Monthly Archives: July 2015

Rise of the Enemy by Rob Sinclair Book Review

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Rise of the Enemy by Rob Sinclair Book Review

Everyone had a breaking point. Carl Logan might just have found his.

A routine mission to Russia, goes wrong. Carl Logan’s cover is blown, and he’s transported to hell, one he thought he’d never see again.

This is a novel of action, suspense, doubt, and ultimately… No, I won’t tell you. Read it and see.

Written in two time zones, Sinclair manages to draw his character into, and out of, so many ups and downs that in the end, we don’t know who he can trust either. Carl, however, powers on, hanging on to the inner strength which his mentor helped him to develop, but is his mentor who he thought he was? So many page turning questions. Just as a thriller should be.  

Rob Sinclair, a forensic accountant for a global accounting firm, was challenged by his wife to write a ‘can’t put down thriller’. He did, Dance with the Enemy, and it proved to be a hit. Here is the next in the Enemy Series.

See his A Day in the Life coming shortly on www.frostmagazine.com

Rise of the Enemy by Rob Sinclair. Published in Hardback by Clink Street, (£14.99)

 

 

Top 10 Tips On How To Look Amazing In Pictures

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Here is my definitive advice to all of you wanting to get amazing images every time no matter what. It’s all about angles and lighting. Here I will share with you a my top tips.

This will help you when you need a go to quick fire list to remind you. I have been a photographer for many years and grew up in a house with a darkroom and studio. My father was a photographer and artist. My mother was a model, so you can see where I get the passion for fashion, style and photography from.

Along with my main job as session nail technician, its all about creating amazing images. My desire to write for you guys comes from a need to help others. Be it beauty advice, great recipes or fashion and style inspiration. Its also a little photography outlet for myself and my husband. All the articles I write need pictures and what better way to get creative than set up little shoots for each and every one!

How To Look Good In Pictures

Top tips on how to look amazing in pictures.

 

  1. 1. Wear clothing that you feel amazing in. If you know your going out and having tons of pictures taken throughout the day or night its important to feel good from various angles. If you hate your upper arms then wear a dress that hides the tops of the arms. You will instantly feel more confident. Or failing that dash out and purchase MAC Face & Body. Most makeup artists I work with use this for runway shows, magazine shoots and editorials. I own a fair few bottles in different shades and its my best buddy if my arms are looking a little blotchy or pasty. Our secret ok!
  2. Invest in the best underwear. Tight and ill-fitting garments just look terrible, especially if shot from behind. Purchase t-shirt bras and seam free pants. Nude is always best in my book. Yes I do own rather a lot of Bridget style pants and I’m not ashamed to admit it.
  3. Don’t use a flash. Natural lighting is always best. I totally hate flash photography when done the wrong way. It can make makeup and clothing look terrible, whats worse.. when food is involved. Don’t do it…Whenever I ever see that dreaded flash go off snapping a beautiful plate of food I die inside just a little every time!! Turn it off and see how it looks. Yes I know there are times when your in a dark restaurant…Then that is telling you its not appropriate. If you really need to snap your food, then go out mid afternoon!
  4. Cloudy days are actually perfect for portrait photography as the sky has a natural light diffuser.
  5. Always turn to your side as this will create a softer prettier look for us girlies. If you need to lift an arm and place it on a hip do so.
  6. Use sunglasses, bags or a hat if you don’t know what to do with your hands.
  7. Practice posing in the mirror. It sounds narcissistic but it will help you the more that you do it.
  8. Always wear heels as this will create confidence.
  9. If you are having your picture taken from the front tuck your arms into your sides as this will create a longer leaner frame.
  10. Lastly Smile. Even if your not looking at the camera. You might look a little crazy but when the images come through you will look radiant and stunning.

Lentil Curry

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This is a very easy, simple and staple dish in our house and we create this on this days when its drizzly outside. When the wet weather sets in its time to get those spices out and rustle up a big pot of hot and delicious happiness. Whats great about this recipe is that its a vegan meal that can be adapted for sides, or of a whopper of a main meat eaters meal. All you need to do is add a little extra sustenance towards the end of the cooking time. The best bit though I have saved till last….And thats that this dish is ultra kind on those hips as I didn’t you any oil or fats when cooking.Lentil Curry Lentil Curry Lentil Curry-3 Lentil Curry-4

 

To create this meal for 4 people you will need the following list of ingredients.

