Summer at Skylark Farm

The Launch Party - Saturday 4th June - Norwich

UPDATE:
Summer at skylark farm will be published in paperback exclusive to Sainsbury on August 25th 2016

It was a very tired Mary who had her husband drive her to Norwich late Friday night so she could attend Heidi Swain's launch party for Summer at Skylark Farm.

Heidi's second novel was published by Simon and Schuster on June 2nd and she kindly invited both me and hubby to attend her launch at the Virgin Money Lounge in the centre of beautiful Norwich.

It was also a very special occasion as she had thoughtfully dedicated her precious creation to me. I was told in March and got goosebumps and cried when she told me her intention, but I had to keep it a secret! It was such a wonderful thing to do and I am very honoured.

Hubby and I arrived in Norwich at 10:45pm and found our Airbnb accommodation. A strange experience, but one we would definitely repeat. You literally stay in someones spare room, which I found a little unnerving, but it was OK. We weren't attacked in our beds and there was no wife swapping involved LOL. Our accommodation didn't offer breakfast, but we had a double room and our own bathroom at the top of a town house, which was literally 10 minutes from the Virgin Lounge. They also lent us a parking permit, which in a busy city was a complete bonus.

We made our way to the book launch stopping to breakfast in Debenhams first.

It was great to see Heidi and her hubby Paul again. I also got to meet fellow New Writers Scheme member Jenni Keer in the flesh after chatting online and caught up with my old friend Vicki Bowles and her lovely family.

Jenni Keer and I

Vicki Bowles, Heidi Swain and I

Heidi began her launch by introducing us to the book and thanked us all for coming. She thanked hubby and I for travelling so far to be there and then told everyone I was the Mary Anne she had dedicated her book to. I couldn't look at her and she couldn't look at me as we got quite emotional!

Next she introduced the room to Vicki Bowles who kicked off The Blog Tour last Monday. 

She then embarrassed her hubby by thanking him for his support and getting us all to wish him a Happy Birthday for the following week. He got a rousing "Happy Birthday" and a round of applause.

Heidi then treated us to a reading from Summer at Skylark Farm, which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed, then opened the floor to questions. Questions ranged from "How do you manage to be so fabulous?" (Jenni Keer) to "Does Skylark Farm actually exist?" (Sadly no)

After the questions and answers we all dived into the tasty treats, cupcakes and tea whilst chatting to each other. I met some lovely ladies from the Norfolk Chapter of the RNA and look forward to meeting more members soon.

Our present to Heidi - Skylark Cider from Kentish Pip 

Thank you Heidi for including us in your special day and for such a beautiful dedication.

You are a very special lady and a wonderful, very dear friend.

Heidi and me

 Links: 

Vicki: Blog tour

Laura: Blog Tour

Emma: Blog Tour

Rachale: Blog Tour

Rea: Blog Tour

Kirsty: Blog Tour

Alba: Blog Tour

Heidi's Blog: The Writer Files

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