My latest short story Notes from the Northern Lights is out on the 15th December, just in time for settling down in front of the fire with your feet up.

‘Wardrobe mistress Ruby Knightly has been sent to Iceland on a very special mission that could save her opera company’s opening night. And she’s determined that her fear of the dark – and the incoming weather – won’t stand in her way.

But as Ruby follows her nose across Iceland’s wild, volcanic landscape to the warmth of the smokehouses, she will soon discover that there is shelter to be found from even the most turbulent of storms. Particularly if there’s romance around the corner…

An irresistible winter tale that will melt the coldest of hearts.’

You can pre order the novella, available exclusively on eBook here

Fabulous writing week with the Katie Fforde in the glorious autumn sunshine.

You would be mistaken for thinking this is a teletubby at a wedding, but no, it’s me! Bee keeping at Dyffryn gardens with Barbara and Harold from the Cardiff and Vale beekeepers society. Learning all about bees and what make them buzz. Look out for the bees in my next book!

You can win a holiday in France! Really! A holiday for four with James Villas, including flights and transfers. It’s brilliant!

All you have to do is answer the question on the Woman and Home competition page. Here’s the link: Enter here

I’m delighted that my latest book, Late Summer in the Vineyard, is now out in paperback and ebook here! You can see some photos of my important wine-based ‘research’ in France here with my fellow authors and friends Judy Astley and Katie Fforde.

To celebrate publication we’ve teamed up with Woman & Home magazine for a competition (closing date 31.08.2016) to join me in London for a special wine-tasting event. There are just 10 pairs of tickets available but I’d love to meet you so get your entry in here.

If you’ve read Late Summer in the Vineyard I’d love to hear what you think. Find me on Twitter https://twitter.com/jo_thomas01 and #SummerVineyard or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JoThomasAuthor/.

I find it goes down well with a glass of rose or two… Happy reading.

I’ll be at Crickhowell Literary Festival on the 8th October, come and join me for afternoon tea at 4pm with Katie Fforde.

Find ticket details and more information here.

If you want a little taste of Emmy’s world in Late Summer in the Vineyard, this beautiful little B&B on the banks of the Dordogne is perfect for a relaxing break.

http://www.lamaison-riviere.com/

Or indulge your creative side and book yourself onto a writing retreat at Chez Castillon.

http://www.chez-castillon.com/

Tucked away in Southern Italy is a gorgeous little restaurant called Entroterra, after which I named the town in The Olive Branch.

http://www.entro-terra.it/