April: In Memory, In Motion
April has been a month of contrasts. From deep sorrow and gentle healing, learning, letting go and moving forward.
At the heart of it all has been the saddest farewell to our lovely friend. There are no words that can describe the loss. He has left a quiet space that will never quite be filled, and yet, in that space, there is love.
I have dedicated my book to Nigel Wood — a small but meaningful way to his memory on this journey.
It has taken strength to rebuild after such an emotionally draining time. This month, I made a promise to myself to keep moving forward, to get ahead where I can, and to find moments of light wherever they appear.
Pre-sale is coming!
One of the things I am most proud of this month is uploading Secrets of Silverleaf Cottage to KDP. Seeing it completed and with zero mistakes flagged, felt like a quiet but powerful moment of achievement. After everything, to have created something polished and ready for the world means more than I can fully express. Details of the presale will begin at the start of summer, which feels like the perfect season to share it ready for its autumn realease.
And the journey doesn’t stop there. The second book in the series, Secrets of the Wenbridge Wedding, is already in the making. I’ve reached six chapters so far, and it’s beginning to take shape in such an exciting way. So watch this space — especially for those already thinking ahead to a 2027 summer read.
Birthday in Bath
Easter Sunday was spent in Bath with Macsen and Izzie, celebrating Macsen’s 22nd birthday. Bath, with its golden stone and timeless calm, felt like the perfect place to pause and simply be together and it was surprisingly quiet. Enjoy a cider at the Bath Cider House and food at Hondo Sushi. Highly recommend both if your lucky enough to visit the beautifull city of bath.
They are building such a lovely life there. While my heart aches with how much I miss him, there is a deeper comfort in knowing he is happy and creating a great future for himself in such a beautiful city. That kind of happiness is everything you hope for as a parent.
Where Music Carried Me
My husband and I went to see The Prodigy with Carl Cox supporting — I had been looking forward to it for months and it didn’t disappoint. Music has always held a powerful place in my life.
Music carried me through the writing of my book. It gave shape to emotions I couldn’t always put into words, helped me sit with grief when it felt too heavy, and lifted me when I needed momentum. Every chapter has a rhythm, a feeling — a pulse that, in many ways, came from the music I surrounded myself with.
Rest, Reflection, and the Road North
As the month draws to a close, I’m heading to Scotland for a long much deserved weekend break — Inverness and Edinburgh await. I’m looking forward to taking in the views of the lochs, sitting in cosy cafés with a warm drink or a bar with a wine, visiting the famous Inverness bookstore, and hopefully catching sight of eagles in the Cairngorms..
April has been real. It has been full of love, memory, music, quiet resilience — and moments of pride.
