I don’t quite understand why I skim over compliments, barely registering them. What a waste! I’ve just re-found an email of praise from a writer friend whose opinion I value highly. Did I take it in on first reading? Not well enough, is the answer. I read it again this morning and glowed with pleasure; so much so that I will copy and paste it here.

Dear Susie,

I finished Flood & Flame a couple of days back and Lu has now done so, too, & I’m sure she’ll write to you.

I just wanted to say how much I had enjoyed it.

I thought the form perfect, the content beautifully done and the writing itself terrific. I completely fell for your characters, all in their different ways, and your account of  lives over many decades rang so true and resounded hugely.

I have to say that the end had me gulping – it was terribly moving.

And if you really aren’t going to write another novel, I’m sure there’ll be more poetry, both on the page and off.

All love to you both and many felicitations for having created & produced something really special,

Tony