Sapphire Wolf

Bereavement and Book Delays

Normally I wouldn’t put out a post like this, but I have to admit that 2025 so far has sucked lime-green donkey balls, as my friend once so elegantly said. This is the reason I had to cancel my CSM pre-orders.

In October 24, it became clear my stepmum, at the ripe old age of 96, couldn’t manage in her own home after she was found collapsed in a lift in her managed housing. I rehomed her from hospital 50 miles away, into a lovely care home near me. That happened in November. She’s very happy there.

In December, I had major surgery, a hysterectomy. All went well and I spent Christmas and New Year recovering. I planned a busy writing week away on the Isle of Wight with author buddies. I managed 2 days.

The day I arrived on the IOW, my oldest brother was blue-lighted to a London hospital. He was given 24 hours to live. He made it another six weeks. We spent five weeks travelling to see him, then I spent a week sitting with him in the same care home where my stepmum is. He died the middle of February, the day after my birthday.

Not surprisingly, my writing brain took some time out. I’m still not fully focused, if I’m honest. But I am on the home stretch to finish Feline Investigator. I am so sorry for not finishing it sooner, but my family comes first, as you can imagine.

I don’t plan to do many personal posts, but I felt you were owed this one.

Sapphire