On Saturday, I was lucky enough to be one of those people listed in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List: an OBE for Services to Literature. I’m thrilled to be included in such a stellar line up and, having kept the news secret for some weeks, it was wonderful to be able to celebrate with family and friends …. helped by a rather lovely bottle of champagne from my publishers, Orion! Most of all, I was so touched by all the people who wrote to send their congratulations – it was very much appreciated and your kindness and support made a special day even better.  What matters most, though, is that by including writers in the Honours list – as well as artists, directors, painters, playwrights – alongside those honoured for their services to sport, to charity, to business, to campaigning, it sends a clear signal that books matter.

After that excitement, though, now comes the countdown to the paperback publication of Citadel on 20th June.  Although it’s the third in my Languedoc Trilogy, it’s also a stand-alone novel and the books can be read in any order, depending on the readers interest in different periods of history. Citadel is, of course, set during WWII in Carcassonne.  Look out for the amazing posters, going up around the country about now, and of course do let me know if you enjoy the novel.

What a week!