AMBULANCE GIRLS by DEBORAH BURROWS Reviewed by Jan Speedie

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Margaret Graham

Deborah has written a fine tribute to the men and women who served in the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service during the war. They faced horrific situations in the London Blitz and risked their own lives to save others and help the wounded to safety.

Young, pretty and brave Australian Lily Brennan joins the Bloomsbury Auxiliary Ambulance Service while living in London. The Bloomsbury branch has a very social mix of volunteers. Lily is partnered with David Levy disliked by many at the station because he is Jewish. Lily and David become close colleagues so when David disappears in mysterious circumstances Lily suspects foul play and is suspicious of her fellow workers.

Lily has had an unhappy love life and is not looking for a new relationship but when she is introduced to Jim, a white Russian RAF pilot, her life begins to change.

Deborah’s book allows readers to feel, smell and realise some of the horrors and destruction dropped on London in 1940 during the months of the German air invasion on London.

Deborah Burrows was bought up and still lives in Perth, Western Australia. As a child she loved watching classic war movies on TV and reading. She studied history at University and also has a post graduate degree from Oxford University and practises law in her spare time. She makes frequent visits to the UK.

Published in paperback by Ebury Press on 23^rd February 2017

Priced £5.99

Helping Children Sleep By Dan Jones

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Frostie

Helping Children Sleep

Almost 20 years ago I began working in children’s homes. Many of the children had endured years of abuse and other traumatic experiences by the time they ended up in care, this impacted on their ability to feel safe, relax, and sleep at night. Due to having Asperger’s, a high-functioning form of autism I obsessed about learning communication skills. I used this knowledge with the children I was working with. The children were often happy to have stories read to them at bedtime. I used to read stories to them, but rather than putting on different voices for different characters, or reading the stories lively, I used to read them in a relaxed tone of voice in time with the child’s breathing. Any sentences with words which could be associated with relaxing or inward absorption I would say with extra calming emphasis. This slight shift in how the stories were being read often helped the children to feel calm and comfortable and fall asleep. I started teaching what I was doing to other children’s home staff and to parents to help them to be able to help children sleep comfortably at bedtime without arguments and conflict, and years later wrote two books of children’s stories based around this approach: Sleepy Bedtime Tales, and Relaxing Tales for Children.

How do you help children to fall asleep at night?

The first thing to be aware of is what actually happens for us to fall asleep. Obviously being tired helps, so not letting a child sleep during the day is a huge help, secondly the environment is important. As bedtime approaches parents can start ‘putting the house to sleep’. What I mean by this is that a few hours before bedtime parents close curtains, turn off main lights and put on small lamps to make the home dimmer, and begin to focus on doing calm, low stimulation things with the children. The focus is on slowing them down, and making the environment quieter. If children are running around until bedtime their heart will be racing and they will be excitable and harder to relax, likewise, if they have been watching emotionally stimulating TV programmes before bed this will reduce their chances of falling asleep. Parents ideally limit screen time in the hours before bed. Mobile phones, tablet PC’s, computers, and TV’s all give off a lot of blue light which triggers the ‘wake-up’ processes in our brain – not what you want when you are trying to help your children sleep.

Once bedtime is approaching parents can have structure around what happens, and let the children know bedtime is approaching. It is more effective to say that it is bedtime in half-an-hour, and then giving notice at fifteen minutes, and then finally saying it is now bedtime, than it is to wait until bedtime and then tell the children it is time to go to bed when perhaps they are in the middle of a game or something and now they have to cut the game short.

Different children like different things at bedtime to help them sleep. Some are happy to be read a story. Although it is fun to read stories and get all involved in portraying the characters, putting on voices, and actions, this isn’t conducive for sleep. The stories need to be read in a calm and relaxed manner ideally framed for the child that they can lie down with their eyes closed, listening and imagining the story as they fall asleep. Most children accept this and enjoy imagining the story play out in their mind. The parent can then read slowly and calmly, adding emphasis and time when giving descriptions to help the child become increasingly absorbed in the inner experience. Another approach children like is for the parent to sit with them stroking their arm, back or hair. If this is done in time with their breathing, so each up-stroke is with an in-breath, and each down-stroke is with the out-breath then the stroking will build rapport with the breathing, and once the breathing is matching the stroking the parent can stroke slower or longer strokes and the breathing will deepen and the child will fall asleep. If the child wakes up during the night they can be encouraged back to bed, then the parent can calmly repeat the same again until the child falls asleep once more.

