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Blind Date Number Two!

posted by Peter James @ 5:49 AM  

I've just had my second blind date! My first, last year, was with the very delightful Anja Koenig, (chaperoned by her equally delightful husband, Stephen) (see my earlier blog) who won a competition in Germany to have dinner with me. This time it was with Sarah Hobden, who won a competition in Sussex Life magazine to have lunch with me. (Maybe someone would get a huge number of entrants by running a competion for the winner not to have to have lunch or dinner with me...!!!)


Sara Hobden and That Man again!


Sara's trusting husband allowed her to come out on her own, and we had a fun lunch at the Hotel Du Vin in Brighton - one of a handful of places in Brighton I really think has a great bar and is a nice "space" to dine in. So many restaurants serve good and sometimes great food, but very few have rooms to match. In Brighton, I also like Havana, which has a fine, spacious, stylish room, and nearby, Wingrove House in Alfriston, with its glorious outside terrace as well. And while we are on the subject, my favourite restaurant in London by far is the Wolseley - quite the most glorious room, day or night. And in fact it features in my latest Roy Grace novel, Not Dead Enough!

I asked Sarah why she entered a competition to have lunch with me, expecting her to say that I had been her favourite writer for years, yadda yadda yadda... and my ego was somewhat deflated when she confessed that she'd actually never heard of me before reading about the competition! But then she said she was now a fan... so things improved substantially after that - sad sucker for flattery that I am...

But seriously, she was a delightful companion, extremely bright and fun. If anyone ever holds a competition to have lunch with her, I will be the first to enter!

18 Comments:

  • At 10:26 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hi Peter,

    The Lunch looks nice! I must admit, like Sara, I had never heard of you until I was in Portugal last year and decided to search for a book to read (The Villa we we’re staying at boasted a very large book-case), to cut a long story short I found your book and couldn't stop reading it for the next few days! (Pretty sad when having lovely sunshine abroad on holiday, eh?)
    I recieved "Looking good dead" shortly after my 22nd Birthday and enjoyed that even more. I have just pre-ordered "Not Dead Enough" and cant wait for next week to come :)

    Sorry for babbling, but I'm an avid fan and love your work.

    Andy

     

  • At 8:49 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Lucky Sarah Ptr!
    CnoE

     

  • At 9:22 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    What a lucky lady, to win competition AND have you as a prize :-).....and your books arent too shabby either.

    Linda

     

  • At 12:19 AM , Blogger Neil said...

    Hi Peter - I just wanted to say that I'm really looking forward to your new book arriving in a day or so (pre-ordered on Amazon). I expect I'll have it finished by the weekend! Which is a pain as it means I'll have another long wait for the next one...
    Keep up the good work. Neil

     

  • At 6:01 AM , Anonymous Jo said...

    Well I wasn't going to wait for however long! I have mine bought through Alan White Fine Books in Brighton! He promised me it was in the mail yesterday!
    My review will go up on my blog once I've finished it!
    Can't wait!

     

  • At 6:02 AM , Anonymous Jo said...

    Peter - my sister Sue will be at Waterstones in Bournemouth on June 16 to say hello! (and buy a book of course!)

     

  • At 9:04 AM , Blogger Peter James said...

    Hi Jo

    Thanks - really longing for your verdict! It would be great if you could post a review on Amazon, too if you have the time.

    Hugely looking forward to meeting your sister!

    We are going to Ascot on Tuesday June 19th - if you have any racing tips for that day they will be gratefully received!!!!

    All very best

    Peter

     

  • At 9:05 AM , Blogger Peter James said...

    Hi Andy

    Thanks soooooo much for your kind words above!

    If you enjoy Not Dead Enough could you also please post a review on Amaazon - I'd be hugely grateful.

    All very best

    Peter

     

  • At 9:06 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Mine has been posted from play.com :)

    Should recieve next Tuesday!

    Regards,

    Andy

     

  • At 3:46 PM , Anonymous Jo said...

    Hi Peter
    No problems - Amazon it is! Ascot - I will get the lads on to it!
    I'm glad the Grand National is but a dim memory.
    My friend Mark Gallagher is flying to the UK tonight (from Singapore!) to ride Leander in the Epsom Derby - it's 500/1 on Ladbrokes! Have a pound each way!

     

  • At 5:29 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Saw the book at Tesco today! Gutted I ordered off the internet now!!! HOPEFULLY it may come tomorrow..!

    I will do a review on Amazon once read :)

    Regards,

    Andy

     

  • At 7:08 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I had pre-ordered mine through Tesco's and it arrived this morning (Friday)- so I guess there won't be much work done this weekend!
    Bonnie

     

  • At 9:51 PM , Blogger Peter James said...

    Hi Jo

    Thanks for the Leander tip - will it be wearing pink livery???

    All best

    Peter

    Hi Andy

    Great that you ordered from Play - they are intent on becomg a serious bookseller. It is very interesting how the likes of Tesco and the internet companies have taken such a big chunk of the book market. What I think is so good about it is that it reduces the whole "snob" culture associated with reading.

    all best

    peter

     

  • At 3:13 AM , Anonymous Jo said...

    Close Peter! Blue with red sleeves and blue arm band and red cap.
    I just checked out Racing Post UK it is THE rank outsider!

    It's on at 4.20pm so 12.20am here -- it's going to be along night!

     

  • At 8:04 AM , Blogger Peter James said...

    Jo, thanks I have just placed an each way bet on it! Fingers crossed....

     

  • At 4:58 PM , Anonymous Jo said...

    Oh dear I do hope it wasn't more than the pound each way! But he did at least beat three home including the 13/2 third favourite!

     

  • At 1:07 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Peter -

     

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