Thank you again for taking the time to read through the series and for sharing your thoughts so honestly. I appreciate that you’ve followed Caitlin’s story from the beginning - she’s a character who has stirred all sorts of emotions in readers, and I completely understand your wish to see her find lasting peace.
For me, though, Stones Corner: Hope was never meant to tie everything up neatly. The series follows ordinary lives during extraordinary times, and for so many people who lived through those years, “happily ever after” simply wasn’t the reality. My aim was to show hope in smaller, quieter moments — in the acts of kindness, forgiveness, and resilience that carried people through.
You’re right about a couple of the historical points, and I always welcome that kind of feedback. These books are, at their heart, fiction rooted in fact, a blend of lived memory, oral history, and narrative storytelling rather than a textbook record of events. I wanted readers to feel those years rather than just recall the dates and headlines.
As for the politics. John Hume and others who worked tirelessly for peace are woven into the atmosphere of the final book, even if not named directly. Their influence, and the shift they created, are what make the tone of Hope possible.
I’m genuinely grateful you’ve taken the time to read and reflect on the full journey. Even when readers disagree with my choices, I’m glad the story still sparks conversation — that’s what storytelling should do. All the best too in your own writing endeavours. Best JB
Thank you again for taking the time to read through the series and for sharing your thoughts so honestly. I appreciate that you’ve followed Caitlin’s story from the beginning - she’s a character who has stirred all sorts of emotions in readers, and I completely understand your wish to see her find lasting peace.
For me, though, Stones Corner: Hope was never meant to tie everything up neatly. The series follows ordinary lives during extraordinary times, and for so many people who lived through those years, “happily ever after” simply wasn’t the reality. My aim was to show hope in smaller, quieter moments — in the acts of kindness, forgiveness, and resilience that carried people through.
You’re right about a couple of the historical points, and I always welcome that kind of feedback. These books are, at their heart, fiction rooted in fact, a blend of lived memory, oral history, and narrative storytelling rather than a textbook record of events. I wanted readers to feel those years rather than just recall the dates and headlines.
As for the politics. John Hume and others who worked tirelessly for peace are woven into the atmosphere of the final book, even if not named directly. Their influence, and the shift they created, are what make the tone of Hope possible.
I’m genuinely grateful you’ve taken the time to read and reflect on the full journey. Even when readers disagree with my choices, I’m glad the story still sparks conversation — that’s what storytelling should do.
All the best too in your own writing endeavours. Best JB