How I Got Published by Jane Lambert
Isn’t it strange how sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to make a change for the better?
When I discovered that my husband had been having an affair my world fell apart. I could feel myself being dragged down a black hole, but instead of therapy, I turned to writing and began the first draft of a story I had been carrying around in my head for years.
It’s a romantic comedy, inspired by my rollercoaster journey from globe-trotting cabin crew to struggling actress.
It was my escape from all the sadness and drama of my divorce, giving me something positive and fun to focus on.
I self-published ‘Learning To Fly’ through Amazon, and I’ll never forget the feeling of holding my book in my hand. I felt like a cloud had lifted and that I was on a new and better path. The book got some great reviews and I was invited to speak about my writing journey at Blackwell’s Writers at the Edinburgh Fringe and on BBC Radio London.
I sent a copy to HQ HarperCollins, and much to my amazement, they offered me a contract!
I was asked to make some major changes to the story and they re-designed the cover, changing the title to ‘The Start of Something Wonderful.’
I narrated the audio version for HarperCollins Audio and am now working on adapting it into a 6-part comedy drama for TV.
I’m also writing my second novel, ‘Marriage, Mafia & Mozzarella’, which was inspired by my rollercoaster marriage to my Italian ex-husband. So you see, life can have a funny way of working out, can’t it?
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TWO EVOCATIVE AND INNOVATIVE DUAL TIMELINE ROMANCES FROM ONE MORE CHAPTER
Dual timeline romances based around the First and Second World Wars are tremendously popular, but these two new summer releases from One More Chapter break the mould: Deborah Carr’s moved between WW1 and WW2, and Eva Glyn’s is set in the former Yugoslavia, a theatre of war in the 1940s that is barely mentioned in modern fiction.
The Beekeeper’s War by Deborah Carr, reviewed by Eva Glyn
An unusual dual timeline in that it is set during the First and Second World Wars, but I enjoyed The Beekeeper’s War all the most because of it.
I have read Deborah Carr books before and she is so skilled at recreating believable and accurate historical settings and characters, without ever beating you over the head with it. The history just flows as the natural backdrop for her story, which is of course how it should be but is nonetheless not easy to achieve.
The novel opens in 1916 when two friends from Jersey, Pru and Jean, are nursing wounded soldiers. Despite herself, Pru begins to fall for a handsome airman Jack who visits Ashbury Manor and is a close friend of the son of the house, Monty, who is a patient there. Jack is still very much on active service and the book opens with a scene of him escaping his German captors a year later, so we know this affair is not going to run smoothly.
In 1940 Pru’s daughter Emma finds herself at Ashbury to stay with her mother’s friends, determined to unlock some secrets from the past. To say more would spoil this story and that I don’t want to do, because it is such an enjoyable read I’d like you to find out for yourself.
An Island of Secrets by Eva Glyn, reviewed by Kitty Wilson
I raced through this novel over the course of two days and was thoroughly swept into the story of Guy and Ivka, as well as that of Leo and Andrej. The only drawback being that it ended too quickly and I should have savoured it.
It is written as a dual timeline and is seamlessly woven together as Leo goes in search of answers to outstanding questions her elderly grandfather has about his time in Yugoslavia (as it was) in the Second World War. I found the story of Guy as an SOE operative on the isle of Vis truly compelling and Eva Glyn writes with a sensitivity and insight that comes across on every single page. She truly bought home the scenes where Guy witnessed the horrors of war and I was totally pulled into the story as he battled with the choices he had to make.
From the very start of his first meeting with Ivka I was so invested in their relationship, they seemed like a natural good fit and I couldn’t help but respect the courage both of them showed on a daily basis. In fact, all the characters were written in a way that had you aware of their flaws but thoroughly rooting for their success.
But for me the most outstanding element of this fabulous novel was Eva Glyn’s way of conjuring the isle of Vis in the reader’s mind, she had me there seeing and smelling and feeling the scenery and made me feel that I could truly inhabit her characters’ world.
Overall, I found this novel to expertly crafted and cannot recommend it highly enough, it is a deeply impactful and emotionally powerful read and the story of Guy and Ivka in particular will stay with me for a very long time.
THERE’S ONLY ONE CELEBRITY HERE … THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY
The only celebrity involved with The Butterfly Cannon Tequila is the incredible Monarch Butterfly – whose migration each year from the US to Mexico is magnificent feat of nature.
As the days become cooler in North America, the Monarch Butterflies begin their annual migration to their overwintering sites in Mexico. Even though each year, the migrating generation has never made this journey before, the butterflies all merge into a single flyway cannon in Central Texas and cross the border into Mexico.
Once the Monarch Butterflies have arrived in Mexico, they overwinter in the beautiful forests of south western Mexico. However, these precious forests are being lost to deforestation meaning that the Monarch Butterflies are in danger of loosing their natural habitat.
