AUTUMN NEWSLETTER

2020 has been a year

I think many people would rather forget and move on from. As winter approaches with new lockdowns and restrictions, and with no end in sight, there is definitely an air of weariness and a wish to move on to better times.

It has been rather an escape for me to bury my head in writing and ignore the real world! I have to admit this is rather something I have always indulged in, the world of the imagination sometimes being preferable to the real one. The result of that is that I am delighted to reveal that my second novel, The Hidden Child, is going to be published both in the U.K. and the U.S. and Canada in the autumn of 2021. This time, the book will have the same title in both editions - hoorah!

I thought you might be interested in a little sneak preview of what the book is about. So here it is:

1928, London. Eleanor Hamilton is happily married and mother to a beautiful four-year-old daughter, Mabel. Her wealthy husband, Edward, a celebrated war hero is a leading light in the burgeoning Eugenics movement, the very ideas that will soon be embraced by Hitler, and is increasingly important in designing education policy for the nation. But when Mabel develops debilitating seizures, their otherwise perfect world fractures. Mabel’s shameful illness must be kept secret or it will jeopardise Edward’s life’s work. But when Eleanor discovers Edward has been keeping secrets and she finds strange inconsistencies in his groundbreaking research, the revelations call into question everything she believes about genetic inferiority and her unshakeable faith in her husband. Eleanor must decide whether to take matters into her own hands to save her daughter from a sinister fate, a move which will risk destroying everything the couple hold dear.

The Hidden Child is based around real events, characters and views held at the time, and centres on a flawed science which shaped government policy, education, attitudes and the treatment of people with disabilities for decades to come, the legacy of which can still be felt today.

Hopefully I will have more to share in my next newsletter!

Once all the final edits are done, I am looking forward to beginning work on my next book. I have already done some preliminary research and am exploring ideas for plot and character at this early stage. I can’t wait to get started.

In other news, People Like Us came out in hardback on 6th August and it has been so wonderful to see it appearing in bookshops, not only here in the U.K. but also in Australia, Ireland and South Africa. I’ve been incredibly touched to hear from readers all around the world who have loved the book and have taken the time and trouble to write to me and to leave reviews on Amazon, Waterstones or other bookseller sites. ENORMOUS THANKS to every one of you who has done that! It really does make a huge difference to all authors to have reviews and/or ratings posted, in particular (dare I say it) on Amazon, so once again if you have read and enjoyed any book (of course including People Like Us/Daughter of the Reich) please do take a couple of minutes to leave a review. You can order and review on-line in the U.K. here:  Waterstones and Amazon or even better, from your local independent store through Hive. In Australia you can order/review on Amazon here.

The US link to Daughter of The Reich is here, and for Canada it’s here. For Holland, De Dochter van de Nazi is available here. I’m hoping to reveal my Spanish cover soon, ahead of publication there in November.

I just also wanted to share just a few of the fabulous reviews I have had in the media for People Like Us/Daughter of the Reich. It has been a total thrill to hear what the reviewers have thought of the book:

'Powerful and poignant, moving and provocative, this beautifully eloquent novel is set before and during the Second World War. People Like Us highlights love, humanity and kindness in the terrifying face of intolerance and hate ... This is one to climb the rooftops and shout about'

LOVE READING

'A nerve-wracking and gripping read ... Louise's cherished goal is to remind us all that we are all the same, and she encourages us all to cherish freedom of speech, debate and the acceptance of difference'

FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE

'A love story with deep resonance as it tackles the contemporary issue of rising popularism and antisemitism'

MSLEXIA.

'This heart-breaking, thought-provoking story about forbidden love and racial hate reminds us that even in the bleakest of times love, decency and humanity will triumph'

PLATINUM.

'Terrifying, yet tender. I loved it'

IRISH EXAMINER.

'A spellbinding story of impossible love set against the backdrop of the Nazi regime'

IRISH TIMES WEEKEND.

'Moving and extremely powerful'

WOMAN'S WEEKLY

“By far, Daughter of The Reich is one of the most unique World War II stories that I have read, and in full honesty, I couldn’t help but love the story… a beautifully written story, filled with some hard to swallow pills, but nonetheless, it is a beautiful story—a story in which you wouldn’t want to put down until the end.”

THE MANHATTAN BOOK REVIEW

“Revelatory and harrowing with touches of grace…the characterizations are well done, with the lovers and Hetty’s relationship with her beloved brother particularly well rendered. An extraordinary debut novel. Bravo!”

HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY

Finally, while we all prepare to hunker down for winter and choose books to do that with, do consider choosing a debut author, or one you may not have encountered before. It’s been a particularly tricky year to have a debut book out as most have not made it into bookshops due to the pandemic or have failed to be noticed. The above virtual book-shelf contains debut novels out this year, many of which I have read. They cover all genres and I can honestly say are all great and worth checking out.

All that’s left for me to say is stay well and safe and do keep in touch anytime on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or via my website. I do love to hear from you all.

With much love,

Louise