It was an ordinary school day, the day I lost my little brother. One moment he was on the roundabout and then was gone. Gone. Missing.

They all blamed me. I was in charge. Even though I was only ten years old. They sent me away. The hurt, the shame, the questions. The not knowing. I tried to move on.  It’s been nineteen years in exile and now somebody wants me back.

Someone with a dark secret. They hold the keys, they know the truth.So, I need to return to the Welsh village of my childhood to find out who, because I have a secret, too…

I did something bad…

In reviewing My Little Brother I have to declare I have a very personal attachment to this book: during lockdown I attended a virtual book launch for Diane Saxon’s book ‘The Ex’. During the launch Diane revealed that some lucky attendees would have the opportunity to pick a name for a character and another would pick two random objects for her to sneak into her next book. I said to myself ‘If i get to pick a character’s name i would use my mum’s name ‘Caryn’ as she has never been able to buy things like a mug with her name on, as it is so rare.

In addition my mum spent the first half of her life spelling out her name whenever she made a appointment etc. and then when she married my dad her surname changed from Thomas to Peeke and for the last 34 years she has had to spell out her last name too. 

Lo and behold I won the chance to name a character and true to my word (all be it to myself) i chose Caryn. And as fate would have it my sister won the chance to pick two random objects. She chose darts as her husband plays darts and false teeth which is one of our memories of our great grandmother – she would keep them in a glass in her very pink bathroom and as children we found it hilarious.

You can imagine my excitment when Diane Saxon informed her readers of the book title and release date and that a Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) was available on Netgallly. I was ecstatic when my request to read it was approved.

So, now you know my life story I will progress to the review.

Diane Saxon is a sensational author and her latest book will have you on the edge of your seat because nothing is certain, except that you are questioning everything.

My Little brother is a gripping, tear jerking, nerve racking and exciting read.

The scenery is described with such empathetic detail that you are transported to the rainy valleys of Wales, and almost feel the rain. The characters are so diverse and strong but totally believable, and Saxon flawlessly includes Welsh dialect and accents which not only do not hinder, but actually contribute to the characters’ authenticity.

Diane Saxon is a natural born story-teller and this is reflected in all of her books. Reading My Little Brother reminded me of watching episodes of Johnathan Creek and Poiriot because anything could happen, and frequently did, and it makes sense. This novel is far from predictable and you will not be able to put it down until all is revealed

If you enjoy a good ‘who done it’ then this book is for you. Read it, and see if Saxon has included the false teeth, the name and darts!

My Little Brother by Diane Saxon is available from 11th July in HB, PB. Audio and eBook.

Joffe’s book of the week is THE COWES WEEK MURDERS, the latest utterly gripping detective mystery from bestselling author Pauline Rowson — out now for just 99p | 99c.

Renegade detective Andy Horton is on a sailing trip to France when he gets the news: Sergeant Cantelli’s nephew, Johnnie Oslow, is missing.

Then the charred remains of a body are discovered in a disused tunnel. Is it Cantelli’s nephew?

The search for a missing person soon becomes a hunt for a ruthless killer. And this killer is just getting started.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE COWES WEEK MURDERS BY PAULINE ROWSON FOR JUST 99P | 99C.

The Secret of Bagnett Hall by Norman Russell   99p/99c

One dead heiress.
A fortune hanging in the balance.  A cunning guest who’ll do anything to claim the money for herself.  

The brand-new, completely gripping whodunnit from Norman Russell is filled with gripping twists, charming characters and old-school intrigue . Just my sort of read.

The End of a Journey by Grace Thompson    99p/99c

South Wales, 1953. Zena Martin and Jake Williams are happy, in love, and about to announce their engagement. Meanwhile, Zena’s brother, Greg, hopes to persuade the beautiful Rose Conelly to meet his family and begin the next stage of their relationship.

Everything seems to be going well for the Martins. Then their beloved father tragically dies of a heart attack and long-buried secrets come to light, changing everything. As secrets so often do but they are great for plotting, and this is no different.

