. Not a first review for the latest novel but a sneak preview of what's coming up! I've been working really hard at my sequel to Secrets of the Shingle and have just shared the first seven chapters with a good friend who reads as I write. So what did she have to say about it? 
 Dear Emma, I have been keeping greatly entertained with your Dungeness novel. 
I was on the lookout for your repeating Secrets of the Shingle in a formulaic way, but not at all! In fact, I kept thinking "What, no murders?", then you plunged the reader into the dreamlike tale of  *******. You very cleverly suggested a hypnotic state in Lily through the grey tea, but the outcome of her state is quite unexpected and original. 
What no murders? Could any sequel of Shingle continue without some random bodies strewn about? I have assured my friend that there would soon be a body on the shingle and as I write this I have left the story in limbo. A body has just been discovered, but I have been delayed and so there he/she remains until I have time to continue!

It's been another busy week for me as I continue to promote my novels. On Thursday 7th, I was at the Romney Marsh Visitor Centre, which is always a lovely place to visit and the staff are so welcoming. I was there for a book signing/meet the author event. As always it was good to meet and chat with people. There was an extra bonus as the Goddard Family were displaying their art there (they are there throughout June) and after the book signing I went to meet Philippa and Terry. It was lovely to meet them and to look at all the art by different members of the family. Two days later I went back and bought a print by Emily, but have a feeling I might be back for more.
On Sunday I had a stall at Honeychild Manor for an open farm day. Again, I met some lovely people - the highlight being a man who thought he recognised me from being on The One Show! Not me, I admitted.
On Thursday 14th, it was my first author talk in Mary's Tearooms, Dymchurch. Huge thanks to Mary for inviting me. I had prepared bullet points and some props and spoke about my author journey. It went well and I think everyone enjoyed it. A really good evening in a gorgeous place.

Last summer I discovered that the Fifth Continent group were setting up projects to learn more about the history of Romney Marsh. One of these is a search for the port of Romney - and they are looking for volunteers! Really exciting for me as the port at New Romney was lost during the 1287 storm, which of course features in What the Monk Didn't See. Boats once moored stern to bow along the Rother, all the way past Hope and on to Old Romney (shown here), but by the time of the storm, the river had already silted up and the New Romney area had become the port. 
On Saturday there was a chance for potential volunteers to learn more about the project and training opportunities, so I went along to learn more. What a surprise to find another opportunity which I couldn't resist - next summer the team are hoping to discover the extent of St Martin's church in New Romney and to date it. I know nothing at all about this church, only where it was and that it was all gone by the 16th century, so I'd love to be involved in that too.
I'm working really hard and making good progress on my 20th century sequel to Secrets of the Shingle, but I am sure I'll be lured back to Medieval times for the next novel...

It's still all fun in my world of promoting But First Maintain the Wall. Last Saturday I was at Crafts 4 U at Lathe Barn (you can see my books on the shelf in the picture) for a 'meet the author' and book signing session. It was fantastic to meet people who had come especially to see me and to talk about a shared interest in Romney Marsh. I really appreciate all the support I am getting. All the money raised from book sales goes back into printing and other costs, so a huge THANK YOU to everyone who is buying my paperback and kindle books. 
Coming up is another 'meet the author' at the Romney Marsh Visitor centre on Thurs 7th June between 11 and 2pm.
Then on Thursday 14th June, I am at Mary's Tearooms in Dymchurch to give a talk about my writing and the process of publishing my novels. This starts at 7pm. Thanks to Mary for showing an interest in my work and giving me the opportunity to do this.
Then there are some other plans in the pipeline, including one very interesting proposition, more on that later...
In the meantime, I'm having fun writing the latest novel set at Dungeness.
I love to hear from anyone who has read my books or has an interest in local history, so please do get in touch.