Lentil Curry Ingredients

  • 4 cups of Lentils
  • 1 bunch of coriander
  • 2 onions
  • 6 carrots
  • 4 tbs Curry paste
  • 2 tbs of Tomato puree
  • 1 pint od water
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
  • 2 tsp of  ground Garlic or 2 bulbs of the fresh kind
  • 1/2 a bag of Rice
  • 2 Naan breads

Lentil Curry Method

Now here is the best bit….Its a one pot wonder that takes minutes to prepare and is wildly amazing.

  1. Chop up the onions and carrots.
  2. Then drop them into the pan. No need for oil as this is an ultra healthy dish.
  3. Add all the other ingredients and bring to the boil.
  4. Let it all simmer for about 1 hour and keep checking to make sure that it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
  5. Then boil the rice and serve with the Naan bread. Simple and so easy.
  6. Add cooked meat to the mixture 10 minutes before serving if your a carnivorous type!

Its a great recipe if your new to cooking or a student. Go have a go and let us know how you get on. For more recipes head over to SLB Style.com 

First Ever Dual Finish at Trick or Treat Run London in Richmond Park

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First ever dual finish at Trick or Treat Run London in Richmond ParkFor the first time this Halloween runners will be faced with a decision when they reach the finish line – Trick or Treat? The brand new Trick or Treat Run London arrives in Richmond Park on Sunday 1 November and offers the rare opportunity to run 2k, 5k or 10k on the closed roads of this stunning royal park. Once runners have finished their chosen distance they will be faced with a unique decision, to either go down the Trick finish for a spooky surprise, or to play it safe and head in the opposite direction for a treat.

Richmond Park is famous for its stunning views and wandering deer, close to London but seemingly a different world from the bustling capital, there are few more picturesque and pleasant places in the country to run. Runners of all abilities are encouraged to take part, and the event is nicely timed to encourage running into the winter season. As well as their trick or treat everybody who crosses the line will receive a special medal to commemorate the day, which can be transformed into a badge and attached to clothing or bags.

“We have been putting on events for over 25 years but as far as we know this is the first dual run finish in the world” said Nick Rusling from organisers Human Race Events. “It’s a privilege to have this very special park available and free from traffic for the first ever Trick or Treat Run. I know many will use this as an opportunity to clock up a great 10k time”.

If you would rather stay safe in numbers at this Halloween run you can sign up as a group and run any of the three routes together. Teams of five or more can enter and receive a 20% discount off the usual entry price. Fancy dress is encouraged so runners can get creative with their outfits.

Alongside fitness, fun and fancy dress will also be fundraising. Breast Cancer Care are the official charity partner of the Trick or Treat Run, with all participants encouraged to raise money which will go towards providing vital support services for anyone affected by breast cancer. There is no minimum fundraising target and it’s easy to set up a Just Giving online donation page when registering for the event.

Places in the inaugural Trick or Treat Run London are now available through www.trickortreatrun.co.uk . Sign up now and commit to keep your running going beyond the summer.

 

 

 

Murder D.C. by Neely Tucker Book Review

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Murder D.C. by Neely Tucker Book Review

Billy Ellison, the son of Washington, D.C.’s most influential African-American family, is found dead in the Potomac near a violent drug haven. This is when  veteran metro reporter Sully Carter knows it’s time to start asking some serious questions – no matter what the consequences.

As with so many things, all is not quite what it seems, and Sully uncovers tentacles that stretch into prestigious social areas; areas which don’t welcome intrusion.

Sully is an edgy, gritty character, an alcoholic haunted by his years as a war correspondent in Bosnia.

(I was there just after the peace, researching a novel, and can empathise with that. It was a dangerous place and that’s when I first knew real fear.)

However, Sully is a reporter, and a bloody minded one at that, and he’s not about to be put off in his hunt for the truth.

I enjoyed this novel. Neely Tucker is that rare and wonderful being, an author who seems almost to be writing his own life story, such is his empathy with his main character. Sully lives and breathes. The style is as fractured as he is, the plot as edgy.  This is a gritty novel, full of suspense and depth, which is not surprising I suppose, from a veteran Washington, D.C, reporter.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this novel lives. Go along for the ride. It will be worth it.

Murder, D.C. is available here.Published in Hardback by Century.

