If you like the Regency period, (Think Georgette Heyer – my Mum’s favourite author, and one of mine) you will also love A Convenient Wife – an enchanting Regency Romance Volume 4 ( The Earl’s Disputed Inheritance )by Fenella J. Miller

This lady won’t be won—but the lord is determined to claim her heart …
Goodness, go for it lad! This is a lovely Regency romance full of desire and determination.

Miss Frances Somiton has no intention of marrying – especially not the charming and eminently eligible Lord Renshaw, the Earl of Stodham. Practical and independent, she refuses to be anyone’s convenient choice, no matter how polished the package. Lord Renshaw, however, views Frances as the ideal match, ticking every box on his carefully composed list of requirements for a wife. But she unexpectedly rejects his attentions and flees from his courtship.

Nothing daunted, Renshaw follows. Will Frances begin to see the real man, perhaps one with a true heart, and will Renshaw put aside his rules and lists and actually follow his heart? I’m not going to tell you, surely you know that – so enjoy A Convenient Wife and find out for yourself. It is time well spent. Published on 6th November, enjoy it at the pre-order price of £0.99 instead of £2.99 here:

Found You, by LK Chapman is a page turner, one that quickens the heart as the tension rises: Just as Felicity begins to believe she’s safe with a new life and loving partner, somehow the past … He imprisoned her, you see, but complete with new name, new hairstyle, and a different partner she thinks she can move forward…

But can she really? Because Jay is still out there – perhaps hunting for her? Or has he found her? And is watching? You’ll really have to read it to find out, though lock the doors, and look under the bed first. Due out on 6th November, but pre-order here

More titles in this series
Anything for Him (ISBN: 9782386191930)

Late Checkout by Alex Walters: This DCI notices things others don’t—instincts that have helped him solve even the most baffling cases. But such instincts can come at a cost.

When a woman is found murdered in a Manchester hotel, DCI Kenny Murrain is called in to lead the investigation. The crime scene raises more questions than answers:this a violent killing, yet chillingly precise. No forensics. No witnesses. No obvious motive. And worse is to come, as more victims are discovered… all clearly murdered by the same killer. Written with pace and verve and that little rascal; surprise. Do read it – due out on 6th November it’s on the pre-order special price of £0.99 rather than £2.99 here.

Separated By Time: A time-travel romance in the Highlands (The Bridge Through Time Series Book 3) Kindle Edition by Jennae Vale. Book 3 of 3: The Bridge Through Time Series (A Bridge Through Time (ISBN: 9782386191688) A Thistle Beyond Time (ISBN: 9782386191695).

Here we have another historical Kindle, no, not another Georgette Heyer – though just as gripping: Maggie MacKinnon, a fledgling witch is sent back in time to sixteenth-century Scotland by her aunt, Edna Campbell. Maggie’s mission is to save the MacKenzie clan but, as though this isn’t enough, she must also face a mirror image of herself in the form of an evil witch named Brielle, who must be defeated for everyone’s sake.

Romance is not forgotten, goodness me no: Dylan Sinclair is on the adventure of a lifetime, having travelled back in time to Medieval Scotland. and while Maggie weaves, ducks and dives to overcome the evil personified by Brielle the two of them have much to sort out. Published on the 6th November, you can pre-order here

Yet again, a fantastic choice of pre-order prices for absolutely fabulous books from dp Digital Publishers. Buy ’em all, why don’t you.

But hang on, what on earth is going on? Hi Viz, flight feathers? What’s happening with the ducks?

In May, much like last year, the ducks and the ducklings were being spooked at the beck as dusk fell. Was it an otter, known to be around, or a mink? No-one knew, but every evening a waddle of ducks and ducklings would exit the water, and into town they’d head, on and off the pavement to seek sanctuary in the Market Square car park.

