sent her a copy as she was always incredibly supportive of my writing, but her eyes had been causing her problems which we were in the process of trying to get sorted. It makes me sad as she’d been eagerly awaiting its arrival since the two mums visited in August. It has served as a reminder to make the most of those we hold dear whilst we have them.
Yesterday, Chris and I went out for a walk, dodging the heavy downpours and were treated to a beautiful rainbow…
I’m also wondering if I got some ‘help’ with my first guess on Saturday’s Wordle. Unlike some people, I don’t use the same first word every day, instead going with my gut feeling. Dream was the word that my gut told me to enter into the letter squares on Saturday – I don’t suppose I’ll ever get it in one again.
So, October has definitely had its highs and lows. Thanks so much to everyone who has already bought The Dilemma especially if you’ve reviewed too (there are already almost sixty reviews with an average 4.5 star rating) helping her into the Kindle top 100 and achieving the number one spot in Hot New Releases in Women’s Literary Fiction. It has certainly been a distraction and a mood elevator for both Chris and me.
Something else which has been comforting is having Milo, our daughter’s cat to stay while they are having a new kitchen fitted at home. He’s not the cuddliest of cats but he has taken to sitting on Chris’s lap in the evening – it could be because he has a fleecy slanket over his legs! I should also mention that a ginger cat called Milo makes a brief appearance in The Dilemma. They do say to write about what you know!
So, to close, how would you like to win a signed copy of The Dilemma and some Hotel Chocolat goodies??? And it’s not a multiple choice question this month.
If you had a ginger cat, what name would you give him and why?
The judge’s decision (ie mine) will be final. Just leave your response in a comment before midnight on 30th November.
Until next time
Much love
Julia xx
Marie Cairns says
So sorry to hear about your family’s loss. It’s a sad time, sending hugs. x
If I had a ginger cat I would call him Rey (it’s Spanish for king).
Victoria Haworth says
I called my Ginger cat Cooper after the detective in Twin Peaks . The only problem was I thought she was a boy for two years until my vet said one day “ you do realise your boy is a girl ! She didn’t mind have a male name I shortened it to Coops x
Carol Cross says
Dear Julia so sorry for your loss.
I had a beautiful stray ginger cat who used to visit every evening for his dinner, I called him Mickey after the trainer in the film Rocky ( played by Burgess Meredith) because he also had ears that had been through the wars ! Ps I couldn’t take him in due to my other pets so Cats Protection re homed him xxx
RockNan says
My sweet Lady you have certainly been on a rollercoaster ride in
Life recently. Im so sorry for your loss 💔 having experienced the same loss ourselves with my Mother in Law who also passed following a fall and breaking her hip I feel for you. Congratulations on your new book that I am eagerly awaiting delivery of (Im a person maybe old fashioned but love the feel & smell of a new book 😍) I have had several beloved Ginger Cats with various names over the years but Ive always loved the name Marmaduke because Ginger cats always remind me of Marmalade. Hoping you don’t feel too sad this Christmas & sending you big hugs ! Xxx RockNan
Tracey Fairbank says
Marmalade
Darryl Marley says
Barley Sugar!!
Given the colour of fur looks like a barley Sugar sweet and my surname.
BARLEY sugar MARLEY 🧡🧡
Claire Upton says
I would call him Pumpkin 🎃 correct colour and cute name for a great furry friend x
Elaine SALLIS says
Marmalade. I would like to send my condolences to you and your family. I’m so sorry to hear your news
Sara Hunter says
Hi Julia, sorry to hear such sad news. The Wordle first and the rainbow signs sent in different and mysterious ways! Loved seeing and hearing of the two mums in your life♥️♥️.
One of my cats is ginger, but as he was a rescue and had the same initial letter as all of our other cats, we kept him as Louie. For the competition, I would name a ginger cat Eric- Eric The Red🧡
anna nowak says
Amber x
Andrea Taylor says
Biscuit
Karon Hooper says
Amber.
I would call a ginger cat Amber as the crystal represents courage. I have had to dig deep for courage to overcome anxiety and worry that has crept back inside of me.
Hugs to you and your family xx
Jean Wild says
Sending Condolences at this sad time 💐 I lost my mum a few years ago and cherish my memories of a lovely mum .💐
If I had a ginger cat I would call it Amber , to reflect the colour of her coat that would shine with the lustre and hue of a gleaming gem stone .
