Author Archives: Catherine Yardley

DEA Agent Plunges Readers Into Seedy World of Trap Houses and Police Corruption in New Book

Posted on by

The Quiet Houses: Fall of the Narcs immediately caught my attention and I’m glad it did. Not only is it a fascinating story of the beginning of Jeff Moore’s career as an undercover detective, but it is a true insider view. Jeff is a fantastic writer and his empathy and compassion comes through on the page. You can tell he is a good person. Thankfully he shared his interesting life with us. 

The Quiet Houses: Fall of the Narcs is based on real events and keeps you hooked from the first page. Jeff and Tammy make an unusual, yet fascinating partnership. This book is perfect for true crime fans. I loved it and I cannot recommend it enough. 

DEA Agent Plunges Readers Into Seedy World of Trap Houses and Police Corruption in New Book

Based on real events, The Quiet Houses: Fall of the Narcs traces the remarkable career of DEA Special Agent Jeff Moore, who captured the world’s oldest and most successful drug cartel mule, Leo Sharp — the story of which became the inspiration for Clint Eastwood’s blockbuster movie, The Mule.

 

The Quiet Houses follows Jeff’s employment journey from redundant graphics designer to patrol officer to undercover detective in a corrupt, Kansas City, Missouri, narcotics unit led by Sgt. Ryan Shale, who has aligned himself with a large-scale drug trafficker in a symbiotic relationship of profit and police protection.

 

Embarrassed by Jeff’s sub-par results on the streets, Ryan forces Jeff to work alongside an unmanageable but streetwise informant named Tamera Josephine Mack. The unlikely pair embarks on a surreal odyssey infiltrating as many drug houses as possible to conduct undercover street level drug buys of heroin and cocaine. They encounter lost souls and violent men during their journey.

 

Jeff’s relationship with Tammy is exceedingly contentious yet entertaining.

 

“My experiences with Tamera Mack were almost too unreal to believe, which served to create an incredible story I wanted to tell,” Moore said. “In my career, I have met some of the most interesting and nefarious people in the world.”

 

Tammy opens Jeff’s eyes to a world he has never seen, and he is forced to redefine his purpose, and accept his failures and fears. Through self-preservation, Tammy and Jeff look past stereotypes and social differences, and form a deep friendship.

 

However, Ryan Shale’s unrelenting corruption knows no limits, as he uses his criminal contacts to steal drug and money seizures off the streets while eliminating adversaries. Eventually, Jeff and Tammy find themselves in Ryan’s crosshairs. In a final battle of cat and mouse, a surprise ending unfolds with Tammy and Jeff fighting for their lives with all the players under one roof.

 

About the Author

DEA agent Jeff Moore’s 2014 New York Times interview regarding his capture of the world’s oldest and most successful drug cartel mule, Leo Sharp, became the basis for Clint Eastwood’s movie, The Mule. In the movie, Eastwood portrayed Leo Sharp and actor Bradley Cooper portrayed agent Moore. Prior to working for DEA, Moore spent a year as an undercover narcotics police detective buying crack cocaine and heroin from drug houses throughout Kanas City, Missouri. Currently, DEA agent Jeff Moore works in Detroit, Michigan.

 

The Quiet Houses: Fall of the Narcs is available here. 

Publisher: Allestone Publications

Release Date: August 28, 2022

ISBN-13: ‎ 979-8218053260 (Paperback)

ISBN-13: ‎ 979-8218057091 (Hardcover)

 

Three Romance Novels To Read Now

Posted on by

Secretly Yours by Tess Bailey.

This is the first Tess Bailey book I have read and, damn, now I believe the hype. It’s fun, deep, rom-com steaminess. Secretly Yours is a fun book with so many layers and excitement that I raced through it. Brilliant.  

