Julia Roberts Author

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The End of an Era

There can be little question that the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II dominated the month of September for most, if not all of us. Wherever you stand on the monarchy, her passing is a huge loss to our country and actually is the end of an era – the second Elizabethan era to be precise.

I was live on air at QVC when the announcement was made. Although it wasn’t unexpected due to her age and recent frailty, it still came as a massive shock, and I was deeply affected having to tell viewers that QVC were suspending broadcast as a mark of respect.

As we were not on air on the Friday, I took the opportunity to go and see my mum in Nottinghamshire. She was born in 1926, the same year as our Queen so had lived most of her ninety-six years concurrently, dressing in similar everyday outfits and experiencing similar world events. Maybe that is why it hit me so hard; the realisation that I won’t have my mum forever.

Between the Queen’s death and her funeral, I found it hard to do anything beyond going into work each day. I existed in the weird kind of limbo that you experience when a close relative dies.

Even after she had been laid to rest, I still felt the need for closure which is why my husband, Chris and I decided to take ‘the long walk’ from the copper horse (above) to Windsor Castle. Despite living in the area for almost nine years, it’s something we’ve never previously done. It was around six kilometres from where we parked the car at one of the gates to Windsor Great Park and although my ankle was tired by the time we eventually arrived home, it felt like the right thing to do.

Walking towards the castle, particularly the last part along which the procession had travelled just two days earlier was incredibly cathartic and brought me the closure I’d been seeking.

The floral tributes were still very much in evidence, as you can see above but I was particularly struck by the piece of artwork below that someone had tied to the railings.

It was a reminder that above all else, we had lost a monarch who had dedicated her lifetime to the performance of her duty. May she rest in peace.

The passing of Her Majesty completely overshadowed the fact that my latest book had been made available to NetGalley readers and reviewers just a couple of days prior.

Chris kept me updated from time to time with the feedback from the first few readers of The Dilemma and I thank you for your kind words, all of which I’ve now read. I know reviews are only opinions, but it is very gratifying when all the hard work a writer puts into a book garners a positive response. Publication Day really is approaching fast and I’m so looking forward to hearing more opinions in the form of reviews if you get a moment.

As well as Publication Day looming, there was also a celebration at my ‘day’ job. QVC turned twenty-nine last week and the presenters were asked to create the figure 29 using any materials they wanted. I was debating whether to attempt it using my own body but decided that I’m probably no longer supple enough so elected to use two of my favourite foods instead, nuts and olives. The only thing missing was a nice bit of cheese (preferably halloumi) and I could have had a picnic! We didn’t make a big fuss of this birthday though… saving it for the run up to the 30th birthday in 2023.

For those of you who don’t know, I was one of the two faces that launched the channel on October 1st 1993, alongside Jon Briggs who some of you may know as the UK ‘voice of siri’ amongst other things, so it was a special day for me personally too. My family always mark it with a beautiful bouquet of flowers as they appreciate the impact my role at the channel has had on their lives too.

This year though it also marks the beginning of a new phase for me at QVC. Throughout the past twenty-nine years, I’ve always been full-time however, as of October 1st I’ve reduced my days from four a week to three. It was a big decision for me and not made lightly, but it redresses the work/life balance in favour of life. Because of my writing, most of my days off have been spent at my computer but I’ll now have the opportunity to have a bit more leisure time and pay more regular visits to my mum in Nottingham. The hamster wheel which seems to have speeded up of late will finally start to slow to something more manageable… at least, that’s the plan!

Back to the 29th birthday flowers for a moment and something I found quite amusing. We’ve lived in our current house for approaching nine years and I’ve been fortunate enough to have lots of bouquets of flowers bought for me for all kinds of celebrations. It was only very recently that I realised I had ‘borrowed’ the name of our local flower shop as the name of the shop that Charlotte, my lead character in The Dilemma works in. I must have seen the name ‘Stems’ a couple of hundred times and it without realising, it stuck! I’m hoping to get another lovely floral display on the 26th!!!!

That would be a treat for me, but Jackie’s treat is already on the way to her. She was the lucky winner of the September blog competition who, along with everyone else who entered knew that Jemma Forte regularly appears on the Jeremy Vine show. I hope Jackie will enjoy bathing in her Molton Brown ‘Rosa Absolute’.

This month there is the chance to win £10 worth of Amazon vouchers (you could always treat yourself to a newly published book – I hear there’s one out on the 26th ) and also this notebook. I love a notebook with a saying on the cover, and this one, Go Your Own Way has provided me with the competition question.

Which band wrote and had a hit with Go Your Own Way?

  1. The Rolling Stones
  2. Fleetwood Mac
  3. The Spice Girls

To be in with a chance of winning just leave your answer to this question in the comments section below before midnight on 31st October.

So, next time I write my latest book baby will have been born – I hope you’ll love her.

Much love

Julia xx

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Comments

  23. The answer is Fleetwood Mac. I hope you enjoy your leisure time you deserve it after all you have been through recently x

    Reply

  30. Hi Julia
    Answer 2) Fleetwood Mac
    Love their Rumours album (not alone!!) and Lindsey Buckingham’s more recent stuff💙
    Always love your blogs!

    Reply

  34. The answer is :::
    FLEETWOOD MAC
    who I have been lucky enough to see live in concert many times. Absolutely fantastic group.

    Reply

    • Hi Julia, we will miss not seeing you so much on QVC, but understand why you have reduced your hours. Family is so important. The answer is 2) Fleetwood Mac.

      Reply

  68. Hi Julia, the answer is Fleetwood Mac .. such an incredible band. Belated Happy 29th QVC Birthday 🥳

    Reply

  69. The answer is Fleetwood Mac. I love pretty notebooks, and I do enjoy makings lists, notes, addressees, you can never have too many.

    Reply

  73. 2 Fleetwood MAc

    Congrats on 29 years and the book! I should’ve applied for QVC back then well I did graduate so would’ve been an ideal career path!

    Reply

  94. The answer to the competition question is: 2. Fleetwood Mac.

    Wishing you all the best for Publication Day. I’m really looking forward to reading your new book.

    Reply

  104. Hi Julia,
    The answer is 2. Fleetwood Mac- love singing that in the car with hubby! Only just found you since QVC stopped the presenter blogs- will keep my fingers crossed.

    Reply

  105. Hi Julia can not wait for your new book . I have all your books and enjoyed them all. Fleetwood Mac is the answer

    Reply

  107. Fleetwood Mac
    Started the book already – trouble with all your books is they are so good I read them too quickly and can’t wait till the next one!

    Reply

  111. Hi Julia

    Your new book delivered to my Kindle yesterday.

    The answer to your competition is Fleetwood Mac, great song.

    X

    Reply

  113. Hi it was 2 Fleetwood Mac.
    I have my copy of your new book along with your other books on Kindle.
    Thank you for great reads.

    Reply

  118. Fleetwood Mac

    Many congratulations, Julia!
    Love watching you on QVC and reading your novels.
    I know that when I see you on TV and read one of your books that I am in for treat.

    Reply

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