Business of Books: Jane Cable talks to Lucy Williams of Honno

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Jane Cable

This week Jane Cable talks to Lucy Williams, a committee member of Honno, the independent co-operative run by women to publish the best of Welsh women’s writing. Honno has recently celebrated its thirtieth anniversary.

What is your book related job or business?

In my day job I am an in-house technical author and a freelance Italian translator and copywriter. I am also a published creative writer. As well as being on the committee for Honno, I volunteer with the National Autistic Society helping autistic children and adults with their written communication.

I have been a committee member of Honno Welsh Women’s Press since August 2014, and have been involved in a variety of work with them including, in 2016 alone, attending Tenby Book Fair, representing Honno at the New Welsh Review’s Travel Writing Awards at Hay Festival, and being at the very special Honno 30^th birthday celebrations in Aberystwyth.

As well as face to face promotion of the Press and getting to know other publishers and authors, I have had the chance to read a number of manuscripts to comment on their suitability for publication with Honno, and my fair share of proofreading.

What is the most rewarding part of it?

I think it has to be seeing a published author’s face when they see their work in print and on the shelves. I met a couple of Honno’s authors at the Tenby Book Fair, and to be able to be involved in the behind-the-scenes process which helps authors get their stories out to the world is a real privilege. I have also found it fascinating to meet the other member of the committee who come from all different walks of life but who share the same passion for creating a platform for Welsh women writers.

What do you consider to be your major successes?

Honno has seen many successes: We celebrated our 30th anniversary last year and were interviewed on Woman’s Hour. Over that 30 years our success has been recognised in a number of literary awards from the Pandora Award to CWA dagger nominations, Wales Book of the Year and the Bread and Roses Award for Radical Publishing. Several of our books have been dramatised on Radio 4, and we recently sold the TV rights for Walking to Greenham. We are very proud of our investment of time and effort on behalf of beginning women writers who go on to achieve mainstream success. Writers such as Tessa Hadley – Booker nominated author – Julia Gregson and Kitty Sewell have moved from publication with Honno, to houses such as Vintage, Orion and Simon & Schuster. We may be small but we are determined!

Have you always loved books and what are you reading at the moment?

Books have been an important part of my professional and personal life for a long time. I have loved them since I finished my first book by myself as a child, and always knew I wanted a career which involved reading them, selling them, editing them, translating them, anything to do with literature really, and I always knew I wanted to work with others who feel the same way. I have worked for Elsevier in the Global Rights Department drawing up author contracts, and for Oxford University Press as an International Sales Rep selling their work to schools in Europe, and have proofread for the University of Wales Press. And in case I was in danger of not having enough books in my life I set up a book club called Reading Between the Wines who meet every month in South Wales.

I am currently reading The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh, a wonderfully rich novel set in Bangladesh, and The White Camelliaby Juliet Greenwood, a Honno novel about the search for freedom and self-fulfilment, set in 1900s Cornwall.

About Lucy:

Lucy currently lives in Wales and spends her time as an Italian translator, technical author, and creative writer. She has had poetry published by The Emma Press, and Hysteria, and was recently a judge for the Hysteria Short Story competition.

As well as being on the committee for Honno, Lucy volunteers with the National Autistic Society as an e-befriender where she helps autistic children and adults with their written communication. When not in front of the computer with writer’s block Lucy can be found hosting her tipsy bookclub Reading Between the Wines.

www.lucyrosewilliams.com

Red Lipstick & Revelations by Jan Moran Neil

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Margaret Graham

The jacket of this collection of poetry is jazzy, snazzy but with a sense of darkness, so is this what to expect of the ‘innards’?

God and Lipstick sets the tone. It plays on red lipstick, on numbers, on age, on a past where people were only numbers, without mirrors to see themselves. On release they were gifted a consignment of lipstick.

I happen to know of someone to whom this happened, on release from a German wartime death camp. That lipstick restored humanity to women prisoners.

An interesting poem, with shades of light and dark.

The Ballad of Ek en Jy summons up the South African night, and the disappointment of their lives. This seems to be a theme that repeats. ‘Where is God?’

But Red Lipstick and Revelations is also liberally interspersed with those moments we all know. In Intruder, dead flying ants are found beneath the sill, but how did they enter the pristine house? Indeed, how does anyone or anything enter into our world, which we think so inviolate?

