After a bumper year with 142 books read, according to my Kindle, I’ve been really busy. Because of work commitments, I took a slight step back and focused on not overwhelming myself. That didn’t go as well as I had hoped, with a huge number of blog posts while working full-time with rather early starts.
I find the year-in-review posts to be quite difficult, as I have been fortunate to read some truly fabulous books over the last 12 months. I saw an alternative prompt in a Facebook book group and decided that I would give it a whirl, with a few tweaks. Do take a moment to look at The Friendly Book Community, it’s a very special place.
Here we go, with links to my original reviews.
What is your most favourite book of the year?
The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson
A book that was Not your usual genre
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Fairies by Heather Fawcett
Your most favourite Non-human character
Captain Beaky from The Memory of You by Samantha Tonge
A debut novel from a brand new shiny author
The Venice Secret by Anita Chapman
What book turned you into a blubbering wreck
The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Suzy K Quinn
A book that everyone really, really needs to read
The Collaborator’s Daughter by Eva Glynn
A book that made you sigh and think “Ahhhhhhhh that’s better”
The Start of Something Wonderful by Jessica Redland – Gave it a slightly different name in the group! Sorry Jessica
The festive books that jingled your bells (edited for my own benefit)
The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft and Four Weddings and a Christmas by Phillipa Ashley – I genuinely can’t choose between them. Please don’t make me
A book that didn’t have the ending you were expecting…
The Weekend by LH Stacey
If you were stranded on a desert island which One series of books would you take with you.
Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow
Special mentions to The Runes series by Christina Courtenay, The Lakes series by Jessica Redland and Little Duck Pond Café by Rosie Green.
Which new (to you authors) are you excited to read more from?
I’ve recently read my first books by Lizzie Lamb and Milly Johnson – boy, did I get roasted for not having read any previous books by Milly Johnson – Reviews to follow – I’ve also rediscovered Sharon Booth, who I loved from my Kindle Unlimited days.
After meeting the lovely Samantha Tonge in 2022, I wanted to meet some more of my writing heroes, so made a point of saying ‘yes’ to a variety of opportunities. Via social media posts, I became virtual friends with Lynda Stacey who writes as LH Stacey. I’m delighted to say that our friendship is no longer virtual and I am thrilled to know her.
Firstly, I was contacted by the RNA (Romantic Novelists Association) to tell me that I had been nominated and shortlisted for the Media Star of the Year award. I was invited to their Winter Party but was sworn to secrecy.
Lynda Stacey invited me to join her at the RNA Afternoon Tea in York. It was a huge leap outside of my comfort zone, but I loved it! It also led to me committing to read books by Milly Johnson and Sharon Booth. I was thrilled to meet Anne Williams, Jane Lovering and so many more authors. A special mention to Eliza J Scott, with whom I shared a Cian Ducrot moment.
In November, I attended the RNA Winter Party and was touched to learn that Lynda Stacey had arranged for me to sit with Lizzie Lamb and Adrienne Vaughan. I’ve now read my first Lizzie Lamb book and she will feature on my blog when Dark Highland Skies celebrates its book birthday. Of course, I’ve also committed to 2 blog tours for Adrienne Vaughan. At the awards, I met a couple of favourite novelists: Christina Courtenay and Sue Moorcroft. I also got to meet Rachel Gilbey who helped me get started on my blog tour journey.
Not content with all of the above, I arranged to meet up for a coffee with Phillipa Ashley and that turned into nearly three hours and a lunch. We put the world to rights, and I made a new friend.
It’s been a terrific year, and I am already looking forward to what 2024 will deliver.
Thanks for reading
Babs x
Book Escapes with BabsW67 
That’s really lovely, it’s amazing what great friendship we make through books! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Couldn’t agree more. I could have gone on and on. I’ve made some lovely friends in my bookish world. You included x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s been great getting to know you better!! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
So pleased you had a fabulous time at all the events and I couldn’t think of two nicer people for you to have sat with, other than Lizzie and Adrienne. They’re both absolutely lovely. Hope to see you again soon. Lynda x
LikeLiked by 2 people
I genuinely appreciate your kindness x
LikeLike
Lovely to read about your bookish year, Babs – and it was a real pleasure to meet you at last too! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was great to meet you at the RNA Winter Party and Industry Awards,Babs. I hope there are more opportunities in the future. Thanks so much for including me in your 2023 post and for all your support throughout the year, including being a member of Team Sue Moorcroft. Happy New Year. Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I couldn’t not include you! Who knows what 2024 may bring x
LikeLike
Happy New Year Babs and thank you for mentioning Dark Highland Skies on your blog. It was lovely to share a table with you at the RNA Industry Awards back in November. If I looked like a deer caught in the headlilghts it was because I had no real expectation of winning Indie Champion 2023 – yet I did. Enjoy January and I’ll be in touch very soon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy New Year! You and Adrienne were both lovely, I was really nervous but soon relaxed in your company. I’ve already read Dark Highland Skies and I loved it 🥰
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve mentioned you and your blog on My blog today (LOL)
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re very kind. Thank you x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year, Babs. What a lovely list and thank you so much for including The Start of Something Wonderful on it. I giggled at you calling it ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’ on TFBC. Great film! You won’t believe the amount of times I’ve called it that myself instead of the right name! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year! I feel better now that you’ve told me that, it’s a personal favourite of ours. Looking forward to posting my review of A Breath of Fresh Air xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
It might be a few years since I last saw it so I think I’m overdue another watch. Hope you enjoyed A Breath of Fresh Air. Can’t believe it’s out next week! Excited to read your review xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I absolutely adored it x
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very happy New Year Babs, and thanks so much for the ‘honourable’ mention in your roundup of 2023.
Books are just fantastic aren’t they? I’ve made so many special friends through reading and writing, it’s just amazing.
And thanks to dear chums Lizzie Lamb and Lynda Stacey for getting us together, we’ve all been friends for ages due to books!
I’m also delighted to hear you are taking part in the blog tours for my new books. Thank you so much.
Hope it’s not too long till we meet again … until then, happy reading and blogging. Adrienne X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Adrienne
A Happy New Year to you, too! I’m really looking forward to both reading and reviewing your books. Already read Lizzie’s Dark Highland Skies, as that is going to feature in February.
I am genuinely thrilled to have ,met so many authors in the last year and hope to continue with some lovely friendships.
Lynda has been wonderful, with me, and given ,me the confidence to keep going. Babs x
LikeLiked by 1 person