Coffee At Kowalski's

Oh lord, I got to chapter 23 and you are unbelievably cruel! I had to go on Amazon and buy the book and now wait for uncountable hours before it gets here! But it's obvious why you've been published, and it's a testament to authonomy that people like you are found and given proper coverage. I know the characters are wonderful and watertight, the setting is well shown and I really do hope she ends up with Ed, but overall I love the individual 'bits'. The emphasis on Christmas, the little traditions she has that I can so relate to and Kowalski's itself, it's pure genius. Well done you!

I cannot believe it ended on that note! I will definitely buy this book come November!

I started reading this book, saying to myself that I would just read the first chapter and see why it had been chosen for publishing. Needless to say, I passed more than chapter 1! You have a rare gift Miranda. One where you can turn sentences into paragraphs and paragraphs into undying love letters to a city that has captured the hearts of so many! I love your New York and I love the sense of magic you have around it.

The characters are simply engrossing and the structure suits the plot perfectly. I am especially attatched to Mr. K himself. His influence is wonderful, and using Rosie's experiences with him as a framing structure was just a wonderful present for the reader.

My favorite character has to be Ed. He is so...mysterious, despite the lack of mystery in his presentation and personality. He feels like a character you can't wait to find out more about.

The relationships are realistic and endearing. There is so much to love about this novel. All praises to you!

I look forward to seeing this in print as I look forward to all of your future novels!

Yay, decaf. :) But who needs caffeine when you've got a pick-me up like this. When I read the pitch for some reason I was thinking, okay, sort of Sex In The City-ish, and it does have that kind of knowing, upbeat vibe - but there's also a warmth to it than I didn't get from that series. I loved the conversational style (and as an aside, I loved that parenthetical aside to the reader, 'for your information...' to the extent that I think you could consider dropping that in as a kind of recurring narrative trait, but as the shortened FYI - not too much but if there are other opportunities, I'd say use it.) Great little character touches too, like the twelve year old girl deciding what she *wasn't* going to be when she grew up. I have no holes to pick and if it didn't sound corny I'd only point out that this wouldn't normally be my cup of tea, but who needs it when the coffee's this good. :) Awarding a temporary bookshelf space to give this a boost.

Miranda,

This book is fabulous. Your writing style is wonderful and suites you well. You have vivid characters that a reader can really fall in love with. Everything flows well, and I am happy to back this for you. Thank you for sharing.

Oh lord, I got to chapter 23 and you are unbelievably cruel! I had to go on Amazon and buy the book and now wait for uncountable hours before it gets here! But it's obvious why you've been published, and it's a testament to authonomy that people like you are found and given proper coverage. I know the characters are wonderful and watertight, the setting is well shown and I really do hope she ends up with Ed, but overall I love the individual 'bits'. The emphasis on Christmas, the little traditions she has that I can so relate to and Kowalski's itself, it's pure genius. Well done you!

I love this book! I'm a college student in England and all I want to do is write and you've inspired me to do that with this book! Thank you! I also have your books Welcome to My World and It Started with a Kiss which are equally as beautiful! I especially love It Started With a Kiss because its every girls fantasy to be kissed by a handsome stranger and then searching high and low or him! So romantic! :) Beautiful! I just hope that someday the world will love my books as much as I love yours, thanks for being such a huge inspiration! :) x

No no! I hope I can buy this in the UK! I love Rosie's character because she's so easy to relate to and doesn't expect too much of herself. I really enjoyed your narrative and writing style, which flows nicely. I find it hard to put across comic moments without using really static punctuation so I really admire the way you manage it without relying to heavily on paragraphing. I read a forum post of yours and am so glad I did. Congratulations - to be published is my absolute dream and I can only imagine how thrilled you are.

I'm sure you're overrun with work and requests, but if you have time just to read the first chapter of my book I'd be thrilled. I'm only a student so am eager for lots of feedback from more experienced writers.

Thanks for this little gem - it had me hooked for a good hour. A nice break from revision!

Alex

Hello Miranda,
My name is Janell and I am new to this site. First thing I did was look for a good read and found Coffee at Kowalski's. I've just finished reading chapter 3 and love every minute spent on your pages. Congratulations, you've penned a winner. Excited to follow your blog as things progress. I hope it goes exactly as you wish it to.

