There are so many friends who are there for me through thick and thin. They suffer periods of silence when I’m head down, writing. I hide myself away to spend my days with characters who become very real to me and I’m sad when a story draws to a close. But when I pop my head back up it’s like I’ve never been away and no one refers to the fact that I’m such an erratic friend!

As usual, no book is ever launched without there being an even longer list of people to thank for publicising it. The amazing kindness of readers and reviewers is truly humbling. You continue to delight, amaze and astound me with your generosity and support. Without your kindness in spreading the word about my latest release, your wonderful reviews to entice people to click and download, or pluck my book from a shelf, I wouldn’t be able to indulge myself in my guilty pleasure… writing.

Feeling blessed and sending much love to you all for your treasured support and friendship,

Linn x

More from Lucy Coleman

We hope you enjoyed reading Summer in Provence. If you did, please leave a review.

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Read on for an exclusive extract from A Springtime To Remember, another gloriously escapist novel from Lucy Coleman.

1

When Fairy Tales Come True

‘Once upon a time there was a little girl who had a very big dream.’

‘How big?’ Little Maisie stares up at me questioningly. Surrounded by a mantle of shadows in the darkened room, only the tiny shaft of light seeping in from the landing allows me to see her baby-blue eyes. She’s determined not to give in to sleep, but it’s obvious she’s fighting a losing battle.

Maisie blinks in rapid succession and already her breathing is beginning to slow.

‘Hu-u-u-uge.’ The sound of my soft whisper fills the air. ‘And she promised herself she would never, ever, let anyone deter her from trying her hardest to make everything she wished for come true.’

I glance down at my darling niece and catch a fleeting glimpse of a smile before sleep finally whisks her away. Hesitant to make a move for fear of disturbing her, I decide to sit for a while, fascinated by that perfect little heart-shaped face. It tugs on my heart strings as I realise how much I’m going to miss her this spring.

As I’m about to ease myself up very gingerly off the bed, to my complete surprise her little voice suddenly rises up out of the darkness.

‘When you come back you will tell me all about your adventure, won’t you, Auntie Lexie?’