Your newsletters are always uplifting, inspiring, and ...comfortable! A good chat with a good chum over a pot of tea -even if I am in New England, USA!
I loved slipping in into the Emily Lake realm- the characters
( oh my!!!) , the settings, and the stories within the story.
Yet another fan of your book recommendations here. I had actually read both of the Oman books already, but I don't mind because you have reminded me of them and I've dug them out to read again. Also, when I have read and liked books you have recommended, it is extra encouragement to read the ones I'm not familiar with as I'm highly likely to enjoy them too. I hadn't come across Frank Baker before, so I will be tracking Miss Hargreaves down. I am very much looking forward to your next book too.
Thank you very much - I love it that this is such a great place for us all to share recommendations. Thank you re my next book. It'll be a bit of a wait but I'm getting on with it!
I just finished your final book in the Emmy and Bunty series …. Loved it 🥰. I know you mentioned in your post that it’s been hard letting go of the characters …. I will miss them too.
I’ve listened to each book and thought the narrator who read your stories was fabulous!!
Thank you so much! That's lovely of you. Anna the narrator was wonderful wasn't she? The first time I went to listen to her recording one (Dear Mrs Bird) I was there for one of the sad bits. She had me in tears within seconds! I was so pleased that we were able to get her for the whole series. She brought it alive for so many people.
Thank you so much - I'm really glad you enjoy it. V pleased re the tote bag. I must build myself up for doubling my output. Which obviously would mean a total of ... two! 🤣
I so look forward to your newsletter filled as it is with news, cheer, and delicious links. Thank you! No, you are not making it up. Things are exceptionally hard right now. You are a bright light in the gloaming.
Oh my word, I LOVE Miss Hargreaves. I thought it served those boys right that she was so 'successful' and I thought it rather cruel that she had to be 'un-thought'. It's a great book.
**SPOILER WARNING (FOR ANYONE READING THROUGH THESE COMMENTS!)**
June - I'm with you 100%! I thought they were so cruel. Miss Hargreaves is a wonderful, hilarious character, for all her faults! I think if it was adapted for tv (or even written) now it would have quite a different end. I'd quite like to write a sequel (not to publish but just in a fan fiction way) where she returns. Norman is screamingly immature but his dad is the one I wanted to have a very Stern Word with! As I said in the post, it would be great for a book club - the discussion of invisibility of older women would be a topic in itself!
Your notes of cheer truly are. Cherry, I mean. I rarely read author newsletters clear thru, but yours is the exception. I’m a Yank, so finding your book recs is a challenge, but one I gladly accept. Thanks for staying the course by not folding to the homogenized one-size-fits-all narrative voice of the rest of the noveling world.
Btw, do you find autocorrect’s draconian bullying annoying too? He’s constantly insisting THAT IS NOT A REAL WORD. And drawing hateful red lines under it to show his displeasure, if not simply changing it w/o so much as a by-your-leave. There’s a great grumpy-sunshine rom-com in all that—2 robots find true love….
Thank you so much! That's lovely to hear. I'm not sure I have autocorrect set up properly as the robots don't bother me too much on the writing front. Either that or they've washed their robot hands of me!
Thank you - just looked TSNOTD up and it looks very interesting! I used to write time travel fan fiction when I was a teenager. My friends and I used to go back to the sixties to meet The Beatles!
The Sixties were wonderful, but the 70s—that’s where the real fun started! Ask the old folks you know—the ones who actually remember those decades have stories to burn and are just throbbing to tell them! 🤓
I love reading your Notes of Cheer - laugh out loud funny in places - you really have a lovely style of writing. Lots of lovely recommendations of things to see, read and do. Thank you for brightening my day! xx
Yes and yes! Your post is so interesting - the photo!!!! I feel I need to up my author look considerably! TBH I don't really have one - friends of mine are brilliant at it but I'm still flailing. ML may now be my inspiration! 😂
Your newsletters are always uplifting, inspiring, and ...comfortable! A good chat with a good chum over a pot of tea -even if I am in New England, USA!
I loved slipping in into the Emily Lake realm- the characters
( oh my!!!) , the settings, and the stories within the story.
Looking forward to your new dive.
Loved Dear Miss Lake!!
LOVE your newsletters! Makes me nostalgic for England. I live in Canada.
Thank you so much! I've only been to Canada once but would love to go back and see way more.
LOVE your newsletters! Makes me nostalgic for England. I live in Canada.
Yet another fan of your book recommendations here. I had actually read both of the Oman books already, but I don't mind because you have reminded me of them and I've dug them out to read again. Also, when I have read and liked books you have recommended, it is extra encouragement to read the ones I'm not familiar with as I'm highly likely to enjoy them too. I hadn't come across Frank Baker before, so I will be tracking Miss Hargreaves down. I am very much looking forward to your next book too.
