This is an elegant volume, that transports the reader on a journey through a lesser-known culture, in the company of people who are intrinsically bound up in every aspect of this fascinating process.

Prefectures of Japan are governmental bodies of Japan, larger than cities, towns, and villages. The stories are based in the prefectures of Kyoto and Shizuoka which are important areas in the creation of tea.

Sumptuous photographs lend an elegance to this book, each simple image demanding closer examination, rendering it perfect for the coffee table.

The author, Asura Burg, begins by telling of her growing interest in tea, first as a teenager in Lithuania later as a tea dealer in Israel and finally as a Tea Wholesaler in London, but it is the stories of the people connected to the tea trade in all its aspects, that draws you in to this story of Tea.

Here we meet Mr and Mrs Fujiwaras, fourth generation tea farmers, Hitoshi Morimoto the potter amongst a rich list of characters, each connected to a different feature of the tea industry.

There is growing interest in Japanese Tea and the culture associated with it. When we think of Japanese tea, we probably think of the Tea Ceremony and whilst this too is covered in Tea Stories: Japan, there is a wealth of interesting subjects including the cultivation of tea, Bizen ware (the ceramics associated with tea drinking).Tea Chemistry, Tea ware and of course the all-important steps for brewing various Japanese teas.

The chapter on tea recipes may surprise and delight, ranging as it does from lightly pickled summer vegetables Ochazuke, to cucumber finger sandwiches with tea- flavoured Miso Paste.

Tea Stories: Japan, is a contemporary take on other tea uses, including wagashi sweets and hojicha desserts, embellishing photo-led stories with taste and otherness. 

This is a book about tea and so much more and will appeal to those with an interest in Japanese culture.

Tea Stories:Japan by Asura Burg, £33.00.

Tea Stories: Japan can be ordered online from the official website and My Cup of Tea. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Sunday 7th February is Charles Dickens’ birthday, a man widely regarded as the most successful author of the Victorian era.  Joffe Books, as on the ball as usual have alerted Frost Magazine to three of the books they are highlighting  to celebrate the birth of this great social chronicler of the Victorian era.

FAR ABOVE RUBIES | THE BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE | THE GILDED CAGE by Anne-Marie Vukelic each  follow a different connection in Charles Dickens’ life and provide fascinating insights into this extraordinary period of our history.
FAR ABOVE RUBIES        ONLY 99P / 99C FOR A LIMITED TIME   

The captivating story of Charles Dickens’ wife in her own words. Being married to a literary genius isn’t easy.   ‘So if I was on the edge of reason, who was to blame? I for not disciplining my boisterous thoughts, or my husband for pushing me beyond the limits of what any woman should have to bear?’       London, December 1834.      At her father’s famous Boxing Day party, young Catherine Hogarth falls in love with an up-and-coming writer.

The only problem is — so does her sister.
Catherine can’t wait to become Mrs Dickens. But do her husband’s affections really lie with her sister?  Catherine recounts the  ups and downs of her marriage to the restless, mercurial Dickens.

THE BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE
OUT NOW FOR ONLY £1.99 / $2.99   

 “All that I can see, all that I can hear, and all that I can think of is her; she is everywhere and everything to me…”       In the summer of 1857, Charles Dickens becomes obsessed with a woman who will change his life forever. To pursue her, he will risk everything. The woman who haunts his every thought is young actress, Ellen Ternan.    Dickens, for all his originality, daring and brilliance, is not free. He is bound by Victorian moral and social convention.

Meanwhile his family is in turmoil. His son struggles with being the heir of the world’s most famous author.

“I only ask to be free: the butterflies are free.” Bleak House, Charles Dickens

THE GILDED CAGE
ON OFFER NOW FOR ONLY 99P / 99C

A GRIPPING HISTORICAL NOVEL BASED ON ONE YOUNG HEIRESS’S REAL-LIFE STRUGGLE

Please note this book was originally published as “Caged Angel”

London, 1837.      At 23, Angela Burdett inherits her grandfather’s share in Coutts Bank.  She is now the richest woman in England.   Working alongside her close friend, Charles Dickens, she establishes a home for ‘fallen women’.  Angela will refuse multiple proposals of marriage. She prefers her role of ‘queen of the poor’.    With Dickens as her champion, she is free to explore opportunities not usually open to women of her time.

But her high-profile position draws the attention of mentally unstable barrister, Richard Dunn.   Through his journal of bloodstained poems and deranged fantasies, the frenzied consciousness of Richard Dunn is revealed.

AN ENGROSSING  EXPOSURE OF THE DANGERS OF OBSESSION AND A WOMAN’S LIFE IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND

CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER THESE HISTORICAL NOVELS BY ANNE-MARIE VUKELIC –  AVAILABLE NOW!

Typically  entrepreneurial  Joffe Books keeps an eye on various anniversaries and marries authors’ books to these events, and this is one of the strengths of this award winning independent publisher – they are creative in alerting  readers to their books.  So what books? Who chooses which ones to publish?

Let’s meet another of the team  EMMA GRUNDY HAIGH   COMMISSIONING AND MANAGING EDITOR

WHAT I DO: As well as working in tandem with both editors and authors to create exceptional books, a key part of my role is discovering new (and new to us) talent — so reading submissions, seeking out exciting authors at events, through prizes or by building great relationships with agents. I am also constantly looking for new and interesting ways of securing our reputation as one of the industry’s innovators.

WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2021: Participating in increasing access into publishing, by leading workshops and webinars for both prospective authors and people looking to get into publishing. (I have a growing series of events coming up that I cannot wait to begin.)