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I’ve been making fruit vodkas recently. It’s such a fabulous way to preserve the taste of summer, not to mention an excuse for a rather pleasant alcoholic treat. My method is super lazy – simply pop some fruit in a jam jar with vodka, screw on the lid and leave it – for weeks, months – I’m not sure yet, but my research involves copious tastings and may take a while.

My favourite project is lemon vodka. It’s made with the lemon rind – which pleases me as I hate throwing it away. You can add a sugar solution, creating limoncello, or, which I prefer, just leave it au naturel. But this is the rub. Try as I might to slice the thin rind off the lemon, it’s almost impossible not to end up with some pith. The oils in the rind provide the fabulous aroma, smell and taste of fresh lemons, but too much pith adds an unwelcome bitterness. Traditional graters are no better – bulky and awkward and the odd sliced skin incident detracting from the fun.

So how thrilled was I to discover The Microplane® Premium Classic Zester? Who knew someone would invent such a perfect tool for zesting lemons?

It was inspired by a Canadian housewife in the early 90s, who, fed up, like me, struggling with her traditional grater, borrowed one of her husband’s wood-working tools. The current Microplane® Premium Classic Zester is a distinct improvement on a wood plane – so ladies, hide it from your husbands or you may find it’s been relocated to his workshop.

What I love about this zester is firstly it’s long and slim – so much more convenient and easy to use. The stainless steel blade has perfectly regular photo-etched micro-teeth – in fact 400 of them. So sharp that they make zesting completely effortless, but tiny for precision and with a protective cover for safety. I just had to rub the blade very gently against the lemon and in seconds I had a pile of perfect zest, leaving the pith intact on the lemon, meaning I don’t have to use the lemon immediately. The zester was firm and solid with a pretty-coloured soft-touch handle. It also has tiny anti-scratch ‘feet’ on the end so you can stand it in a pan or bowl for more stability. Because the micro-teeth are so tiny and all in the same direction, it’s really easy to wipe clean, but you can also put it in the dishwasher.

So, now my lemon vodka production is taking off with the help of my new toy, I just need to worry about where to put all those lovely bottles.

Of course if you don’t share my addiction for limoncello, you can use the zester for other things too – zest any citrus rind for a pretty and tasty cake topping, or you can use it to grate ginger root, chocolate, spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon – and if you’re really cooking something special, how about truffle? It’s easy to grate tiny or larger amounts.

The Microplane® Premium Classic Zester is available in a choice of attractive colours to suit any kitchen. It’s available from hartsofstur.com for the special price of £21.50 (RRP £23.95). Take a look – you’ll love it.

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.

Do you find yourself yearning for the old days when life was simple and we ate good wholesome proper food? Or is this just me getting nostalgic again?

Even if you’re not an oldie, a little too prone to reminiscing, you’ll still thank me for introducing you to Tracklements Chutneys. They’re based in Wiltshire, where the founder, William Tullberg, discovered an old recipe for Wholegrain Mustard in the 1970s. He not only had a go at making it, but started selling it in his local pub, then not long after, unbelievably, Harrods took it on.

But he didn’t stop there. He searched out recipes for different savoury jellies, chutneys and sauces (even using a 17^th century recipe from an old book). And now, half a century later Tracklements have over 50 products and export to 24 different countries, and his son, Guy is continuing the family tradition.

So what’s their secret? Well no secret really, they simply choose the best ingredients, sourced from farms and small businesses across England. A fabulous example is the fruit for their crabapple jelly. Primary school children help pick them – the children learn about making traditional English preserves, and the school receives 50p per kg of apples collected, plus 25p per jar of crabapple jelly sold – win win. But it’s not just the fruit, vegetables and herbs which are grown locally, Tracklements have an arrangement with Aspell Cider company – another family business – to make a high quality cider vinegar for their preserves; the beer for the Beer Mustard is made just a few miles from Tracklements in Wiltshire, and the Cider Brandy for the Apple and Cider Brandy Chutney is from Dorset. How brilliant is that? (I’m getting nostalgic again).

