The Scent Of Summer – Perfume Direct, Inspire Us Please – by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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With Mr Sun making guest appearances between the rain clouds, perhaps summer is lurking in the wings at last? And as we dream of floaty summer frocks and strappy sandals, is it time to think about a fresh new fragrance too?

Of course it is, but what to choose? Did you know you should wear different scents in the warmer weather? Indeed – so thank goodness for Perfume Direct and their expert advice.

Perfume Direct are a UK company with genuine low prices for premium products and, importantly for an on-line perfume company, they provide oodles of useful advice on their website to help you choose. So what does their expert, John Webber tell us about summer fragrances?

Well, summer scents tend to be fruity, lighter and ‘less volatile’, meaning they last longer. A perfume contains aromatic molecules which work with heat, giving off a fragrance as they evaporate, and perfumers measure the volatility of these molecules to control the nature and evolution of the scent. In warm weather, perfumes evaporate quicker. So, citrus and crisp green scents are perfect, as are florals. White flowers in particular – jasmine, tuberose, frangipani ‘bloom’ in hot weather. In contrast, winter perfumes tend to be heavier and can be overwhelming if they evaporate too quickly in the summer warmth.

With this in mind, Perfume Direct have suggestions for various summer activities, for instance a wedding, where your perfume should not be overwhelming, and yet must last all day. And for this they’ve chosen the iconic Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb (also available in a mini 20ml bottle for top-ups); Tiffany & Love Eau de Parfum for Her with floral neroli and a woody blend of blue sequoia, vetiver and cedarwood, creating a faceted and feminine scent, and finally Lancome Idole Intense, with notes of bitter orange, rose, jasmine and musk.

My personal choice is  My Way Intense by Giorgio Armani from their Race Days group. Lovely floral fragances merging with sandalwood and vanilla – perfect for summer. Perfume Direct describe My Way Intense as a floral, amber fragrance type, with top notes (initial fragrance) of orange blossom and bitter orange, followed by Indian tuberose and finally the later, longer lasting notes of Madagascar vanilla and sandalwood. It really is summer in a bottle, with the seductive scent of tuberose and the lingering sandalwood providing true depth for those summer evenings. I just love it. The Eau de Parfum is on special offer at the moment from Perfume Direct at £59.99 for 30 ml and is refillable, so you can unscrew and refill the bottle without wasting any of the precious contents, making it a particularly good investment.

And don’t forget their aftershaves range too – check out the Frost Magazine feature on Perfume Direct’s great range of aftershaves.

So leave those heavy scents for the cold dark nights – now’s the time to head to Perfume Direct, to celebrate summer. Treat yourself.

By Dr K Thompson, 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.

ANGELA PETCH ON THE WEIGHT OF RESPONSIBILITY OF RESEARCH

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I felt a weight of responsibility to get my research right for The Girl who Escaped. A main male protagonist is based on my Italian grandfather-in-law and I wanted to respect Luigi’s courage, as well as accurately represent the plight of Jews in Italy.

The first book I consulted was: It happened in Italy, written by an Italo-American lady. Elizabeth Bettina wrote of an internment camp for Jews near her grandparents’ village of Campagna. They’d been treated with kindness and respect. This was a revelation. I had only come across stories of gruesome concentration camps. Did camps like Campagna exist in Tuscany?

I found a camp called Villa Oliveto where archives for internment camps were stored. Brilliant! The hunt was on! I found accounts and photos of this place in the 1940s.

We travelled to the picturesque location set in olive groves near Civitella in Val di Chiana, but the villa, a former orphanage, was closed and archives no longer stored there.

All was not lost, however. I wandered around the building, taking photographs and notes. Then, I came across a puzzling, fading plaque, which told me the villa had once housed British Jews. Extremely puzzled, I asked a local woman who was walking past. But she had no idea. I speak fluent Italian and this helps when researching.

I enjoy a research puzzle and when I discovered the explanation later, it inspired a new character. Bear with me…

A young woman called Shira is a Cyreneican Jew from eastern Libya. (A former Italian colony). After Italy joined the Germans in 1940, many Libyan Jews were sent to concentration camps where they were treated abominably.  Jews lost trust in the Italian government, and began to support the British. The British had first conquered Cyrenaica in December 1940 and abolished Mussolini’s racial laws. Many Jewish men joined the British army and were granted British citizenship. Here was the link I needed.

