Mary McConnell grew up longing for information about the mother she never knew, who died suddenly when Mary was only a baby. Her brother, Sean, was barely old enough to remember and their father numbed his pain with drink.

Now aged 35, Mary has lived in the same house her whole life. She’s never left Belfast. She has a son TJ who is about to turn 18 and is itching to see more of the world. One Saturday morning, TJ wakes up to find his mother gone. He doesn’t know where – or why – but he’s the only one who can help find her.

I love the old cliché “Don’t judge a book by its cover” and as an avid reader I try not to, but when I received my copy of Mother Mother I said to me other half “Wow look how pretty the cover is!”  He had the typical male response: “Mmm lovely…” argh men, but that’s a story for another time. Needless to say I couldn’t wait to see if the contents lived up to the ‘wrapping’.  Once I started reading however, I could not out it down.

Mary’s upbringing was full of strife with added loneliness as she selflessly took on the caring for  for her alcoholic father and her brother. With the POV jumping from Mary’s past, her present and the present of her son TJ, we are taken on a emotional journey of Mary’s life.

Mother Mother is very well written and is a powerful coming of age debut novel for this gifted author. It is an inspiring read  just when we all need to find light in dark places.

I look forward to seeing what other delights Annie Macmanus has in store.

Available in paperback, hardback, audio & ebook

At Frost we love all of Lizi’s Granolas and Muesli – not just because they’re absolutely delicious, but because they’re good for us too – so no guilt at all involved.

Lizi’s not only select best quality natural ingredients, but, unlike many other granolas, their’s release sugars gradually. Having just buried my computer last week, I’m very conscious that sudden energy spikes are generally not a good thing – be it electrical in the case of my laptop, or blood sugar spikes after eating the wrong food. Sudden, steep rises in blood sugar can trigger inflammation, leading to heart disease, cancer and type II diabetes – and our body also reacts by sharply dropping our sugar levels to a very low level – making us hungry again.

So look for breakfast foods with a low Glycaemic Load (GL), meaning they release sugars into your blood slowly. Or if that’s too hard – just go to Lizi’s -all their breakfast products are low GL.

Lizi’s have such a large and fabulous range it’s worth browsing their website where you can order whatever appeals. However I must give a shout out for their latest Treacle & Pecan Granola. Yes I know, how can something boasting of treacle be low GL? But it is – truly, due to the wholegrain oats, a clever blend of different seeds, coconut and pecan nut pieces, all of which contribute to slow sugar release. The treacle only comprises 3% of the total, but, trust me, it’s enough to make it taste very naughty.

Lizi’s are also available at Ocado and Amazon, and they’re vegan-friendly too so go treat 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.

Much-loved stage adaptation What The Ladybird Heard, from best-selling children’s author Julia Donaldson and award-winning illustrator Lydia Monks, will continue to entertain families around the country this Autumn (16^th September – 4^th December). The new tour follows the highly anticipated West End season at The Palace Theatre this summer, bringing family-friendly live entertainment back to theatres.

Photo contains previous cast members.

Image credit Robert Day

The farmyard will be brought to life by Nikita Johal (Spring Awakening, Hope Mill), Roddy Lynch (A Christmas Carol, Theatre Royal Bath), James Mateo-Salt (The Pirate Queen, London Coliseum), Matthew McPherson (The Jolly Christmas Postman, Oxford Playhouse), and Abigail Middleton (Pig, Royal Court Theatre Liverpool). Showcasing live instrumental music, original songs, puppetry and rhymes galore this exciting adaptation is a treat for the whole family.

Author Julia Donaldson comments, ‘ It’s fantastic to see one of my most-loved children’s books, What the Ladybird Heard, returning to the stage, both in the West End and around the UK! After such a hard year it’s important that we can provide creative escapism for young children, and this stage show will do just that. I can’t wait to get back to the theatre and see it myself. I believe audiences are in for a treat!’

Illustrator and Show Design Consultant Lydia Monks adds, ‘It’s always a thrill to see my illustrations burst into life on stage and I’m very excited to be involved in this project. Theatre is an important tool for children’s creative development, and I believe this show is the perfect outlet. I look forward to transporting everyone to the farm for a fun family adventure’

Duration: 55 minutes (no interval) Performance times Please see website for times on each day.

15th July – 29th August The Palace Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 5AY https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/what-the-ladybirdheard/

16th – 18th September Birmingham Hippodrome Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/ladybirdheard/

23rd – 24th September The Radlett Centre Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL https://www.radlettcentre.co.uk/What-s-On/Children/What-theLadybird-Heard

25th – 26th September Tonbridge School E M Forster Theatre The Box Office, High Street Entrance, Tonbridge TN9 1JP https://emftheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/1173611782

Clare’s life is perfect…steady job, loving husband, two kids and lovely townhouse. Except her husband Toby’s barely listened to a thing she’s said since he landed his new TV gig, her daughter can’t stand the sight of her and her boss barely even knows her name. It seems that with middle age she’s become more invisible than a grey power suit, and no matter what she does no one seems to notice her. Not the mad haircut, crazy outfits or brilliant job performance.

