Margaret and Dick take a trip to Settle, which ends much like most of their trips – quietly

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Margaret and Dick went to see relatives who were having a few days near Settle., North Yorkshire.
‘Oh lovely,’ said Margaret. ‘It’s a bit like a day out in a charabanc.’    Dick said, ‘No, we’re going in the car. Let’s toss to see who drives, and who sits in the back between Rosie and Polly.’
      Things grew tense. Margaret drew the short straw. She put on her sea sickness travel bands, took a pill, and settled down in between the two dogs, on the back seat. Off we went, with Sally the Sat Nav being bossy and telling them  how to get out of their own road.    Margaret doesn’t like sitting on the back seat. Margaret feels sick and dizzy going along roads with curves. A friend’s father used to say the a road is like a woman, its beauty lies in its curves. Margaret didn’t like her friend’s father after that. Curves are her enemy.
       The road to Settle is curvey. The dogs whinged. They always whinge in the car, while Margaret got busy telling Dick that there was a roundabout coming up. Dick said, ‘Stop talking. It’s big. How can I not see it?’
        Margaret whispered to herself, ‘Well you didn’t see that roundabout 25 years ago, and that was big too.’
That time Margaret shouted just in time.   A narrow squeak like that shakes a girl. Dick doesn’t understand, so Margaret doesn’t explain,  yet again, because she is too busy waiting for the next junction, the next roundabout, when her warning will be needed. And still the dogs whinge.
        It is a very pretty road. It takes 90 minutes. Margaret was not feeling very well, the dogs were still whingeing, Dick was fed up with Margaret helping him to drive. At last they arrived. Such a treat, a lovely lunch, a glass of wine, and suddenly Margaret didn’t mind that she had drawn the short straw for the drive back. because driver Dick had to have water. Sparkling water, but still water.
       Then a nice walk with the dogs, and the rellies. Dick and Margaret walked a little ahead at one point. Margaret told Dick of the taxi ride from Newcastle to Bowness. where she and her group would start their Hadrian’s Wall  Walk. It was a big taxi and took the six walkers, the taxi driver (of course) and the guide.
       Margaret’s friend asked how Margaret’s broken shoulder was these days, with its pins and plates, and wotnot. ‘Are there any lingering problems?’ she asked. Margaret told her that the only problem was that she had to wear a big bumbag, not a rucksack, because she didn’t like anything pressing on the top of her shoulder – it hurt.
‘I even wear a floppy sort of sports bra, that doesn’t pull on the shoulder.’ Margaret said. Her friend asked, ‘Is there any point in wearing it, if its floppy,’ Margaret said, loudly she realised later. ‘ Well, yes, or else I’d have to tuck the little dears in my waistband.’ There was a sort of stricken silence in the taxi. Even the taxi driver stopped talking. and he hadn’t seemed to draw breath since they left, so busy was he chatting.
      As Dick and Margaret walked along this very lovely lane near Settle, Dick said, ‘Please tell me you did not say that?’
      Margaret said, ‘Dicky, I cannot tell a lie: indeed I did.’ (much in the way of George Washington to his father.)    Mr Washington praised George for his honesty. Dick sayid, ‘You really should stop talking more often.’
Margaret sulked. as they walked along, in silence.
Today Dick looked at the photos that the rellies had sent. ‘My word,’ he said. ‘Look at your round shoulders.’
‘I was busy telling you about the taxi ride, and leaning forward, earnestly,’ said Margaret.
‘Even so, best to straighten those shoulders, and stick out your chest.’ Too late he realised they were almost back to the taxi and the waistband.
Of course, Margaret had to say it again. Well, one does, doesn’t one.

CARIADS’ CHOICE: OCTOBER BOOK REVIEWS

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Freya Kennedy’s In Pursuit of Happiness,  reviewed by Carol Thomas

This standalone novel shares the Ivy Lane setting introduced in The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn. The community spirit continues, and there is the bonus of a catch up with previous characters. It took me a little time to get into the book and to warm to the heroine, Jo, but I’m glad I gave her a chance as she blossomed as her journey progressed. I enjoyed the Irish setting, and I loved Lorcan. Jo is a writer, and some of her success seemed easily won, but then this is a happy, feel-good read with a theme of believing in yourself and having the confidence to take risks and follow your dreams. You don’t have to read The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn before this novel, but I recommend you do as it is a fabulous story!

