tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19570583031759787212024-03-18T08:27:43.662+00:00Chez MaximkaFamily and food! Home, where the kettle is always on...Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.comBlogger2397125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-91117553859248772302024-03-18T08:27:00.000+00:002024-03-18T08:27:11.699+00:00The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn (review + #giveaway )<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6fV0x4_FbW6ao8MBuTvzESzwf4ZHlr4L1h8TGg6ItghJnmZ4WdtZ_5Xm7fUyrM0gZbPIei0SPnxuA6cUWN4PqJI2QM7qhq6kaMvyfVaRl5PdUOQ5pBVKvsWq21jJVZWWjpGHmAWOtFMXMiDNvRkpesA35zfBQ3bX0VQ8meLbjDvAHX1n3gjZQ-yuswYc/s700/The%20Dubrovnik%20Book%20Club.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="books about book clubs, Chez Maximka" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6fV0x4_FbW6ao8MBuTvzESzwf4ZHlr4L1h8TGg6ItghJnmZ4WdtZ_5Xm7fUyrM0gZbPIei0SPnxuA6cUWN4PqJI2QM7qhq6kaMvyfVaRl5PdUOQ5pBVKvsWq21jJVZWWjpGHmAWOtFMXMiDNvRkpesA35zfBQ3bX0VQ8meLbjDvAHX1n3gjZQ-yuswYc/w640-h252/The%20Dubrovnik%20Book%20Club.png" title="The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>"..<i>.she could see the shop in front of her, Knjižara Svih Nacija written in a curve of gold paint across the top of the arched window. The name itself was wonderful, meaning "the bookshop where all are welcome". Even damaged souls like her. It would be her ethos as manager too: to welcome everybody".</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><i>"She had been an island for so long, but now she felt her very self would dissolve in a sea of emotion if she let it"</i>.<br /><p><b>The Dubrovnik Book Club</b> by Eva Glyn is a moving women's fiction, warm and engaging, positive and inspiring.</p><p><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Blurb:</b></p><p><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">In a tiny bookshop in Dubrovnik's historic Old Town, a book club begins...</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Newly arrived on the sun-drenched shores of Croatia, Claire Thomson's life is about to change forever when she starts working at a local bookshop. With her cousin Vedran, employee Luna and Karmela, a professor, they form an unlikely book club.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">But when their first book club pick - an engrossing cosy crime - inspires them to embark upon an investigation that is close to the group's heart, they quickly learn the value of keeping their new-found friends close as lives and stories begin to entwine...</span></p><p><br /></p><p>Claire finds herself in Dubrovnik, recuperating after a long Covid. Having found a perfect job in a local bookshop, Claire is hesitant. She feels vulnerable and anxious to return to work and be among people. She sees a threat of the dreaded virus everywhere, and the sight of just a few visitors to the store brings her panic attacks. </p><p>"<i>Claire didn't just want this to work out, she wanted her life back, full stop. And however terrified she was, she knew there was only one person who could make that happen</i>".</p><p>The book club run by Claire and her younger colleague Luna is a little haven of tolerance and open-mindedness. It becomes a tribute to female solidarity, compassion and endurance.</p><p>Each chapter focuses on a character, and each book selected for the book club's discussion, mirrors some of the character's struggles and problems.</p><p><br /></p><p>While I sympathise with Claire's anxiety after her prolonged illness, she is a bit self-absorbed to start with. Aided by her family, she has being protected to the point of cocooned. Coming across other people's stories and difficulties during the book club meetings and beyond, helps her face her own demons and realise that we cannot hide from life.</p><p>Claire's Gran Fran and her husband Jadran are very supportive, but they have their own serious problems. </p><p>Her cousin Vedran has withdrawn from the society for his own reasons. His ex-girlfriend Didi has disappeared in suspicious circumstances, and many a finger point at him accusingly. Vedran's story adds a thriller/mystery element to the book club-centred narrative.</p><p>Luna is a young girl, exploring her sexuality, and struggling with her religious upbringing. In many ways she is very naive and childish. She is as bouncy as Tigger. Luna grew up in a small community, where religious narrow-mindedness reigns. Even her own parents are rigid and inflexible, dismissive of their daughter's identity.</p><p>And then there is Karmela, who appears quite stand-offish (more of being aloof rather than arrogant). Karmela is a visiting professor from Zagreb, who is doing research on the medieval Ragusan Republic and the place of women in the 16C society. </p><p>She tries to push aside her childhood trauma of escaping from Sarajevo during the war, but memories are always there.</p><p>"<i>The past - the war - was everywhere she looked, in everyone she spoke to. Crushing her like the oppressive heat before a storm. And she did not want it. Not at all. And yet she was powerless to stop it</i>".</p><p>All the individual stories become interconnected, creating a fascinating tapestry.</p><p>Dubrovnik provides a beautiful and inspired setting for the plotline. The visual/descriptive aspect is one of the strengths of the book. I loved learning more about the history of this captivating place and found myself googling into the night some of the names mentioned in Karmela's research (something I wasn't familiar with).</p><p><br /></p><p>Books about books and book clubs are very popular, and for a good reason. They shine a light on the intellectual and healing power of books. For me reading is like breathing, I wouldn't be able to survive without it. The last year has been pretty horrendous, and books keep me afloat, saving my sanity. And though my personal problems are completely different from the problems which the members of The Dubrovnik Book Club's have to face up to, I do share with them the joy the books bring, comfort and escapism, and the way they make you reflect on your past and present.</p><p><b>The Dubrovnik Book Club</b> celebrates reading and brings sensitive subjects into the light. This captivating tale of friendship, with well-developed characters, and a strong sense of place, is truly affirming and redemptive. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Potential triggers: </b>long Covid, religious bigotry, domestic violence, people's lives damaged by wars.</p><p><br /></p><p>This post is part of the blog tour for The Dubrovnik Book Club.</p><p>Many thanks to Eva Glyn and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5G72jNx_JWPEH2UhxSRMV5UQvRdWRJLFIuddsYGcBIkYkjawaZvcveCAtpfuV6iHid8HTAC5cKANq6aurWrgHm0zDQYj9kiSiECsYSFIb5EOf5Hh_yDA1MMBwOEGDuofXmGDKjaTDIUm-4fjXrCaKrrROTlfYFiKIyOdLCkCBSr7oVGhehRkJYsNiO7J4/s1916/The%20Dubrovnik%20Book%20Club%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, books set in Croatia" border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1916" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5G72jNx_JWPEH2UhxSRMV5UQvRdWRJLFIuddsYGcBIkYkjawaZvcveCAtpfuV6iHid8HTAC5cKANq6aurWrgHm0zDQYj9kiSiECsYSFIb5EOf5Hh_yDA1MMBwOEGDuofXmGDKjaTDIUm-4fjXrCaKrrROTlfYFiKIyOdLCkCBSr7oVGhehRkJYsNiO7J4/w640-h418/The%20Dubrovnik%20Book%20Club%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Purchase
Links - </span></b><a href="https://mybook.to/TheDubrovnikBookClub" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://mybook.to/TheDubrovnikBookClub</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Other
retailers:<br />
UK </span><a href="https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/the-dubrovnik-book-club-eva-glyn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/the-dubrovnik-book-club-eva-glyn</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
US </span><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-dubrovnik-book-club-eva-glyn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-dubrovnik-book-club-eva-glyn</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Author Bio – <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="Jane" style="line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: 0cm 18.0pt;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Eva
Glyn fell in love with Croatia during her first holiday there in 2019; the
incredible scenery, the delicious food, the country’s dramatic twentieth
century history all played their part, but most of all it was the friendliness
of the people.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Jane" style="line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: 0cm 18.0pt;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="Jane" style="line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: 0cm 18.0pt;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
of these was tour director Darko Barisic, who told an incredible story about
growing up in underground shelters during the war in the 1990s, and she knew
she had to write a book around his experiences. This became her first Croatian
novel, <i>The Olive Grove</i>, and she and
Darko have become good friends and he continues to advise her on all aspects of
Croatia.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Jane" style="line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: 0cm 18.0pt;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="Jane" style="line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: 0cm 18.0pt;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Eva
delves into Croatian history and everyday life for her inspiration, and visits
the country as often as she can, having uncovered so many stories by talking to
local people. Travel in general is her passion, followed closely by food and
wine, which also find their way between her pages.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Jane" style="line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: 0cm 18.0pt;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="Jane" style="line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: 0cm 18.0pt;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although
Welsh by birth she now lives in Cornwall with the man she met and fell in love
with almost thirty years ago. She also writes as Jane Cable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Jane" style="line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: 0cm 18.0pt;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><p class="Jane" style="line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: 0cm 18.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw963pxWvdFDpd8XCxnViIU5ERF7E4MeZeXur54OcRXf6g8Ea1EcFx3OXTg9aJPPOWaH29YIvA_KwHHFT8BNf4p7K-VHUCPrcVX3H8Oy6W0ltYBr5Bq9w_0a523KIRfKFf6jsWWkhwNEA4kR5C9WuGLV994O7bKYAgIVO6zwdtLtDLUFreiOXbb3_VuKI/s1019/Eva%20Glyn%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="women's fiction" border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="944" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw963pxWvdFDpd8XCxnViIU5ERF7E4MeZeXur54OcRXf6g8Ea1EcFx3OXTg9aJPPOWaH29YIvA_KwHHFT8BNf4p7K-VHUCPrcVX3H8Oy6W0ltYBr5Bq9w_0a523KIRfKFf6jsWWkhwNEA4kR5C9WuGLV994O7bKYAgIVO6zwdtLtDLUFreiOXbb3_VuKI/w370-h400/Eva%20Glyn%202022.jpg" title="Eva Glyn" width="370" /></a></div><br /><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Social Media Links – <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Instagram </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/evaglynauthor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.instagram.com/evaglynauthor/</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Facebook </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/EvaGlynAuthor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.facebook.com/EvaGlynAuthor/</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Twitter </span><a href="https://twitter.com/JaneCable" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://twitter.com/JaneCable</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">TikTok </span><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dubrovnikbookclub" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.tiktok.com/@dubrovnikbookclub</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bookbub </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/eva-glyn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.bookbub.com/profile/eva-glyn</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Giveaway to Win a
paperback copy of The Dubrovnik Book Club (Open INT)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">*Terms
and Conditions</span></strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> –</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Worldwide entries welcome. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please enter using
the Rafflecopter box below. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The winner will be selected at random via
Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or
email. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources
reserves the right to select an alternative winner. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Open to all entrants aged
18 or over. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is
used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the
exception of the winners’ information. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This will passed to the giveaway
organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s
Random Resources will delete the data. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chez Maximka is hosting the Rafflecopter gadget for free for the purposes of the book promotion. I do not have access to the data collected, or the selection of the winner.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Neither am I responsible for
despatch or delivery of the prize.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Good luck!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 13pt; tab-stops: 35.45pt 70.85pt 106.3pt 5.0cm 177.15pt 212.6pt 248.05pt 283.45pt 318.9pt 354.35pt 389.75pt 425.2pt 456.6pt;"><br /></p>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="33c69494581" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494581/" id="rcwidget_p384dxhq" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNO_QWK4w3zvrQkNfkVQ6YZGEnPOhbRi3ch7ksQKDFp1FIintSz6RDg5q7ko8lExPBq_7ePeeJq-Qlcdiz-5hTBcPug_QU94YGYPgNA0HsUMa-cWV_qAS-V2wLRHrjCrKFhkrxrOgPVQjVEN2hW01UNAklEKIz7N6Zly0TW6vbbt7qDk_iIW7u3OU6U1l/s2305/Cover%20hi%20res.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, books set in Croatia" border="0" data-original-height="2305" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNO_QWK4w3zvrQkNfkVQ6YZGEnPOhbRi3ch7ksQKDFp1FIintSz6RDg5q7ko8lExPBq_7ePeeJq-Qlcdiz-5hTBcPug_QU94YGYPgNA0HsUMa-cWV_qAS-V2wLRHrjCrKFhkrxrOgPVQjVEN2hW01UNAklEKIz7N6Zly0TW6vbbt7qDk_iIW7u3OU6U1l/w416-h640/Cover%20hi%20res.JPG" title="The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-76411112781637014492024-03-02T11:16:00.003+00:002024-03-02T11:18:48.685+00:00Thor's Revenge by Donovan Cook<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDcKXe34QA2P5swDJILcZP_7GZwQ-Kn5RV7YRZuHSKJF79qvBpl7oRo-ffwtXTb4uvMaSxEY8Dx-Yyz0425Cx5hB9yldTWD5EbqBhO0qIgjXqUXaP8u9L4CGbKyel-8DokCWNrh3TRDufG1BMAUynDhtBadm3VQXkNOi-qJbI6SPAC4QqctItM1F4TQnv/s700/Thors%20Revenge.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, historical fiction," border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDcKXe34QA2P5swDJILcZP_7GZwQ-Kn5RV7YRZuHSKJF79qvBpl7oRo-ffwtXTb4uvMaSxEY8Dx-Yyz0425Cx5hB9yldTWD5EbqBhO0qIgjXqUXaP8u9L4CGbKyel-8DokCWNrh3TRDufG1BMAUynDhtBadm3VQXkNOi-qJbI6SPAC4QqctItM1F4TQnv/w640-h252/Thors%20Revenge.png" title="Thor's Revenge by Donovan Cook" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>"<i>Someone dropped a cup and Sven thought he could hear the gods laughing in the sound it made as it bounced off the table. He gripped the ivory Mjöllnir around his neck and wondered why Odin loved to toy with him</i>".</p><p>"<i>The more he looked at it, the more beautiful it became. He couldn't tell any more if it was the allure of the power it possessed that drew him in more or just because it truly was the most beautiful cross he had ever seen"</i>.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Thor's Revenge </b>by Donovan Cook is a splendid historical novel, set in Denmark and Francia.</p><p>This is the third book in the Charlemagne's Cross series, following two previous books - <a href="https://chezmaximka.blogspot.com/2023/04/odins-betrayal-by-donovan-cook.html" target="_blank">Odin's Betrayal</a> and <a href="https://chezmaximka.blogspot.com/2023/09/lokis-deceit-by-donovan-cook.html" target="_blank">Loki's Deceit</a>. This book reads as a standalone, though it would help reading the previous novels to better understand the dynamics between the main protagonists, and also the political intrigues that set the actions in motion.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Blurb:</b></p><p><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Thor's revenge</b></p><p><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">A kingdom without a crown.</b></p><p><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">A boy forsaken by his God.</b></p><p><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">A warrior bent on revenge.</b></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">After the bloody Battle of Jelling, Denmark's throne lies empty and chaos reigns as Jarls jostle for power.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Sven survives the bloodshed only to return home to find Ribe acked by those he trusted and Charles, a pawn in a much bigger political game, kidnapped.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Consumed by the loss of Charles, Sven is shocked by the arrival of the Abbess Hildegard, daughter of his nemesis King Louis of East Francia, who seeks the whereabouts of Charles, her son, and also the cross of Charlemagne.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">But whilst others want revenge for the chaos Sven has caused, Denmark burns and Sven must stand in the shield wall one more time if he is to survive and rescue his grandson.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Outnumbered and outmanoeuvered, Sven and Charles must put their fate in the hands of the gods if they ever want to see each other again.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>Loki's Deceit, the second book in the series, ended on such a cliffhanger, and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next to Charles and his grandfather Sven. </p><p><b>Thor's Revenge</b> didn't disappoint. It is a riveting, galloping, compelling narrative, which brings the distant historical period to life. It begins where Loki's Deceit ends, smoothly picking up the thread of the narrative.</p><p>Cook has a gift for evoking the spirit of time and place. We meet again young Charles who is trying to survive in the aftermath of the great battle, where the king of Denmark has perished. The country is left lawless and defenceless. </p><p>Charles is still pretty much a pawn in the chess game, and just like the pawn, he is passed, and isolated. He is the weakest piece yet also important, as his very existence creates threats to more valuable figures. All the conspiracies and secrets are being revealed rapidly, shattering his world even more.</p><p>Brought up as a Christian, Charles is questioning his faith, asking important questions regarding God's omnipotence and credibility. He begins to see that not everything is black and white. There are good and bad people among both Christian Franks and Danes who believe in the Norse gods. </p><p>His grandfather Sven the Boar is broken by guilt. So many people who loved and trusted him, end up dead. And now his grandson is kidnapped. Sven blames himself for going along with the political schemes of the wannabe-king. His own people in Ribe distrust him, many of them don't want to see him as their Jarl. Sven makes one strategic mistake after another. Will he be able to be reunited with Charles?</p><p>There is a whole plethora of supporting characters, from the courageous and passionate shield maiden Thora to reserved Abbess Hildegard, from kind but weak Father Leofdag to everyone's grandma Ingvild who wants to feed Charles to fatten him up a bit, from Gerold the nasty piece of work to a very obstinate little girl Jorlaug, and plenty more. They are all memorable, portrayed masterfully, and superbly choreographed.</p><p><b>Thor's Revenge </b>is a well-plotted, fast-moving blockbuster, with compelling characters and a cracking plotline.</p><p>This is a brilliant series, that got me hooked on the distant past. I cannot wait to read the next book.</p><p><br /></p><p>Many thanks to Donovan Cook, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJlhsxgfIUBHWmTvehthkWBIJqbSeoJ9A91jzToiZYFEAFy5vNY3gR3QIPLNBSwzM_XWuLJDsfGDmgoB3afprYMNZGoaPwdhfuqY4poVMUq3tVoO1KG3M6_QIcPAZ_MZTW8yH0PT1SOVs6yQ_hX7K9whPLNJPrkJgF0HydEjTRSlrcgBL7JsIGlOzAX3U/s1287/Thors%20Revenge%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka" border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1287" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJlhsxgfIUBHWmTvehthkWBIJqbSeoJ9A91jzToiZYFEAFy5vNY3gR3QIPLNBSwzM_XWuLJDsfGDmgoB3afprYMNZGoaPwdhfuqY4poVMUq3tVoO1KG3M6_QIcPAZ_MZTW8yH0PT1SOVs6yQ_hX7K9whPLNJPrkJgF0HydEjTRSlrcgBL7JsIGlOzAX3U/w640-h588/Thors%20Revenge%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="Thor's revenge by Donovan Cook" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Purchase
Link - </span></b><a href="https://mybook.to/thorsrevengesocial" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://mybook.to/thorsrevengesocial</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Author Bio – <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-highlight: white;">Donovan Cook is the author of the
well-received Ormstunga Saga series and the Charlemagne's Cross series, both of
which combine fast-paced narrative with meticulously researched history of the
Viking world and are inspired by his interest in Norse Mythology. Donovan was
born in South Africa but raised in England.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Social Media Links – </span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Facebook: </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DonovanCookAuthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.facebook.com/DonovanCookAuthor</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Twitter: </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/DonovanCook20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://twitter.com/DonovanCook20</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span style="color: #103cc0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Newsletter Sign Up: </span></b><a href="https://bit.ly/DonovanCookNews" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://bit.ly/DonovanCookNews</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p>
<b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bookbub profile:</span></b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/janet-hoggarth"><b><span color="windowtext" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration-line: none;"> </span></b></a><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donovan-cook" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donovan-cook</span></b></a></span><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLULdiZMKxZgSEQx8iV7cQqVFl67xHggZdyJZ2ed2p25c_FF94WMnQUpF4rDtEchKI1jXSM8ztJRqcCVGzH1833hop2Vq86T5K4uEGqYOLyHzUrKo8XyGFwCw-cS3ST-iF29VxHvPLSSm31GqqG6Neewp7QLN1-aiCO3mGljoAl8wJgaQTyIrSr9y7E7s1/s3753/Profile%20photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hsitorical novel set in Francia" border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3753" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLULdiZMKxZgSEQx8iV7cQqVFl67xHggZdyJZ2ed2p25c_FF94WMnQUpF4rDtEchKI1jXSM8ztJRqcCVGzH1833hop2Vq86T5K4uEGqYOLyHzUrKo8XyGFwCw-cS3ST-iF29VxHvPLSSm31GqqG6Neewp7QLN1-aiCO3mGljoAl8wJgaQTyIrSr9y7E7s1/w400-h266/Profile%20photo.jpg" title="Donovan Cook" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtphzVXAijdjxo5LgKRymY4DVAFe8jVBJD70Luv9sfEvxNygo7Yl-_TM-VUfEUAmaHVA07X1IS8mXp3R8GN6Qo0cXXGCxIeyVIiI9EZ-p8DkF6V6JUEgh-eO6uMGAgmPCHQM5iqWwT6wHwVSN529mVeaM4U4yW_xnCd5Ip8tqqKKLHVHWZ67YnaCCxs3M2/s1080/21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtphzVXAijdjxo5LgKRymY4DVAFe8jVBJD70Luv9sfEvxNygo7Yl-_TM-VUfEUAmaHVA07X1IS8mXp3R8GN6Qo0cXXGCxIeyVIiI9EZ-p8DkF6V6JUEgh-eO6uMGAgmPCHQM5iqWwT6wHwVSN529mVeaM4U4yW_xnCd5Ip8tqqKKLHVHWZ67YnaCCxs3M2/w640-h640/21.png" title="Thor's revenge by D.Cook" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-88005065884623273692024-03-01T12:04:00.005+00:002024-03-01T16:15:13.859+00:00Hazard Night by Laura Vaughan (guest post)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZK1g2VG0CTrYHFGFIDFaxm7OWsdtQ_K9BPz56w6P6HZcixQSIMTHq_3S_0Fwf1vUZXkZczZlMmy-Dw76uuxD54mj4x5DBm9kYkNGAqpp9I-eXxFbcJr-V7DGVZFWau_cJ8tUZidKBqul9pLAL3P4DuOz0hyphenhyphen0RimzhFeou5ty8dli87NOmNJe55zarrZ3/s700/Hazard%20Night.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="thriller set in a boarding school" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZK1g2VG0CTrYHFGFIDFaxm7OWsdtQ_K9BPz56w6P6HZcixQSIMTHq_3S_0Fwf1vUZXkZczZlMmy-Dw76uuxD54mj4x5DBm9kYkNGAqpp9I-eXxFbcJr-V7DGVZFWau_cJ8tUZidKBqul9pLAL3P4DuOz0hyphenhyphen0RimzhFeou5ty8dli87NOmNJe55zarrZ3/w640-h252/Hazard%20Night.png" title="Hazard Night by Laura Vaughan" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Hazard Night<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Cleeve
College is not for everyone...</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When Eve's husband is appointed housemaster at his old boarding school,
Cleeve College, she gives up her life in London to join him. But the isolation
and loss of autonomy threaten both her happiness and her marriage.<br />
<br />
The arrival of Fen, an enigmatic artist and wife of the new Classics teacher,
is a welcome distraction. Fen doesn't play by the rules, and she and Eve enter
into a game of escalating dares, disrupting the delicate balance of school
life.<br />
<br />
Then, the morning after Hazard Night, a tradition that allows the students to
run wild and play pranks for one day, a body is found. Someone has been
murdered. And it seems everyone has something to hide...</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Purchase
Link - </span></b><a href="https://shorturl.at/cMPS6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">https://shorturl.at/cMPS6</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Author Bio – </span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Laura Vaughan grew up in rural Wales.
She got her first book deal aged twenty-two and spent several years working in
publishing, followed by a behind-the-scenes role at English National Ballet.
She lives in South London with her husband and two children. Hazard Night is
her third novel for adults.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Social Media Links – </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/CorvusBooks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">https://twitter.com/CorvusBooks</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://twitter.com/LVaughanwrites" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">https://twitter.com/LVaughanwrites</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvlXOYvrqDos7eJvwkdCCzD2zFQzfcPqdDE3U7pdvfs_egnVBNdoxhX4zP9VfXaaSZQKDV7pxjil8p_X5veIhyphenhyphenk18HWnT_KgVRxTk3cug_HGp5EogTlg4NcKPXlg9nhlD27PJP8w4fDn9cSD_q9YdJ8S9WB8eRLFKwSd8M_jImpW1k0qdNFsfBNXDfghW/s1288/Hazard%20Night%20Laura%20Vaughan%20author%20pic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1288" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvlXOYvrqDos7eJvwkdCCzD2zFQzfcPqdDE3U7pdvfs_egnVBNdoxhX4zP9VfXaaSZQKDV7pxjil8p_X5veIhyphenhyphenk18HWnT_KgVRxTk3cug_HGp5EogTlg4NcKPXlg9nhlD27PJP8w4fDn9cSD_q9YdJ8S9WB8eRLFKwSd8M_jImpW1k0qdNFsfBNXDfghW/w400-h300/Hazard%20Night%20Laura%20Vaughan%20author%20pic.jpg" title="Laura Vaughan" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>Please welcome Laura Vaughan who talks about HAZARD NIGHT & Dark Academia.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Dark Academia centres on the rot at the heart of elite
educational institutions. The most famous example is Donna Tartt’s THE SECRET
HISTORY, but you can find elements of the genre in classics such as BRIDESHEAD
REVISITED or GAUDY NIGHT. For film-lovers, SALTBURN uses several of the tropes,
as does THE RIOT CLUB (an adaptation of Laura Wade’s play POSH). It’s the kind
of morality tale that’s concerned with the seduction, then corruption, of
wealth and privilege. There’s a heady dose of youthful arrogance and twisted
desires. What more could a crime writer want?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first adult novel, THE FAVOUR, was about a
decadent group of art history students in Italy, who end up having to hide
nasty secret. With HAZARD NIGHT, I set the action even more squarely in Dark
Academia-land: an elite boarding school. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">It’s transgressive fun to take a peek
at privileged people behaving badly. The pay-off is when they get their
come-uppance. In gilded-youth noir, the reader generally sees events through
the eyes of an outsider who, knowingly or unknowingly, brings about everyone’s
downfall. There are a number of outsiders in HAZARD NIGHT – and all are
potential agents of destruction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">One is Eve, the lonely and frustrated
wife of a housemaster; the other is Alice, is the neglected teenage daughter of
the school chaplain. Both Eve and Alice fall under the spell of glamorous
newcomers. Fenn, the bohemian wife of the new Classics master, befriends Eve
and draws her into an escalating game of dares. Alice is taken under the wing
of the Bette, queen bee of the new female sixth-formers, and finds herself
caught in a love-triangle of far-reaching consequences. Observing all of them from
the shadows is Lindsey, the townie girl who works in the school laundries, and
seems to know more of Cleeve’s secrets than the faculty do. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">It’s no coincidence that this group
of outsiders and disruptors is female. Cleeve College is a bastion of male entitlement:
a place “where female rage has little currency”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story is set in the nineties, a more
innocent time in some ways, when teenagers grew up free from the baleful
influence of social media. Yet it was also a time when casual racism, sexism
and homophobia were often imbedded in classroom life. The whole concept of Dark
Academia is, in any case, rooted in privilege. I wanted to explore the viewpoint
of the boys who rule the roost at Cleeve, but in a way which allowed for
another outside perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Henry Zhang is one of a number of
recent arrivals from Hong Kong, whose parents, worried about the upcoming
handover of the territory to the Chinese, have dispatched their children to the
safety of a British boarding school. He’s handsome and popular, the captain of
the cricket team, but also painfully aware his success is contingent on never
rocking the boat, never being overheard talking Cantonese with the other Asian
kids … and smiling along when he’s called the Yellow Peril. But for all his
carefulness, Henry, like the other outsiders at Cleeve, doesn’t realise how
quite how precarious his position is.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">A boarding school campus is its own self-contained
world, which can seem impregnable as well as impenetrable to those who don’t
belong. But it’s a very delicate ecosystem, nonetheless. “Hundreds of disparate
people, the majority of whom are in a hormonal maelstrom of one sort or the
other, cooped up together in a wholly artificial environment and governed by a
mixture of ritual and convention alone! You disrupt something like this at your
peril,” as one character observes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
peril is certainly coming, for the discovery of a dead body in the school
grounds is only the beginning…<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwx5RmxRlydFhTgj_077TnutY2tgeqq841wzERZXVMmyXLBo3VQGBxgC11fZuQyUnSMu6HIYdTWVh_MBSPfyvsN00Tf1U2zxta31PSDyo26gflVqa1n3-cT_yCgg0xQ64Y2sm2BvF7L7bdnrQ-__eDF7QT55ERutBB7QEelB_KOrrQXfbW50gugcuh20a/s2250/Hazard%20Night%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, psychological thriller" border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2250" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwx5RmxRlydFhTgj_077TnutY2tgeqq841wzERZXVMmyXLBo3VQGBxgC11fZuQyUnSMu6HIYdTWVh_MBSPfyvsN00Tf1U2zxta31PSDyo26gflVqa1n3-cT_yCgg0xQ64Y2sm2BvF7L7bdnrQ-__eDF7QT55ERutBB7QEelB_KOrrQXfbW50gugcuh20a/w640-h356/Hazard%20Night%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="Hazard Night by Laura Vaughan" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-31864854178976739192024-02-29T10:45:00.004+00:002024-02-29T10:50:01.956+00:00Degustabox February Box<p> </p><p><b><a href="https://www.degustabox.com/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Degustabox</a> </b>is a monthly <b>food and drink subscription box</b>. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.</p><p>Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.</p><p>Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.</p><p>If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a <b>£3off discount from your first box</b> (and you can unsubscribe any time), just <b>use code DKRLN</b> when placing an order. </p><p>What did we get in <b>February Box Degustabox</b>?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGFfR4OAeuN9-eKeNcH1NWE4gSYq3yBCpTzuTl8M-jF7WPuVTbV1iHTvgebeUO_uw8C_KRPreL17970Un-HPX8G3Qy8TuxtZBBrAt2d3_0vISRa7FHWl112qRLQI5xezCk5EhoVfzwRv3N81aTbXbxGvax2k32iY7b-JJCPdxpl7B0O8g5-riYIMlrwiU/s2016/Degustabox%20Feb%2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, food box" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGFfR4OAeuN9-eKeNcH1NWE4gSYq3yBCpTzuTl8M-jF7WPuVTbV1iHTvgebeUO_uw8C_KRPreL17970Un-HPX8G3Qy8TuxtZBBrAt2d3_0vISRa7FHWl112qRLQI5xezCk5EhoVfzwRv3N81aTbXbxGvax2k32iY7b-JJCPdxpl7B0O8g5-riYIMlrwiU/w640-h480/Degustabox%20Feb%2024.jpg" title="Degustabox February 24 box" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Kellogg's KRAVE Choco Brownie Flavour (£3.29)</b> is the latest addition to the Kellogg's range. If you love chocolate-flavoured cereals, you will enjoy these cocoa flavoured mixed cereal pillows, with the gooey-melty chocolate filling inside.</p><p>This cereal is made of natural grains, and contains B vitamins, no artificial colours or flavours. Suitable for vegetarians, RSPO certified, and Rainforest Alliance certified (cocoa).</p><p>Nutritional information: 131kcal and 7.5g of sugar per 30g serving.</p><p>Available exclusively at ASDA.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuO3U09XtqOnDCusYdZ-SiOCVSi0WAoXM9VlD8CcPQV8EtQ4_H_ui9gQmjPvJbO-zMNTL1UQpdt1v1YGGddk_7vwef0jYnIRAHXg9TNbAjQ-5UPQ4pt1nTqPo3OPIibJe3HE26-9IrgnRnjRmDRH2uaccDRZ3nzQJ0aoA6m32t4Gz1d5xooFrI3WEIX2m_/s1849/Kellogg's%20KRAVE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1849" data-original-width="1510" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuO3U09XtqOnDCusYdZ-SiOCVSi0WAoXM9VlD8CcPQV8EtQ4_H_ui9gQmjPvJbO-zMNTL1UQpdt1v1YGGddk_7vwef0jYnIRAHXg9TNbAjQ-5UPQ4pt1nTqPo3OPIibJe3HE26-9IrgnRnjRmDRH2uaccDRZ3nzQJ0aoA6m32t4Gz1d5xooFrI3WEIX2m_/w522-h640/Kellogg's%20KRAVE.jpg" title="Kellogg's KRAVE choco brownie flavour" width="522" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Snatt's Bocaditos Tomato and Oregano (£2.20)</b> are Mediterranean snacks. These oven-baked bread pieces are flavoured with tomato and oregano.</p><p>Nutritional information: 8g of protein, 8g of fibre, 2g of salt, 503kcal per 100g. No palm oil, no added MSG. </p><p>Great with tapas, or toppings for creating authentic pintxos. Or serve with creamy dips, or a bowl of soup.</p><p>Available in all major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjTNH-bxlu9hUz4K0gNrnJmuuCgg6XMbNYSfzwvi_KHmeFizX4aner8O62Pfklmmn_-pMUHuEE8elB7R2AP6hXB80Hn5iito5JU6Y2J_SfO_qnCY4Ffs2j0L3Q63lpgVgPoyf7_w2iECJfJHQn2cqKxl0RsKtbLRrQA4GjfvwqyYUXMBRZ5AmXLlej2SV/s2015/Snatt's%20Bocaditos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1511" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjTNH-bxlu9hUz4K0gNrnJmuuCgg6XMbNYSfzwvi_KHmeFizX4aner8O62Pfklmmn_-pMUHuEE8elB7R2AP6hXB80Hn5iito5JU6Y2J_SfO_qnCY4Ffs2j0L3Q63lpgVgPoyf7_w2iECJfJHQn2cqKxl0RsKtbLRrQA4GjfvwqyYUXMBRZ5AmXLlej2SV/w480-h640/Snatt's%20Bocaditos.jpg" title="Snatt's Bocaditos Tomato and Oregano" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Tweek Sweets Fizzy Fusion 80g/or Smoothie Chews 70g or Foam Fever 70g (£1.99) </b>is a traditional candy with a twist. Their brand name is inspired by the word "tweak" meaning to fix, fine tune and improve. Try the new tweaked recipes and be the judge whether the new versions come up trumps.</p><p>These sweets have natural colours and flavourings, they are high-fibre, have no added sugar and 50% fewer calories. Also gluten free and halal certified.</p><p>Available online at tweeksweets.uk, on Amazon, Protein Package, TK Maxx, Margiotta, Skinny Food Co and Muscle Food.</p><p>You should receive 1 item in your box.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtkBfWisPKrB0T5XX95XLwoXSQoObXbVbBTw3-FHqg_1cQPNDULcRVF4DYR90ZzVs79KWH9Ifr8t9xmGoKo2B7imD0CdZNECEA7lohpOEo5UbQdVwYyafsJJMHels9Zh1CA2QQST9SuVOEiEApQTUrOeEbhItdPMaaRch6g6eNFuR7McPuyHbVhpji_4d/s2015/Tweek%20sweets.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1511" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtkBfWisPKrB0T5XX95XLwoXSQoObXbVbBTw3-FHqg_1cQPNDULcRVF4DYR90ZzVs79KWH9Ifr8t9xmGoKo2B7imD0CdZNECEA7lohpOEo5UbQdVwYyafsJJMHels9Zh1CA2QQST9SuVOEiEApQTUrOeEbhItdPMaaRch6g6eNFuR7McPuyHbVhpji_4d/w480-h640/Tweek%20sweets.jpg" title="Tweek Sweets Smoothie Chews" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Maggi Recipe Mix Piri-piri and Fajita (£0.99 each) </b>are blends of herbs and spices.</p><p>I might be one of a very few people who didn't get an air fryer when it became trendy, and if you don't have one either, don't worry. These blends could be used for cooking in the oven, pan or grill too. Check out www.maggi.co.uk for more information.</p><p>You should receive two items in your box. </p><p>Maggi Piri Piri is recommended to be used with chicken fillets, but it will give a lovely kick to a vegetarian dish as well, you could add it to veggie burgers or dips.</p><p>Nutritional values: 249kcal and 1.4g of sugar per serving. A packet makes 4 servings, when prepared.</p><p>Maggi Fajita is perfect with chicken, peppers and onions, but again could be used in vegetarian recipes.</p><p>Available at Sainsbury's, Iceland, B&M stores.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNInoKs_o9lEt0yb_4RTeEz1DsdRaNyiMmiqJexHJrJBGxrpYlnJjD4vICUrB61cFTBIsZOBGRGs9qZkVHr0__w_FrdPWp4gB2F4awtFJEllmxrCF5cZvi0zd-mGCTPnJfdSvXjLw8V0qfRsEbVhBsaEUgVxMXu9_22IkxIg9HR9B_NtYgFxboTt1MSwv/s2016/Maggi%20recipe%20mix.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNInoKs_o9lEt0yb_4RTeEz1DsdRaNyiMmiqJexHJrJBGxrpYlnJjD4vICUrB61cFTBIsZOBGRGs9qZkVHr0__w_FrdPWp4gB2F4awtFJEllmxrCF5cZvi0zd-mGCTPnJfdSvXjLw8V0qfRsEbVhBsaEUgVxMXu9_22IkxIg9HR9B_NtYgFxboTt1MSwv/w640-h480/Maggi%20recipe%20mix.jpg" title="Maggi Air Fryer Fajita and Piri Piri" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Maggi Chow Mein Flavour Instant Noodles (£2)</b> are instant noodles, that could be eaten as a main or side dish. Add these noodles to your stir fry, or a bowl of soup, with a little bit of garlic, ginger and black pepper for a satisfying meal.</p><p>This is a multipack of 4.</p><p>Nutritional values: 273kcal and 1.10g of salt per each pack. Low in saturated fat and suitable for vegetarians. Just add boiling water, wait for 3 minutes and enjoy.</p><p>Available at Poundland and Iceland.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlv4uLJ1qet1BH5i9qjn0r9XIA0DurEQu7P9IaARaL54wdaqNUfja94_Ez4F9HyJLxkg7m1Sc7SKdNxREduvQ9mSU4u-avyVJ3yMzh4lt6RWtya7XvZJtdxLMnKYJ3UsZ7HLKsQ7B7cyhvH7fumtD3EfJTRlkw0CodZH4Hfz-mL46ccTvQ2XvMGSdo0HIz/s2015/Maggi%20chow%20mein.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="2015" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlv4uLJ1qet1BH5i9qjn0r9XIA0DurEQu7P9IaARaL54wdaqNUfja94_Ez4F9HyJLxkg7m1Sc7SKdNxREduvQ9mSU4u-avyVJ3yMzh4lt6RWtya7XvZJtdxLMnKYJ3UsZ7HLKsQ7B7cyhvH7fumtD3EfJTRlkw0CodZH4Hfz-mL46ccTvQ2XvMGSdo0HIz/w640-h480/Maggi%20chow%20mein.jpg" title="Maggi Chow Mein Flavour Instant Noodles" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Boundless Sweet Chilli Nuts & Seeds (£2.50)</b> are gluten free vegan snacks. The motto on the package is We deliver Gut happy snacking.</p><p>Full of fibre and packed with nutrients (magnesium, potassium, zinc and iron) in every crunch to leave you feeling good.</p><p>Nutritional values: 172kcal and 0.26g of salt per 30g serving (3 servings in a packet).</p><p>Add these nuts and seeds to porridge, salad, soup or yogurt, or snack on their own.</p><p>Available at ASDA, Ocado and at weareboundless.co.uk and on Amazon.