The Congregation

Author's Note

Author's Note

The inspiration for this book came while on holiday with a couple of good friends, as we chatted around the pool about how some people seem to carry the world on their shoulders. Thanks to Sarah Locker and Paul Dean, my co-conspirators in the development stages.

It's never easy to create fictional characters when life is so full of lively and colourful people in the flesh. I'm forever meeting friends who relate funny family secrets to me or who have an idea for a crazy saga to feature in my work, but most of the time I simply create my imaginary town and slowly mould my characters one by one. It is the fictional people themselves who tell the secrets, sometimes they know what is beginning to unfold before I do, the sign that they have taken over and the book is no longer mine.

'The Congregation' touches upon some much deeper subjects than I have written about before but that is due to the decade in which my novel is set. It was a time when people were becoming more open, more talkative and less secretive about their hang-ups. I've also chosen my key character to be a member of the clergy, someone to whom the community should be able to depend upon in their hour of need. The Church played a key role in my own childhood and evokes a myriad of memories.

Once again the amazing cover has been created in oils by my super-talented aunt, Sylvia Caswell. She just seems to be able to capture the mood of my books so well, adding mystery and intrigue to her wonderful paintings, and a fabulous back-drop for the story to unfold.

My husband, Dave, is still hanging in there, putting up with my random disappearances and moments of inspiration when I lock myself in my study and write well into the night. He never judges and always supports me, both in emotional strength and physically with cups of strong black coffee. As my book series grows, I have many people to thank in taking this journey with me. It is never easy for an author to grow their fan base, but two people in particular have been a prominent part of my success. Susie Ballinger and Peter Coombes are a wonderful couple whom I met on my travels to Gloucestershire. This pair have been the instigators of an on-line club called 'We Love A.J's Books', which allows my readers to discuss their favourite characters, share photos and generally have a good giggle. Susie & Peter, I love you to bits, even though you're both bonkers!

To everyone who has read 'The Villagers' and 'The Seasiders', I thank you for your kindness and support, and look forward to sharing many more tales of secrets, quirky characters and pots of tea with you.

Overseas readers, please note that my books contain local expressions and British English language.