But let’s face it, a road at dusk and then a car park are not the safest of places for ducks, even ones as determined as Thirsk’s. So the Thirsk Duck team sprang into action as they did last year. Time tables were drawn up by Emma-Jayne, who led from the front, the rear and all ways, and the high quality ‘escort service’ began. The Wardens were on the march!

Image credit: Bethany

Off would go a pair of wardens to the beck to wait for dusk. Eventually the waddlers gathered on the bank, and set off for town, but only when they were good and ready. The two sets of ducklings with a mum front and rear would plod across the grass, then across the lane scrabbling up onto the pavement. At the T junction the lead mum would take a swift turn left, and busy busy, off they’d go to the car park, which involved crossing a fairly busy road. So, escort wardens waddled alongside. No, really, they did not, they walked – forgive me – in the road actually, hi viz (courtesy of Mary K a warden) on display, warning traffic to slow, and stopping the traffic at the T junction, and most willing the cars were too.

The mum ducks, heads held high would waddle on, looking out for dogs, the only real monster, they feel, with the ducklings keeping up, somehow. If a dog appeared, panic ensued, but never fear, the Duck Wardens sprang into action. You might have heard of herding cats? Try herding ducks.

Image credit: Suzanne

Once at the car park they would automatically head for the cones which a volunteer will have set out earlier, and which the ducks recognized as sanctuary, and into which no car would dare to come – so very there. Quack Quack.

Complete with water, (thank you The Mowbray Arms for the water) always ready for the ducks to refresh after their journey, and of course, for the ducklings to plonk themselves into. Oh, come on, who doesn’t like to play?

Image credit: Richard

Once settled, the ducks and ducklings, now growing at quite a rate, were left with one or two wardens, while another returned to the beck to escort the grown ups when they were ready, along the same route. Once all were settled in the cones, these wonderful wardens would stand guard to calm the ducks when dogs passed, when the pubs emptied, cars revved until all was quiet. Then it was ‘Home James, and don’t spare the horses’ .

Sadly some ducklings and ducks were lost to the predators, and to the roads when the team had left for the night. (Some didn’t leave until midnight at the weekend). At dawn the ducks would take themselves back to the beck, when traffic was light, hopefully. Jody who was one of the founders would collect up the cones at dawn. In the evening it would all start again.

Of course, with any team effort, there were plentiful volunteers in support, what with the morning and evening feeds, the cones to put out, and bring in – some pretty heavy let me tell you. And the organisation of the whole thing requires hands to the pump.

Image credit: Adam

Come rain or shine though, and boy, was there some rain, the wardens would be there, and always passers by stopped to chat, to learn, some coming quite a distance, as this year there was national coverage of this strange North Yorkshire event, even in Australia and America. Always there was kindness and appreciation. As May ended, and the months came and went, the protection continued and the team watched as flight feathers became evident, and wing flexing was an increasing feature of the escorting. As the ducklings fledged, and flew, so did the adult ducks, until last Sunday, in the pouring rain, only one adult duck (surely this duckling was now grown up?) was settled within the cones. The next evening, none came, and none the next, so it was over, – for another year. There were 24 ducklings at the start 12 survived (50%) and in the wild the ratio is 10%-40% – now that is something of which to be extremely proud – all of you in the Thirsk Ducks team.

But the Thirsk Ducks team must have the last very beautiful words courtesy of Emma-Jayne: ‘As the sun sets on another unforgettable year, we want to say the biggest, warmest thank you to everyone who make Thirsk Ducks 2025 so special. To our incredible Thirsk Duck Wardens, – your dedication, selflessness, and humanity have been the quiet heartbeat of this whole journey. You’ve gone above and beyond, rain or shine, and we are endlessly grateful. To our followers, supporters near and far and to the local businesses (The Mowbray Arms, The Three Tuns and the Yorkshire Feed and Country Store) who stepped up with generosity and enthusiasm, our friends who made donation in different ways – thank you for standing with us, cheering us on, and helping us continue something truly unique.

