Falling By Emma Kavanagh Book Review

fallingemmakavanaghA plane falls out of the sky. A woman is murdered. Four people all have something to hide.

This debut psychological thriller from former police psychologist Emma Kavanagh is stunning indeed. An engaging and exciting novel. This novel is brilliantly executed, it is a confident debut written by an extremely talented writer. You can tell that Emma Kavanagh was once a police psychologist: her novel is believable. She knows what she is talking about. The characters are incredibly well written and the nuances of life, grief and marriage are all well observed by the eye of a very adept writer.

The story itself is thoroughly engaging, drawing you in and making the book unputdownable. I love how the characters are woven together, how they end up dipping in and out of each other’s lives. This is a crime thriller that belongs on the same shelf as Nicci French. It is high praise indeed, but well deserved.

 

Jim is a retired police officer and worried father. His beloved daughter has disappeared and he knows something is wrong.

Tom has woken up to the news that his wife was on the plane, and he must break the news to their only son.

Cecilia had packed up and left her family. Now she has survived a tragedy, and sees no way out.

Freya is struggling to cope with the loss of her father. But as she delves into his past, she may not like what she finds.

 

Falling is available here. Read our Day in the Life piece on Emma Kavanagh here.

 

 

The Life of a Banana PP Wong Book Review

Novels that bring an insight into race and culture can be sorely lacking. PP Wong is the first British-born Chinese novelist to be published and I find that very sad indeed. It does not say much for diversity. We can’t necessarily blame publishers, they only buy what they think will sell, what the public want. So maybe it is time we opened our eyes more to other cultures and the absolute horror of racism.

After the heavy opening paragraph I hope you don’t get the wrong idea, The Life of a Banana is a (mostly) funny tale of a young Chinese girl growing up in London. It is written in her style, something that is very hard to do, and harder to do well.

Of course, not everyone is racist or a bully and racists and bullies just embarrass people who aren’t racist and bullies, but some of the things Xing Li goes through are truly horrible and shocking. This is an excellent book on identity and the end of childhood. I really enjoyed reading it and it is a triumphant first novel.

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Xing Li is what the Chinese call a banana – yellow on the outside and white on the inside. Although born and raised in London, she never feels like she fits in. When her mother dies, she moves with her older brother to live with venomous Grandma, strange Uncle Ho and Hollywood actress Auntie Mei. Her only friend is Jay – a mixed raced Jamaican boy with a passion for classical music.

Then Xing Li’s life takes an even harsher turn: the school bullying escalates and her uncle requests she assist him in an unthinkable favour. Her happy childhood becomes a distant memory as her new life is infiltrated with the harsh reality that comes with adolescence.

Consumed by secrets, violence and confusing family relations, Xing Li tries to find hope wherever she can. She realises that in order to find her own identity, she must first discover what it means to be both Chinese and British.

The Life of a Banana is available here.

Milton Steriliser Reviews

We reviewed some great products from sterilising experts Milton, whose products have been used by parents in homes and hospitals for over 65 years to ensure baby feeding equipment is clean and germ-free.

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The Milton Mini Portable Soother Steriliser  – This help solves every parent’s dilemma – what to do with a dropped dummy? This nifty little gadget cleans and sterilises dummies in less than 15 minutes, plus provides a safe and sterile place to store a spare dummy when you are out and about. The Velcro strap has been designed so you can attach the Mini to the pushchair when out and about. Small and would fit into any handbag. Very handy. Wouldn’t be without it.

 

The Milton Solo Travel Steriliser – this is a 2-in–1 microwave or cold water single bottle steriliser. It is ideal for sterilising when travelling or away from home. It sterilises from 2 minutes in the microwave and in 15 minutes with cold water. It safely sterilises most makes and sizes of bottles and also small baby equipment such as tethers and plastic toys. This is small enough to fit into a changing  bag. Is handy and works well.

 

The Milton Combi Microwave or Cold Water Steriliser is a 2-in-1 microwave or cold water steriliser. It effectively cleans and sterilises bottles from 2 minutes in the microwave and in 15 minutes for cold water. Its compact design is small enough to fit into most microwaves, yet spacious enough to sterilise up to 5 bottles of any brand.The Combi sterilises from 2 minutes in the microwave and in 15 minutes with cold water.  All bacteria, viruses and fungi are killed. It is a decent size and comes with some free tablets inside. Highly recommended.

 

Milton Sterilising Tablets: a recent study shows that their sterilising tablets are now effective against the two germs responsible for Typhoid and Cholera. This means that parents travelling further abroad, to countries outside of Europe and the US, where sanitation is poor, can use Milton‘s products safe in the knowledge that they will sterilise all items. Thereby protecting little ones against the germs that cause serious illnesses, such as typhoid and cholera, which are contracted through contaminated food and water. They are just as great in the UK obviously.

