Journey to Death by Leigh Russell Review by Frances Colville

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Margaret Graham

The first of a new series by established crime writer Leigh Russell, Journey to Death is set on an island in The Seychelles. Lucy Hall arrives on the island with her parents for a holiday following the traumatic break-up of a relationship, but soon becomes aware that all is not as it seems. Behind the warmth and tranquility of a popular tourist destination lies a dark and mysterious threat to the safety of Lucy and her family. Is someone trying to frighten or even kill them, and if so, why?

Lucy is an appealing if rather naive character who steps up to try to solve a crime in which the authorities are not particularly interested. I enjoyed the setting, and the descriptions of the island and its beaches and thought the book was generally well plotted. There were a few occasions when it was all a bit slow and tedious and I wanted things to speed up and get sorted. But overall it’s a good read – uncomplicated and easy to follow. And intriguing enough to make you want to get to the end and discover how it all works out.

Journey to Death is a stand-alone book but the seeds are sown within it for a new crime series featuring Lucy Hall. Published February 2016 by Thomas & Mercer (an imprint of Amazon Publishing) and available in paperback and e-book versions.

The Glittering Art of Falling Apart by Ilana Fox Review by Jan Speedie

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Margaret Graham

A story of jealousy, secrets, heartbreak and love – read and enjoy.

Beaufont Hall, ancestral home of the Tempest family, lies empty, crumbling and the family feel cursed. Will the future glitter for the younger members of the family as their lives take very different paths?

Eliza is bored with life in small council flat in Tottenham and school. Fuelled by thoughts of glamorous parties, night clubs, late nights and freedom Eliza heads for the electric pull of Soho in the 1980s. Eliza feels the world is at her feet, fame and fortune are within her grasp – can she grab it?

Cassie fascinated by her family history and Beaufont Hall and jumps at the chance to explore the abandoned Hall. Cassie finds Eliza’s diaries in the library and from them discovers the hidden truth about her family’s past.

Ilana Fox has woven a fascinating story about Eliza and Cassie who are separated by a generation but linked by the diaries. She paints an evocative picture of life in Soho in the 1980s and Cassie’s determination to find the truth about the past.

*************

Ilana Fox lives in East Dulwich and is a supporter of Save Soho whose aim is to preserve iconic music venues in Soho from developers. This is Ilana 4^th novel and before turning to writing fiction she worked as a journalist for several leading newspapers.

Published by Orion Fiction

In Paperback on 18^th February 2016 – £7.99 – eBook £4.99 Available from Amazon.co.uk

The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger Only £1.99 Until End of Today

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Frostie

Our editor Catherine Balavage’s new blogging book, The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger, is only £1.99 until the end of today. It has already had a four star review on Good Reads and a five star review on Amazon. Catherine was also interviewed in Best of You Magazine. The print copy of the magazine is out now. You can buy The Ultimate Guide To Becoming a Successful Blogger here.

Dr Kathleen Thompson shares some excerpts from her enormously helpful book, From Both Ends of the Stethoscope

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Frost asked Dr Kathleen Thompson if she felt like sharing some excerpts from her enormously helpful book, From Both Ends of the Stethoscope.

Here is the first in a series of excerpts, and an invaluable read for everyone. Who knows, after all, when we will need to support someone with cancer, or even face a diagnosis ourselves. I can remember standing outside Ascot races one day last year with Kathleen, rattling collecting tins for three cancer charities. Many people stopped, and gave, because they had relatives with the disease or indeed, were, or had been sufferers themselves.

Since her brush with the disease Kathleen has lived life to the full, and perhaps with even greater gusto before. She has climbed Kilimanjaro, cycled for charity in southern India, and taken up ballroom dancing with a vengeance, (she has recently qualified for Blackpool – be still my beating heart. I intend to try and go to cheer her on). All this as well as continuing in her profession in medical research, writing a regular medical column for Frost, and best of all, writing about her own journey with cancer – From Both Ends of the Stethoscope which is full of sensible advice. The woman is a powerhouse, an inspiration, and the most amazing fun.

However did this happen to me? by Dr Kathleen Thompson

The nurse asked me to lie on the couch by the ultrasound machine.

‘The doctor will be here soon.’

A tall man with white hair walked through the door and smiled. He sat down next to the machine.

Looking straight into my eyes, he spoke. ‘The problem is, we’ve seen a lump on your mammogram. So I need to look at it with this ultrasound.’

Very gently, he pulled down my blue gown and exposed my breasts. I flinched as he squirted a blob of cold gel onto my skin. He pressed the ultrasound probe onto the blob, and moved it slowly over my right breast for a few minutes. He pointed to the fuzzy image on the small screen.

‘This is the lump — it’s about 2cm wide.’ His voice was quiet but firm. ‘Do you see the irregular shape, and these little bright flecks? These are worrying.’

