Well, publication day for my 12th novel, Just Like Her Mother, has arrived and no small thanks are due to my publisher, Bookouture and in particular to my editors Jennifer and Ruth. My mum died with two more rounds of checks to go on my latest book and thanks to their understanding and kindness, we got them done.
It has been a difficult time, so a family holiday to Spain was exactly what I needed (more of that on my next blog) and whilst the heart-shaped stone was a great ‘beach find’ to bring back, I could have done without the cough/chest infection that must also have travelled back with me as it started in earnest the day after we arrived home!
So, this will be a slightly different publication day for me: usual flowers, fab cake and cards from the family but spot the cough medicine on the table – I’m much more likely to be downing that than champagne!
But I’m not going to moan. I feel much better now than I did on Sunday and Monday, and I’ve had some lovely early reviews for the new book. I do think it might be a bit Marmite though, which is quite appropriate as my protagonist, Lexi Drummond is part of the ‘sandwich generation’, something I was very familiar with until recent events. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it’s used about women in the 40 – 60s age bracket who are still working, caring for elderly parents and supporting (both emotionally and financially) their grown-up offspring.
Things are full-on for Lexi, but manageable until the bricks in the Jenga tower that is her life start to be removed one by one, leaving the whole tower in danger of collapse.
The sequence of events starts when Lexi’s son, Callum shares a secret with his mum about his sister, Jemma’s boyfriend but swears her to secrecy until the rumour can be proved or disproved. Lexi is uncomfortable keeping it from Jemma but can see Callum’s point of view. The problem is, if Jemma does eventually need to be told, how will she feel about being kept in the dark? Angry? Hurt? Betrayed? Or even a combination of all three? Or will she understand that they were trying to protect her? That is just the start of a sequence of events that brings Lexi to breaking point.
If you like the sound of it you can order in paperback, audiobook, ebook or Kindle Unlimited if you are a subscriber.
So, I have a confession to make about one of the characters in my book. You know the disclaimer about any resemblance to real life being coincidental? Well, I have unashamedly written about Wilfie within the pages of Just Like Her Mother. I did seek his approval first and took his purrs to mean his acceptance!
So, any criticism about any of Wilfie’s quirks and traits will fall on deaf ears as I’ve described everything about my gorgeous boy accurately, even down to the chicken and green bean cat food that is his preference. He already seems to be developing a fan club in the early reviews!
I’m keeping this blog short as I’m still struggling with this horrible virus, but I promised you a publication day competition and I’m sticking to my word.
To be in with a chance of winning one of three signed paperbacks, you just need to leave your answer to the question in a comment below by midnight on the 24th April (UK only).
Part of Just Like Her Mother is set on the Isle of Skye. In which Scottish island group is Skye located:
A) The Orkney Isles
B) The Shetland Isles
C) The Inner Hebrides
Good luck to all.
If you do read and enjoy Just Like My Mother, please do leave a comment below and maybe an Amazon review.
Until next time
B M NIND says
c the inner hebrides
Sara Prescot says
Answer is C inner Hebrides, get well soon xx
Karen says
Hi Julia, hope you are recovering from your illness and I’m sorry to hear about your Mum.
Answer is Inner Hebrides.
Love your books.
Look forward to reading it.
Take care love Karen xx
Mrs Christine Campbell says
C the inner hebrides
Yvie says
Hi Julia
Glad you enjoyed your holiday but sorry to hear you were ill on your return. Hopefully you are over the worst of the virus. Take time out for yourself, grief saps your energy.
The answer to your competition is The Inner Hebrides .
Get well soon x
Sharon Haddad says
Hi Julia sorry to hear you are poorly and hope you get better soon. So looking forward to reading your new book.
The answer is C) inner Hebrides.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Susan says
Hi Julia, I’m sorry for the loss of your precious mum, I lost mine 35 years ago and still miss her x
Hopefully you’ll recover from your illness quickly and be back to normal soon. I expect you’re a bit run down with everything that’s happened.
The answer to the question is : The Inner Hebrides
Best wishes Susan.
Karen says
Get better soon Julia, missing you on Friday fashion! The answer is the Inner Hebrides.
Jill says
Inner hybrids
Get well soon
Judith Brown says
The answer is c) Inner Hebrides. I am sorry to hear of the death of your Mother, by reading your very interesting blogs I know how close you were. I expect you picked up your cold because you are run down. Get well soon.
Judith Brown
Bernadette Wall says
Oh Julia – your chest is probably due to all the stress of your book coming out and of course losing your beloved mother – you will get better in heart & soul.
The answer is C – Inner Hebrides
Xx
Susan H says
Hi Julia, sorry to hear your dear Mum passed away. Your tribute to her in the last blog was very moving, thank you for sharing the beautiful photos of her, an amazing and lovely lady.
Hope you have recovered from your chest infection. Now that the new book is finished you can take time to grieve and remember your mother.
The answer to the competion is
c) The Inner Hebredies
Lisa Davies says
Glad to hear you managed to get away for a family holiday in Spain but sorry you brought back a nasty cough/chest infection that you really didn’t need! I hope you feel better soon.
As a crazy cat lady, I love that you’ve written about Wilfie in your new book. Unlike Wilfie, my cat refuses to eat anything ‘green’ and thinks nothing of eating the meaty chunks and spitting the carrots, peas and green beans all over the floor. I’d love to find out more about Wilfie’s quirks and traits through your new book. Therefore, the answer to the competition question is: C) The Inner Hebrides.
Pauline wood says
Hi Julia hope you are recovering from your chest infection .answer is c )inner hebredis best wishes Pauline
Gillian Weightman says
Hope you will soon be feeling better . It’s c The inner Hebrides
Maria Obrien says
The answer is C) Inner Hebrides
I hope you feel better very soon and sorry to hear about the loss of your mother 😘
Ann Rulten says
Inner Hebrides
Diane Brown says
Get well soon
Answer (Inner Hebrides)
Mrs Margaret Hart says
The Inner Hebrides
Yvette Pearson says
C – the Inner Hebrides
Looking forward to another good read📚
Thank you Julia