On April 3rd 1941, Italian and German forces pushed British forces from Benghazi. Jews were arrested by the Italians, especially those who had allied themselves with the enemy, and were sent to the notorious Giado camp. Some Libyan Jews, however, were sent back to Italian camps. I’ve never found the exact reason, but have allowed myself artistic license through detective work. In a brilliant Italian book covering the persecution of Jews in Italy I found possible explanations of why Shira and other Libyan Jews might have landed in Italy, instead of elsewhere.

The Italian government knew about extermination of Jews already by the second half of 1942 – when they’d heard of massacres of Jews in Russia, from word sent home by Italian officers operating on the Eastern front. And foreign Jews who had arrived in Italy, including Hersz Kawa from Siedlce, Poland, had also talked of atrocious treatment too. He and two others had managed to escape in an empty wagon of a train bound for Italy. They spoke to Italian guards who made sure they were sent to an Italian camp, rather than German.  Similar events happened in Vichy France, when French Jews escaped to Italy because they felt they would be better treated.

I’m hoping that the same thing might have happened to those British Libyan Jews mentioned on the plaque. Saved by Italian soldiers acting with conscience.

 

The Girl Who Escaped:  https://geni.us/B0BYC1V9NHcover

 

 

 

 

Heart and Hustle by Patricia Bright Giveaway

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Frost is all about aspiration and becoming who we want to be, so we’re delighted to have five copies of Heart and Hustle by Patricia Bright to giveaway. A brilliant book on how to control your own future. Comment below or RT the Tweet of the competition on our Twitter @frostmag, or our editors @balavage. Good luck!

I’m going to show you how to hustle like I do, using your head and heart. All it takes is three steps…

YOUR BRAND: how you can use who you are to smash it online

YOUR BUSINESS: how to run your side hustle like a total boss

YOUR BELIEFS: ditch the thinking that s holding you back

From the early lessons she learned growing up in South London, to the moment she gave up the 9 to 5 to do what she loved, Patricia Bright s story will revolutionise how you think about work, life, and what it means to succeed.

Packed with her trademark attitude, style and sense of fun, Heart & Hustle is an inspirational guide to taking control of your own future.

‘NEVER NEVER’ by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

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The powerhouse couple of Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher was always going to be an event and my, my, what a book this is. The first in a trilogy about a teenager couple who’s memory vanishes. It’s hard to place the genre initially, but the ride is there in the characterisation and whip-smart dialogue. It made me laugh, smile and kept my guessing all of the way.

A good starter to what I reckon is going to be a belter of a trilogy. Loved it.

Charlie Wynwood and Silas Nash have been best friends since they could walk. They’ve been in love since the age of fourteen. But as of this morning… they are complete strangers. Their first kiss, their first fight, the moment they fell in love… every memory has vanished.

Now Charlie and Silas must work together to uncover the truth about what happened to them and why. But the more they learn about the couple they used to be… the more they question why they were ever together to begin with.

Forgetting is terrifying, but remembering may be worse.

The Number One Sunday Times bestselling author of It Ends with Us joins forces with the New York Times bestselling author of The Wives for a gripping, twisty, romantic mystery unlike any other.

 

Never Never

By Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

About the author:

Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of multiple novels and novellas. She lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. She is the founder of The Bookworm Box, a non-profit book subscription service and bookstore in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

 

Tarryn Fisher is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of nine novels. Born a sun hater, she currently makes her home in Seattle, Washington, with her children, husband, and psychotic husky. She loves connecting with her readers on Instagram.

 

May has burst in on the CCA, not just blossom but the odd storm or two, and still work on the centre goes on

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May is already proving a busy month as the team canter towards the finishing line, or so everyone hopes.

The Friday Morning Coffee Ladies decided that they would like a hamper raffle every week and everyone contributed a £1 towards the purchase of food for the hamper. ‘Whatever the ladies want, the team endeavours  to provide,‘ said Marion.

