Here in Canada, we’re on the cusp of summer.

With these warm, sunny days, vibrant pink wild roses and purple iris are interspersed with peonies, bright-eyed daisies and honeysuckle.

After a long winter, June always brings me a sense of hopeful promise.

It’s the childhood end-of-school feeling when summer stretched out in front of me with unstructured time to read, dream and “simply be”.

As usual, I’m taking a summer blogging break so this post will be my last one until September.

If you aren’t already signed up, keep in touch with me over the next months by subscribing to my reader e-newsletter here. It’s a double opt-in so after subscribing you’ll receive an email link to confirm.

The June edition is out next week, followed by a combined July and August newsletter in early August.

Although I won’t be blogging, I’m still working on two books and other projects this summer, much of the time from my lake life office.

First is A Christmas Proposal, second in my WW2 Teacher Evacuees British home front women’s fiction series as Rose Warner. It’s due to my UK agent in mid-July and then my Canelo editor in mid-August.

Second is the as yet untitled third book in my Jen Gilroy Strawberry Pond miniseries for Harlequin Heartwarming, due to my Harlequin editor in October and which also has a Christmas theme.

After never publishing a Christmas book before, I’m now writing two at once. What are the odds?!

However, with a mini artificial Christmas tree on my desk, holiday music playlist, and using this lovely ‘Packed Full of Christmas’ tote bag from London’s iconic Fortnum & Mason department store (a present from a dear English friend), I’m creating a festive vibe.

Although my other summer plans are still in flux, I’ll have a week of holiday and lots of reading time is also on the agenda.

And in the midst of writing, this year I’m also consciously taking time to slow down.

Although I can’t return to what seemed like those endless childhood summers, I hope the coming weeks will be a time of renewal before the countdown to the actual festive season begins.

I need less of a schedule and more sunsets.

Less haste and more hammock.

And, like sweet Floppy Ears, less stress and more smiles.

Wishing you a happy summer and, however you spend it, time to savour special moments and make happy memories.

And for those in the southern hemisphere? Cozy winter wishes. When it comes to writing, I’m with you in spirit!