Celebration Time For In Picardy’s Fields

In Picardy’s Fields is 2 years old on 20 September

On 20 September 2020 I came back to the Indie author arena as a historical fiction author by bringing out my first WW1 novel, In Picardy’s Fields.

After that nothing much happened. I had 12 preorders and a couple of lovely ARC team readers, who gave the book a boast by leaving an early review. I was meanwhile steeped into writing the 2nd book, The Diamond Courier on WW2, that was due for the beginning of December 2020.

Of course, I had high hopes and wild dreams about becoming a successful author and I’d done everything in my power to make that happen. At the time I had a flashy, expensive website, paid a fortune for the best historical fiction editor available, got a professional cover, etc. etc. etc. (Etc in this context mostly should be read as spending heaps of money seeing no revenues.)

I was only slightly disheartened that I wasn’t a bestselling author overnight. Though I’d spent all that hard-earned day job money on all these bells and whistles, I also knew I’d worked off my butt to release the best book I could at that moment in time.

At least, there was some recognition, and I plodded on. The real change came only after the third book, The Parisian Spy was released almost a year later, in July 2021. Then my books slowly got a little more love, and it was exactly as predicted. Most new authors need to have at least three books out to become trusted by readers. There are outliers, of course, that break all the records with their debut novel, but let me tell you those are usually not Historical Fiction authors.

“I bought the book “In Picardy’s Fields” and wondered why the word Picardy was so familiar, then it came to me. Growing up in London during & after WW2, the song “Roses of Picardy” was often heard on the radio.
I haven’t heard that song for many years but it must have struck a cord. It was written by a British serviceman for a French woman who he fell in love with while she gave him shelter in her home. The song can be found on YouTube. ”

— Marie Hindmarsh (Reader from New Zealand)

I am hoping for 5 more reviews and or ratings before Tuesday 20th, when it’s her real birthday, but 995 at 4.4 world-wide rating makes me a happy girl as well.

““For anyone wanting to travel back in time to experience history, courage and love ‘In Picardy’s Fields’ will take you there.””

— Amazon Reader Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When I was busy writing and releasing In Picardy’s Fields two years ago, I couldn’t still believe I would continue to write in this series and be able to create a Box Set with the first 4 books.

And now, next week book 5, The Highland Raven comes out, and after that at least 3 to 5 more.

““I enjoyed this more than I can ever put properly into words! Great story with wonderful characters. Tears in my eyes about half the time. Loved this book!””

— GoodReads Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️