From #1 New York Times bestselling author and TikTok favorite Tessa Bailey comes a steamy new rom-com about a starchy professor and the bubbly neighbor he clashes with at every turn…

Hallie Welch fell hard for Julian Vos at fourteen, after they almost kissed in the dark vineyards of his family’s winery. Now the prodigal hottie has returned to their small Napa town. When Hallie is hired to revamp the gardens on the Vos estate, she wonders if she’ll finally get that smooch. But the grumpy professor isn’t the teenager she remembers and their polar opposite personalities clash spectacularly. One wine-fueled girls’ night later, Hallie can’t shake the sense that she did something reckless—and then she remembers the drunken secret admirer letter she left for Julian. Oh shit.

On sabbatical from his ivy league job, Julian plans to write a novel. But having Hallie gardening right outside his window is the ultimate distraction. She’s eccentric, chronically late, often literally covered in dirt—and so unbelievably beautiful, he can’t focus on anything else. Until he finds an anonymous letter sent by a woman from his past. Even as Julian wonders about this admirer, he’s sucked further into Hallie’s orbit. Like the flowers she plants all over town, Hallie is a burst of color in Julian’s grey-scale life. For a man who irons his socks and runs on tight schedules, her sunny chaotic energy makes zero sense. But there’s something so familiar about her… and her very presence is turning his world upside down.

Secretly Yours is available here.

The Ex Next Door by Jo Platt.

If you want to immerse yourself in a pacy romance with characters you love, and others you can hate, then grab a copy of The Ex Next Door. A smart idea well executed. 

Thank you, n(ex)t.

After burst pipes destroy Esme’s city-centre flat, she temporarily relocates to a delightful and small cottage in a village on the edge of town. The change is a big one, but Esme soon settles in and, as the art gallery she co-owns with her business partner, David, continues to thrive, life is sweet.

Until Elliot – an ex whom she hasn’t seen or spoken to for years – moves in next door, along with his perfect new girlfriend, Morgan. Suddenly, Esme’s past is right on her doorstep, or at least just over the fence.

When Elliot and Esme decide to keep their former relationship a secret from those around them, their subterfuge sets off a chain of events which not only forces Esme to re-evaluate her past relationship with Elliot, but also puts her friendship with David under the microscope and under pressure.

A laugh-out-loud romance of second chances and near misses, perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Jenny Colgan.

The Ex Next Door is available here.

The Corner Shop on Foxmore Green by Lilac Mills.

I loved this wholesome and happy novel. It’s a lovely story about community and love. Single mum Rowena lives in a beautiful village  with her daughter Nia. She has hopes and dreams and you root for her. Perfect for lovers of romance. 

Can a new shop change the village’s future – and Rowena’s?

Single mum Rowena is always looking for ways for her and Nia, her four-year-old daughter, to live more sustainably. So when she visits a zero-waste shop in Cardiff, she’s inspired to start one up in her home village of Foxmore, where local businesses and artisan shops are a core part of the community.

For Huw, it’s love at first sight when he bumps into Rowena the day he moves to Foxmore. But a series of misunderstandings keeps the two from getting closer, and now a conflict of interest over Rowena’s shop might put a stop to any fledgling romance…

When a figure from Rowena’s past makes a surprise appearance, both her shop and her relationship with Huw are suddenly under threat. Can Rowena still realise her corner shop dreams and find love?

A gorgeously fun and feel-good cosy romance, perfect for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Holly Martin and Suzanne Snow.

The Corner Shop on Foxmore Green is available here.

A new wave in nutrition: Meet the company behind the rise of ‘Smart Foods’

Posted on by

A new wave in nutrition: Meet the company behind the rise of ‘Smart Foods‘

In a country where 40% of people resort to junk foods when hungry, Smart Foods are set to revolutionize our relationship with nutrition

Noel Bollman, CEO of food-tech innovators, yfood, discuss the importance of Smart Foods as an alternative to junk foods 

‘Smart Foods‘ are the forward-facing answer to our national nutrient deficit. Their popularity has seen a stratospheric rise in both Europe and the UK. With the smart food market in Germany, the UK, France and the Netherlands alone is estimated to be worth around €10-20 billion in the medium- to long-term, with annual growth rates of up to 50 percent. Having tripled their revenue in 2020 and doubled the figures in 2021, yfood recently announced their run-rate of €100 million in just four and a half years of trading.

