Lessons from the publishing sensations of 2012 - from India Knight (above) and Hilary Boyd, who share must-have beauty products - and must-follow rules for living happily ever after...

Here’s a thought, as we head towards 2013.  In our latest book The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible, there is a section called 'Love Your Life', which fans tell us they particularly appreciate when they’re feeling low.  One thing we say emphatically is ‘Never give up on passion.'  Yes, we do mean the physical sort of passion as well as being passionately interested in people and things of all sorts.

To our delight, the publishing sensation of the year reflects our edict: it comes in the shape of a charming and tender romance called Thursdays in the Park by Hilary Boyd, a 62-year-old grandmother who helped research early editions of Beauty Bible.  ‘Thursdays’, as it’s known, tells the story of love and passion between a man and a woman over the age of – are you sitting down... 60!

Jeanie and Ray meet taking their grandchildren to the park, a scenario that flew into Hilary’s mind as she played with her first granddaughter Tilda in Highgate.  To date, it’s been top of the Kindle bestsellers for over six weeks, downloaded by well over 100,000, outselling 50 Shades of Grey – hoorah! It’s also infinitely better written, and there’s no S&M.

Thursdays in the Park leaves Jeanie and Ray, as Hilary says, ‘at the door of the bedroom’ – whereas India Knight’s new novel Mutton unabashedly delves into 46-year-old Clara’s obsessions with shagging, freak wrinkles, fishnets, families and how ‘mutton’ you look...  Clara describes her friend Gaby’s look on a certain day thus:  ‘She certainly doesn’t look tarty which up until now has always been my most reliable measure of mutton:  you want a hint of possibility, I think, but at a certain age “yoohoo” turns into “sexually desperate”, which is really a look a person wants to avoid at all costs.’

The two novels are very different takes on passion at a certain age but both end with a deep loving relationship proving to be the factor that transforms sex into romantic passion.

• Thursdays in the Park by Hilary Boyd - buy here

• Mutton by India Knight - buy here

As a self-confessed shopping junkie, we also asked India Knight to share her favourite beauty products...

Nars Larger Than Life Long-wear Eyeliner. 'Called an eyeliner but in fact a pencil.  I have this in every shade they do - the gold is nice and festive, the greeny-grey looks fantastic, navy is what I wear every day. Simply brilliant - doesn't budge, self-sharpening, lasts ages. I would be lost without it for daytime.'

• Nars Larger Than Life Long-wear Eyeliner/£17 - buy here

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner. 'I've been wearing flicky eyeliner for evenings out since I was 15. This is simply the best. Stays put forever, easy to use, beautiful deep inky black. I also really love it in a forest green called Ivy Shimmer.'

• Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner/£17 - buy here

Tom Ford Cream Eyeshadow in Platinum.  'I'm not very good at blending eye shadow. It just looks like a mess.  I don't know what weird magic is in this range but for some reason that I can't explain, you whack them on and it looks like you've done some very clever and sophisticated blendy thing, instead of just going "smudge" with your finger.'

• Tom Ford Cream Eyeshadow in Platinum

Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Old Hollywood.  So many red lipsticks, so little time.  This is rich, creamy, non-drying and the most fabulous cherry shade.  Glamour in a tube, even if you're not wearing any other makeup.

• Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Old Hollywood/£18 - buy here

'And finally, my Mason Pearson hairbrush (pure bristle, not mixed). I have wavy hair that goes bonkers if unattended - frizzy and nest-like at the first sign of humidity.  This hairbrush is the only thing that solves that particular problem: not serums, not product, not evil straighteners. I couldn't recommend these brushes more: they change your hair-life.'

• Mason Pearson hairbrush/£38 - buy here

And now, Hilary Boyd’s advice on how to live life with passion...

Passion is not just about sex, it’s about LIFE.  Open your heart to the amazing possibilities of life.  Because it’s true, anything can happen, any time, any where.  You just have to believe it’s possible.

Take a risk. Actually - take several!  Wear red lipstick, have a daring new haircut (and/or colour), buy some gorgeous sexy underwear.  Even if no one else sees it – yet! - it will change the way you feel about yourself.

Move your body.  Get the oxygen flowing, bring the sparkle back to you eye. Go for brisk walks in the sunshine, or if you’re home alone, dance and sing at the top of your voice. You’ll feel daft for five seconds, then your body takes over and you’re flying.

Stand tall and strut your stuff.  Stop worrying about what everyone else is thinking. They probably aren’t thinking about you anyway, they’re too busy worrying about themselves.  So be confident in your own gorgeousness.

Seize the moment.  So many of us put off doing what we long to do.  Excuses abound: no time, no money, too old, too young, not pretty/clever/talented enough. Well, rubbish to that, I say.  Just do it - you’ve got nothing to lose but your overrated dignity.  And so much you might gain…