Fabulous donation of toiletries arrived for the seafarers from Sandra Noble, and hampers and food from Kath Haq, which thrilled the team enormously.

Workmen have been working on the swing doors,with the springs being removed to enable to doors to operate freely, enabling easy access.

A very enjoyable meeting was held with Ryan Wilson, social value officer from Equans at which the team discussed the possibility of future drop-ins at the centre and the various training on offer for the community. Watch this space.

Training in cooking is well under way and the slow cookers are lined up ready for the delicious nutritious recipes. Cultural Creatives were at the centre on Wednesday and Thursday, and exhibited their embroidery skills.

The team’s trusty mate Brian Mason from Car Styling along with his side kick Wayne, delivered and erected our new bespoke signage. Off with the old and on with the new. A bit of colour and much more inviting. ‘Thank you, lads, another wonderful job.’

John from Cosmic Blinds has just fitted the blinds in the two toilets, so all done now, and looking very  good. Marion approves:  ‘It’s these final touches that do the trick.‘

An external tap has been fitted, and Red Shoes Bob  reckons it will be handy for washing his car.

As always the Friday Coffee morning resulted in a good old chin wag, and the pashminas were a wonderful surprise for the Bingo players.


David Snowdon, re-elected councillor and CCA’s Dianne’s lovely hubby, visited the Friday coffee morning and Edith Bradley the Queen for the day, wasted no time in congratulating him, echoing the the team’s sentiments.

‘Well deserved Councillor Snowdon, you are a great bloke who really cares.’ says Marion. Who adds,
‘We hope everyone has an amazing weekend whatever you are doing.
A very auspicious day today “God save the King”’

Very much seconded by Margaret Graham editor of  Frost Magazine.

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

Books and a competition, what more can one ask of Joffe Books?

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Goodness, how interesting that Joffe Books Book of the Week is written by Adam Lyndon, author and a serving police officer. BURNT OUT SECRETS is a gripping crime thriller which is out now for just £0.99 | $0.99*

Just days after a charred body is discovered — his secrets burnt with him — a young woman turns up terrified and running for her life.  Detective Barnes and Superintendent Kane are convinced the two incidents are linked. But uncovering the truth may expose their own dark secrets. Secrets they will go to any lengths to keep buried firmly in the past . . .

CLICK HERE TO GET BURNT OUT SECRETS BY ADAM LYNDON FOR JUST £0.99 | $0.99.

*This special launch price is available for a limited time only. Please check this price offer is live and available in your location before purchasing.

     

 

Detective Maddie Ives Books 5-7  —  £0.99 | $0.99

A GREAT VALUE BOX SET OF BESTSELLING CRIME FICTION.

Get THREE page turning crime thrillers in ONE excellent-value box set.   Fans of Val McDermid, Karin Slaughter, Angela Marsons and Mark Billingham will be hooked by Gallagher’s enthralling books packed full of explosive twists and turns.

Femmes Fatale by Dorothy Cannell – my favourite sort of crime – a cosy  MURDER MYSTERY £0.99 | $0.99

New mum Ellie Haskell is determined to revive her love life by joining a new local ladies’ group in Chitterton Fells. But before long, things start to go fatally wrong.
First an electrocution in the bathtub, and then a death in the boudoir. One death could be an accident, but two is decidedly suspicious.

Wow – The Complete Welsh Valley Sagas by Carole Llewellyn in one box set – great news.  £0.99 | $0.99

Discover heartrending stories of love, loyalty and kindness set in the beautiful Welsh valleys in the early 1900s. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Rosie Goodwin, Dilly Court, Tania Crosse, Anna Jacobs and Rosie Clarke

NOW, from LUME BOOKS an addictive psychological thriller   

TOXIC PEOPLE BY S.D. MONAGHAN £0.99 | $0.99

Jenny finds her husband Shane unconscious behind the wheel of his car, a woman is sprawled across the bonnet, and a second masked figure slips silently into the shadows . . .    Shane and Jenny have been keeping toxic secrets from one another. Secrets that will unravel their so-called perfect life

NEWS OF A FABULOUS GIVEAWAY…

                       

Joffe tell us they are absolutely thrilled to be hosting an international giveaway in celebration of Joffe Books acquisition of Lume Books.