 

Morton S Gray’s The Truth Lies Buried, reviewed by Jane Cable

In Carver Rodgers, Morton Gray has created my kind of hero; a damaged fighter who battles his own demons with increasing conviction. He and his incredible wooden house in the middle of a forest are so beautifully drawn I could actually see and feel how it was to be there and it is no surprise that lonely and grieving Jenny falls for this potentially difficult man.

But this isn’t just a love story, there is a mystery to solve too, one that goes back to a long-forgotten link in Carver and Jenny’s pasts, and it had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened.

 

M L Rio’s If We Were Villains, reviewed by Evonne Wareham

If you’re a fan of Donna Tart’s The Secret History and/or Shakespeare you might like to try this one. If it grabs you, it’s a compelling read. In the hothouse atmosphere of a select American college for the arts, seven elite theatre studies students immerse themselves in performing Shakespeare (lots and lots of Shakespeare, heavily quoted). The close knit group share and exchange a heady, swirling mix of friendship, love, hate, rivalry, lust, passion, violence, excess, and eventually murder. The story sweeps the reader along in an intense and sometimes ambiguous journey of mystery and questions. Oliver Marks, newly released from prison after serving ten years for murder, reveals to the detective who arrested him what really happened that night down by the lake and in the weeks that followed. Who was the victim, who the villain – and where did blame for the tragic events really fall?

 

Jenni Keer’s The Secrets of Hawthorn Place, reviewed by Kitty Wilson

 I loved this book. It’s a dual-narrative with both the Victorian and contemporary elements captivating me and thoroughly pulling me in. The characters were really well-drawn and as a reader, I quickly fell in love with them all, screeching when Molly was spending time with Harrison and willing her to get back Acacia House. The use of two Art and Crafts houses on the Dorset and Norfolk coasts as the setting also really appealed – I adore William Morris – and I found Molly’s method of travelling between the two, quirky and endearing. Who wouldn’t love to make such a marvellous discovery? The book was fast-paced, indeed it had me racing to get back to it, and I loved watching all the characters grow. The author writes both strands of romance in an insightful way, indeed she covers a range of human experience with a deft but empathetic touch, and I felt true satisfaction as we reached the resolution and saw how Percy’s life had panned out and the decisions that Molly and Rory make. This novel has it all, romance, history, mystery and magic, all told in a light-hearted style that makes this a beautiful easy and satisfying read.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Garfield Conspiracy by Owen Dwyer Book Review

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I have to admit, I thought The Garfield Conspiracy sounded weird. I did not think it would be a good book. More fool me because: wow. What a masterpiece. This is a blisteringly original novel, filled with glorious prose that you want to file away in your memory bank and fascinating historical facts. It’s a modern novel haunted with ghosts from the past. This novel is intelligent and thought-provoking. Give your brain a fun workout and read some Owen Dwyer. Just perfection.

the Garfield conspiracy , owen dwyer

A burnt-out writer is visited by the characters he is researching while writing a book about the mysterious assassination of US President James Garfield.

Richard Todd, an award-winning writer, is outwardly successful but inwardly plagued by uncertainties. Worst of all, he can’t seem to write any more. When a bright young editor, Jenny Lambe, arrives on his doorstep to work with him on his latest book, about the assassination of US president James Garfield, his life is sent spinning off in a new direction.

 

President Garfield was killed by Charles Guiteau, who was tried and hanged for the murder. But was he acting alone, in July 1881, or was there a more sinister force at work? Richard hears Guiteau’s voice in his head, and as his relationship with Jenny deepens, he is visited by other characters from the assassination drama – including Garfield himself, his Secretary of State James Blaine, Republican senator Roscoe Conkling, Conkling’s mistress Kate Chase Sprague, and the investigating police officer, Detective McElfresh. Are they helping Richard to solve the mystery surrounding Garfield’s murder – or pushing him further towards the edge?

