Free Poetry Book To Celebrate National Poetry Day

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Frostie

Today is National Poetry Day and to celebrate you can get a copy of What Do You Think? A collection of poetry from Catherine Balavage, Frost Magazine’s owner and editor-in-chief. One of her poems is below.

Loved person

Broken promises I knew you could not keep
You only ever tried to love me and in gratitude I lay at your feet Because I was in love too, but my love was different

My love was the notion of life, a good one
All I wanted from ear to ear; a smile from my own mouth
It did not work
You loved me so selflessly I could not leave
Although I know now it was only through your love for me that I loved you You lost your own identity
You chose mine but I wanted mine to keep

Still. Here I am
This time only crying at your ever loving feet
I owe you too much to leave
So for the rest of my life. If I never find the courage I will be the living, loved dead
Even though I see
Your love in an otherwise cruel world binds me Forgive me. I doubt for all that I was ever worthy

Get your free copy of What Do You Think? now.

My Writing Process – Sue Kittow

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Frostie

I’m Sue Kittow, a Cornish author, freelance journalist, researcher and copywriter, been living in Falmouth for 25 years.

I have written five books on Cornish walks – Discover Cornwall, Walks in the Footsteps of Cornish Writers, Walks in the Footsteps of Poldark, Walks in the Footsteps of Daphne du Maurier and Walks in the Footsteps of Rosamunde Pilcher. I am also writing a novel set in Cornwall but don’t have an agent or publisher for that – yet!

As a freelance journalist I have interviewed many authors including Bill Bryson, Ian Rankin, Lionel Shriver and Rosamunde Pilcher. I have also written for Daily Mail, Cornwall Today, Writers’ Forum, Woman’s Weekly, Classic Boat and many other magazines.

I am currently promoting Walks in the Footsteps of Rosamunde Pilcher, published by Sigma Press August 2019.

Walks books need a lot of research and planning so my writing is quite structured – I write lots of notes for research then incorporate that into the walks as I transcribe them. It’s lovely playing the tape back and listening to the conversations we had, the birds and sea and whatever else going on. When I’m writing fiction it’s very different – I plot a lot and make notes on that but the writing itself is very free – I love the excitement of a first draft. Editing I find much harder.

As these are books on walks, a lot of planning and research goes into each one. My publishers like a geographical spread of walks around Cornwall, so I have to start off with ideas and make sure the walks are all over the county, not just focused on a few areas. Then research them, walk them, take photographs, transcribe them – it’s a lot of work!

My contract stipulates 35-45,000 words but that’s quite a loose guide.

The structure for each chapter is roughly the same so I’m used to it now – Introduction (about author, character, location), The Walk, incorporating more research as relevant, Factbox, Content, Photographs, Summing up.

The hard bit is always the editing, then the proofing and checking the maps. And self belief.

I love the physical part of writing – actually putting the words on the page and then transmitting the idea of the place – capturing the sounds, the sea, the birds, the trees etc, so that the reader can come on this walk with me while they read it.

Advice for other writers – find your voice. Read lots. Be realistic. Study agents and publishers carefully, see what’s happening online but don’t compare yourself to others – social media is full of people sharing their Amazon rankings, reviews etc. For every good review there is a not so good one (don’t read reviews!). Make sure your work is as good as it can be before you send it out – get advice from people you trust and listen to what they say. Good criticism can only improve your work. Persevere. This is a lonely business, so network with other writers. And write because you love it.

Where is the Wellness Trend Headed?

Posted on July 16, 2019 by Frostie

Health and wellness trends change over time as new ideas surface and gain traction with the health-conscious public. It’s always sensible to look out for new thinking on the subject of wellness because, as medical research confirms how alternative ideas about medicine have greater validity, products are released to provide new relief or a boost to health backed by the research.

Here are some of the wellness trends in 2019.

Personal Massage Treatment for Sore Muscles

The Theragun first got noticed at tennis tournaments when players began using it to relieve muscle tension by encouraging the muscles to relax again. The device eases muscles which relieves nerve tension and stops the pain. Nerve pain is one of the worst types of pain to deal with because it cuts right through you and painkillers don’t help much.

The HyperVolt hand massager is another percussive tool that works similarly and has been seen being used in chiropractors across the U.S. before making spinal adjustments to patients.

Be sure to visit sites like UpgradedReviews.com to find great deals on wellness products that you’re interested in purchasing.

CBD and Hemp Products Go More Mainstream

As the legislation clears the way, consumers are using hemp-based and CBD products to relieve fatigue and anxiety to feel better.