A future facing concept being ushered into the mainstream – Smart Foods are nutritionally complete ‘meal alternatives’ that supplement 26 key minerals and nutrients. Having all of the caloric and nutritional benefit of a full meal, but in the form of a shake, powder or protein bar. Instead of feasting over a soggy midday sandwich or snacking on crisps to keep satiated, ‘Smart Foods‘ provide a viable alternative for those of us who are on-the-go. If we are to stick to the age-old adage that food is fuel – why not choose foods that actually fuel us as opposed to sugar-laden snacks and sodium-saturated sandwiches.

European food tech innovator, yfood, has recently hit supermarket shelves – introducing its range of protein bars, powders and shakes to the British diet. Aiming to reform the country’s relationship to unhealthy eating, yfood has launched their Classic Choco and Smooth Vanilla with Co-Op, with the drinks retailed at £3.50. The meal alternatives offered by the smart food innovators comes complete with 26 key nutrients and is available in a variety of flavours and plant-based options, with one serving (500 ml) of yfood providing consumers with around 34 g of protein, 68% of your daily protein needs.

yfood, smart eating

Why ‘meal alternatives’? 

yfood‘s nationwide launch leverages the benefits of having a nutritionally complete, yet delicious, product that is not meant to replace all your meals – but compliment a healthy and varied diet. The concept of the ‘meal alternative’ slots in with our faced-paced lives – in between work, school and personal responsibilities it is unrealistic to have perfectly planned meals for every occasion. yfood‘s modern approach to nutritional nirvana aims to work around speedy lifestyles that lend themselves to poor eating habits. A survey conducted by yfood revealed that 40% of Brits only resort to junk food when on-the-go, indicating a huge gap in the market for a product that not only comes in delicious flavours like Classic Choco and Smooth Vanilla, but contains essential nutrients and vitamins to keep us going throughout the day.

Noel Bollmann, CEO and co-founder of yfood comments:

“Smart food is not intended to replace classic eating with fresh and high-quality foods – on the contrary: a varied and diverse diet is and remains essential. Nevertheless, the reality is that many people do not always manage to eat a balanced diet due to lack of time or availability problems. In these situations, Smart Food helps people to eat better in the long term. Thus, Smart Food is a completely new category of food that competes with junk food and bad eating habits, but not with conventional food.”

I tried Smart Food on a busy week working while also taking care of my toddler. They are filling, delicious and made me feel healthy. Highly recommended.

Body by James Davies: The Book Your Body Needs

Posted on by

There are no words for how much I love this book. I think it should be on every single book shelf. I injured myself ten years ago and I have already learned a lot on how to heal and fix my body. The information in this book is gold. It covers every part of the body and tells you how to heal it. James Davies covers what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to pain. I refuse to be without this comprehensive book, which is the equivalent of having your own personal osteopath. Buy it now.

 

The ultimate guide to preventing pain and fuelling your body to its fullest health potential. He is world renowned and the osteopath to stars, including David Beckham and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Ultimate strategies to prevent pain and fuel your body to its fullest health potential.

Simple techniques and strategies to:

Heal

From stress and anxiety, to everyday wear and tear and injury, life takes its toll on our bodies. Now, internationally renowned osteopath James Davies can help you heal your body.

Reset

With tips and tricks to help recognise, manage, and treat everyday aches and pains, this book will reset your approach to understanding your body. James presents a revolutionary blueprint for holistic body wellbeing.

Restore

Improve your wellbeing with exercises expertly designed to optimise your body. Enhance your health and mobility by understanding common conditions from arthritis and muscle strains, to IBS and stress, and empower yourself with the knowledge you need to achieve full-body health.