 But the part I love most is that, despite having grown over the years, everything is still made by hand, in small batches using traditional recipes. 

Well, I don’t know about you, but having read the Tracklements story, I couldn’t wait to see if the local ingredients and careful production meant great taste. Happily Tracklements provided their Special Edition Coriander and Chilli Chutney for me to try. What can I say? Wow- Just Wow. I have never tasted chutney like it. The coriander was so fresh it was as if it had just been plucked from my herb garden and the flavours blended perfectly with a subtle bite from the chillie to balance the sweetness. The cider vinegar was delicate, complementing, not overpowering the natural flavours. It would go great with Indian dishes, also with a barbeque or even a mild cheese.

Amazingly, despite being hand-made from specially sourced ingredients, it cost just £3.75. I just loved it and I’m scrolling through their on-line shop with credit card in hand as I type – I may go for the chilli jam next.

Do follow this link to their website – you’ll be glad you did.

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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.

Today, 21^st June 2022 is the Summer Solstice. It marks the longest day of the year & the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere. It signifies change, new beginning’s, nature & the seasons & has been marked for generations & by cultures all over the world.

Stonehenge an ancient monument was erected around 2500 BCE & some historians believe is was built to establish the date of the summer solstice since the sun rises at a particular point on the horizon on the day of the solstice.

In China the solstice is a time to celebrate femininity & yin forces, complimenting the more masculine yang forces of the winter solstice. According to Chinese tradition the shortest shadow is found on the day of the summer solstice & is demonstrated as such in the Chinese symbol for yang & yin.

The Summer Solstice has been described as the day when the sun seems to stand still. Solstice comes from Latin: sol meaning sun, sistere meaning stand still. On the Summer Solstice the sun reaches its most northern & highest point, hovering & appearing to stand still over the Tropic of Cancer. Then it reverses direction & starts moving south again. The same happens at the Winter Solstice as it reaches its most southerly point directly above the Tropic of Cancer, hovers & appears to be standing still & then reverses direction back to the north.

Interestingly, the Summer Solstice isn’t always on 21^st June, occurring at any point between 20-22^nd June, although 22^nd June solstices are rare. The last one took place in 1975 & there won’t be another until 2203.

Although the Summer Solstice marks the first day of summer, the days start to gradually get shorter at first & then as we approach the winter solstice more rapidly so. But temperatures tend to continue rising with the Summer Solstice often not coinciding with the hottest day because the land masses & oceans take so long to heat up & cool down.

The Summer Solstice also does not mean that the sun is closer to the earth. The sun’s distance to the earth has very little effect over the seasons, which are driven by the Earth’s tilt of 23.4 degrees. Earth is actually furthest away from the sun at this time of year. Earth’s tilt also does not change as it rotates around the sun, what actually changes is the position of the hemispheres in relation to the Sun.

You may also be surprised to read that even though it’s the longest day it’s not the earliest sunrise everywhere, which usually happens a few days before & the latest sunset a few days later. This is due to the imbalances between measuring time using clocks & time measured by sundials.

Within the Arctic circle, there is 24 hour’s daylight on the Summer Solstice & likewise 24 hours of night on the Antartic.

Summer & Winter Solstices have been celebrated around the world for generations. And yoga is no exception. Flowing through sun salutations are a beautiful way to play homage to the Sun & all it does for us providing us with warmth, light, energy. Often you will find people practicing 108 Sun Salutations in a more meditative practice to shift energy & cultivate a sense of surrender.

What is the significance of 108? Well it has appeared in many ancient, sacred texts. In numerology, 108 add up to 9, the number symbolizing universal love, eternity & awakening. In Ayurveda medicine, said to be the oldest medicine on the planet & yoga’s sister science, there are 108 sacred points on the body. In Astronomy the distance between the Sun & the Earth is approx. 108 times the Sun’s diameter. Mala beads have 108 beads & are used to count during meditation.

