Merry Christmas everyone – and Happy New Year!
‘Tis the season to be jolly, so, after a pretty intense year, I’m hanging up my keyboard for a couple of weeks and surrendering to the temptations of mulled wine, cheese, mince pies, turkey, chocolate, Christmas carols, cheeky cigarettes and hours of crap-but-enjoyable TV, plus lashings of festive fun.
Looking back over the past twelve months, I realise that I have actually achieved quite a bit. I turned 60 this year, had a big party to celebrate it in Cornwall, and also had a lovely family holiday in Spain. From a professional perspective, I’ve published two novels, and written a new one, and managed, somehow, to keep the wolf from the door. What more can you ask from life? So heartfelt thanks to my readers, family and friends who keep me going, and particularly to those of you who post kind reviews of my books.
Robin Hood and the Heretic Prince
The 11th Robin Hood/Alan Dale novel came out in June. A tale set in the south of France during the beginning of the Albigensian Crusade. It sold well and people still seemed to really like these stories and so I have started writing Robin Hood and the Holy Grail, which will be the 12th and final book in the Outlaw Chronicles (I promise!) I’m aiming to publish that novel sometime in the spring/summer of 2026.
Templar Traitor
I launched a new Mongol series this year in August, kicking off with Templar Traitor, a novel based on the incredible true story of an Englishman who fought for Genghis Khan. The sales have been sluggish, to be honest – I think people simply don’t believe that this English guy was a real historical character – but the reviews have been amazing! At the risk of sounding a bit Trumpian, people are saying this is the best book I’ve ever written. I’m really proud of it, too. It took me five years to get this story together. And the second book, Templar Assassin, is already written (more or less) and will be out in the summer of 2026.
But that’s enough about my books. I’m not going to think about work for the next two weeks and will simply immerse myself in the pleasures of the season. I advise you to do so, too! I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. And look forward to interacting with you all again in 2026. Cheers!
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