Publication week!

Dear Readers and Friends,

Today is the first of July. Summer is officially here. France, like other parts of Europe, is suffering under a canicule, a heatwave, that is very intense. In this kind of extreme weather, I only venture out of doors very early in the mornings, from about 6 onwards to water the plants or much later as the sun is setting. In the between times, I stay indoors or under the pergola working at a very gentle pace on my new novel or reading. Mostly reading. Jugs of water at the ready flavoured with sliced lemons from one of our own citrus trees.

Our swimming pool which has been empty and out of use for almost a year is finally being filled. Fingers crossed the several small leaks have now been dealt with. Although not yet brimming with water – it takes a week to fill – yesterday evening I paddled in the deep end. It was very refreshing and reminded me what a gift it is to have a pool in this climate at this time of year.

This week, Thursday, is publication day for One Summer in Provence.  Hooray! I know that some of you, many from across the world, have already ordered the book and I thank you from my heart. I hope that this week the books will be winging their way from a depot somewhere deep in the heart of England to you, in readiness for your summer holidays, and that when you settle in the cool and shade to read, you will enjoy the story.

The opening of the novel begins in a heatwave!

I have already posted a few events for this month. There will be other festivals and bookshop readings later in the year. In the meantime, once again, here are the places in July where you can find me. If you are nearby and don’t already have a ticket, please do come along. Meeting readers and friends is the cherry on the cake.

If you haven’t yet ordered the book, Waitrose and Waterstones have plenty of copies on their shelves, or do support your independent booksellers. Many will have the book in stock or can order it in for you.

If you are abroad, as I have written before, Blackwells ship worldwide for free. Here is the link.

Enjoy these summer days, stay safe and cool and well-irrigated. Do as I am intending to do when I am not out in the world promoting One Summer in Provence, settle in a shaded corner and read.

To those of you who will be attending one of my events, see you soon.

Thank you for reading this.

Love,

Carol

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