Tag Archives: Catherine Balavage

A House Divided An Easterleigh Hall Novel By Margaret Graham Review

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Margaret Graham a house divided book reviewI have read a lot of books by Margaret Graham and anyone who reads Frost regularly will know that I am a fan. They will also know that she is the contributing editor of this here magazine. In fact, it says so in the book. Which made me scream in joy when I saw it.

Anyway, back to the review. This novel is the third in the popular Easterleigh Hall series. I have loved all of them but I have to say that this one is my favourite. Margaret is a historian and her novels are always as education as they are entertaining. She weaves history and prose together in such a way it leaves you slightly breathless. I found it hard to put this fantastic book down and only did so when motherhood called. It has the great pacing that all good novels have. You can’t help but want to race to the end to find out what is going to happen next. Yes it is well written, but that is the least of it. This book is fascinating. I feel the cover lets it down as the interior is riveting and fun. You feel that you know the characters not just because you have read about them before, but because they are so brilliantly brought to life by Margaret’s words.

With no bias at all I can tell you that this is one of Margaret’s best books. High praise indeed considering her back catalogue. Watch out for our interview and day in the life with Margaret soon. Meanwhile buy this book.

 

19 May 2016| Arrow| Paperback| £5.99

 

1937

Evie and her family have struggle to keep Easterleigh Hall, now a hotel, running during the depression, and with war looming, she worries for the children, who have to find their way in a changing world.

Bridie is learning her trade at her mother Evie’s side, and is becoming a talented chef. Her cousin James has run away to fight in Spain, leaving the family devastated.

And Tim, the boy Bridie has always loved, shocks everyone by joining the Black Shirts and going to Germany, discovering too late that he’s playing a dangerous game.

Heartbroken at Tim’s defection, Bridie isn’t sure she can ever forgive him. But somehow these three must find a way to reconcile, because if war does come, they will need each other more than ever.

Margaret Graham has been writing for thirty years. Her first novel was published in 1986 and she is now working on her sixteenth. As a bestselling author her novels have been published in UK, Europe and the USA.

Margaret has written two plays, co-researched a television documentary – which grew out of Canopy of Silence, and has written numerous short stories and features. She is a writing tutor and speaker and has written regularly for Writers’ Forum. She also created and runs the Yeovil Literary Prize to raise funds for the creative arts of the Yeovil area. Now living near High Wycombe she is about to launch a flash fiction writing prize to raise funds for the rehabilitation of wounded troops.

For more information about Margaret Graham visit her website at www.margaret-graham.com

 

The Quick And Easy Way To Make The Perfect Hot Chocolate

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When it comes to cooking I can be pretty lazy. I am always looking for shortcuts in the kitchen. So I was pretty pleased when I came up with a method for making the perfect hot chocolate without using a saucepan and going through the bother of warming up milk. Ready? Here it is: just boil the kettle, take a mug, add 2-3 heaped spoonfuls of hot chocolate. Add milk to the mug and stir. Then when the kettle boils, add water. If you fill the mug up half milk and half boiled water then you have the perfect hot chocolate without the faff. The key to perfection here is the ratio of boiled water to milk. It may be different for you so experiment. Too little milk ruins the taste, too little water means it is too cold. But when you get it right it is divine. Extra points for adding marshmallows. Yum.

theperfectwaytomakehotchocolate

From Both Ends of the Stethoscope By Dr Kathleen Thompson Book Review

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From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope by Dr. Kathleen Thompson book review, health, breast cancer,I have to admit that I thought From Both Ends of the Stethoscope would be good. I also knew that it would educate me, but what I didn’t realise was that Dr Kathleen Thompson would make her book so entertaining and readable. The book is outstanding, an essential for anyone with breast cancer and their family. Dr Kathleen Thompson writes about her own experience in a graceful and poignant way while also giving you the inside track. You would only get this type of information from an insider and Dr Kathleen Thompson is an insider twice over; as a doctor and cancer survivor. I was incredibly impressed by her book. Her writing is so good she could write a novel.

Far from a fuddy medical book this guide takes you by the hand and tells you everything you need to know. It takes the process step-by-step, giving invaluable information at every point, all intertwined with Dr Kathleen Thompson’s fine prose on her own experience. I loved this book. Well done Dr Kathleen Thompson. Well done indeed.

