Hello, Frost’s editor-in-chief here, Catherine Yardley. Also known as Catherine Balavage. I’m being a bit embarrassing and self promoting my book. It’s always cringe as an author, but what we need to do. So here goes!
What an absolute bargain. Grab The Mothers of SW19 for only 99p. This book means so much to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart if you decide to take a chance on it. I put my heart and soul into this book. If you’re a regular reader of Frost you will see a lot in this book to relate to. Emma, the protagonist, is a blogger who runs an online magazine much like Frost. The blurb is below. It’s satire and a domestic thriller which is hard to put down.
“Sharp and twisty, the school-gate politics in The Mothers of SW19 are painfully recognisable. The Mean Girls with Mortgages hooked me from page one, and I was desperate to know who’d be left standing once the truth came out.” Eleanor Tucker, author of TURN BACK TIME and THE REDO.
Unassuming Emma, a blogger turned wannabe social media influencer, moves to an exclusive enclave in SW19 to get her son into the best school in the area. On the first day of school, she bumps into Annabel, a gregarious journalist who is head of the PTA.
An unfortunate misunderstanding leads to a clash, and the school gate mothers taking sides. Emma’s world has been blown apart by motherhood. As she struggles to find her new identity, she has to defend herself against Annabel and her clique. The mean girls with mortgages.
Emma learns a devastating secret about Annabel that could destroy her entire life. Will Emma play dirty to win, and what lengths will Annabel go to protect what she has?
There can only be one winner. But what will be the cost?
Obsession, jealousy, revenge, cliques, motherhood, female friendship, female rage, loneliness, social media influencers, journalists… The Mothers of SW19 has it all in a famous postcode. 😍🤩
Meet Django the Dachshund, the loveable lead character in a new series of children’s books that do much more than simply tell a story. Created by psychologist, Dr Julie Paine, and based on life with her best friend, Django’s adventures are, uniquely, both written for children, and the adults they will become. “Over the years, I’ve seen so many adults for whom understanding, and emotional regulation were difficult in childhood. Time after time I think, if only I could have spoken to them as children, they might be in a very different place right now – less anxious, more confident, flexible, and resilient; better placed to deal with what life has dealt them.”
Julie may not be able to turn back time, but she can, with the help of her beloved Dachshund, Django, encourage today’s children to develop some emotional resilience in this uncertain world. “Realising that many people hold on to the same worries as you do can come as a complete revelation. I don’t want them to have to wait for later life therapy to understand that.”
The Concept “I’m not here to tell parents how to parent, or children how they should feel or behave. The concept was born from years of experience in adult psychology, identifying the common childhood threads, of trying to navigate complex emotions, and often feeling confused, misunderstood and anxious. Viewed through the eyes of Django, as narrator, the stories encourage perspective-taking and emotional resilience.”
Django on paper.
“I always knew exactly how I wanted Django to look on paper, and I hope children will fall head over heels in love with her. I needed someone who could take what I had in my head and bring it to life. Illustrator, Nicola Metcalfe, did just that. I’m so thrilled with the way Django, and all the characters, are depicted.”
Through warm, uplifting text and enchanting illustrations, Django reaches into the hearts of children, understands their worries, and suggests new ways of looking at the world. Feisty, funny, and incredibly loveable, Django wants nothing more than to be a child’s best friend. In Joss and the Lucky Boots, Julie’s first book, about a sporting challenge, Django discovers the real reason behind Joss’s worries and encourages her to take a different approach. Just when everything seems to have gone horribly wrong Joss has a brilliant idea…
Why Django? “Always here, no matter what. Django is my constant companion, devoted, and affectionate – we have an impenetrable bond. I’ve had several dogs over the years, but none as emotionally intelligent as Django, who always seems to know how to make me feel good, and there’s real comfort in that. A small child and very small dog create a beautiful dynamic; one I wanted to replicate in these stories. They share being small in a big and often confusing world.” About Joss and the Lucky Boots (for readers aged 6-9 years)
Django, the worry dog “Children, just like adults, can find it hard to voice their worries, or find relief from them, often believing they are unique to them. That’s why I was so passionate about creating something tangible to sit alongside the book. I envisaged a comfort dog that children could share their troubles with, based on the idea behind Guatemalan worry dolls. Django is not magic, but she can hold their worries so that they don’t have to think about them all the time. Producing Django, the worry dog, has been a labour of love. The end result, small enough to fit in a pocket, school bag or down a sock.”
