Month 11 of my Reading Challenge By Frances Colville

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Margaret Graham

I found it hard to decide what to go for first this month and spent a happy hour browsing my bookshelves. In the end I chose The Devil in the Marshalsea by Antonia Hodgson (Hodder & Stoughton paperback 2014). Set in a debtor’s prison in 18^th C London, this is in places a grim read and the plot fell short of being 100% convincing, but the author is good on atmosphere, the main character is engaging and the book is a good choice for anyone who likes historical crime fiction.

I had no idea what to expect when I began my next book A Little Life by American writer Hanya Yanagihara, knowing nothing at all about it other than it had been shortlisted for this year’s Man Booker. But it hooked me in right from the first page. What’s it about? Friendship, identity, working out who you are and what your life is all about, pain, abuse, relationships, death, grief and love. It’s challenging, harrowing and absolutely compelling. And of all the books I’ve read so far this year, this is the one I would recommend most. Currently available in hardback – published Picador – or on Kindle.

What do you choose when you’ve just finished a brilliant book; one which has taken you a long time to read and which you can’t get out of your head? For me, the solution is to turn to something familiar and reliable and completely different. And as followers of this year of book reviews will know, that means in my case an Agatha Christie. This time I picked up The Moving Finger – one of a batch I was given last Christmas. I don’t think I’ve read it before though it’s hard to be sure. Either way, I couldn’t remember the ending. And of course neither the book itself nor the ending disappointed. Vintage Christie – and very enjoyable at that. My copy is a Fontana paperback, reprinted 1971.

This Little World edited by Sue Ashby is the sort of book you can dip in and out of whenever you have ten minutes to spare It’s a collection of short stories from people who live in Dorset – some as young as 11 – and each story is located in Dorset. Lots of variety and lots to interest anyone who knows anything about Dorset. My personal favourite is A Smuggler’s Life by 12 year old Sam. Available now on Amazon and will soon be published as an e-anthology.

And I’ve also been dipping in and out this month of my copy of the works of poet George Herbert edited by W H Auden. I studied Herbert for A level and there are certain lines from certain of his poems which still stick in my mind. Writing in the first half of the 17^th C his poems are all about religion, his understanding of it and his struggle to be worthy, but it isn’t the content of the poems which speaks to me but the beauty of the language and the strength of his belief. Not I think a well-known or in any way fashionable poet but one who in my opinion deserves to be read more. My edition is a Penguin paperback published 1973.

Only one month left to go. And so many books to choose from………………..

Sparkle through the festive season with the Mavala Christmas Range by Margaret Graham

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Make Christmas even more beautiful with these festive gifts from MAVALA.

From beautiful baubles to cute crackers and kits, MAVALA’s Christmas offering has something for everyone, no matter your budget.

MAVALA Snowblossom Kits (RRP £12.50)

Shower your loved ones with a trio of Mavala colours. These snowflake-covered sets are available in 6 sumptuous shade collections from festive reds and pretty nudes to sultry shades perfect for dark winter nights.

MAVALA Cracking Duo (RRP £9.00)

Have a cracking Christmas with these duos. Available in six complementary colour ways so there is something to suit all tastes. No need to pull this cracker, simply untwist the top to reveal two nail treats.

MAVALA Christmas Baubles (RRP £5.00)

Have a ball this Christmas with the  MAVALA Christmas Baubles in eight sparkling festive hues, including favourites Rouge Rubis, Magic Sapphire & Magic Snow.

Take care this Christmas with the Mavala Nail Care Collection
Give the gift of beautiful nails this Christmas with the MAVALA care range. Whatever your nail concern, MAVALA have it covered with a collection of gifts for gorgeous natural nails.

MAVALA Vanity Case (RRP £26.50)

Packed full of Mavala’s best-selling nail care products, this vanity case is perfect for a complete at-home manicure. The case includes: Scientifique, 002 Basecoat, ColorFix Topcoat, Nail Polish Remover

MAVALA Colour Stay Coffret (RRP £17.50)

Love your nail colour but hate that it never lasts long enough? The Colour Stay coffret from Mavala has everything you need to make your colour last whilst caring for your nails and cuticles. The set includes: 002 Basecoat, ColorFix, Oil Seal Dryer & Mini Emery Boards.

MAVALA Discovery Coffret (RRP £29.95)

This nail care & beauty coffret is perfect for those who are new to the world of nail care. Packed full of a range of treatment products and a step-by-step manicure programme, it’s the perfect solution to your nail problems. The set includes: Cuticle Remover, Scientifique, 002 Basecoat, ColorFix, Oil Seal Dryer & Hand Cream.

The Mavala Christmas Collection is available at JohnLewis.com, Boots.com and selected independent retailers nationwide.

