I received an email yesterday from a fan of my Pax Britannia books. It started like this:
"I wanted to drop you a quick line to say how much I am enjoying your Pax Britannia books."
Which was very pleasing. It then continued thus:
"My ship is currently deployed on operations in [REDACTED] and the rollicking adventures of that dandy adventurer [Ulysses Quicksilver] are keeping me most amused in my limited time off. I had deliberately not read them before and saved them up to enjoy on this extended foray. Aside from the intrigue and action, I particularly enjoy all the cross references you have to period literature, such as the Challenger Enclosure filled with dinosaurs at the London Zoo. Wonderful stuff!"
I've received missives from those in the Armed Forces before, but this one was a little different...
"I thought it might tickle you to know that the bookshelf in this Captain's Cabin is not filled with dusty, boring regulations but Quicksilver. Not quite as many difference engines and brass instruments as I would like, but I suppose one can't have everything! Thank you again for the wonderful stories and chuckles, just when I need them most."
Yes, you read that right. It turns out that this particular review came from the commanding officer of an honest to goodness battleship, currently deployed on operations.
So, like I say, how cool is that? :-)
Signed
One Happy Author