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTZQAncemJS2QAUdbGEa9Es2qXdJzcDRpVubERnxTL99WBQ4XvmM8fU4Rwp-dy6ol9qR74eKpq9uBPlO5XNwZ1EbwVGudgJ6Wp8StdKkgvdtNYWvbI481g1VK0cVOhqTCGOPnWu7ZhnCuI0Ev6ntYRisLX3llNmRbweky7vskgFBaswnx1qrTfKBfMLYa/s1882/IMG_0207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1882" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTZQAncemJS2QAUdbGEa9Es2qXdJzcDRpVubERnxTL99WBQ4XvmM8fU4Rwp-dy6ol9qR74eKpq9uBPlO5XNwZ1EbwVGudgJ6Wp8StdKkgvdtNYWvbI481g1VK0cVOhqTCGOPnWu7ZhnCuI0Ev6ntYRisLX3llNmRbweky7vskgFBaswnx1qrTfKBfMLYa/w514-h640/IMG_0207.jpg" title="Boundless Sweet Chilli Nuts & Seeds" width="514" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Heinz Chicken Broth (£1.70) </b>is a comforting soup made with pearl barley, carrots, parsnips, swede, chicken, leeks and other ingredients. Heat it gently in a pan before serving. A handy standby in the kitchen pantry, for a quick and easy meal, when you have no time or desire to cook. </p><p>Contains no artificial colours or preservatives.</p><p>Typical values: 68kcal and 1.8g of sugar per 1/2 can.</p><p>Available at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, ASDA and Ocado.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzRLwGYTtSCGlMJPdfRTeX1biOTEh8LS1m3Mv37ALcLHl-45a6pCtIJ5BYYT31xDmnBu2dfhzJ0a8w6fgBN9WFXXmImVt5NPEou1n-HSAu2UcWWXmj1l3EUYXkSWgc_1qea0pFnG9Tb7lTSMVeNix2C_nLsqUR26cN-cONe2jD9EJvp4W3UicUbD5VE7h/s1448/Heinz%20chicken%20broth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="1085" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzRLwGYTtSCGlMJPdfRTeX1biOTEh8LS1m3Mv37ALcLHl-45a6pCtIJ5BYYT31xDmnBu2dfhzJ0a8w6fgBN9WFXXmImVt5NPEou1n-HSAu2UcWWXmj1l3EUYXkSWgc_1qea0pFnG9Tb7lTSMVeNix2C_nLsqUR26cN-cONe2jD9EJvp4W3UicUbD5VE7h/w480-h640/Heinz%20chicken%20broth.jpg" title="Heinz chicken broth" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Just Spices Mexican Allrounder/ Pancake Spice Mix/ Chips Seasoning, or Avocado Topping (£1.90 for two sachets) </b>are funky seasoning blends.</p><p>I discovered this brand a few months ago, and bought quite a few little jars to try. Our favourite is Egg Topping, it really lifts up boring fried or scrambled eggs. A real winner. There was also an Advent Calendar from Just Spices, which looked fabulous.</p><p>We received two sachets of Avocado Topping and Chips Seasoning. These seasoning blends are made without additives.</p><p>Available at justspices.co.uk only in the Taster Box at £9.99. You can buy bigger pots at Waitrose. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPND51hfLJbEEJIP6DVY6mErwnR13PHQtFFIYI0GbwtZryI9_-N-ndFdz1eqD8DWEYyP_DLoMC7YYp9lE6Rl-uZSTIMqax8MblGfgcRBoODb8Buwsdpb8Zkhn87pwlvVKcB1ODMVSHnc8sfHOiX-H8YMDBqgBBsC6XWrSEIQLYVX-47VxqhI5DIX-z73Vq/s2016/Just%20Spices.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPND51hfLJbEEJIP6DVY6mErwnR13PHQtFFIYI0GbwtZryI9_-N-ndFdz1eqD8DWEYyP_DLoMC7YYp9lE6Rl-uZSTIMqax8MblGfgcRBoODb8Buwsdpb8Zkhn87pwlvVKcB1ODMVSHnc8sfHOiX-H8YMDBqgBBsC6XWrSEIQLYVX-47VxqhI5DIX-z73Vq/w640-h480/Just%20Spices.jpg" title="Just Spices" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Sparklean Tropical Vegan Protein Drink (£2.50)</b> is a fizzy soft drink which promises health perks of a nutritional supplement, as it contains 15g of vegan protein in each 330ml can.</p><p>Ingredients include: water, pea protein, white grape juice, natural flavours etc.</p><p>It's available in tropical, strawberry & lime, as well as orange flavours.</p><p>Nutritional values: 80kcal, 1g carbs, 1g sugar.</p><p>Available at Boots, Amazon and Direct.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xEHGNsFzDXPmz1f6F-WDYmfzS2CLcRS_CRVDdo6WuEU6F0LdsWgqXmwbLs49YWUsjaSbzsxzCVIpt8MrdZLY4f-lxiAF8dXZJWB6IEyyYUd-mRuv2mGVRkZyh_mWy2ItkCcaSiU3ctooIdah8CGOsTE6rsEJBuDzXT2d6-crkyTDxk3n8KULYeuSzfNw/s1351/Sparklean%20drink.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="961" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xEHGNsFzDXPmz1f6F-WDYmfzS2CLcRS_CRVDdo6WuEU6F0LdsWgqXmwbLs49YWUsjaSbzsxzCVIpt8MrdZLY4f-lxiAF8dXZJWB6IEyyYUd-mRuv2mGVRkZyh_mWy2ItkCcaSiU3ctooIdah8CGOsTE6rsEJBuDzXT2d6-crkyTDxk3n8KULYeuSzfNw/w456-h640/Sparklean%20drink.jpg" title="Sparklean Tropical Vegan Protein Drink" width="456" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Whatever Brands Jelly Belly Fruit Drinks (£1.29 for 550ml) </b>is a range of soft drinks with iconic flavours such as Very Cherry, Berry Blue and Tutti-Frutti.</p><p>These drinks contain 20% fruit juice, less than 5g sugar per 100ml, no artificial flavours and are fortified with vitamins A, C and E. They are also HFSS compliant and suitable for vegans.</p><p>You should receive 1 item of three in your box.</p><p>We received a blue bottle, Berry Blue. I had one sip, and found it way too sweet to my taste, but my son enjoyed it.</p><p>Available at local delis, groceries, Home Bargains and Poundland.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-084obfEbUZzFgQgrEXEUYhXmkkB72OtqkMkisU8N7m_CMsBWRCTb6NpUCR5qwUr7OogAwoY1M9mopPbstf2A8AFX7gHApUu0NfvYd2sMgzFjRxg3_urmafRBBHVEnL3XowD2DnYyICbJASv1FxLg_0iKb8MYwX2K4fgRLaru6EmCwM-M0nsBrCfRl-p/s1315/Jelly%20Belly%20Berry%20Blue.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="977" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-084obfEbUZzFgQgrEXEUYhXmkkB72OtqkMkisU8N7m_CMsBWRCTb6NpUCR5qwUr7OogAwoY1M9mopPbstf2A8AFX7gHApUu0NfvYd2sMgzFjRxg3_urmafRBBHVEnL3XowD2DnYyICbJASv1FxLg_0iKb8MYwX2K4fgRLaru6EmCwM-M0nsBrCfRl-p/w476-h640/Jelly%20Belly%20Berry%20Blue.jpg" title="Jelly Belly fruit drink" width="476" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>And finally, the<b> Product of the Month - Tilda Tasty Sides Indian Black Dahl or Chinese Black Bean (£1.99)</b>. </p><p>I saw Tilda's launch of the new products last year, and since Tilda is our favourite brand of pre-cooked rice, I really fancied trying new products. These vegetarian meals are both great with rice.</p><p>You should receive 1 item in your box. We got Tilda Indian Black Dahl. Its ingredients include cooked Urid lentils, vegetables (spinach, carrots), single cream, cooked Mung Dhal, tomatoes, caramelised onions, spices and oils. Serve with rice, and a naan bread for a tasty meal.</p><p>Nutritional values: 94kcal and 1.3g of sugar per 100g. No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. High in fibre. Vegetarian, but not vegan. </p><p>Available at Tesco, Ocado and Amazon Fresh.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNxPRSt6wIHZH7HlsUNweLWW870tpshyphenhyphenPX3Ro3u_g7AOYFGk-nLmLQFdPlOD6RSERdJKOwsstjvG23jhyphenhyphen7M89t8zbJbAIXHY_m4eu8PrIJfws5ya60XoUjxoYht7oxhkCpy2rx2LAv9x4t8fVzFQouGwBJJUY0Lbf8_xlia4MCoau69kjFitqf9C7beJV/s2016/Tilda%20Indian%20black%20dahl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNxPRSt6wIHZH7HlsUNweLWW870tpshyphenhyphenPX3Ro3u_g7AOYFGk-nLmLQFdPlOD6RSERdJKOwsstjvG23jhyphenhyphen7M89t8zbJbAIXHY_m4eu8PrIJfws5ya60XoUjxoYht7oxhkCpy2rx2LAv9x4t8fVzFQouGwBJJUY0Lbf8_xlia4MCoau69kjFitqf9C7beJV/w480-h640/Tilda%20Indian%20black%20dahl.jpg" title="Tilda Indian Black Dahl" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>What was your favourite product in the latest Degustabox?</p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-71589398380327442712024-02-12T11:30:00.000+00:002024-02-12T11:30:25.839+00:00Murder at the Leaning Tower by T.A. Williams<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Kc0Lhy_UhpqTNDFxaPGXaBvQqpP5vNbysqsBN1FDOGBSA7Hiv5Im59IldtJotuIBEYGbzrBSujJmOMjcbPicbnQCyE__M8byQwsC6RPoyw236nssFgfcKTe4rnjE3UtGpO_jXxvwdGHF9L2ZGmSLJa4Si5dHnKY8eqlSsNKs18QRX4x498kbXHn1vAMW/s700/Murder%20At%20The%20Leaning%20Tower.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Kc0Lhy_UhpqTNDFxaPGXaBvQqpP5vNbysqsBN1FDOGBSA7Hiv5Im59IldtJotuIBEYGbzrBSujJmOMjcbPicbnQCyE__M8byQwsC6RPoyw236nssFgfcKTe4rnjE3UtGpO_jXxvwdGHF9L2ZGmSLJa4Si5dHnKY8eqlSsNKs18QRX4x498kbXHn1vAMW/w640-h252/Murder%20At%20The%20Leaning%20Tower.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>"<i>There was no question that he was a brilliant - and ruthless - businessman with a nose for a lucrative deal, and not too many scruples about how he made his money. According to what I'd read, in his private life he was also far from mundane</i>".</p><p>"<i>Murder's never pretty, but in a city of such overwhelming beauty, it appeared even more squalid</i>".</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Murder at the</b> by T.A. Williams is a marvellous and highly entertaining murder mystery set in Italy.</p><p>This is the 6th book in the <b>Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries</b> series. It reads perfectly as a standalone, but it might help understand the dynamics between the main characters, as well as their back story, if you've read some or all of the previous books in the series.</p><p><br /></p><p><b style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Blurb:</b></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">A cozy crime series set in gorgeous Tuscany... It's murder in paradise!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">A secluded villa...</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">When Dan Armstrong is asked to provide security at a private villa on the outskirts of Pisa, he's pretty sure it will be an easy job. Villa Gregory is remote; the gathered guests are rich - what could possibly go wrong?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">A glittering gathering...</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Inside the high walls of the palatial villa, Dan discovers the gathered guests are some of the most powerful tycoons in the media world, with plans for world domination. With so much at stake, Dan redoubles his efforts to keep everyone safe.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">A detective under pressure?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">But when one of the group is found murdered, Dan's heart sinks - especially considering Anna's own daughter is in the frame! When the police arrive, Dan meets formidable Inspector Adolfo Vinci, a man whose main talent seems to be for getting things wrong. It all goes from bad to worse for Dan as the man from the Leaning Tower starts leaning on him.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">It's another case for Dan and Oscar to sovle and this one won't be easy!</span></p><p><br /></p><p>Dan Armstrong is pretty content with his life in Italy. He has a decent job, a comfortable place to live, a loving girlfriend, and a loyal companion, his dog Oscar. "<i>Now that I had resigned from the Met, moved to Tuscany, and set up my own business as Dan Armstrong, Private Investigator, I once again found myself doing my own legwork, and it wasn't always a bundle of fun</i>."</p><p>One day he is approached by a Business Development Executive with a request, "<i>My boss is hosting an important meeting there in two weeks' time and he'd very much appreciate it if you could be responsible for security while the meeting's taking place</i>".</p><p>Thus Dan agrees to provide security for the top secret meeting of media and finance moguls. "<i>The people taking part are all major players in the field, some household names, and if news of what's being discussed at the meeting were to get out, there would be hell to pay"</i>.</p><p>The meeting takes place in a remote Villa Gregory, known for its quirky previous owner and the replica of the Leaning Tower in the grounds.</p><p>When one of the guests is found dead in their room, the local police make one blundering mistake after another. The local Inspector called Vinci <i>"fancies himself as a tough guy, like one of those bad Hollywood cops... He likes to think he's a character from a movie - although he doesn't have Clint Eastwood's looks</i>".</p><p>The murder victim wasn't universally popular, and though the pool of suspects is limited, it appears quite a few of them would have wanted to see this person dead. Jealousy, and financial misdoings are possible murder motives. Money and sex could be the prime motivators.</p><p>Vinci who thinks he's "<i>God's gift to policing</i>" coming with the ludicrous assumptions, one of which is accusing the daughter of Dan's girlfriend.</p><p>In a way, this is an Agatha Christie-esque type of plotline, with all the suspects being confined to a secluded villa. Dan has to read the clues and eliminate suspects one by one, if he wants to find the murderer(s) before the time runs out.</p><p>There are so many elements that make this series great fun - a gentle humour, a wonderful relationship between man and dog, spectacular settings (a new location in each book), descriptions of social mores and food, vivid characterisation.</p><p>This is cosy crime at its best. As enjoyable and delectable as an Italian gelato on a hot summer day, or a glass of zesty Aperol spritz by the seaside. </p><p>You may find many dog characters in cosy crime fiction, who accompany the main protagonist and bring humour into the narrative, but Oscar is by far my favourite.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Murder at the Leaning Tower</b> is a hugely enjoyable mystery, clever and well-plotted, with pleasingly ironic notes.</p><p><br /></p><p>This post is part of the blog tour for Murder at the Leaning Tower.</p><p>Many thanks to T.A. Williams, Boldwood and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb2fvD_hV3KihNwT8xuM9KqM9gc9hwXJ25-x8cIwKxMIwEEVs-aXyNVWUA59NnUPWYoY3f7HBoFCAapXk_c33yYg7EB_zVNav7bJLmG-QKgS5S9WB_t9-8uBpJ13H8aNdcZV6DOLoKUqIj9y2ZNo7ak0ZYbDIx177A008Ts7m_myjWJ0mGNHj03zEzO9V/s1980/Murder%20at%20The%20Leaning%20Tower%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, cosy fiction set in Italy" border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1980" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb2fvD_hV3KihNwT8xuM9KqM9gc9hwXJ25-x8cIwKxMIwEEVs-aXyNVWUA59NnUPWYoY3f7HBoFCAapXk_c33yYg7EB_zVNav7bJLmG-QKgS5S9WB_t9-8uBpJ13H8aNdcZV6DOLoKUqIj9y2ZNo7ak0ZYbDIx177A008Ts7m_myjWJ0mGNHj03zEzO9V/w640-h404/Murder%20at%20The%20Leaning%20Tower%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="Murder at the Leaning Tower" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3IiWJ52RAQDSglYfZJZZvfV8TRDXI0YalEczooiHji9FSj_w8o6plvpyVWnpbUNDOdXhinKjwKUQj83snRTWq5afJY5qVmACmU6cC-CrmeTYhj7EOWnRPPV4FJZEPCePg0__ylMp1kAvtlV6XvNgX9F1FOoLJ24ngJwbnZZ-TTT8mCYKEYmDMW5kMAsd/s1080/thumbnail%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, cosy mystery set in Italy" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3IiWJ52RAQDSglYfZJZZvfV8TRDXI0YalEczooiHji9FSj_w8o6plvpyVWnpbUNDOdXhinKjwKUQj83snRTWq5afJY5qVmACmU6cC-CrmeTYhj7EOWnRPPV4FJZEPCePg0__ylMp1kAvtlV6XvNgX9F1FOoLJ24ngJwbnZZ-TTT8mCYKEYmDMW5kMAsd/w480-h640/thumbnail%20(1).jpg" title="Murder at the Leaning Tower" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 16.8667px;">Purchase Link - </span></b><a href="https://mybook.to/MurderTowerSocial" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span color="windowtext" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8667px;">https://mybook.to/MurderTowerSocial</span></a><u><span style="line-height: 16.8667px;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;"><b><span style="line-height: 22px;">Author Bio –<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 22px;">T A Williams is the author of over twenty bestselling romances for HQ and Canelo and is now turning his hand to cosy crime, set in his beloved Italy, for Boldwood. The series will introduce us to retired DCI Armstrong and his labrador Oscar and the first book, entitled Murder in Tuscany, will be published in October 2022. Trevor lives in Devon with his Italian wife.</span><span style="line-height: 22px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;"><b><span style="line-height: 22px;">Social Media Links – </span></b><span style="line-height: 22px;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;"><b><span style="line-height: 22px;">Facebook: </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TrevorWilliamsBooks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #1155cc; line-height: 22px;">https://www.facebook.com/TrevorWilliamsBooks</span></b></a><span style="line-height: 22px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;"><b><span style="line-height: 22px;">Twitter </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/TAWilliamsBooks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #1155cc; line-height: 22px;">https://twitter.com/TAWilliamsBooks</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #103cc0; line-height: 22px;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;"><b><span style="line-height: 22px;">Newsletter Sign Up:</span></b><a href="https://bit.ly/JanetHoggarthnews"><b><span color="windowtext" style="line-height: 22px; text-decoration-line: none;"> </span></b></a><a href="https://bit.ly/TAWilliamsNews" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #1155cc; line-height: 22px;">https://bit.ly/TAWilliamsNews</span></b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrSmTfWCuhkUNK-ytsvsDDMcHBqZ0ImM2ukMyuBVGpFNpntu9FrYVrZeO_XRiqAcb8GmbF-eo5TptfHwU_Yuj9zuHf1TYGhCacZjalDl-CILGw3aU5idgkegS1Wh_Pbwxsp_xrbCpbeStXJtf8cXDhgSDMVl7vHC-hbAj7LE1Ki7WWxCSFvi7_mNCl1if/s1280/Boldwood%20-%20T%20A%20Williams%20Author%20Photo.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cosy crime set in Italy" border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrSmTfWCuhkUNK-ytsvsDDMcHBqZ0ImM2ukMyuBVGpFNpntu9FrYVrZeO_XRiqAcb8GmbF-eo5TptfHwU_Yuj9zuHf1TYGhCacZjalDl-CILGw3aU5idgkegS1Wh_Pbwxsp_xrbCpbeStXJtf8cXDhgSDMVl7vHC-hbAj7LE1Ki7WWxCSFvi7_mNCl1if/w400-h268/Boldwood%20-%20T%20A%20Williams%20Author%20Photo.jpeg" title="T.A. Williams" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvqFoRziRpBd45Dnc6axREk1OcOrMLNEd3pg60kfKjbyL6aGLwPmAPziY6O3uB64XEgfOuJ8WEZTLw-hGCw1sW0U0_GjTO0jifo_1u6_ma9AKpQPVGqieM8GNw-PZwtzCofFA8HhFailRIZrPhbaSObWJ3MR4Tzo_7yzaZCsITYvvAaJ3aXknigy06LHj/s1080/13.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvqFoRziRpBd45Dnc6axREk1OcOrMLNEd3pg60kfKjbyL6aGLwPmAPziY6O3uB64XEgfOuJ8WEZTLw-hGCw1sW0U0_GjTO0jifo_1u6_ma9AKpQPVGqieM8GNw-PZwtzCofFA8HhFailRIZrPhbaSObWJ3MR4Tzo_7yzaZCsITYvvAaJ3aXknigy06LHj/w640-h640/13.png" title="Murder at the Leaning Tower" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-19704125138411593462024-01-31T17:00:00.004+00:002024-01-31T17:03:52.773+00:00January Box Degustabox<p>While we're saying Good bye to January, let's ponder on the very first Degustabox of the year.</p><p><b><a href="https://www.degustabox.com/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Degustabox</a> </b>is a monthly <b>food and drink subscription box</b>. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.</p><p>Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.</p><p>Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.</p><p>If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a <b>£3off discount from your first box</b> (and you can unsubscribe any time), just <b>use code DKRLN</b> when placing an order. </p><p>What did we get in <b>January Box Degustabox</b>?</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20zkUFCjQ4WBQG4nWxykS0VOcAowzpCzK6ajXFvkvz1_pAStyqIEErkvf4Rb9SPpn37aVQWm_irzuSR84Rd4jJ9Ntsm2N71MR-PWfFyAlaKkMUTljR6XE9kkKh6TU5wSmPE_RAcUadlzSOa2RDfGBqTCGJcJJvrLW7F9F-9_iYWGRPeGiaCq08tGPvj1b/s1918/Degustabox%20Jan%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1918" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20zkUFCjQ4WBQG4nWxykS0VOcAowzpCzK6ajXFvkvz1_pAStyqIEErkvf4Rb9SPpn37aVQWm_irzuSR84Rd4jJ9Ntsm2N71MR-PWfFyAlaKkMUTljR6XE9kkKh6TU5wSmPE_RAcUadlzSOa2RDfGBqTCGJcJJvrLW7F9F-9_iYWGRPeGiaCq08tGPvj1b/w640-h428/Degustabox%20Jan%2023.jpg" title="January 2023 Degustabox" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Product of the Month:</b></p><p><b>Mutti Vegan Bolognese (£3.50) </b>is a tomato pasta sauce with vegetables and vegetable protein. As January is often associated with a vegan choice of life (Veganuary), the product of the month reflects this trend.</p><p>Ingredients include tomato puree, rehydrated yellow pea protein, olive oil, onion, carrot, shallot, etc.</p><p>We're big fans of Mutti products, and I've just had a multi-pack of Mutti Polpa delivered with my latest grocery order. I use Mutti in vegetarian stews, vegetable ragu with okra, sweet peppers and butter beans, currys and, of course, pasta dishes. It's a matter of personal taste but I prefer classic tomato Mutti products (and I don't think psillium, bamboo and linseed belong in a Bolognese ragu, sorry).</p><p>Available in Sainsbury's.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vyAQggbp9bRoVViFSnRv9ga34TpKBi-ec-aSCVuEfg_V2IHGbtJgnLQ2MA4xVl5cCjT_eGGz6PnGVm_5KneQ0vSydQZHZjhBlOP90jE8T7SSspM9Zo5I2Mpo_HCnUDX2tm-4xBt33swH_Zvz1TS3ibRVPtH7btehAcfbBGBR35i4mn0VQRbbaZdoCX3q/s1732/Mutti%20vegan%20bolognese.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1732" data-original-width="1298" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vyAQggbp9bRoVViFSnRv9ga34TpKBi-ec-aSCVuEfg_V2IHGbtJgnLQ2MA4xVl5cCjT_eGGz6PnGVm_5KneQ0vSydQZHZjhBlOP90jE8T7SSspM9Zo5I2Mpo_HCnUDX2tm-4xBt33swH_Zvz1TS3ibRVPtH7btehAcfbBGBR35i4mn0VQRbbaZdoCX3q/w480-h640/Mutti%20vegan%20bolognese.jpg" title="Mutti Vegan Bolognese" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Swizzels Curious Chews (£1.25</b>) is a pack of 18 mouth-watering chews, all individually wrapped.</p><p>Flavours included are Fudg-ee, Sour Refreshers, Puds, Refreshers and Drumstick.</p><p>My sons were very happy with the selection, as they are fans of Swizzels confectionery.</p><p>Vegan, free from artificial colours.</p><p>Typical values: 82kcal and 13g of sugar per serving.</p><p>Available in all major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzx2CZMVjxLFuTRrzuNkqTAgKPSJ5_vFqbHbmcevpI5FCZwRxZ9EP7JSVWMsbmzXY8KW08sktx0jC6ChG07dYSWQl5sb7ZjnouYCuRqpFMimOtbdMA2KQ2woCez7ULC3mpUVu-Ael2Rb6j3zxb-RiqyJDz1yjcaM1DVDA_6i_2AdhJv4qEmQ5tTKOCA4F/s1629/Swizzels%20Chews.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1629" data-original-width="1496" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzx2CZMVjxLFuTRrzuNkqTAgKPSJ5_vFqbHbmcevpI5FCZwRxZ9EP7JSVWMsbmzXY8KW08sktx0jC6ChG07dYSWQl5sb7ZjnouYCuRqpFMimOtbdMA2KQ2woCez7ULC3mpUVu-Ael2Rb6j3zxb-RiqyJDz1yjcaM1DVDA_6i_2AdhJv4qEmQ5tTKOCA4F/w588-h640/Swizzels%20Chews.jpg" title="Swizzels Curious Chews" width="588" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Hip Pop Tropical Peach - Living Soda (£1.70) </b>is a lightly sparkling prebiotic soda with a fruity taste. It is low both in sugar and calories. </p><p>Each can contains 100% natural ingredients, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and live cultures to help support gut health. Each can contains 8g fibre.</p><p>Free from sweeteners, high in plant fibre, this craft drink is made in small batches.</p><p>Typical values: 18kcal and 1.6g of sugar per 100ml.</p><p>Available in selected M&S stores, Booths and online at drinkhippop.com.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xCla72mQOX-T1xvzOyjfSBlnO2leM_cEe_9JnV9_RdqoWkHatpEZU6f892nn4A8dozpTYfjo_n3FkC5LRP3-1s53tYtTsGxfP6FvlQXOf7II1NAejDClL8srwFoTF18G3TOCNWM8W8SxrFVrRzwDh_pFBd-8Tp29p2TFg6omxXPed41LlHK1eKSfX-4t/s1305/Hip%20Pop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1305" data-original-width="918" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xCla72mQOX-T1xvzOyjfSBlnO2leM_cEe_9JnV9_RdqoWkHatpEZU6f892nn4A8dozpTYfjo_n3FkC5LRP3-1s53tYtTsGxfP6FvlQXOf7II1NAejDClL8srwFoTF18G3TOCNWM8W8SxrFVrRzwDh_pFBd-8Tp29p2TFg6omxXPed41LlHK1eKSfX-4t/w450-h640/Hip%20Pop.jpg" title="Hip Pop Tropical Peach - Living Soda" width="450" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Bio & Me Nice & Nutty Gluten Free Porridge/or Spiced Apple Gluten Free Porridge (£1.50)</b> is a gut-loving gluten free and dairy free breakfast.</p><p>It is prebiotic, 100% plant-based, with no added sugar.</p><p>11 plant-based foods and prebiotics: almonds and hazelnuts, carrot, chicory root, coconut, dates, gluten free wholegrain oats, linseeds, pumpkin seeds, quinoa and sunflower seeds.</p><p>Typical values: 237kcal and 7.4g of sugar per pot.</p><p>Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's and the Bio&Me website.</p><p>You should receive one item in your box.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD5-1jdVDc59XgP6hyphenhyphen6DNAukxaqgXbAEWzNqZybQYjVldQlWsfGp-WvibnU5oxkN9jzKOIdzUYMBl0VcCBr6OLHxlAfDzkL1yxoweyDnuitqrVgdabeENHGTSy_uzNibA1a9TWPVW1o3EC4xHAGJIjzYWbkcWbJKtxdRQxQa4xjIGWS4SNAMsy_euSgyf/s1425/Bio&Me%20porridge%20pot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1141" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD5-1jdVDc59XgP6hyphenhyphen6DNAukxaqgXbAEWzNqZybQYjVldQlWsfGp-WvibnU5oxkN9jzKOIdzUYMBl0VcCBr6OLHxlAfDzkL1yxoweyDnuitqrVgdabeENHGTSy_uzNibA1a9TWPVW1o3EC4xHAGJIjzYWbkcWbJKtxdRQxQa4xjIGWS4SNAMsy_euSgyf/w512-h640/Bio&Me%20porridge%20pot.jpg" title="Bio & Me Nice & Nutty Gluten Free Porridge" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Knorr Beef Stock Pot (£1.90</b>) will add an extra boost of beef flavour to your dishes. Knorr stock pots are handy to have in the kitchen pantry.</p><div>Soup, pasta dishes, one-pot meals, roasts, the choice is endless. You can either dissolve the pot in the hot water or add the pot directly to the dish.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nutritional values: 6kcal and 1.1.g of salt per pot.</div><div><br /></div><div>Beef stock pots are slowly simmered with carrots and parsley. They are gluten free.</div><div><br /></div><div>Available in all major supermarket chains.</div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVnagh1yOT70MsJiTr7f2SGnnf9TSVxocFGQPOKnO0BOmEhhcj-JbthdEMijOpm5H-n5mpOOtWZRAzRH5N6-cHT0sldfhOkbFBXvoHxU0uEOfiFIeNdfigJFlvuZO8Gm9UNiASTJuihRZ2Ob7YqyFIvSPglr09Tg7inZmggn-S70GBbTLoQnx8SJbz_Jc/s1497/Knorr%20Beef%20stock.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1497" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVnagh1yOT70MsJiTr7f2SGnnf9TSVxocFGQPOKnO0BOmEhhcj-JbthdEMijOpm5H-n5mpOOtWZRAzRH5N6-cHT0sldfhOkbFBXvoHxU0uEOfiFIeNdfigJFlvuZO8Gm9UNiASTJuihRZ2Ob7YqyFIvSPglr09Tg7inZmggn-S70GBbTLoQnx8SJbz_Jc/w640-h420/Knorr%20Beef%20stock.jpg" title="Knorr Beef Stock Pot" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Cirio Baked Beans in Rich Tomato Sauce (£1.40</b>) is a classic recipe made with only premium Italian tomatoes. If you enjoy baked beans on toast or as part of the Full English Breakfast, you'll find that Cirio baked beans are full of flavour.</p><p>Nutritious, high in fibre and a good source of protein, these beans are also low in fat.</p><p>Typical values: 84kcal and 5.7g of sugar per 100g.</p><p>Available in all major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLMbQjdhb_iJQCaKYsd4gAKB_55eFmFoLGANHaUkut-M-fvdop-0gwlf4ZqMhb8ajDG7psCMKvkH2iEPBHASyU-PZpDdWSstNRNEWkZZ3BD8Me4tVEgypOlHGJWGZnxHvq1Vn8QXD59tUHEyZElVSVeN87uyCChyphenhyphenkFLxe4k2SBtd_KsG6PN663KnwdOLL/s1730/Cirio%20baked%20beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1730" data-original-width="1338" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLMbQjdhb_iJQCaKYsd4gAKB_55eFmFoLGANHaUkut-M-fvdop-0gwlf4ZqMhb8ajDG7psCMKvkH2iEPBHASyU-PZpDdWSstNRNEWkZZ3BD8Me4tVEgypOlHGJWGZnxHvq1Vn8QXD59tUHEyZElVSVeN87uyCChyphenhyphenkFLxe4k2SBtd_KsG6PN663KnwdOLL/w494-h640/Cirio%20baked%20beans.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Galaxy Smooth Mint (£1.25) </b>is an indulgent twist on the classic Galaxy chocolate bar. It's creamy, smooth, with a refreshing minty flavour. What a lovely treat!</p><p>Galaxy chocolate has a 100% Responsibly Sourced Cocoa badge, and are Rainforest Alliance certified.</p><p>Typical values:</p><p>120kcal and 12g of sugar per 22g (about 6 mini rectangles).</p><p>Available in Ocado.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIefx7DdBXnLTmI59j7WNm9zTw-bEFf0amcncuLJbGYSL9OLIIMk6h_0gYwjaY93dQ14Nahl3loAHdbOPPp2xpUdNf6KsQt4Bn1QX_88ROsdAwn5oIxKt4g_gNdsI4O54PAgVhBJZV-JZPQyseL0aqKvHBLirlK6Cl5-TbImgGE7y_VpO3ddp00ONUug9/s1645/Galaxy%20Smooth%20Mint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1645" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIefx7DdBXnLTmI59j7WNm9zTw-bEFf0amcncuLJbGYSL9OLIIMk6h_0gYwjaY93dQ14Nahl3loAHdbOPPp2xpUdNf6KsQt4Bn1QX_88ROsdAwn5oIxKt4g_gNdsI4O54PAgVhBJZV-JZPQyseL0aqKvHBLirlK6Cl5-TbImgGE7y_VpO3ddp00ONUug9/w640-h426/Galaxy%20Smooth%20Mint.jpg" title="Galaxy Smooth Mint" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Rubies in the Rubble Vegan Classic Mayo/or Vegan Garlic Mayo (£3) </b>has been awarded Great Taste award in 2021. </p><p>This creamy vegan mayo is made with surplus aquafaba, a plant-base alternative to eggs. Use as you would use a dairy-based mayo - in salads, coleslaw, sandwiches, quiche, savoury or sweet bakes.</p><p>Carbon neutral, 100% recycled and recyclable bottle, gluten free.</p><p>Vegan Classic mayo is available at Ocado, Vegan Garlic mayo is available at Ocado, Waitrose and co-Op.</p><p>You should receive 1 item in your box.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbitI6wMQq_2Rw9UEZH-HqJYghiv8eB9HKt35Eeqzt0YbVchULyZYyH31H8WUbPIc6msX3R0ewxj6j52egeJdk7oBzfL_L6Ssfx0z00fgNBxufSbJ0hK1B34zAhyphenhyphenf6561JlYfC7vM_t2JrQH3H052M8yiDxbsrikIjfAvJ1hsmxxA4Rm4G4decuS6hEPK6/s1518/Rubies%20in%20the%20rubble%20mayo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbitI6wMQq_2Rw9UEZH-HqJYghiv8eB9HKt35Eeqzt0YbVchULyZYyH31H8WUbPIc6msX3R0ewxj6j52egeJdk7oBzfL_L6Ssfx0z00fgNBxufSbJ0hK1B34zAhyphenhyphenf6561JlYfC7vM_t2JrQH3H052M8yiDxbsrikIjfAvJ1hsmxxA4Rm4G4decuS6hEPK6/w474-h640/Rubies%20in%20the%20rubble%20mayo.jpg" title="Rubies in the Rubble Vegan Garlic Mayo" width="474" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Caffe Borbone Ground Coffee Crema Classica (£6.50) or Espresso Intenso Blend (£5.80)</b> is a full-bodied and balanced coffee, ideal for Americano, latte, or traditional Neapolitan espresso.</p><p>You should recieve 1 item of two. </p><p>Crema Classica comes with a rating of 8/10 on intensity. It's a blend of premium Arabica and robusta coffee. This is an Italian product, famous for its superior quality and traditional taste. Very happy to find this coffee in the food box.</p><p>You can find a full range of coffee blens at Ocado.com.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt-wHneSBlzo_zRnLcBW2qltc_UgGzRxFQDl2sZ2NbHo-3V6tFTXl_C3DMD_5k1Y7P2XYim8-Te2CLJnj-T6DbV-iOs7m2aoRyYVQEsPf3I-KuGGKTxBp8euQeuHm043qj-2YgkF0DpXiqDhdgjE5QpHsvI9DjxvkNNDxV_fCp3Jfe8OMKrIQcirsqw62/s1616/Caffe%20Borbone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="1094" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt-wHneSBlzo_zRnLcBW2qltc_UgGzRxFQDl2sZ2NbHo-3V6tFTXl_C3DMD_5k1Y7P2XYim8-Te2CLJnj-T6DbV-iOs7m2aoRyYVQEsPf3I-KuGGKTxBp8euQeuHm043qj-2YgkF0DpXiqDhdgjE5QpHsvI9DjxvkNNDxV_fCp3Jfe8OMKrIQcirsqw62/w434-h640/Caffe%20Borbone.jpg" title="Caffe Borbone Ground Coffee Crema Classica" width="434" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Feedback and gentle suggestions:</b> to give Knorr stock pots a break for a while, and perhaps introduce separate vegan boxes. </p><p>I don't know if that's economically viable, but while trying vegan foods could be fun, the vegans themselves wouldn't want a mixed box, and those who don't adhere to a vegan way of life, might not welcome plant-based products in every box. </p><p>I would like to see a wider variety of teas rather than the same brand that keeps appearing regularly in Degustabox deliveries. </p><p>My favourite part is discovering new brands, that might be available only in ethnic shops or online. Maybe doing limited edition boxes - an international box quarterly or twice a year, like all Italian brands, or French, etc. And an Easter edition, similar to the Degustabox advent calendar, which will be priced accordingly, but also include a more festive selection (you can read about the contents of Degustabox advent calendar among my December posts).</p><p>We enjoy our Degustabox deliveries, and look forward to opening each one, and I appreciate how hard it is to choose a new theme and a selection that is different from the previous boxes.</p><p>What would you like to see in your Degustabox?</p><p><br /></p><p>Disclosure: We receive a monthly Degustabox box for the purposes of reviewing. All opinions are our own.</p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-36271392214457873972024-01-21T11:00:00.000+00:002024-01-21T11:00:10.454+00:00The Bookshop by the Loch by Julie Shackman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0X2BuzpaMMRwMcIJu9adDlbbVQ8aseQzJQG_xxqKi_nxMMFq2GXMNprxN62S9VJ6PVwQdHIYKRgaA84VKt9D9RH8Y0T4LG_ze4wnwCTX2PZ6q6lv3bkxrgqRPjRPFd_ywzjsYqUoCQhLN9__dLVeqUGq8dykI24F3tf5hVBbleI2y3DAs5qJsUUYnUCa/s1190/The%20bookshop%20by%20the%20loch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, romance set in Scotland" border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1034" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0X2BuzpaMMRwMcIJu9adDlbbVQ8aseQzJQG_xxqKi_nxMMFq2GXMNprxN62S9VJ6PVwQdHIYKRgaA84VKt9D9RH8Y0T4LG_ze4wnwCTX2PZ6q6lv3bkxrgqRPjRPFd_ywzjsYqUoCQhLN9__dLVeqUGq8dykI24F3tf5hVBbleI2y3DAs5qJsUUYnUCa/w556-h640/The%20bookshop%20by%20the%20loch.jpg" title="The Bookshop by the Loch by Julie Shackman" width="556" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>"<i>As I sat there and reflected, I realised that I woke up every morning and looked forward to heading into Book Ends. Whether that had something to do with a tall, dark and brooding portrait painter was another thing".</i></p><p><i>"Families. Parents. What a painful, emotional mess they could make of things, when they put their minds to it"</i>. </p><p><br /></p><p><b style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Blurb:</b></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Lexie Dunbar is a book lover. And her favourite place in the world is her local bookstore, Book Ends. So when she hears that it's going to be sold, Lexie decides she needs to do something to help. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Lexie's plan to save the ailing shop is fully underway until gorgeous-but-grouchy artist Tobias Black arrives on the scene determined to turn the bookstore into an art gallery. Lexie is horrified, the last thing the quaint town of Bracken Way needs is a pretentious artist, even if he does seem to charm everyone but her. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Tensions continue to rise until Tobias discovers a shocking secret that shows they might have more in common than they realise. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">As sparks fly, can Lexie and Tobias work together, or will opposing ideas get in the way of them finding their very own happy ever after.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CCXFV6GK" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Bookshop by the Loch</a></b> by Julie Shackman (One More Chapter, published on 31 January 2024) is a cosy escapist romance set in Scotland. This is the 6th book in the Scottish Escapes series. The book reads as a standalone, and is not connected to the previous instalments, except by the general theme (romance set against the Scottish background).</p><p><br /></p><p>Lexie is an ambitious young woman who works as a junior editor at Literati Publishing and loves her job. When she is looked over for an anticipated job promotion in favour of someone with a more impressive name, Lexie decides to take a leave of absence for three months and return to the place of her childhood, Bracken Way, to rethink what she actually wants to do with her life.</p><p>She stays with her Mum and grandfather, both of whom welcome her with open arms. </p><p>While staying at home, Lexie discovers that her favourite bookshop, Book Ends, is going to be closed down. The owner of the shop, Trevor, plans to retire. He believes that he cannot compete with online shopping. After a pep talk by Lexie on what she would do to save business, Trevor comes up with an idea of "<i>giving his store a new lease of life and purpose, dragging it kicking and screaming into the modern day</i>". Lexie is startled when Trevor offers her to manage the book shop for him. "<i>Come and turn Book Ends around</i>".</p><p>"<i>He was asking me to take over the revamp of Book Ends? Manage the shop? A place that had been part of Bracken Way for thirty years? This was crazy</i>".</p><p>Crazy or not, Lexie agrees to manage the full overhaul of the shop. They agree to give this arrangement a year, and if things won't work out as planned, then so be it. Lexie is free to move on, and the shop will be closed down for good.</p><p>Lexie is full of ideas, and decides to make a real go of this. However, she is stumped, when a newcomer challenges her plans. Trevor's nephew Tobias Black, a temperamental artist, arrives to the store with a vision of turning it into an art gallery. And Trevor cannot say No to his family.</p><p>Bookshops and art galleries have been known to share premises, but it would need a careful planning, and an amicable agreement between the managers, and they seem to be at loggerheads.</p><p>On top of the struggles of overturning the fortunes of the ailing book shop and establishing a successful business, Lexie has to deal with a strange request from a random visitor to the book shop. </p><p>Maeve Marshall comes to Book Ends with a story about her elderly mother Celeste, who has a bucket list of things to be done before she dies. Lexie and Tobias get involved and dedicate a huge amount of time on helping someone they don't know.</p><p>Lexie's life is further troubled by someone from her past coming back with a shocking revelation. Tobias has devastating news of his own to deal with. Confiding in each other, they find comfort and mutual support. And their initial hostility is disappearing to give way to new feelings.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is the third book in the series that I've read, and there is clearly a recurring theme, and the enemies-to-lovers trope. There is a determined female protagonist at her career and personal life crossroads who starts a new venue/business, and meets a tall, dark and brooding man, usually with a creative profession. At first he appears as a totally self-absorbed egoist, but gradually he reveals his vulnerable side and is actually a real softie and darling.</p><p>There was a lot drama going on in everyone's lives. On top of the developing business and budding romance plotline, there are family dramas in the main protagonists' lives, plus we get an elderly lady with a life-limiting illness, who has a tragic secret of her own. </p><p>I thought the book that Lexie was helping to edit and publish was rather Mills and Boon, and the ending was truly cheesy.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Bookshop by the Loch</b> will appeal to readers of sweet/clean romance, where a happy ending is assured, and to those who love books about books. This is an entertaining and charming tale of family bonds, love and forgiveness.</p><p>For me, the more enjoyable parts were related to the book store, and how Lexie helped to spruce it up. The scenic Scottish location creates a lovely setting for the story.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you to Julie Shackman and NetGalley for my e-copy of the book!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrW68FkdjFjtRk6Nt00pAGBvBDq2tFUC4t4coTKSJmHRcJpi_r73TEtdSU49gbhAZfPKQPja0JrbJdq-ypjFk_FrnsCwzuru3xThlEramZnDU1fBSkNbv4BTCk21mP37SBCs1RYiwZRYzP7kcapQQDnwJygmyQZSKXoHpBAg4Sctua6lN6dOXfMXmBq42/s1280/The%20bookshop%20by%20the%20loch%20by%20Julie%20Shackman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, romance books set in Scotland" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1032" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrW68FkdjFjtRk6Nt00pAGBvBDq2tFUC4t4coTKSJmHRcJpi_r73TEtdSU49gbhAZfPKQPja0JrbJdq-ypjFk_FrnsCwzuru3xThlEramZnDU1fBSkNbv4BTCk21mP37SBCs1RYiwZRYzP7kcapQQDnwJygmyQZSKXoHpBAg4Sctua6lN6dOXfMXmBq42/w516-h640/The%20bookshop%20by%20the%20loch%20by%20Julie%20Shackman.jpg" title="The bookshop by the loch by Julie Shackman" width="516" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-89035852359344715502024-01-19T09:00:00.002+00:002024-01-19T09:00:00.135+00:00Shadows in the Ashes by Christina Courtenay (guest post)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBproqV2TlVvJRf8qdwHy12F7IWoaXunr8eqzSDJ0PVCT9okqkRO_1ujP5NlG9iWjLe3jshtCKlMqqZY6saq-75Upw3Ugiw00OfEYks686dgWYJRoIsquMaHAhj5QQFduGZp49a0oWY2Kbr6Jg1t8SreHRM_VTlgd3A4OGD-9FUomax7OVSO7QfNSQzXi/s2339/Shadows%20in%20the%20Ashes%20FINAL%20large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, historical fiction set in Pompeii" border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBproqV2TlVvJRf8qdwHy12F7IWoaXunr8eqzSDJ0PVCT9okqkRO_1ujP5NlG9iWjLe3jshtCKlMqqZY6saq-75Upw3Ugiw00OfEYks686dgWYJRoIsquMaHAhj5QQFduGZp49a0oWY2Kbr6Jg1t8SreHRM_VTlgd3A4OGD-9FUomax7OVSO7QfNSQzXi/w416-h640/Shadows%20in%20the%20Ashes%20FINAL%20large.jpg" title="Shadows in the Ashes by Christina Courtenay" width="416" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><i>I'm absolutely thrilled to invite Christina Courtenay to my blog today to talk about the inspiration for her latest book, Shadows in the Ashes. </i></p><p><i>Like Christina, I was also fascinated by the story of this ancient tragedy, looking at the reproductions of Karl Bryullov's painting The last day of Pompeii.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I first heard about Pompeii when I was a child, and I was
fascinated by the story of the fateful eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. It
was such a terrible tragedy, and I could imagine the horror and disbelief of
the inhabitants when the mountain suddenly exploded. Photos of the plaster
casts of people who had died tugged at my heartstrings, their faces and poses
showing their fear and sadness. It was the perfect background to a dual time
story and I just had to write it – <b>SHADOWS IN THE ASHES</b> is the result.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last year, I was lucky enough to visit Pompeii and the area around
the Bay of Naples. It was one of the most interesting research trips I’ve ever
made. I spent a day and a half walking around the ruins, and another half day
in nearby Herculaneum, which was also buried by ash from the volcano. Walking in
what is left of the two cities, it is easy to imagine yourself back in time.