Body is available here.

The Things We Do To Our Friends by Heather Darwent

Posted on by

I had the pleasure of reading The Things We Do To Our Friends last year and it has proudly sat on my shelf ever since. No word is wasted in this fabulous debut. The idea is original and the plot dazzles along at pace. It’s hard to say what my favourite thing is about this outstanding novel, but the foundation of female friendship is always something I love reading about.

I’m also Scottish and I loved reading a book set in Edinburgh. This dark novel is impossible to put down and will no doubt be the most talked about novel of 2023. Get your hands on your copy now or miss out on a dazzling new voice in fiction. With this novel Heather Darwent has cemented her place as one of the best writers of her generation.

the things we do to our friends, heather darwent

 What is the cost of an extraordinary life if others have to pay?

 

Clare arrives at the University of Edinburgh with a secret. This is her chance for a blank slate – to finally become who she was meant to be.

 

And then she meets Tabitha.

 

Tabitha is charismatic, beautiful and intimidatingly rich. Soon Clare is sucked into her enigmatic circle of friends and their dizzying world of champagne on rooftops and summers in France.

 

Her new life has begun.

 

Then Tabitha reveals the little project they’re working on, a project they need Clare’s help with. And Clare can’t say no.

 

Because they know what she did . . .

 

Heather Darwent is based just outside of Edinburgh. Originally from Yorkshire, she came to Scotland to study History of Art at the University of Edinburgh, like her character Clare, and ended up never quite leaving. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading chaotic non-fiction about Silicon Valley and swimming in the sea . . . or being unbearably boring in conversation about swimming in the sea. The Things We Do To Our Friends is her debut novel.

The Things We Do To Our Friends is available here.

One More Chapter escapes to the Highlands with four new romantic mysteries from Kindle bestselling author Julie Shackman

Posted on by

HarperCollins division One More Chapter has acquired four new titles in Julie Shackman’s bestselling Scottish Escapes series. 

Senior commissioning editor Jennie Rothwell acquired World All Language rights from Selwa Anthony at Selwa Anthony Literary Agnecy in a four-book deal, that sees The Bookshop by the Loch publish in Spring 2024.

The first title in the series, A Secret Scottish Escape, published in 2021 and has been a bestselling novel for the division. Collectively the series has now sold over 100k across all formats, with The Cottage in the Highlands having published on 1st December.

The Bookshop by the Loch follows book lover Lexie who is bereft when she discovers that her beloved local bookshop is up for sale. Desperate to save the shop, she takes things into her own hands, but not everyone is happy with her enthusiasm. And when the owner’s nephew Tobias arrives on the scene with some ideas of his own, the two are not happy at the prospect of having to work together…

Jennie Rothwell says: “I absolutely love working with Julie, her writing is uplifting and provides much needed escapism, and I love the balance of romance and mystery that she brings to her readers. I’m incredibly proud of what Julie has achieved in such a short space of time and can’t wait to continue working with her and watching her brand grow as she continues to find new readers.”

Julie Shackman says: “I am thrilled and delighted to be continuing my writing journey with the amazing One More Chapter. They are a first-rate team and it really is just like being part of one big happy family. I can’t wait to bring more romance and mystery to the readers with my Scottish Escapes series!”

 

Drink Like a Celebrity This Winter with Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation American Gin

Posted on by
I love Aviation American Gin. It is my new go-to gin and I highly recommend it. 
 
This winter, welcome Ryan Reynolds and the sunshine of the US into your home in the form of Aviation American Gin cocktails. 
 
Aviation American Gin has been voted the world’s highest-rated gin and has helped establish a new style of American gin – softer and smoother, with juniper in the background and citrus and floral notes in the front – resulting in more balanced cocktails.
 
