The Third Apology launch event for fifty invited guests at Six Poor Folk bar and
bistro in Knaresborough went down a storm. Invitees supped delicious Cava and
canapés while Doug was interviewed about the book and its detailed plot of
secret pasts, romance, betrayal, and reconciliation by bar owner, Ian Gill.

Ian was specifically chosen as he is the brother of Doug’s late hitchhiking
companion, Tim Gill. The book is dedicated to his memory. It was memories of
one of these hitchhiking adventures that sparked the initial idea for the story. It
is true Doug and Tim once did meet a beautiful French girl on their travels. “I
admit it, we did meet a girl called Noel that we both fell for but the rest of the
story is pure fiction,” said Doug.

The narrative captures the roller coaster lives of two young English hitchhikers
and a beautiful French girl in 1968, 1988 and 2008.

The novel has already received plaudits from Jenny Lewis, Author and
Professor of Poetry at Oxford University, “The action moves along at a cracking
pace, full of lively pitch perfect period details,” she said. “I absolutely loved this
book and found myself drawn in from the very first page by the three
dimensional characters, beguiling humour and rich storytelling. Unputdownable.”

The story follows the ups and downs of the three protagonists over forty years –
divorces, financial ruin and recovery. Eventually, the baby boomers throw off
their youthful abandon and mature into a sense of reckless normality. In parallel
to their lives another story of unfulfilled love unfolds in 1944 occupied France as
the war turns against the increasingly belligerent German invaders.

“The launch was a great success, Ian and his team provided a faultless service
that made the evening go with a swing. Initial sales have exceeded all
expectations and a number of local bookshops are now stocking The Third
Apology,” said Doug.

The Third Apology can be ordered from bookshops and Amazon. A Kindle
version will be available shortly.