Dr Kathleen Thompson is Frost’s medical expert but I promise you this has caused no bias for this review. This book is stunning and I am proud to have Dr Kathleen as one of our writers. The woman is an inspiration. You can send us any questions for her about any medical problem to frostmagazine@gmail.com or tweet us @Frostmag

Whilst dealing with her own breast cancer, Dr Kathleen Thompson recognised the desperate need for a ‘going through breast cancer’ guide. Her experiences make a fascinating story in themselves, and Kathleen uses them to guide the reader through diagnostic tests and treatment options, what to do when things go wrong, and when mistakes are made. All the while she explains what is happening and why. 
Recognising that anyone encountering cancer is in a state of shock, she delivers factual information intermingled with her own story, in an easily-digestible, and often amusing format. Each chapter ends with further information sources and a summary. 
Kathleen looks back on her cancer journey with honesty, humour and compassion, and with the benefit of her medical understanding and knowledge of the system.  
Later in the book she also explains medical research and how to assess the credibility of the numerous cancer treatment claims, and what we can all do to protect ourselves from cancer.

 

Read an excerpt from From Both Ends of the Stethoscope here.

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

 

 

“Obama Out” President Obama Makes Brilliant Final White House Correspondents’ Dinner Speech

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%22Obama Out%22 President Obama Makes Brilliant Final White House Correspondents' Dinner Speech

Everyone who knows me knows I am a huge President Obama fan. I have read his books and I enjoy his speeches. I think he is the best President of my lifetime so far: progressive, intelligent, compassionate, witty, moral and articulate. Obama will be sorely missed and his speech at his final White House Correspondents’ dinner did not help. From the mic drop to the jokes, it was perfection. Goodbye Obama, I will miss you.

 

Varidesk Soho Review: Is Standing Up The New Sitting Down?

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varideskreview

Standing up is the new sitting down. Well, almost. The trend for working while standing up is not going away. It has numerous health benefits and you can burn 52,000 calories per year if you use it daily. It also decreases neck and lower back pain, lower blood pressure and help prevent heart disease.

With this in mind we reviewed the Varidesk Soho. Varidesk specialise in sit/stand desks.The Soho is their smallest standing desk model, with just enough space for the mobile minimalist who needs a stand up desk that’s just the right size for their laptop or tablet and easy to move and manage. It’s a single, flat deck that’s 76.2cm (30″) wide, and pops up or folds down in just seconds, making it a true sit-stand desk.

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So what did we think? It came well packaged which is always a plus. When we took it out we noticed how good it looked. It is well made and it looks high end. The instructions are on a removable plastic film on the desk. It is heavy but not too heavy. It is easy to work, moving up and down effortlessly and without any juddering when you get the hang of it.

The Varidesk is easy to use, and is flat enough to be stored away easily. It looks good and is adjustable so it will suit every height. It is also small enough to work in a cubicle if you don’t have your own office. You can fit a laptop and a mug of tea on it. We are sold. We think it is a great piece of engineering and a fantastic product. It costs £150 and is available from Varidesk. We are not sure if we will be standing up all day, but we will definitely be incorporating it into our working day.

varidesk varideskreviewblacksoho

  • Free delivery
  • 76.2cm (30″) wide for laptops or tablets
  • Single deck
  • Holds up to 4.54kg (10 lbs)
  • Sits on top of existing desks and cubicles
  • Sturdy and stable even when fully extended

http://uk.varidesk.com/laptop-standing-desk-VARIDESK-for-laptop

 

 

Stop Talking Start Doing Action Book By Sháá Wasmund MBE Book Review

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Stop Talking Start Doing Action Book By Sháá Wasmund MBE Book Review

In 2013 I very briefly met Sháá at a How to Create A Non-Fiction Bestseller seminar at RADA. Sháá was great during the seminar, giving lots of advice and getting good answers out of the publishers who were there. Despite everyone in the room wanting to talk to Sháá she took some time out to acknowledge me. I always remembered her courteousness and generosity. She has charisma and talent in spades. When I got the press release for her new book I jumped at the chance to do a review.

This book works for a number of reasons: it can be read in one sitting (as I did), it has practical tools and exercises to do throughout the book, it has inspiring quotes, and the book is well structured. It allows you to take one step and then another. By the end, who knows what you will have achieved? The book gives you a kick in the pants while removing all of the excuses you make to yourself. It also takes advice from other self help writers and either expands on them or uses them to make a point. All in all this is a great inspirational book which helps you get your butt into gear. I wasn’t disappointed.

