JASMIN PINK – AUTHOR – BLACK BROGUES & FRENCH KNICKERS

Jasmin is a 56-year-old single mother whose children have grown up and fled the nest.  On finding herself unemployed, she decided to take a holiday in Kenya.  On return from holiday, she attempted to write a book as she felt that this could be her new vocation.

I was given a manuscript by Jasmin who happened to recognise me from a Sky Television programme that I used to present, taking a very bold step she asked me if I would mind reading her manuscript and give her an honest opinion.  Three months later (when I should have been playing golf but rain stopped play) I started to read it and found I couldn’t put it down, it was compulsive reading.  Not only was it exceedingly funny, it was also sad and very realistic.  This story could have happened to anybody.  Just to check on my judgement I gave it to a (few journalist friends of mine who confirmed my opinion also a friend on The Sunday Times, he came back, confirming my opinion –  I decided that I wanted to help her in whatever way I could to get her manuscript published.

To cut to the chase I contacted Jasmin and over several cups of coffee, we decided that I should represent her and try and get the book published.  After doing the rounds of book publishers, the majority of which only take on known authors, I felt I was up against it.  So convinced was I that this was a great novel and being retired journalist, formally having run a radio station in the States having been Andrew Loog Oldham’s right hand man in the Stones days I decided that I would take the plunge and form my own publishing company called Kismet Publishing Company Limited.  I have sent the book via email to the USA and have received rave reviews.

Black Brogues and French Knickers takes the reader on a journey with the character Jay Patterson, through mainly humorous times, although the book has several twists, keeping the reader in suspense until the very last page and a very unexpected end, hence the sequel, Reality Is A Killer.  The reader will find that they are living the Kenya episode and some readers have expressed a wish to go on safari now that they have read the book.

Fate has played a big part in Jasmin getting where she is today – meeting me, handing me her manuscript, my passing it to a friend at the Sunday Times.  Resulting in a publishing company, Kismet Publishing Company Limited and proceeded to publish her book.  Kismet as you know means fate and fate continued to play a large part in her life as you will read now.  Unfortunately due to the ill health and eventual demise of my dearly beloved wife circumstances forced my hand in closing Kismet Publishing.  For Jasmin's new book "Reality Is A Killer", I am in discussions with new publishers.

I took Jaz to lunch one day in Brighton; we went to Leo’s lounge where we happened to see a formidable looking man who looked just like a lion with his mane of reddish hair.  After making some enquiries we found out, he was the owner.  We dropped him a line and a book.  His wife Annette loved it and it was agreed that Jaz could launch her book in one of their Golden Lion Group venues. 

See Watershed Review

It turned out that not only was Jaz a Leo, Dave (the owner of the Lion Group) was, also his son, my partner and myself.  The cover of the book has lions on too, now that’s quirky.  It also turned out that Annette Day was born in Battersea and so was Jaz and that both Dave and myself were born on the cusp the 23rd. 

Jaz suggested that twenty percent of the proceeds from the evening’s sales be donated to The Pink Dolphin breast cancer appeal based in Brighton.  

On 30^th October Jasmin was the main guest on Bill Buckleys radio programme at BBC Southern Counties.  The Golden Lion Group (owners of The Ebony Room) had donated a champagne dinner for two as a competition on Bill’s programme, the winner Mr John Cassidy and his partner will be attending the book launch on the 8^th October to collect his prize and have his book signed by Jasmin. 

50% OF THE EVENING’S PROCEEDS WERE DONATED TO THE LOCAL BRIGHTON PINK DOLPHIN APPEAL FOR BREAST CANCER.  Yet another champagne dinner for two was donated at the launch and 2 ladies from the Metropolitan Police were the lucky winners.

Richard Thomas

PS: For breast cancer awareness month (700 women diagnosed weekly of having breast cancer and Jasmin feels by giving the majority of the proceeds from her first book may help the cause).