And while we have no snow, and the sun’s shining, the Beast from the East cold weather front is making it pretty chilly even down here on the South Coast. In fact I ought to finish painting this polar bear while I’m feeling cold, just to get the right atmosphere. 
Bookish news: Cover reveals very soon for my three Charlotte Richmond mysteries which are being republished by Williams & Whiting, beginning the end of this month.
And The House at Ladywell now has 30 great reviews so far on Amazon.co.uk – here’s the Amazon link http://amzn.to/2o4PJ8C
As the weather’s been so horrible lately I think it’s time for some random frivololity: 
1)This is one of those pictures that turn up on Facebook so I can’t attribute it, which is a pity because it’s a) amusing and b) true.
2) Some of my literary and historical heroes – I mean, of course, John Thornton, Col Brandon, and Richard Sharpe, not in any way the actors who played them. Oh dear no… (all promotional images)
Always…
any excuse
Needs no introduction
Nicola Slade's Winchester Mysteries 
Congratulations on your success with your novels, Nicola. And thank you, thank you for the handsome heroes. A writer can never get too much inspiration in that line.
Thanks, Beth – I think the Handsome Heroes might become a regular feature.