We loved this book. The character of Django is such a hit with children. The story is a wonderful thing that teaches resilience. The worry dog is also adorable. He can be kept in your pocket. Frost loves.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but my third novel, The Mothers of SW19, is out on August 27. I wrote it during lockdown, banging out 3000 words a day while pregnant, taking care of a toddler, and homeschooling my firstborn. I love this book. I hope you do too.
Obsession, jealousy, revenge, cliques, motherhood, female friendship, loneliness, social media influencers, journalists… The Mothers of SW19 has it all in a famous postcode.
Unassuming Emma, a blogger turned wannabe social media influencer, moves to an exclusive enclave in SW19 to get her son into the best school in the area. On the first day of school, she bumps into Annabel, a gregarious journalist who is head of the PTA.
An unfortunate misunderstanding leads to a clash, and the school gate mothers taking sides. Emma’s world has been blown apart by motherhood. As she struggles to find her new identity, she has to defend herself against Annabel and her clique. The mean girls with mortgages.
Emma learns a devastating secret about Annabel that could destroy her entire life. Will Emma play dirty to win, and what lengths will Annabel go to protect what she has?
There can only be one winner. But what will be the cost?
So, about a year or so before I started writing this book, I had an illness which caused brain inflammation and had me hallucinating and having very vivid dreams. One night, I dreamed of these three young women’s faces—all were very beautiful, with long dark hair and alabaster skin, and two of the women were identical. The third seemed a bit more on the periphery, and there was anger in her eyes.
This dream stayed with me for a while—particularly, as I felt like these women were looking right at me. I can’t remember if they did anything in the dream, or what the context was, but I remembered their faces.
And then, much later, and after I’d started treatment for my brain illness, I was visiting a charity shop and looking through a donated photo album. I turned the page and there was a photo of these three women. It really made me freeze, because it looked exactly like them. Two identical twins and another who looked very similar, maybe a sister.
It freaked me out and I left quickly, without the photo album. Yet I couldn’t stop thinking about the women—and I felt almost haunted. When I went back to buy the photo album, it had gone. But I just knew that I needed to ‘spend more time’ with these sisters, and so I began writing.
I love books about sibling rivalry. Do you have siblings!
I do, yes, and I’m quick to say that the experiences in We Are Monsters are not based on real life! I think sibling rivalry is such a fascinating thing to write about as so many people are able to relate.
Dark academia is a popular genre and going nowhere. Why do you think it resonates so much with readers?
I think there’s a strong aesthetic appeal with dark academia—the crumbling Gothic architecture, the isolated landscapes, and the powerful institutions that are never quite as they seem. Tradition is also something that’s seeped into the plot and it can be both a good and a bad thing, which gives so many possibilities to explore. There’s also quite a melancholic atmosphere that comes with dark academia, and it’s also the perfect setting for stories about rivalry as academic competition is often at its heart. The characters are also very much contained within the landscape, often unable to leave or go anywhere else, and there’s something quite frightening about that which also makes it an ideal place to set a psychological thriller.
Dark academia settings are also very much romanticised by a lot of readers. This genre represents passion for knowledge and desire to know the truth, while also immersing yourself really deeply in one aspect of life. Intellectualism is often at the heart of these stories, along with appreciation for education and the arts, and this is something that We Are Monsters really draws on: Elara is an art student living on an isolated university campus on Bodmin moor. She’s fascinated by what art can say about the human condition and what it means to be human, particularly in situations that bring out rivalry and (deadly) competition.
What is your writing routine?
The more books I write, the more I realise I just don’t have a set routine. Each book comes to me differently, and each book is written in its own individual way. But the thing that I have in common with them all is that I do very little planning. I just start writing and see what happens, and I love it when I get lost in a story and suddenly realise that hours have passed and the words have just been flowing beautifully.
I also love to hand write a lot of my drafts as I have limited vision and I find handwriting easier than typing. Luckily, I have a Remarkable Tablet which then converts my handwriting into text, which makes rewrites and editing so much easier!
What is your favourite part of being a writer?
It’s the ideas. I love getting lost in ideas and what-if scenarios. I process a lot of my own experiences through writing, and it helps me understand who I am. There’s something so satisfying about delving into the psyches of characters and becoming immersed in a story in the process.
