So many people help to support an author and their writing. Here are my heartfelt thanks:
Family. I want to remember a very special lady, my mother-in-law Tessa, who sadly died over twenty years ago. I can picture her making fairy cakes with my daughter, who was then a toddler perched on a stool beside her granny, licking the leftover mixture from a spoon. Memories that make me think of Jill and Maisy in the book. Tessa would have loved to have been able to see her grandchildren grow up into the wonderful young adults they have become. She was a wonderful, kind woman who made me feel very welcome in her family.
My children, Amie and Harry, and their partners, Toby and Rowan. My little grandson Alfie and my husband Richard – thank you for everything. And a big hello and thank you to my sister, brothers, Mum and Dad, and to all the wider family too.
Friends. Thank you to my writing community friends: the fabulous book bloggers, and the wonderful Romantic Novelists’ Association who are celebrating their 60th Anniversary this year. I also consider my talented editor, Charlotte Brabbin, and all the team at HarperCollins and One More Chapter as friends, having worked closely with them over the past five years. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to become a published author – a dream I had long cherished and worked towards. Hannah Ferguson, my lovely agent and the team at Hardman & Swainson – a big thank you.
Farming friends, Helen and Johnny Renner and Jane and Duncan Ord, who helped advise on farming life in Northumberland, kindly answering my many questions to inform the Pudding Pantry books – your support is much appreciated. Thanks also to Susan Green, the inspiration behind the Pudding Pantry idea, with her fabulous local business, ‘The Proof of the Pudding’.
Jo Hume – a real-life baking queen, thank you so much for the recipe for the raspberry meringues, and also for the wonderful samples left on my doorstep.
Jenna Brigham – a big thank you for sharing your wedding cake recipe which you made for your own wedding.
And I can’t forget all my other friends – glass of prosecco and a chat anyone? Cheers folks.
Food. Food, family and friends, the perfect combination. My enjoyment of food and cooking hopefully shines through in my books. That’s why I love to share recipes. Enjoy and happy baking!
This strange new world in 2020. The past few weeks have been very difficult with the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The world has become an uncertain and challenging place. I hope you manage to find a little solace between these pages. Books can be a magical place to escape, to find new adventures and to learn new things. Thank you to all of the above people whose work and support has helped make this book happen, especially at such a difficult time. And warm thanks to you, my readers. A book really is nothing until it is shared and read.
Take care all!