And to our wonderful comminity here in Thirsk, nestled in the heart of beautiful North Yorkshire – you’ve shown what it means to come together, to care deeply and to make magic out of the everyday.

From the bottom of our hearts thank you. We’re closing the book on 2025 but already looking ahead with excitement Here’s to 2026.

Frost Magazine is moved beyond words at the small but very special market town of Thirsk, and its example of community, friendship and humanity.

https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/the-three-tuns-thirsk/

https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Mowbray-Arms-Thirsk-61573545925475

https://www.facebook.com/p/Yorkshire-Feed-Country-Store-61551945367729/?locale=en_GB

Do you find that you’re always cooking the same meals? Or is that just me? I remember when I was first married (which feels like a hundred years ago), every meal was a triumph of careful planning and slaving over a hot stove. Sadly the novelty was short-lived, and meals soon became defined only by speed and ease. Every so often I’d dust off my culinary interest when friends visited, but I confess to feeling totally uninspired over recent years.

However, I’m a changed woman, brimming with excitement and ambition, since experiencing Tom Parker Bowles cookbook, Let’s Eat: Recipes From My Kitchen Notebook, (2025 winner of the Good Housekeeping Good Books Christmas Collection).

As I’m sure you know, Tom Parker Bowles, besides being son of the Queen, is an award-winning British food writer and a restaurant critic for The Mail On Sunday. He also writes for Country Life, is a judge on BBC’s Masterchef and has written eight books.

What I love about this book is that it’s true to the title – it’s written like a set of notes, jotted down whenever a fabulous new recipe is discovered. Rather than the usual starter, main course, dessert format, it’s much freer, and frankly more practical. There are sections total devoted to comfort food, to quick meals, and slow ones, and a section on national cooking – including Mexican, with three different ceviches (my mouth is watering as I write). Then, finally a fabulous section on cooking children’s meals, a life-saver when I’m on grandkids duty.

But, for someone with a short attention span, I absolutely adore the sudden change of direction, with a few cocktail recipes slotted in after the ‘Quick Fixes’ – how perfect is that? And I love that he starts each recipe with a chatty bit – an interesting anecdote or useful tips, it’s like cooking with a friend.

The recipes are great – from dinner party to simple fare – and yet all easy, with clear instructions. Some have an interesting twist, like Chillie Cottage Pie, some are traditional such as Treacle Tart, or a bit special like the Porcini Risotto, but each one makes cooking feel exciting again.

So if your nightly meals are craving new inspiration I can totally recommend this book – it will change your life. Let’s Eat: Recipes From My Kitchen Notebook RRP is £26 and available from major book sellers.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning 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

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

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Having so enjoyed the first of The Carlswick Series, just see what is out at a special price for a short while: The Carlswick Treasure: A gripping mystery of lost masterpieces and buried truths (The Carlswick Mysteries Book 2)  Kindle Edition by SL Beaumont

When history holds the key to danger, who will make it out alive? The Carlswick Mysteries continue with a story of lost treasure, deadly secrets, and high-stakes betrayal. Stephanie Cooper is studying history at Oxford University when she finds an ancient treasure map hidden in the village of Carlswick. Solving the map’s mysterious clues provides her with a much needed distraction following a shocking revelation in her personal life.

But her quest to uncover the map’s secrets sets off a chain of events that no one could have foreseen. Stephanie and those closest to her, are led into a world of intrigue and danger as they race from London to Barcelona and rural France, to unearth a cultural treasure trove before it’s too late. It really is a page turner, but so was the first in the series, The Carlswick Mysteries. Here we have old enemies, betrayal and danger – and this time, the stakes are higher.

It is available at the pre publication special price of £1.99 instead of £2.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FVDM2PPC/

Warm up here – Death Under Palm Trees: A cozy 1930s murder mystery (Jack and Frances Mysteries Book 4)  by Carmen Radtke Kindle Edition

Before a party turns deadly Jack and Frances must trade glamour for disguises to unmask a thief – and a killer. A hard task, and fascinating.

