Well, it’s been a year, hasn’t it?! For many reasons, like many people, I will be glad to see the back of 2020. But I’m not going to be negative in this post – I actually want to celebrate all the good things that have happened this year in terms of my publishing career. And I also want to give a shout out to those authors who helped keep me grounded this year with their wonderful books.
So, first, what did I publish amidst the strangeness of the year? Actually, a helluva lot, and I didn’t realise it until I had to write a list for another purpose, and then I sat back and was like, ‘Wow, all of that happened?!’
Books – published 3!
Dare to Love, Never Too Late for Heroes, A Heart to Trust
I wasn’t working last year, having moved to Germany from the UK, so I had plenty of time on my hands to write more things, and the result was 3 books published this year. Two romances, with a fun superhero romp sandwiched in between them, and it was fantastic to see the reception for all three in the reviews and on social media. Thanks to everyone who bought/downloaded and spread the love 😊
Audiobooks – released 4!
The Long Shot, Never Too Late for Heroes, Up on the Roof, Dare to Love
This was like the planets aligning, or something – I was so excited when I heard that one of my books was going to be in audio, and then lo and behold, Tantor got four of them pushed out in the space of a year! There really is something quite incredible about having a professional narrator read your stories, using all their acting skills to bring such depth to the telling. I’ve loved listening to all of them!
Short story anthologies – contributed to 2!
Glimpses, Berührt von Ihr
When Jae approached me to ask if I’d like to take part in an anthology that would be distributed free to anyone who wanted it, I jumped at the chance. Writing a short follow-up to Dare to Love was huge fun, and I love that Glimpses is full of that kind of story from books that I’ve read and loved.
It was also quite the thrill (ahem) to have two of my sauciest stories from Laid Bare translated into German and released as part of the anthology ,Berüht von Ihr’. When I’ve advanced with my German lessons a tad more, it will be fun to read them 😉
German translations of my books – my first one!
Zu Zweit unter einem Dach
Calling Germany home now (and intending to do so for the rest of my life), it was particularly satisfying to release one of my novels fully translated into German this year, Up on the Roof (as ,Zu Zweit unter einem Dach’). And we have plans for more – Dare to Love will be out next year!
Not bad, huh? And next year will see more of everything – another romance, Chasing Dreams, is being worked on right now and will be out in October 2021. As mentioned above, Dare to Love will be translated into German, and we recently signed contracts with Tantor for the audio version of A Heart to Trust (release date to be confirmed).
My best reads of 2020
I read a lot this year, in between writing and surviving various lockdowns. And this year served up some absolute treats in terms of wlw books – here’s my top picks, all of which I can highly recommend:
Finding Jessica Lambert, by Clare Ashton. Gorgeous age-gap romance between a reclusive older woman and the younger, mysterious woman she rescues one night.
Art of Magic, by KJ. Lyrical, mystical, beautiful, sexy, and humorous – this romance has a touch of magic that’s woven beautifully into the education setting.
The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, by Olivia Waite. Historical romance at its finest, and the audiobook is gorgeous too.
When You Least Expect It, by Haley Cass. Only her second book but it blew me away with its in-depth characterisation and beautifully paced slow-burn romance between a divorce lawyer and an unexpected client.
The Priory of the Orange Tree, by Samantha Shannon. Superb fantasy with epic world-building and an extraordinary cast of characters, AND a gorgeous wlw romance at its centre.
And for something a bit different, I devoured this fanfic – How the mouth changes its shape, by breathdout. It’s a female Sherlock Holmes, set in 1950s London, and it is utterly brilliant. Find it here on Archive of Our Own.
Festive giveaway
Finally, I can’t do an end-of-year blog without a giveaway. And because this year was such a dumpster fire, I feel the giveaway needs to be next level to make up for it. So, I have created two winning bundles:
Winner 1 – gets to choose up to 3 of any of my ten published books as e-books, and gets a http://www.audiobooks.com code for the audio version of either Never Too Late for Heroes, Up on the Roof, or Dare to Love – listener’s choice!
