I’m a reader with extraordinarily limited patience. If the author hasn’t written a first page that grabs me, hauls me in, has me salivating to find out more, then forget it. I haven’t time or inclination to work hard. OK, call me grumpy, but that’s my state of play.

Yet again Head of Zeus hasn’t failed me. Find Me by J.S. Monroe does the biz.

So, let’s do a catch up: Five years ago Rosa walked to Cromer pier (I’ve been there on holiday as a child – nice to be able to picture a place). It was night, and she jumped. It was assumed it was suicide – the girl was grieving for her father, she couldn’t cope.

But is this really it?

Jar her boyfriend thinks not. He sees her everywhere, which is actually not an unusual thing if you’ve been chucked or have lost a love, which is why it works well.

You know the thing, there’s that face in the crowd – surely it’s him/her …

But it isn’t.

I can remember high adolescent angst when dumped. Now, when thinking of it I sniff and think – idiot, he didn’t know what he’s missing, and besides now he’s probably bald and fat, whereas I am… Well, OK, not bald but …

Anyway, that’s not the point, so let’s not get picky.

It’s more than this for Jar. He’s absolutely sure that Rosa is alive and then he gets hold of her diary… Then he gets an email from Rosa… Ah, but, we could say, it could have been written by anyone…

So, is it from Rosa?

The structure is interesting. We have Jar in the present, Rosa in the first person in the past –   diary entries? So a picture is forming. Monroe builds the tension well, holding back information but feeding us enough to believe she is alive, that there might be a threat, but is there?

This is an intriguing novel, lots of twists and turns and a dark underbelly. I enjoyed it. It would be a good film, as Monroe’s third, Dead Spy Running will be, and which is currently in development.

One more thing. Can I be Kirsten (I gather a make up artist can work miracles)?

Who’s Kirsten? Read the book and find out. You won’t regret it.

Find Me by J.S. Monroe. pub Head of Zeus. hb. £12.99

Why on earth would anyone do this?

Fraser Corsan will be facing the gravity defying challenge in a bid to raise £1million for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity –  a cause close to his heart

When the two grannies, who run Words for the Wounded with me, did a fundraising sky dive what heroes we thought ourselves. Well, this totally puts us in our place.

In May 2017, British Wingsuit jumper and avid Armed Forces supporter Fraser Corsan, is travelling to the USA and Canada to attempt to break four of the biggest world records in Wingsuit flying. Jumping from a height of over 40,000 feet in what is called ‘Project Cirrus’, Fraser aims to break the distance record of 19 miles, speed record of more than 234 mph and the flight duration record of 9.06 minutes, whilst also breaking the current altitude record of 37,256ft, to raise £1million for SSAFA along the way.

Sixteen years ago, Fraser Corsan was one of only 15 wingsuit pilots globally. Since then, he has completed 1,300 flights, but this year’s extreme challenge is one of the biggest tests of his career. The jump will entail exiting an aircraft at over 40,000ft, whilst battling temperatures of minus 65 degrees Celsius and winds of up to 200 mph.

As I say, puts the grannies efforts into the shade.

Fraser has worked closely with the UK Armed Forces his entire career and is passionate about supporting SSAFA in the work it does. Frost is well aware of the invaluable work SSAFA does, and this vital fundraising target of £1million, will help to positively change the lives of serving personnel, veterans and their families through the incredible work that they do every day. Funds raised will go to support SSAFA’s work in the community through volunteer caseworkers and SSAFA’s confidential helpline Forcesline. It will also help SSAFA to assist service leavers with the difficult transition process out of the Forces via its mentoring scheme and provide welfare services for those veterans of working age who have struggled with the adjustment to civilian life.

In the run up to the jump, Fraser will be embarking on intense muscle and cardio training sessions, in addition to a practicing a set of specific safety drills in the event of Oxygen system, parachute or wingsuit failure. Multiple training flights over UK airfields are taking place when the weather permits, and Fraser also intends to do 100 further endurance flights to fine polish the technology and his flying style to ensure he reaches his goal.

Fraser’s attempts will be supported by Fujitsu, his current employer, and despite his years of experience in a wingsuit, this is a challenge that is only made possible through the support of innovative and revolutionary technology, developed by a dedicated team of specialists across a number of industries. His challenge exemplifies what Fujitsu is about – technology and humans working together to achieve breakthrough results, safely and securely, innovating through technology to achieve more.

Fraser comments: “This is going to be a testing challenge both physically and mentally in my bid to make wingsuit history. However, I am wholeheartedly committed to reaching my fundraising goal in knowing that the £1million target has the potential to help to change the lives of thousands of current serving personnel, veterans and their families through SSAFA’s amazing work”.

Tegan Jones, SSAFA Director of Fundraising said: “We are amazed by Fraser’s objective of smashing four World Records and trying to raise the £1million for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. All funds raised will go toward supporting anyone who is serving or has ever served in the British Armed Forces, and their families.”