Tonight I am practicing a Summer Solstice yoga practice in our regular class & then going home to tune into an online event to celebrate this auspicious day. However you choose to honour & celebrate the Summer Solstice may it herald new beginnings to you all.

Alex is based on the edge of the stunning Cotswolds & has been sharing her love for all things yoga & mindfulness for almost a decade, not just in the UK but also around the world. Her mission is to help everyone discover a more mindful way of living & to encourage them to embrace regular self-care practices for a happier & healthier way of being.

If you would like more information on how to practice mindfulness, meditation & yoga message her at alex@alexbannard.com.

For free resources check out her Facebook group: Mindfulness & Yoga for Self-Care, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MindfulnessYoga4Relationships

Alternatively please check out her website: alexbannard.com

Joffe are today introducing us to an unforgettable historical family saga series by much-loved author Grace Thompson. Set in South Wales,  these heartwarming tales are just up my, and others, street – and look at the jackets – glorious.

Grace Thompson’s GOODBYE TO DREAMS and PAINT ON THE SMILES, books one and two in the Owen Sisters Family Saga series, are out now for just 99p | 99c for a limited time only.

GOODBYE TO DREAMS by Grace Thompson

South Wales, 1929.    In a beautiful corner of the south Wales coast, the Owen sisters run their family’s grocery shop. The popular seaside resort has always been their haven, even when their mother abandoned them.

Now Cecily and Ada live above the shop with their father and Myfanwy, a six-year-old girl they adopted when her parents died. With the assistance of friends and Willie, their hardworking stable boy, the shop becomes a roaring success. Their deliveries extend to the stalls and cafés on the beach, where one stall handler, Peter, becomes a close friend.

But their success is overshadowed by heartache.   Cecily’s wedding is cancelled.
Ada’s marriage is crumbling.   And a life-changing secret is unveiled.    Relationships will come and go, secrets will be revealed, but will the sisters’ relationship survive it all?

PAINT ON THE SMILES by Grace Thompson

South Wales, 1938.    Summer has arrived in the beautiful coastal corner of south Wales where for Cecily and Ada Owen business is booming. Holidaymakers are beginning to arrive and the cafés, tea stalls and shops lining the Pleasure Beach are clamouring to place orders with the Owen sisters’ shop.

But clouds are gathering on the horizon. War is looming and Ada’s husband, Phil, is released from prison. Phil’s arrest humiliated Ada and made the ugly sisters the subject of local gossip.  Phil is still a dangerous crook and Ada no longer recognizes the man she married. Meanwhile, Myfanwy is harbouring unspoken resentments — towards the mother who so long denied her — and is planning a cruel revenge.     Can the Owen sisters survive what’s coming their way and celebrate the end of the war with hope in their hearts?    This unputdownable historical family saga is packed with memorable characters you’re sure to fall in love with.

Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Rosie Goodwin, Dilly Court, Tania Crosse, Carole Llewellyn, Fern Britton, Faith Hogan and Bill Kitson.

CLICK HERE TO BUY GOODBYE TO DREAMS BY GRACE THOMPSON FOR JUST 99P | 99C.

CLICK HERE TO BUY PAINT ON THE SMILES BY GRACE THOMPSON FOR JUST 99P | 99C.

And… And…  Evans Above by Rhys Bowen The most wonderful title – it has to be cozy and amusing. (my absolute favourite type of crime)  Read it, read it. You’ll love it. (Seems to be Welsh week at Joffe Books, and why not indeed.)

EVANS ABOVE  is the first in an unmissable cozy mystery series set in the sleepy Welsh village of Llanfair — out now for just 99p | 99c.*  ONLY available in the UK and Commonwealth, and best to check the offer is live and available in your location before purchasing.

Constable Evan Evans leaves the big city for the sleepy Welsh village of Llanfair.

