Today, I signed 37 paperbacks with 37 different messages at Waterstones Nuneaton. That's a first for me! I always aim to write a unique comment when signing paperbacks at author talks but I've never thought of so many in one sitting. The store's team were fantastic company throughout the session and even supplied me with tea! 

The four titles being stocked are:
New Beginnings At Rose Cottage
Taking A Chance On Love
From Shetland, With Love
Summer Dreams At The Lakeside Cottage.

You remember the scene, I’m certain – it’s engraved upon all our memories given how long we waited for ‘the moment’. A darkened room, lit by a multitude of flickering candles, a romantic ambience worthy of any marriage proposal and a nervous female awaiting his arrival. ‘You wanted it to be a surprise,’ she says, her voice choked with emotion. The audience whoop and gasp as she lowers herself on to bended knee and looks up into his expectant face.
‘Chandler, in all my life, I never thought I’d be so lucky as to fall in love with my best …’ she stammers, amidst her emotional outpouring, before pausing and tearfully adding, ‘There’s a reason why girls don’t do this!’

Monica’s very honest statement is Chandler’s signal to take over the proceedings and propose in the traditional manner.
     
My question is: ‘Is there a reason why girls don’t do this?’ Is it because we’re simply too emotional to propose without crying? Is it because ‘the moment’ is deemed so precious within social values that females feel too vulnerable to ask for fear of rejection? Or is it the ultimate dividing line between gender equality? Putting it simply, in 2024 does it firmly remain the man’s role in a heterosexual relationship to determine when, where and how long into a relationship he proposes marriage?
     
My book, ‘Taking a Chance on Love’, highlights this particular theme. My story features three independent, successful and sassy women – each with differing views on relationships and marriage. Each woman knows her own mind and lives her life as she deems fit. Carmen can’t wait to be married, Polly is not interested and Dana has no one to ask. With the 29th February fast approaching, will any of them propose and change their fate with a single question?
     
A tradition which began centuries ago, with the additional leap day null and voiding all social rules. According to an old Irish legend, St Brigid made a deal with St Patrick allowing women to propose to men – every four years. So, 29th February is observed as Bachelor’s Day in Ireland, enabling women to initiate courtship and propose marriage, if they wish. Should her proposal be rejected, the male was expected to buy the lady an expensive silk gown by way of an apology.
     
But would you propose? I’ll be honest – I wouldn’t. I’ve conducted plenty of research over the past year and have asked a fair number of women – the majority repeating my answer of ‘no’. Just three women said they would, if it were necessary. Obviously, my next question was how?
     
What struck me was that none of my three ladies would actually go down on bended knee and ask her man outright! Each one would choose an ‘indirect’ method of asking him. I wondered if this was deemed acceptable and would the males accept such an indirect proposal? Several men said they would have been shocked if their partners had proposed – they’d always felt it was their role in the relationship. One man was honest enough to say he would have accepted his partner’s proposal if she’d asked, but would wish for his young daughter to receive a traditional proposal from any future son-in-law. Some men felt that their masculinity was at stake, whilst others suggested it would be the most flattering compliment ever received. The males seemed divided on a range of aspects, unlike the majority of females. So, was Monica right all along? I suspect she could be. 
     
Maybe every proposal, be it Leap Year or otherwise, comes down to a mutual understanding of love and respect in a manner befitting each specific couple, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
​    
​All that’s left for me to say is good luck and best wishes to anyone, male or female, planning to propose this Leap Year. Practice your lines, make your memories and I wish you the very best for a loving future.

My structural edits for July’s book have left the building! I find the editing process a slog as I thrive in the initial creative flare rather than polishing the details. Actually, correction - the polishing is OK. I dislike the structural edits of cutting scenes, moving important information and realigning the details which truly scrambles my brain! I always explain it as building a three-storey house then afterwards being asked to move the staircase to a different position – the task affects at every connection. 
 
Anyway, the edits are now complete so I’m free to spend my days writing my Christmas book 2024, rather than just the first hour of each day. A habit I adopted a while back enabling me to remain engaged with my current project rather than it coming to a halt, when other tasks are needed. Only possible because I’m a planner so know the next required scene. 
 
The Christmas book 2024 is set in Lakeside Cottage with a brand-new scenario for my new cast of characters. Not a scenario I would wish to find myself in but hey ho, I tend to put my leading ladies in a festive pickle and expect them to cope! 

Just a quick reminder should you wish to ‘save your seat’ for my next author talk at Nuneaton library on Monday, 26th February 2024 from 7:30pm. I’ll be chatting about my publication journey, my inspirations, my published books and my current project! There’s a lot to cram in alongside tea and biscuits!
 
I never know who is in the audience, be it avid readers, library users or aspiring authors so I always bring a selection of items as ‘show and tell’ props for answering a range of questions. I’m happy to share my process for planning, organising and writing a book. I’m honest enough to share the errors I made in the early days of writing which ‘delayed’ my chances of publication.
 
I’ll happily sign your paperback copies at the end of the session – so please bring them along.
 
The talk is a free session but spaces are limited, hence the booking system.
 
Press here: event booking link