Frost Magazine and the three grannies of Words for the Wounded wish Fraser all the luck in the world, and want to hear just how it went, how he felt, and how small and beautiful the world looks.

Come on, let’s all help him reach that £1million pound mark.

To donate to SSAFA in support of Fraser’s incredible World Record attempts, visit http://projectcirrus.com/ where all donations raised will go directly to SSAFA.

A few years ago I was having coffee with my agent at St Pancras. Across a crowded room I spotted my all time favourite author, Frederick Forsyth, also having coffee, or perhaps, sensibly, something stronger.

Of course I hyperventilated and Viv said, ‘Go and say hello, you’re with the same publishing house after all.’

I bottled it. What if he waved me away? What if he thought I wanted a selfie?

Well, I did, but…

Guess what – after long distance hero worship HE IS COMING TO OUR WforW LITFEST DAY ON MARCH 25TH. Sorry, I’m shouting.

You see, I had written to ask if he would send us a message of support for our Words for the Wounded’s LitFest Day held annually to raise funds in support of wounded troops and to give opportunities for writers and readers. He said, ‘I’ll come and talk instead.’ More hyperventilating.

We are all utterly thrilled. We already have the most amazing line-up and Frederick is the cherry on top of the cake. Not sure if he will like that analogy, but there you go.

First thing in the morning I will be asking him about his memoir The Outsider which I have just finished reading, and which explains not just the real happenings behind his novels, but much much more – it’s exciting, funny, moving, just like his novels.

We also have the lovely jubbley WforW patron, Captain Ian Thornton, talking just before lunch, of Helmand: Diaries of Frontline soldiers. In the middle of the morning, like the jam in the middle of the sandwich, we have Dr Kathleen Thompson, Frost’s health correspondent and Award winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope. Her journey with breast cancer, and how to obtain good treatment. Dr Kathleen will talk of how to help promote your books and be around for questions throughout the day.

I have to say we do excel with our lunch, planned by Jan Speedie, with the odd cake or salad made by me and Penny Deacon and my family will be looking after us. The wine flows, but you’ll need to stay awake for the afternoon speakers though they’re so interesting, it won’t be a problem.

The afternoon is a similar feast with – Isabelle Grey, the acclaimed screenwriter, author and all time good sport. She’s written for many excellent television series and for film.  CJ Carver the top notch crime writer (love her work) will be speaking next and after tea, an editor, (used to be mine) with whom I’ve had too many fun lunches that lead to a headache. Gillian Holmes will be talking about how to grab an editor’s attention with your opening chapters.

We have exhibitions by photographer Cire Simone and artist Sharon Bennett.

As always, there’s much of interest for readers and writers, and it’s a great networking day. 100% of everything raised goes to those in need, as it does all the time because the grannies absorb all expenses.

Come and meet us, we don’t bite, and we’d love to see you.

WforW LitFest Day: 25^th March. Downley Community Centre, Downley, High Wycombe HP13 5TR. 9.30 – 5.30.

To secure your ticket, and find out more: www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk

This memoir is subtitled My Life in Intrigue, and it certainly is, but so much more besides.

I have a friend who was telling me that she read The Day of the Jackal when she was a teenager, and has never forgotten it. She remembers thinking, ‘Now that’s how to write a book that can’t be put down.’

I feel the same, and even more so about The Odessa File, and then there’s…

Well, I won’t go on, but there has never been a dud from this author.

So, what about this memoir? In a nutshell it’s fascinating, fluent, unputdownable. Frederick Forsyth is Words for the Wounded’s LitFest Day’s guest speaker on March 25^th and I will ask him if he writes as easily and fluently as his books read. I fear he will say yes, and that he only writes one draft. After which I will go outside and scream, because I sweat over at least two drafts.

The Outsider is so funny, exciting and utterly fascinating. What’s more, it is a life that didn’t just come to Forsyth, it is one he made happen.

This man wanted to fly, so he entered the RAF as their youngest pilot ever, at seventeen and a half, during National Service. I won’t tell you how. Read the book.

He didn’t want, ultimately, to be a desk pilot, so left to become what he did want: a journalist, in particular a foreign correspondent. This he achieved, of course. It is during this career that he found the grist for his mill when it became time to write his novels.

Never a yes man, always an outsider… I now know about Forsyth being a pilot, and by crikey, this bloke flew through his life by the seat of his pants on an absolute roller-coaster. He escaped disaster by the skin of his teeth, met crazy and/or inspiring characters, witnessed things better not seen, and went back for more.

You must read The Outsider. Amusing (if you don’t laugh out loud at the ‘nannies bearing talcum powder’ then I despair). You will be in awe at his self-confidence, and be moved at the clear emotional bond between Forsyth and his parents, fascinated by the worlds in which he found himself. No wonder his novels are so ‘real’, so breathlessly exciting.