Anyone for Pinot Noir? By Margaret Graham

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Frost has had the great pleasure of tasting three bottles of Errazuriz’s Pinot Noir (Chile) recently, and it made us very relaxed and cheerful, let me tell you.

Pinot Noir Estate Series

The grapes for the Estate Series Pino Noir have been rigorously selected from the Errazuriz vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley and the Mediterranean climate in this area of Chile which features warm days and fresh evening breezes. This temperature oscillation in the weeks leading up to the harvest triggers an intensification of the colour of the wines.

The Estate Pinot Noir 2014’s aroma promised all that was to come, the wine felt fresh on the palate, but wholesome, and full of the flavour of red fruits. It suited the chicken dish we had, but would work as well with pasta, grilled fish, and any sort of seafood.

Errazuriz Estate Pinot Noir 2014 RRP £10.25, Majestic

Aconcagua Costa Pino Noir

There’s something special about living within easy reach of the sea, and the grapes for Aconcagua Costa Pino Noir endorse this, coming as they do from the Manzanar vineyard.

It is located barely 7.5. miles from the Pacific Ocean. The 2013-2014 weather was moderately warm, followed by a dry spring. Budbreak was delayed due to a cold spell but the cool growing conditions had the effect of a slow ripening of the grapes, leading to an intense aroma, and taste.

The grapes were hand picked, double sorted, and the final blend was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. Gorgeous. It reminded me of the best of the Margaret River wines (Western Australia). We enjoyed this wine, very much.

Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2014 RRP £16.15, Stone Vine & Sun, Cheers Wine Merchant, Hoults, Eagle wines, Noel Young, R Campbell and Sons

Wild Ferment Pinot Noir

The grapes for this Pino Noir come from the La Escultura vineyard, located in the Casablanca Valley 32 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. Warm summer days, morning fog and fresh evening breezes that blow in from the coast allow for a gradual ripening process. This helps to preserve the grapes aroma, flavour and acidity.

This wine was my husband’s favourite. Aromas of wild strawberries, cranberries, savory dried herbs, rosemary made it pretty sublime.

Errazuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2014 RRP £14.35, Majestic, Booths and Grape Sense

Spotlight interview with Maya Pieris

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Pinning down this writer was easy as it’s me, trying out the Spotlight idea:

In this new series, conversations with writers, I aim to shine a brief spotlight onto what makes someone begin that uncertain path from brain to book, and to consider what makes us write.

Have I always written? Yes and no- I thought about it, had periods of trying but too often gave up. For a few years I attended various workshops but it’s since being in Bridport, Dorset, that writing has become almost a reflex reaction. There’s something in the air here that really encourages people to write to be read. And to be published.

And now ideas run about like kids in a playground. I keep pens and paper around the place though on occasions thoughts have been scrawled on the back of my left hand. This affliction does affect others as the need to make notes comes at any time, and from any and everywhere. Writers are like grave robbers: plundering anything- ourselves, others. My response after the recent French tragedy was to write 2 poems though it’s not always a comfortable thought that creativity and inspiration come from such events. Seeing a dead mole led me to write a poem about an Islamist group whilst another idea came from seeing thousands of whitebait washed up on the shore near Bridport.

And what do I write? Poems, short stories, magazine articles and plays. The last time I tried writing one I was aged 10 and the play was a “who dunnit” written in turquoise ink.

The writing challenge is to focus. It really is important not to get seduced by too many possibilities. And validation from peers is also invaluable, though I write firstly for myself- to try and fix a feeling or thought in words. I’m not sure why but I seem to have to. But I do have people I trust to edit and critique work. It is, however, necessary to let your work go. In a way once it’s written it’s on its way to becoming public though it was a year before I could look at my first published book without wanting to change it.
Future plans are to write more regularly and finish work- too many unfinished “jumpers”. Writing is a private process. You have to enjoy the jigsaw of arranging your thoughts and ideas. There are lots of excellent courses to join and so many other writers to read but in the end it’s you, your pen or computer. And for me it’s an entry to a large uncharted world.

Christmas Sweaters

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Margaret Graham

QVC love a novelty knit and for Christmas, so do we at Frost.

Have a look at a few from the large Christmas selection. From penguins to pugs, you’ll be looking festive and fabulous in no time. A great ice-breaker, each and every one. They feel smooth, and light. They’re not going to itch, or be too hot. We loved them, and have some picked out for relatives.

Almost Famous Kids Penguin Jumper: Add some penguin personality to seasonal celebrations with this cute Christmas jumper with fluffy snowballs. No doubt your little one will become the most huggable person in no time!

£23.50

Almost Famous Pug Christmas Jumper: Pugs…every home should have at least one! Go barking mad for this canine-themed Christmas knit.

£25.75

Almost Famous Grey Reindeer Jumper: Jingle all the way to Christmas in this reindeer bells jumper. The five red baubles will add a bit of fun to your outfit while bringing smiles to all around you.