I love your writing style! I just read through a few chapters randomly and enjoyed the character development. I like the subject of your book, it feels real to me.

I love the pitch. The storyline is great. I am going to buy this great book.
Backed with pleasure.
Please can you have a look at mine.

Dawn
Sammy and the Wise Willow

I'm not really the romance kind of guy, but I'm loving this.

I received an email from you today, soliciting support for a new book you've written. My question to you (and one that others should be asking) is: How did you get my email address?

Miranda, I really love the way you write and I truly hope that this peice of work will rise, and indeed, rise again.

BACKED

Brendan Doherty
The Russian Hat

The setting in New York and the story grate, I like it. backed

shah

Hey Miranda, just left you a message on your page.
Regards,
James

Hi Miranda,
I read this a while back. I can't remember if I commented then, but I'm happy to do so again, as it was a very enjoyable read. Not my usual, but it was well written and the MC Rosie, is a star.
Best wishes, Barry
Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys

This is done as if you written a letter to a friend. Wonderful crafted. C W

When I saw your title, and followed up by reading your pitch, I was immediately attracted to what sounded like just my kind of book. Then I read your profile and found you already have a publishing deal, so presumably don't need any comments or backing from me. However, I couldn't resist reading some of the book to see if it lived up to its promise, and I hadn't read far before seeing that it certainly did. This is a marvellous book, and the surprise would be it it wasn't getting published. Rosie is someone easy to relate to: fun, kind, generous, someone we want to spend time with. The secret in her past is a great hook for this genre, we really want to know what went wrong with what we guess was a previous relationship. Celia is a wonderful character, too, demanding, certainly, but also eager to promote Rosie's business with people like Mimi, and the only one Rosie has felt able to share her secret with. Nate seems like an excellent hero, individual, with an edge, clearly attracted to Rosie. All your characters are lively and different, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of them. Your writing is first class, witty, crisp, fluent. The atmosphere of this book is its main attraction, I think, with its great, beautifully described setting, firstly in New York and secondly in a florist's shop, and with a cast of characters to rival Friends. Backed, whether necessary or not.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

Backed January 21.

Jesse - Savant

This is delightful. I love the background, both flowers and New York.
Backed

Fell in love with the first sentence; the words flow so easily and it doesn't hurt that I too LOVE New York. Backed.

Don't know why I backed it if it's already getting published. It's well deserved. Well done.

Miranda, read C! of "Coffee at Kowalski's". This is done as if you are writing a letter to a friend. I strive to do the same in my writing. Though I'm not much of a Chick Lit guy, this is terrific stuff. I wish you the best with it. I can't fathom the excitement you must be experiencing. I had to back this even though it is irrelevant now.
Thomas J Winton
(Beyond Nostalgia)

congrats on getting published!

I was reading this away (loving it) and then popped out to make a comment and see that you don't really need my comments! Your published Yeah! That is so exciting. I don't know you, but I'm very happy for you. It gives all of us a smidgen of hope. The very best of luck with it! I think I'm going to see if I can me up a copy of this on my next trip to the bookshop.
All the very best.
Leigh Fallon
The Carrier of the Mark

This was fun to read, with that great American/British companionable conflict that I love (who actually IS driving on the "right" side of the road?). Your characters are smart and the dialogue is perfect. I loved when she described how she came to be a florist. And I love her mom, how she's always right, but not preachy about it. Insight I wish my mom had passed on to me.
missing word: chapter 8: Worst of all, I saw it IN my own eyes
Well written - easy to understand why you're already a published author.
backed
- Genevieve
Under The Same Sky
p.s. I'd love to know what you think of my book

I don't often reading romanctic books, but after only a few paragraphs into this story I could tell that it is so much more than a romance novel. The characters you've created are captivating, charming, and most importantly they feel real. In fact I have a friend who reminds me very much of Celia and another quite like Ed. I have been hooked into this story since about halfway through the first chapter and I intend to read it the rest of the way through as soon as possible (I'm only to chapter six now.)