The streets are still there, paved with smooth lava stones, and some of the
houses are partly intact. I soaked up the atmosphere and tried to take note of
every detail.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since my hero is a gladiator, I spent some time in the impressive
amphitheatre. It must have been terrifying to walk into the sandy arena, not
knowing whether you would come out of there alive. I felt a chill as I passed
through the dark passage and out into the sunlight. The crowd would have
cheered for their favourites, and the noise must have been deafening. A real
spectacle, but so cruel and deadly!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Naturally, I also had to take a trip up the mountain itself. Standing
by its crater looking down was as breath-taking as the views across the bay,
although a lot scarier. These days Vesuvius is monitored 24/7 so that everyone
who lives in the area can be warned if there is going to be an eruption. The
people of Pompeii back in 79 AD were not as fortunate. Scientists believe the
volcano had been dormant for about 700 years before the eruption, so the inhabitants
would not have thought it might happen. Some of them must have suspected that
something bad was going on, though, as there were increasingly frequent
earthquakes leading up to the event. There were other signs too – a drought
despite normal rainfall, dead fish floating in the nearby river, failed crops,
smoke coming out of the mountainside, and loud noises seemingly emanating from
inside the earth. They didn’t realise what these portents signified.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is an eye-witness account by Pliny the Younger (although it
was written many years after the event so may not be completely reliable). He
was watching from Misenum, a port at the far end of the bay, and saw the
various stages of the eruption. His most famous comment is that the first ash
cloud resembled an umbrella pine. I saw some of those during my visit and found
his description spot on. That cloud eventually collapsed in on itself, and the
surrounding towns were covered in ash and pumice. Later, pyroclastic surges followed,
killing anyone who was still there instantly. Those who escaped – and fortunately
they were many – must have been both thankful and also incredulous. The towns
they left behind were obliterated, and anything they hadn’t brought with them
was gone forever.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m grateful I live on an island without volcanos or earthquakes,
although at least these days we know the science behind them and understand
what is happening. The poor inhabitants of Pompeii probably blamed it on their
gods – perhaps feeling that they were being punished for bad behaviour. And if
they didn’t leave as soon as the eruption started, they didn’t stand a chance.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Will my hero and heroine make it out alive? You’ll have to read
SHADOWS IN THE ASHES to find out!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuAHH0w5v63MhVF2jp4rZw4uNbhfP1JKG-mfQJFfUsurS-8gDrvcGjwBNNzrEuJMtGMcaGGL5Pce7BO-z2a8kCaaUlNgYNiNicDm5b6Uq__dXtGm1Tm9Cv7HpaesZot_W71ZuTVTit7fDUn1yTkAK3YHasCC6n8Ygq2Ldzl8Xn7xUkK47ioTO8edfo4Qs/s800/Content%20For%20CHEZ%20MAXIMKA%20-%20Pompeii%20amphitheatre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="historical fiction set in Pompeii" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuAHH0w5v63MhVF2jp4rZw4uNbhfP1JKG-mfQJFfUsurS-8gDrvcGjwBNNzrEuJMtGMcaGGL5Pce7BO-z2a8kCaaUlNgYNiNicDm5b6Uq__dXtGm1Tm9Cv7HpaesZot_W71ZuTVTit7fDUn1yTkAK3YHasCC6n8Ygq2Ldzl8Xn7xUkK47ioTO8edfo4Qs/w640-h480/Content%20For%20CHEZ%20MAXIMKA%20-%20Pompeii%20amphitheatre.jpg" title="Pompeii, amphitheatre" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZOWQDFHluyz-_dxE1SXjUJy_W2n6YmB6uGGmN0OKEzkfKMcafxcNTi9uk52HroT3uws7Brsoi0wOLTcDl5g9UtX1WFpEHv5n8U1hE9Qr8lR4KNw6bbTaWvHKhEa0fQ7sTL13ziT6l917ZIaiSpRz1q-9nu0244WzdlPALh_pbzNa1xfQ1wp8-KIqzkjm/s800/Content%20For%20CHEZ%20MAXIMKA%20-%20Pompeii%20street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="historical fiction set in Pompeii" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZOWQDFHluyz-_dxE1SXjUJy_W2n6YmB6uGGmN0OKEzkfKMcafxcNTi9uk52HroT3uws7Brsoi0wOLTcDl5g9UtX1WFpEHv5n8U1hE9Qr8lR4KNw6bbTaWvHKhEa0fQ7sTL13ziT6l917ZIaiSpRz1q-9nu0244WzdlPALh_pbzNa1xfQ1wp8-KIqzkjm/w480-h640/Content%20For%20CHEZ%20MAXIMKA%20-%20Pompeii%20street.jpg" title="Pompeii street" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shadows In The Ashes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Brimming with romance, adventure and vivid historical detail, Christina
Courtenay's gripping dual-time novel travels from the present day to
the fires of ancient Pompeii.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
<br />
<b><i>The sunlight caught her gold bracelet, sending a flash that almost
blinded her.<br />
</i></b><br />
<b><i>She closed her eyes, but jumped when the earth started shaking and there
was an almighty boom behind her.<br />
</i><br />
Present Day<br />
</b>Finally escaping an abusive marriage, Caterina Rossi takes her
three-year-old daughter and flees to Italy. There she's drawn to research
scientist Connor, who needs her translation help for his work on volcanology.
Together they visit the ruins of Pompeii and, standing where Mount Vesuvius
unleashed its fire on the city centuries before, Cat begins to see startling
visions. Visions that appear to come from the antique bracelet handed down
through her family's generations...<br />
<b><br />
AD 79</b><br />
Sold by his half-brother and enslaved as a gladiator in Roman Pompeii, Raedwald
dreams only of surviving each fight, making the coin needed to return to his
homeland and taking his revenge. That is, until he is hired to guard beautiful
Aemilia. As their forbidden love grows, Raedwald's dreams shift like the ever
more violent tremors of the earth beneath his feet.<br />
<br />
<b>The present starts eerily to mirror the past as Cat must fight to protect
her safety, and to forge a new path from the ashes of her old life...<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Purchase Links<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Ashes-breathtaking-dual-time-author-ebook/dp/B0C42YW7W9/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Ashes-breathtaking-dual-time-author-ebook/dp/B0C42YW7W9/</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Ashes-breathtaking-dual-time-author-ebook/dp/B0C42YW7W9/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Ashes-breathtaking-dual-time-author-ebook/dp/B0C42YW7W9/</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Author Bio – <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk103090282"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Christina
Courtenay writes historical romance, time slip and time travel stories, and
lives in Herefordshire (near the Welsh border) in the UK. Although born in
England, she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden – hence her
abiding interest in the Vikings. Christina is a former chairman of the UK’s
Romantic Novelists’ Association, now a Vice President, and has won several
awards, including the RoNA for Best Historical Romantic Novel twice with
Highland Storms (2012) and The Gilded Fan (2014) and the RNA Fantasy Romantic
Novel of the year 2021 with Echoes of the Runes. SHADOWS IN THE ASHES
(dual time/timeslip romance published by Headline Review 18th January 2024) is
her latest novel. Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and
archaeology (the armchair variety).<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090282;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Social Media Links – <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk103090305"></a><a href="http://www.christinacourtenay.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090305;"><b><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">http://www.christinacourtenay.com</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090305;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090305;"><b><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090305;"></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/christinacourtenayauthor?fref=ts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090305;"><b><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.facebook.com/christinacourtenayauthor?fref=ts</span></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090305;"><b><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090305;"></span><a href="https://twitter.com/PiaCCourtenay" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090305;"><b><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://twitter.com/PiaCCourtenay</span></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090305;"><b><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090305;"></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ChristinaCourtenayAuthor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090305;"><b><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.instagram.com/ChristinaCourtenayAuthor/</span></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk103090305;"><b><u><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3fjQPHmjfwR28nHzP-jwl-Pkcdnpmdp8bcuI2hyphenhyphenHqPwsZQKG8vG8m8QuUh3INX6jQgtZPp602I56xMAWlHxOoUxQWJwFtON5F6gdSkIfIE0P_RiXPPhNk85pWkMtH6u37o6Nme7s_HwYn8AT00mL8FwDVUaIQnzDrEpbdjrEEp7P_EUgTISmMNKdkL_H/s800/Shadows%20Christina%20Courtenay%20719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="historical fiction set in Pompeii" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3fjQPHmjfwR28nHzP-jwl-Pkcdnpmdp8bcuI2hyphenhyphenHqPwsZQKG8vG8m8QuUh3INX6jQgtZPp602I56xMAWlHxOoUxQWJwFtON5F6gdSkIfIE0P_RiXPPhNk85pWkMtH6u37o6Nme7s_HwYn8AT00mL8FwDVUaIQnzDrEpbdjrEEp7P_EUgTISmMNKdkL_H/w268-h400/Shadows%20Christina%20Courtenay%20719.jpg" title="Christina Courtenay" width="268" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXoD2j073rUrVequ3xScIZSXlP5lf3GrhGmPxtz1cYOwhmDcPAUgRgXKRQ_PEFx_BhOPBrk91jA-cFjWn3OD-3Q51teT22OmM_LYujqktK6KgYVZJiHWT3pCCtkiJdzEjk2RGj2mSPh-Zbv-MGEwFhb7GtL6-4WrZklmT6LP6ytgnDf2Azre1wA6dD73O/s2643/Shadows%20In%20The%20Ashes%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="historical fiction set in Pompeii" border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2643" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXoD2j073rUrVequ3xScIZSXlP5lf3GrhGmPxtz1cYOwhmDcPAUgRgXKRQ_PEFx_BhOPBrk91jA-cFjWn3OD-3Q51teT22OmM_LYujqktK6KgYVZJiHWT3pCCtkiJdzEjk2RGj2mSPh-Zbv-MGEwFhb7GtL6-4WrZklmT6LP6ytgnDf2Azre1wA6dD73O/w640-h302/Shadows%20In%20The%20Ashes%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="Shadows in the Ashes by Christina Courtenay" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-76698699737563022702024-01-05T20:25:00.010+00:002024-01-05T20:30:20.686+00:00December Box Degustabox<p> It feels like it was only yesterday that we were anticipating Christmas, and now the New Year's eve is over, and January began in earnest. The school holidays are over, and nobody is looking forward to the early mornings.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://www.degustabox.com/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Degustabox</a> </b>is a monthly <b>food and drink subscription box</b>. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.</p><p>Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.</p><p>Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.</p><p>If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a <b>£3off discount from your first box</b> (and you can unsubscribe any time), just <b>use code DKRLN</b> when placing an order. </p><p>What did we get in <b>December Box Degustabox</b>?</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_bLdxItei06xRz1JAS3sc229F0609vGY0HGQGlU3Pn6gulhCTzFTr3cow59SZRsXSVVa43uBpzibZyHhfW5s2Opx86dbPjgjW1JpDCwBYXEYIbLtCl5n7qj5oBx6fKi7NYoyQVDG-aw9rWvcjVIUQGHXHH6Hwt9kUuN-lF5STZ3mA-lfyqDpMIIcoutA/s1719/December%2023%20DEgustabox.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, food subscription box" border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1719" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_bLdxItei06xRz1JAS3sc229F0609vGY0HGQGlU3Pn6gulhCTzFTr3cow59SZRsXSVVa43uBpzibZyHhfW5s2Opx86dbPjgjW1JpDCwBYXEYIbLtCl5n7qj5oBx6fKi7NYoyQVDG-aw9rWvcjVIUQGHXHH6Hwt9kUuN-lF5STZ3mA-lfyqDpMIIcoutA/w640-h542/December%2023%20DEgustabox.jpg" title="December Box Degustabox" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Heinz Soup is the <b>Product of the Month</b>. You should receive two tins, French Onion Soup and Broccoli and Stilton/or Spicy Parsnip soup.<div><br /></div><div><b>Heinz French Onion Soup (£1.70) </b>is a classic soup, full of flavour. It has onion pieces and a splash of red wine to enrich the taste of this traditional dish. Serve it with a garlic cheese toast of cheese croutons on top. What a lovely winter meal!</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're not overly keen on soups, and prefer stews, use a tin of soup as an ingredient for a comforting beef or pulses stew.</div><div><br /></div><div>No artificial colours or preservatives, it is also low in fat and sugar. Vegetarian. </div><div><br /></div><div>Typical values: 46kcal and 4g of sugar per 1/2 can.<br /><p>Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, ASDA and on Ocado.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsS3DO29zhdQwSLBH-GVTUkMO11vUYSAmxt9txfyAabDubEr43HvT_D64_sLXmw6UTZIOxUv8lVeU3d871cPr0aDqAajErzv1kPXs9fJvzo0aX6cFGHcRcpRECIm1YoZjhEHke5wuJMZsLRZbm05x-_etvbrDrMUgJ6a6fkeGTzmTCDDaZf8uwDCMMPfj4/s1556/Heinz%20soup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1556" data-original-width="1463" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsS3DO29zhdQwSLBH-GVTUkMO11vUYSAmxt9txfyAabDubEr43HvT_D64_sLXmw6UTZIOxUv8lVeU3d871cPr0aDqAajErzv1kPXs9fJvzo0aX6cFGHcRcpRECIm1YoZjhEHke5wuJMZsLRZbm05x-_etvbrDrMUgJ6a6fkeGTzmTCDDaZf8uwDCMMPfj4/w602-h640/Heinz%20soup.jpg" title="Heinz soups" width="602" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Heinz Spicy Parsnip Soup (£1.70, see above)</b> is a low sugar, low fat vegetarian soup. Sweet parsnips are gently cooked with carrots, onions, as well as warming spices, like chilli and red pepper.</p><p>Soups are made for cold weather, and this parsnip soup will be a comforting meal after a long walk in the cold.</p><p>Nutritional values: 74kcal and 4.9g of sugar per 1/2 can.</p><p>Available at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Iceland, ASDA and Ocado.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Maggi Chicken Flavour Instant Noodles (£2) </b>makes a quick and easy meal, filling and flavourful. Make a bowl of noodles, by just adding boiling water and it's ready in 3 minutes. Add any garnishes, and a squeeze of lime juice, and enjoy. </p><p>Chicken flavour noodles are low in saturated fat, and are suitable for vegetarians. There are no artificial colours, or preservatives added.</p><p>Typical values:272kcal and 1.47g of salt per serving.</p><p>Available in ASDA, Iceland, B&M, Poundland and Lidl.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUPTmOwEz5J8zF3wv4A7ehLFCtF0iezkRjVllsh5MjoEbqFjMoCzk1MZipqCdKWxXqH2LDCZ92KmACQ2Qf-hLlvDdLDx7RcWbAqFbUGdNzuO4ZRw0paPIqOkiLwJofp3KXO4I9VYEmxHDRq2zOk57M42D3toKtKWjFSgXbBy5ui4hsDN1aZtUtZd50dRo/s1320/Maggi%20noodle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="1320" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUPTmOwEz5J8zF3wv4A7ehLFCtF0iezkRjVllsh5MjoEbqFjMoCzk1MZipqCdKWxXqH2LDCZ92KmACQ2Qf-hLlvDdLDx7RcWbAqFbUGdNzuO4ZRw0paPIqOkiLwJofp3KXO4I9VYEmxHDRq2zOk57M42D3toKtKWjFSgXbBy5ui4hsDN1aZtUtZd50dRo/w640-h570/Maggi%20noodle.jpg" title="Maggi Chicken Flavour instant noodles" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>KnorrBeef Gravy Pot (£2.25)</b> contains quality ingredients and real meat juices to enhance a meat-based family meal. Think a traditional Sunday roast, or beef Stroganoff. It will enrich a simple vegetable or mushroom soup, and you can also stir it into a risotto.</p><p>The gravy pot recreates the authentic flavour of rich homemade gravy in minutes.</p><p>Contains no added MSG and free from artificial colours and preservatives.</p><p>Typical values: 15kcal and 1g of salt per 70ml.</p><p>Available in the major supermarket chains such as Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's, and Ocado.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEpMXjlIOcLBbRwdx5KQ5umoeV5wdbaIpPPVzuONJCU1itc1-hTAadd6zfKOOLuUTho1rVfEx9jkajte1eC4jW2I-F2M6qS1TxV96lwmTPOuolxCUQ4zAPIAsA0jLP6CMC-Iw-JBqrJcFHA8bRu1nw80XJ9zMEef50g_Vtkh9jbMoUxtowgQF8qPZ-B5Q/s1458/Knorr%20beeg%20gravy%20pots.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1458" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEpMXjlIOcLBbRwdx5KQ5umoeV5wdbaIpPPVzuONJCU1itc1-hTAadd6zfKOOLuUTho1rVfEx9jkajte1eC4jW2I-F2M6qS1TxV96lwmTPOuolxCUQ4zAPIAsA0jLP6CMC-Iw-JBqrJcFHA8bRu1nw80XJ9zMEef50g_Vtkh9jbMoUxtowgQF8qPZ-B5Q/w640-h460/Knorr%20beeg%20gravy%20pots.jpg" title="KnorrBeef Gravy Pot" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Dr Will's Tomato Ketchup (250g or 500g) or Bacon Ketchup or BBQ Sauce or Mango Sriracha Hot Sauce or Vegan Mayo (£3.50) </b>- you will receive one of these condiments in the box.</p><p>We got <b>Dr Will's Sweet Mango Sriracha sauce.</b> It is all natural, gluten free, vegan friendly, keto friendly, sweetened naturally. The sauce itself is a combination of sweet and spicy, and is recommended to be used in tacos, sandwiches, wraps. You could also stir it in stews, rice dishes or roasted vegetables.</p><p>Nutritional values: 8kcal and 1g of sugar per 15g.</p><p>Available in Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Co-Op, Selfridges, Whole Foods Market and more.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbwOCp6G2ZmcUc5_OtC_m68ka1ZJn0ykCTwuy_KJ-HYEAdAJ_cFVrXBp6YLpL0_Wp0te4aZQGedCX5qmqY076VB-Bga6r6BlP8yLwqWqRmKOgwlOo6O6PL4e82IFFLxKgcIqrINNhvv8MlWPul1bWtj41oMirzVrBBWdBnkauZUuHbtLDBwvYvZZgZrn_/s1416/Dr%20Will's%20sauce.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="990" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbwOCp6G2ZmcUc5_OtC_m68ka1ZJn0ykCTwuy_KJ-HYEAdAJ_cFVrXBp6YLpL0_Wp0te4aZQGedCX5qmqY076VB-Bga6r6BlP8yLwqWqRmKOgwlOo6O6PL4e82IFFLxKgcIqrINNhvv8MlWPul1bWtj41oMirzVrBBWdBnkauZUuHbtLDBwvYvZZgZrn_/w448-h640/Dr%20Will's%20sauce.jpg" title="Dr Will's Sweet Mango Sriracha sauce" width="448" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Brand new <b>Alpen Delight bars (£0.59p each) </b>are made with creamy rolled oats, wholegrain wheat flakes and crispy rice, blended with delicious inclusions and coated with a smooth chocolate layer. You should receive 2 items in your box.</p><p><b>Alpen Delight Chocolate Caramel & Shortbread/Raspberry Rocky Road</b> are lovely sweet treats. Whether you're feeling peckish while on the go, or just want a sweet treat with your tea or coffee, grab a bar and enjoy.</p><p>Nutritional values: 92kcal, and 5.3g of sugar per bar</p><p>Available in all major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWzzvKuwcAP8GQ7MJtN-7ixn9xHsyDVyBr_OkdVsmwZ5tu1OZBTKKqz6G0fRt1E8zSayEVBg-9XI6YusBlSE879L7o7re0_mf4QRX4LXA5TQ6GXZrN35U_y_uypVqttSWsyooS931wD0FzqS5Snxep-pSCzIlwFa1p21BTr1q__039Ni6V1W7A6j6uEll/s1512/Alpen%20delight.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1512" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWzzvKuwcAP8GQ7MJtN-7ixn9xHsyDVyBr_OkdVsmwZ5tu1OZBTKKqz6G0fRt1E8zSayEVBg-9XI6YusBlSE879L7o7re0_mf4QRX4LXA5TQ6GXZrN35U_y_uypVqttSWsyooS931wD0FzqS5Snxep-pSCzIlwFa1p21BTr1q__039Ni6V1W7A6j6uEll/w640-h502/Alpen%20delight.jpg" title="Alpen Delight bars" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Tony's Chocolonely Littl' Bits Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Biscuit (£3)</b> is a twist on their best-selling chocolate bar - it's a delectable blend of crunchy caramel in a layer of creamy milk chocolate, with an added bonus of buttery cookie pieces.</div><div><br /></div><div>My boys appreciated the Littl' Bits. While I salute Tony's brand credentials and an admirable mission, I do find Tony's chocolate a tad too sweet for me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Available in all major supermarket chains.</div><div><br /></div><div>Typical values: 157kcal and 15g of sugar per 30g serving.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADxR_tV82mGRQ8Dck5318CuIePMweN2H6-dIbuSrtTXWgGO2KZrOMsbBj09GQizGiPHlpsa_GwXunwtghC9B-LpxOH2yme8jobZX6kwdaOnBZJVTQiOxqyH4nxVXF4mygNMzcR1H9xYStMcW279wCHRAGUH0ebAkFMbWsDCyDb45lJ-FX-GxuLPQp1AGw/s1490/Tony's%20chocolonely%20little%20bits.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1433" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADxR_tV82mGRQ8Dck5318CuIePMweN2H6-dIbuSrtTXWgGO2KZrOMsbBj09GQizGiPHlpsa_GwXunwtghC9B-LpxOH2yme8jobZX6kwdaOnBZJVTQiOxqyH4nxVXF4mygNMzcR1H9xYStMcW279wCHRAGUH0ebAkFMbWsDCyDb45lJ-FX-GxuLPQp1AGw/w616-h640/Tony's%20chocolonely%20little%20bits.jpg" title="Tony's Chocolonely Littl' Bits Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Biscuit" width="616" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Kellogg's Crunchy Nut Chocolate Mocha Flavour Granola (£3)</b> is a new addition to the Kellogg's range. This unusual granola is infused with an aromatic coffee flavour, and will please the coffee lovers.</div><div>It's more of a grown up flavour (my sons don't like coffee or coffee-flavoured confectionery, so were not keen on trying the new granola).</div><div><br /></div><div>This Barista edition granola is made with wholegrain, and contains no artificial colours or flavours. It's a mix of coffee flavoured oat clusters with almonds and milk chocolate curls.</div><div><br /></div><div>Typical values: 225kcal and 9.5g of sugar per 45g serving.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2bswou12534v-5QFUIFejSK1ItqTmGyPUcRfMWY7h218LnctOb1T2s3thzzaAmBiTUlUc2LNtpyu9pHK4hRkVCVEFXsML1SCIBPwM7tKtvad1M36X65w-RSP1CqWPanwFM3Hyf8imPS8dNd2RMMQFyqanjODfn7TfL2_enbU2WBHD-eV1d227PRILCPo/s1936/Kellogg's%20granola.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1504" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2bswou12534v-5QFUIFejSK1ItqTmGyPUcRfMWY7h218LnctOb1T2s3thzzaAmBiTUlUc2LNtpyu9pHK4hRkVCVEFXsML1SCIBPwM7tKtvad1M36X65w-RSP1CqWPanwFM3Hyf8imPS8dNd2RMMQFyqanjODfn7TfL2_enbU2WBHD-eV1d227PRILCPo/w498-h640/Kellogg's%20granola.jpg" title="Kellogg's Crunchy Nut Chocolate Mocha Flavour Granola" width="498" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Get More Vits Orange, Mango & Passionfruit Multivitamin Squash/ or Summer Fruits Multivitamin Squash (£2.50) </b>is a brand new addition to Get More Vits range. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pour 1 part squash to 4 parts water or more to prepare this flavourful drink. </div><div><br /></div><div>Typical values: 3kcal and 0.4g of sugar per 100ml diluted squash.</div><div><br /></div><div>Great for the whole family, the squash contains 20% fruit juice, no added sugar, and each serving contains 50% of your daily dose of vitamins, including vitamin D.</div><div><br /></div><div>Available in Tesco and ASDA.</div><div>You should receive 1 item in your box.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWuweLrpLpfifSDUwFjxdF1-qMhBIpF7buNhS_9D3Az6zSg6_sof5WNpIURJOagHgAA5dVSMD8jxSAVab-BjJV1t2Vgr7TEOsPj04y_L20qEYTS_n-2WV5EnRcdFZ14e0Hd0fkfNNxsU0-zlKnm5KBX2vvTrCS-LviUJ0qLZZrhuTwjq-9_ovZ19bdvBP/s1891/get%20more%20vits%20squash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1891" data-original-width="1271" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWuweLrpLpfifSDUwFjxdF1-qMhBIpF7buNhS_9D3Az6zSg6_sof5WNpIURJOagHgAA5dVSMD8jxSAVab-BjJV1t2Vgr7TEOsPj04y_L20qEYTS_n-2WV5EnRcdFZ14e0Hd0fkfNNxsU0-zlKnm5KBX2vvTrCS-LviUJ0qLZZrhuTwjq-9_ovZ19bdvBP/w430-h640/get%20more%20vits%20squash.jpg" title="Get More Vits Orange, Mango & Passionfruit Multivitamin Squash" width="430" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>And finally, <b>Eisberg Alcohol Free Wine Sparkling Rose (£4)</b> is perfect for the Dry January, or any other occasion, when you want a festive drink without alcohol. <div><br /></div><div>Just before Christmas we had a bottle of Eisberg Mulled Wine, and it was just right, with all the fruity flavours.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eisberg Alcohol Free starts as a regular wine, with the alcohol gently removed. Eisberg is available in an inspiring range of wine varieties. Vegan and low calorie too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Available in Tesco, Morrisons, Co-Op, Ocado and Amazon.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpP0PewjV-yXf12JN2pLoiF8aIhFPV_PEUUt_fr8-LrfN6BucQmgOF_2XD7p-CdtGwT_2Z7HCGp7uUG8BbSh_d6Egkkbtgd9UPJLlt9WW1s2ZznaUi5AzT2t6uCCEhpzd7PH8UOXxe_HqWbYXO5sQzhSEwemu8D1THlNcMwVYW8Yf2Nj28Pt7D5Zdu_TX/s1879/Eisberg%20rose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1879" data-original-width="1232" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpP0PewjV-yXf12JN2pLoiF8aIhFPV_PEUUt_fr8-LrfN6BucQmgOF_2XD7p-CdtGwT_2Z7HCGp7uUG8BbSh_d6Egkkbtgd9UPJLlt9WW1s2ZznaUi5AzT2t6uCCEhpzd7PH8UOXxe_HqWbYXO5sQzhSEwemu8D1THlNcMwVYW8Yf2Nj28Pt7D5Zdu_TX/w420-h640/Eisberg%20rose.jpg" title="Eisberg Alcohol Free Wine Sparkling Rose" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>What was your favourite product in the Degustabox December Box?<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-50867471321488733342023-12-27T18:00:00.004+00:002024-01-09T20:40:03.706+00:00Degustabox Advent Calendar, Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX85EZ7B9s07nhoBxrnBhLvW1NATVNY8xKTw6dLl5gQ72hUw5HNdFNc4dqa3TvhiIYuUWpyH1HJ72ZwCe04OeSC5WxutQ00IPBkcPSC9zDLFI_CupQ8_SUz1TeaIb0XrrncY0GczF8CXOJ0yw7wOgV9VQcj_rcxjaf6HH2O5VpZFiZtPAEDWUw9rLGa9Xn/s2016/Degustabox%20advent%20calendar%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX85EZ7B9s07nhoBxrnBhLvW1NATVNY8xKTw6dLl5gQ72hUw5HNdFNc4dqa3TvhiIYuUWpyH1HJ72ZwCe04OeSC5WxutQ00IPBkcPSC9zDLFI_CupQ8_SUz1TeaIb0XrrncY0GczF8CXOJ0yw7wOgV9VQcj_rcxjaf6HH2O5VpZFiZtPAEDWUw9rLGa9Xn/w480-h640/Degustabox%20advent%20calendar%202.jpg" title="Degustabox advent calendar" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I continue opening the doors of Degustabox Advent Calendar. To catch up with the contents of the first half of calendar, check out <b><a href="https://chezmaximka.blogspot.com/2023/12/degustabox-advent-calendar-part-i.html" target="_blank">Degustabox Advent Calendar, Part I</a></b>. </p><p> </p><p><b>Day 13:</b></p><p><b>Heinz Chicken Broth (£1.70) </b>is a comforting soup made with pearl barley, carrots, parsnips, swede, chicken, leeks and other ingredients. Heat it gently in a pan before serving. A handy standby in the kitchen pantry, for a quick and easy meal, when you have no time or desire to cook. </p><p>Contains no artificial colours or preservatives.</p><p>Typical values: 68kcal and 1.8g of sugar per 1/2 can.</p><p>Available at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, ASDA and Ocado.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgET6OV3K3NTgHnYEx4Hd-Bmn1rG27qxKIryhHfzvksVN-bSx-3wYT4oHbeeMrUwMepAn8G6T-5Sq7l8kRt7OD82QVdz_L5OjzgsFxejhHg-h5Leo_YiD7CqhYMplmlyBtCa6ezrM5EnpFXwHqf56QYNkRlNFo3zsLoel18eu4QJQBU-kCovJ_ZRnL7ERh/s1601/Heinz%20chicken%20broth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="1601" data-original-width="1109" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgET6OV3K3NTgHnYEx4Hd-Bmn1rG27qxKIryhHfzvksVN-bSx-3wYT4oHbeeMrUwMepAn8G6T-5Sq7l8kRt7OD82QVdz_L5OjzgsFxejhHg-h5Leo_YiD7CqhYMplmlyBtCa6ezrM5EnpFXwHqf56QYNkRlNFo3zsLoel18eu4QJQBU-kCovJ_ZRnL7ERh/w444-h640/Heinz%20chicken%20broth.jpg" title="Heinz chicken broth" width="444" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 14:</b></p><p><b>Dinky Muscle Moose - Blueberry Cheesecake flavour (£1.50)</b> is a low-sugar and high protein bar. A much healthier alternative to chocolate snacks for when you have a sweet tooth craving, or need a little protein boost.</p><p>Typical values: 11g of protein per bar, 125kcal and 1.5g of sugar.</p><p>Available at ASDA.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhnmUo1Ni4dICSKTkrI8_peZ3lWrzAfAuvKm5pjBdMzjJga6KWKeCNzwRaKJepb4x_QfgOXklOr4MAzT1ymFV-Kueo1RVm61A-xDqnQZkZe8QyQYhTikupLGp4eXch3JkvB1CzwNJdX2QUlwU3IXtnqxtIFZq_f8TEKrgcbUvZhHP9yK8qRTKXtgc4_Wn/s2016/Dinky%20muscle%20moose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhnmUo1Ni4dICSKTkrI8_peZ3lWrzAfAuvKm5pjBdMzjJga6KWKeCNzwRaKJepb4x_QfgOXklOr4MAzT1ymFV-Kueo1RVm61A-xDqnQZkZe8QyQYhTikupLGp4eXch3JkvB1CzwNJdX2QUlwU3IXtnqxtIFZq_f8TEKrgcbUvZhHP9yK8qRTKXtgc4_Wn/w640-h480/Dinky%20muscle%20moose.jpg" title="Dinky Muscle Moose" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 15:</b></p><p><b>H!P Gingerbread Oat Milk Chocolate (£3)</b> is a festive plant-based chocolate bar, made with less sugar and more cocoa. 41% single origin Colombian cacao is mixed with creamy oat milk and crunchy gingerbread pieces. </p><p>It is vegan-friendly, wrapped in a plastic-free film, with a lower carbon footprint, and looks very pretty.</p><p>Typical values: 534kcal and 39.2g of sugar per 100g.</p><p>Available at Selfridges, Fenwick, and on hipchocolate.com.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtMPlUfaNs1iuX1sxvkDaafFhyU6e_3KhMRHtVWJrUVqx40RsaelEsKiTwXINY6q-NAj8xJeGXWe0rwMAbWM6px_58lzzfYTBzbXT7cW9ui_Pk5H83S-GoZpr20yS3cah5ehNdxgJ0tzdNwH1Ol5vW_DSp7SLTbKHZyGV18DMPeUYuM7PaIMeWCnJWbYp/s2016/H!P%20oat%20milk%20chocolate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtMPlUfaNs1iuX1sxvkDaafFhyU6e_3KhMRHtVWJrUVqx40RsaelEsKiTwXINY6q-NAj8xJeGXWe0rwMAbWM6px_58lzzfYTBzbXT7cW9ui_Pk5H83S-GoZpr20yS3cah5ehNdxgJ0tzdNwH1Ol5vW_DSp7SLTbKHZyGV18DMPeUYuM7PaIMeWCnJWbYp/w480-h640/H!P%20oat%20milk%20chocolate.jpg" title="H!P Gingerbread Oat Milk Chocolate" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 16:</b></p><div><b>Knorr Onion Gravy Pot (£2.25)</b> is gently cooked for a homemade taste. Especially handy for busy cooks who don't have time to cook a gravy from scratch, i.e. when you just chuck in some sausages, either meat-based or vegetarian, under the grill. </div><div><br /></div><div>Very easy to make: just add one gravy pot to warm water, keep whisking, let it boil for a minute, and that's all. </div><div><br /></div><div>Free from artificial preservatives, colours; no added MSG, suitable for vegetarians.