 

A remarkable, disturbing portrait of a middle-aged man torn between his carefully constructed life and new adventures which may beckon, in the present and the past, from one of Ireland’s most exciting emerging authors, and based on original research into a little-known period in US history.

 

 

About the Author

 

Owen Dwyer is a prize-winning short-story writer who has won the Hennessy Emerging Fiction Prize, the Silver Quill (twice), the Smiling Politely Very Very Short Story competition, the South Tipperary County Council Short Story competition and the Biscuit Fiction Prize, and has had stories published in Whispers and Shouts magazine. His previous novel, Number Games, was published to glowing reviews by Liberties Press in 2019, and follows The Cherry-picker (2012) and The Agitator (2004). Owen lives in Dublin with his wife and their three children.

The Garfield conspiracy is available here.

Why Laser Hair Removal Should Be Done During The Festive Season?

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Festive seasons mean getting into a lot of happiness and enjoyment. You will be having quality time with your family and friends. A lot of pictures would be clicked while enjoying. You want to be a picture-perfect person during the festive season too. But you are worried about how to get time to share or wax to get rid of unwanted hair when you are already running busy. 

Are you thinking about the best option to remove unwanted hair? It is laser treatment. Let’s understand why you should have it this festive season? Here are the reasons below: – 

To Say Goodbye To Irritation:- The fact cannot be ignored that nothing is annoying than having the bumps or irritation which occur because of shaving done in a rush to be available at the festive season’s party. You probably have already been running quite busy and that is why you do not get enough time to follow the needed guidelines for shaving. 

Going with the laser hair removal treatment means you will be having the much-needed smoothness irrespective of the area of the body. You would not have to worry about the irritation which can happen because of shaving or waxing. 

Spend Your Special Time Enjoying Festivals:- We wait for festival season holidays all year long. Now, it is here. But you might not be able to enjoy the fullest if your body is not hair-free. Moreover, festive seasons mean you would be having a lot of business. You might have to accomplish a variety of tasks during the holiday. You might have to do a lot of present shopping, decoration, gift wrapping and so on. 

You might not get enough ideal time to get your underarms or legs to be properly shaved. In this context, laser hair removal treatment is an ideal option to have. Talking about the average time, this treatment probably needs 30 minutes. And the best thing is you will be having excellent results. It means you just need one treatment while having the holiday season. 

Do Not Waste Your Hard Earned Money On Razors:- Your money is precious and you should not waste it on things that do not give you expected returns. Have you ever thought about how much money you might have spent on shaving or waxing every year? Whether it is your shaving cream, razors, or waxing, you need to understand that you would not be having long-lasting results spending on these tools. 

Going with laser hair means you will behave to spend a particular amount of money only and you will be enjoying long-lasting results. It could be said that you would be saving a lot of money in the long run. Moreover, during festive seasons, you may get excellent discounts as well. Therefore, you should treat yourself in the best way.

Conclusion – 

Find the best doctor near you to do this treatment and enjoy festivals to the fullest. Your life depends on the good decisions you take.

Collaborative post.

Michael Rowan eats the Collective Dairy naturally blended carbon neutral fruit yogurt, with a clear conscience and tingling taste buds. https://www.thecollectivedairy.com/

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We are undoubtedly becoming more aware of the impact we have on the planet. We may wish to consume more, but, for many of us we are looking to do this without harming the environment on which we depend. Which is exactly why this yogurt caught my attention.

We are constantly told that if lots of us make a small change, we collectively, can have a big impact so if you think as I did, you may very well believe that yogurt is just yogurt, but as I found out, that is not necessarily so.

These dairy Yogurts are a first for the UK, as the Collective have launched its new range of carbon neutral blended yogurts.

I tried three great flavours and whilst Peach and Mango with juicy chunks of peach and mango stirred into tangy live yogurt, was my absolute favourite, the Black Currant and Blackberry offered sharp bursts of flavour and came a very close second, and to be fair the Strawberry and Vanilla was also very tasty, so as ever it comes down to personal taste.