The voice of your story is really entrancing. It gives us a strong idea of how your main character views the world around her and the little quips add a certain hint of humour that makes me love her more with each sarcastic or witty comment she spills. Also your setting in New York is a wonderful place for the story to unfold; I love the unique feel it gives to the story based on the purely unique surroundings that are so explicity NYC. Everything and everyone interacts seamlessly and it comes together in a world that draws the reader in like a warm hug.

I cannot wait to read more and when (there is no 'if' about it) this book reaches a publisher I will most certainly be buying a copy so I can enjoy these characters over and over again. Backing!

-Artemis

I wouldn't have expected anything less from a published author. Exquisite tight prose and dialogue we can all look towards for a lesson or two.

Shelved.

Wow Miranda, I can certainly see why Avon snapped this up! Your writing style is wonderful; I love your characters already and I've only read chapter 1. I'm putting this on my watchlist. I'm new here and I'm going ot be doing a lot of reading so I can clear my bookshelf and add more to it. I'm so looking forward to reading the rest of your book, and will definitely buy a copy when it comes out.
Congratulations!
Kat
(The REAL Poop)

I cannot believe it ended on that note! I will definitely buy this book come November!

I started reading this book, saying to myself that I would just read the first chapter and see why it had been chosen for publishing. Needless to say, I passed more than chapter 1! You have a rare gift Miranda. One where you can turn sentences into paragraphs and paragraphs into undying love letters to a city that has captured the hearts of so many! I love your New York and I love the sense of magic you have around it.

The characters are simply engrossing and the structure suits the plot perfectly. I am especially attatched to Mr. K himself. His influence is wonderful, and using Rosie's experiences with him as a framing structure was just a wonderful present for the reader.

My favorite character has to be Ed. He is so...mysterious, despite the lack of mystery in his presentation and personality. He feels like a character you can't wait to find out more about.

The relationships are realistic and endearing. There is so much to love about this novel. All praises to you!

I look forward to seeing this in print as I look forward to all of your future novels!

Still on my shelf. Congrats on the publication.
This novel sparkles with zest for liife.
i can almost smell the flowers!

Hi Miranda!

Seeing you pop up in the forum again reminded me I'd never gotten a peek at the legendary One That Made It. Fabulous stuff, and I can't wait to own this (especially with the sparkly cover, and despite the unnecessary title change). Up on my shelf just so I can tell people I backed it before it was published (and hope they don't ask me if it was pre or post contract... *grin*). Oh, and shelved also because it's brilliant - I'm truly not that shallow. :)

Looking forward to the next blog update!

~Traci

This is very good writing Miranda. I know you don't need the backing but I'll put you up anyway for a short while. Good luck with you book deal with Avon.

There are so many things that you do well it's hard to figure out where to start. First, you do an excellent job of having an internal and external conflict. Here is a girl who has trouble saying no, getting over an ex, away from her family. Being married to a Spainard, I know how difficult that can be. Living in Spain over the summer, I know the feeling Celia was talking about - lack of history in America. And then her external problem - being single. I know that one too well. I got married at 38 and got tons of pressure from friends and family.

Your POV is excellent. You keep the camera on Rosie - well, it is first person. But her personality shows through as we see her thoughts. The way it opens is great - you show us their personalities, not just tell us. It almost has a Sex in the City vibe. Maye it's because it's in NYC and it's two women. Love the Next Generations allusion.

I did see one minor typo. walk by", (shouldn't the comma go inside the quotes?). Any way, this is great. It's polished - I can tell you've spent a lot of time learning your craft. Well done.

Now I know why it deserves to be published. Once again, well done!

Kostas
Hariklia's Icons

Hi Miranda! I have a lot to write about your wonderful book. All positive. It reads quickly as you have a great balance between narration, description, and dialogue. The voice is great, too, with a Sex and the City-ness to it that's enjoyable. It's great how your main character is a Brit transplanted to America--good premise. I love how you have a sense of place, so many books are set in generic, no-name places. As a reader I could feel New York, and even Kowalski's, as characters. I'm not a big reader of this genre, but what surprised me was how funny your book is. "Ed grasped the mug like a vessel from the Fountain of Eternal Youth." Lines like that make the work. This deserves to rise to the top. Good luck with this work and your writing.