And the worst part?
I’m one of those writers who works on about five or six different manuscripts at a time. I write under several pen names, across several genres, and I dip in and out of different stories several times a day when it is a ‘writing day’. This can be so overwhelming at times, and I often panic about it. I also often wish I was more organised and just focused on one story at a time, as then I’d get them written so much quicker!
What would you like readers to know about you?
I am a chronically ill writer, and I think it’s important to share my ‘reality’ with readers where I can. There’s often a tendency to put writers on a pedestal and think of them as these whimsical little creatures who have fun being creative all day, but I do have to treat this as a job (and it is my income!). My physical health limits what else I can do, but writing is my one constant, and it’s honestly all I’ve ever wanted to do. But I don’t—can’t—write every day. My health dictates a lot of it. I’m often writing while in hospital, dictating into my phone when my fingers are too painful, and wishing that I was well enough to write just another chapter rather than needing to rest. But when I finish a manuscript, it’s such a proud moment.
Who are your favourite authors?
I am a massive fan of Mary Kubica, Dawn Kurtagich, C.L. Taylor, Helen Oyeyemi, Susannah Clarke, Lucy Rose, Shanora Williams, Rebecca Wait, Coco Mellors, and Nova Ren Suma. I will read any books they release!
Did you always want to be a writer?
Yes! Some of my earliest memories are of me creating stories with my parents. I come from a creative family that really encouraged my imagination, and right from the start, I wanted to be a writer. As I got older, I was told by teachers I’d need to do something more practical with a guaranteed income (one even suggested I become a carpet fitter, which was…odd), but writing remained my goal.
I was a teenager when my autonomic system failed, followed by decades of health problems, and writing was the one thing that gave me an escape. My illnesses then made me more determined to be a writer, as it was a job I could still do. I’d just need to find a way to make it into an income.
I began writing under a couple of different pen names, and I was lucky enough to get my first book deal when I was nineteen, followed by my first literary agent a little while later. Since then, I’ve spent a lot of time learning about the business-side of writing to ensure that I can keep doing what I love and making it into a full-time job.
What books have you read recently and loved?
I absolutely adored Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and White is For Witching by Helen Oyeyemi. These are definitely top reads of 2026 for me!
People, my bedroom is tidy. Why? Because this excellent book told me so. It had a positive impact, and was one of many little nuggets in this book that will enhance your life. Written by Neuroscientist TJ Power, who really knows his stuff, this book will make your 2026 the best year so far. Because it focuses on everyday habits, the advice in it all seems achievable. It is as easy to read as it is to implicate. Brilliant stuff. Get your copy now.
SMALL HABITS TO BOOST YOUR BRAIN CHEMISTRY
‘This is the book all parents need in their lives.’ – This Morning
‘If you want to buy just one book this year to make your life better…Get this one. And live by it.’ – Chris Evans, as heard on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Virgin Radio
‘This book will help you find more motivation, create deeper connections, energise your body and destress your mind.’ – Jay Shetty, author of Think Like a Monk
‘The best book I’ve read on this subject.’ – Dr. Julie Smith, author of Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?
***
Life can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
Today’s fast-paced world leaves many of us struggling with extreme emotional highs and lows caused by chemical imbalances in our brains, brought on by the pressures of modern life and constant digital connectivity.
In The DOSE Effect, Neuroscientist TJ Power shares how you can reset and balance your brain chemistry with simple, everyday habits to lead a happier, healthier, and more productive life.
Unlock your brain’s four key chemicals and discover the powers of:
DOPAMINE to get motivated and stay driven
OXYTOCIN to build deeper connections with others
SEROTONIN to boost your energy and mood
ENDORPHINS to destress and find calm
TJ’s practical approach and straightforward solutions will guide you on an exciting, action-based journey to optimise your brain chemistry and transform your mental health.
TJ Power’s book ‘The DOSE Effect’ was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2026-01-26.
In my novel, Where The Light is Hottest, Natasha Jones makes it as an actor. Going from small-town Scotland to big-time Hollywood. I was an actor for over fifteen years. I acted opposite Eddie Marsan in Junkhearts and performed on the West End in And Then They Came For Me. A play based on the life of holocaust survivor, Eva Schloss, who sadly passed away recently.
