My fifth book, ‘It Had to be You’ has just been published - how exciting!

Breaking News - Sarah’s Sales Top 250,000 copies

It’s official, the combined sales of my books have topped a quarter of a million copies. I’m now published all over the world - with new editions in Indonesia, the USA, the UK Australia, New Zealand, India, and many other countries. I’m one proud, lucky and grateful girl I can tell you!

What’s New on the Website?

Quite a lot actually, come to think of it!

Thanks to Melissa Hill and Colette Caddle for allowing me to interview them for the ‘My Writing Life’ section of the website. I will be adding lots more familiar names to this section in the near future, as it has proved very popular with readers and writers alike. So do check it out.

Amy-Rose

By popular request I’ve added some more of Amy-Rose’s favourite books in the Children’s section of the site. And if you are interested in children’s picture books, check out the list of recommended new picture books in the Children’s Review section.

I’ve also added some articles, including ‘My Summer Love’ which was commissioned recently by Ireland on Sunday.

The message board is now up and running so do check it out, leave a message or ask a question. Or, if you prefer, simply chat to other book lovers. And many thanks to all those who have already participated.

There’s a new Photo Gallery in the All About Me section which I’ll be adding to regularly now that I have a digital camera.

And finally, I’ve updated the links, adding some favourite new sites including Irish crime writer, John Connolly’s rather spooky black one and Marian’s Keyes’s new interactive site.

New Book Launched

‘It Had to Be You’ will be officially published on the Friday 3th September. I’ve already had some lovely, positive feedback from several early readers (book trade buyers and book reviewers) and a great review in Image Magazine, so fingers crossed you’ll like it too. It’s set in a fictional Irish village called Burnaby and features three friends called Molly, Paige and Kate. I loved writing it, and I do hope that you enjoy reading it. Do let me know what you think.

Scandal Wins the National Championships

Our J24 (small 24 foot racing yacht), Scandal, won the National Championships and we are now all Ireland Champions in the class. I hasten to add that due to baby duties I wasn’t sailing at the Nationals, but my partner, Ben and his crew did me proud. The Worlds are on in the UK next year so who knows, next stop - world domination!

The Scandal ‘Boys’ and Amy-Rose!

And here’s one of me at the J24 Nationals Dinner with My Best Friend, Nicky (I’m the one with the pink ‘Fraggle’ on my head!)

‘Reader I Married Him’ Reader and Writers’ Day

On the 9^th October there will be another Reader and Writers’ Day. Some of you may have attended the event on 14^th February last in Deansgrange Library. Speakers will include Sheila O’Flanagan, Deirdre Purcell, Colette Caddle and Martina Devlin; and I’ll be hosting the event. It should be a really fun and interesting day. I’m not sure yet about booking tickets etc but it will be held in the Pearse St library in Dublin city centre and will be on from 10 until 3.30. As soon as I have more details I’ll send out a special newsflash.

What I’m Working On

I’ve just finished ‘Take a Chance’, which will be published by Macmillan in Ireland in 2005 and in the UK in 2006. It’s the story of three sisters, Wendy, Gemma and Mia Redden, who all sing in a tribute band; their friend Una, and her daughters, Kerry and Alva. More details will follow.

And I’ve just started the next book, provisionally called ‘Let’s Dance’ about . . . you guessed it, dance!

I’m also working on a very special book for teenagers with another writer called Sara Webb - no really. I’ll keep you posted.

Other Book News

The latest foreign edition is the Indonesian edition of ‘Always the Bridesmaid’. It’s one of my favourite editions to date and the cover is delicious. I’ll add some of the foreign covers to the website very soon.

What I’m Reading

Sarah Rigging her Enterprise Sailing Dinghy in West Cork

I had a wonderful holiday in West Cork and I managed to read a lot of great books, some which I’d been meaning to read for ages, like ‘The Lovely Bones’, which didn’t disappoint!).

‘How I Live Now’ by Meg Rosoff

An amazing and extremely moving book about a girl called Daisy and her eccentric English cousins. It’s ostensibly a teenage book, but I loved it and can’t stop thinking about it. Look out for this author - she’s something special.

‘The Lovely Bones’ by Alice Sebold

I’d put off reading ‘The Lovely Bones’ as I thought I’d find the subject manner disturbing (which to be honest, I did), but I’m so glad I finally finished it. It’s beautifully written, painfully honest and an exceptional book. Believe the hype!

I Also Enjoyed -

‘Sophie’s Bakery for the Broken Hearted’ by Lolly Winston

A warm hearted, kind and compelling book about a woman called Sophie Stanton. When her husband dies, she moves to another part of America and sets up a bakery. If you like Cathy Kelly, you’ll love this.

‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ by Audrey Niffenegger

A most unusual book; the plot twists will keep you on your toes right the way through. Something a little different. And thanks to my friend, Maria for the recommendation.

‘The No I Ladies’ Detective Agency’ by Alexander McCall Smith

A lovely, warm, witty read about an African female detective called and the cases she solves. The writing is beautifully descriptive and it’s a joy to read. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something both thoughtful and fun to read.

And I’ve just been given Maeve Binchy’s new one to read (thanks, M!) and it’s delicious so far. And I’m also looking forward to Jane Greene’s new one, ‘The Other Woman’. More in the next newsletter.

And please do tell me about titles you’ve enjoyed recently on the Message Boards.

Book Launches

On Bloomsday there was a special exhibition (and launch) in Dun Laoghaire Town Hall to celebrate the day featuring lots of local Dun Laoghaire writers, myself included, which was great fun. The exhibition has now moved on to Deansgrange Library where it will reside during September. Do catch it if you can.

And my friend and ex Eason colleague Adrian White launched his book (‘An Accident Waiting to Happen’, his debut novel), recently in Eason, Hanna’s Bookshop on Dawson Street.

September and October are busy months, with many launches to look forward to, including my own. I’ll post photos of the launch on the website very soon. It’s always exciting to have a new book out and I can’t wait to see it in the shops!

Talk to you all very soon. Happy reading!

Best,

Sarah XXX