Janelle as a 'PS' to my recent post .....I forgot to mention, I just love the Designers Guild yellow and pink embroidered fabric you shared with us. So beautiful!!
I love that fabric too. It's eye-wateringly expensive, but so beautiful. I'd love curtains in it, but could never justify the price! So glad you like it, too.
Hi Janelle Thank you for the update and teaser for 'Where the Old Roses Grow'. I am really looking forward to purchasing a copy for myself and also a copy for my s-in-l who grows and loves roses. What a wonderful combination of Vita Sackville-West, the war and old roses. As a visitor myself to Sissinghurst I will be able to add a new depth of history to my memory when I read your book.
Thank you so much, Anne. I'm thrilled you love Sissinghurst, too. It's a special garden, isn't it? I hope you like the story of the old roses. Please stay in touch, won't you. It's always nice to correspond with rose lovers.
Oh my goodness, Janelle!! I CANNOT WAIT to read this!! And share with all the rose lovers I know. What a huge accomplishment but such a worthy story you have brought out of the dark for us all to know. Those words took my breath, ".....the Battle for Beauty During Wartime"......YES!!! I am in love with this book already xo
You are always so lovely, Pip. I hope to visit you one day soon, and I can see your beautiful rose garden -- which is almost as lovely as Sissinghurst's! xx
Congratulations on finishing your book, Janelle. What a great subject! Looking forward to reading it. It is sure to gain a wide readership with all different sorts of people-rosarians, botanists, literature lovers and history lovers.
I assume you read the biography of the Peace Rose by Meilland that was sent to different places during the war? I recall due to communication problems each country named the rose differently but each one named it something to do with peace. I think-read it a long time ago. I wonder if Vita liked the Peace rose or whether she thought it a little too modern.
Thank you for the recommendation of the book about the Peace rose, Sasha. You are very kind. My aunt put me onto this book, as she loved it so much. I shall have to buy it. I'm not sure what Vita thought of the rose? She tended to love old roses, but she also liked great stories so I'm sure was as enamoured with the story of this rose as everyone else seems to be? I'm looking forward to reading it!
Hi Janelle. Thank you for this beautiful teaser! I am currently re-reading your book "Beyond the Rock" which I adore. You have an innate ability to capture both atmosphere and beauty and also to bring alive the person you are writing about. I am so looking forward to reading about Vita and the gorgeous roses that she held so dear! Jo
Thank you for this lovely comment, Jo. It made my day! I'm glad you're enjoying Beyond the Rock again, and I hope you like Where The Old Roses Grow just as much. It's difficult to write biographies - I always think: Would this person like what I'm writing? Would they appreciate the way they're being written about? That puts everything into perspective. It's important to respect the subject, I think, while still being truthful about their lives and achievements. Thank you again Jo. You are lovely to write and let me know.
Congratulations Janelle. The book is beautiful and I can’t wait to read it. Still have not visited Sissinghurst but I will get there one day. Fingers crossed for 2025. Love your Substack 🩷
You will visit Sissinghurst one day, Lee. It will wait for you. Try and go in June, when the roses are at their best. You will adore it! You will adore it all.
Thank you, Judith. You are so kind for writing such lovely things about my new book. I hope you like it. It was a privilege to write. I hope I've done Vita Sackville-West justice!
What a tantalising glimpse of this beautiful book. I just know I’m going to love the story. Please tell me there will be a book signing somewhere I can get to? Wherever I see beautiful fabric or wallpapers I think of you and your fabulous eye for spotting the beauty of florals everywhere.
Oh, you are lovely. I'm hoping to do some events, but waiting to hear about pub dates as there are different pub dates in each country. Look forward to seeing you again! Hope you are staying warm this winter.
Janelle as a 'PS' to my recent post .....I forgot to mention, I just love the Designers Guild yellow and pink embroidered fabric you shared with us. So beautiful!!
I love that fabric too. It's eye-wateringly expensive, but so beautiful. I'd love curtains in it, but could never justify the price! So glad you like it, too.