Murder D.C. by Neely Tucker Book Review margaretgraham

The Ways of the Dead, Tucker’s first Sully novel is out in paperback now. Praised by Michael Connelly and the Daily Mail, amongst many, and published by Arrow.

 

Naming The Day: Jane Cable On Organising a Charity Litfest

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Author and Frost contributor Jane Cable shares the first in a series of blogs about organising a charity litfestAuthor and Frost contributor Jane Cable shares the first in a series of blogs about organising a charity litfest

“This is fabulous” said my fellow Chindi author Christopher Joyce, reading about the Words for the Wounded grannies’ latest exploit. “Let’s do something to support them.”
I was so pleased. “Perhaps an event?” I suggested.
“Yes – we’ll have a litfest.”
Nothing if not ambitious, is Mr Joyce.

First, let me explain about Chindi; we are group of indie authors from the Chichester area who work together to share information on best practice in publishing and to promote our books. Christopher Joyce, a children’s author, is one of our founders, our chairman and all round powerhouse. And when he sees a great cause like Words for the Wounded, he can’t help himself but get stuck in.

When we put the idea of holding an event to raise funds for the charity to one of our monthly meetings most people supported it so we agreed to go ahead. But our calendar was already crowded with a series of Saturday morning workshops over the spring and summer and two events as part of the Festival of Chichester in June, so it had to be in the autumn. Plenty of time to arrange things then.

gardenAuthor and Frost contributor Jane Cable shares the first in a series of blogs about organising a charity litfest chris

The only person I know with more energy than Chris is Words for the Wounded chief grannie and Frost contributing editor, Margaret Graham. I sometimes worry about what will happen when we get them in the same room. But for the litfest, even Margaret exercised words of caution; Chris was planning a whole weekend – she thought perhaps a day would be fine.

We sketched out ideas of a structure and in the end compromised on a full day on the Saturday and a Sunday breakfast. Margaret would give a morning talk, then lunch with a keynote speaker, a family bookish treasure hunt in the afternoon and an informal fundraiser in a pub in the evening. Rounded off by a book-swap breakfast to nurse our hangovers.

For a while we suffered from chicken and egg syndrome; we had the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ – but should we now focus on the ‘who’, the ‘when’ or the ‘where’? Realistically it had to be when so we narrowed it down to a couple of dates when Margaret and her right hand woman Jan could make it.

Next was who: – we had Margaret, of course, but really wanted another writer as a keynote speaker. Once again we turned to Margaret – having read Words for the Wounded’s impressive list of literary patrons – and she suggested Elizabeth Buchan. I have to admit I was nervous emailing such a superstar of the writing world but I received an almost immediate reply – she would be honoured to help out, but she could only make one of the dates – 17th October.

So there you have it… save the day if you’re anywhere near the Chichester area – 17th & 18th October, Chindi’s Words for the Wounded Litfest.

But have we left ourselves too much to organise in too little time? Find out, dear reader, next month.

Learn more about…
Words for the Wounded: www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk
Chindi Authors: www.chindi-authors.co.uk
Margaret Graham: www.margaret-graham.com
Elizabeth Buchan: www.elizabethbuchan.com
Christopher Joyce: www.creaturesofchichester.com
Jane Cable: www.janecable.com

 

 

Twelfth Night or What You Will, by William Shakespeare

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Twelfth NightEither my education’s failed me or I’ve failed my education as this is the first time I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the great William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, or What You Will.

 

A production by the Pell Mell Theatre Company at The Space on the Isle of Dogs, I had no preconceptions of what the play was about, let alone how it compared to the written word or other stage adaptations.

 

Twelth Night came across as organised chaos – entertainers with painted faces stretched, performed, laughed and mocked the other characters and we never quite know whether they’re visible to all on stage or if they just act as a narrative device to help the audience’s understanding.

 

At times they were comedic in their moves, at other times they were somewhat distracting pacing about the stage while the audience tried to keep up with the main characters.

 

I was glad to see Shakespeare’s chief ploys of gender swapping and love triangles present.

 

Orsino pines for Lady Olivia, but she’s ironically hypnotised by Orsino’s page boy, Cesario, a woman who’s disguised herself as a man. And Cesario – aka Viola – is in love with Orsino.