They come in 450g tubs, the perfect size for family sharing, each yoghurt is a delicious blend of real fruit and live yoghurt made with British Milk. Continuously seeking to improve their sustainability and recyclability these tubs are 100% recyclable and made from 100% recycled material.

The Collective will work with ClimatePartner to reduce and offset their emissions through Woodland afforestation and Clean Drinking water projects, with a clear reduction plan to become fully carbon neutral by 2025.

The Collective’s 1st Carbon Neutral Dairy Yoghurt is available nationwide £1.75 RRP per 450g tub.

https://www.thecollectivedairy.com/

 

 

 

 

With apologies to the Spice Girls, Michael Rowan has something to sing about, when he tells you what he wants, what he really really wants and it’s Zag, Zag and more Zag and ZAG is available from Amazon, https://zagdrinks.com/ prices vary.

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I have lamented for years, the absence of a grown- up alcohol-free drink.

Soft drinks, it seems to me, are generally too sweet and not suited to the adult palette. I have tried to make something of soda and lime juice, but this is rarely better than ok.

Nor do alcohol free beer and lager, ever quite cut it for me.

I want something that tastes different, not too sweet and it has to be refreshing, which is where, in my opinion Zag comes in.

Best served chilled, Zag is a new thirst quenching, alcohol free, blend of ingredients, including Kombucha, mint and tea. The taste is not immediately recognisable, and is far more complex than most soft drinks, with a variety of flavours coming to the fore. Th first sip confused my taste buds but by the second and third I was addicted. It seriously delivers on freshness, with none of the cloying taste that puts me off some soft drinks.

However, and here is the clincher for me, each drink is only 54 calories, which means I can enjoy a drink and it still fits into my calorie-controlled diet.

I liked it so much, that we immediately ordered some more. I will certainly be on the lookout for it, the next time that I am the designated driver, or when I feel that my body needs a bit of a rest from alcohol, what’s not to love?

Zag is available from Amazon, https://zagdrinks.com/ prices vary.

Zag (dare I say it) makes a refreshing change and I will definitely be stocking up for Christmas in readiness of both the designated drivers and those who wish to take a break from the alcohol.

And if the Spice Girls are looking to reform, I am always available.

https://zagdrinks.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn’s Top Books

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The Lost by Simon Beckett.

A brilliant and terrifying thriller. I could not put this down. Beautifully observed and tightly wound. Unmissable. I don’t normally read books about missing children but I loved this. You won’t see the twists coming. 

A MISSING CHILD

Ten years ago, the disappearance of firearms police officer Jonah Colley’s young son almost destroyed him.

A GRUESOME DISCOVERY

A plea for help from an old friend leads Jonah to Slaughter Quay, and the discovery of four bodies. Brutally attacked and left for dead, he is the only survivor.

A SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH

Under suspicion himself, he uncovers a network of secrets and lies about the people he thought he knew – forcing him to question what really happened all those years ago…

Available on 25 November..

dinner lady detective

The Dinner Lady Detectives by Hannah Hendy.

Gorgeous and quaint. Any fan of cosy crime will love this.

Murder is a dish best served ice cold…

Margery and Clementine are enjoying a peaceful middle-age together in the small, idyllic town of Dewstow, and eagerly awaiting retirement from their work on the front line serving meals to the students at Summerview secondary school.

Their calm life is shattered when their kitchen manager is found dead in the school’s walk-in freezer. The police are adamant that it’s an open-and-shut case of accidental death. Margery and Clementine are convinced there’s something far more nefarious going on, and they take it upon themselves to investigate.

As they inch closer to the truth, it becomes clear that someone will stop at nothing to keep the pair quiet. Will the perpetrator get their just-desserts before their time runs out?

A delightful, quintessentially British cosy mystery perfect for fans of SJ Bennett and Robert Thorogood.

Published on 18th November 2021.

The Diamond Hunter by Fiona McIntosh.

A well-researched historical novel that whisks you away to another time and place. Beautiful storytelling from a master of her craft.  A rip-roaring story that grabs you by the throat and does not let go. 

During the 1870s diamond rush in southern Africa, Clementine is left to be raised by her destitute father following the death of her mother. Her care falls largely to their companion, Joseph, and the two form an unbreakable bond.

