The Joffe Books team has told  Frost Magazine about the theart pounding crime thriller which is Book of the Week. From debut author Jon Barton — DIVE is out this weekend for the special launch price of just £0.99 | $0.99.*

Read on to see what all the excitement is about – indeed why not just  Dive into London’s most dangerous crime scene — the River Thames: a police diver whose home life is imploding.  A high-flying detective recently thrown out of the CID. A case that could get them both killed.

So, as you gasp for breath (it does sound a pacey good ‘un) click here and buy Dive for a mere £0.99/$0.99

But hang onto your hats – there are more:

A False Report by Veronica Heley  – £0.99/$0.99

Oh Yummie, a cozy crime, my utter obsession at the moment.  A TWISTY COZY MYSTERY FROM A BESTSELLING AUTHOR. Amateur sleuth Bea Abbott knows perfectly well that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. But she can’t resist an invitation to tea at the Ritz, even if it comes with a side order of murder . . . Bea and her band of misfits have their hands full in the latest quirky mystery set in London’s leafy Kensington, packed with humour and intrigue. Do give it a go.

Box set of Classic Cambridge Murder Mysteries by V.C Clinton-Baddeley

Splendid Value says Frost, as does Sunday Times at £0.99/$0.99

So don’t waste a moment, enjoy these  FOUR classic whodunnits from a golden age of crime writing featuring opera-loving, puzzle-solving academic Dr Davie. Bet you can’t wait to begin.

The Lives We Left Behind by Dominic Luke £0.99/$0.99

Ah, a  brand new heartbreaking saga…  As a saga writer myself under various names (though I am so seduced by cozy crime I am writing one now and having a great time)  I am so pleased to see this on the list.

Mrs Eloise Brannan refuses to believe there will be a war but before too long she can’t deny the inevitable. Eloise’s son Roderick is determined to fight and even cousin Dorothea has left for London to serve as a frontline nurse.Then Eloise receives a telegram that changes the course of the Brannan family forever . . . 

INDIE AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT:

 Benedict Brown is a Welsh-Irish-Englishman, originally from South London, but now living in the north of Spain. He’s been writing ever since he was at school and ended up doing an MA in Creative Writing at university in Wales. Benedict published his first mystery in 2019, and now has two bestselling series.

Benedict’s Lord Edgington Investigates series features a genius detective and his not-quite-so-brainy grandson solving whodunnits in a selection of luxurious country piles.
There are currently eight books in the series, several of which have topped the mystery bestseller charts, and the first book, Murder at the Spring Ball, is currently available for the special price of just £0.99 | $0.99.  His contemporary series, The Izzy Palmer Mysteries, is just as twisty and puzzling, and packed full of quirky characters.

Why not click here to join Benedict’s Readers Club and get a free Lord Edgington Novella.

So, let’s learn more about this author:

What was your inspiration for your mystery series?

My Lord Edgington Investigates books have found a wide readership, but when I was first coming up with the idea, I just wanted to create a series that my dad would have loved. Dad was always a big reader and particularly adored Agatha Christie-style country house mysteries. The first book, Murder at the Spring Ball, starts on the seventy-fifth birthday of my detective, Lord Edgington. I felt this was a fitting tribute to my dad, who died of Alzheimer’s aged seventy-four. Each book is dedicated to him, and I hope he would have devoured each and every one.

What’s your favourite thing about the series?

Personally, my favourite thing about them is the chance they give me to travel back through time. I love researching the stories and I even include a chapter at the back explaining my influences and the fascinating things I learnt when writing each book. My mum was a history teacher for fifty years and she definitely gave me a love of the past which helped when I came to write this series.

Tell us about your characters?

At the centre of my historical series is the relationship between the imperious Lord Edgington, a retired policeman, and his naïve grandson Christopher. In each book their relationship develops, and the initially bumbling assistant becomes a little more capable and confident as the pair investigate countless twisting mysteries. The books are written for adults, but I know that readers appreciate the unique perspective of the youthful narrator.

Tell us about your setting?

Another thing I really enjoy when writing these books is finding out about different parts of Britain. My wife is my graphic designer and we seek out beautiful houses to include, which often influence the stories. My characters live in palatial Cranley Hall, in my home county of Surrey, but they often have to travel to investigate murders and have been to the Lake District, the Cotswolds, Wiltshire, London and Dartmoor. My recent book The Crimes of Clearwell Castle was particularly influenced by the setting and I had a lot of fun weaving local traditions and legends into the plot.