 

The play is predominantly set at Lady Olivia’s home, where we meet her outspoken maid Maria, her pompous chief servant Malvolio and where her uncle, Sir Toby, roams the corridors after late night drinking sessions.

 

We also meet Feste, the fool who is wickedly honest and surprisingly witty and who shone through his thickly painted face.

 

As the love triangle heightens and madness has descended on the cast as the once disinterested Cesario has now wed Lady Olivia, is forced to fight Sir Andrew who’s also trying to win Olivia’s heart, and comes to blows with his/her master Orsino who believes he’s been betrayed, Sebastian enters.

 

The long lost twin brother of Cesario/Viola stands in front of the whole cast and all is now made clear. The way Sebastian was revealed and the way we saw each of the characters seem to realise the truth was a great strategy.

 

And though the play’s a little farcical as Lady Olivia is happy to have wed the male counterpart of Cesario, it was heart-warming to see Cesario revealed as a female – as she’s able to declare her love for her master, Orsino.

 

Viola, played by Ella Garland, was truly fantastic – she had the right mix of authority and playfulness for the role.

 

You couldn’t help but warm to Malvolio, played by Andrew Seddon, who paraded around in a grand suit before dressing in yellow stockings in the belief this would win the heart of Lady Olivia.

 

The actual play was simple in terms of props, and I think this was the right move, as the costumes were majestic and the lighting and music filled the stage.

 

Twelfth Night is showing at The Space until 8 August – tickets are available from https://space.org.uk.

 

 

 

Meningitis By Dr Patricia Thompson

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A new vaccine, for Meningococcus B, will soon be available for babies. What, another vaccine? Do we really need it?

I would say – absolutely yes.

Meningococcus causes meningitis, and blood infection (septicaemia) – sometimes leading to limb amputation or brain damage. Approximately 1:10 people affected die.

As a paediatrician, I’ve seen healthy children become seriously ill within hours. Most recover, but, inexplicably, some don’t, and I’ve had to tell shocked parents that their child may not make it through the night.

Meningitis is an infection of the meninges – the thin protective layer covering the brain and spinal cord. It can affect any age, but predominantly under fives, and, particularly, under ones. Teenagers/young adults are also susceptible.

In the UK, it’s usually caused by a virus –and recover is generally complete. However bacterial meningitis is far more dangerous – and the Meningococcus bacteria, of which there are several strains, is the main culprit. It normally lives harmlessly in the nose and throat, but sometimes invades the blood, causing the illness.

The UK vaccination programme already protects against some meningitis types – the bacteria – Haemophilus, Pneumococcus, Meningococcus strain C, and the viruses – Measles and Mumps.

A new vaccine against Meningococcus A, C, W and Y will soon be offered to young adults, plus the new B vaccine for infants.

Meningococcal vaccines are between 85 -100% effective initially – much less so in young children. They are usually safe but can cause pain/redness, vomiting, headaches, drowsiness or irritability. Occasionally, allergic reactions, or, rarely, neurological problems may occur. Protection wanes over time, so teenagers are given boosters. However, vaccination reduces the number of people carrying the bacteria, thus reducing infection risk for the whole community.

If you think someone may have meningitis, look out for:

Headache, stiff neck, photophobia (dislike of bright light), vomiting, drowsiness or confusion and fever. The typical rash (called petechial) is red but doesn’t fade when pressed. It isn’t always present, but if you see it, you must seek medical help urgently.

symptonsof Meningitis By Dr Patricia Thompson

Sometimes, particularly youngsters, are so ill, that the classic signs aren’t obvious. The child may have a temperature, but, equally, may seem cold. They make look blue, cry incessantly (often high-pitched), refuse feeds, have convulsions or become unconscious. In young babies, their fontanelle (‘soft spot’) may bulge and feel tense.

It is important to treat rapidly. Antibiotics will kill the bacteria, but, if severe, intensive care may be necessary.

To give some perspective – approximately 3000 people will get bacterial meningitis/septicaemia in the UK this year. The incidence has decreased due to vaccination.

Knowing the signs could save a life. Always have a low index of suspicion – an unnecessary visit to A&E is far better than delayed treatment. I myself rushed my young son there, late one night. Embarrassingly, he made a miraculous recovery a soon as the doctor (my colleague) examined him – I did eventually live it down at work.

Further Information:

http://www.meningitis.org

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Meningitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx

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