Saturday was a very special day for me because I had two talks in Hampshire – the county of Jane Austen!  The first was at the West Meon Festival.  West Meon is a gorgeous village in the heart of rural Hampshire and the church was decorated with bunting and there was coffee and cake for everyone.

I have never given a talk in a church before and I have to say that I was a little anxious that I might have to speak from the pulpit!  Fortunately, this wasn’t the case and I was given a magnificent seat on a small stage in front of a beautiful altar.

Then it was on to Jane Austen’s House Museum at Chawton.  I was so honoured to be speaking about my Jane Austen trilogy at the very home of my idol.  The room was packed and there were dozens of questions for me to answer at the end and the biggest queue for a book signing I’ve ever had!  I have to say that Austen fans are the loveliest people ever!

Now it’s back to the desk where I’m cooking up a lovely surprise for my readers.  Keep in touch to find out what it is later this week …