21 Comments
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Janis's avatar

Oh my gosh! You are certainly living the glamourous life of a published author! So sorry about your oven... no one expects to be attacked by their appliances.

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Joanne Tracey's avatar

No one does expect to be attacked by their appliances. Too funny.

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Bernie L Cruikshank's avatar

WHAT a day...you deserved the lunch and wine. Holy smokes what a mess. Hope the new oven works well. I am scared to use my "pyro" clean as the last time it came close to blowing something on the mother board. So....I mop up regularly and think perhaps it is time to get a new one.

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Deb's World's avatar

What a story Jo! It must feature in one of your future books. Just glad you are ok and love the air fryer story, we’re having one delivered tomorrow!

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Sherry MacKay's avatar

that is terrifying about your oven! and funny how all these things seem to happen when the warranty is over. Such a lucky escape for you. Yes indeed your legs would have been full of shrapnel. Congrats with the new book!!!

cheers

sherry

https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/

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Suzanne's avatar

Ha, ha. I just finished watching the series Younger on Netflix. Book launch day is slightly different in the movies. For one, there are no exploding ovens. Congrats, I think? On the book, not the day, that kinda sucked.

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Darlene Foster's avatar

Congrats on the release of the latest Philly Barker book. Sorry to hear about the oven. OMG! I didn't know that could happen.

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

A day you now have seared in your memory!! Wowzers. So scary. And congratulations on the ways in which you both looked after yourselves too. Big congrats on the book!

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JanineHarriswriter's avatar

Well I guess you will never forget the launch day for Philly three!

Many congratulations on the new release. My pre ordered Amazon edition has been delivered to my kindle. As soon as I finish my current read I will be delving in.

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Rosy Gee's avatar

I loved this article Jo, and found you via Prue Batten. I’m so glad I did! Your publication day sounded different and you had a lucky escape with the blast.

I had always thought launch days were like premiers of films but sadly there is no red carpet and no glamour at all. Just lots of posting on social media and feeling incredibly proud. I hope the book is an amazing success and I am going to track down a copy to get my teeth into.

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Alex Keerie's avatar

Carnage, a day to remember for this book launch! Back pain is dreadful; I hope it goes just as quickly as it came.

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Donna Connolly's avatar

Hi, Jo - What an incredible day! I was never sure whether to laugh or send deep sympathy. But I honestly couldn't help but laugh at some parts - I still have tears in my eyes. Your writing is absolutely brilliant...and Janis's comment finished me off, right when I had finally controlled myself. I am glad that you were safely in the other room. Wishing speedy healing to your back.

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Joanne Tracey's avatar

I giggled at Janis' comment too. The back issue is just my usual back issue - too much standing up, leaning over, pushing vacuums yadda yadda yadda. It'll be fine.

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prue batten's avatar

Wow! That has to be the best book launch story I've ever heard! And timing is everything, when you consider how close you were to being in the firing line!

Let's hope Philly's success recoups the cost of a new oven, or can you claim it on insurance?

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Joanne Tracey's avatar

Nah, can't claim it sadly. At least the new oven will be clean.

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Leanne | crestingthehill's avatar

Sorry about the oven Jo, but I had to smile over your un-fashionable launch day. Definitely not a sequin in sight, and no autographs signed....but a very full day of normal stuff that went off with a bang! Enjoy your plush new oven when it arrives.

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Joanne Tracey's avatar

Yep, nothing glamourous here lol.

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Barbara Lofgren's avatar

That is awful about your oven - as you say, luckily you were not close by. I was going to self-clean mine this weekend but have thought better of it now!

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Joanne Tracey's avatar

What surprised me was how unsurprised the guy was when we bought the new oven. He said the pyroletic glass might have been grimy and that can sometimes cause mini fractures. The oven was 8 years old and I'd previously not used the function - had always cleaned it with Koh and water. It had been a year since I last cleaned it though.

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Nicola's avatar

Oven nightmare, Jo!!! So glad you didn't get injured xx

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Joanne Tracey's avatar

I'm pretty glad I didn't get injured too - it would have ruined my holiday lol.

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