Once the temperature rises and the days get longer, the Monarch Butterflies begin their journey back to North America where they breed the new generation of Monarch Butterflies, which will take on the responsibility of this crucial migration the following winter.
The Butterfly Cannon Tequila has been donating money to the Monarch Butterfly Fund in the US which does important work helping rebuild the habitat for the Monarchs in Mexico and raising awareness about this incredible natural phenomenon.
The Butterfly Cannon Blue expression is infused with prickly pear and clementine, with an unusual natural blue colour which changes colour when a mixer such as tonic or lime is added. Designed for mixability, The Butterfly Cannon Rosa is made by infusing Mexican pink grapefruit peel in silver Tequila. The Silver Cristalino is a clean, crisp silver Tequila, aged for up to 30 days in barrels before being charcoal filtered to produce a perfectly clear tequila. The Butterfly Cannon expressions are made from 7-8 year old agave, sustainably grown, harvested by hand and baked in traditional steam ovens before being mashed, fermented and
RRP: £33 for a 50cl bottle ABV: 40%. Available from Amazon
To the Grave by John Barlow available in hardback, ebook and audio reviewed by Natalie Jayne Peeke, West Country Correspondent

Will the truth be buried with the dead?
When DS Joe Romano first meets Ana Dobrescu she’s nervous, in serious danger and clearly in need of help. The next time Romano sees her, she’s dead.
There was nothing more that could have been done, but that’s cold comfort for Romano. He’s determined to catch Ana’s killer. Although the prime suspect, her millionaire boyfriend, is in a coma.
With the help of his larger-than-life partner, Rita Scannon-Aktar, Romano begins to piece together a puzzle that places Ana at the centre of something much bigger than they could have imagined.
But while they’re hunting a murderer, those higher up are more concerned about the money. So it’s up to Romano to get justice for Ana. And whatever she knew, he’ll just have to pray that she didn’t take her secrets to the grave.
To the Grave is the second book in the DS Joe Romano series but the first one I have read. It is a strong book that can be read as a stand alone or as part of the series. Barlow brings to life a complex and gritty case for the dynamic duo. To the Grave possess a brilliantly written police procedure for the Yorkshire based detective. Full of determination and gut instinct Romano tries to solve this case. I loved this book, it is gripping and overflowing with action and suspense with a surprising twist that will leave you coming back for more.
I highly recommend for fans of T.M. Logan and Adam Croft.
The Queen’s Jubilee fast approaches and Thirsk Yarn Bombers have paid homage as only they know how… So very proud of them
Thirsk, as you may know from the Yorkshire Vet series is a ‘quaint’ Yorkshire Market Town. Well, indeed it is, but it is also quirky, or so I feel, which is probably why I absolutely adore it.
You see, amongst other things we have a shadowy organisation, no no, not a Mafia type of one, but a good hearted talented, group of about 100 women who beaver away with knitting and stuffing, then come out at night, and yarn bomb the town, draping the bollards, post boxes, even hanging baskets with scenes appropriate to the date. Yes, out they come, tip toeing about, and there, and in the morning we see the town transformed.
I am showing you a very few of the bollard toppers, the post box toppers, and above, the wonderul tea party the Queen is having, and frankly, she has every right to rest her weary foot on the top tier of cakes as she surveys a small square a bit away from the main market place. Below you can see some of the bollard toppers around the market place.
You can see how the yarn bombers have excelled themselves for the 70th year of our Queen’s reign. And what a reign. I remember as a tiddler we all crammed into the village hall to see the Coronation on the black and white TV rented for the occasion, as heavens, to own a TV was beyond expectation. Such excitedment, mixed with real grief on the death of King George 6th. I remember we wore black armbands. He had rallied the nation in the war, overcome his stutter, and not lived as long as he should. I remember that Prince Charles looked away just as his mother was crowned.
Here is the Queen looking from her castle, perched on top of a post box, and then we have the behind the scenes, as the Queen clings on, complete with her black bag and shoes, and a guard in case she unclings.
And yes, before our Frost Magazine readers ask: any donations are passed on to various good causes. For instance over £4000 has been given to the Herriot Hospice Project, yes, that Herriot, James as he called himself for his hugely successful books. He was Thirsk’s local vet and long time resident.
Latterly Thirsk Yarn Bombers have raised about £1.500 for Ukraine.
So thank you, Yarn Bombers for all the heart warming pleasure you give us and Frost Magazine hopes that you, and all its readers enjoy their Jubilee celebrations – we most certainly will in Thirsk.
New Indulgent Ice Creams To Celebrate Our Chocolate-Loving Queen’s Sweet Tooth
Her Majesty The Queen has a particular fondness for chocolate and so, as the entire nation prepares to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, we took one for the team and reviewed some new indulgent ice creams which would appeal to her sweet tooth. These innovative ice creams have a delicious combination of creamy flavours, making them the perfect treat for Jubilee picnics and street parties.
