So today, I'm literally buzzing with excitement... because look what happened! |
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Introducing... The Beekeeper's Cottage |
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Every once in a while a book comes along that is just, well, rather special for all sorts of reasons, and I'm thrilled to say that this is one of them. My editor says it's my best yet, and I wouldn't dare argue! But seriously, this is a book that was a joy to write from start to finish, not least of all because it features someone who has become my favourite character of any I have ever written about – Amos Fry. Now the name may seem familiar to some of you – If you've read my Christmas novella from a few years ago, Merry Mistletoe, you'll know that Amos was a rather enigmatic but utterly swoonworthy chap, who appeared out of the blue one day, and disappeared the same way too. But he was kind and wise, and somewhat of guardian angel. |
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But the one thing we never knew, in fact I never knew, was just what exactly Amos's story was. I knew he had one, just as I knew that one day I would work out what it was and give him the chance to tell it. So, I'm utterly thrilled that The Beekeeper's Cottage has given me the perfect setting in which to do it. And he is still as magical as ever! But The Beekeeper's Cottage also tells Grace's story, a character we first met in The House at Hope Corner, and Flora and the gang are there too. It's a gorgeous summery read, full of hope and romance and everywhere the smell of flowers and the hum of bees. Here's the official blurb... |
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Comforted by the gentle hum of the beehives at the bottom of the garden, Grace drains the last of her tea and walks slowly back towards the little hillside house she adores. Her marriage is over, but is it too late to start her life again?
Beekeeper Grace thought throwing out her cheating husband would be the hardest thing she ever did. |
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But when she opens the door to a property developer one morning, it’s clear that keeping the beautiful home and garden – her only sanctuary throughout her miserable marriage – will be the greatest challenge of all… to her best friend at the flower farm next door, Grace blurts out all her problems, only to be overheard by Amos, a handsome, free-spirited visitor in bright red Doc Martens. Fascinated by Grace and her bees, Amos offers to stay in the village of Hope |
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Corner, to help turn her home into a guest house in return for lessons on beekeeping. Grace shows Amos how to nurture a hive and harvest honeycomb without getting stung, he is charming but secretive. He never stays long in the same place after an incident in his past involving a mysterious woman named Maria. But as their eyes lock over a jar of homemade honey, Grace can’t help feeling that she’d really like him to stay… |
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Determined to dispel her growing suspicion that Amos is running from something serious, Grace goes in search of the truth about Maria. But when she finds it, will she still want Amos to put down roots in Hope Corner, and will they still have a house to return to?
No matter how far they travel, bees will always find their way home… |
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Published on the 6th August, The Beekeeper's Cottage is available to preorder now, and only £1.99! |
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In case you missed it... ‘Uplifting and heart-warming. This book will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside at the magical story and even more magical ending!' The House at Hope Corner is out now, and only £1.99 | | |
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🌺 It's Competition Time! 🌺 Would you like to win a signed paperback copy of The House at Hope Corner? To celebrate my new release and the gorgeous cover reveal for The Beekeeper’s Cottage, I'm having a competition over on my Facebook page. You could be in with a chance of winning by simply liking the pinned post at the top of the page and adding a comment telling me what you love best about your garden or favourite outside space. It’s open to anyone in the UK, so feel free to tell your friends! Here's the link to enter: www.facebook.com/emmadaviesauthor The competition is open until 8pm on Thursday 13th June 2019 and the winner will be selected at random. This giveaway is in no way endorsed, sponsored or associated with Facebook. Good luck! |
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All Things Honey... “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?”
“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?”
“I say: I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said. And so with this is mind it seemed sensible to include this wonderful cake recipe which is the perfect thing for a mid morning break, or indeed any time of the day or night, breakfast included! |
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Honey Chocolate Cake Makes 1 cake
165g unsalted butter
360g dark chocolate
100g honey
200g whole almonds, skins on
10 eggs, separated
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp cream of tartar
For the topping
225g double cream
1 tbsp honey, plus more for drizzling
A pinch of salt |
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1 Preheat the oven to 170C/335F/gas mark 3½. Grease and line the base of a 25cm round tin with parchment. 2 Cut the butter into small pieces, and break up the chocolate. Put these in a heatproof bowl, then set this over a pan of simmering water to melt, ensuring that the water does not touch the base of the bowl. Once the butter and chocolate have melted, remove the bowl from the heat and set aside to cool slightly. Stir in the honey. 3 Put the almonds in a food processor and blitz to a powder. Be careful not to take them too far, as you don’t want the almonds to release oil. Add the almonds to the chocolate mixture. 4 Add the egg yolks to the chocolate mixture one by one, mixing well after each addition. 5 Put the whites in the bowl of a stand mixer with the salt and cream of tartar. Whisk to soft peaks. Fold the whites and the chocolate mixture together, then spoon into the prepared cake tin. 6 Bake for 30-35 minutes. The cake should have a very slight wobble at the centre. Do not overbake it, as the gooeyness will be lost. 7 Mix the cream with 1 tbsp honey and the salt, then whisk to soft peaks. Serve the cake topped with the cream and an extra drizzle of honey. |
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Signed Copies... I'm so excited to announce that following some changes to my website, I'm now able to offer signed paperback copies of all my full length books. To order, for yourself or as a present, simply pop to my website page and order. It's as simple as that. The price includes first class postage and you can specify any dedication you want. |
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And before I go... I'd just like to say thank you again for your continued support, and for reading my newsletter. I'll leave you with a few of the books that I've been enjoying over recent weeks. I can heartily recommend them all. |
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