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nutritional values: 15kcal and 0.91g of salt per portion.</div><div><br /></div><div>Available in Tesco and Ocado.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vPo5JSO3L-LXZ2IdboCc3hPe1nP2qHl-2tkjVt_NIwOT3ta2cLJyHe7ZmLjGPLN1T4WrmMi_xJkHYLOtmzV_D-WHAiu90jMpZQh8jES_3jn_5UCQLJV0nKZj5GcdpuChSwD4q6aEKBxC8UfwYgGPHN8Pq1O6M74YVoTkd3QD9wyPkNlXI9Sv-XOMnhyn/s1512/Knorr%20onion%20gravy%20pots.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="1512" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vPo5JSO3L-LXZ2IdboCc3hPe1nP2qHl-2tkjVt_NIwOT3ta2cLJyHe7ZmLjGPLN1T4WrmMi_xJkHYLOtmzV_D-WHAiu90jMpZQh8jES_3jn_5UCQLJV0nKZj5GcdpuChSwD4q6aEKBxC8UfwYgGPHN8Pq1O6M74YVoTkd3QD9wyPkNlXI9Sv-XOMnhyn/w640-h534/Knorr%20onion%20gravy%20pots.jpg" title="Knorr Onion Gravy pots" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p><b>Day 17:</b></p><p><b>Baxters Silverskin Onions (£2.40)</b>, crunchy & sweet, are full of flavour. They are pickled in sweet vinegar, ginger and cinnamon.</p><p>Add them to casseroles, serve with fish and chips, cheese platters, and of course, as part of the Ploughman's lunch.</p><p>Typical values: 45kcal and 0.48g of salt per 100g.</p><p>Available at Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and on Ocado.</p><p>It so happened that I won a couple of food prizes on Insta during the advents, and got another couple of jars of silverskin onions (a different brand), and thus this jar ended up with our friends. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vpzKJxPGpxOm_t0qG3tFUbznXWO1Tu6MCT__CX0UNVXtQPhwTIM5Vkp4eAg13ZStRzRA2iBTfqO-VIa7ujnj6HkKJW36jwnphVSXOnl1tihsV95QAXM-4mRHngZ1gGSbodLhBEM04e9yVxRkvf9NDaxhuKWGvPaa0FgpPGos2R8Gerqd2zmhZWGl5tPK/s1556/Baxters%20silverskin%20onions.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="1556" data-original-width="1342" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vpzKJxPGpxOm_t0qG3tFUbznXWO1Tu6MCT__CX0UNVXtQPhwTIM5Vkp4eAg13ZStRzRA2iBTfqO-VIa7ujnj6HkKJW36jwnphVSXOnl1tihsV95QAXM-4mRHngZ1gGSbodLhBEM04e9yVxRkvf9NDaxhuKWGvPaa0FgpPGos2R8Gerqd2zmhZWGl5tPK/w552-h640/Baxters%20silverskin%20onions.jpg" title="Baxters Silverskin Onions" width="552" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 18:</b></p><p><b>Kettle Dill Pickle & Jalapeno potato chips (£2.39)</b> are made with 100% British potatoes. The new flavour is inspired by the US roots, with a sprinkle of aromatic dill and a splash of tangy vinegar.</p><p>During the holiday season, many brands play around with new flavours.</p><p>I love crisps and I love dill pickle, and on the surface it's an inspired combination, but somehow it didn't quite work, and let's say it's not my favourite flavour from Kettle.</p><p>Typical values: 497kcal and 0.97g of salt per 100g.</p><p>Available in ASDA and Morrisons.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKiag_t01pyElIOob1OYEI6DySV18VgTrkTUjPxmL4MKQFSzVSX8UBO9OOMM2BtkBLB9WbUUgKIM-bQPhh7UZxG-AGUu84rBCl0fS9MXVw0aVkQHZA6tz0bH45VFwfAMBtYr_PN3tWTEe9IGrgAEpe6_zJLQfRWMVpZnxDJ4hEgZgRRnafRgyx8gQy4Q_/s2016/Kettle%20Chips%20dill%20pickle%20and%20jalapeno.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKiag_t01pyElIOob1OYEI6DySV18VgTrkTUjPxmL4MKQFSzVSX8UBO9OOMM2BtkBLB9WbUUgKIM-bQPhh7UZxG-AGUu84rBCl0fS9MXVw0aVkQHZA6tz0bH45VFwfAMBtYr_PN3tWTEe9IGrgAEpe6_zJLQfRWMVpZnxDJ4hEgZgRRnafRgyx8gQy4Q_/w480-h640/Kettle%20Chips%20dill%20pickle%20and%20jalapeno.jpg" title="Kettle Dill Pickle & Jalapeno potato chips" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 19: </b></p><p><b>Bart Black Peppercorns (£1.50)</b> is a useful store cupboard essential. Grind on a steak, while cooking, or over the roasted vegetables, shakshuka with eggs, scrambled eggs etc. </p><p>I usually salt a piece of salmon with spices, salt and sugar, as a starter, to go with blini, for Christmas, Easter and other festive meals. I don't grind pepper, but crush it before adding to the cure.</p><p>Bart peppercorns are aromatic and flavourful.</p><p>Available at Bart.co.uk, Ocado, Morrisons and Booths.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesAwiD_bUWEyjLyGts55g6tbolBx60jYgEUoCfHLxl5QyrTZBhxQqOr70i03ePc-xx92hUQyIyl0QuhxIsmJTcNq591hRhBoFlbu5VFqCO8yotcVEbIbXUmZGBO5uMZgPWF7WkCRflEgbCcNq2nvjQB7ilZD0dICUtJYQlUzUPLNEeIRdI_WgOqKeQGhj/s1203/Bart%20peppercorns.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="937" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesAwiD_bUWEyjLyGts55g6tbolBx60jYgEUoCfHLxl5QyrTZBhxQqOr70i03ePc-xx92hUQyIyl0QuhxIsmJTcNq591hRhBoFlbu5VFqCO8yotcVEbIbXUmZGBO5uMZgPWF7WkCRflEgbCcNq2nvjQB7ilZD0dICUtJYQlUzUPLNEeIRdI_WgOqKeQGhj/w498-h640/Bart%20peppercorns.jpg" title="Bart Black Peppercorns" width="498" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 20:</b></p><p><b>E.Wedel Snack Fizzy Cola and So Salty chocolate bars (£1.20 each)</b> - milk chocolate with popping candy and salty crispy cereals.</p><p>E.Wedel is a famous Polish confectionery brand, known for its chocolate, cakes and snacks for over 170 years. Their boxes of chocolate covered marshmallows are delicious. We used to have a Polish deli in town, where I would often buy E.Wedel treats, but sadly the deli has closed. I can still find some of E.Wedel chocolate in Tesco and Sainsbury's, but the choice is not as good.</p><p>We were curious to try the chocolate bars, and they didn't disappoint. Both Rainforest Alliance certified.</p><p>Typical values: 546kcal and 520kcal per 100g.</p><p>Available on Amazon, & Market, FoodPlus, Delikatesy Mleczko.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX7yhof_kQQBnv8KbYn3skNH-0mdj24ry-voMrOXrhQOYH54Wm7hCauMtItL_HBPko9gA2fE_ffRLQtgzJQkLUu3a5PKCaPaagmd_jsRADGczMDY6EAiAnwDNyrt8zZ9mr4Fon-4sbEe2U3yXRuxBxtJ2U816duegXcI9Gb392BPcxlAsWt5T47hPmtHw/s2016/E.Wedel%20chocolate%20bars.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX7yhof_kQQBnv8KbYn3skNH-0mdj24ry-voMrOXrhQOYH54Wm7hCauMtItL_HBPko9gA2fE_ffRLQtgzJQkLUu3a5PKCaPaagmd_jsRADGczMDY6EAiAnwDNyrt8zZ9mr4Fon-4sbEe2U3yXRuxBxtJ2U816duegXcI9Gb392BPcxlAsWt5T47hPmtHw/w480-h640/E.Wedel%20chocolate%20bars.jpg" title="E.Wedel Snack Fizzy Cola and So Salty chocolate bars" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 21:</b></p><p><b>Fruit-Tella In the Snow (£1.50) </b>disappeared so fast that I haven't had a chance to try even a single little shape, but clearly my family enjoyed the selection of Fruit-tella jellies. They come in Penguin, Walrus and Polar Bear shapes, in Strawberry, Raspberry and Blackberry flavours.</p><p>Jelly in texture, made with more real fruit juice (compared to Fruit-tella juicy chews). Natural colourings and flavours.</p><p>Available in Sainsbury's.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5JI_5pZshe4GdxTs59NYU9uCXbsDOXvaqC0F33lYNCrvAE7u_TVuMbqhH9YBgsDlbwGxSAQVU7CdTjfS4FTi2yH4DjZQcSM5hyphenhyphenlLjWZtB3voW20XBe3kQndUaLxbs5LKrjUJ9N78Rt4rqw-GFRADplDbeRG7tSyjkSIeRab6O2IqrlQZ8m7hA9CQweXF/s1650/Fruit-tella%20jellies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1479" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5JI_5pZshe4GdxTs59NYU9uCXbsDOXvaqC0F33lYNCrvAE7u_TVuMbqhH9YBgsDlbwGxSAQVU7CdTjfS4FTi2yH4DjZQcSM5hyphenhyphenlLjWZtB3voW20XBe3kQndUaLxbs5LKrjUJ9N78Rt4rqw-GFRADplDbeRG7tSyjkSIeRab6O2IqrlQZ8m7hA9CQweXF/w574-h640/Fruit-tella%20jellies.jpg" title="Fruit-Tella In the Snow" width="574" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 22:</b></p><p><b>Free From Fellows Mini Pink & White Vanilla Vegan Mallows (£1.89)</b> are super fluffy treats.</p><p>Egg and dairy free, vegetarian and vegan, gluten and gelatine free, soy and GMO free, natural colours and flavours.</p><p>Lovely added to a mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream.</p><p>Typical values: 68kcal and 15g of sugar per 21g.</p><p>Available at H&B, Waitrose, Ocado and Grape Tree.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMwwknNRaYSisrdugtkU-diFWrk5qxBc-yOoRRilt2lho25NQYxFt0SDPLvIf20q3wPKlAEmwlzKtrNYa5oOVTCd0w3Onw_dXl-MFs2A2qTexLp3kPazN_Om0uTjYNbYppA5AOuAmWTDky6P-rStx7VP8b6CEyENvzOrNIDvg47zSj0r3Gs2j6sPmK7Os/s2016/Free%20From%20Fellows%20vegan%20mallows.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMwwknNRaYSisrdugtkU-diFWrk5qxBc-yOoRRilt2lho25NQYxFt0SDPLvIf20q3wPKlAEmwlzKtrNYa5oOVTCd0w3Onw_dXl-MFs2A2qTexLp3kPazN_Om0uTjYNbYppA5AOuAmWTDky6P-rStx7VP8b6CEyENvzOrNIDvg47zSj0r3Gs2j6sPmK7Os/w480-h640/Free%20From%20Fellows%20vegan%20mallows.jpg" title="Free From Fellows Mini Pink & White Vanilla Vegan Mallows" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 23:</b></p><p><b>Guylian Seashells Original Praline (£2) </b>is a welcome treat from Guylian. A mini box contains 3 chocolates with hazelnut praline filling. This is a premium Fairtrade Belgian chocolate with a praline paste made with hazelnuts roasted in copper kettles for that deep nutty taste.</p><p>Palm and soya free, only 100% natural ingredients.</p><p>This small box makes a lovely stocking filler, that is if you are willing to share it. </p><p>Available at all major supermarkets.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0boY653_qkI-hNfhT7_y-tWeQ0-4bpF6pXqjEFf9Y0rn84Q7zRF1-ugPgRHJAozK0z07qHNZiv8q3KzpL1WTrJ0YNRPnXUJt0cMJFgF_4KYHZ4wBkvFc4cufZ0UsET71OK9dXmePoOXxGk-lM42I_fTbA6cymvCpBbLRaHpCpfaCKF6u51OrIw40J8YPc/s1746/Guylian%20seashells.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="1746" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0boY653_qkI-hNfhT7_y-tWeQ0-4bpF6pXqjEFf9Y0rn84Q7zRF1-ugPgRHJAozK0z07qHNZiv8q3KzpL1WTrJ0YNRPnXUJt0cMJFgF_4KYHZ4wBkvFc4cufZ0UsET71OK9dXmePoOXxGk-lM42I_fTbA6cymvCpBbLRaHpCpfaCKF6u51OrIw40J8YPc/w554-h640/Guylian%20seashells.jpg" title="Guylian seashells" width="554" /></a></div><br /><p>...and finally,</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 24:</b></p><p><b>St Dalfour Fruit Spread (£2.85) </b>- there is one item of three (Strawberry, Blueberry or Orange).</p><p>I often buy St Dalfour spread for our breakfast. My family likes it on toast, or PB&J sandwich, as well as with croissants. </p><p>100% from fruit, no added sugar, no artificial colours, sweeteners, flavours or preservatives. Gluten free.</p><p>These award-winning fruit spreads are crafted near Bordeaux in France. Handed down over three generations, the traditional recipe uses only 100% fruit with sun-ripened grape "must" as a natural sweetener. </p><p>Available at Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado and selected independent health stores.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsi-YZQPWbB2fP8ex78mJXP1jZN7F8ubS5EuNdY5jv8h-3GkltqtTKi9wCrv8doB6Ip6KE-qN-ExcaFlREcSWwbAX0D_5uMZj8ITOny1GRKS28QOcMCUVTjI5XMV5gex2iEOuMVNkDmv4giG5X-9DdtOBiq0s8Lk5ewkVCQtGVbXSfIvj4Fzjlg8gXyKH/s2016/St%20Dalfour.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsi-YZQPWbB2fP8ex78mJXP1jZN7F8ubS5EuNdY5jv8h-3GkltqtTKi9wCrv8doB6Ip6KE-qN-ExcaFlREcSWwbAX0D_5uMZj8ITOny1GRKS28QOcMCUVTjI5XMV5gex2iEOuMVNkDmv4giG5X-9DdtOBiq0s8Lk5ewkVCQtGVbXSfIvj4Fzjlg8gXyKH/w480-h640/St%20Dalfour.jpg" title="St Dalfour fruit spread" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>And that's it, folks, the last door of the lovely advent calendar is open. It's been a pleasure to discover lovely treats ever day. And though it's now a long way until the next Christmas, I imagine I will be tempted to buy another advent calendar. </p><p>Well done, Degustabox team, for another smashing selection! </p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-53435037741878632232023-12-13T13:00:00.001+00:002024-01-06T17:34:20.438+00:00Degustabox Advent Calendar, Part I<p>December mornings are pretty dismal, and the early evenings just call you to curl on a couch with a warm drink. To fill the days with extra joy, treat your family or yourself to the daily little pleasures of advent calendars. My boys opted for the standard chocolate calendars, and even my husband has been enjoying his white chocolate calendar. </p><p>Oh the pleasure of opening the little doors every day! Last year I received the delightful Degustabox advent calendar for reviewing, and we liked it so much, that I ordered one this year.</p><p>The selection differs from the previous two advent calendars (and yes, I have looked at the spoilers in the little booklet).</p><p>First of all, the colourful box is huge - it includes 24 foods and drinks, and comes in a well-designed sturdy box, which opens into two parts like a gigantic book with windows. The cardboard box is recyclable, and there is no plastic. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1VqZdE3Cn99t8WD6gGUm9hkqDvxn3klcoVr2sLFux0hOgHrmqFv65oJak0AIf31f3JoUrCbyxre3XmrMePadcBKFf7sb4V5LwuKFJSX74dZ0cFNoBQIfqgimhojQlWfLg9qwhvctoUgDWT8yu8PAZYszA9F73-IivjuniFWZ6bjF263Nf_uKtmT9KQsj/s2016/Degustabox%20advent%20calendar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1VqZdE3Cn99t8WD6gGUm9hkqDvxn3klcoVr2sLFux0hOgHrmqFv65oJak0AIf31f3JoUrCbyxre3XmrMePadcBKFf7sb4V5LwuKFJSX74dZ0cFNoBQIfqgimhojQlWfLg9qwhvctoUgDWT8yu8PAZYszA9F73-IivjuniFWZ6bjF263Nf_uKtmT9KQsj/w480-h640/Degustabox%20advent%20calendar.jpg" title="Degustabox advent calendar" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The box has a secret game zone.</p><div>There is a little booklet enclosed to give you clues of what to expect in the coming days. You could either ignore it, if you want a complete surprise, or if you're impatient like me, you might have had a quick look and rub your hands with glee. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What did we get? </div><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 1:</b></p><p><b>TrueStart Barista Grade Instant Coffee (£5.50) </b>is the only Instant coffee on the market that is made with specialty grade beans. </p><p>The 100g tin makes 55 cups, and mixes hot and cold. </p><p>We typically buy Illy instant coffee for a quick cuppa, when we don't have time to brew coffee from the ground beans. TrueStart was a very pleasant surprise, as it tastes really good. It's definitely an instant coffee to keep an eye for. 5/5</p><p>Made from rich, smooth Arabica, TrueStart is top rated by coffee lovers.</p><p>This is a British brand made by an independent, carbon negative company.</p><p>Available in Co-Op, Booths, on Amazon and TrueStart's website.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUfenh0csqxjuejgwQbiDnpiLMRsqpCzA0jdFpuPZP-Ouydg6zibL4fv7UUDYUuiaGvHc09kuY7sxQxkw-NY8sAA9WkqPFu0JqxKv0-zOfBwgac2Vo_Vlmih5-s5ZmE4mKBM85iJTwge-goq1VxMiVHi_yHhUPK4fw54yQtlKtvXWNXlTJPZS9zSUZZsf/s1657/TrueStart%20instant%20coffee.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="1657" data-original-width="1332" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUfenh0csqxjuejgwQbiDnpiLMRsqpCzA0jdFpuPZP-Ouydg6zibL4fv7UUDYUuiaGvHc09kuY7sxQxkw-NY8sAA9WkqPFu0JqxKv0-zOfBwgac2Vo_Vlmih5-s5ZmE4mKBM85iJTwge-goq1VxMiVHi_yHhUPK4fw54yQtlKtvXWNXlTJPZS9zSUZZsf/w514-h640/TrueStart%20instant%20coffee.jpg" title="TrueStart instant coffee" width="514" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Day 2:</b></p><p><b>Baileys Mini Delights Salted Caramel with a hint of Baileys (£2.50) </b> - the Original Irish Cream liqueur in milk chocolate truffles with salted caramel.</p><p>If you enjoy Baileys (and probably there aren't many who don't), you will be happy with this bag of chocolate truffles. There's a crisp milk chocolate shell, and an indulgent salted caramel filling, with a hint of the iconic Baileys liqueur. </p><p>Share with friends and family, or scoff them all by yourself (nobody is judging).</p><p>Typical values: 507kcal per 100g, 48g sugar.</p><p>Available at selected retailers.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ8oJLrUokACs2crXWvgRGfruIwbeOGTC6u6OHHq0m6eLUStKgrfiAjYNyCB03lm_YYr5xEXHj6EpXIkzR2YvSvEByHQVuWYyQDpAoyd8BJuorUVUyzqdgsHEWSftUiVUUr_nm_yZDNkhfIDycTkVIQWZHVixzgxQUu-ZCr-X-QOFWffDvByTNBCwUbjj/s2016/Baileys%20mini%20delights.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ8oJLrUokACs2crXWvgRGfruIwbeOGTC6u6OHHq0m6eLUStKgrfiAjYNyCB03lm_YYr5xEXHj6EpXIkzR2YvSvEByHQVuWYyQDpAoyd8BJuorUVUyzqdgsHEWSftUiVUUr_nm_yZDNkhfIDycTkVIQWZHVixzgxQUu-ZCr-X-QOFWffDvByTNBCwUbjj/w480-h640/Baileys%20mini%20delights.jpg" title="Baileys Mini Delights" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 3:</b></p><p><b>The Jelly Bean Factory 36 Huge Flavours</b> (£1.50 for 113g) is a bag of gourmet jelly beans. These little candies vary in colour and flavour, and are very pretty. </p><p>A great "building and decorating" material for homebaked gingerbread houses. When my boys were little, we used to decorate cookies with jelly beans.</p><p>They have crispy shells and chewy cores, and are naturally coloured, gelatine and gluten free, </p><p>Typical values: 375kcal and 76g of sugar per 100g.</p><p>Available at ASDA and Amazon.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMfv9D-NBuY0KpAEuVNOG8Ty7_02rQlWjvBJ9dJEdrbd75cwVGvGM2ZRa4tkFUUFHuGihidiDklDdEpLOs3DIT2yCRhpll4W_dmHFxDspA9Sh07xoCvQK7T5soPFKSQ0Jp9Eulzzs5IM9_5xkJV16unj3BA9Vuw7yuJAKKBKWX3ypyNtHeWCZNsxD_rGa/s2016/The%20Jelly%20Bean%20Factory.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMfv9D-NBuY0KpAEuVNOG8Ty7_02rQlWjvBJ9dJEdrbd75cwVGvGM2ZRa4tkFUUFHuGihidiDklDdEpLOs3DIT2yCRhpll4W_dmHFxDspA9Sh07xoCvQK7T5soPFKSQ0Jp9Eulzzs5IM9_5xkJV16unj3BA9Vuw7yuJAKKBKWX3ypyNtHeWCZNsxD_rGa/w480-h640/The%20Jelly%20Bean%20Factory.jpg" title="The Jelly Bean Factory 36 Huge Flavours" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 4:</b></p><p><b>The Food Doctor Caramel Biscuit (£2.20 for a 45g bar) </b>is a high fibre, lower carb snack bar</p><p>It contains a good amount of protein - 12.8g per bar, and at least 30% less carbs than average UK snack bars.</p><p>Keto friendly, low sugar (0.7g per bar), high fibre (5g per bar), vegan, 144kcal per serving.</p><p>Available at Sainsbury's and Tesco.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCz480ePnFDpEpvQkHKzM6EoMR8pf2TFqbHByzNh0H56rPiKnx5V6YAkEsHAhnm5yeojZlp1Qqg5OyCI3zY0qRYLsKKCHzr4oz7QeX3wVhW_PWOeS2hV6u6NkOQVVLM331KvRYpo4YmYiO9TAuEWPmdvmiFv3OtXlemz2I-TRfXzt4ySyn2Yt_snKhxJO/s2016/The%20Food%20Doctor%20bar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCz480ePnFDpEpvQkHKzM6EoMR8pf2TFqbHByzNh0H56rPiKnx5V6YAkEsHAhnm5yeojZlp1Qqg5OyCI3zY0qRYLsKKCHzr4oz7QeX3wVhW_PWOeS2hV6u6NkOQVVLM331KvRYpo4YmYiO9TAuEWPmdvmiFv3OtXlemz2I-TRfXzt4ySyn2Yt_snKhxJO/w640-h480/The%20Food%20Doctor%20bar.jpg" title="The Food Doctor Caramel Biscuit" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b>Day 5:</b></p><p><b>Cadbury Dairy Milk Christmas Chocolate Puds 35g (£0.72 each)</b> are cute little chocolate treats for Cadbury lovers. On the outside it's a classic Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate, while inside you'll find a truffle centre with hazelnut pieces and puffed rice pieces for extra texture and taste.</p><p>A lovely stocking filler, that looks and tastes festive.</p><p>Available at all major retailers. You should receive 2 items.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnIg-4SjGDDT1b0VOjQfvf3fQzn7jyVy0O0z6Va1_NR4woqSoslaEmgNjU9y11QOW0a8rZCEHPYAzkNUVAMbh7085nW0OJXG0f1mTDCffas03P2cHc5gAZd3ZxIH6XCSzD5uDnOeZLCcGQgKy4nnwfVHqj50Ri7ct33KmBiwRAi17n-5c4MhKQRWsJRZd/s2016/Cadbuty%20puds.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnIg-4SjGDDT1b0VOjQfvf3fQzn7jyVy0O0z6Va1_NR4woqSoslaEmgNjU9y11QOW0a8rZCEHPYAzkNUVAMbh7085nW0OJXG0f1mTDCffas03P2cHc5gAZd3ZxIH6XCSzD5uDnOeZLCcGQgKy4nnwfVHqj50Ri7ct33KmBiwRAi17n-5c4MhKQRWsJRZd/w480-h640/Cadbuty%20puds.jpg" title="Cadbury Dairy Milk Christmas Chocolate Puds 35g" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><b>Day 6:</b></p><p><b>Ryvita Thins Three Cheese (£2.20) </b>might not be the most Christmasy thing, but they are a great dipping and dunking tool for a variety of dips and salsas.</p><p>Crunchy, and full of flavour, they are baked full of goodness. </p><p>Typical values: 29kcal and 0.12g of salt per thin.</p><p>Available in all major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGF-EM4RCrVFY4e06eLmX4EL6B6HYsmS1QC3OJ3wegyGWtLcManM7CeG0ylZVLsmXCZsZDky26t9mYqOtX698KpC75jofki5Zt5ioAOHoVx-wtxzK146KRI8Z1JxCRyL4x9xLCIjukHYroxtv538LIVEU5Z28VLlh8bA_hCdc3SaSlE9eC6Xs7iPeUZO2/s2016/Ryvita%20thins%20three%20cheese.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGF-EM4RCrVFY4e06eLmX4EL6B6HYsmS1QC3OJ3wegyGWtLcManM7CeG0ylZVLsmXCZsZDky26t9mYqOtX698KpC75jofki5Zt5ioAOHoVx-wtxzK146KRI8Z1JxCRyL4x9xLCIjukHYroxtv538LIVEU5Z28VLlh8bA_hCdc3SaSlE9eC6Xs7iPeUZO2/w480-h640/Ryvita%20thins%20three%20cheese.jpg" title="Ryvita Thins Three Cheese" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Day 7:</b></p><p><b>Capsicana Mexican Burrito Tomato & Chipotle Cooking Paste (£1.60) </b>is a cooking ingredient for a tasty Mexican dish Chicken Tinga, which is a classic shredded chicken dish, originally from the state of Puebla.</p><p>This is a mild cooking paste, made with tomato and chipotle chillies. You will need tortillas and chicken mini fillets, rice, cheese and lettuce to prepare a tasty and easy meal. </p><p>The paste itself is vegetarian, and could be also used in vegetarian dishes. </p><p>No artificial colourings or flavourings.</p><p>Typical values:</p><p>41kcal and 0.65g of salt per 30g serving (one pack serves 2).</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj88KTQmyyiqbcFQrpazLL0R93lLW9yvYp-y1-yR2L_9XJXph5Z2YmWfixwne8GRXuC8yGC5M2pEuZMn6mDP-oyctd9BkNV0KRt-7UZTQMKB9sGWsz9F6bfRhRQwElM2RExg_eZ9sOL05pZCyp4_h_0F_szcj-qQXMqu82bezOWaQRbdN0576P_SSOrSKD/s2016/Capsicana%20Mexican%20Burrito.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj88KTQmyyiqbcFQrpazLL0R93lLW9yvYp-y1-yR2L_9XJXph5Z2YmWfixwne8GRXuC8yGC5M2pEuZMn6mDP-oyctd9BkNV0KRt-7UZTQMKB9sGWsz9F6bfRhRQwElM2RExg_eZ9sOL05pZCyp4_h_0F_szcj-qQXMqu82bezOWaQRbdN0576P_SSOrSKD/w480-h640/Capsicana%20Mexican%20Burrito.jpg" title="Capsicana Mexican Burrito Tomato & Chipotle Cooking Paste" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 8:</b></p><p><b>Shaken Udder Chocolush (£1.69</b>) is a creamy, velvety smooth milkshake made with real Belgian chocolate.</p><p>Packed of goodness including vitamin B12, calcium (51% RI calcium per 330ml serving) and protein, they are also gluten free and suitable for vegetarians. No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, less than 5% added sugar.</p><p>Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's, ASDA, Waitrose, Morrisons, Boots, Booths and Co-Op.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrotu0BU10AHCPQ0St2pAE6NQZ9Nbx0J_DlWh0HM2QnUa8uzWTMjY8KuoKHn1zCOCouI9NPgeXZ1KL0QDxzNCVtnBNkyy3mg6CX_PHy6xC1tPDzI6YAhr_CCnfcRshvr9ZncRxcRRLHuqYQfpEI3VK92IhruIzs-NnkO-TTibM6bdHL2TCnHnJ5z3COl3/s2016/Shaken%20Udder%20Cocolush.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrotu0BU10AHCPQ0St2pAE6NQZ9Nbx0J_DlWh0HM2QnUa8uzWTMjY8KuoKHn1zCOCouI9NPgeXZ1KL0QDxzNCVtnBNkyy3mg6CX_PHy6xC1tPDzI6YAhr_CCnfcRshvr9ZncRxcRRLHuqYQfpEI3VK92IhruIzs-NnkO-TTibM6bdHL2TCnHnJ5z3COl3/w480-h640/Shaken%20Udder%20Cocolush.jpg" title="Shaken Udder Chocolush" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 9:</b></p><p><b>SimplyCook Keralan Curry or Creamy Chorizo Penne (£2.50)</b> is a handy recipe kit, which contains 3 flavour pots to create an authentic dish. We've tried several recipe kits from SimplyCook throughout the year, and they all offer an inspired recipe.</p><p>Cook 140+ chef-created recipes in 30 minutes or less with SimplyCook unique recipe kits. It's lovely to try another recipe from their vast range. You will receive 1 item of two.</p><p>We received Simply Cook Keralan Curry. It serves 2-4 people. </p><p>Available in the major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL7DoTh1cbb3HG0iUmrNywUvFBOKdqhkC4S0Q3Pm1_ZmSq61UyfIJbFKNdzTwrpBqdbGEk0uFe4A4W-yAIe39o0QgcY5j5SgKbNQiNsOgo1ik-2jB_sENi0Dv0Sn3mEtYJbY65LULJOOCq0EW8z79S37t91HmQEVM1cxlNE8Cr89LrCI1qb9tW9ukXJLu/s2016/SimplyCook%20Keralan%20Curry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL7DoTh1cbb3HG0iUmrNywUvFBOKdqhkC4S0Q3Pm1_ZmSq61UyfIJbFKNdzTwrpBqdbGEk0uFe4A4W-yAIe39o0QgcY5j5SgKbNQiNsOgo1ik-2jB_sENi0Dv0Sn3mEtYJbY65LULJOOCq0EW8z79S37t91HmQEVM1cxlNE8Cr89LrCI1qb9tW9ukXJLu/w480-h640/SimplyCook%20Keralan%20Curry.jpg" title="SimplyCook Keralan Curry" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 10:</b></p><p><b>Maldon Himalayan Pink Salt (£2.50)</b></p><p>Himalayan Pink Salt selected by Maldon, who for four generations have been making and sourcing exceptional salts and seasonings</p><p>This pink coarse rock salt from the foothills of the Himalayas has been prized for centuries. Fantastic flavour. Very pleased to try this salt. Definitely something to add to my shopping list for the future.</p><p>Available on Amazon UK.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrkQHO-hYOld7Lg3jtTcgbfSe3vAQ42Dy_XeYx1EKdBsPy8-wXu5acOdIin2_r1rKMFWemU7dpAMvveu6eeSVr9APzP1fpgHYZVwvtOFf6Tr-FMrbsHbgIOOs0FoKkrZ59rFpb5xd4wJQHKEhN07Syl6cSXdMDfBkoyVy9lUpapub9XfMmAVZoAWSA1IO/s2016/Maldon%20Himalayan%20pink%20salt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrkQHO-hYOld7Lg3jtTcgbfSe3vAQ42Dy_XeYx1EKdBsPy8-wXu5acOdIin2_r1rKMFWemU7dpAMvveu6eeSVr9APzP1fpgHYZVwvtOFf6Tr-FMrbsHbgIOOs0FoKkrZ59rFpb5xd4wJQHKEhN07Syl6cSXdMDfBkoyVy9lUpapub9XfMmAVZoAWSA1IO/w480-h640/Maldon%20Himalayan%20pink%20salt.jpg" title="Maldon Himalayan pink salt" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 11:</b></p><p><b>Filippo Berio Balsamic Vinegar of Modena (£3.25) </b>is made from specially selected grapes. Its unique flavour is the perfect complement to their olive oil. Smooth, sweet and sour, it's a perfection in a bottle.</p><p>Ideal in salads, to use in grilled fish, meat and vegetables, and of course, as an ingredient of dressings and sauces.</p><p>Typical values: 95kcal and 19g of sugar per 100ml.</p><p>Available at Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, on Ocado and Filippo Berio.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHMmrztDcmSm6JCfeItHgoT5R_f_M-81dpvdJS_Q-afbXISTGDimRGRDn8hshZLgnKBjZaG5etr48w7F50CjYRp-65r1AsMa1JrCRKgwqHu-0kJtTlQrJjZWM_SUGZICJn8hlN694uIFAcj2eUQAuALftuUeFAUat0HD_6JRKLesZYXYyL4_aoDxohUYo/s1990/Filippo%20Berio%20balsamic%20vinegar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="1322" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHMmrztDcmSm6JCfeItHgoT5R_f_M-81dpvdJS_Q-afbXISTGDimRGRDn8hshZLgnKBjZaG5etr48w7F50CjYRp-65r1AsMa1JrCRKgwqHu-0kJtTlQrJjZWM_SUGZICJn8hlN694uIFAcj2eUQAuALftuUeFAUat0HD_6JRKLesZYXYyL4_aoDxohUYo/w426-h640/Filippo%20Berio%20balsamic%20vinegar.jpg" title="Filippo Berio Balsamic Vinegar of Modena" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 12:</b></p><p><b>Yogi Tea Turmeric Chai (£2.75) </b>is an ayurvedic blend with turmeric, cinnamon and ginger. The blurb on the box calls it intensive, multifaceted and magical.</p><p>While magical might be stretching too far, it is a delicious chai, especially if you add half a teaspoon of honey and a generous helping of milk (dairy or plant-based).</p><p>Already regarded as sacred in India for over 5,000 years, the turmeric root is known for its medicinal and health properties and a beautiful colour. A delicious drink for a cold day.</p><p>Available at Waitrose, H&B, Ocado, Amazon and independent stores.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gFjLVsjyLhivHn6eRIAw1H123NhH_9D8sr3ah8BSw3_yfgKhtvHi38wamlX3nzrgY-lbuxWzgHuf5iN4MDPkWCY8C2bX9MSXz5t9cmpMCWzimEx0fSlzKw_fSRlD7w88SD351JZubMUql6iQH3lh2RAfQZNyfCPPKGDYapD1WBFVzCGQwNLBR11MaUzi/s2016/Yogi%20Tea%20turmeric%20chai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gFjLVsjyLhivHn6eRIAw1H123NhH_9D8sr3ah8BSw3_yfgKhtvHi38wamlX3nzrgY-lbuxWzgHuf5iN4MDPkWCY8C2bX9MSXz5t9cmpMCWzimEx0fSlzKw_fSRlD7w88SD351JZubMUql6iQH3lh2RAfQZNyfCPPKGDYapD1WBFVzCGQwNLBR11MaUzi/w480-h640/Yogi%20Tea%20turmeric%20chai.jpg" title="Yogi Tea Turmeric Chai" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>And that's one half of the excellent advent calendar. Part II is going to be separate due to the number of products. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-70308710636028665032023-12-09T11:00:00.001+00:002023-12-10T12:51:27.384+00:00Murder by Christmas by Lesley Cookman (guest post)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmEOA3i5aL16f0Eq9EGiLQYmepyMWfllrB3AiBbOV2XjPfvKqu_1kQDxER-r3c1dC_C0ExBN6p60W7WnYWCUX_MNf3JWLX5L4Hj90AmlpEqz_UrAoPAEKRxMYvUh3uZ7AFcUfSRzGkl5hmRWzVNIPhQF6RAb8SwiaxoRvHEX6gGYJN_-8PUL7yqCS1_bh/s700/Murder%20By%20Christmas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas crime fiction" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmEOA3i5aL16f0Eq9EGiLQYmepyMWfllrB3AiBbOV2XjPfvKqu_1kQDxER-r3c1dC_C0ExBN6p60W7WnYWCUX_MNf3JWLX5L4Hj90AmlpEqz_UrAoPAEKRxMYvUh3uZ7AFcUfSRzGkl5hmRWzVNIPhQF6RAb8SwiaxoRvHEX6gGYJN_-8PUL7yqCS1_bh/w640-h252/Murder%20By%20Christmas.png" title="Murder by Christmas by Lesley Cookman" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Murder by
Christmas<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0f1111; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
twisting twenty-fifth instalment of Lesley Cookman's much-loved Libby Sarjeant
series<br />
<br />
Libby Sarjeant is deep into rehearsals for the annual pantomime when a body is
found in a doorway two weeks before Christmas - and Libby and her friend Fran
are called into action once again, when their investigation leads them to a
local brewery and the sale of many of its pubs.<br />
<br />
With the help of a team of local publicans, can Libby and Fran unravel the case
before it's too late?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Purchase Link - </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><a href="https://mybook.to/wWqwaY8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://mybook.to/wWqwaY8</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Author
Bio – </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #273443; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lesley
started writing almost as soon as she could read, and filled many Woolworth's
exercise books with pony stories until she was old enough to go out with boys.
Since she's been grown up, following a varied career as a model, air stewardess
and disc jockey, she's written short fiction and features for a variety of
magazines, achieved an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Wales,
taught writing for both Kent Adult Education and the WEA and edited the first
Sexy Shorts collection of short stories, in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign.
