‘So, you guys, before we start the party to celebrate our first phenomenal year, I’ve got some thanking to do.’ I unhook my mic cable and move down into the audience. ‘Firstly, huge thanks to every one of you who tunes in, writes in, calls in and shows up to our show day after day after day. We wanted this show to be for the people, by the people, and you are the people making it happen, so a big round of applause to you guys and please accept a glass of bubbly on us!’ Trolleys laden with champagne bottles appear in the aisles, my mother beaming from ear to ear as she happily accepts a whole bottle to herself.
I wink and clap my thanks to the cameramen, the sound guys, the production team – everybody who has helped make this amazing breakthrough programme what it is. For the past year, the goose bumps have rarely had a day off. On the studio sofa I have laughed, cried and listened to the most extraordinary stories from ordinary lives. And what an education that has been. Vivienne Fairchild did exactly what she promised. She brought The Dr Poppy Show into the homes and hearts of millions. We are inundated with viewers, guests and calls; we have had to extend the show from one to two hours every weekday, and I’ve agreed to write a newspaper column to help give some insight into addiction and compulsive behaviours, which is, of course, an issue that will always be close to my heart. It has been the best year of my life. And I’m excited about all there is to come.
‘And that’s not all, you guys,’ I call out. ‘As it’s our birthday, we wanted everybody to receive a little gift.’
The crowd start to ooh and aah, ripples of excitement coursing through the studio. The energy is electric.
‘So if you would just have a little look under your seats, you should find a golden envelope. Open it up, because in there is our little present to you, courtesy of The Dr Poppy Show.’
I can’t help but smile as I watch the audience excitedly feel around and find their envelopes stuffed with holiday vouchers and a host of other freebies. But it’s Tom I keep my eyes on. I watch him as he slides his hand underneath his chair, draws out his golden envelope, tears it open and squints to read the two words I’ve written inside.
Marry me.
I see him bite his bottom lip. His hand travels to his eye as he blinks back a tear. And then he looks up at me and nods.
And somehow, despite the clamouring noise and high-spirited cacophony of this studio audience, I can hear him. I hear him loud and clear.
And my heart soars.
For all that we are. And all we are to become. And even all that’s unknown in between. There is just no stopping us now.
If Poppy’s uplifting story made you laugh out loud, you’ll love Reach for the Stars – another hilarious rom com about friendship and second chances from Colleen Coleman. Get it now!
Reach for the Stars
An uplifting and funny romantic comedy
‘Relatable, genuinely funny and emotionally charged… Colleen Coleman is now firmly established as a favourite of mine.’ Bee Reader and Boys
Get it now!
When Evelyn Dooley married her high-school sweetheart, James, she thought she was set for life. Now she’s 28, single, and fleeing to Dublin from her small hometown to avoid the gossip surrounding their break-up.
This was not in her five-year plan.
Then a chance encounter with gorgeous musician Danny leads to an unlikely friendship, and soon the pair are running music nights together. Surrounded by new friends and a welcoming community, Evelyn is building a life that she really loves – and sparks are beginning to fly between her and Danny…
But when her savings run out and home beckons, Evelyn has to choose. The safe, comfortable life she left behind, or a new adventure with Danny? Will Evelyn flee back to the familiarity of her ex, or reach for the stars and take a leap into the unknown?
A laugh-out-loud, feel-good story of friendship, second chances, and romance, perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Lindsey Kelk and Marian Keyes.
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A Letter from Colleen
Dear Reader,
We got there! Thank you so much for spending some time with Poppy and me. It’s been a blast!
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the many people who saw me through this book; to all those who provided support, talked things over, read, wrote, and offered amazing ideas and suggestions to truly make this story shine. Claire Bord, Kirsty Greenwood, Emily Ruston and Abigail Fenton have been my four guiding angels. A tsunami of gratitude to you all. What a privilege to work with such a talented and determined team of truly gifted women. The awe-inspiring team at Bookouture has truly changed my life. I can’t thank them enough for their faith in me and all the kindness and support I’ve received along the way. I’m a very lucky girl.
Thank you also to my husband, who has been amazingly supportive. Thanks for listening to me and edging me forward. Thank you to my parents, Elizabeth and Lorcan, and my sister Shannon, who have never wavered in their belief in me and who encourage me all the time. And finally, thank you to my wonderful friends (you know who you are!), whom I love from the bottom of my heart, especially those on the other side of the sky, who we miss so deeply every day.
Just as Poppy found, life can throw curveballs. Mental health issues can touch anybody’s life at any time. I’m absolutely sure that you know somebody who has needed support at some stage. Maybe you were the friend or the sibling or the partner who was there for them, and I bet that made all the difference.
Thank you for that.
A percentage of the sales from Don’t Stop Me Now will be donated to supporting mental health charities for our young people. So by simply buying this book, you have helped again.
Thank you once more.
If you’ve come this far, then maybe you’d like to go a little bit further and post a review; a good one, please! As a reader, one of the things I like most is discovering new books and new writers, and the way I do that is through word of mouth. Someone tells me they love a book, I just have to go and check it out. So a Facebook share or a tweet or a recommendation or a book-club suggestion over a coffee or a glass of wine would be SO appreciated.
Please feel free to drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you whether you are a reader or an aspiring writer. The easiest way is through my Facebook page. That’s where you’ll also find information about my new books. There’s always something in the pipeline. Whatever it is, hopefully it’ll be tempting enough for you to pick up a copy, snuggle up on the couch and lose yourself for a few hours.
You can also sign up to my email list at the link below; that way, I can let you know when my next book will be released. And don’t worry, your email address will never be shared, and you can unsubscribe at any time:
Colleen’s Email Sign Up Link
I really hope we hook up again.
Until next time,
Colleen x
Published by Bookouture in 2017
An imprint of StoryFire Ltd.
23 Sussex Road, Ickenham, UB10 8PN
United Kingdom
www.bookouture.com
Copyright © Colleen Coleman 2017
Colleen Coleman has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirel
y coincidental.
ISBN: 978-1-78681-146-2
Don't Stop Me Now: The perfect laugh out loud romantic comedy Page 29