A BESTSELLING author is "thrilled" to have secured a new book deal with a leading publishing house. 

Julie Shackman, from Milngavie, has signed a four-book deal with HarperCollins division One More Chapter following the success of A Secret Scottish Escape in 2021 and The Cottage in the Highlands which was released in December last year.

The deal will see Julie's next book, titled The Bookshop by the Loch, published in Spring 2024.

READ MORE: 'It’s just great to see your work out there': Author speaks of excitement ahead of book release

The novel will be the next in her Scottish Escapes series which has sold more than 100,000 copies across all formats.

Julie had previously secured a two-book deal with HarperCollins in 2021 following the release A Secret Scottish Escape.

She said: "I am thrilled and delighted to be continuing my writing journey with the amazing One More Chapter.

"They are a first-rate team and it really is just like being part of one big happy family.

"I can't wait to bring more romance and mystery to the readers with my Scottish Escapes series." 

Glasgow Times:

Jennie Rothwell, senior commissioning editor at One More Chapter, said: "I absolutely love working with Julie, her writing is uplifting and provides much-needed escapism, and I love the balance of romance and mystery that she brings to her readers.

"I’m incredibly proud of what Julie has achieved in such a short space of time and can’t wait to continue working with her and watching her brand grow as she continues to find new readers."

The Bookshop by the Loch follows book lover Lexie who is bereft when she discovers her beloved local bookshop is up for sale. 

Desperate to save the shop, she takes things into her own hands, but not everyone is happy with her enthusiasm, and when the owner’s nephew Tobias arrives on the scene with some ideas of his own, the two are not happy at the prospect of having to work together.