Following the breakdown of her marriage, Theo has bought a tumbledown cottage on the banks of the river Tamar which divides Cornwall and Devon. The peace and tranquillity of Boatman's Cottage, nestled by the water, is just what she needs to heal.
Welcome to My Creative Notebook, I’ve always been fascinated by the creative process and believe that everyone has their own personal collection of skills and abilities, which just needs time and encouragement to develop.
Finding the time and space to be creative is vital to sustain creativity, one of the most important actions in any day is to seize the moments which sometimes occur when you least expect it; to simply stand and stare, to be inspired by a beautiful view, hear a bird singing, or to watch your family laughing together. Treasure these moments; they form the rich tapestry of living in a creative way.
There are so many amazing sources of inspiration and I hope in this space to share ideas, thoughts, words, books, resources, art, photography, events and interviews, which I hope you will enjoy and find inspiring.
Despite this space being rooted in technology, I see My Creative Notebook as a starting point from which to go and do things!
Interview with Veronica Henry, Author of A Day at the Beach Hut: Stories and Recipes Inspired by Seaside Life and many more!
We loved the combination of recipes and short stories in A Day at the Beach Hut, it was like going on a wonderful escape. Do you have plans to combine the two again in the future? Thank you so much - I’m so pleased you enjoyed it.
A Day at the Beach Hut: Stories and Recipes Inspired by Seaside Life – Veronica Henry
On a shimmering summer's day, the waves are calling, the picnic basket is packed, and change is in the air. It's just the start of an eventful day for a cast of holidaymakers: over one day, sparks will fly, the tide will bring in old faces and new temptations, a proposal is planned, and an unexpected romance simmers...
The Summer Seekers – Sarah Morgan
Kathleen is eighty years old. After a run-in with an intruder, her daughter wants her to move into a residential home. She's not having any of it. What she craves - needs - is an adventure.
Shadows Over the Spanish Sun – Caroline Montague
A country in the shadow of war. A love that burns through the decades...
Mia Ferris's heart has always belonged in Spain. Every childhood summer was spent at her grandfather's hacienda, riding together amongst the olive trees or listening to his stories of the past. So when she learns that he has fallen from his horse, she knows that she belongs by his bedside - even if it means leaving behind her life in London, and her new fiance.
Three Weddings and a Proposal – Sheila O’Flanagan
At the first wedding, there’s a shock The second wedding is unexpected By the third, Delphie thinks nothing could surprise her. But she’s wrong . . . Delphie is enjoying her brother’s wedding. Her surprise last-minute Plus One has stunned her family – and it’s also stopped any of them asking again why she’s still single. But when she sees all the missed calls that evening, she knows it can’t be good news. And she’s right. Delphie has been living her best life, loving her job, her friends, her no-strings relationships and her dream house by the sea. Now she has to question...
Interview with Sheila O’Flanagan – Author of Three Weddings and A Proposal and many more!
You have written so many wonderful books, do you have a particular favourite, or favourites and why?To be honest, the last book I’ve written is usually my favourite (a) because I’m so relieved I finished it and (b) because I’m still very close to the characters and the situations they’ve found themselves in. But some characters and locations stay with me longer than most like Imogen in The Missing Wife. I felt very close to her while I was writing her story and I love the part of France where much of the novel is set. When you are thinking about a new book, where do you get your...
JOYFUL: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness – INGRID FETELL LEE
Description: In this groundbreaking book, designer Ingrid Fetell Lee explores how making small changes to your surroundings can create extraordinary happiness in your life. Drawing on insights from neuroscience and psychology, she reveals how the seemingly mundane spaces and objects we interact with every day have surprising effects on our mood and how we can harness the power of our environment to live fuller, healthier and more joyful lives. https://www.waterstones.com/book/joyful/ingrid-fetell-lee/9781846045400 Why we Liked itJoyful is an absolutely fascinating book. It is packed with so much information but is also written in a very accessible style. In Ingrid’s research, she examined how mundane spaces and objects we...
Under the Italian Sun – Sue Moorcroft
Description: A sun-baked terrace. The rustle of vines. And the clink of wine glasses as the first cork of the evening is popped… Welcome to Italy. A place that holds the answer to Zia-Lucia Costa Chalmers’ many questions. Not least, how she ended up with such a mouthful of a name. When revelations close to home turn Zia’s world upside down, she realises the time has come to search out the Italian family she’s never known. But as she looks for answers, she can’t help but notice Piero, the vineyard owner next door – a distraction who may prove difficult...
The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club – Josie Lloyd
Description: Sometimes we need our friends to help us find our feet… When Keira first receives her breast cancer diagnosis, she doesn’t want to have to tell her family, or step back from work. She doesn’t want to sit in a hospital, or be part of a group of fellow cancer patients. Cancer is not her club. But as she accepts that her health is no longer something she can rely on, Keira finds herself embracing running. And running in the company of a group of brilliant, funny women each going through treatment unexpectedly gives Keira the hope she needs....