As a child I used to dream of having a TV in my bedroom. Just a small black-and-white one would have been the ultimate luxury. (Yes I am that old, I’m afraid – and life was a little tougher in those days).

But how things have moved on?

I have just had the pleasure of road-testing the Soundasleep. It looks, and feels, like a simple, rather attractive, white pillow, but, hidden beneath the soft quilting is a mini-heaven for anyone who dreams of duvet days on a regular basis.

A micro USB charging port with power switch are hidden in a secret zip pocket. Once charged and switched on, the pillow mutates into an entertainment system AND phone, and more. The pillow will remain charged for around 5 to 7 day – depending on how long you can bear to turn off the Soundasleep features and grab some sleep.

Having paired the blue-tooth with either your phone or other audio device, you can press the ‘On’ button, hidden in the top corner of your pillow and listen to music through the inbuilt speaker, either directly from your device, or Spotify for example. You can set the music so it is loud enough for you to hear, but won’t disturb your partner – unless of course you want to ramp up the volume so you can both share. Insomnia will never be a burden again, as you hum along to dance music (not too loud, remember), learn a language, or listen to that ‘How to stop smoking’ hypnosis track someone once bought you for Christmas.

But you can do so much more than listen to music or audio tracks.

Imagine just waking up in your bed when your phone goes. Oh damn, you remember it is Monday morning and you should be in an important meeting. That call will be your boss. No need to panic, jump out of bed or search for your phone – just press the ‘on’ button in your pillow, roll over and talk to your boss from your bed – thank you Soundasleep.

If this isn’t enough, there’s a free Soundasleep App available from Google Play or Apple Store.  It has numerous useful features including a sleep tracker, smart alarm and snore management function, plus a range of sounds and music to fall asleep to. You can also use it to monitor the impact of alcohol, caffeine, exercise and stress on your sleeping patterns. The pillow is also compatible with other apps, such as Calm and Headspace.

AND, as if all this were not enough, it supports Amazon Alexa – you really won’t need to ever leave your bed again.

Available from https://soundasleeppillow.co.uk/ at just £50 – the perfect Christmas present for the person who has everything.

By Dr K Thompson, 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

London: 14 November 2018 The Romantic Novelists’ Association’s (RNA) is delighted to announce the winners of its annual Industry Awards. The RNA Industry Awards are decided by the membership, with every member eligible to nominate within each category. They recognise and celebrate the many professionals whose work supports and promotes the genre of romantic fiction. Five awards were presented during the RNA’s Winter Party, held in the Library at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London.

Librarian of the Year

This award recognises the important work that librarians do in supporting the romantic fiction genre, and the Association in particular.  The winner was Sharon Hunt, from Kingswinford Library in Dudley, for being committed to supporting and promoting romantic fiction through library events, reviews, and publicity.

Runner-ups Will Cooban from Bexley Libraries, and Ben Woodfine from Bedford Libraries, were nominated for their continual support and proactivity, and for bringing romantic fiction events to their region.

Romantic Bookseller of the Year
This award recognises booksellers promoting and championing romantic fiction in a positive and proactive way throughout the year.  Store manager Elizabeth Shaw accepted the award on behalf of Waterstones, Truro.  David Headley and team at Goldsboro Books were joint runners-up with Andrew Sellers and the team from Blackwells, Leeds.

Media Star of the Year

Blogger Kaisha Holloway from The Writing Garnet was awarded Media Star of the Year for her great support for authors and her honest, detailed and reflective reviews. This award recognises journalists, bloggers, publicists, TV or radio presenters who have helped raise the profile of romance writing and/or the RNA in a positive way.  Bloggers Anne Cater, from Random Things Through My Letterbox and Rachel Gilbey, from Rachel’s Random Reads, were joint runners-up.

Agent of the Year

For the literary agent who has striven to support, mentor, nurture and promote their authors’ careers, the genre in general and the RNA in particular. This year’s winner, Amanda Preston from LBA, was nominated for her championing of romantic fiction and support for the RNA. With a list featuring several authors in the genre, she was praised for being supporting, unfailingly enthusiastic and never afraid to explore new directions.

Kate Nash, from Kate Nash Literary Agency, and Juliet Pickering, from Blake Friedmann, were joint runners-up.

Publisher of the Year

For the publisher who embraces the genre, mentors writers to produce their best work, and is innovative, creative and visionary in the marketing and promotion of Romantic Fiction on every level.  This year’s award was accepted by Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks, on behalf of Avon Books UK, for their commercial acumen and their energy, expertise and commitment to the genre and its authors.

Runner-ups were Laura McCallen from Canelo, and Emma Capron from Simon & Schuster.

The awards were presented at the RNA’s Winter Party at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Birdcage Walk, London on 14^th November 2018.

We have probably all known twins who seem quite different, who are of mixed gender and may not even appear similar in the way that siblings can do. However, identical twins who by definition are the same gender have fascinated Peter Zelewski since he met identical twins Eric and Tim at school.