He looked at me as he said this. His blue eyes offered sympathy and strength.

The screen looked like an ancient TV with a lousy reception. I couldn’t make out any lump—but I understood ‘irregular shape’ and ‘worrying’ well enough.

‘I see you’re a doctor. Where do you practice?’ he continued.

‘I was a paediatrician, but now I work in drug research.’

‘Oh? Interesting.’ His smile morphed into a serious expression, ‘I need to take a biopsy of this lump. We have these neat little things now.’ He held a small black box between his finger and thumb.

‘I’m going to press this box over the lump, then push this button, and a needle will shoot out and take the sample. It’ll make a loud click, but it won’t hurt, because I’m going to numb you first.’

I lay on the couch in the semi-darkness, watching him fill a small syringe with local anaesthetic. The cold wall, pressing against my left arm, forced me to concentrate. Everything was unreal — surreal. What was I doing here? I’d only come in for a check. My left hand gripped the coarse material of the hospital gown as if it was a survival rope. My right hand was visible to him and the nurse, so I forced it to relax.

Lifting the small syringe towards me, he injected the anaesthetic into my breast. It stung, but I hid the pain with a smile. ‘No, it doesn’t hurt. It’s fine. It’s a lovely day outside. I don’t expect you’ll have much chance to enjoy it, stuck in here.’

Somehow I controlled my voice — but tears were streaming down my face. I hoped the darkened room would hide them.

Then, a loud click shattered the quiet. He’d taken the biopsy, and he was right, it hadn’t hurt.

‘Well done. All finished. Nurse will pop a dressing on for you. Then she’ll take you to see the breast surgeon. Good luck with your research work.’ And he was gone.

On an otherwise unremarkable spring day, my life had just changed forever.

Excerpt from:

From Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9935083-0-1

E book ISBN: 978-0-9935083-1-8

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q

Take A Trip To Serendip By Wendy Breckon

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Margaret Graham

If I wasn’t spinning my latest yarn or chasing the words across a page of A4, I’d love to be scurrying behind the counter, in a cosy Indie bookshop. Peeping into the latest best seller or admiring the rows of vibrant coloured children’s books with quirky titles and sometimes cheeky rhymes. Aah… if only!

The wonderful Serendip on Broad Street in Lyme Regis, is in a prime, perfect location down on the right, above the peeping sea. With flapping seagulls overhead and the crashing of the stormy, January waves I amble down to one of my favourite places.

The huge window is bursting with books! All shapes and sizes, from best sellers, to the offerings of local authors, and reflects the different seasons and celebrations. Whether it’s Christmas or Easter, Mother or Father’s Day or the popular Fossil Festival, Serendip offers every reader something and one or two surprises.

One of the biggest sellers of 2015 was the unusual book called ‘Norwegian Wood’ by Lars Mytting.

Another popular buy, were the little Penguin books for adults, with titles such as the ‘The Husband’ ‘The Wife’ and the ‘Hangover’.

Meeting Chris Painton, the owner of Serendip with his wife Bee, and Angela, who enjoys working in their book shop three days a week, was a delight. Our engaging conversation, a welcome eye opener into the fascinating world of books.

Chris enjoys general fiction, although he doesn’t tend to read books by the same author all the time, his preference being mainly for biography and history. On his wish list to meet would be Paddy Ashdown, the writer of ‘Cockleshell Heroes’, an intriguing story of a life before politics, and the fascinating David Starkey the eminent historian.

Bee’s preference is for biographies of interesting people such as Gertrude Bell. Angela is drawn to creative nonfiction rather than novels. She read ‘The A303: Highway To The Sun’ by Tom Fort and subsequently planned her own trip with her husband, to visit some of the places. She enjoys reading about real life journeys and adventures, and how they came about, wanting to experience what the authors have, for herself.

The children’s book section on the right at the back is stunning. Favourites such as the Gruffalo or other stories by Julia Donaldson, Judith Kerr’s the ‘Tiger Who Came To Tea’ and Michael Murpurgo tales fly off the shelves. Here I buy books for my grandson Finn, before I sail over to Ireland.

Chris and Bee are so dedicated and passionate about the world of books, that they only close one day a year… Christmas Day. They offer a brilliant hand sell service… something Indi bookshops do so well. Everyone who works there is bursting with suggestions and ideas if you need any help with choosing a title. As Chris says, ‘good service is always the key’.

Serendip has been in their ownership for over five years. The couple changed the interior in 2010 because they wanted to brighten it up. Before then, the original gold lettering and black signs of the shop facade were created in 1980 for the film ‘The French Lieutenants’ Woman’. The arches above the shop that appeared in the film were kept. The much loved name Serendip was the original name for Sri Lanka and translates as ‘a treasure trove’, which of course it is, from the moment you walk in through the door. As someone who loves to potter inside, that is the perfect description for this delightful bookshop, just up from the sea.