Lesley is a member of the Society of Authors and the Crime Writers'
Association.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #273443; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lesley has also written pantomimes performed all over
Britain, and published </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Write-Pantomime-Secrets-Success/dp/1906125120/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0a5494; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">a
book on how to do it!</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #273443; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><a href="https://lesleycookman.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0a5494; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Learn more about Lesley by visiting
her blog.</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #273443; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFCL5Sic8SzdePBbjjteI-wgGMbRhfYSYCs0if26ye3SWTZ9_J72-gQpoPOplgtq0jiFWJKBu7h0R8Tb5IHEGBM6mKli-7mC38hoLHeFXGkkJFqA1ltLIVdXob5iIso_-q6VNgKPJ0OLpUSSFCWM6iCvBKh7cN-ppvPNGdc86xOsuoP5BODv6oa-ON2Cb/s255/Murder%20Tish's%20profile%20pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas crime fiction" border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="180" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFCL5Sic8SzdePBbjjteI-wgGMbRhfYSYCs0if26ye3SWTZ9_J72-gQpoPOplgtq0jiFWJKBu7h0R8Tb5IHEGBM6mKli-7mC38hoLHeFXGkkJFqA1ltLIVdXob5iIso_-q6VNgKPJ0OLpUSSFCWM6iCvBKh7cN-ppvPNGdc86xOsuoP5BODv6oa-ON2Cb/w282-h400/Murder%20Tish's%20profile%20pic.png" title="Lesley Cookman" width="282" /></a></b></div><b><br /> </b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Social Media Links – </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LibbySarjeantMysteries/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.facebook.com/LibbySarjeantMysteries/</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://twitter.com/CookmanCrime" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://twitter.com/CookmanCrime</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lesleyrcookman/tagged/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.instagram.com/lesleyrcookman/tagged/</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAgvsgUV6s9p8QF4u7kZI6bSQPoDkTsess4Ts_7e_b-UQ4UgpuhbosYhqCwyyXQ7ebuzDMrC797R_WeSiu5J-rxFI9_t_m9BmhsVjOI_LJwv7ncQ043O_TyNgJljlXxUJmEMO6-m0qjYFd2kkP-0Q_NZajP1K4x2S09R0WwKnxT1hg-a5EGWSdbcmQft-/s2371/Murder%20by%20Christmas%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Christmas crime fiction" border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2371" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAgvsgUV6s9p8QF4u7kZI6bSQPoDkTsess4Ts_7e_b-UQ4UgpuhbosYhqCwyyXQ7ebuzDMrC797R_WeSiu5J-rxFI9_t_m9BmhsVjOI_LJwv7ncQ043O_TyNgJljlXxUJmEMO6-m0qjYFd2kkP-0Q_NZajP1K4x2S09R0WwKnxT1hg-a5EGWSdbcmQft-/w640-h338/Murder%20by%20Christmas%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="Murder by Christmas by Lesley Cookman" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I'm delighted to invite Lesley Cookman to share her views on how to write a good murder mystery.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><b>How To Plan A
Murder </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US">When I was a
child, my parents let me loose on their bookshelves and I devoured all their
Golden Age Mystery novels. There wasn’t much differentiation between genres in
those days, and they were just novels – and I loved them. So when I grew up –
which is debatable<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- I decided to write
them. When I thought about it in a vague way before I morphed into a crime
writer, I assumed you would start with the murder and work backwards. Now I
know it isn’t as simple as that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US">There are no
rules for crime writing. If you write in a specific sub-genre: thriller,
medical, psychological, police procedural or cosy (like me) there are lines
over which you do not cross, but little is hard and fast. What are
incontrovertible facts are – if you are writing a “puzzle” story, remember to
insert unobtrusive clues from fairly early on. If the police are involved, get
the details of an official investigation right. Those are self evident, of
course, and everything else is exactly the same as any other novel – do your
research, don’t let the story get away from you, create good characters. Unless
it’s an integral part of the story don’t let an unfolding romance send your
protaganist (s) off the rails. Romantic suspense is different – but there, the
romance <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> an integral part of the
story – think Mary Stewart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US">So, here are a
few wise words for the new crime writer. Don’t start with a dream or a
flashback (although I think I have...) and Don’t Start Bland! [sic]. Don’t
start the story too soon. Don’t forget that a mystery, or crime novel, is plot
driven but the plot is driven by the characters. Depending on what sub-genre
you have decided on, there should be at least one murder. The great Carter
Dickson got away without one occasionally, but lesser mortals should stick to
the rules. Make sure the murderer appears early in the story. If he, she or it
doesn’t appear until late on in the book, the reader is likely to feel cheated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US">If the
detective/problem solver is to be the main protaganist, make sure they also
appear early and unless they are official, give them a definite reason for
getting involved. If they are a suspect in the main crime, the reason for
getting involved is obvious – they must clear their name – but otherwise, don’t
make them a suspect! However, introduce at least one suspect by the end of the
second chapter, and make sure there are several VIABLE suspects by the end of
the book. Not just people you’ve stuck in to make up the numbers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The actual plot –
my original idea of starting with the murder and working backwards is actually
quite a good one, taken from the murderer’s point of view. A needs to kill B.
Set that up and watch A cover his/her tracks. Then, with a bit of luck and careful
concentration, you can go back and unpick it. This, of course, would be the
ideal method, and I’m sure if I did this every time my life would be easier.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The other wise
words are no different from those given to any writer, crime or otherwise, as
I’ve already said. And here are my final exhortations: DON’T DO WHAT I DO.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US">In the first
Libby Sarjeant I was told at the end that the murderer wouldn’t do, and could I
put in a new character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did. With two
weeks to go.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US">We have got stuck
with the “Murder” titles. So whatever story I decide on has to have a suitable
title. And frequently I then have to fit the story round the title. This is NOT
a good idea.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Don’t have a
brilliant idea for a title with a bit of a story wafting round the edges, tell
your publisher and then get stuck with it. Most of my books are written out of
desperation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 7.1pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Actually, of
course, a good murder mystery is both satisfying to read and to write. It can
be bent into all sorts of shapes by all sorts of people. After all – look at
me!<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-81630149683199698692023-12-06T20:30:00.001+00:002023-12-06T20:32:39.404+00:00November Degustabox<p> <b><a href="https://www.degustabox.com/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Degustabox</a> </b>is a monthly <b>food and drink subscription box</b>. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.</p><p>Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.</p><p>Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.</p><p>If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a <b>£3off discount from your first box</b> (and you can unsubscribe any time), just <b>use code DKRLN</b> when placing an order. </p><p>What did we get in <b>November Degustabox</b> box?</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKroVhx_mt3p6FwBruQI9czTGi1NAbyRaPf8s9diNZXS3OmqnjjmyJNa0GU-Yf-m7ao5QQXKZrwKPhXb_uDQTIkjwE4v1N9S3SRGTBfwBoPMzJIODHw1_MS2Gy3MAg44BQBRZILQAEi6NuttFbhae7bgXEKj__QuRLGXTu3jDIITIn8EUOSa7K4_ig7MLE/s1965/November%2023%20Degustabox.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1965" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKroVhx_mt3p6FwBruQI9czTGi1NAbyRaPf8s9diNZXS3OmqnjjmyJNa0GU-Yf-m7ao5QQXKZrwKPhXb_uDQTIkjwE4v1N9S3SRGTBfwBoPMzJIODHw1_MS2Gy3MAg44BQBRZILQAEi6NuttFbhae7bgXEKj__QuRLGXTu3jDIITIn8EUOSa7K4_ig7MLE/w640-h490/November%2023%20Degustabox.jpg" title="November 23 Degustabox" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Terry's Chocolate Mint (£1.50)</b> is the Product of the Month. This is the minty version of the much loved classic, so festive and moreish. I might buy another one for festive brownies.</p><p>This delicious mint-flavoured chocolate is made with milk chocolate and natural mint. </p><p>You know what to do, tap it, whack it and enjoy!</p><p>Nutritional values: 164kcal and 18g of sugar per 4 segments.</p><p>Available in the major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlcDWmhyphenhyphen5Tc4l9_fxtdEfWRJjaNoQDKpDVDMBWsj8MMK1ENXlmVjnUhl3enDW44Yoxwq_tW_LgSB298bKMMSIKpc2cCXNrEWRZOP-M_qVGsid10NHAveazFVt7Fihvu62-y_IIBrqXewMbwjbAk-oHTv0S4oVzDZProVACam7fS0WPSg1iJ2s7AcOriBZ/s1612/Terry's%20chocolate%20mint.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1612" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlcDWmhyphenhyphen5Tc4l9_fxtdEfWRJjaNoQDKpDVDMBWsj8MMK1ENXlmVjnUhl3enDW44Yoxwq_tW_LgSB298bKMMSIKpc2cCXNrEWRZOP-M_qVGsid10NHAveazFVt7Fihvu62-y_IIBrqXewMbwjbAk-oHTv0S4oVzDZProVACam7fS0WPSg1iJ2s7AcOriBZ/w600-h640/Terry's%20chocolate%20mint.jpg" title="Terry's chocolate mint" width="600" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I was pleased to see a little bag of <b>Love Corn BBQ Crunchy Corn Snack,</b> as it's one of my favourite snacks. You might receive a Sea Salt or BBQ flavoured corn as a free gift in the latest Degustabox.</p><p>Whole corn kernels are roasted off the hob to make a delicious crunchy snack. The BBQ corn is covered in smokin' spices and has just the right amount of saltiness for a satisfying savoury treat.</p><p>A small bag contains 178 kcal and 0.2g of salt. Gluten free.</p><p>Other sizes are available in major retailers, like Sainsbury's, Tesco, Waitrose, ASDA, Boots and WHSmith. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zbOxiuAHpVH-AURhQQ-J7liA3xwpmJ3L8dDayIHl7znMVbtvqy1gSkCwWM0a3q-JF2j6x86xvZcRy389nnTrEcBa87jTh8kyBriUozkrwZu5tb5UzrImm39tNpH5dN4uIy__H34EwhWEwH9xUs5KHsm3D2SqY3la8cQ4vyesKYrcNusdpmKJKnDfidZn/s1348/Love%20Corn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="1348" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zbOxiuAHpVH-AURhQQ-J7liA3xwpmJ3L8dDayIHl7znMVbtvqy1gSkCwWM0a3q-JF2j6x86xvZcRy389nnTrEcBa87jTh8kyBriUozkrwZu5tb5UzrImm39tNpH5dN4uIy__H34EwhWEwH9xUs5KHsm3D2SqY3la8cQ4vyesKYrcNusdpmKJKnDfidZn/w640-h630/Love%20Corn.jpg" title="Love Corn BBQ crunchy corn snack" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Forest Feast Salted Dark Chocolate Almonds (£1.50</b>) is another scrumptious snack. Tasty almonds are coated in mouth-watering dark chocolate, with a sprinkling of salt and a dusting of cocoa.</p><p>Available in both on-the-go 40g packs and 120g share pack (though I can easily eat a sharing pack all by myself).</p><p>Gluten free and vegan.</p><p>Typical values: 566kcal, 28.1g of sugar and 0.72g of salt per 100g.</p><p>Available at Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Ocado, Amazon and Fine Food independents.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6pQSi8ikA7le8SnPVmkj4UoETG7Dp_q4xzTQEWOv_pLZZuARy0EKr0BMfFbzaDJYFT74q9z6Ch6JcyHt2gMQHzEnqv-Jr7dDc2Jo2YcBtweeKPRHny8o8-xKpLxkauyyneQHnTvV07BgfPIs3j8Q-0xPytLOWqX1ACsYrEpeLXzcAPgtVuY0PDNfcIG2/s1969/Forest%20feast%20almonds%20and%20PhD%20bar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1302" data-original-width="1969" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6pQSi8ikA7le8SnPVmkj4UoETG7Dp_q4xzTQEWOv_pLZZuARy0EKr0BMfFbzaDJYFT74q9z6Ch6JcyHt2gMQHzEnqv-Jr7dDc2Jo2YcBtweeKPRHny8o8-xKpLxkauyyneQHnTvV07BgfPIs3j8Q-0xPytLOWqX1ACsYrEpeLXzcAPgtVuY0PDNfcIG2/w640-h424/Forest%20feast%20almonds%20and%20PhD%20bar.jpg" title="Forest Feast Salted Dark Almonds and PhD Nutrition smart bar" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>PhD Nutrition Smart Bar (£1.50/half size, see above)</b> is just right for the on-the-go snack. With 10g of quality protein and 1.1g of sugar, this mighty little snack, contains a soft protein centre, encased in a gooey caramel with protein crispies.</p><p>I didn't even notice when this snack has disappeared from the box, but someone must have enjoyed it in the family. </p><p>Available at phd.com.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>SlooOW Stone Oven Baguette White (£1.60)</b> is an organic wheat baguette, partially baked and made with the best and 100% natural ingredients. The bread dough is given more than 24 hours to rise, to later becme a very tasty crusty bread.</p><p>Bake it in the oven for 12 minutes for a crispy crust. We've tried this bread earlier this year for the first time, from one of the summer boxes, and it is truly tasty. Great for bruschetta, with tomatoes, basil and olive oil, or make hot mini sandwiches with it, with lots of grated cheese.</p><p>Nutritional values: 263kcal and 0.95g of salt per 100g. </p><p>Available at Tesco and Co-Op.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAU7p8-F8HbxKD-DzoiJI-lFcZlMrHX8tvaunK2MzuoHrkCZ0NtfLKyc0R8HAPplMp3tOYYmfjdUHr8P_DrR_RbcJPWbKmeF71N9FDq5I0bmUzK6i4W3a8r3W_rsHMsiaGnRAH4cdVwhIhrwgzHAjxSR2j21_zP4yZlh92YTay_k80GpqSbWtsg-4U25OD/s2016/SlooOw%20baguette.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="2016" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAU7p8-F8HbxKD-DzoiJI-lFcZlMrHX8tvaunK2MzuoHrkCZ0NtfLKyc0R8HAPplMp3tOYYmfjdUHr8P_DrR_RbcJPWbKmeF71N9FDq5I0bmUzK6i4W3a8r3W_rsHMsiaGnRAH4cdVwhIhrwgzHAjxSR2j21_zP4yZlh92YTay_k80GpqSbWtsg-4U25OD/w640-h384/SlooOw%20baguette.jpg" title="SlooOW Stone Oven Baguette White" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Nissin Demae Ramen Chicken or Tonkotsu Pork (£0.65)</b> is a Japanese-style ramen, which allows you to prepare a variety of restaurant-quality ramen dishes.</p><p>You should receive 1 item in your box. We got the Chicken flavour ramen. Add some green beans, pickled ginger, a dash of soy sauce, and whatever else you fancy, perhaps bamboo shoots, sprinkle sesame seeds, or seaweed flakes.</p><p>Typical nutritional values: 91kcal and 1.1g of salt per 100g prepared product.</p><p>Available in the major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqq1c-NqkRR6Vu8bZjY8STcKq6RfCBIyMDUctePsyOVeqaZpdnkcxhUHpidzdLq6kE2tau3l0y48oxc1zK-FPjvaTWml1BK60XFw3WUQfpbUOjwQbnAlstM3emaSUle0p8438FtTPAg7NMRlb8gGKtNf7w42jHtqbpCUFU917_Xd-3TJ-8GcWZj_wZZv4/s1569/Nissim%20Ramen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1569" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqq1c-NqkRR6Vu8bZjY8STcKq6RfCBIyMDUctePsyOVeqaZpdnkcxhUHpidzdLq6kE2tau3l0y48oxc1zK-FPjvaTWml1BK60XFw3WUQfpbUOjwQbnAlstM3emaSUle0p8438FtTPAg7NMRlb8gGKtNf7w42jHtqbpCUFU917_Xd-3TJ-8GcWZj_wZZv4/w640-h616/Nissim%20Ramen.jpg" title="Nissin Demae Ramen" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Knorr Vegetable Stock Pot (£1.90) i</b>s one of my kitchen pantry essentials. Whenever I cook soup, or a casserole, I reach for one of these stock pots. They add a lovely flavour, and you can choose whether to dissolve it in hot water first, or add to the saucepan directly.</p><p>Slowly simmered with garden vegetables, these pots are gluten free, have no added MSG, artificial colours or preservatives.</p><p>Nutritional values: 8kcal and 1g of salt per 125ml.</p><p>Available in all major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6kONkGCguYz7OF8MXITkCQk5ZyqQ42h58dPzaVY3EqRt3xIX4QlS09nSEx9lOM70DHhV3DLpMyC3KtgQQT5BHZJvgVcyR__ZqW4X0Oq7hR_TQIOhTQgOaRvYk7VpnNT3wjdzwp6ZaNcpjVh5qMailuWElA8taIu3zs_lzcoo0UBNOAVh-HN5NgTKIVzE/s1479/Knorr%20vegetable%20stock.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="1479" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6kONkGCguYz7OF8MXITkCQk5ZyqQ42h58dPzaVY3EqRt3xIX4QlS09nSEx9lOM70DHhV3DLpMyC3KtgQQT5BHZJvgVcyR__ZqW4X0Oq7hR_TQIOhTQgOaRvYk7VpnNT3wjdzwp6ZaNcpjVh5qMailuWElA8taIu3zs_lzcoo0UBNOAVh-HN5NgTKIVzE/w640-h592/Knorr%20vegetable%20stock.jpg" title="Knorr vegetable stock pot" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Kühne Gourmet Gherkins with Herbs (£3.55)</b> are traditional German pickles. These delightful little gherkins have a lovely dill flavour. Excellent with cold meats and a cheese platter, or just as a sneaky treat straight from the jar in the fridge.</p><p>Crunchy and flavourful, these pickles deserve the Winner of a Great Taste Award.</p><p>Also available with honey or chilli.</p><p>You can find them in Waitrose and Ocado.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhonLuBYOqjRhVq7UNxCKUxGlstTOidFPglgsjY916LUs3MaQLsKJ-_cCRqpYVmp-CNh0KPnppZ3b5JbSn2qTiCazM77QV778PBdQL2tXQJtj55hzfGHYwBsHy8IHH_iCwar23BOzRIGTkXPC2-mcPmhNHtNqAc-IlrZ-7TdNZVTqe-1RS830WrpOuve3/s1748/Kuhne%20gherkins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1748" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhonLuBYOqjRhVq7UNxCKUxGlstTOidFPglgsjY916LUs3MaQLsKJ-_cCRqpYVmp-CNh0KPnppZ3b5JbSn2qTiCazM77QV778PBdQL2tXQJtj55hzfGHYwBsHy8IHH_iCwar23BOzRIGTkXPC2-mcPmhNHtNqAc-IlrZ-7TdNZVTqe-1RS830WrpOuve3/w554-h640/Kuhne%20gherkins.jpg" title="Kühne Gourmet Gherkins with Herbs" width="554" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Heinz Spicy Parsnip Soup (£1.70)</b> is a low sugar, low fat vegetarian soup. Sweet parsnips are gently cooked with carrots, onions, as well as warming spices, like chilli and red pepper.</p><p>Soups are made for cold weather, and this parsnip soup will be a comforting meal after a long walk in the cold.</p><p>Nutritional values: 74kcal and 4.9g of sugar per 1/2 can.</p><p>Available at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Iceland, ASDA and Ocado.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8ri8MOgjoepv4Xe0GFHU_0P4-gIMKmlTM6Ls3UK2_q4tHbW3Iwe-VbuUAZsyY8bSleCrFqICI7sTUuc3m6hG0ejYZnmB3undmAh0WYf_3faT2tb4pBsbTHsusycSbLL_h1E3Yt-Jm6TFBgw-gjFmwpXTbT49KrrpB_WgfLcAX2L9xnylXziOBI8OeZUN/s1580/Heinz%20parsnip%20soup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1580" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8ri8MOgjoepv4Xe0GFHU_0P4-gIMKmlTM6Ls3UK2_q4tHbW3Iwe-VbuUAZsyY8bSleCrFqICI7sTUuc3m6hG0ejYZnmB3undmAh0WYf_3faT2tb4pBsbTHsusycSbLL_h1E3Yt-Jm6TFBgw-gjFmwpXTbT49KrrpB_WgfLcAX2L9xnylXziOBI8OeZUN/w612-h640/Heinz%20parsnip%20soup.jpg" title="Heinz spicy parsnip soup" width="612" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Plantastic Creamy Pasta Sauce Tomato & Chargrilled Pepper (£2.80) </b>is a plant-based pasta sauce. The ingredients include tomato, smoky chargrilled peppers, herbs and spices, plus coconut milk.</p><p>Nutritional information: 147kcal and 0.96g of salt per 175g portion. Source of protein and fibre, no artificial colours or flavours, 1 of your 5 a day.</p><p>Simply cook your pasta of choice, stir in the heated sauce, and add the grated cheese (whether dairy/vegetarian or vegan).</p><p>Also available in Spicy Cajun Tomato and Caramelised Onion & Sweet Potato.</p><p>Available at Morrisons and Tesco.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewBQiwvn4KHbECPTK_Is_4m5FXJsYRIkdHIUaa2vP3X1CorQ6J2OmJw_umaetYsrfj1_ZnTG54SOWEzcPGK21T-_K5gFVnegDnVuBsXOLtb7dCT5GE-5zH6t_eK8IlYTgjpf6H7qnI5WFD0rR9paeCWV9-G1_8wsIWLiSFhtlSJcSzUPLFOSGHW57Eurf/s2016/Plantastic%20pasta%20sauce.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewBQiwvn4KHbECPTK_Is_4m5FXJsYRIkdHIUaa2vP3X1CorQ6J2OmJw_umaetYsrfj1_ZnTG54SOWEzcPGK21T-_K5gFVnegDnVuBsXOLtb7dCT5GE-5zH6t_eK8IlYTgjpf6H7qnI5WFD0rR9paeCWV9-G1_8wsIWLiSFhtlSJcSzUPLFOSGHW57Eurf/w480-h640/Plantastic%20pasta%20sauce.jpg" title="Plantastic Creamy Pasta Sauce Tomato & Chargrilled Pepper" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Kellogg's Rice Krispies Multigrain Honey 350g (£3)</b> is a popular cereal. This breakfast meal contains no artificial colours or flavours.</p><p>And if you are not a morning cereal person, how about making some lovely treats, like rice krispie cakes with golden syrup, and chocolate?</p><p>Available in the major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWGxcLHeFL1aYoOCuLT4oVIhTNB0YuGx8jTEiurfDN4mIqBBAF8agzCbMqA3o61lwE6_edmE7qKHpXyFDfcew_zhvWi1e050CeM1n8lj20_-xs5yw65OXSB1bTAKWIqKUFk5UGIhd8t1fzUVz50clFZLKH9m4VCXw24l_GWDP2_DH1mWJGOH6-75PvAP-/s2016/Kelloggs%20rice%20criispies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Degustabox food box, Chez Maximka" border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWGxcLHeFL1aYoOCuLT4oVIhTNB0YuGx8jTEiurfDN4mIqBBAF8agzCbMqA3o61lwE6_edmE7qKHpXyFDfcew_zhvWi1e050CeM1n8lj20_-xs5yw65OXSB1bTAKWIqKUFk5UGIhd8t1fzUVz50clFZLKH9m4VCXw24l_GWDP2_DH1mWJGOH6-75PvAP-/w480-h640/Kelloggs%20rice%20criispies.jpg" title="Kellogg's rice krispies" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Double Dutch Lemon (£1.20) </b>is a carbonated lemon flavoured soft drink. Its combination of lemon, lime and quassia makes a great base for a cocktail with vodka or a citrus-flavoured gin. </p><p>It is like a sip of summer in winter.</p><p>Available in the major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4idg4STUdgW4rCcq3qTgh-PG3KkaLVqlHbXDJLD9vL8HF7V8zjfbA5dOuS7Y4pN6uRtuu4KQ90hEXLHatPWrweBr7RpBeMgQMMkdAOn8gEKK23ff6raCmfBpUCE_YXL5ZwqoGJTHI7OuCUS1vWTyy_4St8KGcCIWv0OoOm3acc7u3RRvXHTZ516lKTwXJ/s1711/Double%20Dutch%20lemon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1711" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4idg4STUdgW4rCcq3qTgh-PG3KkaLVqlHbXDJLD9vL8HF7V8zjfbA5dOuS7Y4pN6uRtuu4KQ90hEXLHatPWrweBr7RpBeMgQMMkdAOn8gEKK23ff6raCmfBpUCE_YXL5ZwqoGJTHI7OuCUS1vWTyy_4St8KGcCIWv0OoOm3acc7u3RRvXHTZ516lKTwXJ/w566-h640/Double%20Dutch%20lemon.jpg" title="Double Dutch lemon" width="566" /></a></div><br /><p>There will be one last box of the year delivered soon, and in the meantime we're enjoying opening the doors of the huge Degustabox advent calendar. </p><p><br /></p><p>What is your favourite product from the November box?</p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-44794825561721178532023-12-01T09:00:00.001+00:002023-12-01T09:00:00.134+00:00Spread: Tales of Deadly Flora, edited by R.A.Clarke (book excerpt)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0054JHWdWts2cF3U6XNnEWdJXjW_07D267XUrhJJ9oHcCqNK6ZnYDTQnSO4iryl7Sd4BQdIody14jKwyz0AH5EfqYC8Q2sVX38Y9mAaXJsvBaVbf5uyH_fCVa4ZBdeRKNgExXytviTJZ4MXT2b7z_IOTv8LhpGNPQ4UmYVsudJj8-cqNloHlxPmZCuGr/s700/Spread%20Tales%20of%20Deadly%20Fauna.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="horror fiction" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0054JHWdWts2cF3U6XNnEWdJXjW_07D267XUrhJJ9oHcCqNK6ZnYDTQnSO4iryl7Sd4BQdIody14jKwyz0AH5EfqYC8Q2sVX38Y9mAaXJsvBaVbf5uyH_fCVa4ZBdeRKNgExXytviTJZ4MXT2b7z_IOTv8LhpGNPQ4UmYVsudJj8-cqNloHlxPmZCuGr/w640-h252/Spread%20Tales%20of%20Deadly%20Fauna.png" title="Spread: Tales of Deadly Flora" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Spread: Tales of Deadly Flora<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Green thumbs beware. Plants are beautiful, peaceful,
abundant, and life-sustaining. But what if something sinister took root in the
soil, awakening to unleash slashing thorns, squeezing vines, or haunting
greenery that lured you in? Perhaps blooms on distant planets could claim your
heart, hitch a ride to Earth on a meteor, or simply poison you with their
essence. Imagine a world where scientists produced our own demise in a lab, set
spores free to infect, even bred ferns to be our friends only to witness the
privilege perverted. When faced with botanical terror, will humanity fight to
survive, or will they curl and wither like leaves in the fall? Read ten
speculative tales ripe with dangerous flora to find out.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Purchase Link</b> - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKX9PGVY/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKX9PGVY/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Social Media Links</b> – Website: <a href="http://www.pageturnpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.pageturnpress.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Instagram & Twitter: @pageturnpress<o:p></o:p></p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pageturnpress/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/pageturnpress/</a></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9iIeJKaEFId9RtyXAcHLo6uKkTO24ZC4D0j_GtIcH1YFDlaLF77-xnPHTryCNQHdOdAvfvSG3oQXcWvaHzlO69GmXZ0DhQy1PjjbLTaKmOmLIGUBCy9756QeX0w8evrbfIzshfX0b-Xd8Mzx6q7UY0xQgcFP47AzGTYqsiESCobP6IY3OyTwpmopAlav/s1368/Spread%20-%20Rachael%20Clarke%20author%20pic%20-%20300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="writer of horror stories" border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1077" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9iIeJKaEFId9RtyXAcHLo6uKkTO24ZC4D0j_GtIcH1YFDlaLF77-xnPHTryCNQHdOdAvfvSG3oQXcWvaHzlO69GmXZ0DhQy1PjjbLTaKmOmLIGUBCy9756QeX0w8evrbfIzshfX0b-Xd8Mzx6q7UY0xQgcFP47AzGTYqsiESCobP6IY3OyTwpmopAlav/w315-h400/Spread%20-%20Rachael%20Clarke%20author%20pic%20-%20300dpi.jpg" title="Rachael Clark" width="315" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">An excerpt from <i>Spread: Tales of Deadly Flora (Page
Turn Press).</i> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i><br /></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Plant Friends</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> by Jen Mierisch. A pair of well-meaning scientists develop a
ground-breaking plant to be a friend for lonely people around the world. But
nothing ever goes to plan, does it?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">April
tossed her coat onto a chair, flopped onto her couch, and sighed out the stress
of three interminable meetings, two train commutes, and one micromanaging boss.
She kicked off her high heels, extended one bare toe, and rubbed the lowest
leaf of her Plant Friend, whose pot sat next to the couch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
leaf wound itself around April’s foot and gently squeezed. “Ahhh,” sighed
April, sinking into the cushions. “That’s the stuff.” She wiggled her toe
against the leaf, and it squeezed again, massaging the soreness away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
sat forward a bit and nudged an upper leaf with her elbow. It extended itself
across her upper back and kneaded her shoulders. Grip and release, grip and
release. “You’re the best, Boo,” April told it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
people who sold April the plant had mentioned that it would adapt itself to her
and might begin to anticipate her requests. A natural element of its design,
they’d said. The mechanism, of course, was a trade secret, but the people in
the online Plant Friend forums theorized that it had to do with plant
estrogens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">April
picked up a leaf and kissed it. “Boo,” she said, “you were worth every penny.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
tucked her throw blanket around her legs and flipped on Disney Plus. A nice
cartoon would be a way to forget the day. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
beginning of <i>Up</i> was cute and funny. Then came the montage of Carl and
Ellie’s life together, ending in poignant loss and never-realized dreams. April
watched, devastated, tears dripping onto her dress. A leaf snaked its way
around her shoulders in a comforting embrace.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">April’s
cell phone rang. Eyes glued to the TV, she fumbled with the device, saw an
unknown number on the display, and rejected the call.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
minute later, the phone pinged with a text message. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hey.
I think you left something at the café this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">April
sat bolt upright, seized the phone, and stared. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">That
morning, she had ordered her usual hazelnut latte, plus a breakfast sandwich,
then lingered at a table in the bookstore’s café. When Thanh left the counter
with a spray bottle and a rag, April had stood to leave. Beneath her empty
plate, she’d tucked her business card, on the back of which she’d written her
cell phone number. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
paused the movie, found the number in her call history, and smashed the
callback button. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
answered after the first ring. “Well, hello there, Hazelnut Latte.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hi.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Can
I call you Hazel?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
plant stood at attention as April leaped from the couch and paced the living
room, talking animatedly. Its leaves seemed to rise a bit taller, invigorated
by the kinetic energy of her motion and laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
April hung up the call, she immediately dialed again. “Devora! Guess who just
called me!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Still
talking, April walked into the kitchen, disappearing around the doorframe. The
plant’s leaves drooped a bit, like the jowls of a bloodhound.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoj2ZgoqRsX9PYftqxcjbCkMLz8PDpWORXgvYBSqVGAG9DUAkyibft5vaCHCcCkjREP2dId2hhRoG9X-xUDsAHSM4VBYk_gJdCw8-ER0FYTM3QPRflK8eZ2bVoLQSqqOP_hoB-9r6JGS9tQcSWj6S0K5yrW4nyTVtq-On2rO5CINE4WaGtZWmgYm2Xh8o/s2550/SPREAD%20ebook%20(FINAL%20jpg).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="horror stories" border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1650" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoj2ZgoqRsX9PYftqxcjbCkMLz8PDpWORXgvYBSqVGAG9DUAkyibft5vaCHCcCkjREP2dId2hhRoG9X-xUDsAHSM4VBYk_gJdCw8-ER0FYTM3QPRflK8eZ2bVoLQSqqOP_hoB-9r6JGS9tQcSWj6S0K5yrW4nyTVtq-On2rO5CINE4WaGtZWmgYm2Xh8o/w414-h640/SPREAD%20ebook%20(FINAL%20jpg).jpg" title="Spread: Tales of Deadly Flora, edited by R.A.Clarke" width="414" /></a></div><br />Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-11450523218199559432023-12-01T08:30:00.001+00:002023-12-01T08:30:00.137+00:00The Silent House of Sleep by Allan Gaw (book extract)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lMAc-WaLI4lD2vUYZA8PpIUQ5rcq00FBJa9bV9x-DguKc09tRNm8j4Gc-O8ZuRw3uN6kRPEZHWmSfA7n-0luirgBVz4rmCvcPUZD8_MMzTY6S2kR1daBF5UhC1TjATNW9vzrXMlyNXXi-mmDgsXXhIEaJ9Joc7jPst0_UPPEoD4AJe3QfIsnhExYzWH2/s700/The%20Silent%20House%20of%20Sleep.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="police procedural thriller" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lMAc-WaLI4lD2vUYZA8PpIUQ5rcq00FBJa9bV9x-DguKc09tRNm8j4Gc-O8ZuRw3uN6kRPEZHWmSfA7n-0luirgBVz4rmCvcPUZD8_MMzTY6S2kR1daBF5UhC1TjATNW9vzrXMlyNXXi-mmDgsXXhIEaJ9Joc7jPst0_UPPEoD4AJe3QfIsnhExYzWH2/w640-h252/The%20Silent%20House%20of%20Sleep.png" title="The Silent House of Sleep by Allan Gaw" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><b style="background-color: #eeeeee;">The Silent House of Sleep</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">‘No one likes death. It just happens to be our business.’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Nobody who meets Dr Jack Cuthbert forgets him. Tall, urbane,
brilliant but damaged, this Scottish pathologist who works with Scotland Yard
is the best the new DCI has seen. But Cuthbert is a man who lives with secrets,
and he still battles demons brought back from the trenches.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">When not one but two corpses are discovered in a London park
in 1929, Cuthbert must use every tool at his disposal to solve the mystery of
their deaths. In the end, the horrifying truth is more shocking than even he
could have imagined.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">As he works the case, Cuthbert realises that history rarely
stays in the past. And even in the final moments, there is still one last
revelation that leaves him reeling.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Purchase Links <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-House-Sleep-Cuthbert-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CK8SZJLF/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-House-Sleep-Cuthbert-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CK8SZJLF/</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Silent-House-Sleep-Cuthbert-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CK8SZJLF/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>https://www.amazon.com/Silent-House-Sleep-Cuthbert-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CK8SZJLF/</b></a><b>
<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Author Bio – <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Allan Gaw is a Scot who lives and works near Glasgow. He
studied medicine and is a pathologist by training but a writer by inclination.
Having worked in the NHS and universities in Scotland, England, Northern
Ireland and the US, he now devotes his time to writing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Most of his published work to date is non-fiction. These
include textbooks and regular magazine articles on topics as diverse as the
thalidomide story, the medical challenges of space travel and the medico-legal
consequences of the Hillsborough disaster.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>More recently, he has been writing short stories, novels and
poetry. He has won the UK Classical Association Creative Writing Competition,
the International Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize, the International Globe Soup
7-day Writing Challenge and was runner-up in the Glencairn Glass/Bloody
Scotland Short Crime Fiction Competition. He has also had prose published in
the literary journal, From Glasgow to Saturn and anthologies from the Edinburgh
Literary Salon and Clan Destine Press in Australia. His poetry has been
published by Dreich, Soor Ploom Press and Black Bough Poetry. His debut poetry
collection, Love & Other Diseases, was published in 2023 by Seahorse
Publications. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Silent House of Sleep is his debut novel and is the
first in the <b>Dr Jack Cuthbert Mystery series</b>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You can read more about him and his work at his website: <a href="https://researchet.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://researchet.wordpress.com/</a> .
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Social Media Links </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Twitter
(X): </span><a href="https://twitter.com/ResearchET" rel="nofollow" style="text-indent: -18pt;" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/ResearchET</a></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;">Instagram: </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allangaw8/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/allangaw8/</a></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzuyUqI94k_DnnqgtPW0JEveXYT9mnyLGim-yhM_Mc0Cz5bQoNKRoVJvUe4ApgcxQWp3sjCcTi5SXADIgMn3v1PpBa1qWxdAtor0QY2W4niamJWdpoHwt9-wtFi40fvE1j8USsQlNjJ3nT1hYOPlhyphenhyphenMg7-qG8rPqLgVozBgNfRgk12nBb3_brSmqcFIPQ/s2840/The%20Silent%20House%20Allan%20Gaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="psychological thriller" border="0" data-original-height="2840" data-original-width="2154" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzuyUqI94k_DnnqgtPW0JEveXYT9mnyLGim-yhM_Mc0Cz5bQoNKRoVJvUe4ApgcxQWp3sjCcTi5SXADIgMn3v1PpBa1qWxdAtor0QY2W4niamJWdpoHwt9-wtFi40fvE1j8USsQlNjJ3nT1hYOPlhyphenhyphenMg7-qG8rPqLgVozBgNfRgk12nBb3_brSmqcFIPQ/w304-h400/The%20Silent%20House%20Allan%20Gaw.jpg" title="Allan Gaw" width="304" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">The Silent
House of Sleep<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">by<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">Allan Gaw<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">EXTRACT <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">In
this extract from the opening chapter of the novel, the protagonist, the
Scottish pathologist Dr Jack Cuthbert, has just completed giving his expert
testimony at the Old Bailey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
witness stand, he has been assured and in complete command of the
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, on his way home, we see
a very different side to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-right: 2.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; line-height: 115%;">London: December 1928</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 2.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 22.95pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Baskerville, serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 2.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 22.95pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Baskerville, serif; line-height: 115%;">‘Dr Cuthbert, thank you for your testimony.
You may stand down.’</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Baskerville, serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 2.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 22.95pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Baskerville, serif; line-height: 115%;">With that, the reporters in the courtroom
were readying themselves for a swift conclusion to the trial. One or two were
already reaching over the rail, trying to pass notes to Mrs Everett’s lawyer in
order to secure an exclusive interview with her when she was released. The
lawyer read these and scrunched them up, scowling at the press benches as he
did so.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Baskerville, serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 2.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 22.95pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Baskerville, serif; line-height: 115%;">Cuthbert did not stay in the courtroom to
hear the outcome, for that was not what interested him. He regarded his task as
one of examining the evidence in order to provide the truth of the matter. This
was a truth that would only reveal itself through logical enquiry of the
circumstances, careful evaluation of the physical evidence and detailed
analysis of the human remains. When he delivered this truth, it was up to
others to use it appropriately.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Baskerville, serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 115%; margin-right: 2.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Baskerville",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 115%; margin-right: 2.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Baskerville",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He left
the Old Bailey and as it was already almost five o’clock, he chose to walk back
to his home in Bloomsbury rather than return to the hospital. The late
afternoon air was cold and damp, and the pavements of London were still wet
with the melting slush from the previous week’s snowfall. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 115%; margin-right: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.8pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Baskerville",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cuthbert trod carefully to avoid the worst of it, but
as he turned on to Fleet Street, there were large, dirty puddles of melting ice
everywhere. He cursed his decision to walk. His boots, normally black and
polished to the highest of shines, were already wet and dull. He shook his head
in irritation, and before their condition affected him any further, he hailed a
cab.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 115%; margin-right: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 22.95pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Baskerville",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It would only be a short journey to Gordon Square and Cuthbert
spent it bent over, trying to polish the worst of the slush away. However, the
damp, dirty stains on his boots were refusing to yield to his handkerchief. He
rubbed all the more, almost scratching the leather as his force became frantic.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 115%; margin-right: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 22.95pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Baskerville",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Suddenly, he was caught by the bitter cordite burning
his throat. He tried to swallow to rid himself of it, but his mouth was dry and
his tongue was rough. His heart began to thump in his chest. The colour drained
from his face. It was starting again. Taking great gulps of air, he shook his
head from side to side, vainly trying to clear his mind of the noise and the
gunfire. He flinched and cowered on the seat of the cab at the monumental thuds
of the exploding shells all around him. The cab driver was watching him in the
rear-view mirror. His fare was sweating and shaking. He had seen it before but
never in a gentleman like this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 115%; margin-right: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 22.95pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Baskerville",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-size: medium;">‘All right, guv’nor?’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 115%; margin-right: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 22.95pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Baskerville",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cuthbert could not speak to reply. He just gripped his
briefcase close to his chest, trying to steady himself and hide the worst of it
from the driver. Finally, he managed to nod and was relieved that they had
already stopped outside his front door on the square. His hand was still
shaking as he handed over the coins, and he did not wait for his change.
