Hi ,

It's my shop that's nearly here - I've been working hard on this, implementing many of your suggestions about the various products. (Well, okay, I had a week's holiday with my husband, and I spent a few days away with my Mum, but apart from that, I've been working hard!)

Go to our Behind the Scenes section for a first look at products, based on what you have suggested. I'm hoping to launch the shop in early August and I'll drop you a quick email then, so that you can be the first to get some of these great products.

I've also got an Early Extract from my next book for you to enjoy. Let me know what you think and if you're eager to read more!

We've also got the Summer Book Bash, with a huge range of free books, and the Ultimate eBook Reader competition. 

If you're getting this newsletter for the first time, thank you for joining me. I send a newsletter around the middle of each month and in this issue you'll find:

• Behind the Scenes - merchandise progress
  
• Early Extract - what do you think?
  
• Recommended Books - Summer Book Bash Giveaway
• The Ultimate Ebook Reader competition 
• Your Subscriber Freebies - and if you've read Strand of Faith, drop me a line and let me know what you thought.

What is nearly here is launch of my shop, with merchandise related to my books! Thanks to all of you who answered the survey about the types of things you'd like to buy. Tote bags came out on top, followed by tea towels, and then mugs.

So there'll be three different tote bags (£12 each), each available in white, natural, and black, and three different tea towels (£15 each), all in white. There's also going to be a range of mugs (£10 each), and two different T-shirt designs. The T-shirts (£20 each) will be available in white, black, and sky blue, and in both womens' and mens' styles.

So here's a first look at some of my favourite designs and products so far. And if you'd like a closer look, or to see a wider range of products just click here, or on one of the images.

This book doesn't even have a title yet! Anyone got any ideas?

It's about Leonie's grandmother, Jessami, and spans the period from Jess' teenage years until just after the events of the Choices and Consequences series, told as a dual timeline. This is an early extract, not yet edited, which may change in the final version. In this extract, Jessami is about fifteen or sixteen years old.

Jessami ran down the path, a route so familiar to her that she could probably avoid all the pot holes and wheel ruts in her sleep. It led straight to the village centre but she took a diversion, a sharp left turn on to a barely-there path through the trees. Moments later she burst into a small, hidden clearing, to find her best friend, Tarli, already there waiting for her.

“Well,” he asked. “What did they say? What did your parents say?”

“They said yes, I can go!” The words rushed out of her in excitement. “They said it would be enough of a stretch for the farm to support them, and Corc and Eda and their baby that’s on the way, and Camden and Rue if they ever get it together, let alone me. They said I might as well go and find some other way to support myself.”

Tarli picked her up and swung her around. “Yes!” he said, triumphantly. “It’s going to be so exciting, leaving the mountains, exploring the world, learning new things.”

Jessami nodded as Tarli put her back on the ground, grabbed his hand and started dragging him after her. “Come on!” she demanded. “We need to go find Aunt Doanne and tell her.”

Jess and Tarli didn’t have far to go; another barely-there path brought them out behind the trading post and they slid between buildings to reach the centre of the village. This was a small square with the trading post on one side, the school opposite it. The other sides of the square contained a house or two, a couple of small shops, and a building for what passed as healthcare in the area. Tarli glanced longingly at that building as Jessami dragged him across the square to the school.

“Aunt Doanne,” she called, pushing the door open. “Mom and Pop say I can go down the mountain with Tarli. They say I could do with finding a way to support myself.”

Want to read more? Hit reply and let me know what you think.

Instead of our monthly ereader giveaway, we have the Ultimate Ebook Reader giveaway! This includes a kindle, with cover and stand, a $50 Amazon voucher, a cozy blanket, socks, candle, and a beaker. On top of that, there's a whole range of other items including printable bookmarks, reading journal, and a range of book related stickers. The closing date isn't until December but enter now and you could be the ultimate winner!

I'll be back next month - look out for a newsletter around the middle of the month.  In the meantime, take care, and happy reading.

If you're ready to move on to the rest of the Choices and Consequences series, grab them here.