Joffe Books have launched some wonderful new books this week. In addition to some great book bargains, Joffe also have a competition where you could be in with the chance of winning a Kindle and some  new Joffe Books.

This week’s book of the week is THE LIST —the brand-new, totally gripping crime mystery from bestselling author Michael Leese.

It was just an ordinary Wednesday lunchtime when Detective Martha Munro’s life changed forever. 
Her sergeant is speaking, but she barely hears what he’s telling her.  Your mother has been shot dead. Your four-year-old daughter has been taken… 

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE LIST FOR JUST 99P | 99C.    You can also enter this week’s competition to win a Kindle E-ink reader and Joffe book bundle.  To enter, simply REPLY TO THIS FACEBOOK POST by 10  a.m. GMT on Monday 24 January 2022, and let Joffe know  what you’re most looking forward to reading this week.

*Entrants must be aged 18 or over.
*This competition is available worldwide.
*This competition is in no way affiliated with Facebook.
*Competition closes at 10.00 a.m. GMT on Monday 24 January 2022.
*The winner will be contacted via Facebook message or email on Monday 24 January 2022.
*Winners have five working days to claim their prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be selected and contacted via email or Facebook message.
*Competition prize includes standard e-ink Kindle with built-in light, and eBook editions of all books published by Joffe Books on the week beginning 17 January 2022.
*EBook editions of Joffe titles will be provided in the form of an Amazon voucher

And now for a taste of just a couple of Joffe’s books out this week.

Crime in Oxford by Catherine Moloney    OUT NOW — ONLY 99P | 99C

This twisted killer wants to make an exhibition of himself.

Detective Markham visits the Reynolds Museum, Oxford, where he finds a grisly crime scene. A body posed in a glass case for all to see. Can DI Markham find the killer before anyone else pays the ultimate price?

Lambs to the Slaughter by Sally Spencer   OUT NOW — 99P | 99C

A brutal murder. A sinister conspiracy. A race against time to uncover the truth.

Len and Tommy used to be mates. Until one dark evening, they come to blows in the pub. The next morning, Len is found bludgeoned to death. But Detective Monika’s instincts tell her there’s more to this case than meets the eye. . .

And… And…  The brilliant Beth Elliott, author of In All Honour and The Wild Card, is hosting Lady Catherine’s Salon on Facebook this week. It’s a closed Facebook group but everyone is welcome to join. Pop along and get involved here. 📚

See more on offer at Joffe Books here

In these cold and dreary days it is so refreshing to see a rainbow which brightens your mood as well as your day. Jolly Holly is just that, a lovely, cheerful, beautiful rainbow which shines brightest against the darkest of skies. Based right here in my beloved West Country I knew that I simply had to talk to her, so here are a few questions I had for her. Her PO Box, Amazon wishlist and Tik Tok handle can be found at the bottom of this article.

1. What is a box of joy and how do people get their hands on one ?

A box of joy is a box full of goodies aimed to help someone who is really struggling with their mental health. Full of things like sweet treats, hot chocolate, bath items, sleep aid, self help books and gifts with positive affirmations. I make them randomly and post to my tiktok and simply ask all who wish to enter to comment the chosen word, which is normally something like family, kindness, joy, etc. After one week I pick a person at random and send them their box completely free of charge.

2. When did you start making up the boxes and why ?

I believe I started around a year ago. I’ve wanted to make them for years. Suffering with many mental illness myself I wanted to try to make a tiny difference. I make them simply to make a struggling stranger smile. I know that it won’t take any of their struggles away but even if it just lifts their spirits for a moment then that make me so happy.

3. Can people donate towards a box? If so how ?

I have had so many donations through an Amazon wishlist and I also have a po box which some kind people have sent bits here and there which really help.

4. How can people support boxes of joy ?

The best support is the people who help, the people who send donations and the people who help me by answering people’s questions in the comments.

5. What does 2022 have in store of you and your boxes of joy ?

I hope that 2022 means that many more people can receive one, I will keep doing this as long as I can because it means so much to me to help others. I aim to donate a box every week if I’m feeling well enough.

6. What are the biggest obstacles you face doing the boxes of joy and how do you overcome them ?

My biggest obstacle is that people always ask for me to start selling them, unfortunately that’s something I will never be able to do, having so many issues myself, I would find keeping up with orders incredibly difficult and I don’t like dealing with other people’s money and I feel turning it into a business would take the fun away, also as not everyone could possible afford one so they will always be free. I also struggle a tiny amount with some of the comments. My rules are to comment using one word, I say one word because many people write very guilt tripping comments to try and influence me, and I’m a very emotional person who is easily influenced so I feel it’s unfair on others who play by the rules. That being said, so many amazing followers ask people not to do this when I’m absent which really helps. I’ve only had a handful of hate comments, but they are mostly just people calling me ugly or saying I do this to get free things for myself which hurts a little but it’s ok.

7. What do you enjoy most when making up a box ?

I enjoy every single part! Sometimes I make themes, like colours, Christmas, flowers, etc. So I love hand picking each item, I also love my hand-made help sheets. Each box contains a jolly help sheet with a small activity to help the individual feel grounded, safe and write down things they are grateful for. And I also add a list of helpful numbers to offer in times of crisis. But I must say my ultimate favourite thing is my profile photo sticker on top, as my 10 year old sister drew it for me and I love adding something that means so much to me as I love my little sister so much

And there you have it, I have been one of Jolly Holly’s  followers on Tik Tok for a couple of months now and she never fails to bring a smile to my face with her content. She is so selfless and kind and I can not wait to see what this year has in store for Jolly Holly.

