Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

Joan Hessayon Award winner Melissa Oliver triumphs with debut novel

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Joan Hessayon Award winner Melissa Oliver

triumphs with debut novel

The Rebel Heiress and the Knight

Author Melissa Oliver has triumphed with her debut novel The Rebel Heiress and the Knight, published by Mills and Boon Historical, for which she has been awarded The Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) prestigious Joan Hessayon Award for new writers. Melissa, from New Malden, Surrey, will also receive a cheque for £1,000.

The Joan Hessayon Award is generously sponsored by gardening expert Dr David Hessayon OBE, in honour of his late wife, Joan, who was a longstanding member of the RNA and a great supporter of its New Writers’ Scheme.

The judges for the award, which included RNA Chair Alison May, Vice Chair Imogen Howson, Rhoda Baxter, author of contemporary romance and Chair of Authors North, and Thorne Ryan, Commissioning Editor for Hodder and Stoughton, were unanimous in their decision to crown The Rebel Heiress and the Knight the winner. They praised the novel’s ‘very real characters’ and enjoyed how ‘the history was beautifully woven into the story’, calling it ‘an excellent example of its genre’ and ‘a very strong debut’.

The book was selected from a list of 21 contenders, all authors whose debut novels have been accepted for publication after passing through the Romantic Novelists’ Association New Writers’ Scheme. Each year 300 places are offered to unpublished writers in the romantic fiction genre. As part of the scheme, they can submit a complete manuscript for critique by one of the Association’s published authors as well as attend RNA events which offer opportunities to meet and network with publishers, agents and other published authors.

This year’s debuts show the wide range of stories encompassed by the romance genre, from the ever-popular romantic comedies, to fairy tale romance, romantic suspense, historical stories and paranormal thrills. From the house just down the street to the sun-soaked beaches of Italy and that different world that is the past, these books deal with themes we all recognise and hold close to our hearts.

Melissa Oliver wanted to write a medieval romance set against a backdrop of real historical events, and the bitter divisions between King John and the Barons in 1215 provided the perfect element of intrigue, adventure and excitement. There’s also a nod to the legend of Robin Hood, which some historians believe took inspiration from the real-life story of Fulk FitzWarin III.

In The Rebel Heiress and the Knight, widow Eleanor of Tallany Castle knows her people are broken by the taxes demanded by King John. So when she’s ordered to marry Hugh de Villiers, a knight loyal to the king, she’s furious—even if he is handsome. As gallant Hugh begins to heal the scars of Eleanor’s abusive first marriage, she’s even more determined to keep her secret: she is the outlaw the king wants to send to the gallows.

RNA Chair, Alison May, commented, ‘The Rebel Heiress and the Knight is a fantastic debut, combining action, intrigue and engaging emotion. In an incredibly strong year for the Joan Hessayon Award, with an unprecedented number of contenders, choosing a winner was a real challenge, but Melissa Oliver’s debut blew us away with the quality of the writing and the emotional depth of the romance depicted’.

The full list of contenders for the RNA’s 2020 Joan Hessayon Award:
Zoe Allison, Impervious, Totally Bound

Jan Baynham, Her Mother’s Secret, Ruby Fiction

Laura Bambrey, The Beginner’s Guide to Loneliness, Simon & Schuster

Victoria Garland, Finding Prince Charming, DC Thompson

Rosemary Goodacre, Until We Meet Again, Hera

Annette Hannah, Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe, Orion Dash

Stephanie Harte, Risking It All, Aria

Stefania Hartley, Sun, Stars and Limoncello, Totally Bound

Kirsten Hesketh, Another Us, Canelo

Sharon Ibbotson, The Marked Lord, Choc Lit

Emma Jackson, A Mistletoe Miracle, Orion Dash

Lynn Johnson, The Girl from the Workhouse, Hera

Nina Kaye, The Gin Lover’s Guide to Dating, Orion Dash

Lucy Keeling, Make it up to you, Choc Lit

Ruth Kvarnström-Jones, Halleholm – Lovisa’s Choice, Printz Publishing

Mairibeth MacMillan, The Viking’s Cursed Bride, Tirgearr

Melissa Oliver, The Rebel Heiress and the Knight, Mills and Boon Historical

Maggie Richell-Davies, The Servant, Sharpe Books

Jacqueline Rohen, How to Marry Your Husband, Arrow

Kathleen Whyman, Wife Support System, Hera

Fiona Woodifield, The Jane Austen Dating Agency, Bloodhound Books

 

The New Writers’ Scheme has been run by the RNA since 1962 and is unique among professional writing associations. It aims to encourage fresh talent in the writing of romantic novels that reflect all aspects of love and life, contemporary or historical.