He was struck by their confidence and the bond which invisibly united them. To an extent he was jealous that they had each other.

Years later as a professional photographer he remembered this fascination and decided to create a project around the subject.  To this end he sought out identical twins; at random and by using the power of social media.

The result is this engaging book of portraits of twins ranging in age from 2 years old to 57 years old. Each portrait has a short commentary from the twins, which highlights some aspect of their life experience.

There is a moving introduction by one of the pairs of twins, in which they write a brief history of twins through the ages and then comment on Peter’s approach to his work, which for them captures the essence of their union. These photographs, this book is just a glimpse, a step towards an understanding of the unique and special relationship experienced by twins.  It will make you want to find out more.

Twins, produced over four years by award photographer Peter Zelewski is wonderfully enhanced by the quality of this publication. This is a volume to treasure, to gift and to grace bookshelves or coffee tables. And with Christmas on the way…

Twins by Peter Zelewski: Hoxton Mini Press £16.95 (Cloth Hardback) ISBN: 978-1-910566-43-5

How many of us saw back and forth at our Sunday joint with a hopelessly blunt knife? Maybe you’re still using an old carver given to you as a wedding present, all those years ago? Or is that just me?

So if chopping the supper veg is becoming far harder work than it need be, let me introduce you to Any Sharp. This neat little device is both attractive and useful. It feels solid to hold and, with its Powergrip suction, can be fixed on a flat surface for safety. You just flip down the lever to fix it, 3 or 4 light strokes of the knife along the sharpeners – job done.  All you need to rediscover fine, smooth-edged slices of turkey this Christmas.  As a doctor I have seen far too many nasty domestic injuries in the Accident and Emergency department so this simple hands-free operation really appeals to me.

Any Sharp is pre-set at 20 degrees, which, apparently, as any knife-sharpener will tell you, is the very best angle, meaning you get a good sharp blade every time without trying.

Whatever your kitchen colour-scheme, there’s an ‘Any Sharp’ to match- with choices of Metallic Red or Purple, Bronze, Copper, Black and Light Blue. I road-tested the metallic purple. It would look nice on display but is also small enough to pop in a drawer too – the choice is yours.

So why not get into the Christmas mood, and buy the first present – for yourself. Available at Amazon plus high-street shops.

Any Sharp Knife Sharpener

By Dr K Thompson, 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

At HarperCollins, The News Building, London Bridge

On a glorious 17th Floor – with twinkling views of London-by-night – we were surrounded by a stunning range of crime authors. Bestsellers such as Linwood Barclay mingled with debut writers like Melanie Golding.

All the writers had works on display and editors and PR flitted around like hoverflies, introducing everyone who made eye contact. If you tried to avoid eye contact, they gently nudged you until you did, then the introductions began! A succession of handshakes, questions, answers, drinks, canapes, handshakes, drinks, conversation, drinks and laughter made the evening fly by. Did I mention the drinks?

The only way to be fair is to list the authors that the HQ will be printing in the next twelve months or so: Khurrum Rahman, Mick Finlay, Roz Watkins, Vicky Newham, Phoebe Morgan, Mel McGrath, Christina McDonald, Will Caine, Kerry Barnes, Ross Armstrong, Lisa Hall, Melanie Golding, Faith Martin, Alice Feeney, Amanda Jennings, Suzy K Quinn, Annabel Kantaria, Helen Warner, Linwood Barclay, C J Skuse, Kia Abdullah, Louise Jensen and Louise Hare.

These works cover so many aspects of crime – historic, witty, thriller, contemporary… you name, it’ll be here. So many good books to look forward to.

Thanks to HarperCollins, HQ and all their brilliant team. And, of course, to the wonderful authors.

Paul Vates.

At a time when we need to be cautious about using plastic, how do we encourage the use of other types of water bottles? Perhaps by making them a ‘must-have’ item?

The Chameleon project could help. Using colour change paint, the Chameleon reacts to cold temperature. Chameleon encourages people of all ages to drink more water and use less plastic and seems like a great idea, as we struggle against the plastic tide.

So now is the time to rethink the way you drink and perhaps  this fantastic new colour changing water bottle will encourage you to do so. The chameleon, set to become an iconic ‘must have’ in its own right is made using thermochromic ink which reacts to cold temperatures.

This is not only fun, and different, but the Chameleon allows you to see the fill level, so you’ll know exactly how full your bottle is without having to open it.

As the cold water activates the colour, empty sections of warmer air return to white colour. So you’ll also know just how cold your water is as the colour intensity gradually lightens as bottle gets warmer.

A great idea. But help is needed to kickstart the project.

To learn more go to: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/root7/chameleon-the-color-changing-stainless-steel-bottl?ref=576274&token=5a51dd65

Milly Adams is the author of the series The Waterway Girls (Arrow) @millyadams2

My dad was a scotch whisky drinker, especially at Christmas. ‘What is Christmas without a scotch,’ he’d say.