Llanfair is his childhood home, nestled high in the beautiful Welsh mountains he is called in to investigate the deaths of two hikers on Mount Snowdon. It looks like a tragic mishap, but Evans isn’t convinced.  Then, a third body is found on the mountain. The man’s throat has been slit. Crikey, so this one  certainly is no accident. Does it deepen Evans’ suspicions about the hikers? Is there  a murderer in their midst who has slain all  three? And … roll of drums … is he or she also  linked  to the mysterious destruction of – no surely not –  Mrs Powell-Jones’ prize-winning tomatoes?

Yes, I did say tomatoes. Oh, my heart sings. Yours will too.

If you love Midsomer Murders, Faith Martin, Simon Brett, Glenda Young, Stella Cameron, Frances Evesham, Richard Osman, L.J. Ross, Clare Chase, Margaret Mayhew or M.C. Beaton, prepare to be hooked by this enchanting character-driven mystery

Rhys Bowen is a New York Times bestselling author and Edgar Award nominee and it shows. Really it does. Lovely jubbly book. 

Not yet 40 years old, Jon Cross (pen name) has been a criminal barrister, wine merchant, landscape gardener, a Conservative councillor and Cabinet member for a district council.

Jon, sadly, did not achieve greatness in these positions. However, his amusing view of modern political correctness and the world’s ever-increasing conformity gave him an advantage. He can write! And heavens, such a timely novel and seriously good. You will love it.

Was it Frankie Howard who said, ‘Titter ye not.’ Well, you will in this instance, but also very much pause for thought.

Being Woake follows Sebastian Woake: successful barrister, reluctant politician and a man struggling with political correctness.

Based on the author’s surprisingly real-life experiences, Being Woake is one man’s sometimes questioning yet amusing and politically incorrect journey attempting to answer the impossible: how to be woke in 21st century Britain?

“Newly elected onto the local district council, Woake’s political career will lead him to contend with the challenges which are quangos, obnoxious Chinese delegations, rampaging bulls, pompous (and occasionally corrupt) councillors, flirtatious colleagues, exploding nightclubs, over-zealous equality and diversity trainers, and dreary civil servants.

When he is promoted to lead the finance team (as surprising as it is unlooked for) Woake must achieve the impossible; keeping a bankrupt council financially solvent whilst maintaining his tumultuous legal career. Hate crime, Latvian drug traffickers, benefits cheats and an overbearing Head of Chambers are just some of the problems he faces.”

Jon says:

“Being Woake was written as my response to the on-going campaign of wokeness, raged by those in authority but not necessarily with the consent of the public. All of the events in the novel either happened, or very nearly could have happened had there been another twist of fate. First and foremost, I want the reader to be entertained and to laugh out loud, but I also want the reader to be enlightened about the inner workings of the justice system and local government, both of which have far-reaching consequences for the public.”

Jon now lives in the Surrey Hills with his wife, family and two dogs.

You can buy a copy of Jons Cross’ new book on many websites including Amazon and Waterstones.

Business pioneer and archetypal 21^st century woman, Fiona Price, will be,  I can safely say the newest author on your shelf. Written by the first woman of finance*, the book explores the ultimate relationship any person could have – the one with themself.

Fiona describes anecdotally a new way of thinking and being, which allows the reader to step out of an old ‘problem-reaction-survival’ paradigm, and embrace a more elegant consciousness, enabling them to be a bigger, grander version of themself.

She says, “With awareness and practice, I have learned that it is possible to change the mindsets that hinder us and refocus our thoughts to up our game and claim our personal power. Then we can become a conscious creator in our life.”

The Ultimate Relationship is a kaleidoscope of survival strategies for life, business, and just about everything. Fiona’s experience is profoundly personal and honest, and she narrates it through a collection of journals, blogs, talks, articles, poems, affirmations, insights and epiphanies. The takeaway is a treasure-trove of wisdom and a myriad of practical ways to think smarter, act smarter, and be more balanced and peaceful amidst the chaos of life.