What’s the biggest distraction in your writing day?

Without a doubt, the biggest distraction I face is my four-year-old daughter, Amelie. She will come into my office where I write, climb on the desk, attempt to persuade me to play with her and quite often succeeds.Being a full-time writer means working from home and being able to spend a lot of time with her, so I really can’t complain. She will soon have a rival for my attention, though, as we’re expecting a second baby in March. I’m trying to get as much writing done as possible before our lives are turned upside down once more.

As a mother of four, Benedict, two is chicken feed.

Find more news and goodies from Joffe Books here

Graham and Dom                                                                Liam

Fabulous start to Week 25 of the refurbishment for Marion who whispered to me that the Yummy Boys have returned to install the intruder alarm . This was all well and good for CCA but somewhat cruel to me… How could I dash to  Columbia Community Association and just happen to be there when they arrived?  Hey ho. Perhaps there could be a fault as time goes by, and they have to return.? Just saying…

Back in the real world Equans Monday meeting took place as always and the fabulous Cultural Creatives who were starting their twelve-week programme started work. On the agenda was Draught Excluders and pretty darn good they look too.

And then, horrors! A blocked toilet, and soaking wet floor, but SCC were informed and within two ticks, it was all in hand – so to speak! And let’s face it, CCA has more toilets. Marion tells Frost Magazine that there was a superb response from Property Services. It transpired it was the drains, and what’s more, the Air Raid shelter flooded again.

Marion couldn’t resist muttering a collection of her grandma’s immortal words: “It never rains but it pours” “Patience is a virtue” “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst” “No pain, no gain”

Drainage lads Mick and Gary sprang to work. So many men… Did grandma have a saying for that? Margaret wonders.

Mick and Gary

The LED lights were delivered. Oh goody, the Yummy Boys to remain on site for a while yet it seems.  ‘And the adorable Liam,’ so says Marion, ‘is teaching me new things daily. For instance I am your girl if you need to know what an Earth Rod is.’

In spite of Sky being down in the area,  CCA use a different internet supplier and all was well.  The CCA also put a post on social media informing the community and inviting anyone who wishes to use their connection to come along and do so.

      
The CCA  are very much looking forward to hosting the Redeemed Christian Church of Christ inaugural service on Saturday, followed by a weekly service starting this Sunday 15th January, everyone is welcome to come along and join in.

Marion was hoping that the external contractors, ACT would be on sight on Monday 16th but there has been a delay. We must wait for news on that. But today, on Friday 13th (!)the radiators are to be encapsulated.  The lads from RHODAR are a tonic and happy in their work.

Alan from Equans has dropped off the windowsill trims ready for the joiners. Once they are done that is all the window ledges complete. Another job ticked off the list. The  Brady Square room will then be ready to decorate.

Happily, hats keep arriving courtesy of knitters in the community as well as Plain n Purl. Lamps have been donated for the comfy warm spaces room, and Marion tells us that someone  commented, “It’s like home from home.” How nice and comforting it  is to hear that.

So much going on, but amazingly, business carries on as usual with all the wonderful groups and classes busy busy busy. One is left to wonder what on earth next week have in store but Marion and her team will handle it all with huge pleasure.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

You may have guessed from our recent feature that at Frost Magazine we’re hooked on Clinique products. We love that Clinique’s focus is on pure, beneficial products backed up by dermatologist-driven research, meaning they offer not just established, trusted products but also innovative additions to the family.
So I’m pretty excited to discover their new cleanser Take The Day Off’TM Charcoal Cleansing Balm. ‘Just a cleanser?’ I hear you mutter? Absolutely not. This is a cleansing balm with Japanese charcoal, Safflower seed oil and Linoleic acid. And what makes this so clever? Glad you asked. You didn’t? Never mind.