My own journey as an actor is similar to Natasha’s journey as we were both born in small towns in Scotland and moved to London to ‘make it.’ The difference is that I did not become a Hollywood superstar! You can read about why I put acting on the back burner here. I also worked as a director, casting director and producer. I still have a toe in the industry in general. Here are the essential things actors can learn from my true-to-life novel. If you want to know the truth about the film industry and acting then I recommend that you read it. It is available from Kindle Unlimited, paperback, ebook and from your local library.
Natasha’s persistence.
Natasha does not give up. That is what makes her successful. Most people who fail at acting do so because they quit. Especially as people get older and get sick of the erratic lifestyle. You lose 100% of the chances you do not take. The best way to become successful is not to quit. You can take time out, but get back to it.
Keeping her goal in mind.
Natasha focuses on the win. She knows what she wants and what she needs to do to get there. When you focus on a goal it stays in your mind. You work towards it without even knowing sometimes. Read the trades like The Stage, know what is being cast. Network.
Perfecting her RP accent.
You need to be able to do a good RP (received pronunciation) accent. You should also be able to do a good American accent. I was once at an audition and they saw I put that I was good at an Australian accent on my CV. I had never done one before, but I had to do it on the spot. Thankfully, I passed, but it is better to be prepared.
Putting herself out there.
You should be proud at your courage. To choose a creative life is brave. It can be a hard life and a lot of people would never put themselves out there. It is hard to be on stage and make yourself vulnerable. To go to auditions and face rejection again and again. Do it, and be proud. Putting yourself out there is the only way to become successful.
Making her own work.
Natasha starts a production company and starts making films with her friends. Even the best, and most successful, actors can be out of work for years. We live in a new world and making your own work on TikTok and Instagram can get you seen and make you money. YouTube is another great option. I made a comedy web series which a casting director saw and then they cast me in a few things. Acting has never been more democratic than it is now. It is not easy to make successful social media accounts, but it is possible. My socials are below if you want to follow me. I will follow you back.
Not forgetting to actually live.
Being an actor is all-consuming. It feels like if you step off the treadmill then you might miss an audition or a job. I certainly thought that and I put my life on hold too much. I remember I went skiing once and my agent called me when I was up a mountain. I seriously considered jumping on a plane home, after skiing down the mountain, of course. I am glad I saw sense and turned the job down. Life is for living. Life experience also makes you a better actor.
The best thing about having your book published is the reception it gets. When the reviews start coming in and people tell you they read it and enjoyed it. That is gold. Where The Light is Hottest went on a blog book tour with Rachel’s Random Resources. I cannot recommend doing this enough. It’s a wonderful experience and the dedicated book bloggers and influencers make such a difference to the book community.
Scottish soap, River City, is sadly coming to an end. I got my first acting break on River City. I was an incredibly ambitious 18-year-old who had studied acting at college and was desperately trying to get as many auditions as I could. Auditions are hard to get so I was doing extra work to earn money and get some on-set experience. An actor didn’t turn up and I was picked out alongside one other woman to audition for a small part with lines. I was the one who aced it, and got my first ever speaking role on TV, and the BBC no less.
The scene was in a cafe. I ordered a drink from Luca, the character that all of the women fancied. My heart was beating fast, and I was happy. Exhilarated. I knew this was a great credit to have. When the episode came out I watched it with my family. I was left with a feeling that anything was possible. A moment of luck gave me my first proper acting credit. In truth, these moments of luck, along with a huge amount of talent, work ethic and perseverance is they key to success in any creative career.
Seeing myself onscreen was a learning curve. I was a teenager with terrible roots, who needed her blonde highlights redone. I was wearing a coat that looked instantly unfashionable the moment I saw it on screen. I cringed when I saw myself, but I delivered my lines well.
The main character in my book, Where The Light is Hottest, is based on my own experiences. Unlike me, Natasha doesn’t quit when things are going well. She continues on going from small town Scotland to big time Hollywood. As acting books go, Where The Light is Hottest, is a no-holds barred, real and raw inside into what it takes to make it as an actor. My acting career was a wild ride that left me with a lifetime of stories. The highs were like nothing else, but the lows were crashing. All thanks to that moment on the set of River City. Thank you. The show is supposed to end in 2026, but people are protesting and there is a petition. Good luck, River City. Long may you burn bright.
