Welcome to the party to celebrate the launch of my new story collection: The Last Rose. No, no, you’re not the first to arrive and I can see by the bottle of bubbly that you’re holding that you’ll probably not going be the first to leave either!
Let me take your coat and pour you a drink... oh, I see you
already have one. Well, that’s the spirit. The pink champagne goes beautifully
with my rose theme, doesn’t it? 
Yes, the place is rather grand isn’t it but I thought I’d
push the boat out as it’s the second book I’ve published. I’m glad you’ve
chosen to dress up for the occasion – that hat really suits you and I haven’t
seen earings like those since I was last in Primark. 
I’ve made a bit of an effort myself. Do you like my nails? I can’t pick anything up but luckily Tracy Fells is here to help out. “More canapes over here please,
I thought, instead of a buffet, we’d have a sit down meal.
Don’t the tables look beautiful. Patsy Collins said she'd make me some rose table
decorations but this is all she managed to come up with.
Please find yourself a seat at the table, there are some
fabulous cakes and desserts which will be coming round soon. No, there’s not
point in fighting to sit next to Della Galton or Teresa Ashby, they are not
going to give away the secrets of their success. And just because Shirley from
The People’s Friend is here, doesn’t mean she wants you to hand her that
submission... go on put it away!
While the orchestra is tuning up, let me tell you a little
about The Last Rose. It’s a collection of thirteen short stories about family
and friendship and all the stories have previously been published in either The
People’s Friend, Take a Break Fiction Feast or Woman’s Weekly. Are there any
stories about my own family in here? Well, the marks on the doorframe in
my story, ‘A Growing Family’ can actually be found in my kitchen and both my
daughter and I have identical gold necklaces just like the mother and daughter
in 'Links in a Chain'.
There should be something in The Last Rose for everyone: some, like 'The Writing on the Wall' and 'All Our Yesterdays' are thought provoking, others such as 'Look at Me' and 'Feels Like Coming Home' are poignant. If you like humour, though, 'The Toast of Maida Vale' is the one for you. Hopefully, whatever your taste, you will not be left wanting.
Why family and friendship? Well, they are both very
important to me. Here are some little people who many of you will recognise –
my grandchildren. They are three of my favourite people in the world and
fabulous for exploiting when you have a book to market. If you’d just stand
over there little ones and hold up the book so everyone can see and look
cute... that’s the way!
What a fantastic cake! I’d like to say I baked it myself
but... well, you know me too well to know that to be true. Do help yourself to a
slice... oh, all right two then... and while I have you captive, I’ll read you a snippet from one of my stories: 'The Writing
on the Wall'.
T he word appears
slowly. As I pull away wet strips of wallpaper, the wall beneath is slick and
shiny with paste but with every upward sweep of the scraper, the letters become
more defined. Some letters are written large and others smaller. The writing is
bold and defiant, written across the blank canvas of the wall with a flourish.
The light is going and dusk has fallen by the time I uncover the final letter...
REMEMBER. Remember what?
There should be something in The Last Rose for everyone: some, like 'The Writing on the Wall' and 'All Our Yesterdays' are thought provoking, others such as 'Look at Me' and 'Feels Like Coming Home' are poignant. If you like humour, though, 'The Toast of Maida Vale' is the one for you. Hopefully, whatever your taste, you will not be left wanting.
Why family and friendship? Well, they are both very
important to me. Here are some little people who many of you will recognise –
my grandchildren. They are three of my favourite people in the world and
fabulous for exploiting when you have a book to market. If you’d just stand
over there little ones and hold up the book so everyone can see and look
cute... that’s the way!
Sorry, I’m going to have to leave you for a moment as my
editor, Alan, has just arrived with some music for the DJ to play later. Oh dear, it
looks like he’s brought his whole 80's collection and I have a horrid suspicion
that Kajagoogoo might be in there somewhere – I’d better have a quiet word.
What a fantastic cake! I’d like to say I baked it myself
but... well, you know me too well to know that to be true. Do help yourself to a
slice... oh, all right two then... and while I have you captive, I’ll read you a snippet from one of my stories: 'The Writing
on the Wall'.
No, of course I’m not going to tell you the rest. If I did,
there would be no reason for you to buy it here, would there? I’m not that silly! It's a bargain at £1.99 don't you think? Don't like Kindle? You're in luck because The Last Rose is available here in paperback too for £4.99... just for you! Thank you so much for coming to my launch party. If you do read it, please consider leaving a review on Amazon... I'd be really grateful.
I'm afraid I'm going to leave you now and mingle but I'll be back soon. In the meantime, thank you for coming and enjoy the party!