This cleansing balm contains a perfect combination of active ingredients for people with oily or combination skin, particularly if they’re prone to acne or spots. But why?
Firstly the charcoal. Charcoal is one of nature’s miracles. Its created by slow-burning wood without oxygen – that’s it, and yet it has so many beneficial properties, one of which is its ability to draw out toxins, so it really cleanses the skin deeply but gently and draws out any nasties. Charcoal could be a little drying on its own, however the safflower seed oil adds loads of moisture and also naturally calms inflammation, so the two ingredients together are great for acne-prone skin. And for extra oomph Clinique have also included linoleic acid, which adds even more moisture and has more anti-inflammatory powers too. This is a great blend and I love it. It’s recommended particularly for oily or combination skin, and the safflower oil is particularly great for dissolving hard to remove makeup too.
So how was it to use? Black in colour, due to the charcoal, it really is a balm – soft and light-weight, creating a thin silky layer as it converted from a balm to a fine oil as I massaged it into my skin. Then I just rinsed and patted dry and my skin felt great – really clean and soft, and my makeup had just melted away. I’m addicted to it and can’t wait to use it to remove the heavy makeup after my next dance competition. Gentle but effective -that’s my kind of cleanser.

Do check out the Clinique website – it has a wealth of useful information on skin care, and why not treat yourself to Take The Day Off’TM Charcoal Cleansing Balm? Normal price is from £30 for a big jar (125ml). 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.

House parties have become the new normal since 2020, and most people have upgraded their homes to accommodate the changing times. You may have friends or relatives that need to spend the night at your house, and instead of letting them sleep in one of the bedrooms, you should have a dedicated room for visitors for sanitation and privacy purposes.

Home standards have changed as more homebuyers switch from the busy urban lifestyle to the quiet suburban or rural houses with sufficient mental health spaces. Your home needs features and amenities for visitors, and the guest bedroom is one of the best ways to showcase your hospitality.

Here are five of the most critical tips for decorating the best guest bedroom:

1. Use Neutral Colors for Interior Design

The perfect guest bedroom should be pleasing to the eyes. Your extra bedroom will welcome people from all walks of life, so you should decorate it using neutral tones that are muted and soft. If the guest has an eye condition, bright or vibrant colors may hurt his eyes, and he might have trouble sleeping. You should use neutral colors in your general interior design to be on the safe side.

Here are some of the neutral colors you can decorate with:

Neutral colors also go well with almost every other color available, so it’s easy to style. This website lets you access inspiration for guest bedroom designs and real estate photography editing techniques if you want to convert your guest bedroom into a transient rental unit for extra income.

2. Guest Bedroom Essentials Checklist

The perfect guest bedroom should cover every guest’s potential needs, from toiletries to clean sheets, since you wouldn’t want your visitor to leave feeling worse than when he arrived. You don’t need to add fancy things to your room, as long as you have the bare essentials.

Here are the necessary items you need in a guest bedroom:

You can add preferred items outside necessities, like a television or refrigerator. However, since the guest can access everything in your house, you can stick with the essentials.

3. Check Light Bulbs and Appliances

The ultimate guest bedroom should be safe, at the very least. Therefore, you should check the lights and appliances in the room once in a while. Inspecting electronics takes a few minutes, so you should do it at least once before and after a guest stays over. Since you don’t always utilize the guest bedroom, unchecked broken bulbs and appliances may also become a fire hazard.

4. Decorate Reflecting Homeowner’s Personality

The perfect guest bedroom is homey and personal, even if it’s not your room. It would help if you didn’t aspire to decorate it like a hotel suite since it’s a room made from your hospitality. A guest bedroom allows visitors to rest and relax, but it’s still a part of your house, so you should still decorate the room to echo your personality and likes. You could add a quirky art piece or photo to make the person feel at home.5. Clean Before and After Every Use

The final tip for creating the perfect guest bedroom is keeping it clean. Sweat and moisture could develop a foul odor over time, so you should clean the room right after use. Replace the toiletries and wash the sheets or linen before storing them away.

If the guest bedroom has a bathroom, you shouldn’t forget to empty the trash and ensure the drain doesn’t have hair or dried soap suds cluttered. Check the soap and shampoo containers if you need to replenish or restock them.

Don’t put the sheets, blanket, and pillowcases in advance to prevent dust buildup; you can set them up when you expect a guest to use the room.

Final Thoughts

If you often have friends and family, you should be ready for sleepovers and all-nighters. The perfect guest bedroom can comfortably accommodate all short-term and long-term visitors. You don’t need expensive or complicated items as long as you have the bare necessities.