Stop Talking, Start Doing Action Book: Practical Tools and Exercises to Give You a Kick in the Pants is available here.

 

Stop Talking, Start Doing Action Book

Practical tools and exercises to give you a kick in the pants

 By Sháá Wasmund MBE

Published by Capstone.

Paperback original and e-book, £9.99

ISBN: 9780857086860

New book shows how to apply an entrepreneurial spirit to life

The Stop Talking, Start Doing Action Book is a motivational kick in the pants for anyone who has an itch to try something new or feels that there must be more to life. Encouraging people to face their fears, it helps readers identify their personal starting point and develop a plan to reach their goals.

Stop Talking, Start Doing Action Book is written by bestselling author and leading businesswoman, Sháá Wasmund. Awarded an MBE in 2015 for her services to business and enterprise, she helps readers apply an entrepreneurial spirit to achieve more and gain greater fulfilment from life.

Whether readers want to ditch their partner, seek a promotion, renovate their house, write a book, or start travelling, the Action Book demonstrates how to find the inspiration, self-discipline and confidence to move from talking to doing.

“As time roars past our ears we drift, deliberate, doubt and take ourselves too seriously” says Shaa. “But there’s never been a better time to start something. Now more than ever we live in a world of opportunity.”

A follow-up to the bestselling Stop Talking Start Doing (Wiley, 2011), the Action Book includes new tools and exercises to support readers who want to put their ideas into motion.

 

About the author:

Sháá Wasmund is a graduate of The London School of Economics. Her entrepreneurial career had an unusual start. At 22 she won a competition to interview Super Middleweight boxing champ Chris Eubank and ended up helping to promote his next fight to a sell-out 48,000 live crowd and an 18 million TV audience. Sháá remains an ardent boxing fan.

Shortly after she set up her own PR and marketing company and won the then relatively unknown vacuum cleaner company Dyson as one of her first clients. Working alongside Sir James Dyson helping to establish Dyson as a global brand taught Sháá more about business than any MBA. To this day, Sháá credits James as being one her biggest sources of inspiration.

Sháá’s love affair with the Internet began after she became a founding director in Sir Bob Geldof’s online travel company. A year later, Sháá raised substantial funds to launch mykindaplace.com an early social networking site. The company was later sold to BSkyB.

Sháá is an international bestselling author, prolific public speaker, digital native and passionate champion of small businesses. Amongst other accolades, Sháá has been voted by the Institute of Directors as one of the UK’s Most Connected Women.

In 2009 Sháá launched Smarta.com, the UK’s #1 Resource for Small Business. In 2011 Sháá launched ‘Smarta Business Builder’, a groundbreaking cloud-based toolkit for business.

In 2015, Sháá was presented with an MBE from the Queen for her ‘services to business and enterprise’ and published her second #1 bestseller Do Less, Get More: How To Work Smart and Live Life Your Way.

Sháá now runs business bootcamps, workshops and coaching programmes under her own brand, shaa.com. She has helped thousands of people monitize their passions and knowledge to build digital businesses they love.

She’s a regular guest on Sky Sunrise, reviewing the papers with Eamonn Holmes and now speaks on stages across the world, most recently sharing stages with Gary Veynerchuck and E-Myth legend Michael Gerber.

 

Follow Sháá: @Shaawasmund

Facebook: facebook.com/shaawasmund

 

 

FOREO LUNA 2 and LUNA Mini 2 Review

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luna 2 fore review facial cleansing brushes

Facial cleansing brushes are huge right now and show no sign of waning. The fact is, they really do work. But not all facial cleansers are good and do women really need yet another beauty burden to add to their routine? Well, yes. As long as it works and it not too time-consuming. This makes the Luna 2 and Luna 2 Mini perfect. Both only require an extra two minutes to your routine. Easy to fit in but does it work?