When the two men uncover a large, flawless diamond, a dark bargain is struck to ensure Clementine’s return to a respectable life in northern England. Her father believes he has finally secured their future, but the discovery of the gem comes at a considerable cost.

Years later, Clementine must confront long-buried memories of her childhood to solve the mystery of what happened to her loved ones all those years ago.

Can she find the justice she seeks?

Out Now.

The Chef, the Bird and the Blessing by Andrew Sharp. 

This is a luscious and original novel with beautiful storytelling. 

Compelling to the last page, The Chef, the Bird and the Blessing is a story about the power of suppressed memory, of friendship, and of our relationship with the natural world. Set within vivid images of a backwater in an unnamed African country, the novel is both poignant and funny.

Mozzy is a cook in a struggling safari business and dreams of escaping the perilous wilderness and his despised employer to become head chef in an upmarket restaurant in London. Spurred on by his wife, a member of a visionary religious sect, his fantasy becomes reality. But will his sanity and marriage survive in this new world? Can a small bird help him find his way?

Mozzy’s path takes him from Africa to London and back, but it is the painful journey of the heart that ultimately fulfils Mozzy’s destiny.

The Chef, the Bird and the Blessing is available here. 

shiver

Shiver by Allie Reynolds.

This book is so full of dark, delicious fun. Perfect to read at this time of year, this is a gripping, twisty debut that really draws you in. 

They don’t know what I did. And I intend to keep it that way.

How far would you go to win? Hyper-competitive people, mind games and a dangerous natural environment combine to make the must-read thriller of the year. Fans of Lucy Foley and Lisa Jewell will be gripped by spectacular debut novel Shiver.

When Milla is invited to a reunion in the French Alps resort that saw the peak of her snowboarding career, she drops everything to go. While she would rather forget the events of that winter, the invitation comes from Curtis, the one person she can’t seem to let go.

The five friends haven’t seen each other for ten years, since the disappearance of the beautiful and enigmatic Saskia. But when an icebreaker game turns menacing, they realise they don’t know who has really gathered them there and how far they will go to find the truth.

In a deserted lodge high up a mountain, the secrets of the past are about to come to light.

Shiver is available here.

The Fifth Girl by Georgia Fancett.

This is a truly gripping thriller from the winner of the Daily Mail First Novel Competition. Perfect for fans of crime novels. 

When DC Rawls decided to take some time off work for his mental health, he thought he would need just a few days.

However, it’s been months since that terrible night and Rawls still hasn’t returned to the Somerset Police Dept. He can’t seem to shake the feeling that he might never be the same again.

But when a schoolgirl disappears and the police link her case to the disappearances of three other girls in Bath, it sends the media into a frenzy that places Rawls and his team at the heart of the storm.

Rawls isn’t sure that he’s ready to work on a case that hits so close to home, but he knows he can’t have any more blood on his hands. He has to find out the truth before it’s too late.

Who is behind these abductions?

And which girl will be taken next?

The Fifth Girl is available here.

The Final Child by Fran Dorricott.

This is a dark and frankly terrifying book about a serial killer. I don’t want to give too much away but it really does grab you by the throat and then does not let go. The idea is so clever and it is perfectly executed. This novel will give you whip lash. Fran Dorricott is one to watch: a brilliant writer with a stunning career ahead of her. 

He won’t forget her…

Erin and her brother Alex were the last children abducted by ‘the Father’, a serial killer who only ever took pairs of siblings. She escaped, but her brother was never seen again. Traumatised, Erin couldn’t remember anything about her ordeal, and the Father was never caught.

Eighteen years later, Erin has done her best to put the past behind her. But then she meets Harriet. Harriet’s young cousins were the Father’s first victims and, haunted by their deaths, she is writing a book about the disappearances and is desperate for an interview with the only survivor. At first, Erin wants nothing to do with her. But then she starts receiving sinister gifts, her house is broken into, and she can’t shake the feeling that she’s being watched. After all these years, Erin believed that the Father was gone, but now she begins to wonder if he was only waiting…

A tense and emotive thriller, The Final Child is a powerful tale of a survivor being forced to confront her painful past.

