Mum’s and new Year’s Resolutions
Hi everyone.
Two weeks ago I swore I would make good on my New Year’s resolution to send out my newsletter every two weeks. Well, it has been two weeks since I sent that out and here we are!
I now need to have a rest, preferably with a nice cup of hot tea and some digestive biscuits. But first things first. Many of you will receive and read this on or before February 1st.
This date is very important to me because it was my late Mum’s birthday. It is also the Christian feast of St Bridget. My mother was baptised Bridget as a result. For those of you who have read my Isle of Wesberrey stories, ‘Bridget’ and ‘February 1st’ will also ring some bells because St Bridget’s is the name of Reverend Jess Ward’s parish and February 1st was the date of her installation.
In fact, the whole Wesberrey series was heavily influenced by my mother, though sadly she passed before I finished writing book one, Holy Homicide. I released the prequel – Jubilee Jinks (which you will have been able to access for free as a thank you for signing up to this newsletter) on February 1st 2020, just six months after she died.
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/o4v0zyjk8r
It’s crazy to believe that was four years ago. So much has happened to all of us. In my head, I still think it’s 2020. Covid and lockdown really messed with my concept of time! And so much has happened with my writing as well.
Teaming up with the awesome Steve Higgs pushed me to get my author game on. This time last year, we were releasing the Wesberrey series. Eight books, one after another. Hitting bestseller lists on Amazon and getting coveted orange ribbons left, right and centre. I hope my Mum was looking down with pride.
So much of Jess’s story and the character of her mother, Beverley, was inspired by my Mum. She too was one of three sisters, though to my knowledge none of them were protectors of the triple wells. She was widowed at an early age. And, Mum had a steely, pragmatic view of life. Her emotions were held tightly in for fear of being seen as vulnerable, but she would walk over hot coals to protect her children.
I miss her dearly.
My Mum also loved a good murder mystery. It was one thing we shared in common. I have many fond memories of debating a whodunit to her. She particularly loved period dramas and one of her absolute favourites was the Australian TV series – Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/miss-fishers-murder-mysteries
Whenever I want to feel reconnected I will rewatch these on Acorn TV. Do you have that streaming service? I love it because it is rammed to the brim with cosy mysteries and more light-hearted police procedurals.
One of my favourites is The Brokenwood Mysteries from New Zealand. https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/the-brokenwood-mysteries
You can’t beat a bit of feel-good television when the world is going loop-de-loop around you.
So, I will leave you to do some escaping of your own. I am going to grab that cup of tea I mentioned earlier, some of those biscuits, and put on an episode of Miss Fisher.
Until next time,
Much love,
Penelope
x
