Before the Killing – an absolutely nail-biting mystery thriller (The Killing Hour Book 1) by the fabulous  Margie Benedict, and it’s FREE at the moment.

The past won’t stay buried but lurks in wait for Cassie to return to her coastal Massachusetts hometown … which she does, in 1973, and almost immediately there is a brutal killing – with someone she knows well accused of the crime. The investigation roars through the community, leaving behind guilt, suspicion, and secrets Cassie can’t forget.

Seven years later, Cassie’s life is still defined by that night when an unexpected and inexplicable event gives her a chance to finally uncover the truth. But as she retraces the days leading up to the murder, she begins to realize the story she remembers is not the whole one … Read it, it’s FREE @ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G24SFSGB/

Before She Was Taken – also by Margie Benedict – is Book 2 of The Killing Hour and it’s a real nail biter, as was Book 1. It’s on offer too @ £0.99 instead of £2.99 and is irresistible.

Rebecca travels back in time to learn who kidnapped her sister—only to be taken in her place …

So, what did happen to Sadie? This question has plagued 25-year-old Rebecca Danser for 19 years. Imagine that if you are six and had ditched your four-year-old sister to go and play with your friend … and then never saw Sadie again.

In the intervening years, now living in Silicon Valley, Rebecca has, perhaps understandably, made a mess of her life. She hates her job, has no career prospects, and has never had a successful relationship unless you count sex with a relative stranger during her time jumps into the past. But at last she realizes this strange ability she recently gained, allowing her to cast her consciousness back into a younger version of herself, is a gift that can be used to discover who took Sadie that fateful day… https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GC76BGQN/ @ £0.99 instead of £2.99.

Treasure of the Serpent God: A steampunk alternative history novel (The Charlemagne Griffon Chronicles Book 2 of 4) by Christopher C. Tubbs.

Charlie and Etherton are introduced to Lord Kingsborough, a scholar who believes the Mayans descended from a lost tribe of Israel. He reveals an unpublished volume of Mayan writings that hint at the location of artefacts to support his theory. Seamus Quinlan, a notorious London gang leader and family acquaintance, tasks the duo with finding the treasure and bringing it to England. Their adventure leads them through the Yucatan in search of lost Mayan ruins, where they must battle bandits and outwit Freddy, Lord Kingsborough’s cunning cousin, who wants the treasure for himself. @ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DLJ8LNXZ/ For £0.99 instead of £2.99.

Crikey, so many unputdownable kindles. Do read them.

Milly Adams is the author of The Waterway Girls trilogy https://www.amazon.co.uk//dp/B0FRN1JWMF/ @ £5.97 for all 3 kindles

Frost Magazine has raved about the Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener before – with its fine-grained diamond grinding wheel, it’s both exquisitely beautiful and incredibly useful. The first real knife sharpener for the home chef, unusually for a home device, it sharpens the entire bevel of the knife, achieving professional sharpness in minutes.

So we thought our readers would be interested in Tormek’s recent Sharpen Up Your Sunday campaign. After surveying 2,000 adults, they discovered that 24 per cent of UK households sit down to a Sunday roast every week but that blunt blades were turning the traditional meal into a recipe for disaster.

Samuel Stenhem, CEO of Tormek warns us that ‘Blunt knives can be more dangerous than sharp ones, as they require greater force and are more likely to slip, turning simple kitchen tasks into a potential recipe for injury. Instead, a truly sharp knife makes chopping, slicing and cooking an absolute joy.’

Richard Bertinet, chef, author and baking expert, comments ‘At the Bertinet Kitchen Cookery School, we use knives every day, so we know just how important it is to keep them sharp.

Whether you’re learning the basics or working at a professional level, every chef will tell you that a sharp knife gives you greater control and helps you get the most out of your cooking. If you’ve invested in good knives, it makes sense to keep them sharp.’

So if you’re inspired to lift your Sunday roast to a new level, do check out the Tormek on-line shop for the most effective kitchen knife sharpener around.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Tracklements have done it again. In this age of mass produced (frankly boring) foodstuffs, this Wiltshire-based family company are a beacon for good food. Their passion for creating quality food, by hand in small batches, using natural ingredients, mainly sourced from English farms and small businesses, is palpable. But, not satisfied with this alone, they’re tirelessly thinking outside the box, creating new, innovative recipes, to highlight the amazing potential of proper honest food.

Their latest Tracklements Special Edition Wholegrain Figgy Mustard illustrates this perfectly. Not satisfied with their already extensive range of delicious mustards, they have decided to fuse the natural heat of whole mustard seeds with that distinctive sweetness of sticky figs – and, boy, does it work? Make no mistake, this relish has heat, being almost 20% mustard seed, backed up with black peppercorns and other delicious spices, but the gentle sweetness of the sticky figs merges and creates magic.

Perfect with cheese or cold meats, or adding an extra verve to a hearty beef casserole – your guests will be in awe.