Michael
The Last Coming Out Story

Congratulations Miranda. A great read and hope for us all!
Gerri

Miranda,

All ready, after reading only the first chapter, you've got me! I can see I'm going to enjoy this read immensely, because your style keeps the reader enthralled and your characters are beyond vibrant. Keep it up, and good luck!

Kelly

Hi Miranda

have had this on my WL for ages and only just now got to read Chp 1. A nice flowing, easy read, great for the beach! Lovely characters that are instantly likable and you get the feeling that Rosie's story is going to be an enjoyable one! Will read more when I can but I have such a backlog I've got to make a dent in some more! Backing this and wish you the best of luck with it if you've not already snagged a publisher! I hope you'll add The Akashic Records to your WL & have a read sometime.
kind regards
Maria

Excently writting. The interactions (conversation) between Celia and Rosie is so very natural sounding. You make New York soung like a friendly village which is rarely the way it's portrayed. This is a good one.
A few little nitpicks, like in "...softend the blows - just like a good friend..." I think I would drop the 'just.' On my shelf.

very engaging and the style is delightful. the english take on new york adds to the charm. room on my shelf for this ! sorry no real criticisms - it works very well for the kind of romp it is and it is literate too.

cannot remember whether you go to BLOGSPOT yet, but hope you like it.

maitreyi
BLOGSPOT

The synopsis of this book actually put me off reading it for quite a while because the sound of the plot didn't really grab my attention. Now I have made a start on it finally and found it to be unexpectedly engrossing. I think the main reason for this is the way you have created fully fleshed characters that seem real. The narration is never contrived and the conversations are well crafted. I wish you great success with the book when it is published.

Stephen H

Hi Miranda

I turned my back on 'chick-lit' a few years ago when I discovered Urban Fantasy but, if you don't mind the tag of chick-lit, then I'm happy to say that this is just book to reel me back in. I like the characters very much so far (have only read Chapter 1 so far) and I like the 'legal alien' feel of an Englishwoman living in New York - having been a legal alien myself, albeit not in the US, I felt right at home with Rosie being perceived as delightfully different for having History and Culture and A Royal Family.

This is on my shelf and I shall be coming back to read more (and more) when time allows!

Best wishes
Amery

It's very obvious why this is already published. Sets a wonderful standard for all of us. Shelved ;not because it needs any support , but because I couldn't have read it, and not recognized the quality. Michael Croucher

I enjoy humour, I've always enjoyed Manhattan, so I had a look. Coffee At Kowalski's looks like a very promising read, and the writing appears to be excellent,so I've put it onto my watch list. I'm really looking forward to spending more time with it and providing comment. Back to you then. Michael Croucher

Miranda,

Love your writing style, couldn't stop reading, although, should be doing the cleaning!! Hopefully will see you in Kingswinford Library soon!!
Good Luck!

Miranda - put succinctly, your writing SPARKLES. I admit I was alerted to your book only by the attention it has received, though I'm not unfamiliar with the 'genre' (how I hate that word.)
I can easily see why the publishers took it.

15 bookshelves - why so few - what's 'Authonomy' about?
16, now!

I might be new to this site but it doesn't take me long to spot a talented writer. Love your dialogue and your voice carries the story. Great job. You have my backing. You're on your way!

This is wonderful dialogue. I've only read the first chapter but plan to read it all just as soon as I heal up from yesterdays eye surgery. Good writing!

This is wonderful dialogue. I've only read the first chapter but plan to read it all just as soon as I heal up from yesterdays eye surgery. Good writing!

You just proved my point, rankings are not that important. Missed your TV appearance, pity, as I live in the Midlands.

Hi Miranda. I placed your excerpts on my watch list but now that I've read your other reviews I suppose it's already under contract to be published. Congratulations. Breifly, I enjoyed the protagonist's gentle voice and sarcastic descriptions. It is a nice balance creating a loveable lead. Placing a love sick woman in situations tied with weddings is a clever way to add tension to this romantic comedy. You did an excellent job of establishing a secret, with the suspense of being withheld until later. A good read worthy of your success. Please keep in touch. I would be interested in your comments regarding my excerpts for Spirit Prisoners. Janet Marie

Miranda,

This book is fabulous. Your writing style is wonderful and suites you well. You have vivid characters that a reader can really fall in love with. Everything flows well, and I am happy to back this for you. Thank you for sharing.