One lucky winner will receive: SIX paperback books. An Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. A Joffe Books tote bag

TO ENTER:
Reply to this email with your favourite Joffe OR Lume book of the year.
The competition closes at 10.00 a.m. GMT on Thursday 18 May.
️Winner will be announced Monday 22 May.

Terms and Conditions:
*This competition is available WORLDWIDE  *The winner will be contacted via private message  *Entrants must be aged 18 or over.  *The winner has five working days to claim their prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be selected and contacted.

To see more new books and other information from Joffe Books, click here

Was the Coronation Concert at St. Mary’s Church, Thirsk a success? Yep – it was a glorious soaring triumph

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‘Shall we go?’ Dick and I pondered, as our day on 30th April was already jam packed. Yes, we decided, it could be good, but we were not altogether convinced having sat through what seems like an enormous number of interminable school, and assorted concerts (don’t tell our kids we said this). Off we toddled hearing the bellringers as we approached. ‘Well, if the concert’s as good we will enjoy.’ We had thought we’d get there pretty much on the dot of 3.30 as surely there would be plenty of pew space?

Oh, ye of little faith for ahead of us a long queue of people steadily disappeared inside St Mary’s Church. Outside were some of the orchestra in their best bibs and tuckers. Were they having a last cigarette, or a final natter? Inside the church was packed, everywhere was a hubbub of anticipation. Eventually  we found a pew alongside a pillar in the North Aisle. Thankfully there were TV screens for those who didn’t have a view of the choir, orchestra, and organ (so well organised).

A brief introduction by The Revd Derek Simpson, before the concert took off at a canter with Zadok the Priest, the British anthem composed by George Frideric Handel for the coronation of King George II in 1727, which drew us all into the heart of the Coronation, and the concert. Zadok the Priest was performed by the Strings Attached Orchestra including, for the occasion, Matthew Atherton – organ, Richard Sowden – trumpet and Evelyn Wilson  – Timpani, not forgetting the Thirsk Coronation Choir.

Trevor Wilson was the conductor, and urged the orchestra and  the  choir into a soaring evocation of the majesty and history of the Coronation. Voices, along with the music, soared to sublime heights, and I, as always when music is quite perfect, cried. Tissues out, please. It set the tone for the first half of the concert, with the Suite from Abdelaza by Purcell, followed by Meditation for String Orchestra and Organ by Rowley.

A high point was the Choir singing Oh Lord, grant the King a long life, composed by our own Matthew S Atherton, organist supreme. When it ended Dick whispered, ‘To think we dithered.’ Indeed.

Incidentally the Thirsk Coronation Choir was established specifically for the concert by  Matthew Atheron, who drew in over 70 singers from North Yorkshire choirs. Matthew rehearsed about 30 people every week (from a piano) for ten weeks, culminating in two full choir rehearsals just before the concert, so is it any wonder the roof seemed perilously close to taking off from time to time.  Many members of the choir shared with Frost Magazine that they not only loved every minute of the rehearsals but made new friends along the way. Well, that’s what’s called community, is it not. But on with the programme…

The Orchestra and Organ then played the Concerto for Organ and Orchestra in F manor Op4. No5 by Handel which took us into the interval  and there it was – laid out before us in the North Aisle: Thirsk and surroundings coming together as a community, not just to play, sing and listen but to chat, greet, and guzzle the cakes that the ladies of the community  were now serving. Yes, I repeat,  a community.

The second half comprised, Parry’s – I Was Glad, for Orchestra, Choir and Organ, followed by Handel’s Water Music Suite No1, then Warlock’s Capriol Suite performed by the Orchestra, until we tilted into Walton’s  Crown Imperial March for Orchestra and organ.

Soggy tissues put in one pocket, dry ones taken from another. And  I wasn’t alone. Then… oh then… Vaughan Williams’ The Old Hundreth with three verses for the audience. Oh Lord, off we went with the words writ large on the TV screen, which also exhorted us to watch the conductor!! We obeyed, too right we did.

