Hello, and welcome to my February 2026 Newsletter.
As I write this, at the end of January, the rain is hammering against my windowpane, and I long for a warm sunny day. Living in North Devon in the South West of England, we always get our fair share of rain, but this January, it barely seems to have stopped. I feel so sorry for the poor folks whose homes and businesses have been flooded, and I feel lucky not to have that awful problem. All I can say is roll on spring!
As many of you will know, we moved house last November to a property with a smaller garden, and it was always the plan to install a new kitchen.
We were fortunate to sell our existing kitchen, which was removed on a Monday, with the new kitchen expected to be delivered and the fitting to start on the following Wednesday. Sadly, we were told the delivery date would be delayed by a week, and so the fitter took on another job. However, the new kitchen then arrived unexpectedly within an hour of the old one being removed!
The kitchen electricity supply was disconnected to allow the plasterer to skim the walls, so our only means of cooking for the last fortnight has been a microwave and an air fryer in the garage. Getting to them has been an obstacle course, as we wind our way around the numerous boxes containing the new kitchen. I confess, I haven’t cooked that many meals as friends and family have kindly invited us around, and we’ve treated ourselves to a couple of takeaways. Happily, the kitchen fitter will now be finished in a few days, and life is becoming easier by the day. It will be worth it in the end, but the upheaval has definitely been a challenge. The photo shows our luxurious garage/kitchen! Living the dream, as they say!
Old Saying of the Month
Here’s another saying I’m sure we’ve all used, but I never knew where it came from.
Bless You
Nowadays, people still say “bless you” when somebody sneezes as a way of expressing concern, for sneezing can be a sign of ill health. A common theory is that the saying originated from the days of the plague, and the term was originally “God Bless You” as a prayer for protection against the disease. Another ancient superstition was that sneezing could dispel the soul, or invite in evil spirits, and a blessing was required to prevent this. A third theory was that a sneeze forced evil spirits out of the body, and that a blessing protected both the sneezer and those around them. It remains a popular saying, and regardless of its origin, it is still in regular use.
February Blog Spot
My Walk at Filleigh
This is a blog about one of my regular walks in the nearby village of Filleigh. It’s only about two miles long and not too demanding.
I know some of my readers who aren’t so mobile these days enjoy my rambles, and so I hope you like this one.
https://marciaclayton.co.uk/walk-from-church-cross-filleigh-to-triumphal-arch/
My Writing News
Progress With Book 8
I must confess, progress on my next book has been slower than I would like, but it’s been difficult to concentrate whilst so much work is being done in the house. However, I’ve planned most of the book’s chapters and hope to start writing soon. Planning the story always takes me a while, as I often have to shift chapters around to ensure I keep the interest going throughout the book and leave something for the end. I’m always relieved once I have the story straight in my head and can get on with the actual writing. I’ve no idea what the book will be called yet, and no thoughts for a cover, but I’m hopeful Book 8 will be published later in the year.
The Coffee Pot Book Club
Over the last few months, I’ve been acting as a Blog Tour Host for The Coffee Pot Book Club: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/, and these are the ones I hosted last month. Why not take a look and see if this could be your next read?
Dance Of The Earth by Anna M Holmes
From world stages to theatres of war, Dance of the Earth is a sweeping family saga.
Set against the backdrops of London’s gilded Alhambra music hall, Diaghilev’s dazzling Ballets Russes, and the upheavals of the First World War, Rose and her children, Nina and Walter, pursue their ambitions, loves, and dreams.
Dance and music shape their identities, helping each to find their place in the world. Spanning the years 1875 to 1921—an era of profound artistic and social change—fact and fiction interweave in this tapestry of birth, sacrifice, and renewal. Art—both serious and comic—is at the story’s beating heart.
Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4ANrAN
Therein Lies The Pearl by Catherine Hughes
Normandy, 1064
Celia Campion, a girl of humble background, finds herself caught in a web of intrigue when Duke William commands her to work as his spy, holding her younger sister hostage.
Her mission: to sail across the sea to Wilton Abbey and convince Margaret, daughter of Edward the Exile, to take final vows rather than form a marriage alliance with the newly crowned king to the North, Malcolm III of Scotland. Preventing a union between the Saxons and Scots is critical to the success of the Duke’s plan to take England, and, more importantly for Celia, it is the only way to keep her sister alive.
Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bolgZa
This Month’s Bargains
All of my books are free to read if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited on Amazon. However, if you want to grab a bargain, these books will be reduced to 99p on the following dates:
Millie’s Escape
99p from 4th to 11th February 2026
A young girl, wrongly accused of theft, is relentlessly pursued across the desolate countryside. A delightful Victorian family saga set in a Devon village.
A Five-Star Review
“An enthralling story“
“It was a treat to read this latest book in the Hartford Manor series. I loved catching up with the older characters and discovering the new ones. Marcia is a true storyteller with a gift of creating a world with characters that are true to life and believable.”
You can find the book here: https://mybook.to/MilliesEscape
The Mazzard Tree
99p from18th to 25th February 2026
When Annie’s father dies, her mother is left with 7 hungry mouths to feed. Annie, 15, is determined to keep her family from the workhouse. Will she succeed? What lengths will she go to? A gripping Victorian family saga.
A Five-Star Review
“A plot for a BBC series“
“The plot of this novel is amazing for all lovers of historical dramas. The love between young Annie Carter, a farm labourer’s daughter, and wealthy heir Robert takes place in Victorian England. The characters are so vividly and emotionally written that I got involved in the story along with the characters. Will young lovers be able to overcome class differences and get their share of happiness? I empathised with the heroes, imagining how the world has changed over these 150 years. I highly recommend this novel for long, cold evenings by the fireplace.”
You can find the book here: http://mybook.to/TheMazzardTree
My Book of the Month
Secrets and Truths by Marlene Cheng
About the Book
She saved a hockey hero’s career. When their doctor-patient relationship crosses the line, will off-the-ice chemistry burn up their worlds? Vancouver, BC. Geneva Olsson believes family comes first. Deeply loyal to her twin, the sisters’ connection includes looking down their noses at the inflated masculinity of professional athletes. So when a player for the local NHL club is wheeled into her ER like royalty, the reserved physician is completely unprepared for how his boyish charm makes her heart race.
Knowing he has a wife and children in Europe, Geneva desperately struggles to resist the temptation of his surprising intelligence and animal magnetism. But after they begin a taboo liaison, she fears their inescapable passion is about to ruin multiple lives. Can Geneva find the balance between doing what’s right and finding happiness? Secrets & Truths is the emotional first book in the women’s fiction series, Their Hearts’ Desires. If you like tormented heroines, romance with risk, and deep moral quandaries, then you’ll adore Marlene Cheng’s riveting read.
My Review
Secrets and Truths is an emotional and enjoyable romance which held my attention from the beginning to the end. The tale is told from multiple points of view, and I think this worked well for this particular novel. Set in Vancouver, Geneva and Venice Olssen are identical twins. They have done well for themselves and have carved out successful careers; Geneva is a doctor, and Venice is a lawyer. Geneva is strongly drawn to a famous hockey player when he is brought into the hospital for treatment, and she struggles to suppress her feelings, knowing he is married with a family. However, he is similarly attracted to her, and she struggles to ignore his boyish charms. As with all the books I have read by this author, the story is beautifully written, and I recommend it.
You can find the book here: Secrets and Truths by Marlene Cheng
That’s all my news for now, so until next time, take care and keep warm.
Very best wishes,
Marcia
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