So when Clare finds herself in a situation that not only guarantees notoriety, but makes her feel seen – she jumps at the chance. But can she really leave her ordinary life and ‘ordinary family’ behind? Or is this a chance for her to finally make her life more than just perfect on paper?

Review;

Every now and then you need to re jiggle your bookshelf and find a book that is a perfect summer read, fun, light, relatable , something that leaves you smiling and glad you read it. Believe me when I say that Perfect on Paper is that book.

Gillian Harvey creates a wonderfully relatable character in Claire, someone who feel invisible and fed up with her mundane existence. She is a strong main character and I found myself empathising with her on several occasions.

With a fantastic plot, entertaining characters and plenty of laughs Perfect on paper is the perfect recipe for a book that you will want to add to your suitcase this summer, regardless of where you are headed.

13^th May , available as a paperback, audio & ebook

Mia Ferris’s heart has always belonged in Spain. Every childhood summer was spent at her grandfather’s hacienda, riding together amongst the olive trees or listening to his stories of the past. So when she learns that he has fallen from his horse, she knows that she belongs by his bedside – even if it means leaving behind her life in London, and her new fiancé.

But as Leonardo fights for his life, secrets begin to emerge that tell a different story of the past – a terrible history that begins with a boy running for his life over the Andalusian hills, and ends with a forbidden love that only war can destroy…

As Mia untangles the passions and betrayals of the past, everything she thought she knew is turned upside down. Can she heal the wounds of the past, and face the truth of her own heart?

It is very rare to find a book that will stay with you for a long time, one that grips your heart and makes you feel the loss and heartache of the characters. Well, I have found that book, written by the sensational  Caroline Montague.

Montague reveals, or unravels is probably a better word, the family secrets steadily, effortlessly, fluently as we read on and learn about forbidden love in the days of the Spanish Civil War. Imbued with with historical detail, this family, and Mia’s journey of discovery  reflects the author’s clear love and admiration of Spain.

I was absorbed in this story from the first page to the last. It was my first encounter with Montague and I can not wait to discover her other works. She creates splendid characters who inhabit a believablepage turning world; a world and a time that is both heart-breaking and uplifting. When I finished the book I was left feeling stunned that someone could take me on such a emotional journey.

Available in paperback, ebook and audiobook.

Wow, what great news from Joffe Books: a number of their wonderful authors have been chosen by the TCKPRCA committee to feature in the Reader’s Choice Awards line-up so, as they told Frost Magazine, so let’s not FORGET TO VOTE.

Featuring this year is:

• Love Byte by David Atkinson
• The Smart Woman’s Guide to Murder by Victoria Dowd
• When He Vanished by T.J. Brearton
• Murder the Boys by Judith Cutler
• Witch Fire on the Levels by David Hodges
• Crime in the Gallery by Catherine Moloney
• Crime in the College by Catherine Moloney
• Murder Among Friends by Janice Frost
• Before He Kills Again by Margaret Murphy
• Don’t Scream by Margaret Murphy
• Hidden in the Heart by Beth Andrews

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the award, TCK Publishing Reader’s Choice Awards believe readers deserve to have a choice in the outcome of the awards. This belief has helped structure their casting, voting and award process and is central to everything they do.

So, readers,  it’s up to you to decide a winner in each category. To cast your vote, please visit: https://www.tckpublishing.com/2021-readers-choice-voting-page/

Such excitement, and riding on the back of that, let’s look at some other books on offer from Joffe Books this week:

Small Bones  by Kerry Buchanan 99p/99c

Green-fingered Sue Hearn is planting a herb garden and has spent the morning digging up all sorts of odds and ends, but the last thing she expected to dig up was a skull.   Her mother went missing thirty years ago, but surely this couldn’t be . . . or could it?   Sue confronts her father, aged and in hospital, and he insinuates the police were involved with the disappearance.   Crikey – now that’s a teaser.

A Sign for Murder by Linda Mather   99p/99c

Private Detective Jo Hughes takes on a new client, Connor Fitzpatrick, at the agency.   Connor’s brother Sean has gone missing. Then a body is found. And this missing person’s investigation becomes a murder inquiry.   He was last seen with a woman at the local pub. Who is she and how is she connected to the case? A nail biter quite frankly.

Smile and be a Villain by Jeanne M. Dams   £1.99/ $2.99

“Dorothy is a dear.” a  New York Times Book Review says about our heroine, and sure enough, a cozy thriller with enough twists and turns to make you dizzy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I have loved this series from the very first book! Hope Ms. Dams keeps on writing them for a very long time.” Jan

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “So great to have a protagonist of this age who is perceptive and intelligent . . . I can’t say enough about the characterisation!” Ratcliff

A great deal more information on all Joffe Books has  to offer available here.

When understanding why mindfulness is important,  it is significant to consider where we tend to rest our attention when we are not aware or paying attention, when we’re not being;  well, mindful.

Did you know that we spend approximately 50% of our time ruminating on the past, which we can’t change, it’s gone, we can’t do anything about it or worrying about the future which more often than not doesn’t quite pan out how we imagined it would…it’s quite a lot of wasted time really isn’t it?