Silver Surfing: searching google for the one that got away, or just the one who was once important. You find that, like you, he’s aged, and you can release the memory of the glorious youth he once was. You can let go.

I think you’ll enjoy this collection. It’s interesting and thought provoking.

Mother’s Day is coming up. Might be one to consider.

Red Lipstick & Revelations by Jan Moran Neil. pb £7.99 available from Amazon.co.uk

My New Favourite Holiday: National Margarita Day

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Kesh

Here at Frost, we all love a reason to celebrate one of our favourite things… Cocktails. On the 22nd February we will be paying homage to one of the greatest cocktails ever created, the Margarita. This has to be a personal favourite of mine, there are many variations on the Margarita but personally, the versatility of the drink, being able to create heat with a little bit of spice or making it extremely fresh with lots of lime, is the thing that makes it a winning combo for me. With much debate as to where and when it was created, the basis of the cocktail has always been lime juice, tequila and triple sec. Nearly 80 years later, it’s about time the old faithful Margarita most certainly deserves it’s own day and we have some Margarita variations for you to try out yourself;

Now with a host of tequila’s to try from, we recommend using one of our most loved; Casamigos Tequila created by friends to be enjoyed with friends.

Casamigos Margarita

With Casamigos Blanco

Recipe:

11/2 part Casamigos Blanco tequila
3/4 part fresh lime juice
1/4 part fresh Orange Juice
1/3 part agave nectar
1/3 part orange liqueur

Combine all ingredients to iced mixing glass. Shake vigorously for 10 count. Pour all contents into a rocks glass with or without salted rim. Garnish with a lime

Casamigos Spicy Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita

With Casamigos Blanco

Recipe:

1 1/2 parts Casamigos Blanco Tequila
3/4 parts fresh lime juice
1/3 part orange liqueur
1/3 part simple syrup
3 cucumber wheels
1 Jalapeno slice

Muddle cucumber, jalapeño, lime juice, and simple syrup. Combine all ingredients to iced mixing glass. Shake vigorously for 10 count. Fine strain all contents into a rocks glass with or without salted rim. Garnish with cucumber and jalapeño slice.

Young Voices by Meg Cannell

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Margaret Graham

Recently I went to see the national theatre production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Night-time.

I went with my drama class as a school trip. I have to say it is one of the best shows I have ever seen. I don’t want to spoil it too much, but the acting was absolutely brilliant. It is I suppose about autism, though the author of the novel said that it is not specifically a book about that, or any disorder. It is more about being an outsider, and seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way.

That is exactly how the play came across.

The main character is Christopher, aged about fifteen, and I love how the actor portrayed him, and his ‘difficulties’.

The use of physical theatre made the performance unique and it flowed well.

I have read the book and I loved it, I was gripped from the first sentence. Not only was the play gripping but it had elements of comedy, tragedy and suspense. At many points in the play I found myself holding onto my friends arm or hanging off the edge of my seat.

*SPOILER ALERT* my favourite part of the play was when they brought out a puppy at the end, and it was the cutest thing ever.

THE GIRLS: the musical by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Margaret Graham

OK, I have to confess, I have a granny crush on Gary Barlow. Embarrassing and I don’t know why I’m declaring it publicly. It’s ever since I saw him doing his Helmand concert for the troops. Apart from his own performance he was so encouraging and supportive to the fabulous Jonny and the others.

It’s not the sort of ‘let’s throw our knickers crush’ – let’s face it, my sensible M&S ones would drag him to the ground, but I just think he and his music are exceptional.

So of course I tore along to see a preview of the musical THE GIRLS at the Phoenix Theatre on Saturday.

The set was simplicity itself: a moving sky, changing from night to day overhanging a mountain of furniture which in turn became the Yorkshire dales, the flower shop, a kitchen. Robert Jones, the set and costume designer, needs a standing ovation.

Does anyone else though?

We’re all familiar with the story of the Yorkshire WI calendar girls who achieved something extraordinary when the husband of one, Annie in the musical, is diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and dies.

The girls decided to raise money to replace the uncomfortable sofa in the hospital waiting room by pushing their own boundaries and insecurities – namely stripping off, placing iced buns in appropriate places and producing a nude – not naked- calendar.

Since then, the calendar, and the story told in film and on stage of these sublime women has raised £5million for Bloodwise, which supports worldwide research into blood cancer and supports the patients and families of sufferers of this disease.

So, is there really room for a musical? Can it be as fresh, as funny, as moving?