Pearl M says
My name would be Gingersnap ginger cat & yummy biscuits 🍪
Also sending condolences at the sad loss of your mum in law
Sad time for the family Julia
Best wishes Pearl x
Jackie Biggs says
My Daughter has a ginger cat 🐈
Her name is Coco suits her perfectly so Coco it is
Sorry to hear your sad news, keep writing and maybe I’ll get to hear more from Carol this Christmas xx
Maureen says
Julia, so sorry to hear your mother in law has passed away. My deepest condolences to you and your family. If I had a ginger cat I would call it Simba as The Lion King is my granddaughters favourite film. x
Karen Rix says
Hi Julia, condolences to you and your family. My choice of name for the cat would be Weasley I think after Ronald Weasley in Harry Potter. Much love Karen xx
Cheryl says
Hi Julia
Very sorry to hear of the loss of your mother-in-law, such sad news.
I did have a ginger cat who I re-homed just before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, he was such a comfort to me, so calm and loving and I called him Jenson as I love Formula One and am a huge Jenson Button fan.
Sending you good wishes.
Barbara Gardner says
Hi Julia,
So sorry to hear your sad news. 😞
If I had a ginger cat, I would call it gingernut, because it would have to be mad to live with me 🐯
Joan Cosson says
So sorry to hear your about your very sad time recently, you are so lucky to have such a wonderful family around you who will be there to support you both.
Over the years I have had many cats but never a ginger cat unfortunately, all apart from one have been rescued cats or strays that have just turned up. My ginger cat would be a lady cat and she would be called Buttercup because she would brighten up my life every day.
Gillian Martin says
Sorry for you loss you have your lovely memories to get you by on the hard days
Name of a ginger cat would be Tigger like the cartoon full of life x
Elaine Reid says
Hi Julia sorry to hear such sad news – your mother in law will live on in your heart forever. I would call ginger cat – Garfield it reminds me of the eighties when our daughter was born.
Michelle Cooper says
So Sorry to hear of your loss Julia thinking of you all at this ad time. If I had a ginger cat I would call it marmerlade I think that name suits a ginger cat
Catherine Kearney says
Hi Julia I would call it nutty after ginger nuts.
Maddie says
Sorry about your loss…Ginger Thomas .. Tom…for short …if female ginger spice x
Janet Perry says
So sorry to hear your news Julia, what a sad time for you all.
If we had a ginger cat, we’d probably call it Ramsey after the first cat we had many years ago, and he was named after Ramsey Street on Neighbours, our favourite programme back in the day!
Karen says
Sorry for you loss.
I had a ginger cat called Clyde as we also had his sister a Bonnie black and white cat 🐱
Tina says
Condolences to you and the family, a sad time for you all.
Like a previous lady, I also had a ginger cat called Clyde and his sister was Clementine (Clemmie).
My current ginger cat is Clarence. He looks like a lion so the name suited based on an old tv programme which some of us ladies of a “certain age” may remember – Daktari. It included Clarence the cross-eyed lion.
Julie says
So very sorry to hear of your loss Julia. Hugs
I’d call my ginger cat
MARMALADE !!!
June Denman says
hi Julia,
Sad news about Chris’s lovely mum.
A huge loss for the family.
I would name a ginger cat Spice.
A huge hug.
Best Wishes from
June
X
Mandy Mitchell says
I’m so sorry to hear your sad news Julia- I do remember you posting photos of both Mums together at your home at Christmas. I had a ginger cat when I was a child (he was actually my late Nans pet but I adored him & claimed he was mine) He was my playmate & I was allowed to name him so I called him Sandy Sam! He was extremely affectionate & enjoyed being pushed around in my dolls pram!
Love & Best Wishes
Mandy x
Mandy Mitchell says
oops…gremlins in my computer. My cat was named Sandy Sam after a very kind gentleman who used to be my late Nans neighbour- he had a mop of sandy coloured hair so he inspired my name choice for my cat.
Susan Podmore says
I’d call it freckles cause most of us gingers have them and I love mine
Julie Nisbett says
I would call a ginger cat “Koa”. This is an Hawaiian word meaning warrior, strength, courage. Also Koa wood has similar colouring and markings to a ginger cat 🥰
Lisa Davies says
When I was a child, my best friend had a ginger cat called “Gingembre Tom”. They thought that the name “Ginger Tom” was a bit too common and wanted to call him something a little more exotic! I was always rather fond of this unconventional name so I would steal it and call my own cat by this name if I ever happen to own a ginger cat. I currently own a tabby cat called Tabby so as you can tell, I am very inventive with cat names!