A Much Busier Month Than I Realised…

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A Much Busier Month Than I Realised…

It’s funny, I’ve been delaying writing this blog until after my mum’s 97th birthday because I didn’t think I’d been up to much in July… then I checked the photos on my phone and realised it was actually super busy and I’ve got lots to share, so I’d better get on with it!


Firstly though, I hope you’ll join me in wishing my mum a Happy 97th Birthday yesterday. We don’t get to see her as often as we would like with work commitments and at the moment a seemingly endless run of health check-ups, but we definitely wanted to see her on her special day. Originally, my sister had planned to drive down from her home in Scotland for a few days but unfortunately, she wasn’t feeling well, and we didn’t want to risk Mum catching anything. And our daughter, Sophie couldn’t make it either
as her partner, Reece’s mum shares the same birthday, and they were hosting.

But my husband, Chris, our son, Dan and Quin the dog made the journey up the M1 and A46 to my mum’s home in the outskirts of Nottingham. My brother and his wife were also there for a while, so it was a bit of a house full!

I’d spent Saturday morning baking as Mum had requested one of my broccoli and walnut quiches for her birthday lunch and of course, I had to make the Roberts family traditional chocolate birthday cake! I’d also made some cheese spelt scones but managed to forget to take them.

We spent a lovely few hours with Mum who is still very agile both physically and mentally. In fact, she has always loved writing and has just finished writing a children’s short story about cats which with a few tweaks is going to be very good. Don’t tell Quin the dog about the cat story though or he might get jealous. To be fair, we were a bit worried that he might get over excited and be barky (he’s a Dachshund/ Jack Russell cross so can be quite vocal) but he was as good as gold. So, we had a lovely day yesterday, some precious moments to store in the memory bank.


Going back to the beginning of July though, which seems such a long time ago now, I had two book events to attend, the first of which was my publisher, Bookouture’s summer party at a venue beside the River Thames. This photo is with my editor, Ruth who I’ve subsequently met up with for a ‘working’ lunch to discuss what I’m going to be writing next. I’ve been struggling a bit with a number of personal issues since The Dilemma was published last October and this has affected my ability and inclination to write.
Ruth has been incredibly understanding and patient, but I do need to get back to writing so she has given me a deadline of the end of August as we both agree I respond well when the pressure is on.

I’ve promised a synopsis of a three-book family saga (the first book synopsis is done already), the first two chapters of the book I’m supposed to be writing and also two new story ideas for DCI Rachel Hart as there has been a huge amount of interest in the series since the free download on Little Girl Missing
began in early June. She is still in the top 100 free books chart (number 51 as I write this) and in the top 20 in both Crime Thrillers and Police Procedurals. She has also more than doubled her Amazon ratings/reviews to almost 3700 in just two months which is very gratifying.

Alison Keenan, my friend and recently retired colleague from QVC, is just finishing reading Little Girl Missing (she has What He Did and Why She Died ready to move on to) and has been giving me updates and lovely feedback as she has sped through the chapters. Ali is a writer herself, so comments like, ‘It’s really tense! The dialogue is so believable and engaging. Great characters too’, are really heart-warming.

The free promotion on Little Girl Missing (still running as I write) has meant a lot of new readers discovering my work and it’s not only my Bookouture books that are selling well. My self-published books are having their best month ever. I’m particularly pleased for Alice in Theatreland, a book I feel a great affinity with. Someone recently commented about it on my Instagram, ‘I read that book in less than two days and absolutely adored it. I kept thinking, “This would make a great movie.”’ I completely agree, done a la ‘A Chorus Line’ with original songs and music by my husband. Any takers?

Funnily enough, Kim Nash the Digital Publicity Director at Bookouture was talking to me about ‘Alice’ at the party. She’d read it before I signed with Bookouture almost five years ago and still remembers the impact it made on her. Maybe the time is right for Alice to take centre stage.


I didn’t manage to get a photo with Kim at this year’s party, but I did get a selfie with Noelle Holten another member of the publicity team. Notice I’m wearing the same dress as I wore to Mum’s birthday as it’s one of her favourites on me… White Stuff from QVC if you’re interested.

I managed to find a different dress to wear to the book launch party I attended the following day with my daughter, Sophie. Dancing Out Of Love is the second book by Anna Cookson my former ‘dressing room roomie’ at QVC who currently hosts the weekday breakfast show on BBC Radio Kent. It was lovely
to see her, and the evening was very entertaining with a performance of Flamenco dancing to tie in with the theme of the book.

Anna attended the launch party for my first novel, Life’s a Beach and Then which unbelievably was eight years ago, as did Simon Wilson of Butler & Wilson fashion jewellery fame! We have recently celebrated his 28th anniversary on QVC, so I was looking through some old photos of us over the years.