 

Do you have any parenting recommendations?

 

 

Panoramic Pod | Christmas Gift Ideas

This amazing gadget is perfect for taking landscape pictures or group shots of you and your nearest and dearest. It allows you to take 240 degree panoramic shots with your smartphone. Perfect for budding photographers or just to take great family photos.

panaromicpod Panoramic Pod Panoramic Podphotography

The Panoramic Pod is a handy accessory that enables you to take 240 degree panoramic shots with your smartphone. It takes the shot over a 25 second timeframe, so it’s perfect for taking breathtaking landscape photos or fitting all your friends or family in huge group shots. The device comes with a tripod mount and is compatible with Apple and Android smartphones. – A.D.

£15.99 from iwantoneofthose.com

 

 

Triskele Books | Self Publishing

Triskele Books is an author collective, a group of five writers from three countries who edit, proof, consult, advise, co-promote and market their books on a shared platform. Each works as an independent entity but all benefit from mutual support. From time to time they also take on associates who fit the Triskele ethos.

Between them, they have now published seventeen novels and offer advice on the process via The Triskele Trail, a warts-and-all story of how they made some mistakes and some smart decisions, discovered opportunities, found friends and dodged predators in the independent publishing jungle.

They have an informative blog, including a Toolbox with practical advice, a Bookclub with reviews and author interviews, and a Writers’ Services section, showcasing approved providers.

Core members are Gillian Hamer, JJ Marsh, Liza Perrat, JD Smith and Catriona Troth. Current associates are JW Hicks and Barbara Scott Emmett.

This autumn Triskele Books celebrates five new releases:

Crimson Shore by Gillian Hamer

A half-naked woman dead in a ditch. A disappearing pathologist. A teenager run off the road. For a peaceful island, Anglesey is experiencing abnormal levels of crime. What’s the connection? Crimson Shore is the first novel in The Gold Detectives series set along the North Wales coast.

 

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Rats by JW Hicks

In one world she is Bitch Singer—fighting a dictator, guerrilla style. In another, she is Dorrie Hart, housewife and mother—carer to a speech-impaired child. Which world is real, which life is true? And why does she wake each morning crying for a lost lover—a lover she is determined to find?

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Cold Pressed by JJ Marsh

When an elderly British tourist falls to her death from a Santorini cliff, one witness claims it was no accident. Hellenic Police ask for international assistance from DI Beatrice Stubbs. As she tracks the killer from the Cyclades to the Dodecanese, Beatrice discovers two surprising things. One is a fifty-year old secret. The other is her inconstant heart.

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Delirium: The Rimbaud Delusion by Barbara Scott Emmett

“How many times had I dreamt of coming across the yellowing manuscript of La Chasse Spirituelle? Inside an old book on a stall in Paris, perhaps. Or in the attic of some befriended ancient…” The intoxicating hunt for a lost poem by Rimbaud.

 

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The Fate of an Emperor – Overlord II by JD Smith 

My name is Zabdas: a brother, protector, soldier and sacrifice. I am a defender of Syria. I shall tell you the story of my beloved Zenobia: fearless woman, determined wife, Warrior Queen of Palmyra …

Crushed between two warring empires, Zenobia and Zabdas are ordered on another mission, deep into enemy ranks, to deliver terms to the King of the Persians, and pray they will not be flayed alive.

But all is not what is seems. More than one person is intent on betrayal …

 

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Triskele Books will be launching these five titles at Barton’s Bookshop in Leatherhead on 15th November. The following day, they will co-hosting the Indie Author Fair at the Chorleywood Lit Fest.

 

 

Ruby Red Body Moisturiser Review

We loved this new Soothe and Nourish Hydrating Body Moisturiser from Ruby Red. It absorbed easily and was gentle on those with sensitive skin. We love natural products and this fits the bill. It has six nourishing plant oils including hydrating Babussu oil to lock in moisture all day. It left us silky smooth and moisturised. Good stuff.

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The moisturiser has:

Olive Oil to moisturise and aid skin regeneration
Sweet Almond Oil an emollient to soften the skin
Grapeseed Oil a moisturiser with active antioxidant
Babassu Oil to soften the skin
Shea Butter to aid skin hydration
Jojoba Oil to condition the skin

With added actives of Aloe Vera and Glycerine to soothe and ease absorption and Vitamin B% to reinforce the hydrolipidic barrier for improved skin hydration and to even out skin tone.
Naturally fragranced with soothing oils of Jasmine, Cardamom and Ylang Ylang.

