A Year of Change... Now On to the Next One!

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas. We've had a wonderful one with friends and family in a very snowy Canada. Watching the fluffy flakes drift through the air on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was downright magical. Add Baby TR's first birthday and a visit from Santa to the mix, and you have some very fun-filled days.

Fun in the snow our first week in Canada.

Santa makes a house call!

Baby TR's first birthday.

The wonderful snowy scene!

Christmas morning anticipation.

And now on to 2014!  The past year has been a strange one for me, filled with a lot of change as I got used to my new role as mother while adjusting to writing at a slower pace than usual. But I'm pleased that amidst the sleepless nights, I managed to start and finish a novel and a novella, get a wonderful agent, sign a publishing contract with Amazon Publishing, and copy edit The Pollyanna Plan for re-release next March! And, of course, I'm proud that my little guy is growing into a very active, spirited (!!), fun boy who I'm enjoying more every day.

 However, I am disappointed that I haven't been able to make the blog rounds as much as I'd like. By the time the evening rolls around, I'm so tired, I usually fall asleep on the sofa. I miss you all and I try my best to keep up on all of the news... thank you to those who continue to read this blog and leave comments. They are greatly appreciated and always read! Your support for me over the past year and before has meant a lot.

So my resolutions for next year? Well, I just want to keep up with everything and continue doing what I'm doing -- hopefully well. I plan to start in on my next novel upon my return to London next week, and I'm crossing my fingers for the release of The Pollyanna Plan and then The No-Kids Club next June.

I wish you all a wonderful last day of 2013. Bring on the next year!

Home for Christmas

Happy Friday, all! I'm a bit late posting this week owing to the topsy-turviness of travelling across the Atlantic. And if I'm a little mixed up, then Baby TR is downright befuddled. He's spent the past five nights waking at 3 a.m. and wanting to play!

Apart from a little (okay, a lot) of sleep deprivation, we've had a great time in Canada so far. Despite my worries, Baby TR performed admirably well on the seven-hour flight. He didn't sleep a wink (too much to look at!) but he kept his ear-piercing shrieking mostly to himself.

And since we arrived, we've gone to Prince Edward Island to see my grandmother and other relatives, played in the snow, and done A LOT of eating.

We arrived the day before the first big snowstorm of the year.

Baby TR's first taste of snow.

And more snow!

Do you see a theme here?

Today, we will be putting up the tree, and next week we have Baby TR's first year celebrations, along with Christmas! Yay!

I will be back before the New Year, but until then... Merry Christmas, everyone.

Writers Who Lunch

The past week has been a bit of a blur, what with getting ready for our trip to Canada this Saturday, celebrating an early Christmas with my stepdaughter, and two Christmas lunches!

The first one was last Saturday at The Lamb in Holborn, for the RNA London Chapter.

Me and Giselle Green.

It wouldn't be an RNA event without wine!

Chattering writers.

And today, I've just returned from a wonderful lunch with Notting Hill Press writers.

Me, Michele Gorman, Victoria Connelly, Matt Dunn, Chris Manby

Delicious dessert!

I am off to pack like the wind - and run copious cycles of laundry - so have a fantastic week! I shall see you on the other side of the Pond.

Until then... gratuitous baby shot!

Winter Wonderland... Sort Of

I've only just realised I forgot to post yesterday! Time is flying by at the speed of light, and the countdown to our Canada departure is on.

In the meantime, though, I've been enjoying the delights of London. Last weekend, we walked through Hyde Park to the madness that is Winter Wonderland. Every year, a Bavarian Village, Christmas market, and plenty of fair rides invade the park. It's a little crazy.

Glorious autumn day in Hyde Park.

The Bavarian Village.

Like a moth to a flame...

In writing news! I had a meeting with my agent, who likes the idea for my next novel. Phew! I'm looking forward to working on something new when I return from Canada in January.

And that's all from London. See you next week!