There is NOTHING more exciting for me than seeing the jacket on my next novel brought to life by a designer. Nothing, that is, until the book itself arrives and I can hold it in my hands and know that it is real, that I really put all those words and thoughts together. Ask any…
When I was a child, one of the treats of the week was our family outing to the cinema. The programme back in the mid-fifties, early sixties usually included two films. A ‘B’ movie followed by the main attraction. Today, before the main attraction, spectators are shown endless expensively-shot commercials followed by a series of…
Imidacloprid is a terrifying chemical used on much of the world’s fruits and vegetables — and it’s wiping out our web of life from bees to insects. Now Canada could ban it, but industry bullies are lobbying to protect their multi billion-dollar product. Let’s get Canada to stand strong! Add your name to flood the…
Last Saturday, the 21st January 2017, I met up with a couple of friends alongside the Apollo Fountain in the impressive Place Massena in Nice. We, along with about seventy others, were gathering to march. We were marching – each of us perhaps for slightly different reasons – against Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s position…
If you live in the UK you might want to sign up for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. They do sterling work in creating awareness for the bee communities. Many of which are being put on endangered species lists, which is very concerning indeed. Here are their details: Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Registered Charity No:1115634 / Scottish…
This month my blog is very short. Apologies for that. I am a little unwell. On top of that, due to the loss of my mother earlier this year, my husband and I are having a very low-key Christmas. Today, 26th December, is Boxing Day. It is also St Stephen’s Day, which is celebrated in…
I think I have begun every letter I have sent out this year by saying how tough these last months have been since the loss of my mother in February. And it continues with the recent loss of several friends and colleagues. Michel and I have decided to take time out quietly, just the two…
The distributors of THE OLIVE ROUTE films have contacted us to say that until 15th Jan, they are selling the boxed set of five gorgeous films for 29.99 euros plus post, which is 5 euros for Europe and 6.50 euros rest of the world. A great price. Send an email to olivefarmbooks@gmail.com and I will…
Complete France is giving away The Forgotten Summer as one of it’s prizes on the 15th December as part of it’s 24 day Advent competition. 15 December 2016 | The prize: a bundle of books written by FRANCE Magazine columnists and favourite authors About: This selection of books includes the latest publications from FRANCE Magazine…
A day or so ago I watched, for the first time in many years, Louis Malle’s wonderful film, Lacombe, Lucien. I don’t think I have seen it since it was first released in 1974, when I was a young actress living in London. I would have been audience at the Hampstead Everyman or that wonderful…
Today, midway through November, as winter begins to set in hard here in northern France – I am at our home outside Paris, not down on the Olive Farm – it is a day of mourning, of remembrance. All across the UK and the Commonwealth, on this second Sunday in November, Remembrance Sunday, wreaths of…
Cornwall Council has decided to ban bee-harming neonicotinoid pesticides from all of its parks, gardens and verges. Big chunks of the South West – including Devon and Dorset – will be much safer for our buzzing friends. Sign the Friends of the Earth petition for a nationwide ban. For those of you who speak French…
I am deep in work at present, lost in the brambly mire of editorial notes on my still untitled novel due for publication in 2017. As well, I am also preparing or rather allowing to gestate the novel I am about to begin writing. I am not a Plotter. I start with grainy images of…
A MESSAGE FROM GREENPEACE Big news: Greenpeace investigators have discovered unpublished pesticide-company studies showing that their controversial ‘neonic’ pesticides can seriously harm bees. [1]Now more than ever, we need to ban these bee-harming pesticides for good. Can you help? The research was designed to find a ‘safe level’ for the pesticides, and although the companies…
It is that time of year again. Late September. The season of ‘mellow fruitfulness’. There are no mists here at this time of year in the south of France but there is a great deal of mature sunlight oozing its warm beams for long hour after long hour. I love this time of year and…
I am writing this in-between note because, as many of you may know, THE FORGOTTEN SUMMER was published in paperback on 8th September. To celebrate its publication Penguin, along with the magazine Top Santé, has come up with a splendid competition. Here are the details: Winner along with a partner or friend is invited to…
I feel impotent and distressed when I watch this video and read the news of other such acts. Such indiscriminate spraying of any chemical poison is irresponsible. The results of these bee deaths will take years to rebalance, if they every can be re-established. If you are in the US please speak out against such…
So exciting that the paperback edition of THE FORGOTTEN SUMMER is hitting the shelves today! If you haven’t already, you can order your copy here: http://hyperurl.co/TheForgottenSummerPB
It’s only one week to go until THE FORGOTTEN SUMMER is out in the UK in paperback!! You can pre-order your copy here: http://hyperurl.co/TheForgottenSummerPB
I am very late with this Newsletter. It should have gone out at least a month ago, but this has been a very demanding year and time has given me no slack! The good news is that this morning I have delivered the first draft of my new novel to Penguin. This will release a…