The Luna easily charges via USB. I plug it into my computer and the light starts flashing. When it is fully charged the light remains steady. I start with the mini. The brush feels so soft and lovely. I cannot stop stroking it. The device itself is beautiful. The Luna 2 and Luna 2 Mini come in different colours and each colour is for a different skin type. The pink is for normal skin. Now, did it make a difference to my skin? It is an outstanding yes. Luna says it ‘removes 99.5% of dirt and oil (based on clinical trials) plus makeup residue. Dead skin cells are also cleared away, enhancing the absorption of skincare products and also diminishing the appearance of pores to refine skin texture.’ After using the mini just once I am impressed. One side takes a minute to cleanse and the other is for anti-ageing. The brush leaves skin visibly cleaner and smoother. On-going use really does make a difference to skin. A lot of beauty bloggers have fallen in love with the Luna and it is easy to see why. The Luna 2 and Luna 2 Mini really works. The Luna 2 is bigger and some prefer it because they find it quicker and more thorough. The Luna 2 Mini however sure gives you bang for your buck. It is cute as hell and really does the job. All while taking up a small amount of space.

Here are the other reasons why I am a Luna convert:

  • You don’t need to replace the head which saves money.
  • It is 35X more hygienic than nylon-bristled brushes
  • The ultra-hygienic silicone design is quick drying and nonporous to prevent bacteria buildup
  • 1 full charge lasts for 7 months when the device is used twice a day.
  • It comes with a 2-Year Limited Warranty and 10-Year Guarantee.
  • It is 100% waterproof.
  • It is stylish and the bristles feel amazing.

 

So as you can tell, I am a Luna fan. I can highly recommend both devices and they now have a place in my beauty routine. check out the press releases below for more info. My verdict is not only that the products are stylish and work, they are also great value for money as they require no replacement brush heads and don’t need constant recharging. I’m sold.

 

FOREO Launches LUNA 2: the Next Generation of Skincare with Five New Areas of Innovation

 

Swedish beauty brand FOREO, who has achieved global success with its award- winning LUNA skincare and anti-aging device, announce the launch of second- generation LUNA 2 devices. With five new areas of innovation, the new LUNA 2 range of devices will allow avid LUNA fans to experience an even deeper, yet gentle cleanse that is completely tailored to match their specific skincare needs.

The LUNA 2 has been optimized for even deeper, more efficient cleansing while offering all the benefits of the original LUNA design. Its T-Sonic cleanse will remove 99.5% of dirt and oil (based on clinical trials) plus makeup residue. Dead skin cells are also cleared away, enhancing the absorption of skincare products and also diminishing the appearance of pores to refine skin texture. The anti-aging mode of the LUNA 2 smooths the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles and leaves skin looking firmer. What’s more, the ultra-hygienic silicone design is quick drying and nonporous to prevent bacteria buildup.

“This new launch marks not only technology-related improvements to offer more advanced devices, but an expansion of our range for more refined skincare solutions,” says Paul Peros, CEO of FOREO. “With the addition of the LUNA 2, even the finest details of an individual’s skincare needs will be catered to, from users with slightly oilier skin to those who want a more powerful cleanse. We are excited to be able to offer such customized designs with this new range.”

 

FOREO’s LUNA 2’s newly optimized design offers five new areas of innovation, including:

  1. 50% Bigger Brush Head* enables more efficient cleansing in the same amount of time.
  2. 26% Longer Touch-Points* allow for more flexibility when making contact with the skin, extending their reach to allfacial contours to deeply cleanse pores.
  3. 2X More Powerful Motor* + 12 Adjustable Pulsations Intensities for an Enhanced T-SonicTM Cleansing and Anti-Aging System means the LUNA 2’s 8,000 T-SonicTM pulsations per minute dislodge more impurities from the pores while its lower-frequency pulsations provide more effective anti-aging.
  4. 36% Thicker Silicone Body* means the LUNA 2 is plusher, smoother and softer, making it a delight to hold and use while also dampening the noise of the motor for a more relaxing skincare ritual.
  5. 4 New Brushes Specific to Skin Type – “Sensitive”, “Normal”, “Combination” and “Oily” models are each designed to meet a specific type of skin by strategically positioning thinner touch-points to cleanse sensitive skin and thicker touch- points for stronger cleansing.
  6. *Compared to the design of the LUNA.

 

The LUNA 2 is available for £149 at foreo.com and selected stockists.

  • “Sensitive” (Lavender)
  • “Normal” (Pearl Pink)
  • “Combination” (Light Blue)
  • “Oily” (Teal Blue)

 

luna2minicloseup luna2minireview foreoluna2review

 

FOREO Launches LUNA mini 2: A Big Step Forward for the Small & Mighty Cleansing Device!