The Final Child is available here.

 

The Queen of Monsters by Aria Mossi.

Perfect for fans of epic fantasy. 

Natalia comes from a past full of darkness and a horrific childhood spent in the Siberian taiga. Her Monsters are real, and they hide in every corner of her memory. Her state of mind, fragility and child-like innocence make both humans and aliens question her sanity.

In reality, Natalia is an inspiring young woman who owns her past and fears. Her determination shapes her new alien planet’s future, defeats a Sphinx and tames the scariest Monster of all. She may be afraid of her own shadow, but she is not scared to fight for love, even when it comes in the shape of her worst nightmare: a Monster.

Natalia owns her many weaknesses until they become her strengths. She fights darkness with light and unconditional love. As it turns out, those are the only weapons able to win the fight. Natalia’s dark past taught her the most important lesson of all: One is most likely to find their angels when running from Monsters.

The Queen of Monsters is the second book in The Tarrassian Saga. It features the inspiring story of one of the five Humans taken from Earth by alien slavers. The five books in the series are individual stories and do not end in cliffhangers. However, the stories are best enjoyed when read in order. The Tarrassian Saga is aimed at a mature audience.

The Queen of Monsters is available here.

White Christmas by Katie Flynn.

We love a saga at Frost and Katie Flynn is a master of the genre. This brand new festive romance is another glorious book, perfect to be read with a hot chocolate on a wintry day.  Katie Flynn was the pseudonym of Judy Turner who sadly passed away in 2019 at the age of 82. Her daughter Holly, who used to collaborate with her mother, now writes these fantastic books. White Christmas is just glorious. 

United by diversity, divided by war . . .

December, 1938

Rozalin Sachs has grown up in the vibrant city of Frankfurt. But with the Nazi Revolution gaining power, her family is forced to flee Germany. When a tragic accident separates Roz from her parents, she finds herself aboard the Kindertransport bound for Holland.

Here Roz meets a young lad called Felix and they vow to stick together as their journey takes them to England. Eventually they find themselves in Liverpool with the promise of a new life, until a devastating incident takes Felix away. And, in a desperate attempt to escape the terrible situation she has found herself in, Roz decides to join the Women’s Land Army.

On the sprawling farm at Hollybank Roz meets Bernie, a dashing farmer’s son, who has more than just friendship on his mind. Roz is flattered by his affections, but will he win her heart, or will her love for Felix remain as strong as ever?

White Christmas by available here.

The Shadowing by Rhiannon Ward.

This is a wonderful, creepy novel. Fantastic historical gothic mystery is dished out in spades. 

When well-to-do Hester learns of her sister Mercy’s death at a Nottinghamshire workhouse, she travels to Southwell to find out how her sister ended up at such a place.

Haunted by her sister’s ghost, Hester sets out to uncover the truth, when the official story reported by the workhouse master proves to be untrue. Mercy was pregnant – both her and the baby are said to be dead of cholera, but the workhouse hasn’t had an outbreak for years.

Hester discovers a strange trend in the workhouse of children going missing. One woman tells her about the Pale Lady, a ghostly figure that steals babies in the night. Is this lady a myth or is something more sinister afoot at the Southwell poorhouse?

As Hester investigates, she uncovers a conspiracy, one that someone is determined to keep a secret, no matter the cost…

The Shadowing is available here.

Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner.

Lisa Gardner is one of my favourite novelists, full stop. This is her first stand alone novel in ten years and god, what a belter.  Gardner introduces Frankie Elkin, a forty-something former alcoholic who finds missing people. A new heroine is born. If there is any justice in this world Frankie will become a TV character soon, if ever a fictional character has to be brought to life on screen, it truly is Frankie. 

Lisa Gardner is a writer at the top of her game, as she has been for all of the books she has written. I raced through Before She Disappeared. My house was a state at the end but, needs must. Grab a copy now, you won’t regret it. 

A gripping thriller featuring an ordinary woman who will stop at nothing to find the missing people that the rest of the world has forgotten.

