Good news! TWICE ROYAL LADY, my novel about the Empress Matilda, has been accepted by Robert Hale Ltd, the publishers of my last two books. It will be published under their new Broken River imprint as a paperback and should cost £8.99 – much more affordable than the previous hardbacks. Publication date is provisionally set for May 2015.
Meanwhile, Soundings have bought the rights to produce the audio version of APHRODITE’S ISLAND and, as with OPERATION KINGFISHER, I shall be the reader. I don’t know if any of you use audio books. They come in various formats, including MP3 and CD, and I know a lot of people find them very useful on long car journeys, for example.
Our trip to Canada was very enjoyable, but I must admit very far from being a rest cure! We only spent four days in each place, which meant living out of a suitcase, which I really dislike. The wedding went extremely well. It was held in a golf club looking out over the Bow River in Edmonton – a lovely location. It was very simple and informal but everyone present found it moving. We met a great many of my new daughter-in-law’s relatives, who made us feel very welcome. The nicest part was the fact that they all think Robin is a lovely guy and are glad he is marrying Erin! My elder son and his wife and two children were there as well, which I was very pleased about.
After that we all went up to Banff, which allowed us to have some quality time together as a family. The more intrepid went white water rafting and we all went horseback riding. After that the family went home and David and I went on to Jasper, where there is more spectacular scenery to be enjoyed. However, the pleasure was somewhat dampened for me by toothache. I developed an infection under a tooth soon after we arrived in Canada and by Jasper I was forced to seek the help of a dentist. He recommended root canal work, but we were not there long enough for him to carry it out and my own dentist back here cannot fit me in until Sept 10th! So I am currently existing on a diet of antibiotics and painkillers.
Back to work now! I am scheduled to give a talk to the Ellesmere Port Ladies Luncheon Club next Tuesday and there are some finishing touches to be made to Twice Royal Lady. Then I must start thinking about the next book.
Wishing you all the best
Hilary