Well, it's almost over!

 

Dear Readers!

This year has been an odd one for all of us. Difficult, frustrating, disappointing and peculiar, is how we will all remember 2020. I have heard many readers say that they’ve had a hard time concentrating on books this year, with too many other things to focus on and everything being upside down. Well, unfortunately, it’s been equally challenging for most of the authors I know too!

You may have noticed that my output has diminished this year, as life has overtaken me slightly with other concerns. I know many of you have been waiting eagerly for Bespoke III (A Deadly Shade of Night), and I can promise that Lucy and Tolly’s latest adventure will soon be released. It has simply taken me longer than I hoped to get it right and I didn’t want to rush out with an inferior product, just to hit a deadline. I had hoped to get a Christmas novella out this year also, but I cannot promise that at this time. For now, I have reduced the price on last year’s release, THE SNOWDROP, so if you haven’t had the chance to purchase a copy yet, now is your moment. Grab THE SNOWDROP before it melts!

In the meantime, as we approach the holiday season and the end of this year, I decided to look on the bright side and collect a list of all my favourite things from 2020 – the things that went right for me (rather than all the things that went wrong!) and that I’d like to share with you. It’s a very random list, but all the items (and people) on it have helped me to get through this year and, without exaggerating, they have become my go-to treasures. Some I’ve only just discovered and some I’ve known for years.

So here is the First Annual List of Fresina’s Favourites. (In no particular order).

 

1. SAM, the man behind the author. He will cheerfully admit to knowing nothing about writing, but his efforts to help fix the occasional plot holes have kept me laughing for 32 years.
2. The MOTHER-IN-LAW, Kathy, who continues her tireless promotional efforts on my behalf in airports the length and breadth of the country. Also a provider of very good wine and eggplant parmigiana, without which my writing would never flow as smoothly.
3.  KELLIE, the brains AND the muscle behind TWISTED E-PUBLISHING, who continues to work with me despite my lack of focus this year and generally shocking laziness. Another fabulous friend and supporter, who often pulls me up by the collar, shakes me about and slaps my cheek when I need reinvigorating. Also a technical wizard, who patiently puts up with my luddite distrust of “computer machines”.
4. MIMI MATTHEWS. One of my all-time favourite authors put out several great books this year, especially GENTLEMAN JIM, which I can heartily recommend. And now she has a well-deserved book deal with Berkley, so there is more to look forward to! Congratulations, Mimi. A friend and an inspiration.
5. EVERYTHING HE NEVER SAID. I am very proud of this book that my siblings and I worked on together, using the memoirs our father left for us. It is a story we wanted to get done for a long time and finally, this year, it all came together. 
6. ROSES ARE BLUE, a book review site where Rose manages to read and review everything I send her. She has been a great encouragement to keep writing, giving glowing endorsements to some of my babies that almost nobody else has read (The Crollalanzas anyone?).
7.  THE CROWN. Netflix drama that I stupidly binge-watch in one afternoon, so that I have to spend a year waiting for the next season. Relaxation for the brain when not writing.
8. NOT ON THE HIGH STREET. Internet site that helps small business and little specialty boutiques get their products online for sale globally. One of the very few companies from which I can order and trust that they will deliver safely to family overseas without incident. In a year when travel was hopeless, it was good to know I could still get things delivered, even if I couldn’t see people personally.
9. CHEWY.com. Somehow, while so many others failed this year, they managed to maintain a prompt delivery service (within 24 hours of online order, even on a weekend). Their products continue to keep my fur babies, well fed, happy and occupied while “numpty mummy” is pretending she’s a writer. And I don’t even have to venture out of my house.
10. Last but not least – YOU – the readers who buy and enjoy my books, and then come here to see what I’m babbling on about now. Please don’t forget to leave reviews online, if you’ve enjoyed a story (mine or anybody else’s). It has been a challenging year for all of us, but we still need to know that you’re out there reading. You keep us eager to write new stories. Thank you! 

(Photos of Gracie, a puppy who helped me compile this list on the condition that I use her naughty/nice photos. She's quite an actress.)