FAVOURITE BOOKS: I can’t be expected to pick a favourite Joffe Books title, there are just too many. So it has to be The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. It’s just exquisite. The short story I return to almost yearly is ‘The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson. Linking the two are twists that send your heart into your throat as everything you thought you knew gets turned on its head.

More information available at  Joffe Books

A teenage boy lies on the pavement, bleeding from a stab wound; a distraught mum watches, in mute shock, as her daughter suffers a terrifying fatal asthma attack; a young girl is gang-raped and her stricken boyfriend takes an overdose; a disturbed young man flings himself in front of a speeding train at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Few people can imagine living in a world where such situations are part of everyday life. Yet for veteran paramedic Lysa Walder, these and thousands of other emergency call outs are part of a day’s work: scenes of tragedy, heroism loss and horror – but also stories of triumph and humour.

Lysa has been a paramedic for over twenty years, working for the London Ambulance service – the world’s biggest and busiest free service – for much of that time. Here, she reveals what it’s really like to work in a job that brings paramedic teams face-to-face with death – and destiny – every day.

I, like many others, am fascinated with the stories of a Doctor, A nurse, A midwife , a Paramedic. They work in a sector that is completely alien to those of us on the ‘outside’. They are there for us when we need them most, but have you ever stopped to wonder whether they treat us, forget us as they move onto the next person who needs their medical expertise. Well,  it seems, they don’t forget us quite so easily.

Lysa shared just some of her cases with brutal honesty in this marvelous book, which is extremely easy to read as each patient’s case is walked through in the span of 3-4 pages. So easy in fact, that as time for bed approaches,  it is very easy to tell yourself ‘just one more’.

Lysa is full of sympathy, compassion, understanding and her stories reflect this along with the sense of reward she must get from a job well done. There are some stories that are downright frustrating and others that made me cry. The NHS and its employees are often taken for granted and it does make you stop and think and appreciate them, now more than ever.

If you are a fan of books such as ‘Prison Doctor’ ‘Call the midwife’ ‘This is going to hurt’ or TV show such as ’24 hours in A&E’ then you will devour this book just like I did.

Thank you for everything you have done Lysa, I applaud you.

Fighting for your Life by Lisa Waldon is available in paperback and eBook.

It’s your first baby. You’re excited, half desperate for those niggles to start, but with a touch of nervousness, knowing that life will never be the same again.

Who doesn’t love choosing cute gifts for a new bundle of joy – but what about mum – who has to climb a mountain or two before junior shows their sweet face?

Well that’s why I’m impressed with Mama’s Moments – developed by midwives – and who better to get us through that exciting but daunting period from end of pregnancy to new mum – whether it’s baby number one, two or even three?

All products are great quality – carefully made in the UK using premium naturally-derived ingredients, and free from parabens, synthetic colours and fragrances.

I love that the Birthing Essentials Kit comes in a pretty cream bag – all ready for when it’s time to dash to the maternity unit. And those midwives have thought of everything, utilising different aromatherapies to get you through labour, and afterwards.

So what’s in this fabulous goody bag? Starting with Cool It Mama body spritz: with neroli (refreshing and uplifting), ylang ylang (mood enhancer), menthol (cooling) and grapefruit (for mental exhaustion). Sounds perfect for when labour is getting a little too much (and maybe your other half would appreciate a quick spray too?) This smells fabulous, but I love that it isn’t too overpowering either.

Next out of the goody bag is Relax and Breath massage oil – really light, and glides over the skin. Ingredients include chamomile (for relaxation), cocoa butter and shea butter. Get your birthing partner to do their bit, massaging away those labour pains with this beauty.

Then, when it’s all over and you’re able to cuddle your little one, well I hate to mention it, but one can be a bit sore ‘down there’. But no worries, our midwives have thought of this too with Bottoms Up soothing spray, containing lavender (antiseptic, anti-bacterial, pain relieving), witch hazel (anti-inflammatory), cucumber (soothing) and arnica. I also noticed salicylic acid (similar to aspirin) on the ingredients list.

And finally to sleep (well until that 2am feed of course). So to get you into the land of nod after all the excitement, spray some Sleepy Mama onto your pillow and take some long deep breaths. The lavender and chamomile (relaxing and calming), bergamot (helps insomnia) and grapefruit (helps mental exhaustion) should help you doze off and have the sweetest dreams, until baby calls.

If you have a friend who is awaiting the happy day, or yourself, this is a great kit and makes a fantastic present.

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.

Most people can be divided into those who wholeheartedly embrace Valentine’s Day, and the opportunity to spoil someone special in their life, and those who feel that every day should be treated like Valentine’s Day.

Now whilst I laud the latter, I have yet to meet anyone who actually adheres to it. So, if you are one who scoffs at us more romantic types, you should cut your losses and stop reading this review right now.

One thing that I have learned over the years, is that partners appreciate it when we make the effort. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture; it just has to show a degree of thought.

Of course, with lockdown we may have to think a little harder than in previous years, which is why I was thrilled to try Prosecco DOC Rosé available in most supermarkets, at a variety of price points.

This is beautifully dry, fresh, with intense red berry tones, balanced with floral notes and a mouth filling mousse, perfect for Valentine’s Day, to be drunk chilled as part of a perfectly pink Valentine’s Day in 2021. 

Here in the UK, we consume more Prosecco than any other country (including Italy itself) and with Prosecco DOC Rosé we can begin to plan a perfectly pink Valentine’s Day 2021. So come on chaps, time to grab a bottle of Prosecco Doc Rosé and make a special day even more special. Don’t leave me with all the heavy lifting.

Prosecco DOC Rosé is available for Majestic, Waitrose, Sainsburys