One year his son came to see him. They had lost touch many years before, and up he popped. So there they were, Young Bill, and Old Bill both sitting there like two peas in a pod, sipping their single grain scotch whisky, wearing similar clothes, similar spectacles, with similar mannerisms. Both whisky drinkers, particularly at Christmas.

So whenever I test a new whisky I think of those two, and know they’d leap at the chance to test but I have a secret weapon – ‘him indoors’ is almost a chip of my dad’s block, with a rare nose for a single grain.

Haig Club is the iconic Single Grain Scotch Whisky from the House of Haig, created in partnership with David Beckham. Will we all be able to score a spectacular goal? I fear not, but having tested Haig Club let’s just say you’ll feel you could. We drank it straight, though it lends itself to a cocktail if you wish.

Dad and Young Bill would of course, have removed any nonsense and simply savoured – and enjoyed it.

The Haig Club Deluxe in its distinctive square blue bottle design and copper detailing contains single grain whisky which has a smooth  but crisp taste with notes of citrus, which is blended with butterscotch and toffee. The result is a light, new generation Scotch that pairs perfectly with any mixer, or classic/contemporary cocktail – this does seem to be the thing this festive season.

Completing the House of Haig Collection, CLUBMAN inherits the same boldness of HAIG CLUB. Encased in a distinctive elongated square bottle with a stand-out silhouette – CLUBMAN’s design reflects HAIG CLUB’s tradition, innovation and style.

Interestingly, CLUBMAN is apparently aged in ex-American Bourbon barrels and you can taste again the smooth light flavour of toffee, and hint of butterscotch. This gives it a unique, smooth and light flavour base. The result works well mixed in long drinks or poured simply over ice – it is the ultimate stylish gift for Christmas.

I will be giving bottles to my favourites. Be nice to me, very very nice.

HAIG CLUB 70cl: RRP £45 (Available from Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Amazon)

HAIG CLUB CLUBMAN 70cl: RRP £25 (Available from Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Amazon)

Milly Adams’s latest novel is the last in The Waterway Girls – Hope on the Waterways pub. Arrow.

And here we have a photo of Margaret Graham, AKA Milly Adams showing the kids how it’s done on a holiday in Italy some years ago. Let’s be honest, I dye my hair, well, who wouldn’t? And the water bleaches it, and so does the sun, hence the hat, and the head up in the air, looking ridiculous, stance.

It was one of those holidays which showed clearly the demarcation between the generations and indeed the sexes, if one can even mention the sexes in this day and age. The teenagers lounged round the pool of the Italian house we’d rented, or dived elegantly into the pool.  Margaret the Mummy swam arduous lengths in a hat, hoping to chase away the galloping cellulite, whilst the teenagers refused to believe they could be related to this apparition.

Meanwhile, Dick the Daddy lingered in the kitchen, reading his electronics magazines, out of the sun entirely, and out of hearing distance of the Female Mafia.

This absenteeism was quite possibly brought about by an unfortunate episode when Margaret the Mummy was navigating around Florence (why did we drive? Why? Why? We should have flown and grabbed a taxi). Well, I say navigating when I should have said, I was supposed to be navigating. Instead I was sitting frozen in the passenger seat in a state of terror as Italian drivers swept in and out, here and there around and in front of us, all at great speed, and much honking of horns.

We reached a cross-roads. ‘Where now?’ barked Dick the Daddy.

Margaret the Mummy had forgotten all about navigating, so:

1. a) had to find the map.
2. B) the the page.
3. C) Turn said page up the right way.

All the while the cacophony of horns grew ever louder, as did the ‘What the hell are you doing?’ within the car, from him to my right, and the teenagers behind.

So, there we were, an island of Britishness amongst a sea of furious Italians. Hey, let’s take a look at that sentence again. So there I was, an island of one English woman, trying to work out where we actually were on the wretched map, while inside and out there were furious, gesticulating ‘others’..

Finally, in desperation Dick the Daddy swung the car into the curb, snatched the map without saying please. Spent half a minute looking at it, then handed the map to a teenager, and drove on without a word, while the teenager navigated.

I sulked. Said teenager muttered, ‘You’re lucky you weren’t left at the side of the road.’

Well!! Well!!

Now we are happier. Each journey doesn’t end with threats of divorce, because we have Sally the SatNav, and the teenagers have children of their own, who sit in the back of granny and gramp’s car and ignore where we’re going, because they have social media and are chasing ever more ‘friends’.

This leads me free to:

a) press the imaginary break when I feel Dick the grandpa should be doing so.

b) suggest that Dick the grandpa should just get into the boot of the car in front, and be done with it, as he’s driving so close.

c) Or drive myself, which is liberating because I can sing-along to Smooth radio only interrupted by Sally the Satnav suggesting I should have turned right, but to do so at the next turning – IF YOU PLEASE.

I do feel she shouts sometimes, but one can’t drive a SatNav to distraction, surely. Answers in writing.