Hi Janelle Thank you for the update and teaser for 'Where the Old Roses Grow'. I am really looking forward to purchasing a copy for myself and also a copy for my s-in-l who grows and loves roses. What a wonderful combination of Vita Sackville-West, the war and old roses. As a visitor myself to Sissinghurst I will be able to add a new depth of history to my memory when I read your book.
Thank you so much, Anne. I'm thrilled you love Sissinghurst, too. It's a special garden, isn't it? I hope you like the story of the old roses. Please stay in touch, won't you. It's always nice to correspond with rose lovers.
Oh my goodness, Janelle!! I CANNOT WAIT to read this!! And share with all the rose lovers I know. What a huge accomplishment but such a worthy story you have brought out of the dark for us all to know. Those words took my breath, ".....the Battle for Beauty During Wartime"......YES!!! I am in love with this book already xo
You are always so lovely, Pip. I hope to visit you one day soon, and I can see your beautiful rose garden -- which is almost as lovely as Sissinghurst's! xx
We should defintely plan an early summer morning tea in the rose garden when everything is exploding xo
I would love love love that xo
Congratulations on finishing your book, Janelle. What a great subject! Looking forward to reading it. It is sure to gain a wide readership with all different sorts of people-rosarians, botanists, literature lovers and history lovers.
I assume you read the biography of the Peace Rose by Meilland that was sent to different places during the war? I recall due to communication problems each country named the rose differently but each one named it something to do with peace. I think-read it a long time ago. I wonder if Vita liked the Peace rose or whether she thought it a little too modern.
Thank you for the recommendation of the book about the Peace rose, Sasha. You are very kind. My aunt put me onto this book, as she loved it so much. I shall have to buy it. I'm not sure what Vita thought of the rose? She tended to love old roses, but she also liked great stories so I'm sure was as enamoured with the story of this rose as everyone else seems to be? I'm looking forward to reading it!
Hi Janelle. Thank you for this beautiful teaser! I am currently re-reading your book "Beyond the Rock" which I adore. You have an innate ability to capture both atmosphere and beauty and also to bring alive the person you are writing about. I am so looking forward to reading about Vita and the gorgeous roses that she held so dear! Jo
Thank you for this lovely comment, Jo. It made my day! I'm glad you're enjoying Beyond the Rock again, and I hope you like Where The Old Roses Grow just as much. It's difficult to write biographies - I always think: Would this person like what I'm writing? Would they appreciate the way they're being written about? That puts everything into perspective. It's important to respect the subject, I think, while still being truthful about their lives and achievements. Thank you again Jo. You are lovely to write and let me know.
Congratulations Janelle. The book is beautiful and I can’t wait to read it. Still have not visited Sissinghurst but I will get there one day. Fingers crossed for 2025. Love your Substack 🩷
You will visit Sissinghurst one day, Lee. It will wait for you. Try and go in June, when the roses are at their best. You will adore it! You will adore it all.
such a beautiful idea and I feel the love for your subject coming through in the telling. Congratulations! I can’t wait to read this book.
Thank you, Judith. You are so kind for writing such lovely things about my new book. I hope you like it. It was a privilege to write. I hope I've done Vita Sackville-West justice!
I have no doubt that you have done a wonderful job. I’ll be waiting for the announcement.
The book sounds absolutely wonderful Janelle I cannot wait to read it 🌹
I hope you like it, Kim! It's a wonderful story and I only hope I've done it justice!
I already know I’m going to love it x
This book sounds absolutely incredible Janelle thank you for writing it x
It was a privilege to write. I only hope I've done the story justice!
What a tantalising glimpse of this beautiful book. I just know I’m going to love the story. Please tell me there will be a book signing somewhere I can get to? Wherever I see beautiful fabric or wallpapers I think of you and your fabulous eye for spotting the beauty of florals everywhere.
Oh, you are lovely. I'm hoping to do some events, but waiting to hear about pub dates as there are different pub dates in each country. Look forward to seeing you again! Hope you are staying warm this winter.
I got super excited for a minute that the book signings would be in a pub 😂#notanauthor
🌹🌹🌹It was a pleasure to read this beautifully written story. thank you. 🌹🌹🌹good luck with the sales of your book.🌹🌹🌹❤️