Meanwhile we also spend around 46% of our time in automatic pilot. Have you ever driven somewhere & wondered how you got there? This is automatic pilot. It’s important for our brains to habituate repetitive tasks & new skills in order to save valuable energy. But if we dwell too much in automatic pilot, in our subconscious thoughts, we often end up reacting automatically which can get us into trouble.

Finally, we have evolved with a strong negativity bias, it’s our brain’s way of keeping us safe, scanning our environment for threats. This was really important when the sabre tooth tiger was parading outside our cave door but our brain can’t tell the difference between perceived & real threats: the sabre tooth tiger or an email from our boss asking us to work late.

As a result of this negativity bias, we are more disposed to focus on the negative. Rick Hanson talks about how negative experiences tend to stick in our head like Velcro, whilst +ve experiences are like Teflon. For example, we find 100 pounds, we think ah that’s nice, but if we loose 100 pounds it’s a disaster. It can take up to 5 positives to offset a negative.

Instead of letting a negative experiences define us when we practice mindfulness we can take a moment to reflect on this experience, appreciating that everyone has a bad day & reflecting on what we could learn from it. Meanwhile being more engaged in the now we can take some time to savour the good times, committing them to memory by literally stopping & reflecting on situation & appreciating it.

When you layer all this up, a little like the layers of an onion, and put it together with our natural disposition & all the many stresses & strains for modern living, not to mention global pandemics…there’s not a great deal of time left to enjoy the only moment that really matters: this present moment. And here we are back at the old expression – the past is history, the future a mystery, the present is a gift, why do you think it’s called the present?

When we practice mindfulness, we become more aware of patterns in our mind & body; we can identify real & perceived threats, shift away from negative thoughts & reconnect to the present moment, a calmer more compassionate space in which to reside. It also gives us an opportunity to acknowledge that we can’t stop our minds from doing what they do: thinking thoughts but we can stop these thoughts from controlling us.

This week’s meditation is a waterfall meditation – a visualisation, this meditation gives us the opportunity to reflect on the torrent of thoughts cascading through our mind as we would the flow of water in a waterfall, developing a sense of spacious distance from these thoughts. To obtain your copy email Alex at alex@alexbannard.com quoting FROSTWATER.

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

Since the first ever Foodfest that was hosted by our lovely seaside town I have made a conscious effort to go to every one that followed. EAT Festivals organise a array of food festivals throughout the glorious westcountry, starting in April and running until December.

17 April Weston-super-Mare

24 April Lyme Regis

1 May Castle Cary

8 May Taunton – cancelled

15 May Clevedon

22 May Yeovil

29 May Burnham-on-Sea

14 August Portishead

21 August Honiton Gate to Plate

28 August Chipping Sodbury

4 Sept Wellington

18 Sept Yeovil

25 Sept Weston-super-Mare

26 Sept Tiverton

2 October Minehead

9 October Nailsea

16 October Teignmouth

23 October Burnham-on-Sea

​27 Nov Taunton

4 Dec Nailsea

11 December Yeovil

12 Dec Weston-super-Mare

The Foodfests aim to bring a great range of producers and products into the town on the day of the festival. Most are based within 25 miles of each town, bringing in a few exceptional and hard to find producers from further afield.

With everything that occurred last year, the festivals were obviously cancelled and one of the things that I looked forward to was attending the festival with my parents again. It seemed ages since I had seem them properly, and couldn’t wait to get back to normal(ish). You can only imagine my excitement when I found out that on the 29^th of May we would be able to do just that.

We had a fantastic day, sampling food and beverages, treating ourselves to some delicious purchases, there was a contagious atmosphere; the vendors were happy to be there and equally, if not more, excited than we were. It was a warm sunny Saturday fuelled by fun.

Some of my favourite vendors include;

Chalice mead, their passion and knowledge of mead is fantastic, the flavours are exquisite, my personal favourites being Elderflower Mead & Blackberry mead, delicious.

Shanty Spirit who made some exquisite cocktails with their seaweed vodka, again the producers were very helpful and were very passionate about their product.

Cocoa Chocolate, These guys have been a favourite for me since the first time I encountered them back in 2017.I am a chocoholic and theirs is by far the best I have ever tasted, tand their flavours? Well, read on: malteaser, oreo, coffee, honeycomb. As well as dark, milk & white chocolate bars.

Country bumpkins, These geniuses make something delicious, a roast dinner wrapped up in a giant Yorkshire pudding. Yes you read that right , it is incredibly filling and messy, always ask for extra napkins. I indulged in roast lamb wrap so that included lamb, stuffing, roast potatoes, vegetables, gravy and my choice of sauce naturally I opted for mint sauce.

Harry’s Cider is a must, at a West country food and drink festival. I visited the guys at Harry’s cider and enjoyed a cup of mango and lime flavoured cider. It is scrumpy cider so it is not fizzy. I was offered some ice and it was a lovely refreshing fruity drink, not too sweet either. It was absolutely perfect.

I can not recommend the food festivals enough, they’re family friendly and are completely free to attend, so if you have one near you pop over for a few hours and sample some local food.