Fiona brings a uniquely female perspective to her business experience, having worked with women in the financial sector and participated in the early days of the women’s networking movement. From how to improve your decision-making, to how to restore your mojo, develop your intuition, harness the power of thought, create health and healing, get more out of your food and fitness, and develop a deep connection with animals and nature, Fiona inspires you to think and act differently.

She says, “I have learned that the ultimate relationship is the one with yourself”. What you think and how you respond to every situation defines who you are and what you experience. Realising this is the easy part, living it is much harder.”

Fiona’s story includes 20 years in the financial sector, where she pioneered a cutting-edge woman’s business and was a spokesperson in the media. This was followed by several internet video start-ups in the first days of video online. Also, consultancy, mentoring and non-executive directorships. She was listed in the Top 100 List of Power and Influence in Financial Services in 2003 and 2004 and won numerous business women’s awards. Sport has also featured strongly in Fiona’s life, and has competed in two sports internationally, alongside her business interests.

So what changed?

 She did, going from ‘city professional to semi-feral’, living reclusively for a number of years in the wilds of Wales. More recently, Fiona underwent another transformation and is now living on wheels, whilst travelling.

“The book tells my story from the inside out. It explains how I have worked on taking control of my mind, body and my world. It is part narrative, part insight, woven into a guide to practical spirituality, and interlaced with quantum psychology, which, I hope, will help the reader to become more of who they are and create more of the life they want. We are at a turning point in history, which is also a chance to reinvent our world. But we need to think and act differently in order to do this. It requires a combination of creative intuitive intelligence, recognising our true power and connecting with the natural world.”

The Ultimate Relationship  is available on Amazon

You can learn more about ‘The Ultimate Relationship… the one with yourself’ (including a book reading) on Fiona’s website, where you will also find videos, audios and blogs on book related themes: www.theultimaterelationship.co.uk

*Quote from Harpers & Queen (1990s)

Editors’ Notes

Media Contact: Andrea Sexton +44 7887 997922 andrea@admire-pr.com

Review copies (PDF or book), high resolution images and a full author bio are available from Andrea Sexton.

Interviews with Fiona can be arranged through Andrea.

Readers’ Plaudits

Fiona has untangled the how, why and where of being your own greatest support system, with razor-sharp honesty and self-introspection. Not a journey that many of us are brave enough to undertake. But with her support and words of wisdom, it becomes possible. That is why everyone needs to read this book. Not only is this a book to devour, but you can dip into it to find comfort and fortitude when weakened by everyday life. To have Fiona’s experience and honesty is a godsend. Literally!

Maria Wynne

What a great title! Within minutes, I was engrossed and read the book in two days. Fiona offers amazing clarity about how to take charge of your life. I was lost, and her words rescued me. They helped me to understand the negative influences and thoughts that I had been unable to decipher. Therein lies Fiona’s power and wisdom. Rather than hide, you have to face what makes you unhappy or seems confusing, and turn it into a tool which you can use to your advantage.

Josey Evans

Fiona’s book is a poetic recognition that there is no path, no route map for us all to follow. Rather, our path is made by our own understanding.

Mark Parkinson

I cried reading this book because it rang such a deep toll within me. It also made me smile. This book will change the mindsets of so many women who feel that life is happening to them, not for them. It gives you the self-knowledge to change all of that.

Deb Graham

A pure delight for anyone with the ambition to live well, play hard and run a successful business. As a former athlete and a business owner myself, Fiona’s anecdotes and insights resonate with me. There are daily actions we can all take based on her experience, which will help us live life to the fullest. Bring an open and curious mind to this book and wallow in the enlightenment.

Andrea Sexton

Having worked with Fiona for a while, I was keen to get my hands on this book. My only regret is that I wasn’t brave enough to ask her about the concepts contained within a decade ago. But as the saying goes, ‘when the student is ready, the teacher will appear’. Fiona’s background as an athlete and a successful business woman gives credibility to the principles contained in the book. She is living proof of the approach to life she writes about.

Christina Jones