There are now many of these products that offer wellness benefits and are sold in spray, oil or edible form. The natural anti-inflammatory properties are the main driver here. It also helps consumers stop taking traditional medicine like aspirin or ibuprofen which is a popular change.

It’s not for everyone but nevertheless, the market and number of providers is expanding rapidly.

Oat Milk

Oat milk is the new almond milk. For milk lovers who look for the latest thing, oat milk delivers all the goodness they expect and a rich full-bodied taste that satisfies their taste buds too.

Oatly is the biggest brand to watch in this space. They’ve had to move to a larger factory and increased production by over 1,000% since oat milk began to rival almond milk in popularity.

Brain Health Becomes More Relevant

With the ongoing research into Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s, the understanding of the human brain is getting better. This is leading to new products to help you get more from your brain matter.

According to Lisa Mosconi, who previously wrote Brain Food, it all comes down to what we feed our brain. When we take in rich nourishment, our brains function better. However, when we eat poorly with low nutritional meals, our cognition and long-term brain health is at risk.

Eating more plant-based foods and avoiding additives is leading the charge. Plant-based burgers are becoming a hot space for some food companies. They’re even perfecting the look and smell of a beef burger without the animal fats. Even non-Vegans are interested in this healthier, lower fat option to fast food.

Fruit Juices on the Way Out?

We’ve seen the earlier trend towards drinking a glass of fruit juice in the morning at breakfast. However, it’s now been indicated that we should be careful about that. Researchers have indicated that the sugar in fruit juice isn’t as great for our health when consuming more than a glass a day. Therefore, while consumers have moved increasingly away from soda, switching to fruit juice isn’t much better for the teeth, gums or overall health either.

Healthier flavored waters and vitamin water solutions are encouraging consumers to stick with water and avoid sugar-loaded beverages altogether. Beverage companies are responding well to this new trend with many bringing out healthier drinking options, including Coca Cola and Pepsi too.

Many of the wellness trends are good ones this year. Pick your favorite one and try it out to see how you like it. You might be surprised.

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Easy Summer Fashion

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Frostie

7 Tips to Handle a Snoring Spouse

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Frostie

Research has found that around 37 million adult Americans snore regularly, which means there are many partners and spouses out there that are struggling to get a good night’s sleep. While being a snorer can massively disrupt your quality of sleep, it can impact your partner’s sleep as well. If you have ever slept in the same room as someone who snores, then you will know how impossible it can be to get some shut eye when lying next to a snorer.

Having a partner who snores can cause you serious exhaustion and fatigue, which can be damaging to both your physical and mental health. Not getting enough sleep can cause you a huge range of issues, including anxiety, memory loss, weight gain, and a drop-in productivity. Therefore, if your partner snores in the night, it is important that you address the issue before it causes any additional health or relationship problems.

Snoring occurs when someone who is sleeping cannot freely move air between their nose and throat, which causes tissues to vibrate and creates the snoring noise we have all become familiar with. However, there are ways to help your partner if they do snore and by using these helpful tips you can handle a snoring spouse and once again enjoy a good night’s sleep!

Get a Bigger Bed

The more space between you and your partner when they are snoring the better. Therefore, by investing in a bigger bed you can have more room and be further away from your partner’s face when they start to snore. When sleeping in a bigger bed, you can also build a wall of pillows between you and your partner’s head to block some of the noise from coming your way while you are trying to sleep.

Getting a bigger bed and investing in a new mattress that you find more comfortable is a great way to help you fall asleep quicker and stay asleep for longer, even if you do have a snoring spouse next to you.

Try Anti-Snoring Strips

You should consider asking your spouse to try anti-snoring strips to combat their disruptive noises throughout the night. Get them to use anti snoring strips, provided by SomniFix, as these can reduce open-mouth snoring and improve nasal breathing abilities. They are an affordable and effective alternative to other mouth taping options that offer a breathing vent that allows for mouth breathing if needed.

Roll Them Over

You may find that your partner snores due to their position when they are sleeping. If this is the case, you should spend some time trying to discover which positions are more likely to make your partner snore. Some people are more likely to snore when they are lying on their back so you should try to encourage your partner to sleep on their side instead. You can also use pillows to help prop them up on their side and stop them from flipping onto their back while they sleep.

However, if you and your partner are determined to sort out their snoring problem, you may want to take things a step further and consider using the ping pong ball trick. This is where you sew a ping pong ball to the inside of the top that your partner wears to sleep. This will make lying on their back (and the ping pong ball) very uncomfortable, which will naturally make them roll onto their side.