The Secret of the Cathars by Michael Hillier Review by Frances Colville

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Margaret Graham

This book is an intriguing mix of fact and fiction. Based on the history of the Cathars, a religious heresy of the medieval period in France, and with references to the Knights Templar, there is enough information to whet the appetite of those interested in such things without turning into overkill for those who just want a good story and don’t care too much about the setting. After a rather slow start and a lengthy list of characters to get to grips with, the story moves along at a good pace with some interesting twists and turns on route. A sort of archaeological treasure hunt with competitors ranging from a TV presenter through a religious group to members of the mafia. Some of the characters are stereotypical and didn’t really come to life for me, but others – including the two main – were more convincing. I was initially somewhat disappointed by the ending which didn’t seem to tie up all the loose ends, but then I realised that this book is intended as the first of a trilogy and all became clear. And the over-long list of characters was also explained. All in all a good enough read to make me look out for the next instalment at some stage, but not one which completely wowed me.

The Secret of the Cathars is published by Matador and available in paperback and as an e-book.

Sweet Memories of You by Ellie Dean Reviewed by Jan Speedie

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Ellie Deane has produced another heartwarming story in her Beach View Boarding House Series.

Sweet Memories of You is set in 1943 in Cliffhaven, a small town on the south coast of Britain. Peggy Reilly runs the Beach View Boarding House and is determined to give her lodgers and evacuees a homely, happy place to live.

Peggy’s husband, Jim, is away with the Army in India and she is reliant on his regular airgraphs to know he is safe. Doreen, Peggy’s younger sister, has at last found happiness after her divorce from her adulterous husband but fate changes this.

Doreen returns to Cliffhaven to the love and comfort of her family but her past cannot stay away.

There is however a protector in Ron Reilly and his faithful brindle lurcher, Harvey. Ron watches over everyone at Beach Villa and with his Irish charm, mischievous ways and network of friends, keeps trouble at bay.

Read and enjoy this charming story of ordinary people coping with the hardships of air raids, rationing and the heartaches of a war which feels as though will never end.

Ellie Dean has lived in a village in the heart of the South Downs for many years. She has raised 3 children and this is her tenth novel in a successful writing career.

Published by Arrow in paperback: Price £5.99.

Also available as an ebook.

An interview with Dr Kathleen Thompson: Author of From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope and Frost’s medical correspondent

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Why did you write the book?

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was surprised how hard I found it, even as a doctor, to navigate my way through the tests and treatments. It made me realise how much more difficult it must be for someone without any medical knowledge. This book is to help those people. I also wanted to give an insight of what it was like to have cancer, for the benefit of the friends and relatives of people with breast cancer.

What is your book about?

It uses my personal breast cancer experiences to guide people through their breast cancer treatment, explaining the various tests and procedures. It points them to further information sources too. Although full of information, it is simply written, in order to be easily absorbed by someone in a state of shock.

Later in the book I explain medical research. The internet is a fabulous source of information. The trouble is, it doesn’t have a truth-filter. Anybody can post anything, and there are numerous ‘cancer cures’ which are unsubstantiated and sometimes dangerous. When you have a serious illness, it is tempting to try anything. So, for these reasons, I explain how to assess whether a claim is valid, or whether it is misleading.

Finally I talk about the causes of cancer and what we can do to reduce our chances of contracting it – and it is surprising how much we can do.

What is the most important message of your book?

Take control. We lose control of our lives the moment we are told we have cancer—take it back. Don’t relinquish that control to anyone, even to your medical carers. They may do a fantastic job, but in the end, you are the one with the most at stake. You need to understand all your treatment options, discuss with your doctor, and then decide which are best for you, and make sure you get them.

Who will your book help and in what way?

Firstly it will help people going through breast cancer, or other cancers, as much of the information extends to all cancers.

Equally it will help the relatives and friends of people diagnosed with cancer.

It will also be of interest to anyone who enjoys reading about personal experiences and who is interested in improving their health, reducing their cancer risk and understanding medical research

Did being a doctor help you get through breast cancer?

In many ways, yes it did, and that is why I want to share my ‘inside knowledge’ with others. In some ways, though, it didn’t, and I felt as vulnerable, bewildered and uncertain about what to do as anyone else.

Can we do anything to help lower our cancer risk?

Absolutely yes—it is surprising how much we can do. Of course some people have a higher risk of cancerthan others, and sometimes, however hard you try, you can’t prevent it. But for many of us, we can shift along the seesaw of cancer risk—and so make ourselves go up, and not down.

Frost found From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope impressive, and important. If you know anyone who could use help after a diagnosis, don’t hesitate to point them towards the book.

From Both Ends Of the Stethoscope is available from all good bookshops and Amazon.co.uk

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