Start with The Outsider, then work your way through the novels – again if you have already read them. It’s no wonder they’re the benchmark for today’s writers.

The Outsider – My life in Intrigue by Frederick Forsyth Corgi pb £8.99

WforW LitFest Day 25^th March: Guest Speaker Frederick Forsyth. Fabulous line up. Downley, near London. Tickets and details: www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk

 BREAST CANCER: DRUGS FUNDING & TRIALS

Achieving world-class patient outcomes

A Pink Ribbon event Thursday 23 March 2017,

 9-5. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, London EC1V

 Gerard Dugdill, publisher/coordinator Pink Ribbon is the organiser of this crucial Breast Cancer event.

 Dr Kathleen Thompson, Frost Magazine’s health correspondent and award winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope, will be chairing this event.

 Theme of the Day:

To identify issues and discuss potential solutions around achieving best care and treatment for all patients with breast cancer (primary and secondary) in UK, including enhancing options for research into curative treatments for secondary breast cancer.

 Although within the UK, generally, treatment of Breast Cancer is good, nevertheless the best possible treatment is not available to every patient with breast cancer who would benefit, within an optimal time-frame, for various reasons which will be discussed through the day.

In addition there is the general problem that secondary breast cancer is incurable currently. The purpose of the day is to explore how current initiatives, together with new unexplored initiatives can be implemented to maximise quality of treatment and cure for breast cancer within UK (and beyond, but the purpose of the day is primarily UK).

 Suitable for:

Top level movers and shakers and opinion formers in healthcare, regulation, industry, politics, academia, media, third sector

Attendees also include doctors, senior nurses, hospital administrators, other pharma personnel, researchers, civil servants, financiers, economists, lawyers, campaigners, media

 Sessions will range from The Problems – patient perspectives, System perspectives before moving on to the Solutions – Drug Development – Regulation – Funding -Keynote.

This is
 A Pink Ribbon event, in aid of the national hereditary breast cancer helpline

Supported by Pfizer Limited

To book, and for more information: https://goo.gl/3FExaS

We are Frost Magazine after all, and do love tasting the odd little number – so here we go.

For Her

Żubrówka Embossed Bison Grass Bottle

MRRP £20.00
Available from Tesco Waitrose and Sainsbury’s

Żubrówka Vodka, the Original Bison Grass Vodka, has over 500 years of tradition and history. Żubrówka’s exceptional character is emphasized by a single bison grass blade that is hand placed in every bottle. Apparently the bison grass is hand-picked and dried under natural conditions, making each bottle of Żubrówka an exceptional gift this Valentine’s Day for Vodka lovers

For Him

8O8 Whisky 

MRRP £32.00
Available at 31 Dover, Master of Malt and Selfridges.

8O8 Whisky, the new global whisky brand from music producer and DJ TommyD. Developed out of a spectacular collision between music and the beverage industries (heavens – whisky on the floor) and named after the celebrated Roland TR-808 Drum Machine, 8O8 will make a pretty good  gift for the person in your life this Valentine’s Day.

Blended at North British distillery, Edinburgh’s last working distillery and one of the largest and oldest grain whisky producers in Scotland, 8O8 works both as a smooth and delicious neat serve while retaining a subtleness and versatility that makes it perfect for mixing in cocktails and club serves. The end result is a light, subtle, smooth tasting blend, which allows its flavour to sit on the tongue, whilst maintaining an irresistible back-beat and warmth when mixed – if we’re keeping the music analogy going.

For Him & Her

MRRP from £14.00
Available from etched drinks.com

A nice idea – Etched Drinks is taking the UK’s love of artisanal beer, wine and spirit brands and allowing customers to personalise the labels to suit any event or occasion. Having sourced a delicious selection of both soft and alcoholic options, from a range of the best breweries, vineyards and distilleries across the world, including Vintage Rhubarb and Rosehip, Mac & Wild Auld Pal, Blackwood Botanical Vodka, Duppy Share Rum and ready to drink cocktails, Etched customers are then given a choice of unique, quirky and beautiful ready-made labels, which can be adapted and modified to all specifications, or the option to create your own label from scratch.

Etched Drinks has created a truly unique offering, making them the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

Give them all a go, and keep the aspirin handy for the next day.

Devour by L A Larkin is the first instalment in a series of thrillers with Olivia Wolfe as the main character. And what a feisty lady she is too, eminently suited to holding her own amongst the plethora of male lead characters who dominate this genre. There is plenty of action, lots of twists and turns and some interesting locations, ranging from the ice fields of Antarctica to the Nevada desert.

It feels well researched too, and indeed Larkin has gone the extra mile by visiting Antarctica herself, investigating real-life situations to include in her novel, and learning the art of self-defence to add authenticity to her writing.

L A Larkin is an established thriller writer with a growing reputation. She lives in Sydney and London.

Devour is published by Constable: pb (£8.99) and eBook (£6.99)