I love Clinique. Skin care fads come and go, but Clinique is established, reliable and innovative. Your face is the first thing people see – so why would you trust its care to anything else?

As a doctor, I’m only too aware that we absorb many things through our skin – good and bad, and it concerns me that not all skin care products contain only beneficial ingredients. So thank goodness for Clinique, because they’ve embraced medical science from the off, launching the first-ever dermatologist-developed skin care products back in 1968. Researching better products is still their major focus, meaning they have the benefit of experience and innovation – so important for anything going on your skin.

All Clinique’s products are gentle, non-irritant and yet powerful, allowing your skin to be the very best it can. Whatever your skin type, they’ve got something specifically for you.

So when I was asked to test Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+^TM I was so excited I even did a little dance (my two young grandsons did roll their eyes, but fortunately they’re resigned to their grandma’s eccentricities).

Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+^TM contains barley, sunflower and cucumber​, plus natural moisturising factors (NMFs) to balance and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, meaning the moisture stays in, where it should be. It’s best for dry, very dry or combination dry skin types. It hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier – keeping moisture in and harmful irritants out for up to 8 hours.

I love the familiar yellow colour of this very light moisturiser. Within seconds of applying, it had absorbed completely and my skin felt immediately different – softer, smoother, and even my hard-core wrinkles look decidedly less sure of themselves. There was no pungent perfume, just pure natural moisturisation and my skin is saying ‘thank you’ right now.

This moisturiser is just perfect for my (definitely dry) skin but if you’re not sure what to choose, then you simply must try their Clinical Reality tool –let the app take a photo of your face and it gives an immediate readout on your skin hydration, skin tone evenness, irritation and blemishes and much more. Then just answer a couple of simple questions about your skin and you’ll get a personal skin care recommendation – it took me less than 5 minutes and was really informative (sadly confirming my skin is no longer that of a twenty-year old).

So do check out the Clinique website – it has a wealth of useful information on skin care and why not treat yourself to Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+^TM ? Normal price is from £20 (for 50 ml) however check out their great deals with 200ml for just £35 at the moment.

So if you’re still pondering on New Year Resolutions – a Clinique face care regime is an enjoyable and effective one – 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.

Hopefully you all had a wonderful festive season and your batteries are recharged and ready for a 2023 adventure. That said, sadly the Christmas Tree and other decorations are now down at the Columbia Community Centre and somehow everywhere looks half undressed  as it always done. But never fear, deep down in the cellar they will rest until next Christmas calls them on parade again.

Graham and Dom

The grand news is that the New Year’s CCA refurbishment has started with a  surge of activity as the JLA electrical contractors arrived at eight on the dot once the centre was open again for business, Marion tells us.

The list grows ever longer: new Fire alarm, Intruder alarm, emergency lighting, new LED lights, extra sockets you name it and the CCA will have it. ‘First item to be addressed was a new all singing and dancing Firm Alarm system, fitted by Graham and Dom who, are scheduled to return to our beloved centre on Monday 9th. A bit of eye candy one would say, Margaret?‘

Margaret couldn’t possibly comment, but is so  pleased Marion told Graham and Dom that there is no rush to complete the work.

All of the CCA’s  inspirational ladies are in action this week, Claire from “Shake that Boogie” said, how lovely it was to be back, saying she felt uplifted, as did all visitors to  the centre it seems. Marion told Frost Magazine that it was great to see everyone enjoying themselves, adding ‘There were no winter blues in the class, only sunshine, smiles and happiness.’

Aimee and her dancers returned, and this dance class is doing so well Aimee has booked more hours every Saturday, taking her sessions to three days a week. In the future the team believes they  will be seeing many more Darcey Bussell’s.

The  gorgeous Forever Young ladies are so pleased to be back, Bingo, Chit chat and of course, melt in the mouth delicious cake, made by the lovely Linda, Marjorie soon got stuck in, verdict, scrumptious.

There were more donations of chocolate biscuits, Christmas trees and ginger bread men, which will go down a treat, as will the jigsaws. Great to see the lads from Equans back to work albeit, not much going on this week.

Frost Magazine’s pin up, Red Shoes Bob,  was a fury of activity, cleaning everything that didn’t move, including the floors, ready for the fabulous diddidancers’ return.  The diary, Marion tells us,  is in the process  of being updated to accommodate all new and existing users, so let’s hope Marion doen’t get writer’s cramp with all the entries (or so Marion said tongue in cheek).

