It promises to be a busy year, with a new novella in February and a novel in August.
Matilda's Retreat
Decades later, another couple own the now ruinous house. For Diana, her initial reluctance to move in soon takes a leap forward when she sees something that shouldn’t be there. But as major renovations proceed – and the library starts to reveal its secrets – her mounting fears prove to be only the beginning of her nightmare.
Soon, she will discover the legends of Matilda’s Retreat are not consigned to the annals of history, as her life changes forever.
1940. Pamela Courtney is evacuated to Chanterlands – the home of her aunts: Jilly, the eccentric one, who dreams of her days as a star of the silver screen, and Bunny, the pragmatic one.
But Chanterlands is home to more than just the living. There’s the spectral lonely boy in whose room Pamela sleeps, and, in the long-neglected attic, she discovers a sinister secret of this once-great house. But greater danger awaits Pamela during that summer long ago when war raged all over Europe and the safety her mother had wished for her took a dark and fatal turn.
2025 has been a year of ups and downs for so many people. I know many of you have been battling serious illness, or have had to watch those you care deeply about suffer through them. In some ways, seeing someone you love in pain, and being helpless to do anything to relieve it, is worse - and I say that as someone who has been on both sides of that fence over the years. If you recognize yourself here, please know that I send you all my heartfelt sympathy and best wishes. I hope 2026 will be kinder to you and those you count as friends and family.
But this year has also had its joys. To those of you who have welcomed new family members, new lovers, partners, animals, exciting new jobs/opportunities/publishing contracts et al - all power to you. May 2026 see the good stuff come to fruition.
Most of all, I wish you all peace - of mind and body - time to pause and reflect on the good things, and hope. For, without hope what are we? Never lose hope. It may all turn out differently from what you expected or wished for, but a positive mental attitude (coupled with a healthy dose of sheer bloodymindedness) will give you the ammunition you need to keep on fighting. I know. I've been there. And, guess what? I'm still here!
Happy Christmas, Happy Holidays and may 2026 bring you peace and joy.
