Hello! At the risk of sounding like a broken record - yes, it's STILL raining here in Perth... At this rate, I'll soon be typing on the keyboard with one hand and holding an oar with the other! 😜

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In Book News... (well, going into "Gossip" too!)

Wow - I didn't realise that people were so invested and had so much to say about the "Team Devlin vs Team Lincoln" debate. I'm still receiving messages with your thoughts on Gemma's love life - haha! 

I love reading your comments and life experiences - some of them really made me laugh, such as this message from Renee:

"OK, so having been married to the same dear and annoying man for 59 years, I can perhaps claim some marital insights. Common interests, sense of humour, skills and goals being dominant factors. So in my opinion, for what it might be worth, Devlin has more going for him in relation to Gemma's personality and life focus. Also I am greatly influenced by not wanting Mrs Rose to be smug and say she told us so!!I
The doctor seems fond of Gemma, but there is limited ignition in their relationship! Muted spark is not enough. Just the thoughts of an octogenarian who has seen many relationships prosper and many founder. Who needs lukewarm 🙄?"
 

Of course, there's also the opposite point of view - such as from Marilyn!

"I don’t think half your readership will be “disappointed” with either Devin or Lincoln when Gemma chooses. Both men are intriguing in their own way, and you need to let the characters inspire you. I voted for Lincoln, because, well he’s nice, kind, he’s thoughtful, capable and cute. Devlin, while dashing, gorgeous and kind, is too mercurial to be a steady partner in marriage, which is a whole different kettle of fish than mere romancing. He would be too emotionally high maintenance as a marriage partner for Gemma and that would be too distracting, for both Gemma’s work and her story. Lincoln will be a true help, while having his own interesting career."

Do you know what surprised me the most about the recent poll results? (well, aside from Devlin and Lincoln being almost 50 - 50 in readers' affections!)  It was that I always assumed EVERYONE would like the "tall, dark & brooding" romantic hero type... I was really surprised to find that many don't like that type at all! 

I suppose it's because that is the stereotype that women are supposed to find the most attractive. I mean, I have to confess that I myself have a weakness for the "Byronic hero", all dark and brooding and dangerously attractive (probably looking like Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights...! 😉)

Maybe this is because I grew up in the 80s and 90s, and my teenage reading diet was liberally sprinkled with a heavy dose of Mills & Boon romance novels, always featuring that particular kind of dark, enigmatic romantic hero! 

(I do still have a few dog-eared copies of my old favourites and I re-read them when I'm seeking an easy "comfort read", such as when I'm in bed with a bad cold...)

I don't know... do you think the kind of man (or woman) you're attracted to - at least in fiction! - is affected by the things you read in books and saw on TV & in movies at an impressionable age, while growing up? That it cements a sort of "type" within you?

Of course, the great irony is that while I love that kind of "tall, dark - and maybe dangerous! - brooding stranger" in books... I've actually married a lovely, quietly brilliant "Lincoln" - in real life, haha!
 

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For the foodies and travel bugs... and those who love (some more) gossip!

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Following my last newsletter about my mother-in-law visiting from the UK and us taking her to experience an "an Aussie afternoon tea" (you can catch up HERE if you missed it!)... I had several readers email me to share photos of places where they'd enjoyed a lovely Afternoon Tea as well. 😊

Liz said that if you're ever in London, you must try to visit the famous department store Harrods for their iconic Afternoon Tea. It does sound (and look!) absolutely scrumptious - I will definitely check it out the next time I'm in London!

~ "My family and I love love love Afternoon Tea. We’ve had it in many different cities/places. While we were in London we tried afternoon tea in quite a lot of places, and our overall favorite that we all agreed on is The Georgian @ Harrods. Beautiful ambiance, so peaceful (which the rest of Harrods is not peaceful 😉🤣) , delicious piping hot scones w their in home 3 types of jams spooned and served by our server out of their enormous crystal goblets on a trolley in front of our table, sandwiches were wonderful (classics and creative ones) and the bites of desserts/sweets were innovative and very tasty. Lastly the tea selection was robust and lovely."

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Closer to my side of the world, Raelene showed me some gorgeous pics of the High Tea she and her husband enjoyed at The Langham Hotel in Melbourne, as a special treat for their wedding anniversary. Another place that I'm definitely adding to my list! 

~ "One of my favourite things to do is High Tea, so my husband and I celebrated our recent Wedding Anniversary at The Langham in Melbourne. It was fantastic, they even brought out a special dessert to celebrate but we were so full, we had to take it home to enjoy later. It made our celebration last longer."
 

Thank you so much to all those who've emailed me to tell me about your fun outings - I so enjoy hearing about your experiences in different parts of the world!

I've been very lucky to try Afternoon Tea in lots of different places so if you've all enjoyed this series, I can share some more places I've been to in future newsletters - from Oxford and the Cotswolds to London, New York and even in Taiwan with my mother! 😋

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Finally... for the Cat Lovers!

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I thought Muesli fans might enjoy this... I turned around the other day and found her cuddling one of her little mouse toys. She looked so sweet that I just had to snap a couple of photos. Who said cats and mice can't be friends? 😉

Till next time...

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