Roll on next week,when the refurbishment will be in full swing (everyone hopes) It is all so exciting, iand it has been a long wait, but as the old cliche goes “patience is a virtue”. Marion raises her eyebrows, and says, ‘Believe me patience has been tested over and over these past months. Onwards and upwards folks, happy days are ahead. All this and it is business as usual at our beloved CCA.’

There is nothing left to say, except a very happy 2023 to you all.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

Margaret, editor of Frost Magazine, and Dick, hot footed from Carlton Miniott, their village on the outskirts of Thirsk, North Yorkshire up to Columbia during the week. We wanted to  say hi, and chat about progress with Marion and Bob, but more than that, to deliver a big box of jigsaws and books  donated by Carlton Miniott Post Office  (and hub of the village) to help fill up the new CCA bookcase shelves.

Marion was able to fill us in on the Christmas ‘doings’ of the CCA, which, though shut over the main festive days, was open on 27th  until 30th.  So, full of mince pies, turkey, chocolates, and of course wine,they were open again for business with Warm Spaces very much in mind. ‘True to form, the kettle is always on the boil and our new Christmas gift by the way of the lovely Alexa keeps us entertained,’ laughed Marion.

She filled us on the 4th birthday party which followed delivery of the bouncy castle and boy, did the  day ring with fun and laughter.  So was that it? Come come: the rest of the week was scheduled for the “Free holiday Club” and on Wednesday along came Andy Gilroy with his son Harrison to host the session. Harrison, just happens to be an athlete, playing quarterback/safety for the GB American Football Team- amazing.

Harrison and Andy were still there, when we arrived, so it was great to have a chat with this remarkable young man, and it proved to be  so interesting  that Frost Magazine have decided to follow Harrison’s inspiring progress in the sport throughout the year. So yet again, CCA has offered our readers a real treat.

The treats keep coming too for the CCA! Linda Williams brought handmade dipped HONEYCOMB, which just happens to be one of Marion’s favourites. Oh crikey, put it under lock and key – fast,  is Frost’s advice.

Community Opportunities arrived to deliver free training and soon got stuck in to playing a game of cards, no money exchanged hands only jelly tots (or so Lisa told Marion).

Then Margaret and Dick had to move on in the pouring rain – heavens, did it rain – and drove into Washington Village because they love to see Washington Old Hall when they are in the area, even though they can’t go in at this time of year. It is as you will all know, George Washington’s ancestral home, and later in the year Frost Magazine will talk more about it and show the front, and lovely gardens, which wasn’t possible this time.

But hunger was rampant  so past Holy Trinity Church we went, where my grandparents are apparently buried mum thinks, but she was a child when they died,  and round the green with the two trees festooned with lights, (if you peer closely enough you can make out a few lights, but trust me, they are festooned and show up far more off camera). Around the green are the flower beds which later in 2023 will no doubt be entered into the Village in Bloom again, (they have done well in the past, which is hardly surprising as the committee are hard at it for months) and into the Washington Arms  for fish n chips. Margaret thinks these are the best she has ever had, except for Cleethorpes Pier, where they have  plaice ‘n ‘chips. Plaice is better than any other fish, in Margaret’s obsessed opinion.

A rather wet Dick saying, ‘Hurry up.’

As well as eating and there were the usual friendly faces amongst the clientele. Clare and Jed told Margaret about a relative who has just started a craft ales brewery. How wonderful – there are also  a few around Thirsk, ( Dick is the expert,) and  hopefully Frost can visit Clare’s relative’s brewery and report back to you all. This will miff Frost Magazine’s Food and Drink Critic, but he’s down south and we are not, so there.

But back to Marion who will  close this week’s update as we reach the end of a momentous year for the Columbia  Community Association…

What a year we have had, met so many wonderful people, experienced so much kindness and generosity from our community for all the causes we have supported, to which we are eternally grateful. As this year comes to an end, and 2023 stands before us like a chapter of an open book let us make yet another wonderful story. All of us here at Columbia Community Association, along with the Residents of Brady Square would like to wish everyone near and far a very Happy and prosperous New Year, May all of your hopes and dreams come true.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square