Tag Archives: Jan Speedie

GransThread Jan Speedie Talks About Her New Phase

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Jan Speedie: Surrey Reviews EditorRetirement is entering a completely new phase of life; I am not going to say final phase. I have to admit when faced with retirement after 30 years working in the NHS I was worried what life would bring  – daytime TV, expanding waist line with too many coffee and biscuits, aches and pains of a maturing body.

Being one of the three Grannies who helps administer the charity www.wordsforthewounded and faced in 2015 with the Mud Challenge, our fundraiser for that year, it was off to the gym to get fit and not let my team down. I remember the bemused faces of the staff at Ash Manor Sports Centre when I explained that in 6 weeks I needed to be fit and ready for the challenge – well they did it and now I am a regular at the gym and will even admit that I enjoy the hard work and friendship.

The fundraiser for 2014 was a tandem skydive: pushing 70 and strapped to a gorgeous young RAF instructor what more could a girl want – it was an amazing experience. Then there is feeding 40 people lunch at the W4W Litfest with little experience of mass catering which has proved to be an interesting and rewarding event.

Back to everyday retirement – I have 4 grandchildren who still want to be with granny, but are totally unimpressed with my technology skills – but I am learning. I have been cajoled in to doing book reviews for Frost Magazine which is great as it keeps me reading and the brain ticking over.  It’s great to be able to holiday anytime and fly off to interesting destinations – Canada, Portugal, Italy, Poland and skiing in France and soon to add Australia to my list.  Then there are days out with friends completing things on our bucket lists. I take a renewed interest in cooking, gardening, decorating and even cleaning my house. Still need to investigate U3A, the WI and many more.

Some weeks my calendar is empty but it’s amazing what turns up or just occasionally it is nice to do nothing. Remember that 70 is the new 50 so let’s go for it and enjoy.

 

 

The Cockney Sparrow By Dilly Court Review by Jan Speedie

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book reviews

An enthralling and gritty saga which highlights the poverty and deprivation seen in London at the turn-of-the-century.

Clemency Skinner is gifted with a beautiful voice which will help her leave behind the appalling life she leads with her mother and crippled brother. Abandoned by her father the family exist in a damp hovel in Stew Street paid for by working on the streets. Each day Todd Hardiman, an evil, unscrupulous pimp, threatens their daily existence. Escape to a better life comes for Clemency when she joins Augustus Throop and his troupe of street buskers and through her singing is asked to join the cast at the Strand Theatre – stardom beckons.  Life is looking up for Clemency and her family but then Jared Stone enters her life and everything changes but maybe not for the better…

Dilly Court is a well published author of 20 titles – her research into the setting of the story and the depth of her characters makes this an interesting and enjoyable read.

Dilly Court began her career writing commercial scripts for television. She grew up in North East London but now lives in Dorset with her husband and Archie, a large yellow Labrador. She has two grown up children and three grandchildren.

Published by Arrow on 8th September 2016, £5.99

 

 

Hunting The Eagles By Ben Kane Review by Jan Speedie

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HUNTING THE EAGLES BY BEN KANE Review by Jan Speedie book reviews, books, reading

This is Ben Kane’s second book in his trilogy about the Roman invasion of Germania.  Following his first book covering the invasion of AD9 in which the Roman’s were ambushed and defeated in the Teutoburg Forest. Carefully researched military history, passionate and violent perhaps not for the squeamish or weak hearted.

The first part of ‘Hunting the Eagles’ is planning the revenge for the ambush and the loss of the legions gold Standards. Centurion Tullus, a veteran of many battles, is determined to avenge the loss of 15,000 soldiers and regain his Eagle.

Part 2: Germanicus is now in charge of the Roman forces and planning an invasion of Germania in the autumn of AD14.  In Germania, Arminius and the local warriors are determined to repulse the Romans once again.  Legions and tribes clash in bloody battle, who will survive, who will conqueror……….

Immerse yourself in this story of Roman legions; it’s cruel, relentless and compelling reading.

Ben Kane was born in Kenya. The family moved to Ireland where Ben completed his education and then studied veterinary medicine at University College, Dublin.  Ben always had a passion for ancient history and travelled the world visiting and collecting facts and incredible stores about Roman history. Ben lives in North Somerset with his wife and children.

