Pink Champagne and Apple Juice launch, and one good review!

Got up this morning to find a very positive review of "Pink Champagne and Apple Juice" on the Writewords (http://www.writewords.org.uk) site - thanks, Nell! You can't ever imagine how much better that has made me feel ... And because I'm so excited about it, here's the review itself:

"Pink Champagne and Apple Juice is a rollicking roller-coaster of a ride from the moment we first encounter Angie, legging it along Platform One, her mother in hot pursuit. She just makes it onto the train to the big city, leaving her mum either gesticulating or waving on the platform. ‘There, I’ve done it,’ she said to herself. ‘I’ve finally left home.’ It was only then she realized she’d forgotten to pack any knickers. The knickers turn up again – in fact knickers both actual and metaphorical pop up (and down) fairly frequently before the end of the story. All the ingredients needed for a few hours escape from the mundane are here: there’s John, Angie’s transvestite uncle, concealing more than his sexuality beneath the paint and feathers; a gorgeous French waiter called Philippe; Heinrich, an intimidating German chef and the colourful staff and clientele of The Den Nightclub, as well as Angie herself, trying her wings for size and creating chaos in the process. But nothing and nobody in this novel, except possibly Angie herself, are quite what they seem. There are lessons to be learned, family secrets to be uncovered and a way to be made in the big wide world that’s so different from the quiet Essex village she’s abandoned. The writing carried me along at a cracking pace, and I laughed aloud more than once. Anne Brooke makes it look so easy. An enjoyable and light-hearted read and the perfect holiday novel or pick-me-up for a grey day. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a single sitting. Pure escapism!"

Hey, that made me feel good. I've read it so many times now I could probably recite it verbatim. Which just goes to show how sad and needy writers are. No surprises there then.

Popped into Godalming and signed five copies of Champers for Ottakar's (thank you, Kevin and Sarah!), who were sweetness itself. Then ran the uninterested gauntlet of "The Surrey Bookshop". Goodness me, that was like getting blood out of a stone - and seeing that I am a valued customer there, I was distinctly not impressed. They barely managed to take one copy, and even then at a raised discount. Thanks a lot, guys - not. I shall definitely commence my book purchasing over the road at Ottakar's then.

Lord H came home for the afternoon, and has been working on the cover of Jay Margrave's "The Gawain Quest" for Goldenford (http://www.goldenford.co.uk). Later, it will be the launch of Champers, and Jacquelynn Luben's "A Bottle of Plonk" (spot the alcoholic theme!) at the Guildford Institute, so am very nervous about that. God, I hope it's all right. I've taken 2 calming pills, and will have a secret calming spray later, so maybe it'll be fine. And talking of which, I am very much fed up with the high numbers of church people who have backed out of the launch (or not even had the decency to respond ...) at the last minute. Bad show, people. Don't you have any idea how much it means to me? It seems that as long as I do my sacristan job Sunday by Sunday, no-one actually gives a damn about what really matters to me. Sounds harsh? Hell, that's the way it feels - live with it.

And I've done my monthly round of competition entries - mainly poetry. It's always good to tick something else off the writing list.

Meanwhile, onward to the launch ... wish me luck.

Anne Brooke
http://www.annebrooke.com