Manuscripts submitted under the scheme are from unpublished authors and are read by an experienced writer or editor who provides invaluable feedback. Any manuscript that is subsequently published as a debut novel is eligible for the Joan Hessayon Award. All eligible books are judged by a panel of experienced RNA members who are already published authors, and this year the final round judges were Rhoda Baxter, author of contemporary romance and Chair of Authors North, and Thorne Ryan, Commissioning Editor for Hodder and Stoughton.

 

New Wireless Power Bank from Anker: PowerCore 10K Wireless

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Anker Wireless charger, anker, phone charger, review

This wireless charger from Anker is sleek, stylish and does the job. You can even charge three devices at once. A great product.

PowerCore 10K Wireless

The Hybrid Wireless and Portable Charger

Charge Wirelessly On-The-Go

Leave your cables at home and still have all you need for charging. Just place your phone or other Qi-enabled device on the charging pad to get a 5W wireless charge—either in your palm or your pocket.

Charge Multiple Devices

Charge your phone wirelessly while charging up to 2 other devices at the same time via dual USB ports. (12W Total Max Output)

Wireless Pass-Through Charging

When connected to the wall, PowerCore continues to provide wireless-charging to your Qi-enabled devices while recharging itself, so you can wake up to a fully charged phone and pad every morning.

Non-Slip Design

Designed with a rubber coating that not only helps to keep your phone in place while charging but also feels great in your hand.

Wireless Compatibility:

– iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, Xs Max, XR, XS, X, 8, 8 Plus, AirPods pro, 5W Galaxy S20 S10 S9, Note 10 Note 9 Note 8

– Place your phone on the center of the portable charger to ensure stable charging while wireless charging.

– Cases made of metal and attachments such as magnets, cards, and grips will interfere with wireless charging.

– Does not support wireless charging for Apple Watch.

– Press the button to start the wireless charging function for devices.

The Anker phone charger is available here.

The Power of Play Geomagworld Educates and Excites

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Frost recommends the Geomag Mechanics Magnetic Race Track. It is a fantastic and innovative toy. 

We at Geomag know that it is easier to learn when you are having fun, that is why all of our toys are educational with a fun-spin. It’s the fun aspect which allows a child to play, whilst engaging their mind to learn key skills in the process. Skills such as perseverance, cause and effect, investigation, hand-to-eye coordination, and STEM.

These key skills all play a huge part in daily life and we are committed to ensuring every child learns as much as they can when playing with their innovative sets.

geomag, STEM, stem toys

The Geomag Mechanics Magnetic Race Track Set is a unique, exciting and educational toy, which will provide hours of fun for the whole family. The system is made up of magnetic rods, steel spheres and elements of different shapes such as cylinders and modular parts. When assembled correctly, you can use the force of gravity to create chain reactions for never-ending fun.  The interactive marble run has 115 pieces and will harness the invisible forces of magnetism and gravity through original and surprising means. The spheres inside the circuit are set in motion by an innovative magnetic cannon that uses the force of attraction of the accelerating magnet.  The motion is provided by the invisible forces of Gravity and Magnetism, without using electricity or batteries. The play experience is based on these fundamental principles of physics.

The Geomag Magnetic Race Track 115pc MSRP £29.99 from Amazon.

New FOREO Product The ISSA 2

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There are toothbrushes and then they are toothbrushes. FOREO are one of my favourite brands, their innovative products always work and their new toothbrush is the latter, a toothbrush that blows all of the others out of the water. It is an electric toothbrush that you only need to charge once a year, that only needs its head replaced once a year, and it is the world’s first silicone sonic toothbrush. It has 16 speeds for customised cleaning and bacteria-resistant silicone design. The sonic pulsations give effective cleaning. It also looks great. It costs £149 and the heads are £17 but you only need to buy one a year. It comes in four gorgeous colours.

I love the fact its head only needs replaced once a year, making it environmentally friendly. Buy it now.

Dare to do more with the improved ISSA 2. By blending durable PBT polymer and ultra-soft silicone into one remarkable sonic toothbrush that now lasts for 365 days on a single charge, ISSA 2 can keep you smiling without a second’s pause. The improved electric toothbrush with dynamic dual-design

The bar for advanced oral care has been raised once again. ISSA 2 features a sleek, waterproof design that sets it apart from the rest. With improved sonic pulse technology, a combination brush head and a new 365 day charge, you’ll get way more mileage for your smile than ever before.

Available from http://foreo.com/, feelunique.com, amazon and harrods.com

Geomag Magicube Free Building Set of 24 Magnetic Blocks

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Geomag Magicube free building set of 24 Magnetic blocks

Out of all of the toys I have reviewed these Magicubes from Geomag are the ones I recommend the most. They are magnetic building blocks and so clever and versatile. They teach children colours, counting and how to use their imagination. Building the blocks is great for their coordination.

You can use these blocks to teach your children so many different things. They are a great tool for teaching.

