When I invited Jan Baynham to appear on my blog to celebrate the book-birthday of her debut novel, Her Mother's Secret: the Summer of '69, neither of us knew that we'd be overtaken by events and the book would be reissued with a new title and a gorgeous new cover.
| So let's begin by showing you the lovely new cover and sharing the Amazon link. |  |
And now let's share some of Jan's memories of being published during lockdown....
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Happy Book Birthday to 'Her Mother's Secret'
On 21st April 21st 2024, my debut novel, ‘Her Mother’s Secret – the Summer of ’69’ will be four years old. I remember the day as if it was yesterday. Becoming a published author was something I’d only ever dreamed about and there I was, sending my novel out into the world to be read by others. I had a feeling of excitement yet I was nervous too. How was it going to be received? What if it was a real flop? I knew I’d worked hard to get it as good as I could make it and I was lucky enough to be working with a super editor but… I was thrilled (and relieved!) once the early reviews started to come in.
Publication day was at the height of the COVID pandemic with all its restrictions on travel and as my novel is partially set on a fictional Greek island, the book soon became an escapist read. I began receiving messages from readers about how they enjoyed travelling to beautiful Greece via their armchairs, soaking up the sunshine and sampling the Greek food and drink, and for a few hours at least, forgetting about the dire situation we were all in.
| Being my first published novel, ‘Her Mother’s Secret’ will always be very special for me. I loved writing it as I was able to reminisce about holidays spent in my favourite country while, at the same time, exploring the more serious themes of family secrets, the bond between mothers and daughters, forbidden love and a sense of identity. |  |
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Blurb:
Previously published as Her Mother's Secret: The Summer of '69 by Jan Baynham.
A secret diary. Love lost. And love found . . .
Greece, 1969. Reeling from a devastating loss, free-spirited Elin Morgan escapes to a sun-drenched Greek island. She seeks shelter among the blue painted shutters, bobbing fishing boats and lanes lined with olive trees.
Up the hill from the taverna where she’s staying, Elin rekindles her love of painting at a tiny art studio and, with the help of handsome wood-carver Stelios, unlocks hidden passions.
But their carefree summer isn’t to last. Elin leaves, taking with her a shocking secret that will span decades.
Wales, 1991. Art student Alexandra is unmoored by the death of her beloved mother Elin. She doesn’t know what to do when she learns she’s been left a beautiful old diary.
Elin’s journal tells of the summer she spent on a Greek island in 1969 and gives Alexandra her blessing to find out the truth about her past.
With just an old diary to guide her, she seeks the answers to long-buried secrets. And as Alexandra begins to see the world through her young mother’s eyes, she realizes that some love stories have no ending . . .
This captivating and unforgettable story about the bonds between mother and daughter, set on a Greek island decades apart, is perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Louise Douglas, Kate Frost, T.A. Williams, Mandy Baggot, Francesca Catlow or Chris Penhall.
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