Fumbling, Cuthbert managed to get his key in the lock. He almost fell into his
hallway and slammed the street door behind him. With the door at his back, he
sank to the ground waiting for the horror to subside. It would pass for it
always did, but not before it had crushed a little bit more of him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 115%; margin-right: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 22.95pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Baskerville",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He was grateful at least that his housekeeper had been
spared this sight of him. The attacks were now less common than they had been,
but when they came, they always caught him unawares. For a man so guarded and
always so much in control of his own feelings, that was the worst of it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 115%; margin-right: 2.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 22.95pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Baskerville",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His heart was now slowing in his chest, but his hands
were still shaking as he wiped the tears of the terror from his eyes. He
struggled to his feet and found his way into the sanctuary of his study on the
ground floor. It was too late to think about anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS7804rb1RtT9kMil0wAdNlV_3Tm9Fyicbd7pbE83dVVBpmD3V-d-qbkhAs6WpQ4uJu6esIzkVZICSLVJ9tJnMkd_jQeEMcLZVXuiFd3wjFnWxab5lLS-lIu_Hbo-Rhm95ERF8J5_imIP1nMucb6kSzHG_uK17bjAsSaCCReWbRXhyHHTGzLoP3EfmEAw/s2056/The%20Silent%20House%20of%20Sleep%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, psychological thriller" border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2056" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS7804rb1RtT9kMil0wAdNlV_3Tm9Fyicbd7pbE83dVVBpmD3V-d-qbkhAs6WpQ4uJu6esIzkVZICSLVJ9tJnMkd_jQeEMcLZVXuiFd3wjFnWxab5lLS-lIu_Hbo-Rhm95ERF8J5_imIP1nMucb6kSzHG_uK17bjAsSaCCReWbRXhyHHTGzLoP3EfmEAw/w640-h390/The%20Silent%20House%20of%20Sleep%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="The Silent House of Sleep by Allan Gaw" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-54011046620134479812023-12-01T07:00:00.015+00:002023-12-13T16:08:52.371+00:0012 days of chocolate #giveaway (Ends 12 December' 23 midnight)<p> It's that time of the year again, my lovely blog readers! The <b>12 days of chocolate giveaway </b>has become an annual event, which I run during 1-12 December. </p><p>Noone knows what the future year will hold, and last year I seriously considered closing up the "shop", but decided against it, just reducing the number of posts. So here I am again, with a new 12 days of chocolate giveaway. </p><p>I enjoyed choosing different chocolate bars for each day of the giveaway, as well as buying little bits and bobs to go with them. This is a kind of prize I'd be happy to win myself. And it's a different selection every year.</p>Hope you will enjoy it as much as I do. There is over 1,2kg of chocolate to win!<br /><br />First of all, let me wish all my blog readers a stress-free Christmas and a happy new year! (and if you don't celebrate Christmas, you're welcome too, I'm wishing you a lovely festive season!).<br /><br />I love chocolate, and this giveaway is my personal celebration of all things chocolatey.<br /><br />Every day I will offer you a chocolate bar and a little something too, edible or decorative.<br /><br />For 12 days I will be revealing a part of an overall prize, and each day there will be a new question.<br /><br />As stipulated in the T&Cs below, the number of winners will depend on how many questions the first randomly selected winner will answer. If they answer all 12 questions, they get the whole lot. If they choose to answer less questions, they'll get less prizes, and the remaining part of the prize will go to the next randomly selected winner.<div><br /></div><div>Please scroll down and read the T&Cs!<br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 1:</b></div><div>The first day will start with a bang - you'll find a<b> Divine smooth dark chocolate with pretzel & caramel</b>. It's a new bar from Divine range which I haven't tried yet, but I do like the sound of it. </div></div><div>There are also a Gisela Graham Christmas tree ornament, and L'Occitane cracker with mini-toiletries.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvPzJOB2KPQYzUa0rs2VGx2AHPgDZcibCLfJabX8uCE2C7VMmjG5vmJQQaTiXIWW-tJwlXtMpPwalCuWuW3b3fXEQcl3AuMUoB7gQR9ImDGuaE7zuGHOkMMD0IkIMJa3F_vn-3hTuTm7FHGcrfOlEqw_EfQhI49uJLnPErQZ6yV2NF14a5Wsb44iSYYtH/s1853/Day%201%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, advent giveaway" border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="1853" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvPzJOB2KPQYzUa0rs2VGx2AHPgDZcibCLfJabX8uCE2C7VMmjG5vmJQQaTiXIWW-tJwlXtMpPwalCuWuW3b3fXEQcl3AuMUoB7gQR9ImDGuaE7zuGHOkMMD0IkIMJa3F_vn-3hTuTm7FHGcrfOlEqw_EfQhI49uJLnPErQZ6yV2NF14a5Wsb44iSYYtH/w640-h326/Day%201%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" title="Divine chocolate bar" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 1 Question:</b></div><div>Do you play board games on Christmas, and if yes, what is your must-play board game of choice? (or what games did you play when you were a child?)</div><div><br /></div><div>We're big fans of Cluedo, though this year our friends introduced us to Catan, so I suspect that's what we're going to play on Christmas.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 2 (2 December):</b></div><div>Today's addition to the prize will please marzipan lovers - Ritter Sport Marzipan bar and Niederegger Marzipan log with dark chocolate, both really lovely with a hot drink.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaY9FvFzu__ZVFu3sh1r8JXS2Vz8Bsfi4IYDjrMPCakQZuGxi4Xo0YESwJMn9Ia5zNbc6gxYCwi3z9PjR0-s89c1YbKi5u8wxqjJ6vvg0jSf-WzwVAtZyGYAziMMAN-dZ-kOFd0xUb-EXFKerXcNn2oq2KUrL2Wu4zV7zspj3LJ91wtpoGl-ZqCGJOzX2u/s1863/Day%202%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1863" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaY9FvFzu__ZVFu3sh1r8JXS2Vz8Bsfi4IYDjrMPCakQZuGxi4Xo0YESwJMn9Ia5zNbc6gxYCwi3z9PjR0-s89c1YbKi5u8wxqjJ6vvg0jSf-WzwVAtZyGYAziMMAN-dZ-kOFd0xUb-EXFKerXcNn2oq2KUrL2Wu4zV7zspj3LJ91wtpoGl-ZqCGJOzX2u/w520-h640/Day%202%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 2 Question (2 December):</b></div><div><br /></div><div>What TV show and/or specials are you most eager to watch over the festive season?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm looking forward to watching Ghosts Christmas special. We were very sad that the series has ended, it was such a joy.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 3 (3 December):</b></div><div>Reeses's Peanut Butter bar and Reese's Peanut Butter trees (my younger son's favourites) are the third addition to the prize.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMz1xI4Bd6ldvPDLbikf5tr8bdwLKig6aHENcdI3JjIAdTXtTMOxE6mA0bpP2pVZ2qdfEcbZbsDhh0UCVWXCfsQQ85qLMzWymskinGPIgv0sZBfrir1o-mnFmB9yjeyrGOVHtlzH8KSch9thKNLrRVaBhpC7gLxpRjZKwEyysITPTgEb5NDx7UNtMix44/s1706/Day%203%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMz1xI4Bd6ldvPDLbikf5tr8bdwLKig6aHENcdI3JjIAdTXtTMOxE6mA0bpP2pVZ2qdfEcbZbsDhh0UCVWXCfsQQ85qLMzWymskinGPIgv0sZBfrir1o-mnFmB9yjeyrGOVHtlzH8KSch9thKNLrRVaBhpC7gLxpRjZKwEyysITPTgEb5NDx7UNtMix44/w568-h640/Day%203%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" width="568" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Question 3 (3 December):</b></div><div>What has been the highlight of the year for you? or the best thing that has happened to you or your family in the last year?</div><div><br /></div><div>For me, it's our annual trip to Cornwall, and also visiting Van Gogh's exhibition in Paris.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 4 (4 December):</b></div><div>Lindt Lindor milk chocolate bar and a Dr Pawpaw tinted true coral balm. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVU5rnUxshZlLufFa_-Dt6UvLhyphenhyphenmiYe-GxGcXP25zFzD2hTbOyuLZnulg58YB88t4B_U9Krcw68Rq_bF2v-6b5iPZ52ziZkacgDtOeIsqIJ3IAYesmOBOXolpH3-lPSEcTQNuzGC9q4403KmMO6n4Jp4xLWy_T7MNddpwAKoIgZLVMloLYEqz8ANxWVUR/s1537/Day%204%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="1507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVU5rnUxshZlLufFa_-Dt6UvLhyphenhyphenmiYe-GxGcXP25zFzD2hTbOyuLZnulg58YB88t4B_U9Krcw68Rq_bF2v-6b5iPZ52ziZkacgDtOeIsqIJ3IAYesmOBOXolpH3-lPSEcTQNuzGC9q4403KmMO6n4Jp4xLWy_T7MNddpwAKoIgZLVMloLYEqz8ANxWVUR/w628-h640/Day%204%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" width="628" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Question 4 (4 December):</b></div><div>What dessert do you have on Christmas, are you planning to indulge in a traditional Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, panettone, pandoro, trifle, Buche de Noel, or anything else whatsoever?</div><div><br /></div><div>I have bought a panettone, and we most likely be nibbling mince pies through the evening too.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 5 (5 December):</b></div><div>Cadbury Dairy Milk Winter Wonderland and a Festive Movie trivia kit. This Cadbury bar is yet another of my boys' favourites.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtUiCCR6U0VK5drFHdlYstlIP4crCtipcWSbl68Q2sRXzBhlCEdK19QIXxF2a-QBxdf9K4F65oRy0rm47gSifnapRdOIo786MXxRKmsW_IuiSOsx0oU40XHQbDc6fworuHGRHXYmLDtDIdf6Cc5Mr4TZ2fE4OsXklzfsdtHzrbKkBNJKZ6AggX4b-98if/s2016/Day%205%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="2016" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtUiCCR6U0VK5drFHdlYstlIP4crCtipcWSbl68Q2sRXzBhlCEdK19QIXxF2a-QBxdf9K4F65oRy0rm47gSifnapRdOIo786MXxRKmsW_IuiSOsx0oU40XHQbDc6fworuHGRHXYmLDtDIdf6Cc5Mr4TZ2fE4OsXklzfsdtHzrbKkBNJKZ6AggX4b-98if/w640-h270/Day%205%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Question 5 (5 December):</b></div><div><br /></div><div>What is your favourite Christmas carol? </div><div><br /></div><div>If it slipped your mind, ClassicFM is currently running a vote on <a href="https://win.classicfm.com/nations-favourite-carol-2023/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Nation's Favourite Carol</a>. Cast your vote until 15 December. I voted for Gaudete, as I have done for many years.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 6 (6 December):</b></div><div>A new Galaxy Smooth Mint chocolate bar and a couple of face maska (tea tree and vitamin) are being added to the prize pot.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXKpuciLgkGYh5fIOn4EJQjqhwB4QoOBhENZPS5GZmJh9paRk64dJTqLoOOEuL7pdQVTkPxAlybnn2qnfy3wxUKrt-BGqt7LtZUuak_YWJcAx8ybpHH3KtlQN3cVQxnK3qBOCJkGcQCMG4ZGZSvztWgV5rcQEBmUTatAYx93D9S1YJPNADZdQUDFoNCWO/s2016/Day%206%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXKpuciLgkGYh5fIOn4EJQjqhwB4QoOBhENZPS5GZmJh9paRk64dJTqLoOOEuL7pdQVTkPxAlybnn2qnfy3wxUKrt-BGqt7LtZUuak_YWJcAx8ybpHH3KtlQN3cVQxnK3qBOCJkGcQCMG4ZGZSvztWgV5rcQEBmUTatAYx93D9S1YJPNADZdQUDFoNCWO/w640-h480/Day%206%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Question 6 (6 December):</b></div><div><br /></div><div>If money/health/family commitments allowed, where would you rather spend Christmas, at home, or travelling to a distant location, somewhere tropical or polar?</div><div><br /></div><div>I would love to see New England again in winter holidays, and visit Norway too one day.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 7 (7 December):</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Ritter Sport Crunchy Creamy Winter chocolate is a new addition to Ritter Sport range, and I couldn't resist getting it for my giveaway. Plus a chocolate Santa coin.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXuw-aJRiE6cAuD-49V5_XtoE4v08AdAAvgJeoJ12HouuG2YMqV4zVeu13wh2eaI45hM6MZ8JNmtKCts7aB_3lYZ347w3Rv1JnSUwEV2T2Z9eOx5lAj1jt2BXecbspWBT4WbB5mrI9Izcg1fHA3nsqJRdeozNqG7HRpnh7-9xeNx_6DTWcCp_YSPmlknD/s2016/Day%207%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXuw-aJRiE6cAuD-49V5_XtoE4v08AdAAvgJeoJ12HouuG2YMqV4zVeu13wh2eaI45hM6MZ8JNmtKCts7aB_3lYZ347w3Rv1JnSUwEV2T2Z9eOx5lAj1jt2BXecbspWBT4WbB5mrI9Izcg1fHA3nsqJRdeozNqG7HRpnh7-9xeNx_6DTWcCp_YSPmlknD/w640-h480/Day%207%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Question 7 (7 December):</b></div><div>Do you have a Christmas eve/day family tradition? (or if you don't celebrate Christmas, a family tradition that you observe during the festive season?)</div><div><br /></div><div>We still plan to leave a mince pie, a drink and a carrot by the fireplace for Santa and Rudolph, even if my boys are not little anymore.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 8 (8 December):</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Lindt Classic Recipe Caramel Sea Salt is the chocolate bar of the day. Plus I managed to find one of the Caramacs for you. They are being discontinued this year, and are hard to find nowadays, so hope you will appreciate this nostalgic treat.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WXMi9BHZktMxX8jmI0Zh99NvKRTbS2LwkU6IzGiSgZKQm4PSmnzcXPLgyaacuKBK70LFUtJiDSHSL5DInElKUmeXuNHBCcmH2EL0tGtUqrtEPOjxPPl2qcNJQCilW4BL31vcMV88Apm8xS5FQfZg2dSFA8Ev0xqvar8wf2N43NV5PpVhGuv7apRzJOAs/s2016/Day%208%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Caramac" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WXMi9BHZktMxX8jmI0Zh99NvKRTbS2LwkU6IzGiSgZKQm4PSmnzcXPLgyaacuKBK70LFUtJiDSHSL5DInElKUmeXuNHBCcmH2EL0tGtUqrtEPOjxPPl2qcNJQCilW4BL31vcMV88Apm8xS5FQfZg2dSFA8Ev0xqvar8wf2N43NV5PpVhGuv7apRzJOAs/w640-h480/Day%208%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" title="Lindt Classic Recipe Caramel Sea Salt and Caramac" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Question 8 (8 December):</b></div><div>Have you ever played Secret Santa? If yes, what is the best/worst gift you received.</div><div><br /></div><div>My husband has a Secret Santa thing going on in his department, but the participants don't know who might receive their gift, so I wonder whether people might be getting their own gifts out of the presents' sack. The only rule was it has to be about £10.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 9 (9 December):</b></div><div>Cadbury Mini Snow Balls chocolate bar and a pack of ashi tape are today's part of the prize.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXY4wqSa4zMa2N0x0gVu2qiN3o0QLjiV9sIUmEfPUyL8uhPjhgsITdDGbkoomaxH53Hu91xRSA2kQeRN2YhYwT50hesd2N0QX7eH4rHtB4sEk4HDSp4fVmVn3dFno8p5xzeQlwSVQMLF5v8HMXiCuQB-gnkMqtTadlJXBzHPPQAAG-LzXuNymSOILXiTF/s1512/Day%209%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="1512" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXY4wqSa4zMa2N0x0gVu2qiN3o0QLjiV9sIUmEfPUyL8uhPjhgsITdDGbkoomaxH53Hu91xRSA2kQeRN2YhYwT50hesd2N0QX7eH4rHtB4sEk4HDSp4fVmVn3dFno8p5xzeQlwSVQMLF5v8HMXiCuQB-gnkMqtTadlJXBzHPPQAAG-LzXuNymSOILXiTF/w640-h608/Day%209%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Question 9 (9 December):</b></div><div>Do you prepare a special Christmas breakfast?</div><div><br /></div><div>I keep reading about people having pastries and champagne on their Christmas morning, but for some reason that does not quite happen here. We might have croissants or pancakes, but that's as exciting as it gets.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b>Day 10 (10 December):</b></div><div>Cachet Almonds Extra Dark Chocolate is today's bar of the day, and you'll get a pair of Festive Feet socks too.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydxg0liYOpozmwAI8-RMQErANsfLmWm5fIEG7hHikL91dmJ7LoczlrkSQvtGH2bLWlRgEtsFwLV2y4jrqYVUlJdE2ku8AQWqiImZ5i_ikSRnXi1WpJ-1K7PRM8BH_WMZfQXeITvINXSKpIU4yAPpStUfKLrVpIh2B2cj8J9nsm7hS3UkihNmr0AFvCbOT/s2016/Day%2010%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="advents giveaway, Chez Maximka" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydxg0liYOpozmwAI8-RMQErANsfLmWm5fIEG7hHikL91dmJ7LoczlrkSQvtGH2bLWlRgEtsFwLV2y4jrqYVUlJdE2ku8AQWqiImZ5i_ikSRnXi1WpJ-1K7PRM8BH_WMZfQXeITvINXSKpIU4yAPpStUfKLrVpIh2B2cj8J9nsm7hS3UkihNmr0AFvCbOT/w640-h480/Day%2010%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" title="Cachet Almonds Extra Dark Chocolate" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><b>Question 10 (10 December):</b><div>Do you decorate your home for Christmas? If yes, what is on top of your Christmas tree?</div><div><br /></div><div>We have an old wooden angel whose leg is loose, and it keeps falling off, this year the leg wasn't in the box when we opened it, and I thought we cannot put a one-legged angel on the tree. By miracle, it was found on the book shelf. So our angel is back where it belongs.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 11 (11 December):</b></div><div>Divine Smooth Dark Chocolate with Fruit and Nut (another new variety of Divine chocolate) is today's part of the prize + 10 Robin gift tags.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezS6Z5nijNasdrZr2mRBpmlwi9jGZWxcpQSYdUZ4SBQYuqgI99GBLNm4J_JQ_H3BFmAOK2XGlKvvmZdlRXVqIMHJa6oFXlGifsArr5_PL19B4UeQSGDAKeAdG990htH0gmxg5eORtnD_GvmIsq2-2HQFcytN_kn1_Z_3jW1vmJQ-d7UDILZ7QWE6wZbEW/s1626/Day%2011%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, advent giveaway" border="0" data-original-height="1626" data-original-width="1470" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezS6Z5nijNasdrZr2mRBpmlwi9jGZWxcpQSYdUZ4SBQYuqgI99GBLNm4J_JQ_H3BFmAOK2XGlKvvmZdlRXVqIMHJa6oFXlGifsArr5_PL19B4UeQSGDAKeAdG990htH0gmxg5eORtnD_GvmIsq2-2HQFcytN_kn1_Z_3jW1vmJQ-d7UDILZ7QWE6wZbEW/w578-h640/Day%2011%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" title="Divine Smooth Dark Chocolate with Fruit and Nut" width="578" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Question 11 (11 December):</b></div><div>Do you have a Christmas jumper? Do you enjoy wearing it, or think they're too naff?</div><div><br /></div><div>I realised, looking through my wardrobe the other day, that I have quite a few Christmas jumpers, and I am not ashamed to wear them. :)<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Day 12 (12 December):</b></div><div>Green & Black's Butterscotch Milk chocolate bar is the final bar to be added to the prize, as well as a small pack of saucer crackers and 6 placecards.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41CTwwleB3mlRMcwymOIHx8Vwg1AgPZat5UTDut8aHA3thJAmfESsG8nFWWRHSzXoKQb_iFOcmdbQ8rOg1caVpzkZ2-9cwUW1oYCtDuejK1pkXu0H-Dl9VsZ50zDykOjXcvuHRhOZK3-iYs7IXDU-GVXZZDt9L2TiwONMAlU0S9xAEDL7syQcX-jiP4lZ/s2016/Day%2012%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, advent chocolate giveaway" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41CTwwleB3mlRMcwymOIHx8Vwg1AgPZat5UTDut8aHA3thJAmfESsG8nFWWRHSzXoKQb_iFOcmdbQ8rOg1caVpzkZ2-9cwUW1oYCtDuejK1pkXu0H-Dl9VsZ50zDykOjXcvuHRhOZK3-iYs7IXDU-GVXZZDt9L2TiwONMAlU0S9xAEDL7syQcX-jiP4lZ/w640-h480/Day%2012%20chocolate%20giveaway.jpg" title="Green & Black's Butterscotch Milk chocolate bar" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b>Question 12 (12 December):</b></div><div><br /></div><div>No question as such, please wish a Merry Christmas to the person above you in the comments.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Many thanks to everyone who took part in the giveaway! The <b>winner</b> who has been selected by Randomizer from all the entries is Jane W. </div><div>Congratulations, Jane, hope you enjoy all the chocolate!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>T&Cs:</b><br /><b></b><br />The giveaway is open to the UK residents only.<br /><br />Please leave your name or Twitter username in the comment if you login as Anon, or I will never know who has commented. If you login via Blogger, make sure there is a contact email on your page.</div><div><br /><br />There will be one or more winners, who will receive all the goodies appearing during twelve days of the giveaway.<br />If the first randomly selected winner has replied to all twelve questions, they will receive the whole lot.<br />If the first winner answers less questions, they will receive the prizes only from the days they leave their reply.<br />The remaining prize(s) will be allocated to the next winner(s). Hope I don't have to send twelve different packages.<br /><br />The more questions you answer, the bigger your prize will be.<br />Only one entry per person per day/question is allowed.<br /><br />If you missed a day, you will have a chance to catch up on any other day until the end of the giveaway, as long as it comes in a <b>SEPARATE </b>comment.<br /><br />Please note, if you answer 12 questions in one comment, it will count as 1 entry.<br /><br />Once the winner is selected randomly, I will count their replies.<br />I will contact the winner, who will have 7 days to reply with their address details. Due to the nature of the prize which I hope to dispatch in good time before Christmas, the time limit to get back to me is shorter than usual.<br /><br />All the prizes are provided by me, and are in no way sponsored by any brand.</div><div>This is my way of saying Thank you to my blog readers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Previous winners are welcome to join in as well, you're not disqualified from winning again, if your name is drawn from the hat.<br /><br />I will post the prize at my own cost.<br />If the winner's away when the parcel arrives and is not able to rearrange the redelivery, and if by some chance it is returned to me, please do not expect me to cover the cost of the postage again.<br />If that happens, the prize will be taken to the local food bank (foods) and charity shops (non-perishables).<br /><br />I will send the parcel by Royal Mail, tracked and to be signed for.<br /><br />Any personal data given (basically the winner's address details) will not be shared with any 3rd parties, and will be deleted after the prize is received by the winner.<br /><br />The giveaway will end on the 12th of December at midnight.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck!</div></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-26906563385032702502023-11-28T11:17:00.002+00:002023-11-28T11:41:14.264+00:00Murder at the Matterhorn by T.A. Williams<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ58yp4MTvrrRjKhmSuy3OEmMowGpU0h7Ayi1MRpoUQH_zHYbGkuxzwJjkr8V_ZmAP9tnNKHQdgIgjyixJl5I8ssN91ecM8K3Q38T0wIwlO6TX8rzgcSywFKCc4pGlF86qvTMozHr4YRq8JdnHSayy3Hr0cOG0Lk80EnZght6H14T8rIKZ7fOmeWxcVw-7/s700/Murder%20at%20the%20Matterhorn.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="murder mystery set in Italy" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ58yp4MTvrrRjKhmSuy3OEmMowGpU0h7Ayi1MRpoUQH_zHYbGkuxzwJjkr8V_ZmAP9tnNKHQdgIgjyixJl5I8ssN91ecM8K3Q38T0wIwlO6TX8rzgcSywFKCc4pGlF86qvTMozHr4YRq8JdnHSayy3Hr0cOG0Lk80EnZght6H14T8rIKZ7fOmeWxcVw-7/w640-h252/Murder%20at%20the%20Matterhorn.png" title="Murder at the Matterhorn by T.A. Williams" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>"<i>We're all on edge. After all, we may be closer now to discovering proof of alien life than ever before and the last thing we need is a bunch of police officers tramping about the place, disturbing everything</i>".</p><p>"<i>Being involved in a real police murder investigation was meat and drink to me"</i>.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Murder at the Matterhorn</b> by T.A. Williams is a delightful and highly entertaining murder mystery set in Italy.</p><p>This is the 5th book in the <b>Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries</b> series. It reads as a standalone, but it might help understand the dynamics between the main characters, as well as their back story, if you've read some or all of the previous books in the series.</p><p><br /></p><p><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Blurb:</b></p><p><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">An old friend in need...</b></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Despited being retired from the police, Dan Armstrong is always on hand to help with solving a crime. So, when he's contacted by an old colleague in need of help, Dan readily agrees. The only problem Dan can see is the location - an isolated mountain-top campsite of UFO enthusiasts.</span></p><p><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">An unexplained death...</b></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">But these are no ordinary star watchers, and when Dan arrives one member of the group is already dead. Some of the group suspect alien abduction, but Dan is sure the killer is much closer to home.</span></p><p><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">An out of this world case?</b></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Dan doesn't believe in aliens, but faced with a black hole of secrecy from the group of suspects, he and Oscar have their work cut out to catch the murderer... before they strike again.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">It's another case for Dan and Oscar to solve!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">A gripping new murder mystery series by bestselling author T.A. Williams, perfect for fans of Lee Strauss and Beth Byers.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>Dan Armstrong and his sidekick Oscar the labrador are back in action. Dan works as a private detective in Tuscany. He is also a published author, with a bestselling book. As a retired Met DCI, he cannot resist a good mystery, so when his ex-colleague Paul Wilson calls from London, hoping he could help him, Dan's curiosity if piqued. Paul's sister Sandra is currently in Italy with a bunch of UFO hunters, and one of the group's been killed.</p><p>According to Sandra, "<i>it's a weird set up and she doesn't trust any of them very much. Some of them appear to be very tight-lipped about what happened. She says it's almost as if there's a conspiracy of silence"</i>.</p><p>The UFO aficionados are camping in the Aosta Valley in the Alps. Though it's quite away from Tuscany, where Dan is based, he promises Paul to pop up there and have a look, to reassure his friend.</p><p>Dan is sceptical about the aliens, but for the sake of disguise he pretends to be one of the UFO enthusiasts. He feels pretty sure that the killer has to be one of the group, rather than some random person. It is quite a big pool of suspects to choose from. Dan and Oscar need to work fast to uncover the killer before s/he strikes again.</p><p><br /></p><p>The character of Dan is well portrayed, he is likeable, affable, and a total slave to his dog. Oscar is ready to eat all the time, makes friends easily, and provides a guaranteed laugh in the narrative. </p><p>There is a vibrant spectrum of supporting characters, from the local Inspector Costey, to the UFO group members (like the Pirates of the Caribbean in their silver spacesuits).</p><p>Like all the books in the series, Italy provides a fabulous rich setting, with spectacular landscapes and glorious food. Reading these books is akin to having a gastronomical tour across Italy.</p><p>"<i>Somehow, I managed to find room after all the polenta and beef for an exceptional panna cotta with flambéed fruits of the forest in syrup that probably added another thousand calories to the meal, but I was past caring</i>".</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Murder at Matterhorn</b> gives a lovely blend of a good story told against a picturesque background of Italy, a likeable protagonist with an adorable sidekick, and a compelling murder mystery. A five-star page-turner from the first pages.</p><p>Now that Dan and Oscar venture further from Tuscany, I hope they will travel more across Italy in the further books in the series. </p><p><br /></p><p>This review is part of the blog tour for Murder at the Matterhorn.</p><p>Many thanks to T.A. Williams, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDEC2HJEQQ00wlLmOWK3gumdgHAHZmMnYUas43PmeUaTQc-xbqWbgncAHrCjA-kfP_qCe5hvv0rwKrqU9dJy0bvA_z8oz6bBGJRZ5TpQQBD2HdcF-O6HZ9dcESfQRjuDRmzBcnBx3AMpFNu_ZLFPZ-vJV7quR0nMqNA3LdVO8gxB5LALfEs9_sxMaQ4ww/s1980/Murder%20at%20the%20Matterhorn%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, murder mystery set in Italy" border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1980" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDEC2HJEQQ00wlLmOWK3gumdgHAHZmMnYUas43PmeUaTQc-xbqWbgncAHrCjA-kfP_qCe5hvv0rwKrqU9dJy0bvA_z8oz6bBGJRZ5TpQQBD2HdcF-O6HZ9dcESfQRjuDRmzBcnBx3AMpFNu_ZLFPZ-vJV7quR0nMqNA3LdVO8gxB5LALfEs9_sxMaQ4ww/w640-h404/Murder%20at%20the%20Matterhorn%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="Murder at the Matterhorn by T.A. Williams" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Purchase Link - </span></b><a href="https://mybook.to/matterhornsocial" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://mybook.to/matterhornsocial</span></a><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Author Bio – </span></b><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="IT" style="background: white; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">T A Williams is the author of over twenty
bestselling romances for HQ and Canelo and is now turning his hand to cosy
crime, set in his beloved Italy, for Boldwood. The series will introduce us to
retired DCI Armstrong and his labrador Oscar and the first book, entitled
Murder in Tuscany, will be published in October 2022. Trevor lives in Devon
with his Italian wife.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Social
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Williams" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-3809184872438805942023-11-23T13:00:00.000+00:002023-11-23T13:00:23.089+00:00To Kill a Consul by Robert M. Kidd ( review and #giveaway )<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhExrn2z48piljB0FpRuGtbBtxlTYJr4YQ4wrC_F3UPxN12D2xuC2FaWSD02NYolGzLeljakoWGgT6CLTPAgmANpBcyoQmDRBltzFjv5Ypgchf89WVlnCpvukyYKfqExe4BL6QmH6Z9lz6tqO8TAlr632sUI31XNc-L7OKXijwLRJn6PwEAA02U8MScJU/s700/To%20Kill%20a%20Consul.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="novel about Hannibal" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhExrn2z48piljB0FpRuGtbBtxlTYJr4YQ4wrC_F3UPxN12D2xuC2FaWSD02NYolGzLeljakoWGgT6CLTPAgmANpBcyoQmDRBltzFjv5Ypgchf89WVlnCpvukyYKfqExe4BL6QmH6Z9lz6tqO8TAlr632sUI31XNc-L7OKXijwLRJn6PwEAA02U8MScJU/w640-h252/To%20Kill%20a%20Consul.png" title="To Kill a Consul by Robert M. Kidd" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p>"<i>I must not be mastered by hatred. Justice and revenge are best served cold</i>".</p><p>"<i>This was his destiny. Just as it had been for his father and his father before him. He was a Prince of Numidia, born to lead his people into battle... He was eighteen years old, the same age as his uncle when he'd led his first campaign. Sphax felt ready</i>".</p><p><br /></p><p><b>To Kill a Consul</b> by Robert M. Kidd is a riveting, action-packed historical novel set in 217BC.</p><p><b style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Blurb:</b></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">To Kill a Consul</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">217BC. The Gauls are restless. Where is the wealth, plunder and lands they were promised? Hannibal's army has become little more than a burden to be fed and quartered... as welcome as a plague of locusts. Assassination plots abound as Hannibal is driven to take desperate measures to evade the assassin's knife.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">If Hannibal is to appease the Gauls he must act fast. The invasion of Italia must not be delayed - his very life depends on it - but as that winter of winters fades into memory he is faced with a stark choice. Should he strike east towards the plains of Umbria and face consul Gnaeus Servilius Geminus' legions holed up inside the unassailable walls of Ariminum? Or strike westwards into the plunder-rich lands of Etruria?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Consul Gaius Flaminius' legions guard the western approaches. If any man can fire the bellies of Gauls with loathing it's Flaminius. But there is one other whose blood runs cold at the mention of the name. Flaminius ordered the brutal murder of Sphax's parents and Sphax has sworn a sacred oath to seek revenge. Can Hannibal trust the leader of his Numidian cavalry, or will this blood feud cloud his judgment? Sooner or later Sphax will have to face his inner demons.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>The story follows real historical events, as seen through the eyes of the young warrior Sphax, Hannibal's nephew. The general confides in his nephew that he has spies everywhere in the Roman empire, including Rome itself, and that he plans a surprise attack on Consul Gaius Flaminius' camp.</p><p>At the mention of Flaminius' name, Sphax is plunged into "<i>the red mist of hatred</i>".</p><p>Flaminius is ruthless, cruel and totally devoid of moral principle or honour. His destruction should be planned with cold-blooded reason.</p><p>Hannibal is taking huge risks, playing with lives of his warriors. Sphax feels worried and frustrated, but there is nothing he can do to change the ambitious plans. The trip through the treacherous swamps sounds like a crazy scheme. Just the logistics of travelling with horses and weapons, providing food on the journey, appears impossible to solve. And there will be no turning back.</p><p>"<i>For three days our army will simply disappear from sight, and when we emerge from its waters we will take the Consul's legions by surprise</i>".</p><p> This will be an incredible test of endurance for Hannibal's army. Sphax must curb his feelings of revenge, yet he is consumed by his inner struggles. He ventures deeper into the darkness and must find strength to survive.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is the fourth book in the <b>Histories of Sphax series</b>. To appreciate all the nuances of the politics, military action and historical references in general, as well as the personal stories of the main characters, it would be wise to start with the Book 1. It is also quite a complicated historical period, with many military strategies depending on the political unions, betrayals and enmity. It might be tricky to understand what's at stake if you haven't read the previous books in the series.</p><p>As the series continues, we watch Sphax as he grows into a man, gains maturity and learns to curb his impusliveness.</p><p>The series just asks to be adapted to the TV screen. Many battle scenes are so atmospheric and evocative, you have the feeling of the panorama unrolling in front of you, and the action progresses, scene by scene, in an almost cinematic experience.</p><p>"<i>Taking his place in the middle of the front rank he urged them forward. By the luck of the gods they were only spotted when they spilled from the track onto the field of the moon. By now they were all breathing hard, but javelins were already flying, spinning their deadly courses. Screams and cries of pain filled the air</i>".</p><p><br /></p><p><b>To Kill a Consul</b> is an engrossing and accomplished historical adventure. Tightly plotted, tense and punchy, it is emotionally engaging as well. Robert M. Kidd orchestrates the story perfectly. Readers will delight in period detail and fascinating historical insight.</p><p>Many thanks to Robert M. Kidd and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxG6sxsjxA1ZM1efJ6ay9Qh_YEPTOZgPiMg-yc5t8UdzQtVx-2nMZbvhwcReWMY305L6wJs5l06TLbNaMpa3Ms1qAYw9BD4FlcUxMiEGlk_zXd1YIlBjhNey6eJnoMZB-KUZ8pFZY4Z7wPjt48bhGUcr-ztTfAx_pxafY5sHvYysWFk1DE6UsXkvqZ92Z8/s3030/To%20Kill%20A%20Consul%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, novels about Hannibal" border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="3030" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxG6sxsjxA1ZM1efJ6ay9Qh_YEPTOZgPiMg-yc5t8UdzQtVx-2nMZbvhwcReWMY305L6wJs5l06TLbNaMpa3Ms1qAYw9BD4FlcUxMiEGlk_zXd1YIlBjhNey6eJnoMZB-KUZ8pFZY4Z7wPjt48bhGUcr-ztTfAx_pxafY5sHvYysWFk1DE6UsXkvqZ92Z8/w640-h522/To%20Kill%20A%20Consul%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="To Kill a Consul by Robert M. Kidd" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>You can catch up with the reviews for the previous books in the series:</p><p><a href="https://chezmaximka.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-walls-of-rome-by-robert-m-kidd.html" target="_blank">The Walls of Rome</a></p><p><a href="https://chezmaximka.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-winter-of-winters-by-robert-m-kidd.html" target="_blank">The Winter of Winters</a></p><p>and</p><p><a href="https://chezmaximka.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-hostage-of-rome-by-robert-m-kidd.html" target="_blank">The Hostage of Rome</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Purchase Links<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kill-Consul-Histories-Sphax-Book-ebook/dp/B0CKZCXPRV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kill-Consul-Histories-Sphax-Book-ebook/dp/B0CKZCXPRV</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Consul-Histories-Sphax-Book-ebook/dp/B0CKZCXPRV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Consul-Histories-Sphax-Book-ebook/dp/B0CKZCXPRV</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Author Bio:<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I’ve always read widely and been fascinated by ancient cultures - especially those of Greece, Phoenicia and Carthage. But my reason for writing the first novel in <i>The Histories of Sphax series</i> may sound strange to readers: I really wanted to set the record straight, to write about Hannibal’s war with Rome from Carthage’s perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">When Cato the Censor demanded that <i>‘Carthage must be destroyed,’</i> Rome did just that. In 146 BC, after a three year siege, Carthage was raised to the ground, its surviving citizens sold into slavery and the fields where this once magnificent city had stood, ploughed by oxen. Carthage was erased from history.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">That’s why I’m a novelist on a mission! I want to set the historical record straight. Our entire history of Hannibal’s wars with Rome is nothing short of propaganda, written by Greeks and Romans for their Roman clients. It intrigues me that Hannibal took two Greek scholars and historians with him on campaign, yet their histories of Rome’s deadliest war have never seen the light of day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">My hero, Sphax the Numidian, tells a different story!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">When I’m not waging war with my pen, I like to indulge my passion for travel and hill walking, and like my hero, I too love horses. I live in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Social Media Links<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://robertmkidd.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://robertmkidd.com/</a><b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://twitter.com/RobertMKidd1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/RobertMKidd1</a><b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064169594911" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064169594911"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064169594911</span></a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tvftQTPaiEH0mBbU2mJKeLvtZRJR1RWdYpuYK7KH6NVRQcoXUIkkOrZSPK9zVY19KV0WyhELBYHEh_Uql3erL80W2TIMmnu-tzNeVhd-TPN_S0KztZhYAN84TaJLBW2pnwWXgYC03DR38998YgjWIUp5IDJydK47ljxXOtMSBm2TmjwK2bUWKziRAZ0S/s500/To%20Kill%20New%20photo%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="novels about Hannibal" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tvftQTPaiEH0mBbU2mJKeLvtZRJR1RWdYpuYK7KH6NVRQcoXUIkkOrZSPK9zVY19KV0WyhELBYHEh_Uql3erL80W2TIMmnu-tzNeVhd-TPN_S0KztZhYAN84TaJLBW2pnwWXgYC03DR38998YgjWIUp5IDJydK47ljxXOtMSBm2TmjwK2bUWKziRAZ0S/w261-h400/To%20Kill%20New%20photo%201.jpg" title="Robert M. Kidd" width="261" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Giveaway to Win the next book in The Histories of Sphax series to be dedicated to you (Open INT)<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">The next book in The Histories of Sphax series will be dedicated to the winner, and will be acknowledged on the inside page book title.<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333;">*Terms and Conditions</span></strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> –</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Worldwide entries welcome. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Chez Maximka is hosting the Rafflecopter widget for free for the purposes of the blog tour.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">I have no access to the data collected, and am not responsible for selection of the winner, dispatch or delivery of the prize.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Good luck!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="33c69494576" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494576/" id="rcwidget_81yib42y" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-4975699133117955962023-11-10T09:05:00.003+00:002023-11-10T09:06:34.801+00:00The Ideal Couple by Anna Willett<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoLEgXp3XGV-cxWcNYkFpU9AX6Kiu6eXNAy7I_RsbVdIPCboMqNhp_RZJK1pmVv-fjSZNmIFjnkfyvOM_DZm0BGP_E0m3GsH6tzb8FDSvDErbqrTqYC7sg5U1YIZmvVGSjANySxP3gKsx4YvgzCuJXHGvKIhLSXC7B1vEhgH3Y1hJo_4cGlRBj24ybYKB/s1200/TIC%20W2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="crime fiction set in Australia" border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoLEgXp3XGV-cxWcNYkFpU9AX6Kiu6eXNAy7I_RsbVdIPCboMqNhp_RZJK1pmVv-fjSZNmIFjnkfyvOM_DZm0BGP_E0m3GsH6tzb8FDSvDErbqrTqYC7sg5U1YIZmvVGSjANySxP3gKsx4YvgzCuJXHGvKIhLSXC7B1vEhgH3Y1hJo_4cGlRBj24ybYKB/w640-h334/TIC%20W2.png" title="The Ideal Couple by Anna Willett" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>"<i>Despite her misgivings, the idea of being together, of doing something adventurous and romantic, made her stomach flip with excitement. Gold or no gold, this was going to be a time they would treasure in years to come, the fondest of memories to look back on when they were old and grey... Nothing bad was going to happen..</i>."</div><br /><p></p><p>"<i>Iron Creek was a small community. It was only natural that the same faces would show up all over town. Still, she had the sense they were being watched, so she made a mental note of the ute's licence number</i>".</p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Ideal Couple</b> by Anna Willett is an intriguing, well-plotted thriller/police procedural set in Australia.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;"><b>Blurb:</b> </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;">When detectives try to close a missing persons case, a small town’s twisted secrets begin
to unravel…
A couple disappear in a region of the outback known for its gold mining. Some three years
on, there is still no trace of them. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;">Detective Veronika Pope is handed the cold case. It’s cold only in name. When she turns up
to the godforsaken town where the couple were last seen, the heat is sweltering; suspicion
simmering. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;">The detectives stay in the same seedy hotel as the couple did. The townsfolk aren’t
welcoming. Nobody wants the cops probing into their affairs. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;">From what Pope can gather, the missing duo were the perfect couple. Loving. Happy
together. The picture of marital bliss. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;">Assuming a murder but missing a motive, the detectives do make progress. They might even
find the bodies, as the trail is hot. Almost too hot to touch.