Here is where you can find her wishlist :

https://linktr.ee/Jollyhollysworld

PO box 5487

Radstock

BA3 9DF

@jollyhollysworld

Once upon a time …a fascinating book plonked through my letter box. The Fairy Tellers, a journey into the secret history of fairy-tales by award winning travel writerNicholas Jubber.I have a difficult relationship with fairy tales – they horrify me but at the same time delight. As a child they used to keep me awake at night – the magic, the ghoulishness, and then the sheer happiness. This fascinating history explains so much.

It appears that fairy-tales are records of historical phenomena and through them we can understand how Western Civilisation was formed. So  off I traipsed with Jubber wondering if I should peek at everything through my fingers. But no, he explores with verve the people who told the stories,  the landscapes that forged them, and the cultures that formed them.

Heavens, how Jubber and I travelled together through Southern Italy across the Medsiterranean, and then choked on the dusty Maghreb alleys, on into the Black Forest, peering around beneath its canopy, then on with the thermals into the depths of Siberia, and let’s not forget Lapland.

As I journied  with Nichola Jubber I came to understand the complicated relationshp between Western civilsation and the Eastern cultures which are perhaps our bedrock. Not just the cultures but  so too the lives of those who told these stories long before they arrived in our Christmas stockings, nicely packaged, and in some cases, sanitsed. (But they still scared the living daylights out of me)

Read it. I loved it. A monumental work, I felt. Bravo Nicholas Jubber. Another level of understanding attained and in the most accessible style.

It’s been a tough couple of years and we’re all hoping 2022 will be a wonderful new start. So maybe time to freshen our image – new dress style, makeup revamp, and how about a completely new perfume? I recommend you check out Happy Soul by ChloBo.

But, I hear you say, ‘Isn’t ChloBo that British company that make those fabulous bracelets and necklaces? Has Dr Kathleen Thompson lost the last of her few remaining marbles?’ Well yes … and maybe, but trust me, ChloBo now have a great perfume which complements their stunning handmade jewellery.

I love the name – Happy Soul – and couldn’t wait to try. The perfume is described as ‘flirty, fig-infused scent will have you drifting from day to night’. I would categorise the fragrance as Woody, with an Oriental undertone. Packed with layers, the fragrance lasts and evolves over hours. I personally would use it in the evening – I’m thinking summer evening, dining al fresco by the sea. Happy image? You’re welcome.

At £30 from the ChloBo website this is a good price for a quality perfume. Give it a try.

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

Did you know almost ½ of us will set new year’s resolutions but less than 10% of us will actually achieve them? Indeed, research by Strava using over 800 million user-logged activities in 2019 confirmed that most people have given up on their New Year’s Resolutions by Jan 19^th – Strava call it Quitter’s Day.

Perhaps this is because resolutions are often quite lofty aspirations that are all about a huge lifestyle change, which ultimately set us up for failure.  We’ve all done it: I’m going to the gym everyday, go vegan, get more sleep, change the world, drop a dress size, run a marathon etc etc.  So if you are noticing your New Year’s Resolutions are already sliding why not start again & set an intention instead of a resolution?

Setting an intention is a powerful step in embodying how you want to be. As Wayne Dyer said: “Our intention becomes our reality”  Intentions send a powerful message into the quantum, they are our sign-post or compass, guiding us in our way of being. Intentions are a conscious guide to how we are living each day.

So how do you set an intention?

First think about what brings you joy, what lights you up. Maybe even journal on this. Base your intention around what makes you feel good.  Then think about how you can you can express that positively in a mantra or affirmation, a simple phrase that encapsulates this intention. This is a simple reminder to keep you on track when you need it.  And then finally let it go – we can’t force an outcome & if we try to it will just strangle it.

Imagine your intention is like a seed, you plant that seed & step out of the way allowing the Universe to fill in the blanks, allowing your intention to blossom & bloom when the time is right.  As you know I am a huge advocate of self-care. I believe that it’s not selfish or a luxury but a daily necessity. It has helped me navigate several international moves, a toxic divorce & more recently the menopause.  By embracing little rituals daily that make you feel better, you will begin to live your best life. By doing things that make you feel happier & healthier you will start to become more productive, creative & efficient.

So if you have decided to set the intention to develop your own self-care rituals how do you do it?

The most important thing I believe is to start small. The benefit of this is that you will easily achieve it, you’ll start to feel better & feel inspired to do more.   Keep it simple. Self-care can be powerful & life changing but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Indeed, if it is you’re more likely to find excuses not to do it.  Self-care is all about doing something that is easy, fun & makes you feel good, empowered even, something you look forward to doing.  Maybe your new self-care ritual is as simple as getting some fresh air & being out in nature everyday? It’s simple, easy to do & makes you feel so much better.  If you struggle to find time for yourself, why not schedule it in? Ear-mark time in your diary for the rest of January so that you commit to your self-care. Be unapologetic about it.

I commit every weekday to getting up before the kids to do my self-care. It’s my time in which I devote an hour or so to my own self-care rituals. I cherish & absolutely relish this time (& it MUST be good because I’m NOT a morning person!)

So there you have it: how to set an intention & 3 simple ways to creating your own self-care practice:

Start small, keep it simple & schedule it.  Sending all my love & intentions to you all for a wonderful 2022.  May it be filled with happiness & good health.  May you flow through the year with grace & ease.  May you commit to a daily self-care routine & enjoy the multiple benefits of making yourself a priority in your own life because you deserve it.

If you would like to find out more about creating your own self-care rituals love check out Alex’s FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindfulnessyoga4selfcare

Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexbannard/

Incorporate short yoga sequences & meditations as part of your self-care toolkit with guided practices on Alex’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQlKZJ7MeyYc6lqkv6seISw

For more info check out www.alexbannard.com

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 living & being.