It’s 1931. Jack, Frances and Uncle Sal are supposed to be the guests of honour at a dazzling New Year’s party in Nice. But instead, their hostess needs their discreet help to solve the theft of government documents before it becomes public. With all their plans awry, Frances swaps her evening gown for a maid’s uniform, Jack poses as a chauffeur, and retired Vaudeville artist Uncle Sal intrigues the guest at the house party as a man of possibly nefarious mystery.

With their suspects out and about, including nights at the casinos, it is difficult to keep track of their suspects without raising suspicion about their roles. Just when Jack and Frances think they’ve solved the theft, a death under palm trees raises the stakes. Quick turn the page.

They need all their wits and ingenuity to unravel this tangled web and catch the murderer before a second victim dies … Again, at the special price pre-order price of £1.99. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FVXW2XRP/

I love my Hokan Bowls – Hokan means storage in Japanese and I’ve enthused about these before in Frost Magazine. Although a British company, Hokan Bowls have embraced the Japanese values of Shibui – simple, beautiful, unobtrusive. They’re oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe, so you can prepare a meal in the bowl, cook it, then eat from the same bowl (or the lid, which also doubles up as a small bowl). This is the kind of minimalism I love.

My bowls are Jade Green – just looking at them makes me feel calm and happy. But, great news, there are now two new colours – Baby Blue and Pink. So with nine colours in all to choose from – Lemon Yellow, Sea Green, Cobalt Blue, Pitch Black, Antique White, Blue Reactive, Green Jade and the two new colours – you’ll have no problems finding the perfect colour for your mood, and your kitchen.

RRP £90 for a set of three or individually:

• Small: 400ml, RRP £25

• Medium: 600ml, RRP £30

• Large: 1000ml, RRP £35

Available from hokanbowls.com with free shipping on orders of £90 and over.

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

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Regular readers know I’m a devotee of Tracklements, the Wiltshire-based family company, which creates quality food, using simple, honest ingredients, hand-made in small batches. Their food is amazing, and now they have a collaboration with Yumello, who make sustainable nut butters using all-natural ingredients, including from Targanine, a cooperative in the Atlas Mountains which empowers rural Berber women. Not only is this a collaboration of giants, but they’ve merged Tracklement Chilli Jam with Yumello Smooth Peanut Butter – what chance has my waistline?

I hoped beyond hope that it would taste ‘OK’ but not great, so I’d have some possibility of resisting eating far too much of this amazing-sounding delicacy. Sadly there was little chance of this, because of course it is simply heavenly.

I’m guessing the inspiration was from the peanut butter and jelly snack, loved by American children, but wow have they taken it up a notch?

Tracklement Chilli Jam is delicious on its own, made with Raw Cane Sugar, Red Peppers, Cider Vinegar, Onions, Red Chillies (a full 9%), Lemon Juice, Garlic Purée and Sea Salt. The rather special Yumello Smooth Peanut Butter is made with only hi-oleic peanuts and sea salt – that’s it – no palm oil, no refined sugar, no unnecessary additives. Hi-oleic peanuts are naturally sweeter and have around 30% more monounsaturated (healthy) fats than other peanuts. You can imagine, the combination of the sweetness and chilli-bite of the jam with the smooth nuttiness of the peanut butter just sets your tastebuds into freefall. I am still enjoying the memory of that perfect merger of flavours and textures. Thank you Tracklements and Yumello, you’ve made my life complete.

Just £4.99 for a 215g jar, it’s available from the Tracklement and Yumello websites and also fine food delis and farm shops nationwide. You simply must try it, you owe it to yourself.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning 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

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Before we know it, the clocks will turn back, and those long dark evenings will be upon us. This is the perfect time for getting together with friends and sharing food, and Pizza is instantly called to mind. The only thing that spoils this image according to my wife, is the sight of me hacking slices out of what had once been a perfectly round pizza.