Pope is in serious danger of getting burned.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Perth-based detective Veronika Pope and her partner Jim are called to investigate the cold case of the missing couple in the outback town of Iron Creek. </p><p>The Special Crime Squad specialises in unsolved homicides and long-term missing persons declared as cold cases.</p><p>Three years earlier Laura and Jonas Rankin go on an adventure of a lifetime, exploring the old abandoned mines in the isolated areas with a hope of finding gold. Later the camp is found, with two cups of tea sitting on the table, prospecting gear still attached to the ute, the tent pitched, and no sign of Laura or Jonas.</p><p>The camp from where the Rankins have disappeared is "<i>eighty kilometres outside the nearest town, Iron Creek, close to five hundred kilometres north-east of Perth and what felt like light years away from the Special Crime Squad offices</i>".</p><p>Veronika and Jim stay in the same hotel where the couple stayed before their last trip. Welcome Rest Hotel bar, a one-room saloon, is quite seedy. "<i>Like a rusting flagship, it loomed over the ramskackle streets in all its red glory</i>". Its owner Des is sleazy and rough, the locals are distrustful of any police involvement. </p><p>While Veronika and Jim dig into the disappearance at Iron Creek, her team continue probing further in Perth, investigating the families of the missing couple.</p><p>As the information is gathered, both at Iron Creek and Perth, the Rankins appear to have been a loving couple, happy and devoted to each other. An ideal couple.</p><p>The Rankins are most likely the murder victims, but where are their bodies, and what are the motives? </p><p>Pope must wade through the fears of the local community and unravel the town's secrets... and the dangerous murderer is following her closely.</p><p><br /></p><p>There is a heavy sense of foreboding as the investigation progresses. The fascinating social insight into the small community sets a perfect background for the mystery.</p><p>The town is hardly more than ten streets, with a hotel, a garage, a mining museum, and a bunch of unfriendly locals who don't like the police poking their noses in the local affairs. Iron Creek is not a place where you would go on a holiday, it's bleak, unwelcoming and has a weird vibe to it. The descriptions of the town create an uneasy atmosphere which sets the scene. It's hot, very dusty, oppressive and suffocating.</p><p>"<i>It wasn't just the constant heat and the buzz of flies, but also the monotony of red and the feeling of isolation. No wonder the residents seemed so kooky. Living in the strange Mars-like environment was enough to send anyone a bit nuts. Or was it the small-town feel that had him on edge</i>?"</p><p>The plot is well-constructed and believable. Veronika Pope makes a strong female lead, she is intelligent and shrewd, as well as humane and emphathetic.</p><p>Supporting characters are also credible and memorable.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Ideal Couple</b> is the fourth book in <b>the Cold Case Mysteries series</b>, which features detective Veronika Pope. The previous books in the series are: The Woman Behind Her, The Family Man and The Newlywed.</p><p>The Ideal Couple reads as a standalone. After finishing the book, I'm curious to catch up on the first three books.</p><p><b>The Ideal Couple </b>is a tense, emotional thriller, with a compelling plot, plenty of false leads and red herrings, and convincing characterisation.</p><p><br /></p><p>Many thanks to Anna Willett, and The Book Folks for my e-copy of the book!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYx2zzYePuhdYUiHY5-I8tYlRBVTgtVztybYeAcUUe27uOVcpArGBJ73I9foy44cM5IAK6ioE3lSM1Du348P0jHiiGFngAyuRfXbt6chUCHIvjJJr0iSviv_6GZEr8pVYWavYnKEB-e3BgfxHLlcDfLYwOcwIMgYd1V63NdpzrOjKL2ToFUbyDwaiW20_/s1080/TIC%20LU%20Full.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="crime fiction set in Australia" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYx2zzYePuhdYUiHY5-I8tYlRBVTgtVztybYeAcUUe27uOVcpArGBJ73I9foy44cM5IAK6ioE3lSM1Du348P0jHiiGFngAyuRfXbt6chUCHIvjJJr0iSviv_6GZEr8pVYWavYnKEB-e3BgfxHLlcDfLYwOcwIMgYd1V63NdpzrOjKL2ToFUbyDwaiW20_/w640-h640/TIC%20LU%20Full.png" title="The ideal couple by A.Willett" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Author bio: </b></p><p>Anna Willett was born in the United Kingdom and emigrated to Australia with her family
when she was six years old. She developed a love of reading thanks to her mother who
introduced her to authors such as Stephen King, Mario Puzo and John Steinbeck to name
just a few.
Although her reading tastes are eclectic, when it comes to writing, Anna is drawn to thrillers
and dark tales. </p><p>Anna writes about the shadowy side of the human experience and how
ordinary people cope in extraordinary situations. Common tropes in Anna’s writing include
people who get into trouble after they leave the safety of the city and the rupturing of
domestic bubbles in which those who one is supposed to trust become a threat. </p><p>Anna lives in Western Australia with her husband and their two children. When she’s not
writing or reading, she enjoys movies, dining out and bushwalking with her dogs. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Purchasing links: </b></p><p>UK: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CHJXJ7W5/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CHJXJ7W5/</a> </p><p>US: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHJXJ7W5/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHJXJ7W5/</a> </p><p>AU: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CHJXJ7W5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CHJXJ7W5</a>/</p><p><b> Social Media links </b></p><p>Website: <a href="https://thebookfolks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://thebookfolks.com</a> </p><p>Insta/Threads:@the_book_folks </p><p>Twitter: @thebookfolks </p><p>Facebook: http://facebook.com/thebookfolks </p><p>Blog: <a href="https://thebookfolks.com/blog" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://thebookfolks.com/blog</a>/ </p><p><b>Author’s social media links </b></p><p>X: @AnnaWillett9 </p><p>Insta: @annawillettauthor </p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Anna-Willett/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/people/Anna-Willett/</a> </p><p>Author’s website: <a href="https://www.annawillett.info/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.annawillett.info/</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ34u07eSR-EL3WJToPTPvKZYWsVadTlc7vsh_teMmWLx6DzD9U3MK90H_Az5cc_VjefpZG8nCoaf070gX8MvhIKEe-zdmYGAsG5185G34VjlTAF-BG6mWudmq_ivRkWcBnBkyciZlH_jLg_WlZzOwNbQ8KUrqx3d4AnpOD1rxIuFIYIqcnshysg22qhKm/s499/anna-willett.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="thrillers set in Australia" border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="497" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ34u07eSR-EL3WJToPTPvKZYWsVadTlc7vsh_teMmWLx6DzD9U3MK90H_Az5cc_VjefpZG8nCoaf070gX8MvhIKEe-zdmYGAsG5185G34VjlTAF-BG6mWudmq_ivRkWcBnBkyciZlH_jLg_WlZzOwNbQ8KUrqx3d4AnpOD1rxIuFIYIqcnshysg22qhKm/w399-h400/anna-willett.jpg" title="Anna Willett" width="399" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjU9qHghajzt0Bwif1VnVdhEaK_RBWpXRT0TzceigfHrL8ceMSub_BzFju6jsvGGPY91PPvuFhqbU2SrKT4s-rt3lIQ2eqabkpaB1vA9xn5xSdMaPCren5L9SQ21kEluqmqWETwuJ6E2RVpqs4nJdnq6-gToQSNVhQktV_uZzjahOs9dNzTfuQKh3LuFV0/s1080/TIC%20Sq1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="crime fiction set in Australia" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjU9qHghajzt0Bwif1VnVdhEaK_RBWpXRT0TzceigfHrL8ceMSub_BzFju6jsvGGPY91PPvuFhqbU2SrKT4s-rt3lIQ2eqabkpaB1vA9xn5xSdMaPCren5L9SQ21kEluqmqWETwuJ6E2RVpqs4nJdnq6-gToQSNVhQktV_uZzjahOs9dNzTfuQKh3LuFV0/w640-h640/TIC%20Sq1.png" title="The Ideal Couple by Anna Willett" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-43494872302301624282023-11-08T09:15:00.003+00:002023-11-08T09:21:48.230+00:00No.23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GccRdqEyLyZ7SQxGSR_cNSSVlYfdC5Cq6pWnSbUQht3hCO-0evB0OFujR4sIep5QQ8FvosSTBZBx9_ivfN_kDOmWC8VANw4tbxxQIxNI2fSFl00oE01yp2Gc9VKq52oAjzWdibrHQ96TH5zD7VnOlo8RNZ2RGrmJKpq_z4FbhEEXV_P8E1cbgmQwjR28/s700/No%2023%20Burlington%20Square.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, books set in 1920s London" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GccRdqEyLyZ7SQxGSR_cNSSVlYfdC5Cq6pWnSbUQht3hCO-0evB0OFujR4sIep5QQ8FvosSTBZBx9_ivfN_kDOmWC8VANw4tbxxQIxNI2fSFl00oE01yp2Gc9VKq52oAjzWdibrHQ96TH5zD7VnOlo8RNZ2RGrmJKpq_z4FbhEEXV_P8E1cbgmQwjR28/w640-h252/No%2023%20Burlington%20Square.png" title="No.23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div>"<i>And, as she walked out the store and headed back to Burlington Square, she realised how lucky she was to have choices, even if those choices were compromises</i>".</div><div><br /></div><div>"<i>It's what made the household work - the optimism of youth and the wisdom of the ol</i>d".<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>No 23 Burlington Square</b> by Jenni Keer is a historical novel set in the 1920s in London. </p><p><br /></p><p><b style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">No.23 Burlington Square: Blurb</b></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">London, 1927: One house. Three lives. A decision that will change everything. A powerful, unique timeslip story, perfect for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Miniaturist, and Lucinda Riley.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">On the morning of Friday 5th August, 1927, Miss Agnes Humphries - the landlady of the attractive, if-slightly-shabby, white-fronted townhouse at Number 23 Burlington Square - has a decision to make.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">The rooms of the second floor lie empty, since poor Mr Blandford's unfortunate demise, God rest his soul. And Agnes must make up her mind as to who will be her new lodger... Will it be her spirited, young niece Clara, who drifts through the glamorous world of London's Bright Young Things? Or Stephen, the sensible, church-going, respectable banker who seems just to be too good to be true? Or the timid war widow named Mercy, who is clearly running from something - or someone...?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">Agnes must choose between them. But what will her decision lead to? One of the choices could result in scandal, one in devastation, and one could even lead to happiness. If only she gets it right...</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">As all three lodgers enter Number 23, in alternate timelines, relationships are formed and destroyed, feathers are ruffled, and secrets are exposed. Three different choices. Three very different paths. And Agnes is to discover that nobody - including herself - is quite what they seem...</span></p><p><br /></p><p>Miss Agnes Humphries lives at no.23 Burlington Square, her house is pack full of treasured things and memories of her dear father. The house would have been too big and expensive to run for an old spinster, so Agnes decides to become a landlady. </p><p>Now she shares her home with an elderly musician Alexander Gorsky, a trendy photographer Gilbert, and the Smiths family. When one of the lodgers dies unexpectedly, Agnes puts an ad for the room vacancy.</p><p>Three candidates apply: her niece Clara, a social butterfly who dances and parties through the night, banker Stephen who appears to be a perfect candidate, and Mercy, a war widow, who Agnes feel sad for.</p><p>It is a difficult choice, each candidate has their merits. Who would be the best fit with the permanent residents of the house? </p><p>Clara is entitled, impulsive and pretty useless. She seems to have no ambitions or aims, yet Clara is hiding a big secret. Agnes realises that offering the room to Clara would be like inviting trouble in the household, but she is family. </p><p>Clara's story takes the bigger part of the book; we watch her immersed in the world of the Bright Young Things who throw their flamboyant dress parties, and dance until the early hours, <i>"living fast and loose, as though we don't have a care in the world</i>". Her friend Neville ponders, "<i>But is it really any better to die charging across the muddy field, bayonet fixed and roaring "Long live the king", than to perish as a fractured mess in a motor car?</i>"</p><p>Behind all the flamboyance and exuberance, Clara is hiding her vulnerable side. If her big secret is outed, there will be a huge scandal, among her cosmopolitan friends and wider society. Despite appearing featherbrained, Clara is a sweet young woman who is trying to find her way in the big world.</p><p>There is a huge pressure on Clara to get married, her parents threaten to cut her off if she does not comply. Yet she belives that being happy is more important than conforming. "<i>For a young woman who had spent a lifetime not fitting in and feeling miserable, she was damned if she was going to settle for a marriage that led to more of the same</i>". </p><p>Young handsome Jack is always around, taking Clara to parties. His intentions are pretty clear, and he seems like a nice chap. One surely could do worse, choosing a life partner. </p><p>Will Clara be persuaded by a persistent Jack and enter the marriage of convenience, or will she pursue her impossible dream?</p><p><br /></p><p>The narrative moves slowly, as we follow Clara, Stephen and Mercy's stories. Along the way, we discover Agnes' past, with its tragedies and disappointments. </p><p>Agnes comes across as a compassionate, intelligent and caring landlady. Her lodgers are truly her family. Her house looks stuffed, and old-fashioned, Agnes never throws anything, as every object has a meaning, or memory attached to it, from an old battered sofa where she escaped to in her childhood, to a wooden spoon that had a flattened side from years of use.</p><p>"<i>The older woman loved things despite their imperfections, or perhaps even because of them, and fiercely believed that when people or objects were good to you, you must be good to them in return. Aunt Ag was nothing if not loyal</i>".</p><p><br /></p><p>Comparisons with Sliding Doors are inevitable. It might not be a sub-genre as such, but definitely a plot trend, exploring how our choices determine the outcome, almost like a multi-verse, minus the sci-fi element. The protagonists live through the alternative versions of their lives. It is a fascinating concept, which makes you look back and think, what if? (the idea which I toy with quite often).</p><p><br /></p><p><b>No 23 Burlington Square</b> is a wise, immersive read, about the paths we take and choices we make, whether they are right or wrong. It makes you believe that there are limitless possibilities and second chances. Uplifting and thought-provoking.</p><p><br /></p><p>This review is part of the blog tour for No.23 Burlington Square.</p><p>Many thanks to Jenni Keer and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ_fk1bPExygE-kQaDnBWWvb4rwgd2HP-IVZOPWrsIyt6QYqpB3svnSEWWBOoFk_bIcHzGnlJCLLPv-z7uGRYDR-1GQJ-ypna7aUvzAQQ_G0W8bEDdNseuZkRli8svd6i_oxc_wTvXRCd5ao14hnstbK4OaHOpGeDydE-CyFEhk5McNxlV0_n2lbezosP/s2750/No%2023%20Burlington%20Square%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="books set in 1920s London" border="0" data-original-height="1870" data-original-width="2750" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ_fk1bPExygE-kQaDnBWWvb4rwgd2HP-IVZOPWrsIyt6QYqpB3svnSEWWBOoFk_bIcHzGnlJCLLPv-z7uGRYDR-1GQJ-ypna7aUvzAQQ_G0W8bEDdNseuZkRli8svd6i_oxc_wTvXRCd5ao14hnstbK4OaHOpGeDydE-CyFEhk5McNxlV0_n2lbezosP/w640-h436/No%2023%20Burlington%20Square%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="No.23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Purchase Link</b> - </p><p><a href="https://mybook.to/burlingtonsqsocial" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://mybook.to/burlingtonsqsocial</a></p><p><b>Author Bio –</b> </p><p>Jenni Keer is the well-reviewed author of historical romances, often with a mystery at their heart. Most recently published by Headline and shortlisted for the 2023 RNA Historical Romantic Novel of the Year, her first book with Boldwood The House on Burlington Square will be released in October 2023.</p><p><b>Social Media Links –</b> </p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenni.keer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/jenni.keer</a> </p><p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/JenniKeer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JenniKeer</a> </p><p>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennikeer/ </p><p>Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JenniKeerNews </p><p>Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jenni-keer </p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2-nTSPDBpv1_s1RpMzFsaLCwTaLbK3ok5YRRPnigkv88VzJ845deaTL9hx-maNBl2azbnoCkRIwUQTu52WMf3EYgdKi117PgfDTOOKluFUX9r5AtqBsMefNVGFjXiwLRZcMdZPFo62WJacpbqehjnSa8aKF7vRy9wb0mgoj7hE7LWTocZtvKR_HGoFkD/s1080/17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="books set in 1920s London" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2-nTSPDBpv1_s1RpMzFsaLCwTaLbK3ok5YRRPnigkv88VzJ845deaTL9hx-maNBl2azbnoCkRIwUQTu52WMf3EYgdKi117PgfDTOOKluFUX9r5AtqBsMefNVGFjXiwLRZcMdZPFo62WJacpbqehjnSa8aKF7vRy9wb0mgoj7hE7LWTocZtvKR_HGoFkD/w640-h640/17.png" title="No.23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p><br /></p></div>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-55792494847568741922023-11-07T09:00:00.001+00:002023-11-07T09:00:00.127+00:00The Last Train from Paris by Juliet Greenwood (guest post)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_XU_CAL5uIamJlVuqp_BXXFaHIndFf_IspPlXtJU0lOI85UulAD1DN0xu_WaLytcMOupUBz2jXtLAaLfkcXRQjF1xIWmjOQZ5FtzOBMDQskq8vikgIn_e080Lzt_y0O8yJzIbA20DVCVowB5DnxrqLweRhVMq7PnUMSagNFYx5GsEXGL9CJcGKzsAtsy/s700/The%20Last%20Train%20From%20Paris.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="books set in Paris" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_XU_CAL5uIamJlVuqp_BXXFaHIndFf_IspPlXtJU0lOI85UulAD1DN0xu_WaLytcMOupUBz2jXtLAaLfkcXRQjF1xIWmjOQZ5FtzOBMDQskq8vikgIn_e080Lzt_y0O8yJzIbA20DVCVowB5DnxrqLweRhVMq7PnUMSagNFYx5GsEXGL9CJcGKzsAtsy/w640-h252/The%20Last%20Train%20From%20Paris.png" title="The Last Train from Paris by Juliet Greenwood" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>I'm thrilled to invite Juliet Greenwood to my blog today. Juliet talks about the inspiration behind her historical novel, set in Paris during WWII. Scroll down to read the fascinating story of Juliet's Mum.</p><p>I'm adding this book to my must-read list. If I haven't had too many book blogging commitments this month, I would have loved to read this novel, especially that I've just stayed in Paris for several days.</p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Last Train from Paris<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">For </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">Iris</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">, each visit to her mother in
St Mabon’s Cove, Cornwall has been the same – a serene escape from the city.
But today, as she </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">breathes</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> in the salt air on the doorstep of her
beloved childhood home, a heavy weight of anticipation settles over her. Iris
knows she’s adopted, but any questions about where she came from have always
been shut down by her parents, who can’t bear to revisit the past.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, Iris can’t stop thinking about what she’s
read on the official paperwork: </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">BABY GIRL, FRANCE, 1939 – the year war was
declared with Nazi Germany.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Iris confronts her mother, she hits the
same wall of pain and resistance as whenever she mentions the war. That is,
until her mother tearfully hands her an old tin of letters, tucked neatly
beside a delicate piece of ivory wool.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Retreating to the loft, Iris steels herself to
at last learn the truth, however painful it might be. But, as she peels back
each layer of history before her, a sensation of dread grows inside her. The
past is calling, and its secrets are more intricate and tangled than Iris could
ever have imagined.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The year is 1939, and in Paris, France a young
woman is about to commit a terrible betrayal… </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">A beautifully written and addictively
compelling historical novel about the terrible choices ordinary people were
forced to make in the horrors of World War Two. If you loved </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">The Tattooist
of Auschwitz</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">The Alice Network </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">and </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">The
Nightingale</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, you will devour this book.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What readers are saying about Juliet
Greenwood:<span style="background: white; color: #0f1111;"><br />
<br />
“This was fantastic! Perfect for a <span class="a-text-bold"><b>Kate Morton
or Lucinda Riley hangover</b></span>, this book will draw you in and won't let
go until you've read the last page. <span class="a-text-bold"><b>This book
was unputdownable </b></span>– <span class="a-text-bold"><b>fascinating
characters, excellent writing, and a plot that keeps you turning the pages. I
loved every second of it</b></span>." Reader review, </span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111;"><br />
<br />
“<span class="a-text-bold"><b>I found myself reading chapter after chapter,
unable to put it down</b></span>. A first-time read by this author but
certainly not the last.” Reader review, </span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111;"><br />
<br />
“For readers of Kate Morton and Lucinda Riley, this book will be one of your
favorites… <span class="a-text-bold"><b>A historical novel that will keep
you reading until the end</b></span>.” Reader review, </span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111;"><br />
<br />
“<span class="a-text-bold"><b>An absolutely brilliant read. </b></span>I
could not put it down…I loved how the war changed everyone and it was a
gripping story... <span class="a-text-bold"><b>I really loved it. Cannot recommend
it enough.” </b></span>Reader review, </span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111;"><br />
<br />
“Did everything that I was looking for… <span class="a-text-bold"><b>it left
me wanting to read more from Juliet Greenwood.</b></span>” Reader review, </span><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Purchase Link - </b><a href="https://geni.us/290-al-aut-am" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://geni.us/290-al-aut-am</a><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Author
Bio – <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Juliet Greenwood is a historical novelist, now
published by Storm Publishing. H<span style="background: white; color: #0f1111;">er
first novel was a finalist for The People’s Book Prize</span> and two of her
books reached the top 5 in the UK Kindle store. Juliet has always been a
bookworm and a storyteller, writing her first novel (a sweeping historical
epic) at the age of ten. She lives in a traditional cottage in Snowdonia, North
Wales, set between the mountains and the sea, with an overgrown garden (good
for insects!) and a surprisingly successful grapevine. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Social
Media Links – <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Storm: <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span><a href="https://stormpublishing.co/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://stormpublishing.co/</span></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">Twitter:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/julietgreenwood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">https://twitter.com/julietgreenwood</span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">Instagram: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/julietgreenwood/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">https://www.instagram.com/julietgreenwood/</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizk8ZJWv0NCJ6ZShk42kRFCvRBeHmsdyAK594hL5q-8Ih4SZhoM3s5Egj7f3JegV8E1b8Q457VqzII3Tr1sgXr1XwXY9c1l3tEZ_6oq2T8lX2H284aHN02HCH1ZgKmCUpkmzy9mXohI-F6qncqNxGI9ZA7PKu2Se4h47vlms8BnWr1tOCyBNzSe0kLzoEo/s751/The%20Last%20Train%20From%20Paris%20-%20Juliet%20signing%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="novels set in Paris" border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="684" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizk8ZJWv0NCJ6ZShk42kRFCvRBeHmsdyAK594hL5q-8Ih4SZhoM3s5Egj7f3JegV8E1b8Q457VqzII3Tr1sgXr1XwXY9c1l3tEZ_6oq2T8lX2H284aHN02HCH1ZgKmCUpkmzy9mXohI-F6qncqNxGI9ZA7PKu2Se4h47vlms8BnWr1tOCyBNzSe0kLzoEo/w364-h400/The%20Last%20Train%20From%20Paris%20-%20Juliet%20signing%202.jpg" title="Juliet Greenwood" width="364" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Guest Post by<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Juliet Greenwood<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 20.0pt;"> </span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">My inspiration for<i> The Last Train
from Paris<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The inspiration
for <i>The Last Train from Paris</i> originated in so many memories of my
childhood in the 1960s and 70s. Most were impressions of my parents’
generation, the sense of something underlying their ordinary, everyday lives
that I didn’t understand, and, to be honest, wasn’t particularly interested. My
world was the future, with the optimism and sense of increasing prosperity of
those years. It was when my parents acquired a fridge to replace the pantry, a
washing machine superseded the twin tub and the mangle on the draining board,
and we eventually had a TV – black and white, of course - although some of the
neighbours had the wonder of colour. The NHS was still a miracle. The Second
World War was twenty years ago, which is lost in the mists of time when you are
ten. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> It was only years later that I began
to understand (some of it only recently), that what lay underneath the adults’
lives was a memory of fear and a sense that life really could change in an
instant and nothing was certain. It’s something we haven’t really experienced
since, at least not until Covid hit. All through that surreal and frightening
time of the pandemic, when everything was turned upside down and our lives were
suddenly controlled by rules and constrictions we followed to help us all
survive, those memories of my childhood surfaced. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I
remembered how conversations between the adults had always seemed to stray back
to the war, to my dad seeing the barrage balloons going up over London, my mum
making her way through bombed out Birmingham to study, and standing in the
garden watching the glow that lit up the night as Coventry burned. Then there
were my teachers who were refugees, who had lived through the nightmare of
Europe descending into total war, who had survived the firestorm that engulfed Hamburg,
and the inhuman nightmare of concentration camps. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> The films of my childhood about the
war mostly followed the heroics of battles, retelling the major conflicts on
land and sea and in the air. My mum always refused to watch them. At the time,
that all fitted in with women being viewed as weak, and rather silly, confined
mostly to the domestic sphere, with very little public appearance at all. It
was taking my permitted walks during Covid through almost deserted streets and
countryside, hungry to meet other dogwalkers to have some human contact, that I
remembered most vividly the stories Mum told me of having been a 17 year old studying
near Paris on the day war broke out and having to make her way back to Calais
by train, to catch the last civilian ferry back to Dover, which was stalked by
a German submarine in the middle of the Channel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> It
was then that it struck me that she had seen a side of war that, until
recently, hasn’t often been portrayed. The experiences of the civilians, not as
victims, but survivors. And in particular the women who kept lives together
under the most horrendous of circumstances, responsible for feeding families,
keeping them safe, keeping some kind of sanity and humanity, and surviving to
build a future after it was over. That was what my mum had seen as a teenager,
as she watched families saying goodbye on the stations as her train made its
way from Paris, families remembering a previous conflict and knowing they were
facing the horrors of occupation and total war. It was also the terror of
imminent extinction she experienced as she sat in the silent ferry as the
submarine sought for any sound that might betray its presence. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> It was thinking over those memories,
and especially after we had found my parents’ letters to each other while Mum
was in France, and the note she sent when she finally landed in Dover, that
made me passionately want to tell the stories of the civilians making their
choices as best they could, and surviving by working together and sharing their
humanity as the unthinkable overtook their lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Above all, I wanted it to be a story of the
strength and resilience of so-called ‘ordinary’ people, and the extraordinary
way we pull together in times of crisis, whatever we are facing, be it war, a
pandemic, or the many difficulties and tragedies of family life. I suppose, in
the end, it’s about the power of love, and the way it pulls us through,
whatever happens, and in hope of building a better future.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeAunfII58u6A88jXgHqd2YlO-1iM_P3YOwsYmYO35G-Qrk8utUJHxqnPim_HQfpHSIHJXqbtYJNMAy5om77qNc6ser6wDS9HtXOWyRqsq-n24BZNmgs21udTEIGNUjOWQg4XEc0bdmp7d62li4zslFLyiZkFe6kJIoBlqNWSDgOorSwA3INja11yX4uy/s2450/The%20Last%20Train%20From%20Paris%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2450" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeAunfII58u6A88jXgHqd2YlO-1iM_P3YOwsYmYO35G-Qrk8utUJHxqnPim_HQfpHSIHJXqbtYJNMAy5om77qNc6ser6wDS9HtXOWyRqsq-n24BZNmgs21udTEIGNUjOWQg4XEc0bdmp7d62li4zslFLyiZkFe6kJIoBlqNWSDgOorSwA3INja11yX4uy/w640-h326/The%20Last%20Train%20From%20Paris%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><p></p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-92150211289638396482023-11-05T09:00:00.001+00:002023-11-05T09:00:00.138+00:00The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCjjAL41sJpfqqDmtFkTepvXgSYpYcT1n2P96n6nTxmeeJFSTX3l_TwbPguOYPOpeR5JoDGQ-GT6Qu_QYm_MznY8LSmON2y4eDP9tJiPkkAcy1UWI04SzFNMPVTRiTOhTAMWQu5ll_uKOkhWEdujaGaQp87VcGqxlBzthD0RrLpJi3LiD0jCdnBtAqQqc/s700/The%20Christmas%20Love%20Letters.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="books set in Norfolk" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCjjAL41sJpfqqDmtFkTepvXgSYpYcT1n2P96n6nTxmeeJFSTX3l_TwbPguOYPOpeR5JoDGQ-GT6Qu_QYm_MznY8LSmON2y4eDP9tJiPkkAcy1UWI04SzFNMPVTRiTOhTAMWQu5ll_uKOkhWEdujaGaQp87VcGqxlBzthD0RrLpJi3LiD0jCdnBtAqQqc/w640-h252/The%20Christmas%20Love%20Letters.png" title="The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p>"<i>Since the night Adey had vanished into the blizzard, her life had borne all the hallmarks of the worst, most sensationalised and unbelievable of soap operas. But, unfortunately, that's what she had to deal with. And so she would</i>".</p><p><b>The Christmas Love Letters</b> by Sue Moorcroft is a moving story of love, deception and sacrifice that will tug on your heart strings.</p><p><b style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Blurb:</b></p><p><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">A secret romance was just the start of the story.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Tucked into a crook of the Norfolk coast lies Nelson's Bar - an idyllic village where time seems to stand still. Maddy Cracey has called this beautiful spot home all her life, as has her husband Adey - until an epic row sent him storming out into a blizzard, with no sign of him since that fateful night.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Six years on, and Maddy's life in the village has settled into a gentle pattern with her younger daughter and Great Aunt Ruthie. However, when handsome stranger Raff turns up with a handful of long-forgotten love letters, their quiet life is upended as family secrets from the past are unearthed.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">As Raff and Maddy get to know each other, they grow closer and a love story of their own seems inevitable. But when Maddy receives a mysterious message, she can't help but wonder whether her own past is as distant as she's thought it was...</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">The festive new novel about love, family and the power of words from Sunday Times bestseller Sue Moorcroft, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Phillipa Ashley.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>Maddy Cracey is a single mother who lives with her six-year-old daughter Lyla, and great aunt Ruthie, who is visually impaired and needs a live-in carer. As she walks along the cliff one November day, she thinks about her missing husband. </p><p>"<i>Adey Austen had done a vanishing act one snowy December night nearly seven years ago, and since then, Maddy's life had been defined by a secret and a lie</i>".</p><p>Adey was great fun at the parties and on holidays. A man-child without responsibilites who enjoyed spending money. Enjoyed too much, as it was revealed later. </p><p>When a stranger turns up at Ruthie and Maddy's cottage and introduces himself as Raff, the women are apprehensive. Raff mentions that he is a self-employed writer who has moved to Noforlk a few months earlier. His arrival with a bunch of love letters written many years ago, upsets the equilibrium. The old lady is clearly upset, and Maddy quite forcefully bids farewell to the unwelcome guest.</p><p>As the past secrets come unravelling, there is more mayhem and emotional turmoil to follow. </p><p>With Maddy and Raff's affection for each other growing stronger, they have to find the fine balance between family loyalty and a new relationship. </p><p>When Maddy receives a text from the withheld number, she is in for a shock. Is it a hoax? Suddenly, the new love seems less of a priority. Is there room in her life for a new relationship, when the past is interfering in her present life and poses a threat?</p><p><br /></p><p>Maddy's a spirited woman, who cares deeply for her closest family, her little girl and elderly Ruthie. Their mutual love and affection shine through every page. Three generations of women under one roof, who enhance each other's lives.</p><p>I was very sad for Ruthie, she has wasted her life pining for the man who was not worth it. Having sacrificed the most precious thing in her life, she had still continued her love affair for many years. Ruthie's excuses that her lover's marriage was a sham are her ways of coping with her conscience. After all, being an OW for many years is rather demeaning, being fed with the crumbs of affection, rare meetings and letters which profess love but ultimately don't change anything. She is still alone, and has to live with her sacrifice. "..<i>.sad, sweet Ruthie had ended up with nothing she'd wanted</i>".</p><p>Maddy who reads Nigel's old letters to Ruthie, thinks he "<i>seemed a lovely man, despite his duplicitous life</i>". Yet while he could be utterly romantic and loving in correspondence, in reality Nigel has ruined lives of two decent women. </p><p>He totally didn't deserve the devotion from Ruthie. Despite the circumstances and the social attitudes of the times, he could have changed his life if he truly wanted, even if "<i>divorce would have been a proper mess</i>". Sindy certainly deserved better, and perhaps could have found someone who would have loved her rather than tolerated her company for the sake of children. </p><p>I'm afraid I found the doomed lovers' story rather dispiriting.</p><p><br /></p><p>Sue Moorcroft's depictions of nature are very visual. I have mentioned that already in previous reviews of Sue's books, that in a few masterful strokes she manages to create a vivid image. </p><p>"<i>The wintry afternoon turned the sea to gunmetal and the gulls complained as they rode the icy wind</i>". Just one sentence, and you're transported to the cold seaside. "<i>Maddy gazed at the glittering pavements, and the lampposts wearing white caps. "How pretty. It's like icing sugar"</i>. Again, a few outlines, and the picture is perfectly sketched.</p><p>I was glad to revisit the Norfolk landscapes on the pages of the book. Maybe one day I will go back there in person.</p><p>The descriptions of food are deftly rendered too, and truly make one hungry. I was <strike>aghast</strike> amazed though that Maddy wanted to skip roast potatoes in favour of the bread sauce and Yorkshire puddings, who does that?! </p><p><br /></p><p><b>The Christmas Love Letters </b>is a heart-warming and poignant read in equal measure.</p><p>Full of secrets and passions, this tale is utterly compelling. The family dynamics, relationships between different generations, parallel love stories, evocative setting - all these elements create an engaging romance story.</p><p><br /></p><p>This review is part of the blog tour for The Christmas Love Letters.</p><p>Many thanks to Sue Moorcroft and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNh_tspD7aA4OptZp2u3EiaTt97OS-Ya0_vCncoBVLFk4nzu00N2V3fCorSlYXCBsEOYnXjOoAztlGGazgszCOtaUbDDHifO6obJhBAYGKwp1FPiGNm87NhyphenhyphenYucqIzPyO7OcM76I8gBumKa-3KgoEkWsaPQQMvyzcoHvOauYb5JjD1FwKYMi4_eDXExhd/s2563/The%20Christmas%20Love%20Letters%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="books set in Norfolk, Chez Maximka" border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="2563" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNh_tspD7aA4OptZp2u3EiaTt97OS-Ya0_vCncoBVLFk4nzu00N2V3fCorSlYXCBsEOYnXjOoAztlGGazgszCOtaUbDDHifO6obJhBAYGKwp1FPiGNm87NhyphenhyphenYucqIzPyO7OcM76I8gBumKa-3KgoEkWsaPQQMvyzcoHvOauYb5JjD1FwKYMi4_eDXExhd/w640-h310/The%20Christmas%20Love%20Letters%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Purchase Links </b></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Love-Letters-gorgeous-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0C7GDGBFX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Love-Letters-gorgeous-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0C7GDGBFX</a>/</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Love-Letters-gorgeous-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0C7GDGBFX/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Love-Letters-gorgeous-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0C7GDGBFX/</a> </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Author Bio </b>– </p><p>Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author, and her books have been #1 on Kindle UK and Top 100 on Kindle US, Canada and Italy. She writes two books a year for publishing giant HarperCollins and has won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Novel of the Year, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award, a HOLT Medallion and the Katie Fforde Bursary. She’s president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and past vice-chair.