Published by Arrow in Paperback £6.99

 

 

There’s a treat on the way for ballet lovers

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ballet, cultureShakespeare has been delivered to cinema screens, and now it is to be ballet  but for 3 nights only.  One of Frost’s book reviewers, Jan Speedie will be heading the queue, as she LOVES ballet.

CinemaLive, one of the market leaders in Event Cinema, will be working in a partnership with The Australian Ballet to deliver a series of their ballet productions to cinema audiences for the very first time.

The Fairy Tale Series, will be screened in cinemas across the UK on three nights only: The Sleeping Beauty on 4th October 2016, Cinderella on 23rd November 2016 and Coppélia on 19th April 2017.

Screened in October 2016 will be the world premiere cinema release of Artistic Director David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty. This is a classical retelling of a favourite fairy tale based on Marius Petipa’s ballet. The live production of The Sleeping Beauty was the crowning moment of The Australian Ballet’s season last year. The Guardian said of it:

With such attention to detail – resplendent, unapologetic, and coupled with McAllister’s resounding belief in a happy ending – only the most cynical of hearts could fail to be captured by this Sleeping Beauty’s spell

 

Next is the award-winning production of Cinderella, which will play a limited exclusive London season at the Coliseum this July, before its world premiere to cinema audiences on 23rd November 2016.

The third and final production in this series is Coppélia which will have its world premiere in cinemas on 19th April 2017.

David McAllister, Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet says, It’s exciting to take our company and performances from the stage to the big screen and to reach audiences we may not have otherwise reached. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase Australia’s national ballet company.

The Fairy Tale Series will be screened at approximately 200 cinemas across the UK and a further 200 cinemas worldwide.
For all participating cinemas and to book tickets visit www.cinemalive.com

 

 

Sweet Tomorrows By Debbie Macombe Reviewed by Jan Speedie

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Sweet Tomorrows By Debbie Macombe Reviewed by Jan Speedie ,book reviews, Followers of Debbie Macomber’s stories of life at Rose Harbor Inn will be disappointed to learn that this is the fifth and final book in the series. Debbie has new projects she wants to do so sadly she must say goodbye to Cedar Cove and the people who live there.

Three years ago Jo Marie took over running the Rose Harbor Inn following the death of her husband.  Jo Marie has formed a close relationship with Mark Taylor but Mark had to go back to Iraq to complete a dangerous and difficult mission for the Army.  It is a year since Mark left Cedar Cove and there has been no news of him; Jo Marie’s heart is in turmoil should she wait and hope for his safe return or move on with her life.

Following a second failed relationship Emily Gaffney comes to stay at Rose Harbor Inn with the intention of finding a new home, starting her new job and absolutely no involvement with men.   Emily and Jo Marie form a close friendship and help each other through the difficult times life brings. Can the Rose Harbour Inn work its magic?

A delightful summer read just right for those lazy days on your holidays.

Debbie Macomber is one of today’s bestselling authors with more than 170 million copies of her books in print worldwide.  She has also produced two cookery books and two books for children.  In 2013 the Cedar Cove series successfully debuted on US cable TV.  Apart from her writing Debbie is also spokesperson for World Visions ‘Knit for Kids’ charity initiative.  Debbie and her husband Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington and winter in Florida.

Published by Arrow in paperback on 11th August 2016 – £5.99

 

 

 

The Umbrian Thursday Night Supper Club By Marlena de Blasi

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The Umbrian Thursday Night Supper Club By Marlena de Blasi

REVIEW BY JAN SPEEDIE

 

The Umbrian Thursday Night Supper Club By Marlena de Blasi REVIEW BY JAN SPEEDIE pic 1 The true life stories of four Italian women – the food is delicious, the recipes closely guarded secrets, the friendships lifelong. Marlena is an American author living and enjoying life in Italy with her Venetian husband Fernando. They have settled in the small town of Orvieto in Umbria where Marlena enjoys exploring the friendship of some local women and their love of cooking. Marlena discovers that on a Thursday evening four local women meet in a derelict stone cottage to gossip, laugh and argue but mainly to cook. She is delighted when she is invited by Miranda, the group leader, to join them. Slowly she is accepted by the other women and invited to cook for them. Sitting in the candle lit room, following good food and local wine the women Miranda, Ninucua, Paolina and Gilda tell their intriguing individual life stories. Glorious Italian food. If you are keen on simple authentic dishes Marlena’s book is for you. Remember no Italian meal is served without a simple pasta dish to start to assuage the appetite and here are recipes galore. Marlena de Blasi has been a chef, journalist and restaurant critic; now an author of international best seller books with her memoirs and a novel. She has also published two cookbooks of Italian food. Marlena and her husband live in Orvieto in Umbria, Italy. Published in Paperback by Windmill Available from May 2016. Priced £8.99 Also available in ebook., good reads, books, book review

The true life stories of four Italian women – the food is delicious, the recipes closely guarded secrets, the friendships lifelong.