The stylish NEW Microplane Professional Pizza Wheel with Dough Docker is designed for performance and versatility, by featuring a large, ultra-sharp, double-bevelled stainless steel blade – perfectly balanced for precision cutting and long-lasting durability.

Its ergonomic weight and shape naturally guide your hand forward (even mine), creating a smooth, intuitive slicing motion. The generous blade diameter glides effortlessly through more than just pizza – it’s equally adept at slicing tortillas, flatbreads, quesadillas, brownies, quiche, and even crafting delicate pastry lattices for pies. Use the dough docker to prick pastry for quiche and flans. The ergonomic, non-slip, soft-touch handle – which can be used equally well with either hand – includes a smart finger guard between the handle and blade for safety and comfort when directing the wheel.

The pizza wheel is finely balanced with a pleasing weight, fellow keen cooks will know what I mean, and in my case the utensil that I reach for first. The blade’s long-lasting sharpness effortlessly and precisely cuts through even molten mozzarella and other toppings such as salami, Parma ham, pepperoni and mushrooms, without ripping or tearing, for the perfect slice, every time.

This would make the perfect Christmas or birthday gift for the chef in your life but as we enter the perfect season for sharing Pizza, why wait?

Microplane Professional Pizza Wheel with dough docker RRP £29.95 from Selfridges

With the arrival of Autumn comes cooler temperatures, darker evenings, and my wife starts looking at the central heating, but there is another seasonal thing to look forward to, and that is the programme of the London Philharmonic Orchestra that takes place at the Festival Hall in London.

Clearly, I was not alone in thinking like this, as the hall was almost filled to capacity, and there was a palpable sense of anticipation, as the lights were dimmed and the conductor, Edward Gardner took to the stage.

The first piece, called ‘Ringed by a Flat Horizon’, a complex piece written in 1980, was composed by the Festival Hall’s Composer in residence, Sir George Benjamin, and was inspired by lines taken from T S Eliot’s epic poem, the Waste Land. The fifth and final section, ‘What the Thunder Said’. I have to confess that it was not to my taste, I found it a little jarring, but what do I know? I am an old fuddy duddy, and musical history is littered with critics eating their words a few years later.

The highlight of the evening had to be Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto, and we were treated to the playing of acclaimed pianist, Yefim Bronfman, and what a treat it was. From the opening notes it was clear that we were in good hands, and the London Philharmonic were on top form.

The piano grabbed our attention and didn’t let go, we were in the presence of a master, the music both joyous and divine. The Adagio was simply glorious, calming and swept the audience away.

I wondered if the LPO had missed us as much as we missed them?

As if the Emperor Concerto wasn’t enough and following unceasing applause the audience were given an encore, where Bronfman gave us a virtuosa solo performance that held us entranced. The audience responded with applause that threatened never to end. What an evening, and we still had the second half to come. Truly LPO you are spoiling us.

After the interval we resumed our seats happily sated from what we had heard, and we settled down to listen to Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 5 in E Minor, Op 64.

Four movements, each thrilling, this was a piece that I was not familiar with, although there is something about Tchaikovsky that is unmistakeable from the ballets that have used his music.

In the first movement, sombre gravitas at the outset becoming more joyful, with building urgency, then lulled, then building again to a crescendo, the massed strings magnificent under Gardner’s taut conducting. The second movement, brooding and haunting pierced by the woodwind held us spellbound in our seats with its melancholy and tenderness, then building and building until the music filled the auditorium. Surely this was what the Festival Hall was built for? The third, movement felt like the music of the ballroom, tripping, as the piercing notes of the violins and the rich deep sounds of the viola combined in haunting melody.

The final movement provided a magnificent finish that was met by the audience, cheering, clapping and stamping their feet. What an evening it had been.

If you are looking for a gift for the music lover in your life, I can recommend an evening at the Royal Festival Hall.