Extrême’s Cookie Cones
The world’s first ice cream with a cone made entirely from mouth-watering, oven baked cookies! Leading this revolutionary new product to market, Extrême has combined two much-loved treats into the ultimate indulgence. The cookie cones are made of real cookie dough which is oven baked, formed into a crunchy cookie cone and then filled with smooth ice cream. Now available in three delicious ice cream flavours: rich caramel, creamy vanilla and smooth hazelnut, all topped with cookie chunks, chocolate swirls and caramel sauce.
Extrême Cookie Cones are now available in Tesco as well as other selected stores. RRP £4 (pack of 4).
Nuii New York Cookies & Cream
Satisfy your appetite for adventure and transport your taste buds to New York, with this new and indulgent ice cream from Nuii – New York Cookies & Cream! Bursting with exciting textures and flavours to entice all the senses, Nuii New York Cookies & Cream consists of heavenly chocolate cookies crushed and folded generously through indulgent and creamy ice cream; encased in premium milk chocolate combining even more cookie crumbles.
Nuii New York Cookies & Cream are now available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Morrisons, Co-Op and others. RRP £3.90 (pack of 3).
Cadbury Darkmilk ice cream stick
One of the nation’s favourite chocolate bars, Cadbury Darkmilk, has now been transformed into a decadent ice cream. Darkmilk is a creamy vanilla ice cream with the richest creamiest chocolate centre, encased in an intense, smooth chocolate coating with a rich full flavour. Cadbury Darkmilk ice cream is an exciting new product that appeals to the adults in the household, satisfying the desire to taste a darker, richer chocolate.
Cadbury Darkmilk is now available in major retailers including Tesco, Sainsburys and Morrisons. RRP £3.00 (pack of 4).
The Father’s Day Wellness Gift Guide
From high tech sleep boosters to natural sleep aids, here’s a guide to some of our favorite Swanick products we know Dad will love this Father’s Day.
For the Dad that Needs a Great Night Sleep: Night Swannies ($69+)
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Our flagship and best selling product. Night Swannies Orange-tinted lenses block over 99% of blue light between 400-500nm (as tested by a third-party laboratory including Harvard Business Review)
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Wearing your Night Swannies continuously 2-3 hours before bed will help you slip comfortably and easily into a deep and restorative sleep
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From Classic to Aviator there is a frame to suit her style. Acetate frames and spring hinges.
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Sizes: Small, Regular, Large
For the Dad putting in long hours at the Office: Day Swannies ($69+)
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Diminish symptoms of digital eye strain and computer vision syndrome.
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Protection against the most harmful blue light wavelengths between 400-450nm.
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Allows access to natural levels of blue light needed for optimal productivity during the day.
For the Midnight Wanderer: Better Nights Anti-Blue LED Night Light ($24.95)
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For the Dad that is sneaking to check on the kids or for a midnight snack… light the way blue light free
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Better Nights Anti-Blue LED Night Light is a direct plug-in, set-and-forget automatic night light that supports your sleep and reduces your exposure to blue light
For the Outdoors Dad: Henley Sunglasses ($75)
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Our sunglasses feature our blue light blocking technology to keep harmful blue rays at bay, along with stellar UVA/UVB ray protection. We also added polarization for exceptional glare protection.
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Our Henley Sunnies are fashioned in a versatile sunglasses style, providing ample coverage that suits any face.

For Grandpa too: Fitover Night Swannies ($79)
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Designed with precise standards so you always get a secure, comfortable fit over the top of your existing prescription glasses.
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For those who already wear glasses, these fitover blue light blockers easily slip over and attach to your existing frames, providing you protection from harmful blue light spectrums before bedtime.

For the Peace and Quiet Lover: Sound Blocking Ear Plugs ($19.95)
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Earplugs are the most portable, versatile tool you can have for creating an optimal sleep environment any time, any place.
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Reusable, moldable silicone ear plugs allow you to achieve total silence for a sound sleep.
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100% Silicone, 3 pairs per case
For the Papa Bear: Kid’s Swannies ($69)
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Is bedtime a struggle with your child? Blue light from phones, tablets, and tv may be the culprit
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Just for kids! Created for young children who are especially sensitive to the effects of blue light
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Colors: Green, Blue, Yellow, Purple
ABOUT
SwanwickSleep.com
We’re the people who want to help you get the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had.
Australian brothers James and Tristan Swanwick co-founded Swanwick after a lengthy battle with sleepless nights. They tried everything from herbal remedies, sleeping tablets, changed their diets, and overhauled their lifestyles before coming across research on blue light.
They designed prototype orange lens glasses and put them through an extensive testing process. The results exceeded expectations- they went from relentless tossing and turning to having the best night sleep they’d had in months.
They created Swannies Blue Light Blocking Glasses to help people across the world improve their sleep quality and live more fulfilling lives.