Finally, the Orchestra, Choir, Organ and Audience stood to sing The National Anthem. I am absolutely sure the roof took off, landing safely just as the standing ovation rang out. Such a high calibre concert, such a stunning community occasion. What could be better? Nothing, nothing at all. How proud we were, and are, of them all.

www.thirskparishes.org

Thanks to Conductor: Trevor Wilson. Leader: Julie Bates:  Organist: Matthew Atherton. Thirsk Coronation Choir. Special thanks to Alec Peach – lighting and sound engineer, and the St Mary’s Bellringers.

Information of forthcoming Summer Concerts and Events at St. Mary’s

Sunday 14th May 15.00: Chamber choir concert with the 200 Singers.

Sundat 9th July15.00 Service of song and creative arts in thanksgiving for Creation.

Sunday 6th August 15.00  A concert by Ripon Resound@ Summer is Icomin’ In!

Sunday 10th September 15.00 Thirsk Royal British Legion Band present: A Festival of Brass.

Frost Magazine has managed to grab the outstanding organist, Matthew Atherton, for a Spotlight piece. Not only is Matthew a wonderful organist, but clearly a great choir leader because… But no… look out for more in a couple of weeks time.

 

 

 

 

WRITERS ON THE ROAD: ALISON MORTON

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A small child, curls bobbing on a head she’s forgotten to cover with the sunhat her mother insists on, crouched down on a Roman mosaic floor in north-east Spain. Mesmerised by the purity of the pattern, and the tiny marble squares, she almost didn’t hear her father calling her to the next one.

Jumping up, she eagerly ran to him, babbling questions like many eleven-year-olds do: who were the people who lived here, what were they called, what did they do, where did they come from, where have they gone?

The father, a numismatist and senior ‘Roman nut’, told her about the Greek town founded 575 BC which became Roman Emporiæ in 218 BC, where traders sailed in and out with their cargoes of olive oil, wine, textiles, glass and metals; where people lived in higgledy-piggledy houses, traded from little shops; where the Roman army based its operations; where money was minted. And the people came from every corner of the Roman Empire to live and work. Boys went to schools and girls learnt to be good wives and mothers.

The little girl listened carefully to every word, sifting the information. Her hand in his, she turned as they left, looked back at the mosaics and asked her father:.

“What would it be like if Roman women were in charge, instead of the men?”
Clever man, my father replied:
“What do you think it would be like?”

I thought about it for nearly five decades, then poured it all into my first book.

Since that first Roman road trip in Spain, I’ve clambered over bridges, explored former bathhouses, barracks and forts and wondered at theatres and amphitheatres in different parts of France, Germany, Britain, Italy, even former Yugoslavia. And I’ve walked on Roman roads connecting these sites and settlements across Europe.

The via Domitia running along the coast from Spain to Italy provided a fast and sure link between the key province of Hispania and the imperial centre in Rome. Built in 118 BC, it’s still with us, wheel ruts included, over 2,000 years later. At Ambrussum in southern France, it formed a junction with the route northwards up the Rhone Valley into central Gaul. I stood on those slabs, where those three roads met, closed my eyes and ‘saw’ thousands of people, carts, mules, legionaries and the odd imperial courier, many of them shouting at me to get out of their way. The Romans were busy people, much like us today.

When writing my latest story set in AD 370 – itself a Roman ‘road trip’– I discovered how common it was for current routes to bear the names given to them two thousand years ago. The strada stalale 3 entering Rome from the north is still called the Via Flaminia; from the northwest, the Via Cassia (strada regionale 2) enters Rome heading for the Milvian Bridge as it did in Augustus’s day.  And you can still walk (or in some parts) even ride in your car along the via Appia.

The persistence of these road names seems romantic, but the Romans were hard-headed military engineers. For them, it was a question of reaching B from A in the fastest, most efficient and logical way. Small wonder than very many countries in Europe built their road networks following the same routes.

Travel on the ground is exciting, eye-opening and educational, but seeing and touching the roads, floors and walls and looking at their glassware, pottery, household equipment and thus imagining the people who walked, lived, and worked in those places takes us on a very different journey – the one into time.

 

If you’d like to learn more about my alternative Roman novels, Roman life and a journey through time, please come and visit me at alison-morton.com.