Thank you very much - I love it that this is such a great place for us all to share recommendations. Thank you re my next book. It'll be a bit of a wait but I'm getting on with it!
I just finished your final book in the Emmy and Bunty series …. Loved it 🥰. I know you mentioned in your post that it’s been hard letting go of the characters …. I will miss them too.
I’ve listened to each book and thought the narrator who read your stories was fabulous!!
Thank you so much! That's lovely of you. Anna the narrator was wonderful wasn't she? The first time I went to listen to her recording one (Dear Mrs Bird) I was there for one of the sad bits. She had me in tears within seconds! I was so pleased that we were able to get her for the whole series. She brought it alive for so many people.
Love the tote idea 😄! And I love your newsletter - it's such a joy to read.
Thank you so much - I'm really glad you enjoy it. V pleased re the tote bag. I must build myself up for doubling my output. Which obviously would mean a total of ... two! 🤣
I so look forward to your newsletter filled as it is with news, cheer, and delicious links. Thank you! No, you are not making it up. Things are exceptionally hard right now. You are a bright light in the gloaming.
Thank you so much, Tina. That's such a lovely thing to say.
Oh my word, I LOVE Miss Hargreaves. I thought it served those boys right that she was so 'successful' and I thought it rather cruel that she had to be 'un-thought'. It's a great book.
**SPOILER WARNING (FOR ANYONE READING THROUGH THESE COMMENTS!)**
June - I'm with you 100%! I thought they were so cruel. Miss Hargreaves is a wonderful, hilarious character, for all her faults! I think if it was adapted for tv (or even written) now it would have quite a different end. I'd quite like to write a sequel (not to publish but just in a fan fiction way) where she returns. Norman is screamingly immature but his dad is the one I wanted to have a very Stern Word with! As I said in the post, it would be great for a book club - the discussion of invisibility of older women would be a topic in itself!
Oh do write a sequel! Or at least an essay on Miss Hargreaves and the invisibility and disappearance of older women. I’d read it!
Your notes of cheer truly are. Cherry, I mean. I rarely read author newsletters clear thru, but yours is the exception. I’m a Yank, so finding your book recs is a challenge, but one I gladly accept. Thanks for staying the course by not folding to the homogenized one-size-fits-all narrative voice of the rest of the noveling world.
Btw, do you find autocorrect’s draconian bullying annoying too? He’s constantly insisting THAT IS NOT A REAL WORD. And drawing hateful red lines under it to show his displeasure, if not simply changing it w/o so much as a by-your-leave. There’s a great grumpy-sunshine rom-com in all that—2 robots find true love….
Thank you so much! That's lovely to hear. I'm not sure I have autocorrect set up properly as the robots don't bother me too much on the writing front. Either that or they've washed their robot hands of me!
Time travel book please! Read Connie Willis, especially To Say Nothing of the Dog, for inspiration.
Thank you - just looked TSNOTD up and it looks very interesting! I used to write time travel fan fiction when I was a teenager. My friends and I used to go back to the sixties to meet The Beatles!
That sounds FANTASTIC!
The Sixties were wonderful, but the 70s—that’s where the real fun started! Ask the old folks you know—the ones who actually remember those decades have stories to burn and are just throbbing to tell them! 🤓
I remember the 70s very well! Although admittedly I was more interested in ponies and running an imaginary riding school than the real world! 🤣🤣🤣
Oh, AJ. I do love a good bag and am now dreaming of The Emmy Bag. I love a good laugh, even more. Thanks!
Thank you so much! If only I had stuck with learning to sew better and faster, I would have one winging its way to you right now! 😂
I love reading your Notes of Cheer - laugh out loud funny in places - you really have a lovely style of writing. Lots of lovely recommendations of things to see, read and do. Thank you for brightening my day! xx
Thank you so much, Yvonne - it's my absolute pleasure!
I'm very interested in an Emmy bag!
Thank you Carol! I feel another of my business plans coming on! 😂
I Spy Laski's The Village on your shelf! Did you love it, and her! Just look at this photo...we need more authors dressing like this!..https://open.substack.com/pub/harkness/p/a-new-project?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=gqpmg
Yes and yes! Your post is so interesting - the photo!!!! I feel I need to up my author look considerably! TBH I don't really have one - friends of mine are brilliant at it but I'm still flailing. ML may now be my inspiration! 😂
I am laughing out loud here. I'd buy one of your tote bags for sure, and I REALLY wish I could see a picture of Flying-Officer Beetroot.
Thank you x