Be Patient

You should try and remember to remain patient with your partner and bear in mind that they can’t help the snoring that keeps you up all night. People can get very embarrassed about their snoring habits, which can cause problems in the relationship. It is very natural to get frustrated and annoyed with your partner when their snoring keeps you awake at night, and the sleep deprivation kicks in, but try to be understanding about your partner’s snoring and empathize with their condition. Instead, focus on trying to work on the issue together as a couple instead of letting it drive a wedge between you.

Encourage Them to Exercise

Research has shown that exercising can help those who snore, as having extra weight around your neck can cause your throat to narrow, and make you snore louder. Therefore, you should try to encourage your spouse to exercise if they could do with losing some weight. Being overweight can make a snoring problem worse, so losing excess weight can help improve the situation.

Suggest exercises that you can do together, such as brisk walking or jogging, as this can be a great way for you both to bond, get in a shape, and be so tired in the evenings that your spouse snoring isn’t as much of an issue anymore. Anything that your spouse enjoys, and is willing to stick to, is worth trying though.

Drown Out the Noise

If you’ve tried all of the above and nothing has worked, or if you feel uncomfortable bringing up the issue with your spouse, investing in a pair of earplugs may be the best solution. You should shop around for a pair of earplugs that fit your ears well, as if they are uncomfortable, this will only make getting a good night’s sleep even more difficult.

While using earplugs may feel weird at first, you will soon become accustomed to them and they can be a great way to block out the noises coming from your snoring spouse.

Go to the Doctors

If you and your partner have tried everything to no avail, your last option is to book a doctor’s appointment. You may find that your spouse’s snoring is due to a medical condition and healthcare professionals may be able to shed some light on how to solve the problem.

While having a partner that snores can be frustrating and disruptive to your daily life, you should try to be as understanding as possible and focus on solving the issues as a couple, so it doesn’t cause any additional relationship problems.

Upcoming Books: The Switching Hour by Damaris Young

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Frostie

A bewitchingly beautiful, spine-chilling story of courage, friendship and fears that come alive after dark… Never stay out after the Switching Hour… never let the outside in… Amaya lives with her grandmother, her small brother Kaleb and her pet goat Tao in a land suffering a terrible drought. Every night, the doors must be locked after twilight, the Switching Hour, because the drought has awoken Badoko, a creature that snatches people away to eat their dreams. Three days later, the memory that they existed is gone from those that knew them, and those that are left are afflicted with The Sorrow Sickness – a grief which consumes a person without them knowing why. When Kaleb is taken by Badoko, Amaya must journey into the terrifying forest to find her brother before she forgets him.

Out on August 1st. Available here.

The Tiger Catcher Paullina Simons | Recommended Reads

Posted on April 18, 2019 by Frostie

An interesting, entertaining and pacy novel.

The first novel in a beautiful, heartbreaking new saga from Paullina Simons, the international bestselling author of Tully and The Bronze Horseman.

Can true love ever die?
Julian lives a charmed life in Los Angeles. Surrounded by friends, he is young, handsome, and runs a successful business. Everything changes after he has a fateful encounter with a mysterious young woman named Josephine. Julian’s world is turned upside down by a love affair that takes him–and everyone else in his life–by storm. For the two new lovers, the City of Angels is transformed into a magical playground.
But Josephine is not what she seems and carries secrets that threaten to tear them apart―seemingly forever.
A broken man, his faith in tatters, Julian meets a mysterious stranger who tells him how to find Josephine again if he is willing to give up everything and take a death-defying trip from which no one has ever returned.
So begins Julian and Josephine’s extraordinary adventure of love, loss, and the mystical forces that bind people across time and space. It is a journey that propels Julian toward an impossible choice which will lead him to love fulfilled…
…or to oblivion.
The Tiger Catcher takes readers from the depths of despair to the dizzying heights of joy in the first novel of an unforgettable trilogy of love lost and found. For all fans of Outlander, The Time Traveler’s Wife and Jojo Moyes.

Available here.

The Surface Breaks Louise O’Neill | Recommended Reads

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Frostie

This is a clever reimagining of The Little Mermaid.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE SPECSAVERS NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS

Think you know the story of The Little Mermaid? Think again…
This is a book with the darkest of undercurrents, full of rage and rallying cries: storytelling at its most spellbinding.
Deep beneath the sea, off the cold Irish coast, Gaia is a young mermaid who dreams of freedom from her controlling father. On her first swim to the surface, she is drawn towards a human boy. She longs to join his carefree world, but how much will she have to sacrifice? What will it take for the little mermaid to find her voice? Hans Christian Andersen’s original fairy tale is reimagined through a searing feminist lens, with the stunning, scalpel-sharp writing and world building that has won Louise her legions of devoted fans.