I'm very pleased to announce ...

... that, after much searching, I have finally found a new publisher. Read on for more details ...

Last year, Darkstroke Books decided to leave the publishing business.  They formally closed the company on September 30th.  My Jacques Forêt series of mysteries were written, pored over, edited and published during my eight years with them.  Darkstroke also provided me with opportunities to try my hand at other types of writing.  The Dark World series of charity anthologies they instigated and published became the perfect place for Le Corbeau Blanc and Treading - two short stories in very different genres.  The first is a monologue spoken by the spirit of a white raven (yes, I know, really weird!), and the second is a historical mystery about Deal Porters on the docks in London.  I doubt I could have placed either of those pieces of writing anywhere had it not been for Darkstroke.  To say that I will miss everyone at Darkstroke is a massive understatement.  I cut my writing teeth with that publisher and alongside a cadre of excellent authors.  Luckily, I remain connected to my previous colleagues through social media and occasionally catch up with some of them in person, too.

But things change.  Being faced with finding a new publisher was very daunting.  I rarely, if ever, walk away from a challenge, no matter how difficult it may seem at the outset.  As a result, I am very pleased to say that I have signed a contract with Northodox Press.  The company describes itself as 'an independent publisher established in 2020, based in Sheffield and Manchester.'  Their stated mission is 'to elevate northern voices and represent the diversity of writing from Northern England.'  As a Yorkshire lass, born and bred, there was no way I could walk away from that!  I am overwhelmed that Northodox think that my cosy little mysteries are worth their investment.  I am also looking forward to what I hope will be a long and fruitful working association.

In practical terms, all of this means that my Jacques Forêt stories will be republished over the coming weeks and months.  I will, of course, update readers about the publishing schedule once it is finalised.  A new contract also means that the seventh book, Meyrueis, will be published later this year, and the following two books now have a publishing home as well.  I can not begin to describe the sense of relief that I feel knowing that Jacques, his son, his colleagues and the villagers of Messandrierre are in the safe hands of Northodox Press.  For me, there could not have been a more fitting start to 2025.

If you are also a writer who lives in, or is from the north of England and want to know more about Northodox, then check out their website Here

If you want to know more about Meyrueis, please watch this space and, in particular, look out for my April Author Challenge.

Rivers of France…

…I’m beginning my journey along the river La Loire today. Read on…

Last July I started this new series with the idea that I would champion the ‘His and Hers’ rivers of France. My first post, which you can read Here, took readers along the length of Le Loir. Today, I’m back with the commencement of a journey along the length of the sister river, La Loire.

At 1,006 kilometres (that’s 625 miles) in length, La Loire is the longest river in France. It is also a fleuve rather than a rivière. A fleuve is a river that flows into the sea. A rivière flows from its source into one or more other rivers or fleuves. In that respect, La Loire has got points over her little brother! The river drains over 45,000 square miles of land, which represents more than a fifth of the country's total area. In addition, she gives her name to six different départements, but she flows through a total of twelve of them on the journey from her source in the Cévennes to the Atlantic Ocean at St-Nazaire.

La Loire rises at 1,350 metres (4,430 feet) above sea level on one side of Le Gerbier de Jonc in the département of Ardèche in the north-eastern quarter of the fabulously rugged scenery of the Cévennes. The nearest town is Ste-Eulalie. At this point, the river is a shadow of its more mature self. From the Cévennes, the river flows pretty much north until it reaches Orléans, where she takes a left-turn and continues her route to the northwest
corner of the Bay of Biscay.

At its source, it’s a particularly disappointing pool of brownish water. The river meanders down and around the mountain in a mostly northerly fashion. Because of the varied geography of the route of the river it is divided into sections. The upper reaches stretch from the source to its confluence with the Allier. This is the least navigable part of the river, which runs through a steep, narrow valley that is heavily wooded. The middle section runs from the confluence with the Allier across a much broader alluvial plain to the confluence with the river Maine. The final section is from the Maine to the estuary, where the river flows into the sea. It is these latter two sections that I will be travelling along for the most part.

For my next post, I will be taking you to Digoin, a small town that sits on the river La Loire, a little before meeting the Allier on one side of Nevers. I hope you will join me on February 4th

If you would like to read my journey along Le Loir, just click the links below…

Châteaudun  Vendôme  Vendôme part 2  Montoire-sur-le-Loir  La Flèche and Durtal

Another year begins ...

... and it will undoubtedly bring new challenges, opportunities, and perhaps some disappointments, too.  But January is also a significant turning point.  I believe it was the Romans who portrayed their god Janus as having two faces – one looking back and the second looking in the opposite direction.  He was seen as the god of beginnings, transitions and gateways.  Indeed, in the city of Rome there is a large archway, Arco di Giano, that once stood at one side of an open space.  Janus also presided over the beginning and ending of conflict.  During war, the city gates were closed, and when peace returned, the city gates were re-opened.  For me, January is a time for reflection and an opportunity to consider what the future might bring.
Last year was difficult, both professionally and personally.  Professionally, I had to find a new publisher for my books after Darkstroke made the difficult decision to quit the industry.  The search for new representation for my stories took a lot of time and effort throughout 2024. Finally, I am very pleased to say that I am hoping to have some exciting news in the very near future.
Personally, 2024 brought sadness, worry, and the loss of two close friends.  Regrettably, this new year is already tinged with some of the same melancholy.
Despite that, there is a whole calendar of time ahead, and I’ve put in place some great plans.  The #RiversofFrance series of posts will continue, and I will be taking readers along the length of La Loire.  We will begin our journey before the end of this month.  There will be fabulous châteaux to visit, scenery to explore and plenty of little towns and villages with their own odd bits of history hidden in the streets and buildings.  And no doubt there will be visits to various pâtisseries along the way!
Other authors will occasionally visit the blog.  In February, I will be introducing you to Raphael Sóne, author of The Corisco Conspiracy.  I will follow that up in March with a guest post from Bill Yarborough who will be telling us all about his latest book.

As always, I have some really interesting books for review.  The first of these is The Lost King of France.  Look out for that post in February.

There will be news about Jacques Forêt's next case, Meyrueis.  This is the seventh mystery in the series, and it has been lodged in the back of my mind for far too long.  Finding a new publisher took precedence last year.  As I'm now back at my writing desk, look out for my writing challenge in April, when I will be posting daily about books, writing, and Jacques's next story.

In addition, 2025 is shaping up to be a busy year with various bookselling and book-speaking events.  The first of these is on February 5th.  I hope you will be able to join me, Gianetta Murray and Ann Wedgwood as we discuss cosy crime writing at Leeds Central Library at 6:00 p.m.  It would be really great to see you there if you can make it.  The link to book your place at the event is Here   

As always, the #FranceFridayPhotos will continue throughout this year and beyond, interspersed with shots from #OffMyBeatenTrack travels.  In that respect, I have some interesting locations already planned for visits.

To start this year's series of photos, the shot above is the river Sarthe at Sablé (72) in northwestern France.

It's great to be back and I hope you will continue reading the blog ...

Just to wish you all...

... a peaceful and happy New Year for ...