Time’s hardly flying by at the moment (seriously, a single home-school day feels like a week right now) but one thing that’s come around really quickly is *drum roll* publication day for my debut novel, This Changes Everything. Out on the 9th February, it’s available to pre-order here in paperback, e-book and audiobook (btw, if you do there’s a chance to win a 24hour getaway to Lime Wood in the New Forest, all details can be found here). In the meantime, I thought I’d share a few things about the book with you…

It all started when I had an idea for a story that just wouldn’t go away. I’d already written The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club book, a wine guide based on this blog, but that was facts, not fiction. The idea of a writing a novel was completely different, terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. I started writing it as and when I could and eventually, four years later, had my first draft.

By then I’d written another couple of drinks books (including Homemade Cocktails; possibly the most fun I’ve had researching a book). My (very special) agent Heather knew about the draft and asked to see what I’d written. The last meeting I had before that first Lockdown was with a fantastic publisher called Boldwood and they offered me a two-book deal. I said yes, then cried.

And now This Changes Everything is almost ready to go. It’s a love story of sorts set mostly in Rome and Cornwall, both places I adore. I’ll tell you more about the story, the characters and the inspiration behind it all next time. Until then, more wine. Both Italian, to get you in the mood.

Current white in the fridge: Morrisons The Best Verdicchio

Price: £6.00 - Buy From Morrisons

Normally £6.50, it’s currently on offer at £6 but it’s a steal either way. Crisp, fresh and moreish, it’s made from the Verdicchio grape in one of the best bits of the Marche region for this particular grape. Expect ripe lemons with a touch of the florals. Fabulously food friendly, too – chicken, fish, bowl of cereal at the end of a day home-schooling.

Current red in the rack: Tesco Finest Valpolicella Ripasso

Price: £11.00 - Buy From Tesco

This went down a storm recently on Saturday Kitchen (served with the most delicious duck ragu I’ve ever eaten). Made from a blend of northern Italian grapes, the wine is fermented on the leftover skins of grapes used to make Amarone. This adds considerable weight and flavour to the mix and it’s gorgeous – bright, juicy, warming. Take a glass to the sofa with a good book!