It really has been the longest time since I last blogged. My life suddenly became so busy, I was barely able to make it through the days, let alone find the time to sit down and blog about them. So, again, I am sorry, if you are reading this, sorry that it has taken so long for me to catch you up on all that has happened.

First of all, on a personal note, after suffering for three months working at my local supermarket - what an awful job, I totally respect anyone who works for any length of time in establishments like this - I now appreciate how hard they work, what they have to put up with from ignorant, lazy and downright rude members of the public, and how undervalued and underpaid they are. Anyway, I have found another job which is much nicer and I started there this week, much to my relief.

I celebrated my 50th Birthday and my daughter celebrated her 14th. Big barbecue parties for both, for once the weather behaved itself and a good time was had by all.

Book number five was also published, my fast-paced, action packed, romantic suspense novel, Lost & Found. A bit of a departure from my normal genre, in that it's shorter than usual, and gallops along at a far old pace. A punchy, roller coaster of a read, it's doing rather well and, as the reviews begin to trickle in, it looks like people are really enjoying it. First in a planned seven part series, Lost & Found tells the story of Luke Blackwood, one of the amazing Blackwood clan. A family of strong men and even stronger women. I am totally in love with the Blackwoods, and if you'd like to get the whole backstory on them, then check out my author's review on here.

I had an unexpected gift of a two week break between leaving one job and starting the next. Determined not to waste that gift, I decided to try and write the sequel to Lost & Found in that time, so set myself the challenge of writing a 50,000 novel in a fortnight. Setting aside everything else, I literally wrote myself into a frenzy everyday, some days only managing 2500 words, other days much more. One day I even managed a staggering 7100 words! Developing complete tunnel vision on the book, I lived, breathed and slept this story with my characters, When I wasn't writing, I was editing what I'd done. Every day I posted word tallies on social media, cheered on by followers and friends. Did I do it? I am happy to report that, yes, I did. With one day to spare, I wrote the words The End, at a final tally of 50,077 words. The book has now gone off to beta readers, and I will be very interested to see what they make of a book written at such speed. Hopefully, it will be published later this month, and I will keep you up to date on its progress.

Also on the horizon, is a literature festival that is being held in my local town. It is the first one that's ever been held here, and is very exciting news for all local authors. I and many others, will have a stand on which to sell, promote and sign our books, and I am also holding an hour long talk on my road to getting published, passing on tips and helpful advice to all aspiring novelists. So, lots of work to do preparing for that.

That's all my news for now, and again I apologise for the rather sporadic nature of my blogs, and promise, as usual, to try and post more regularly. As ever, I would love to hear from you either on here or on Instagram or Facebook where you can find me under Julia Blake Author.

Take care everyone.