This one was taken in 2012 at an event called Model’s Night In that he hosted at his shop in South Molten Street and is with our gorgeous model Ali Bailey who I’m sure some of you will have seen on various TV commercials.

He has since closed that shop, but still has his Fulham Road flagship store where he kindly hosted the book launch for my first ever book, my memoir, One Hundred Lengths of the Pool, back in 2013.


I think our favourite photo though is this one from circa 2003. I was loaned this amazing vintage gown to host a show from a manor house near Hemel Hempsted. The setting was spectacular, but it was in the middle of winter and despite a roaring log fire we had goosebumps on our goosebumps!

Simon has been so much more to me than a QVC guest over the past 28 years. This shot was taken in the back garden of his home with his cat, Bella in my arms. And before you think he has a waterfall in his back garden, it’s actually a clever piece of artwork to create the illusion.


I have artwork of a different kind in my back garden. Once a year, Dennis, the gardener who does all the big jobs in my garden for me, sculpts my leylandii hedge – pretty fabulous isn’t it?


Well, I’ve rambled on quite enough, so you deserve a treat for sticking with me. As I’ve been chatting about Alice in Theatreland, the competition this month is to win a signed copy and this rather gorgeous V & A lined journal.

It’s a simple question, so no multiple choice on this one;
What does V & A stand for?
Leave your answer in a comment below before midnight on 31st August and
the winner will as ever be randomly selected… Good luck!
That’s it from me for now
Much love
Julia xx

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Comments

  1. Hi Julia, love your dress and your Mum looks wonderful. The answer is Victoria and Albert. I also think I’ve said before your hedge looks amazing. Lots of love Karen Rix

    Reply

    • Hi Julia it stands for Victoria Albert museum lovely pictures Julia of you and your mum love the picture of you wearing the gorgeous butler Wilson dress hope you are well x

      Reply

  14. Answer: Victoria and Albert
    Go on wearing the blue dress, it really suits you. Your mother has dress sense!
    Good to see all the photos of various events. Keep them safe in the ‘memory bank’!
    Best wishes with the next book.

    Reply

  16. Hi Julia

    Great photos of your mum she looks amazing for her age. The answer to your competion is Victoria and Albert.

    Best wishes

    Julie Bourne

    Reply

  20. Hi Julia
    I have a signed copy of One Hundred Lengths in the Pool and look forward to the next book.
    The answer to the competion is Victoria and Albert.
    Take care x

    Reply

  22. Hi your mum is fantastic lost my aunt is may four days before my birthday she was 99 and eight months old the answer is Victoria and Albert museum

    Reply

  23. Gorgeous photos Julia , wow 97 , congratulations to your amazing mum , glad you all had a lovely day , the cake looks yummy , well done Julia 🥳🎉🎶🎈🎂🎁🍾🥂💕x

    Reply

  28. Thank you again for an interesting blog. I take a lady of 102 to church and like your mum is pretty agile and has all her marbles!
    I won a prize recently so do not expect to win again but Victoria and Albert is the answer – a museum in South Kensington.

    Reply

  30. Hi Julia..
    The answer is Victoria and Albert..
    Just wanted to say your mum is an amazing lady…my dad is 93 and like your mum never sits still . Fantastic isn’t it. Xx

    Reply

  33. Hi Julia,
    The answer is Victoria and Albert Julia
    Lovely newsy blog and photos, your have been busy ! hope your Mum had a lovely Birthday, she looks amazing take good care lots of love Marion xx 💕

    Reply

  35. A belated happy 97th birthday to your lovely mum. She looks absolutely fabulous and as a cat lover, I love that she’s written a children’s short story about cats.

    I’d love to read Alice in Theatreland as I’ve heard so many good things about this book. That bird-themed V & A lined journal looks great too! The answer to the competition question is: Victoria and Albert. I’ll keep my fingers crossed!

    Reply

  36. Hi Julia
    Your mum looks fabulous, hope she had a very happy birthday.

    The answer to the question is Victoria and Albert.

    Reply

  38. Hi julia lovely to read what you have been up to such a busy lady ❤️❤️the answer is Victoria and Albert xx

    Reply

  40. Ooh lovely prize Thankyou
    The answer is Victoria & Albert
    So lovely to see you with your Mum💗 precious times. Im spending as much time as I can with my Mum after losing my Dad recently.
    You always look wonderful Julia 😍 particularly enjoyed the Butler & Wilson section of your blog. You looked amazing ! Im a huge fan of Simons and been fortunate to meet him when I visited his shop such a lovely man & a beautiful shop. Take care x

    Reply

  43. Hi Julia I’ve enjoyed reading this so much. Oh I almost forgot the answer is Victoria and Albert. xxx❤️❤️

    Reply

  44. You were such a busy bee Julia Roberts loved your blog & you always look lovely. The answer to your question is Victoria & Albert. Have a lovely rest of the year 😊

    Reply

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