 
RRP: £28 for 700ml. ABV: 42%.  Available to purchase from Morrisons, Tesco, Waitrose, Amazon and Master of Malt 
 
 
Aviation Ovation 
 
 
40 ml Aviation American Gin | 90 ml Soda Water | Orange Slice
 
Pour Aviation American Gin into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a slice of orange.
 
Aviation Hipster Harvey
 
 
40 ml Aviation American Gin | 60 ml Orange Juice | 15 ml Vanilla Liqueur | Orange Slice
 
Combine all ingredients into a flute glass and top with vanilla liqueur. Garnish with an orange slice.
 
The Aviation 
 
 
45ml Aviation American Gin | 15ml Maraschino Liqueur | 15ml Lemon Juice | 10ml Simple Syrup | 1 tsp Crème De Violette | Brandied Cherry
 
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, then strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry. 
 
Aviation Rickey Reynolds
 
 
40 ml Aviation American Gin | 90 ml Soda Water | Lime Wheel
 
Pour Aviation American Gin into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a lime wheel.

‘Little Cat and Friends’ : Book Series a ‘Purr-fectly’ Wonderful Way to Help Children Struggling to Read

Posted on by

‘My daughter loves these books. From the moment they were in her hands she was excited. I have read them to her numerous times now.’ Catherine Yardley. 

Author Anna Emilia got her first cat at the age of thirty. The special relationship that ensued was the inspiration behind her series, ‘Little Cat and Friends’, which is both an ode to her cat Molina and also a vital addition to any educator’s playbook. Anna struggled with reading as a child, and she is uniquely aware of how children learn and crucially, what keeps their attention.
little cat and friends book

Utilizing a variety of fonts and colours, the books contain simple, child-like conversations and questions, designed to help parents address a number of topics, from siblings to adoption and more. They are also just plain fun to read, with words that jiggle up and down, whimsical illustrations and stories that will delight children and parents alike.

Synopses:

‘The Little Cat’
The Little Cat has a new Mummy and a new home. Join her as she gets herself into some tricky situations while exploring her new surroundings. She’s so excited. Will she ever be able to settle down and go to sleep? This simple and appealing story will delight young children, especially those with a new pet.

‘Making Friends’

Little Cat has a new Mummy and a new home. Now she needs to go outside and make some friends. Will she find any? Follow Little Cat’s adventures as she looks to explore her new world and finds out what her new name will be. Will she like it? A simple yet delightful tale about exploring, meeting new people, gaining confidence and making friends.

‘Tiny Kitten’
Molina is surprised when a new brother arrives. She decides she won’t like him and is very sad until she helps Mummy choose his name. When her friends come to visit, they love her brother. Will she learn to love him too? A charming story about dealing with change and how first impression aren’t always right.

“When I struggled to read, there weren’t a lot of tools out there to help,” says Anna. “These books would have been an absolute treat for me. For any parents who have children with dyslexia or other learning difficulties, I suggest using your child’s own pet or perhaps a favourite toy as a reading buddy. This helps build confidence. I also think that as you read to your children, you should consciously make mistakes. Explain to your children that making mistakes is absolutely okay – and it’s a natural part of reading and of life. This will help your child realize that their own mistakes aren’t the end of the world. In fact, they might start to relish the effort of learning to read. Once you take away the fear of failure, they will feel so much more confident and happy – just like Little Cat!”

Readers – both big and small – have been entranced with the series since its inception.

“A beautiful book, The Little Cat is absolutely loved by my 3 year old boy Emile. Utterly charming and beautifully illustrated, it is an everyday bedtime story book in our household,” writes Delphine.

Ben agrees, writing, “All my children love the stories and the pictures, very colourful and easy to read, they can’t put the books down!”

All three books in the ‘Little Cat and Friends’ series are available now from Waterstones, Amazon, and all leading bookshops as well as the author’s own website:

https://www.littlecatandfriends.com/shop/

Anna Emilia is passionate about helping children become confident with reading. Her series, ‘Little Cat and Friends’ was born from her own struggle with reading as a child, and from the love she has for her own cats.