Winner 2 – gets to choose one e-book from any of the ten I’ve published, and gets a http://www.audiobooks.com code for the audio version of either Never Too Late for Heroes, Up on the Roof, or Dare to Love – listener’s choice!
To enter, simply comment on this post. I’ll pick the two winners at random at 10pm CET, 27th December 2020.
Have a great holiday season, and stay safe and healthy! Here’s to a much improved 2021 – cheers! 😬
A. L. Brooks 
Comments
54 responses to “2020 wrap up – and a festive giveaway!”
Thank you so much for 3 amazing books this year🙏🏻 I’ve read many of your books and I love your writing 😁 keep up the good work and I can’t wait to read your next book😁💜
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Thank you, that’s lovely to hear!
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Woah!! What an amazingly productive year!!! Fantastic!
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Thank you!!
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You are most welcome! 🙂
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Wow, busy year 🙂 well done and congratulations on your fab novels, love your work!
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Thank you, lovely to hear that!
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Well done congratulations
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Thank you!
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Yes, you can say that. What a year it was. How nice of you that you have a little festive end of it.
Sign me up to it:)
Stay safe, have a good christmas and a wonderfull and writefull 2021.
Marian
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What a year but you added a little joy to mine, so thank you.
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I’m glad to have done so!
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Consider yourself signed 🙂
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Congrats on a successful 2020, and good luck in 2021!
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Thank you!
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Love all your books cheers, and hopefully a great and much better New Year
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Thanks, and cheers to you too!
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Next level giveaways! Huzzah!!
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I felt the need 🙂
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It’s been a year, yeah… Thank you again for sending me ‘A Heart to Trust.’
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My pleasure!
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Great year for WLW books and I loved yours! Here’s to a better 2021!
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Thanks! And hear hear!
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I’ve read two of those books and loved them! Looking forward to more!
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Hurrah! Thank you
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Seems like you had a very productive year. I pray 2021 will be a better year for all of us. Looking forward to your next book. Have a wonderful Christmas.
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Thanks, and to you too!
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So lovely to read such positive comments on the back of a “crappy but magical year”!
Love recommendations for books thank you.
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My pleasure!
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My goodness, you have had quite a year, indeed! I commend you on all you have accomplished. It is amazing to be able to look back upon this disaster of a year to realize that it wasn’t so bad after all.
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There were some bright moments, yes! thanks
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Exciting news, and sign me up, please!
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You’re signed up! 🙂
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Love love love your books! Thanks!
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Great to hear, thank you!
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Wow has been a very productive year for you. I’m glad something good has come from 2020. I’ve enjoyed very much your books, I’m looking forward for the audiobooks. So far I got Never Too Late For Heroes and is one of my very fav.
Thank you very much, looking forward for your books in 2021.
Best wishes and happy holidays. A warm tight hug
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Thanks so much!
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Well done on having such a productive 2020!
Of course I want to sign up for the giveaway:D
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Hurrah!
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While 2020 was indeed a dumpster fire, authors like you got us through it. Thank you and congratulations on all that you accomplished this year!
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Thank you very much!
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Can’t wait to see what happens in 2021 with your books. So many wonderful books already!!! 😊🐯
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Thank you very much!
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That was still quite the productive year, glad to see creatives like you pulling us through this time with a modicum of sanity. Our own literary superheroes 😉
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Aw, thanks!
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What fab prizes. Thanks x
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Cheers!
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I am amazed that you have 3 published books in one year. I really enjoyed Up on the Roof, and the contrast between Megan and Lena. I wish you an even more prosperous 2021. Thankyou.
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Thank you!
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I’ve read a few and found them to be thoroughly enjoyable! Looking forward to hopefully winning some!
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Glad you enjoyed what you read so far!
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I read the Club and Up on the roof and I am looking forward to reading more of them.
I hope you are have a nice Christmas time and take the opportunity to wish you many more writing success in 2021, thanks for this generous giveaway !
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Thank you!
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Hi everyone. Thank you so much for taking the time to read the post and enter the giveaway! The winners have now been picked and I’ve emailed them, so check your inboxes. All the best for 2021!
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