</p><p>Her novels, short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses have appeared around the world.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Social Media Links </b>– </p><p>Amazon page: Sue Moorcroft</p><p>Audible page: Sue Moorcroft</p><p>Website: <a href="http://www.suemoorcroft.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.suemoorcroft.com</a></p><p>Facebook author page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SueMoorcroftAuthor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SueMoorcroftAuthor</a></p><p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/SueMoorcroft" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@SueMoorcroft</a></p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/suemoorcroftauthor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@SueMoorcroftAuthor</a></p><p>Linked in: Sue Moorcroft</p><p>Link Tree: <a href="http://linktr.ee/SueMoorcroft" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">linktr.ee/SueMoorcroft</a></p><p>Bookbub: SueMoorcroft1</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BpwykMO0nfNLjkNXanF93JF6_x-cpKtatU2GQd28rQPC4KKjNnJ4MEceI1zCi6sC8xrOGelF7MEkovwzs9OCEu7XihLUB4ujdNYpoPolb6ZSwA9Y-uDj-WgD5Fmm7_B0GQr6-ohTRnwLsoiH2uMj1215vG9BnpWA-UbaS-DYBpjXryEmwDu58btdzhXS/s500/013841-AP50.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="books set in Norfolk" border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="500" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BpwykMO0nfNLjkNXanF93JF6_x-cpKtatU2GQd28rQPC4KKjNnJ4MEceI1zCi6sC8xrOGelF7MEkovwzs9OCEu7XihLUB4ujdNYpoPolb6ZSwA9Y-uDj-WgD5Fmm7_B0GQr6-ohTRnwLsoiH2uMj1215vG9BnpWA-UbaS-DYBpjXryEmwDu58btdzhXS/w400-h299/013841-AP50.jpg" title="Sue Moorcroft" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-83153344903112323382023-11-02T13:00:00.001+00:002023-11-05T18:29:32.247+00:00Movie Night Degustabox <p> <b><a href="https://www.degustabox.com/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Degustabox</a> </b>is a monthly <b>food and drink subscription box</b>. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.</p><p>Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.</p><p>Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.</p><p>If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a <b>£3off discount from your first box</b> (and you can unsubscribe any time), just <b>use code DKRLN</b> when placing an order. </p><p>What did we get in the <b>Movie Night Degustabox</b> box?</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeLbEpJI44K2QeFKVIRX5Pk80rshzOJCw8GiCpYdXAhaGERXTfdvrILhCE-Qkwsx2MALyYf6dIWmwMiW_JXQgf15h5flYtxkpestKlwfRiFjDKcbtSadEfjCRsp3Z5dSecjscjhP9ci2H2YHIvzzj_TKv5hACKbQY46-PtW_ZWDs172H2cxDpSR9RgpcH/s2016/Movie%20night%20Degustabox.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="food box, Chez Maximka" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeLbEpJI44K2QeFKVIRX5Pk80rshzOJCw8GiCpYdXAhaGERXTfdvrILhCE-Qkwsx2MALyYf6dIWmwMiW_JXQgf15h5flYtxkpestKlwfRiFjDKcbtSadEfjCRsp3Z5dSecjscjhP9ci2H2YHIvzzj_TKv5hACKbQY46-PtW_ZWDs172H2cxDpSR9RgpcH/w640-h480/Movie%20night%20Degustabox.jpg" title="Movie Night Degustabox" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>We start with the <b>Product of the Month</b>:</p><p><b>Tilda Sticky Rice (£1.54 for 250g)</b> is the latest addition to the versatile range of Tilda rice. </p><p>Made with specially selected grains, sticky rice has a subtle taste and a distinct sticky texture. Perfect for poke bowls and sushi, it's ready in 90 seconds in the microwave.</p><p>Suitable for vegetarians and vegans, it is also gluten free.</p><p>We've been fans of Tilda rice for many years, and you will find a couple of Tilda pouches in our pantry at any given time. We like trying new limited editions, and have our own favourites too. Sticky Rice is a tasty easy meal, ideal for Thai-style red and green curries, or try it as a dessert with coconut milk, mango and passion fruit.</p><p>Typical values: 221kcal and 0.1g of sugar per 125g serving.</p><p>Available in the major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B5WE5HcGQ0QIwz8GWjrHntNIIP4YMRzsqce3tw8jEU-lz-nbkHcg8kGXVGfXBChEbg0Prig7M69nLbpbfV3Js74x-7jVXLcqx7uxOjvxXlrUTKSVhKdQyf8wLBMdy6yzKYPaYgx3qJ5tWyGxEIuq9kJ365DfBckN7e1vl9lyi06fKZ6Bd1RjXLxr6gmz/s1557/Tilda%20sticky%20rice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="1420" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B5WE5HcGQ0QIwz8GWjrHntNIIP4YMRzsqce3tw8jEU-lz-nbkHcg8kGXVGfXBChEbg0Prig7M69nLbpbfV3Js74x-7jVXLcqx7uxOjvxXlrUTKSVhKdQyf8wLBMdy6yzKYPaYgx3qJ5tWyGxEIuq9kJ365DfBckN7e1vl9lyi06fKZ6Bd1RjXLxr6gmz/w584-h640/Tilda%20sticky%20rice.jpg" title="Tilda stick rice" width="584" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Simply Cook Jerk Chicken/ Nasi Goreng/ Cajun Jambalaya recipe kit (£2.50)</b> is a is a handy recipe kit, which contains 3 flavour pots to create an authentic dish.</p><p>Cook 140+ chef-created recipes in 30 minutes or less with SimplyCook unique recipe kits. We had a Goan Curry recipe kit in the previous Degustabox, and it's lovely to try another recipe from their vast range. You will receive 1 item of three.</p><p>We received Simply Cook Jerk Chicken. It serves 2-4 people. You will need to add chicken fillets, coconut milk, kidney beans and basmati rice to prepare the dish. The ingredients include Jerk seasoning, Jerk paste and rice stock. For a meat-free meal, swap chicken for tofu.</p><p>Typical values: 260kcal and 26.8g of sugar per 100g.</p><p>Available in the major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1_JHyjLPYtEhWMeblVAbFkbTX4vIW9cNQTD1-1-F8mA7FTs3VIoE70Al__VT1SI_x8ZToARmGgn-6vtQLXJSV5k1vsfSqFa_47cyD6qodLqjpDed0y5LvBI62L7QBZj3u0Ct_z0xY_9eBxxOmGhBy8duFEXx0JQwXyXSdUqj_qo97Wu_s9LXCPhG_S0s/s1518/Simply%20Cook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Simply Cook recipe kits" border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1_JHyjLPYtEhWMeblVAbFkbTX4vIW9cNQTD1-1-F8mA7FTs3VIoE70Al__VT1SI_x8ZToARmGgn-6vtQLXJSV5k1vsfSqFa_47cyD6qodLqjpDed0y5LvBI62L7QBZj3u0Ct_z0xY_9eBxxOmGhBy8duFEXx0JQwXyXSdUqj_qo97Wu_s9LXCPhG_S0s/w422-h640/Simply%20Cook.jpg" title="Simply Cook Jerk Chicken" width="422" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Knorr Quick Soups Chicken Noodle/ Tomato/ Chicken/ Vegetable (£0.75 each)</b> are ready in minutes. A handy pantry product for when you are short of time, or don't want to bother to cook from scratch. </p><p>You should receive two items in your box. We received Tomato and Cream of Vegetable with Croutons packs.</p><p>No artificial colours or flavour enhancers, low in fat, no added MSG, made with sustainbly grown vegetables.</p><p>Typical values: 67 kcal, 7.3g of sugar and 1.4g of salt in tomato soup, and 75kcal and 1.6g of salt in cream of vegetables soup.</p><p>Available at ASDA.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WpWw5hrUq-22cEn_YahadluDHtfNxct1lFXeraDAORBZS32l85lAp9p8C0AKqbjxZ2lllng24LLT03zNODIDdL7R0kj-hklenAhhAfu8ssqu-kMc6RdOSk1zlz8OXKuxcDjENwPwSCDcfF4FIULeyQ2SucMKJ3l5hnOY8iBfEIbNVaQ_ES7_kAiTlDJF/s2016/Knorr%20quick%20soups.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WpWw5hrUq-22cEn_YahadluDHtfNxct1lFXeraDAORBZS32l85lAp9p8C0AKqbjxZ2lllng24LLT03zNODIDdL7R0kj-hklenAhhAfu8ssqu-kMc6RdOSk1zlz8OXKuxcDjENwPwSCDcfF4FIULeyQ2SucMKJ3l5hnOY8iBfEIbNVaQ_ES7_kAiTlDJF/w640-h480/Knorr%20quick%20soups.jpg" title="Knorr Quick Soups" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Knorr Hairy Bikers' Chilli Stock Pot (£1.90) </b>is a result of collaboration between Knorr and the Hairy Bikers. This stock pot will help you cook tasty dishes, packed full of flavour.</p><p>Medium on Spicy meter (two peppers), vegan, gluten free, made with sustainably sourced vegetables.</p><p>Ingredients include: tomato paste, cayenne pepper, jalapeno chilli pepper powder, red bell pepper, paprika powder, vegetable juice concentrate etc.</p><p>I haven't used the pots yet, as I suspect it would be too spicy for us, I tend to buy products with one pepper on the Spicy meter. Have you tried these pots, and what did you think?</p><p>Available at Waitrose, Ocado and Tesco.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcJGFfvN_-3_j_pnq-k6uTmO2rV-1HKn3FhosT0N4zjx-cJv6mdEA8iiaBlESOlKpaGBI2TIt_2s3-0VVhDJ6nta1YTSMI44HrvtST05-ct7Q3qkhZLzHNxH1Vg13c6EF6PMxKLFlfDnDpUYPSrbXLcy7YWC7YTE8DGC1zq99czyiBwZgXTdJ2iPt3Dq6/s1343/Knorr%20chilli%20stock%20pot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1343" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcJGFfvN_-3_j_pnq-k6uTmO2rV-1HKn3FhosT0N4zjx-cJv6mdEA8iiaBlESOlKpaGBI2TIt_2s3-0VVhDJ6nta1YTSMI44HrvtST05-ct7Q3qkhZLzHNxH1Vg13c6EF6PMxKLFlfDnDpUYPSrbXLcy7YWC7YTE8DGC1zq99czyiBwZgXTdJ2iPt3Dq6/w640-h356/Knorr%20chilli%20stock%20pot.jpg" title="Knorr Hairy Bikers' Chilli Stock Pot" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>This month's hot theme continues with <b>Chipoys Fire Red Hot flavoured tortilla chips (£1.99</b>). </p><p>Made in Mexico, these authentic crunchy chips promise an Intense level of heat (and again, being a wimp when it comes to spicy food, I haven't tried them myself).</p><p>Typical values: 571kcal and 4g of sugar per 100g.</p><p>Available across independent and symbol convenience stores and on Amazon.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHUxYKZfuyq5uxkpy3eshTg3U36UuLEJPjyVkxS4CyYQdRooxggeaU8662tjkc-ke0zk5fd07pFmy-QYvRUZQAgXAWkTzDHRaG8RFw1YGSg6DY9mSn9Y8Y__fyd-UdP0lU0yFXOi77kEtdnDGiYyxBdmrxR39wgnhj6IVlPu2tkC-rm4d0CCZKTxoclY6/s1592/Chipoys%20fire%20red%20hot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="1510" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHUxYKZfuyq5uxkpy3eshTg3U36UuLEJPjyVkxS4CyYQdRooxggeaU8662tjkc-ke0zk5fd07pFmy-QYvRUZQAgXAWkTzDHRaG8RFw1YGSg6DY9mSn9Y8Y__fyd-UdP0lU0yFXOi77kEtdnDGiYyxBdmrxR39wgnhj6IVlPu2tkC-rm4d0CCZKTxoclY6/w608-h640/Chipoys%20fire%20red%20hot.jpg" title="Chipoys fire red hot" width="608" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Fruitip Fruit Puree Squeeze - variety pack (£7.50)</b> is a fresh vegan fruit puree from Jeju Island, South Korea. </p><p>There are two flavours in this pack - Korean Orange puree with ginger and Young Tangerine puree with lemon. Consume as you want, like a dessert, add to ice cream and yogurt, make a dressing with it. </p><p>Freeze a pouch as an ice pop, or make an ice sorbet or slush. Add to a cocktail, mocktail or smoothie. Fold into batter before baking to add an extra fruity flavour to cakes, muffins or breads.</p><p>Typical values: 38kcal and 6.72g of sugar per 25g serving (orange) or 20kcal and 3.8g of sugar (tangerine).</p><p>No artificial flavours, and pure products without water. </p><p>For me this was the discovery of the month, as I haven't come across this product before, and it is so versatile.</p><p>Available on Amazon.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg846EQ40Fekh6zksoV5e3CRo7Avkvva2vONVzgTZazGjrJZrVupJkTzpr9c5gY3FmDZPr9nD1kTMtlr4BWJLvJAUp9ok9jDi4PaTTjJyWJC6lqKC8rRebA7Lydt5kWw_ridPFrV38LCcOT_7yYS5086V293JnIKUPzgrdItM1IR-WMiR6yJ64roAytZmyP/s2014/Fruitip%20variety%20pack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="2014" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg846EQ40Fekh6zksoV5e3CRo7Avkvva2vONVzgTZazGjrJZrVupJkTzpr9c5gY3FmDZPr9nD1kTMtlr4BWJLvJAUp9ok9jDi4PaTTjJyWJC6lqKC8rRebA7Lydt5kWw_ridPFrV38LCcOT_7yYS5086V293JnIKUPzgrdItM1IR-WMiR6yJ64roAytZmyP/w640-h314/Fruitip%20variety%20pack.jpg" title="Fruitip variety pack" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>PEPPADEW Sweet Mild Whole Piquante Peppers (£3.25 for 400g)</b> are delicious sweet and tangy bite sized peppers, with a mild heat and lots of flavour. Their texture is firm, crisp and crunchy. </p><p>Use in salads, pasta, on top of pizza, or in sandwiches (for example, with cream cheese and rocket, or sliced turkey and mayo). Or stuff them with ricotta cheese or cream cheese, and serve as a starter.</p><p>Nutritional information: 78kcal and 17.1g of sugar per 100g drained product; vegan, with no added preservatives.</p><p>Available in the major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfzzdDjbsI8zuk6jB3XNu7Wastw1kZ7YtRsp_iPvNEsUQ9BzCSAeoQ5JjEnPtcTHyfSwf1yRgnvyMZhh42T8JJboX371tC1h64LOwGYnJaz7wqmqb6coCDmQDFQn2A7TZEVrt5q4AE43mCZbnTMtYSUN5sO2u90Dkj_Fj1MnKY1ICEm_m_5bCI_HQ9A-R/s1300/Peppadew%20piquante%20and%20Very%20Lazy%20Teriyaki%20paste.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1259" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfzzdDjbsI8zuk6jB3XNu7Wastw1kZ7YtRsp_iPvNEsUQ9BzCSAeoQ5JjEnPtcTHyfSwf1yRgnvyMZhh42T8JJboX371tC1h64LOwGYnJaz7wqmqb6coCDmQDFQn2A7TZEVrt5q4AE43mCZbnTMtYSUN5sO2u90Dkj_Fj1MnKY1ICEm_m_5bCI_HQ9A-R/w620-h640/Peppadew%20piquante%20and%20Very%20Lazy%20Teriyaki%20paste.jpg" title="Peppadew piquante peppers and Very Lazy Teriyaki paste" width="620" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Very Lazy Teriyaki Paste (£2, see above) </b>is another excellent product from the Very Lazy range, which provides maximum flavour and minimum fuss.</p><p>Teriyaki sauce and/or marinade is one of our kitchen staples, as I cook Teriyaki tofu regularly. I haven't seen Very Lazy Teriyaki paste before. It is different from our usual Lee Kum Kee or Kikkoman, and as tasty.</p><p>Ingredients include soy sauce, sugar, rice wine vinegar, tomato paste, ginger puree, onion puree, cornflour, lemon juice etc. For meat eaters, add it to a chicken dish; for vegetarians, it is fab with tofu and vegetables (carrots, sweet peppers and sweetcorn).</p><p>Available at Sainsbury's, ASDA and Morrisons.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Kellogg's Coco Pops Cereal 35g, Rice Crispies Cereal 22g, Crunchy Nut Cereals 35g and Special K Cereal 35g (£0.70 each) </b>- a handy selection of cereals to choose from.</p><p>Typical Values: 86kcal and 1.7g of sugar (rice crispies), 134kcal and 6g of sugar (coco pops), 139kcal and 12g of sugar (crunchy nut) and 118kcal and 4.5g of sugar (Special K) per pack.</p><p>Other sizes available at all major supermarkets.</p><p>You should receive four items in your box.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXQPhPyvdQ9a5irSP3bItNfv1c6HPN0sn_QVaUpUE5NOJ9qZ1b71du29XVWAhXVyURYQ0HXbVLG8387nKdnZhIsM_mdAy45XIjUJhtLaxI8h232GjTCWMz_vCPG4WTrMwDkPUu7wokfMMRxB2SePCq0k-5NHI7DdGxKZrizKwKgZSXgdXZFLAQlzGrbKI/s1782/Kellogg's%20cereals.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1491" data-original-width="1782" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXQPhPyvdQ9a5irSP3bItNfv1c6HPN0sn_QVaUpUE5NOJ9qZ1b71du29XVWAhXVyURYQ0HXbVLG8387nKdnZhIsM_mdAy45XIjUJhtLaxI8h232GjTCWMz_vCPG4WTrMwDkPUu7wokfMMRxB2SePCq0k-5NHI7DdGxKZrizKwKgZSXgdXZFLAQlzGrbKI/w640-h536/Kellogg's%20cereals.jpg" title="Kelloggs' cereals" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Aero Caramel Chocolate Melts (£1.75)</b> are caramel flavoured smooth bubbly chocolate pieces. If you love Aero chocolate, you will enjoy these delicious melts.</p><p>Typical values: 127kcal and 13.6g of sugar per 12 sweets.</p><p>Aero chocolate contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Rainforest Alliance approved. Suitable for vegetarians.</p><p>Available at the major supermarket chains.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzs8R2qQMIwqzYcIT0hGh2WI0gEUmen-WeS9KUc-o5Ay95FSpTApv2P1OPnnYOHSx-_XOkA_T6rjFwBXGAxlNttCB-bXXEmMXAs6l9zKEuDpOEkn1YxawFpAJGv8Y69FN0zP_KB4uZr18o0Tqy-xbaBeFV0yGmWP1TfUOF_zC8a0j2p4d57KAVcGZi0y0/s1405/Aero%20caramel%20chocolate%20melts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="1405" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzs8R2qQMIwqzYcIT0hGh2WI0gEUmen-WeS9KUc-o5Ay95FSpTApv2P1OPnnYOHSx-_XOkA_T6rjFwBXGAxlNttCB-bXXEmMXAs6l9zKEuDpOEkn1YxawFpAJGv8Y69FN0zP_KB4uZr18o0Tqy-xbaBeFV0yGmWP1TfUOF_zC8a0j2p4d57KAVcGZi0y0/w640-h622/Aero%20caramel%20chocolate%20melts.jpg" title="Aero Caramel Chocolate Melts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>LoveRaw M:lk Choc Peanut Butter Cups (£1.89)</b> are a vegan version of a well-known branded peanut butter cups.</p><p>They are gluten free, use no palm oil or artificial ingredients. There is an oat powder, which I guess is the milk substitute. I would like the vegan brands to stop using coy words as m:lk, m!lk, m&lk etc. Be proud of what you are doing and name the products accordingly. </p><p>These peanut butter cups are smooth and creamy, with a mildly powdery aftertaste. </p><p>Typical values: 100kcal and 4.2g of sugar per peanut butter cup.</p><p>Available at Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Amazon, Loveraw.com and selected independents.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTBP2nBW5vfFeuzH-ealW7R1wI1mPdn-aOSzc3EZRvj6uXHCj-X5cCbA0DFfSv4JSFHGETJ5FMsHpypOCkRZ1kcj9zC6roNazu1Kg0G7sZdESULfj8tw-muUXeqjqHnqev8zU6ILGAZiUxtqTDN3TKnQMkGQmQNNG_0RM_IMngQwgWSoQ-xI5s8VN2COX/s1280/LoveRaw%20peanut%20butter%20cups.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1280" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTBP2nBW5vfFeuzH-ealW7R1wI1mPdn-aOSzc3EZRvj6uXHCj-X5cCbA0DFfSv4JSFHGETJ5FMsHpypOCkRZ1kcj9zC6roNazu1Kg0G7sZdESULfj8tw-muUXeqjqHnqev8zU6ILGAZiUxtqTDN3TKnQMkGQmQNNG_0RM_IMngQwgWSoQ-xI5s8VN2COX/w640-h486/LoveRaw%20peanut%20butter%20cups.jpg" title="LoveRaw peanut butter cups" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Caleño Drinks Passion Fruit Martini/ Pineapple Pina Colada (£2.50)</b> are tropical non-alcoholic pre-mixed cocktails.</p><p>Choose between a spritzy twist on the passion fruit martini, or a tropical pina colada spritz. They are fruity, refreshing and full of flavour.</p><p>Typical values: 42kcal and 4g of sugar per 100ml (passion fruit martini), or 45kcal and 4.2g of sugar (pina colada). No artificial flavourings, suitable for vegans and allergen free.</p><p>Best enjoyed chilled.</p><p>Available on calenodrinks.com and Amazon.</p><p>You should receive two items in your box.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoAcR1Y9UnmH3Nvs47cwmCG6ge_pQBgviEwzfHBo2qMLv3bvu2YuC0-1VBiXppY52Z5re-hhvp0SmH2YGUY4sb870y6YChjesdeC8L3WeAEk075R-uXU6IoOhNAPoGF-9bTyrsL1V-vpqn0SjXOK83vUuL4-tb_KuJeaCWp1Ko2MLMAJdc6OlnLPtJ_jQ/s1280/Caleno%20drinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, Degustabox food box" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1182" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoAcR1Y9UnmH3Nvs47cwmCG6ge_pQBgviEwzfHBo2qMLv3bvu2YuC0-1VBiXppY52Z5re-hhvp0SmH2YGUY4sb870y6YChjesdeC8L3WeAEk075R-uXU6IoOhNAPoGF-9bTyrsL1V-vpqn0SjXOK83vUuL4-tb_KuJeaCWp1Ko2MLMAJdc6OlnLPtJ_jQ/w592-h640/Caleno%20drinks.jpg" title="Caleño Drinks Passion Fruit Martini/ Pineapple Pina Colada" width="592" /></a></div><br /><p>What is your favourite product from the latest Degustabox?</p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-28164424691789347322023-10-27T10:30:00.005+01:002023-10-27T10:31:37.954+01:00Warrior Prince by J.C. Duncan<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmBCUMOBjwhiERI73Oediglkx23eYQ7Lcr20KlK5jxo-kNAPv85TI9pFh0Km4gZh-6UEwKzrIX-tmXBnKL4w3nFwNR63Zxo42M3UhmcuZvgYofuCGB69bVJDSgy6DHs23XdjjxGEIerZwzHWkoij0s3s-jG8lbzGaK8oiJ0X0v-TJOEYr0Iq6iY5E5FTK/s700/Warrior%20Prince.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="historical fiction about Kievan Rus" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmBCUMOBjwhiERI73Oediglkx23eYQ7Lcr20KlK5jxo-kNAPv85TI9pFh0Km4gZh-6UEwKzrIX-tmXBnKL4w3nFwNR63Zxo42M3UhmcuZvgYofuCGB69bVJDSgy6DHs23XdjjxGEIerZwzHWkoij0s3s-jG8lbzGaK8oiJ0X0v-TJOEYr0Iq6iY5E5FTK/w640-h252/Warrior%20Prince.png" title="Warrior Prince by J.C. Duncan" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>"<i>You probably expected glory, eh? Well, the truth is never as glorious as we wish it could be</i>."<div><br /></div><div>"<i>He had entered the great game of leaders and conquerors, where success brings only more enemies and failure gives only death. It is not something I have ever wanted for myself, but it was what he was born to do. And so, tied by love and by oath, I followed him without regret</i>".<br /><div><br /><p></p><p><b>Warrior Prince</b> by J.C. Duncan is a thrilling historical adventure story about one of the greatest warriors.</p><p><b style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Blurb:</b></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">1030AD</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Some men are gifted a crown. Others have to fight to claim it.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Exiled from Norway, Harald Sigurdsson, brother to murdered King Olaf, must battle mercilessly for survival in the lands of the Kievan Rus.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">His brother's legacy gifts him a warband of hardened warriors and entry to the court of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. By his wits, sword and skill in battle, Harald must learn not just to survive but to triumph.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">He fights for glory, for fame, and to regain his family's battle-stolen throne. But his greatest challenge may not come from battlefield foes but from those who stand by his side.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Warrior Prince</b> is the story of the legendary Harald Hardrada Sigurdsson, as narrated by an old warrior Eric Alvarsson, known among the warriors as "Sveitungr" (The Follower). </p><p>In his twentieth year Eric returns to Sweden with King Olaf from the lands of the Rus. Eric is Olaf's kin, and loves him dearly. Olaf asks Eric to stay with his younger brother Harald, and "<i>look after him, in whatever follows</i>". And thus he becomes the right hand and confidante of the young prince.</p><p>"<i>I lost my king that day, but I saw Olaf's strength arise in Harald. It was his first battle and he was barely a man, but while others despaired he never showed fear</i>".</p><p>Exiled from Norway, Harald and his warband travel to the land of the Rus, gaining friends and enemies along the way.</p><p>"<i>Harald Sigurdsson had gone into that marsh as an irrelevant exile, one of many Norse forced to sell their sword to pay for their failures at home. He left as a man who commanded respect, and had the power to take it where it was not given</i>". </p><p>Tied by love and by oath, Eric follows him without regret. Telling the adventures of his youth, The Follower as an elderly man is a wise protagonist. Looking back at the decisions he has taken and mistakes he has made, Eric is a good storyteller, still devoted to Harald, but also sagacious enough to see his flaws and failings.</p><p>There are scenes of numerous skirmishes and battles, cruelty meted towards friends and foes alike. We follow Harald and Eric from one battlefield to another.</p><p>I was curious to read this book because it is partly set in Kievan/Kyivan Rus, which is currently a bone of contention among the Eastern European historians. We meet Yaroslav the Wise, the Grand Prince of Kiev/Kyiv, who was a ruthless and cunning politician, and get to learn the ways and the intrigues of his court. </p><p>The story is set during a complicated historical period for the Norse. Harald was not destined to be a king by his birthright. He earned his riches and position, having faced many challenges and death.</p><p>Eric recounts the past without glorifying it. He doesn't romanticise the past or spare us any gory details of the battles.</p><p>"<i>The sagas don't tell of the inglorious parts of these stories, the parts where everything nearly failed simply because men thought maybe they didn't want to die, or thought there was better silver or better food somewhere else. It's not all glorious</i>". In fact, hardly anything of it is. Being led by the avaricious leaders who don't value the price of human lives and are ready to sacrifice their military forces as well as innocent civilians for the sake of their ambition is not worthy of admiration.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Warrior Prince</b> is an immersive, absorbing story, which gives an in-depth vision of the convoluted politics, intrigues and treacherous exploits of the times. The historical characters blend seamlessly with the fictional ones.</p><p>Duncan brings the brutal historical period to life with gritty realism, without embellishments and glamorising.</p><p>This review is part of the blog tour for Warrior Prince. Many thanks to J.C. Duncan, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ooJaE-yCtpfXQNiKBCN4mozvyZY1MXH6H_5Ar8nm8iLX6tB9Y8dg7VKVKp4zzLK5dbfX72K5snNOp6bYmSi2WEUJJb1Xv7ueraFbZNRICQ-lIaD-aK7gIc9_Hn5tkK647XiBdYxSmRQbOEdOiBXEMxFeX1hUUJOuFRf_IKIsMKFVLT0icZwl-Mt6V_s9/s1791/Warrior%20Prince%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, historical fiction about Kievan Rus" border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1791" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ooJaE-yCtpfXQNiKBCN4mozvyZY1MXH6H_5Ar8nm8iLX6tB9Y8dg7VKVKp4zzLK5dbfX72K5snNOp6bYmSi2WEUJJb1Xv7ueraFbZNRICQ-lIaD-aK7gIc9_Hn5tkK647XiBdYxSmRQbOEdOiBXEMxFeX1hUUJOuFRf_IKIsMKFVLT0icZwl-Mt6V_s9/w640-h446/Warrior%20Prince%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="Warrior Prince by J.C. Duncan" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh2vKFF2uF9i-KTkJ5bcNALblTjKIpkeaJdjcLcNkvjrH1B06K1kRdJtmhx7HN-4MeAROa7ccuVVNX2niacmrwFybTjb20Yu3KO_yBz-4Ak8W-ozx6GJkeUMpNbhn8lht91IJ3fQJIrZ391Fns6REr3i9_jIlSOaGVzBP9-MsK1B367dBF2RV2v549-Wl/s1080/26.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="books about Vikings" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh2vKFF2uF9i-KTkJ5bcNALblTjKIpkeaJdjcLcNkvjrH1B06K1kRdJtmhx7HN-4MeAROa7ccuVVNX2niacmrwFybTjb20Yu3KO_yBz-4Ak8W-ozx6GJkeUMpNbhn8lht91IJ3fQJIrZ391Fns6REr3i9_jIlSOaGVzBP9-MsK1B367dBF2RV2v549-Wl/w640-h640/26.png" title="Warrior Prince by J.C. Duncan" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Purchase Link - </b><a href="https://mybook.to/warriorprincesocial" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://mybook.to/warriorprincesocial</a>
<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Author Bio – <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">J. C. Duncan is a well-reviewed historical fiction author
and amateur bladesmith, with a passion for Vikings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Social Media Links – </b> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Facebook: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCDuncanAuthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>https://www.facebook.com/JCDuncanAuthor</b></a><b> </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Twitter: </b><a href="https://twitter.com/JCDuncanauthor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>https://twitter.com/JCDuncanauthor</b></a><b> <span style="color: #103cc0;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Instagram: </b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/j.c.duncan/?hl=enn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>https://www.instagram.com/j.c.duncan/?hl=enn</b></a><b> <o:p></o:p></b></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Bookbub profile: </b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-c-duncan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-c-duncan</b></a><b> <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_K0CiZK94z55XvVXJ2C1WwNvBgeUtESvE_V1RgSDSs-k1yjdSpi3EEz86bHNMuhHa4zht89u1928EuY-xm6nhMGhaqlamoQQdWTudUc0l6tmapzzZUpPaOdIjn61RR3TII4dlPoe5jSDJ7sQiAJeN-ZRT8ZvZayqS_9mxxv24NraQ-pSJENi9KNhLrQiS/s1080/3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="historical fiction about Vikings" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_K0CiZK94z55XvVXJ2C1WwNvBgeUtESvE_V1RgSDSs-k1yjdSpi3EEz86bHNMuhHa4zht89u1928EuY-xm6nhMGhaqlamoQQdWTudUc0l6tmapzzZUpPaOdIjn61RR3TII4dlPoe5jSDJ7sQiAJeN-ZRT8ZvZayqS_9mxxv24NraQ-pSJENi9KNhLrQiS/w640-h640/3.png" title="Warrior Prince by J.C. Duncan" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957058303175978721.post-11075171730220510372023-10-12T09:43:00.001+01:002023-10-12T09:43:51.047+01:00The Sardinian Story by Francesca Scanacapra<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxQ2sj_GH907gq70zPMVeZFlyQ_iRiUPo1dZaV25kHn2sJixi6XMxZCsLOtrCryjQ6EhAdHvupfI99pX2FLWWtCQYcfXTCw1vjo8NfLYTkX3FbykncgHIXjD6taXe4qQX0UTvCq0pCETaxNzFUF2idsJpp3u2qD8FwBoYAzPquljB1o4gL1LfDy-OshYy/s700/The%20Sardinian%20Story.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fiction set in Italy" border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxQ2sj_GH907gq70zPMVeZFlyQ_iRiUPo1dZaV25kHn2sJixi6XMxZCsLOtrCryjQ6EhAdHvupfI99pX2FLWWtCQYcfXTCw1vjo8NfLYTkX3FbykncgHIXjD6taXe4qQX0UTvCq0pCETaxNzFUF2idsJpp3u2qD8FwBoYAzPquljB1o4gL1LfDy-OshYy/w640-h252/The%20Sardinian%20Story.png" title="The Sardinian Story by Francesca Scanacapra" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p></p><p>"<i>I feel like a little boat. I yearn to be out at sea, sailing away, travelling and seeing the world. But instead I'm stuck on a mountain where a boat is pretty much useless</i>".<br /> </p><p><br /></p><p><b style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">Blurb:</b></p><p><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">Apennine Mountains, Italy, 1965</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">Leonora Bacchetti was once a happy child. But at the age of seventeen she has become a wild and rebellious young woman who leaves her parents in despair when she runs away from home with a group of itinerant travellers.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">In the eyes of their friends and neighbours in the tight-knit village of Montacciolo, her parents' good name is ruined.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">At first, Leonora keeps in touch with her mother and father, sending letters and postcards from different countries until, very abruptly, her correspondence stops. The girl has vanished.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">Vague, unreliable rumours of her fate abound, but newspaper appeals, police and private investigations reveal nothing.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">Until, eighteen years later, in the midst of a snowstorm, a stranger from Sardinia knocks on the door of Leonora's father's little mountain house.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">Now a widower, he has come to terms with never knowing what happened to his daughter. But everything changes when the unexpected visitor claims that he has new information.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">The two men quickly bond and gradually begin to piece together the truth about Leonora, provoking deep questions about her life and how they have lived their own - questions about love, loyalty, honesty and what being a family really means.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">The Sardinian Story is a novel of exquisite power and deep emotion which will live long in the memories of its readers.</span></p><p><br /></p><p>An elderly widower Dante Bacchetti is living a quiet life of solitude in his little mountain house in the Apennines, with just a goat Gineprina for company. One February day, when there is a blizzard raging outside, a stranger arrives at his doorstep. Dante is amazed and alarmed at the same time. Who would travel in such weather to find his remote home and why?</p><p>The stranger introduces himself. Jubanne Melis Paddu comes to see Dante all the way from Sardinia, with information about his missing daughter. Leonora has been missing for many years, and Dante has given up all hope that she might be still alive.</p><p>As two men share their recollections of Leonora, their own personal stories slowly unfold, to overturn all our preconceptions. There are many secrets in Dante's life, and Jubanne, with his life-changing head injury is not the most reliable witness. </p><p>The story of Leonora is revealed, bit by bit, like a jigsaw puzzle, pieces of which are slotted together. We see glimpses of real Leonora too, and not just as she appears in the narratives of both men. </p><p>It starts as a deceptively simple story. You think you know where it is going but you will be totally blown away by the ending.</p><p>Leonora is a bright girl, with a great imagination and a talent for poetry. Living with her parents in Montacciolo, she feels suffocated by her own family drama, and the narrow-minded outlook of the villagers. </p><p>When Leonora meets the groups of travellers, she is bewitched. Their lives seem to her to be so free and rich in experience, especially when <i>"compared with her stifling, shut-up existence in Montacciolo, where a trip into the nearest town to borrow a book from the library was like a foreign expedition</i>". They greet her with warmth, and embrace her wholeheartedly, and Leonora is smitten. Having tasted a sip of freedom, going back to her oppressed life feels impossible now. </p><p>She hesitates to leave her mother, of course, she does, but staying at home is akin to self-destruction. In the parochial isolated world of Montacciolo, Leonora has committed a crime. Her departure with the group of travellers has left an indelible stain on the reputation of her parents. Dante becomes an object of mockery and distrust, a pariah.</p><p>At first, the postcards and short letters arrive to her parents' house from all over the world, then they suddenly stop as if Leonora has vanished into the thin air. The police is useless, and not overly interested in finding the missing woman. The private investigators fail as well. It seems, nobody knows anything about Leonora.</p><p>That is, until Jubannu arrives to Dante's house many years later with his own story. </p><p>Jubannu is a complicated character, portrayed with compassion and empathy. His life has changed dramatically after a head injury. He is a "<i>tortured, half-existing man". "...the exhausting confusion, the constant questioning of what was real, the crazy, illogical way his brain cherry-picked what to remember</i>". You heart will go to the afflicted man, and you will feel his pain.</p><p>Franscesca Scanacapra is such a talented storyteller. Just seeing her name on the book cover is enough for me to know that it will be another moving and emotionally charged story. Without hesitation Scanacapra is one of my favourite modern writers. </p><p>With a piercing psychological insight and a deep compassion, she creates believable characters. The author writes with great elegance and perfect pacing. Her writing style is exquisite, lyrical and ferociously honest at the same time.</p><p><b>The Sardinian Story </b>is an affecting and poignant tale, deceptive and lucid, heartbreakingly tender and deeply moving. It will sweep you away.</p><p><br /></p><p>This review is part of the blog tour for The Sardinian Story. Many thanks to Francesca Scanacapra, Silvertail Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6fRZvN-AqZWVu_wGeISEQo-A3a3CBl1fc2I_yso6TwSzHKDqhHiZ7X88vDa1UVJvSd2q5rLP_ylHDpz8ZO77_-foeb-Jv02IPVejCvSxcbnSHZ37D6OL-xgCaf41Pk3s9-Sxjvbq5Idrqkeqdp4BkVHRpnEnZaEENSJt85B1U-7IYCkGAQ1aLC0Y2fT1/s2750/The%20Sardinian%20Story%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chez Maximka, books set in Italy" border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2750" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6fRZvN-AqZWVu_wGeISEQo-A3a3CBl1fc2I_yso6TwSzHKDqhHiZ7X88vDa1UVJvSd2q5rLP_ylHDpz8ZO77_-foeb-Jv02IPVejCvSxcbnSHZ37D6OL-xgCaf41Pk3s9-Sxjvbq5Idrqkeqdp4BkVHRpnEnZaEENSJt85B1U-7IYCkGAQ1aLC0Y2fT1/w640-h290/The%20Sardinian%20Story%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" title="The Sardinian Story by Francesca Scanacapra" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Purchase Links <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sardinian-Story-absolutely-heartbreaking-unputdownable-ebook/dp/B0CF5ZVTRY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sardinian-Story-absolutely-heartbreaking-unputdownable-ebook/dp/B0CF5ZVTRY</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sardinian-Story-absolutely-heartbreaking-unputdownable-ebook/dp/B0CF5ZVTRY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>https://www.amazon.com/Sardinian-Story-absolutely-heartbreaking-unputdownable-ebook/dp/B0CF5ZVTRY</b></a><b> <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Author Bio
– <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Francesca
Scanacapra</b> was born in
Italy to an English mother and Italian father, and her childhood was spent
living between England and Italy. Her adult life has been somewhat nomadic with
periods spent living in Italy, England, France, Senegal and Spain. She
describes herself as 'unconventional' and has pursued an eclectic mixture of
career paths – from working in translation, the fitness industry, education and
even several years as a builder. In 2021 she returned to her native country and
back to her earliest roots to pursue her writing career full time. Francesca
now resides permanently in rural Lombardy in the house built by her
great-grandfather which was the inspiration for her <i>Paradiso</i> <i>Novels</i>:
<i>Paradiso</i>, <i>Return to Paradiso</i> and <i>The Daughter of Paradiso</i>.
Her novel <i>The Lost Boy of Bologna</i> was also published by Silvertail
Books. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Social
Media Links – <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Twitter </b><a href="https://twitter.com/FrancescaScana2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>https://twitter.com/FrancescaScana2</b></a><b> <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Insta @</b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/francescascana2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>francescascana2</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzcAz72KUt2CZLGqbsprLV9SWqOGVzHe_GCKhEShUr0OTJOeK3U7ld90RS7_BnB9yzF6XLPp8mbfSdb3kLa0aAuDm-AUMR7ULoN_MiuDOZW9p88CHgZ1dOGOXJV7ZQn5a70PR8vDPvv947_8erU2Iu3CM0-7KfF9mmNBU7kmq2jyewTHBC1Vkh2W1XF_Q/s990/The%20Sardinian%20Francesca%20colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fiction set in Italy" border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="820" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzcAz72KUt2CZLGqbsprLV9SWqOGVzHe_GCKhEShUr0OTJOeK3U7ld90RS7_BnB9yzF6XLPp8mbfSdb3kLa0aAuDm-AUMR7ULoN_MiuDOZW9p88CHgZ1dOGOXJV7ZQn5a70PR8vDPvv947_8erU2Iu3CM0-7KfF9mmNBU7kmq2jyewTHBC1Vkh2W1XF_Q/w331-h400/The%20Sardinian%20Francesca%20colour.jpg" title="Francesca Scanacapra" width="331" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Galina Varesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113049600313050157noreply@blogger.com0