Tracklements Special Edition Wholegrain Figgy Mustard, RRP £4.20 for 190g, is available from fine food delis and farm shops nationwide and online at www.tracklements.co.uk.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Over the past few years, the beauty world has shifted away from complicated, ten-step routines toward a more thoughtful approach. People are discovering that applying dozens of heavy layers can often irritate the skin rather than improve it. Today, the focus is entirely on gentle ingredients, effective formulations, and protecting the natural barrier.

Understanding the shift toward gentle formulations

Modern skincare focuses heavily on balancing hydrated skin with a strong natural barrier. Instead of using harsh chemical peels every day, beauty enthusiasts are choosing calming botanical ingredients. This philosophy owes much of its global popularity to Korean skincare, which prioritizes long-term nourishment over quick, aggressive fixes. By giving the skin gentle care, you allow it to repair and glow naturally.

Finding the right ingredients for your daily routine

To build a simple routine that actually works, it helps to focus on a few key ingredients. Soothing plant extracts like Heartleaf and Centella Asiatica have become top choices for sensitive skin. Many modern beauty lines, including viral brands like Anua, center their entire range around these calming ingredients to reduce redness and restore balance. Finding products that calm inflammation without clogging pores makes daily maintenance effortless.

How to streamline your everyday skincare steps

A minimalist routine does not mean sacrificing results; it simply means choosing multi-tasking products. Start with a gentle cleanser that lifts away dirt without stripping away natural oils. Follow up with a hydrating toner or light essence to prep the skin, and finish with a rich moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen. Simplifying your morning and evening steps saves precious time while keeping your skin clear and calm.

Where to source authentic beauty essentials

When refreshing your beauty cabinet, sourcing authentic products from trusted retailers is essential for safety and quality. Major beauty hubs like Notino offer a vast selection of international brands, making it easy to find genuine serums, cleansers, and moisturizers in one place. Ordering from reliable suppliers ensures that you receive fresh, high-quality formulations that deliver real benefits to your skin.

Ultimately, achieving a healthy complexion does not require an overwhelming shelf full of products. By keeping your daily routine simple, focusing on gentle ingredients, and buying from trustworthy sources, you can maintain radiant skin every single day. Less really is more when it comes to personal care.

Guest post from our brand partner.

Yep indeedy. It was thirty years ago that Kevin Charity founded The Coaching Inn Group, which is now led by his son Adam Charity. There are 46 such Inns around the country, and it might have been thought that they wouldn’t survive after the coach and horses, which ferried people from one end of the country to the other, were replaced by trains, and then cars. But Kevin Charity realised the importance of preserving what had been a vital source of hospitality in earlier times. So steadily he re-vamped many of our Inns keeping a sense of tradition, comfort and familiarity, together with excellent service, wonderful dining, splendidly comfortable bedrooms, and always a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Typically the group decided to celebrate 30 years of success with the customers in mind.

In no time at all, Sam and Dominic were taking to the road with the marketing team – and the duck – to celebrate with the clientele at each of the hotels and finally reached Thirsk. They promptly blew up the duck – well, not that sort of blew up, but ‘inserted air’ blow up. There was a tombola with vouchers for The Golden Fleece Hotel food, drink or whatever. There was a competition offering several free nights, and – roll of drums – our very own Victoria Herrington, Duty Manager, painted faces – oh yes she did – with the permission of the paintees of course! Here is the lovely Mimi who was a duck for the day.

But a little more about our own The Golden Fleece Hotel which is now much more than a change of horses, but is to many the friendly heart of this small market town and a regular meeting place for coffee with Maltesers, inside or out, drinks, dining, and comfortable rooms. Indeed, The Golden Fleece Hotel bustles with locals and tourists alike. Some of the tourists are on their way to explore the James Herriot countryside and museum which is a short walk from the hotel,and of course, there is horseracing during the season – oh the frocks and fascinators… There are business meetings, weddings, and special occasions… On and on it goes.

But hang on, if you are concerned about the safety of the duck sitting patiently outside The Golden Fleece Hotel – don’t be. The Thirsk Duck Wardens looked after it. You see, the Wardens do the same for the real Thirsk ducks during the summer evenings when they waddle (the ducks, not the wardens) from the beck to the Market Square with the wardens alongside to slow the traffic. Our ducks, you see, are escaping the predatory mink, who take the ducklings as night falls – how very dare they. The volunteer Wardens, in their hi-viz jackets remain at their post until about midnight, when the Square grows quiet, and the ducks and ducklings are asleep on the cobbles near The Golden Fleece Hotel. At dawn they waddle back until the ducklings have sufficient feathers to fly, then they are off to the reservoir or wherever they fancy. As you can imagine, guarding a solitary duck, big though it is, was frankly a doddle.

It was a fabulous day, much enjoyed by us all. Happy Anniversary The Coaching Inn Group.