Geomag Magicube free building set of 24 Magnetic blocks has the basics of stem and the magnets help build shapes easily. There are available here. I cannot recommend them enough, and neither can my children.

 

My Writing Process Taryn Leigh

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writerMy Writing Routine

I try to write whenever I can have moments alone, which are long enough for me to take my mind into the world of my characters.

Because writing currently isn’t my full time profession, this means that I cannot have a formal writing routine, but instead have to write when I get the chance.

My name is Taryn Leigh, and I’m a South African based Author, whose first book was published in the UK.

Although I write books that are considered to be romance or contemporary fiction novels, I try to ensure the reader can walk away with something of value after reading the book. Because of that, my books deal with real life struggles that women endure.

My first book was called Perfect Imperfections, and is available in Paperback, Audiobook and on Kindle.

My current book is called The Secret Letters and launched on 09 August in Paperback and Kindle.

What you are promoting now. 

My latest novel, The Secret Letters, which deal’s with real topics of gender based violence, and the mental battle that comes with that.

It’s also a story of love and hope, and how to overcome your worst nightmares, especially in the arms of someone who loves you.

A bit about your process of writing. 

I look out for stories that peak my interest, and then I let them mull over in my mind for a while, as I start to imagine the lives of the characters, as if they are real people. Only once I feel that they feel real to me do I start to put pen to paper and plan things more formally.

Do you plan or just write?

I have a very broad plan. Mostly the main characters and main events. I normally know how it should start, when the big reveal should be, and how it should end.

The rest, I just write and see how the characters develop over time, who they meet, and what additional relationships are formed.

What about word count?

I am conscious of it, but more towards the end of the book, because if I worry about it the whole time, I won’t get the story out.

I aim for 80,000 words or more, that can then be edited down during the editing process.

What do you find hard about writing?

Finding time to be alone, the rest, I absolutely look forward to.

The other part is editing and writing a blurb. It seems so hard to condense over 400 pages into a few lines.

What do you love about writing? 

Meeting my characters. Might sound strange, but they feel like real people to me. They make me laugh and cry as I write their stories. They take me on adventures, I just love it.

Advice for other writers

Find your own voice and be authentic. Don’t try to write for the mainstream. You need to believe in what you are writing and the story will just flow.

Also dont give up, even when you feel stuck in the book, just keep going, it will all come together eventually.

 

Anker PowerCore III Fusion 5K

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anker phone charger, anker, PowerCore III Fusion 5K

This clever phone charger is such a life saver. The plug charges your phone but it is also a power brick and you can charge it away from the wall. You just plug in the wire (not included) and away you go. It looks great and is intelligent design. What more could you want?

The High-Speed Charger and Power Bank Hybrid

Power For Every Situation

One device is all you need to power your phone or tablet anywhere—whether at home or on-the-road. Plug into an outlet to charge phones and tablets at high-speed via the 18W USB-C port, or get a full charge for your phone away from the wall.

Simultaneous Charging

Equipped with both an 18W USB-C port and a 12W USB-A port to support charging to dual devices at the same time. Note: Both ports share a 15W total output.

Superior Safety

Exclusive MultiProtect safety system combines overvoltage protection, temperature control, and more so you can charge with total peace of mind.

Rapid Recharge

Plug into a wall outlet to fully recharge the internal battery in just over 2½ hours.

Compatibility:

• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, XS, XS Max, XR, X, 8 Plus, 8

• iPad Pro 2018

• Galaxy S10/S10+/S10e

• Google Pixel

Notes:

The USB-C port is output only.

Please use an MFi certified Lightning cable (not included) to charge Apple products.

Disconnect your Lightning cable while not using to avoid battery draining.

The Anker PowerCore III Fusion 5K is available here. 

 

We Are Only as Strong as We Are Connected – Skullcandy Mood Boost

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Skullcandy, those of the super sexy headphones and earbuds with amazing sound, are on a mission. With the coronavirus pandemic rumbling on and life still feeling strange they have started their Mood Boost campaign.
Everything from the box, opening it, and then seeing the earphones really did make me happy. The bundle is so sexy and gorgeous. There is also a Spotify #feelstrong playlist you can access by just scanning the code. A portion of the profits of every Mood Boost sale will benefit To Write Love on Her Arms to help directly fund the treatment and recovery for those suffering from depression and addiction.
Skullcandy are highlighting artists every month, July’s was the amazing Cuco & Rico Nasty and the visual artist Paiheme Studio from France.  This is what Skullcandy say, ‘We’re on a mission to boost mental health. Join us by celebrating a different feel-good mood every month and help people who are struggling with depression, addiction and suicide. Because nothing changes the way we feel like music.’
Frost loves.
 
The bundle is available on Skullcandy‘s website for £119.99 and 129.99 euros.
Shop for this fantastic bundle here: https://www.skullcandy.co.uk