£30.50

Stockist: qvcuk.com facebook.com/QVCUK @QVCUK QVCUK

House of Dreams – Fanny Blake Book Review

Posted on December 5, 2015 by Margaret Graham

A hilltop villa, views, sun and a sibling get together – what’s not to like?

This is a lovely novel, one with which many can empathize as Jo, Tom and Lucy meet at Casa de Suenos for the weekend. It is the house in the mountains of southern Spain where they grew up and they have come to say goodbye.

The person missing is their mother, whose last request was that they celebrate her birthday – together. As with most siblings they perceive their upbringing differently. Will coming together confirm their memories, their perception of one another? More, will this weekend alter the dynamics between the siblings so that they come to like and accept, not just themselves, but one another, and the odd partner, here and there? And that’s an altogether bigger problem.

Fanny Blake writes with warmth, wit and understanding, and, more, she likes people, and it shows. And somewhere along the way, she has become a wise woman, and that also shows.

Bravo, I loved House of Dreams. You should put it on your Christmas list.

Published by Orion. Paperback £13.99

Detonator: Andy McNab’s latest Nick Stone thriller by Margaret Graham

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Blimey, what a roller-coaster. A hardback is heavy, but Detonator was so gripping I toted it all the way up to Newcastle, where I was doing some publicity for my own books.

What an extraordinary man. During the Gulf War Andy McNab of 22 SAS commanded Bravo Two Zero and went on to write the biggest selling British work of military history about that patrol. Now he writes the huge selling Nick Stone and Tom Buckingham novels, cutting a swathe through the publishing world.

The plotting is tight, the hooks gallop us into turning the pages, the excitement is intense: there is humour, sadness, and authenticity. Or so I would think anyway. It rang so true to a mere civilian.

Nick Stone is a great main character who has spent a lifetime in harm’s way – but when someone he cares for very deeply is murdered in cold blood, he can no longer just take the pain.

A high-level internecine conflict at the dark heart of the resurgent Russian Empire and an assassin’s bullet, on an isolated Alpine pass, propel him from an apparently run of the mill close protection task into his most brutal and challenging mission yet. As the body count increases, vengeance of the most explosive kind is top of Stone’s agenda. The fuse has been ignited – but who really holds the detonator?

Set in all too realistic times the scenario felt horribly possible, and would that we had a Nick Stone on our side, but perhaps we have, in McNab’s former outfit. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit.

A rumbunctious fabulous writer, who twists, turns and makes you sweat. Probably just what this highly decorated soldier did in the SAS too.

Can’t wait for the next book. Bravo, Andy McNab.

Published by Transworld Publishers – £18.99

Is it Like Herding Cats? by Margaret Graham

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Good news, the talented writing group, Chesham Writers and Scribblers’s latest collection of short stories has been launched. Varied, thought provoking, and raising money for charity, what more can one ask from the written word? Well, I wanted to know how a collection of 15 writers could be corralled for long enough to produce such interesting work. So over to Clare.

‘Seasons’: a collection of 15 short stories by Clare Elstow

Autumn bonfires, winter snow, spring lambs and summer swifts – all classic elements of the Chiltern seasons. Add in a birth, a marriage, a death and a murder, a couple of holidays and a dream or two and you have the recipe for the entertaining mix of fifteen short stories that makes up Chesham Writers and Scribblers’ second collection of short stories: ‘Seasons’.

The group meets monthly, writing to a themed assignment, and it’s become an annual event to use one of the themes as the basis for a published story collection. We all appreciate having an extra focus and inspiration for writing and as well as seeing our work in print, the project means group members raise money for local charities, including Chesham Museum.

L – R: Michael Rowan, Catriona Troth, Kate Hutchinson, Denise Beddows (writes as D J Kelly), Clive Hewitt, Clare Elstow and Patricia Heath.
Photographer credit: Emily Conboy

How does it work?

Three of us act as editors, making the initial selection of stories and deciding on an order that provides variety and contrast; it’s fascinating to see such varied interpretations of the same theme. Perhaps only these eclectic local collections can provide a home for styles and genres that range from thriller to folktale, historical to contemporary and which encompass both despair and hope, alongside a helping of humour.

Professional local photos ensure a colourful and attractive cover and are provided by Chartridge Photographic, who also print the copies. We decided on an inexpensive stapled booklet style, to keep costs and price down (£3) and attract the casual buyer; it also ensures we can afford to donate a number of copies to our stockists. As well as Chesham Museum, ‘Seasons’ can also be bought at The Drawingroom coffee house in Chesham – the venue for most of our meetings.

For more information about the group:

http://writersandscribblers.wordpress.com/ , or email cheshamwritersandscribblers@gmail.com .

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