Suitable for dry and sensitive skin.

Available from Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge, Planet Organic, John Bell & Croyden and selected independent beauty boutiques and online at www.ethicalsuperstore.com and the Ruby Red shop – www.rubyredcosmetics.co.uk.

 

 

The Glamour Trio: Cult Classic Beauty Review. Elnett, Corn Silk & Max Factor

Every woman needs a bit of glamour in her life. These Amazon bestsellers may be retro and glam, but do they work as good as they look? Let’s find out.

First up is a classic, Cornsilk Satin Loose Powder . Powder is very underrated. There was a point where not many people wore it because it was considered old fashioned. It is making a comeback now solely because nothing else really gives a flawless finish the way powder does. This powder sets make up beautifully and makes it last all day. It is brilliant stuff and won’t leave you looking like a ghost. Recommended. There is a reason it is a classic. A natural looking powder that works on light and darker skin tones. It does give a matte look but not too much, it still looks natural.

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Next is Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara in Black. Anyone remember those adverts which called Max Factor the ‘make up of make up artists’? The brand has always had a certain amount of glamour and movie star attachment. This mascara really works. You can use a little for stunning lashes or a lot for full-on false lash glamour. Is quite hard to get off but a small price to pay for beautiful lashes.

L’Oreal Elnett UV Filter Hairspray is another classic. I remember my mother using Elnett when I was growing up. I always use a hairspray with a UV filter as my hair goes really blonde in the sun if I don’t. The sun is also very damaging to the hair and ages it. We remember this about our face but not everyone remembers their hair. Elnett has stood the test of time because it really works and then it just brushes out. The one for coloured hair accentuates your colour’s radiance. They also have ones for extra hold and extra radiance. It is not too heavy on hair or sticky. Just brilliant hairspray.

 

What do you think? Are you a fan of any of the above?

 

 

The Girls From Corona Del Mar By Rufi Thorpe Book Review

The Girls from Corona del Mar review

The Girls From Corona Del Mar immediately hooks you. Brilliantly written, it draws you into a nostalgic haze. It is a brutally honest and sometimes uncomfortable read about the friendship between two women. This books takes a long, hard look at female friendship and reveals how little we can know someone, how life gets in the way and how fate can deal hands that are unfair and unbalanced. It reminds us that life is brutal and hard, but also beautiful and kind. The story is narrated by Mia as she describes her friendship with Lorrie Ann.

Rufi Thorpe’s true talent is how believable the book is, even with the twists and turns, the slights of fate. She has a beautiful way of writing that is almost poetic. But the book is also haunting and brutal. The story may be of friendship but it is a particularly broken one. It is easy to be best friends when you are a teenager, but life gets in the way later, as does judgement and life choices. It is a friendship of guilt, love and jealousy. Mia defines her entire identity against Lorrie Ann, referring to her as her ‘opposite twin’. She always thought she was the bad one, Lorrie Ann the good one. It is love, but it is messy.

The book can give a brutal look at being a woman. Abortion and the regret of having one plays heavily, childbirth is grisly and awful- actually stomach churning. It charts friendship through different countries, reversal of fortunes and personal faults. It is a wonderful book that stayed with me, if even occasionally for a haunting and brutal story. The Girls From Corona Del Mar is haunting, beautiful and hard to put down.

Why did Lorrie Ann look graceful in beat-up Keds and shorts a bit too small for her? Why was it charming when she snorted from laughing too hard? Yes, we were jealous of her, and yet we did not hate her. She was never so much as teased by us, we roaming and bratty girls of Corona del Mar, thieves of corn nuts and orange soda, abusers of lip gloss and foul language.”

An astonishing debut about friendships made in youth, The Girls from Corona del Mar is a fiercely beautiful novel about how these bonds, challenged by loss, illness, parenthood, and distance, either break or endure.

Mia and Lorrie Ann are lifelong friends: hard-hearted Mia and untouchably beautiful, kind Lorrie Ann. While Mia struggles with a mother who drinks, a pregnancy at fifteen, and younger brothers she loves but can’t quite be good to, Lorrie Ann is luminous, surrounded by her close-knit family, immune to the mistakes that mar her best friend’s life. Then a sudden loss catapults Lorrie Ann into tragedy: things fall apart, and then fall further—and there is nothing Mia can do to help. And as good, brave, fair Lorrie Ann stops being so good, Mia begins to question just who this woman is, and what that question means about them both.

A staggeringly honest, deeply felt novel of family, motherhood, loyalty, and the myth of the perfect friendship, The Girls from Corona del Mar asks just how well we know those we love, what we owe our children, and who we are without our friends.

 

 

The Girls from Corona del Mar is available here.