Hello!
First of all, a very happy New Year to you and your loved ones, and I hope 2022 is one of good health and happiness for us all. I reckon we deserve it after almost two years of covid craziness...
I am starting the New Year buzzing with plans and resolutions.
Personally, I have set myself the goal of doing ten minutes of yoga every day. I'm also planning to sign up for a 10k run in the spring. I figure this should give me plenty of incentive to keep running during the dark winter months!
After two years of on-and-off lockdowns, Adrian and I are itching to travel, and we're hoping to fit in a few trips this year.
We already have a week of walking and cycling in Snowdonia booked and we're hoping to head to France for a long weekend with Adrian's parents in late spring. Plans are also afoot for a week in the Lake District this summer so we can climb Scafell Pike.
That would be two of the UK's three highest peaks under our belts, after our climb up Mount Snowdon last summer.
We're also looking into the possibility of cycling the length of Hadrian's Wall after falling in love with beautiful Northumberland last year.
So there is much to look forward to!
I have also been planning my writing year and have lots I want to achieve.
My first book of the year will be the 11th in the pony adventure series for children I have been writing under my married name, Amanda Wills, for the last ten years.
It will mean a gear shift after writing two domestic thrillers in a row, but making up stories about ponies is about as comforting and familiar as pulling on my favourite pair of slippers, so I know I'll enjoy it.
After that, it'll be another AJ McDine book. I'll keep you posted!
Talking about domestic thrillers, I was so grateful to author and television presenter Jackie Kabler for taking the time to read and review The Promise You Made.
Jackie's twisty books dominate the genre, so I was over the moon to hear she enjoyed the book right up to the final page cliffhanger.
Her five-star review made my week!
While I'm on the subject of reviews, I have a little favour to ask. If you have read any of my books or listened to any of the audiobooks, would you spare a moment to rate or review them on Amazon and/or Goodreads? It would mean so much to me. 😊
In other book news, I am delighted that the supremely talented Fiona Mitchell is back in the booth recording the audiobook of The Promise You Made.
Fiona, pictured left, did a fantastic job of narrating No One I Knew, and I just know she's going to absolutely smash The Promise You Made. I can't wait to hear it!
With a bit of luck the audiobook will be out this spring. Stay tuned for updates.
And finally, Amazon has picked No One I Knew for a US Kindle Daily Deal TODAY, Saturday, January 8.
The book is just 99c until midnight, a rather lovely saving of two dollars. Here's the link if you want to take advantage of this fab deal:
This is just a US deal for now, but don't forget all my books are FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited wherever you are in the world.
That's all from me for now. Until next time,
Amanda