Marlena is an American author living and enjoying life in Italy with her Venetian husband Fernando.  They have settled in the small town of Orvieto in Umbria where Marlena enjoys exploring the friendship of some local women and their love of cooking.

Marlena discovers that on a Thursday evening four local women meet in a derelict stone cottage to gossip, laugh and argue but mainly to cook. She is delighted when she is invited by Miranda, the group leader, to join them. Slowly she is accepted by the other women and invited to cook for them. Sitting in the candle lit room, following good food and local wine the women Miranda, Ninucua, Paolina and Gilda tell their intriguing individual life stories.

Glorious Italian food.  If you are keen on simple authentic dishes Marlena’s book is for you. Remember no Italian meal is served without a simple pasta dish to start to assuage the appetite and here are recipes galore.

Marlena de Blasi has been a chef, journalist and restaurant critic; now an author of international best seller books with her memoirs and a novel. She has also published two cookbooks of Italian food. Marlena and her husband live in Orvieto in Umbria, Italy.

Published in Paperback by Windmill

Available from May 2016. Priced £8.99

Also available in ebook.

 

Polly’s Angels by Katie Flynn Review by Jan Speedie

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book reviews, books, reviews, good reads, Polly’s Angels by Katie Flynn Review by Jan Speedie

Katie Flynn first published Polly’s Angels in the year 2000; if you missed it then it is well worth a catch up. A classic saga of the O’Brady family .

In 1936 the O’Brady family’s circumstances change and they are forced to move into central Liverpool to find work.  Life in Liverpool is very different from the countryside home they loved.  Polly is a bright, popular 13 year old who does well at school and always follows the rules.  Local bad boy Sunny Anderson is very taken with Polly and tries hard to lead her astray.

In 1939 as war looms, Sunny, for all his wayward ways, joins the navy and trains as a signaller. As soon as Polly is old enough she enrols into the WRNS. Polly’s childhood sweetheart Tad Donoghue, trains as an RAF pilot and hopes to reunite with his first love.  Secrets about Polly’s past come to light – who does she really love Sunny or Tad?

Katie Flynn’s knowledge about wartime Liverpool is extensive, the bombings, food shortages and the strength of the citizens to endure all that is thrown at them.

Katie Flynn is a compulsive writer starting her career with short stories broadcast on Radio Merseyside.  Her Liverpool series was inspired by hearing reminiscences of her family’s lives during the war.

Katie has lived for many years in the north-west.

 

Published by Arrow in June 2016

 

£6.99 in paperback

 

 

Under Italian Skies by Nicky Pellegrino Reviewed by Jan Speedie

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Under Italian Skies by Nicky Pellegrino, reviewed by Jan Speedie

It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to summer holidays. Nicky Pellegrino novel, Under Itlaian Skies y will surely put Southern Italy on your list of places to visit. Relax and let Nicky transport you there.
For the past 25 years Stella has worked for Milly Munro in her fashion business. Milly’s untimely death throws Stella’s well controlled life into confusion. At 49, Stella wonders what her future holds.
Following a chat with her friend, Birdie, Stella investigates the idea of a house swap to bring some changes to her life. Soon she swaps her small London flat for a beautiful old villa in Southern Italy (who wouldn’t).
At first it is very strange and a little lonely but as her confidence grows she makes friends in the village and so the fun begins.
Nicky Pellegrino has once again written a delightful, sensitive and fun story. It is clear she has a real love for Italy, so join her in her passion, immerse yourself in Italian village life.
Nicky Pellegrino now lives and works as a freelance journalist in New Zealand. She was born and brought up in Liverpool. Her father was Italian and they spent all their family holidays visiting Southern Italy. Her books are distributed in the UK, Australia and New Zealand and have been translated into 12 languages.

Published by Orion Publishing Group on 14th April 2016 at £12.99