A resounding yes.

Tim Firth and Gary Barlow who were brought up in the same Cheshire village have produced a absolute gem. The music, the lyrics, the acting, the voices were spot on. I would go as far to say the production is inspirational as these women soldier on, bolstered by no-nonsense friendship, one stooping to the pull the other along, and then another doing the same.

It is funny, poignant, as mothers and children grow into the people they could be. The direction by Tim Firth is tight, the balance of light and shade (sadness and friendship) just about perfect. Or so I thought, but sitting in front of us were some of the real Calendar Girls, resplendent in nifty black frocks each festooned with a large sunflower. This is the flower John, the husband of Annie, had likened to Yorkshire women: blooming in their later years, and always following the sun, whatever life throws at them.

I watched their reaction as much as I watched the performance and managed to catch up with Annie, (actually Angela Baker) in the bar later – where else?

We talked of the production, which she loved for its joy, its poignancy and its music and lyrics, so wonderfully performed. Of course it brought back wrenching memories of her beloved John, but she knew that he would have not only loved it, but have applauded that ‘after all this time, the calendar girls are still raising money for the battle against blood cancer.’

For every ticket sold, the charity, bloodwise.org.uk gains.

THE GIRLS originally opened at The Grand Theatre in Leeds where it received standing ovations at every performance. Will it work as well in London?

Yesterday THE GIRLS brought the house down: cheers and applause from start to finish and a massive standing ovation.

I laughed, cried and left the better for it. On the train home, a young man asked us what we really thought of it, because he and his wife had thought of going but went to something else. ‘Shame’ we cried. So they’re going next week.

Michelle Dotrice is unwell with bronchitis so unable to perform yesterday, but crikey, Judith Street, making her West End debut at the young vibrant age of 67, hacked Jessie beautifully. We wish Michelle well, and an extra bit of applause for Jessie, who stripped off and looked great behind her carefully placed knitting.

I told him indoors. He’s hiding the knitting needles as we speak but I’m off to buy cream buns.

If there’s one show to see this spring this is it.

Go, girls, go, and take the blokes too. They’ll love it.

It opens on 28^th January – 22^nd April at The Phoenix Theatre 110 Charing Cross Road, London. WC2H 0JP;

Tickets available for preview now: ATG online or telephone 0844 8717629

In person from Phoenix Theatre

From 24^th February, tickets for the performance are on sale.

www.bloodwise.org.uk

Find Me – review

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Margaret Graham

I’m a reader with extraordinarily limited patience. If the author hasn’t written a first page that grabs me, hauls me in, has me salivating to find out more, then forget it. I haven’t time or inclination to work hard. OK, call me grumpy, but that’s my state of play.

Yet again Head of Zeus hasn’t failed me. Find Me by J.S. Monroe does the biz.

So, let’s do a catch up: Five years ago Rosa walked to Cromer pier (I’ve been there on holiday as a child – nice to be able to picture a place). It was night, and she jumped. It was assumed it was suicide – the girl was grieving for her father, she couldn’t cope.

But is this really it?

Jar her boyfriend thinks not. He sees her everywhere, which is actually not an unusual thing if you’ve been chucked or have lost a love, which is why it works well.

You know the thing, there’s that face in the crowd – surely it’s him/her …

But it isn’t.

I can remember high adolescent angst when dumped. Now, when thinking of it I sniff and think – idiot, he didn’t know what he’s missing, and besides now he’s probably bald and fat, whereas I am… Well, OK, not bald but …

Anyway, that’s not the point, so let’s not get picky.

It’s more than this for Jar. He’s absolutely sure that Rosa is alive and then he gets hold of her diary… Then he gets an email from Rosa… Ah, but, we could say, it could have been written by anyone…

So, is it from Rosa?

The structure is interesting. We have Jar in the present, Rosa in the first person in the past – diary entries? So a picture is forming. Monroe builds the tension well, holding back information but feeding us enough to believe she is alive, that there might be a threat, but is there?

This is an intriguing novel, lots of twists and turns and a dark underbelly. I enjoyed it. It would be a good film, as Monroe’s third, Dead Spy Running will be, and which is currently in development.

One more thing. Can I be Kirsten (I gather a make up artist can work miracles)?

Who’s Kirsten? Read the book and find out. You won’t regret it.

Find Me by J.S. Monroe. pub Head of Zeus. hb. £12.99

Frost Magazine

Books and Lifestyle