Frankie Elkin is an average middle-aged woman with more regrets than belongings who spends her life doing what no one else will: searching for missing people the world has stopped looking for. When the police have given up, when the public no longer remembers, when the media has never paid attention, Frankie starts looking.

A new case brings Frankie to Mattapan, a Boston neighborhood with a rough reputation. She is searching for Angelique Badeau, a Haitian teenager who vanished from her high school months earlier.

Resistance from the Boston PD and the victim’s wary family tells Frankie she’s on her own. And she soon learns she’s asking questions someone doesn’t want answered.

But Frankie will stop at nothing to discover the truth, even if it means the next person to go missing will be her …

Before She Disappeared is available here.

Song in The Key of Madeleine by Pauline Crame.

This is a beautiful and poetic book. Written with beauty. It is about a tender love story. Just lovely. 

Song in the Key of Madeleine is the story of the relationship between Madeleine and Shibu: two individuals from socially and culturally very different backgrounds.

They meet when Shibu moves into Madeleine’s house as her lodger. From the start it is clear they are attracted to each other, and soon they begin an affair. Before long, however, their burgeoning relationship is tarnished, as Shibu’s religious beliefs and cultural expectations begin to clash with Madeleine’s troubled past.

The relationship offers the opportunity for growth and new beginnings, but it is also fraught with danger. For Shibu the threat of alienation from his community. For Madeleine the risk of falling prey to her childhood experiences.

Will Shibu be able to disentangle himself from his beliefs and values? Is Madeleine capable of coming to terms with her past? Or will their differences divide them?

Song in The Key of Madeleine is available here.

perfect timing novel

Perfect Timing by Own Nicholls.

Perfect Timing is a pretty perfect novel. Both Jess and Tom are great characters, and the story is fantastic. I cannot recommend this book enough, it is so full of depth. A truly multi-layered book that will leave you racing through all the way to the last page. Glorious.

For Jess and Tom, timing is everything.

For her, it’s the moment she delivers the perfect punchline. For him, it’s the heartbeat in the music he makes with his band.

And from the night they meet, sharing the same stage at the Edinburgh Festival, their attraction is undeniable. At first, it seems their timing is as perfect in the wings as it is in front of a crowd.

But as Jess and Tom’s careers take off, the moment for true connection is always just out of reach. With fate pushing them together, only to pull them apart, will the timing ever be right?

After all, when it comes to love, the timing has to be perfect. . . Doesn’t it?

Perfect timing is available here.

 

A Scandinavian Christmas: Festive Tales for a Nordic Noël reviewed by Kate Hutchinson

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When I was growing up, my mother had a number of ways of doing things that would doubtless nowadays be called ‘hacks’ but to her were common sense. For example the tooth fairy: in our house the tooth fairy collected her spoils from under the easily accessed front door mat, rather than having to ferret around under a sleeping child’s pillow.
Another was tree presents at Christmas. Not an original idea in itself, but we always had a present from the tree on Christmas Eve after tea: it took the edge off the desperate urge forhristmas Day presents  and, in order to keep us occupied when sent to bed early with over-excitement, it was pretty well always a book.
This would be a perfect book for that occasion. Prettily presented, with all the beautiful festive Scandinavian designs enlivened with a little sprinkling of gold, this is a chocolate box of treasures just right for working through next to a pine scented tree, a warm hearth and some Glögg or other warming beverage of choice.
A mixture of classic well known tales from the likes of Hans Christian Andersen and Nobel Prize winner Selma Lagerlöf, and modern day stories from Karl Ove Knausgaard and Vigdis Hjorth, this collection spans all the positive and not so positive experiences of the Christmas season. From stars, fir trees, births, deaths and gardens springing up on mystical Christmas nights, to imbibing Santas and a longing to get away from the family and be alone, this is fully packed with Christmas tales encompassing every side of the festive season.

 

A winter wonderland smorgasboard, if you’ll forgive me.

A Scandinavian Christmas: Festive Tales for a Nordic Noël  Vintage Classics
Published 21st October 2021   £12.99 Hardback /eBook
ISBN 978-1-784-87767-5