Jacqueline Carpenter is the author of the novels Louisa, Joan and Nancy. I met her at a quiz in a local bar in Los Alcazares in Murcia, Spain.
Jacqueline Carpenter.
Sometime in 2017, I walked into The Celt Bar in Los Alcazares on a Friday evening for a drink. I walked to the bar, ordered a pint and was asked by the barman if I would enter the quiz as they were about to start. Next to me, sitting at the bar, was Jacqueline and her then-husband, Dinksy, they invited me to join them to do the quiz.
We had a great laugh, but alas, we didn't come even close to winning the quiz, I believe we had a chance to win a bottle of wine for being the worst team, but we somehow managed to not win the bottle for this either.
We became friends that night and used to bump into each other in different bars and restaurants in Los Alcazares. We sometimes arranged to meet for a coffee at La Encarnacion on the beachfront. I remember meeting there once for a tostada and coffee, and Jacqueline became concerned about my leg. It was very swollen, and I was having trouble walking. She insisted on walking with me to the surgery to make sure I got an appointment to see the Doctor. Luckily for me, I saw the Doctor, and he was able to give me antibiotics to treat the infection I had in my leg.
Jaqueline has written three books, and I have read and enjoyed reading all three. Indeed, she gave me a signed copy of a preprint version of her second book, Joan, which I treasure and have on a bookshelf in my apartment.
Jacqueline organised three competitions to win restaurant vouchers for each of her books. She kindly asked me to judge the competitions to pick a winning photograph for each of the books that she had written and I enjoyed looking at all the entries and picking a winner each time.
Books, written by Jacqueline Carpenter.
Louisa.
Louisa is fifteen and living a contented, happy life in London. The Second World War is threatening their peace of mind. Will they all have the strength to survive?
Joan.
A heartwarming tale of family life set in England during the 1950s.World War Two is over, and Great Britain is celebrating. Join Louisa, her lovable family and quirky friends for an exciting decade as they encounter love, happiness, sorrow, deceit, strength and human kindness.
Nancy.
It's the swinging sixties, and life in Great Britain is soaring ahead with fabulous fashions, sensational music, a booming economy and newfound freedom for all. Join Louisa, her lovable family and quirky friends for a thrilling decade as they experience love, laughter, sorrow, success and female strength.