 

Swedish beauty brand FOREO, who has achieved global success with its award-winning LUNA skincare range, announce the launch of second-generation LUNA mini 2 devices. The new LUNA mini 2 devices will allow avid LUNA mini fans to experience an even deeper yet gentle cleanse that is still compact and travel-friendly. Incorporating several new areas of innovation, the LUNA mini 2 marks FOREO’s next step forward, offering a superior cleansing experience within the same smart and stylish device.

The LUNA mini 2 has updated its design for deeper, more efficient cleansing while offering all the benefits of the original LUNA mini. Its T-Sonic cleanse will remove 99.5% of dirt and oil (based on clinical trials) plus makeup residue. Dead skin cells are also cleared away, enhancing the absorption of skincare products and also diminishing the appearance of pores to refine skin texture. What’s more, the ultra-hygienic silicone design is quick drying and nonporous to prevent bacteria buildup. The device is 35X more hygienic than nylon-bristled brushes.

“This new launch marks not only technology-related improvements to offer more advanced devices, but an expansion of our range with improved beauty solutions for travelers,” says Paul Peros, CEO of FOREO. “We’ve taken into consideration that even when jet-setting, our customers want a superior and more efficient cleanse, perhaps even more so than usual! Travelling is when your skin is subject to different, maybe even harsher environments, and that’s when you’ll want access to a convenient, yet powerful cleanse. I’m proud to say with the LUNA mini 2, we’ve achieved all that and more!”

6 new reasons to love FOREO’s LUNA mini 2 newly optimized design:

  1. 50% Bigger Brush Head* enables more efficient cleansing in the same amount of time.
  2. 26% Longer Touch-Points* allow for more flexibility when making contact with the skin, extending their reach to allfacial contours to deeply cleanse pores.
  3. 2X More Powerful Motor* for an Enhanced T-Sonic Cleansing System means the LUNA mini 2’s 8,000 T-Sonic pulsations per minute dislodge more impurities from the pores.
  4. 8 Adjustable Pulsation Intensities for personalized cleansing based on your comfort preferences – slow down for agentle more relaxed cleanse or speed up for a powerful and deep clean.
  5. 36% Thicker Silicone Body* means the LUNA mini 2 is plusher, smoother and softer, making it a delight to hold and use while also dampening the noise of the motor for a more relaxing skincare ritual.
  6. Even More Travel-Friendly, now with lockable controls for absolutely safety when travelling.*Compared to the design of the LUNA mini.

The LUNA mini 2 is 100% waterproof with 1 full charge lasting for 5 months when the device is used twice a day. Requiring no replacement brush heads, the LUNATM mini 2 boasts exceptional value and comes with a 2-Year Limited Warranty and 10-Year Guarantee.

The LUNA mini 2 £99 is available at foreo.com and selected stockists in the following colors: Aquamarine, Fuchsia, Midnight, Pearl Pink and Yellow.

https://www.foreo.com/luna-2

 

The life of a Second Wife by Margaret Graham

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Frost is so pleased to see Elizabeth Buchan’s novel, The Second Wife picked out by Daisy Goodwin in her feature in the Daily Mail: Second Marriages – key novels to help you through the trickier times in life.

The life of a Second Wife elizabethbuchan
Daisy Goodwin discusses Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, Before She Met Me by John Barnes, and Sunday Times No 1 bestselling author, and patron of Words for the Wounded, Elizabeth Buchan, and her novel The Second Wife.

The life of a Second Wife lizybuchan
The Second Wife explores the world of the mistress who becomes the wife – overtones of Sir James Goldsmith who did just that, and thereby created a vacancy. Ouch.
According to Buchan the second marriage is a world that can be less than appealing, full of pitfalls and  of course,  baggage. Elizabeth Buchan, who spoke recently at the Words for the Wounded LitFest at Downley, High Wycombe, (Frost’s editor, Catherine Balavage spoke later in the day) examines Minty’s experiences of a second marriage sympathetically, but with her usual incisive wit and elegance. It is a compelling and heart-warming novel, as are her others,  the most recent being the thought provoking and excellent I Can’t Begin to Tell You set in Denmark during the 2nd World War.

I can't begin to tell you
It’s great to see The Second Wife having another outing. Go on, give yourself a treat – it is very well worth reading.

Elizabeth Buchan’s latest book The New Mrs Clifton will be out in August 1016. Frost is looking forward to reviewing it.

 

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The Second Wife                   published by Penguin
I Can’t Begin to Tell you        published by Penguin
The New Mrs Clifton             published by Penguin  August 2016