The Sea House by Louise Douglas

 

"Still, it felt to Mila as if Elisabeth's anxiety, real or imagined, had pervaded the very fabric of the house. It was contagious".

The Sea House by Louise Douglas is a captivating psychological thriller, set in the fictional town of Morranez in Brittany.

The Sea House is the third book in the Toussaints Detective Agency series. I have read the first book (The Lost Notebook), which introduces Mila Shepherd, the main protagonist, and tells the story of how she ended up in Morranez.

The blurb:

The Sea House

A mysterious bequest and the legacy of a tragic love - only one person can unravel the hidden secrets of the past before it's too late...

When Elisabeth Quemener dies, she leaves a small parcel with the instructions that it must only be opened by Astrid Oake. The trouble is, no one knows who Astrid Oake is...

Elisabeth's family turn to Touissants detective agency for help but, when Mila Shepherd and Carter Jackson try to track Astrid down, their frustration soon mounts. Their only clue is a photo of two young women holding the hands of a tiny child. The women are smiling but Mila is haunted by the sadness in their eyes. Is this Astrid and Elisabeth and if so, who is the child? And why are there signs everywhere in Elisabeth's home that the old woman was frightened despite her living a quiet life with no known enemies?

As Elisabeth and Astrid's story slowly unfolds, Mila feels the walls of her home The Sea Houe closing in. And as the secrets finally begin to reveal themselves, she is ever more determined to carry out Elisabeth's final wishes. Because what is inside that unprepossessing parcel might just save a life...

Louise Douglas is back in the Brittany seaside town of Morranez with a heart-stopping, heart-breaking, brilliantly written and utterly compelling mystery. Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Eve Chase and Lucinda Riley.

Mila Shepherd has moved to Brittany to look after her orphaned teen niece Ani, following the tragic death of her step-sister Sophie. They live in a big secluded house on the outskirts of Morranez on their own. Mila works in the Toissaints detective agency, which specialises in tracking down lost family members etc.

When the agency is approached by the daughter of the local lady who has recently died and left a strange request, they take on the case to find the recipient of the mysterious package - someone named Astrid Oake. The instructions are pretty bizarre: if the recipient is not found, then the package should be buried within the grave, and never to be opened.

Who is Astrid Oake? Nobody knows of her, she can't be found on any social media, and any search brings no results.

Mila is starting her search for clues in Elisabeth's house, and feels very uneasy. The empty house has spyholes, security cameras, burglar alarms, a number of bolts on bedrooms and panic buttons. 

"... Being alone in a dead person's house had never made Mila feel vulnerable before... Everything pointed towards Elisabeth having been afraid of someone or something. And that, Mila concluded, was what was making her scared now: fear by proxy."

The investigation seems to draw blanks. The only clue left in the house is an old photo of Elisabeth and Astrid as young women, holding a hand of a little girl. They are smiling in the camera, but their eyes are sad.

"It was, superficially, a lovely picture, with the two young women smiling, but when she looked closely, Mila could see the smiles were guarded; as if they were for  the camera; not from the heart".

The investigation's progress is slow, yet there is a development, which brings Mila to the UK, in search for Astrid's story, as well as getting answers to Mila's personal life issues.

On top of the problems of finding the elusive Astrid, Mila has to deal with very unsettling discoveries in her family's past, related to the death of Sophie and her husband Charlie. 

Will Mila find the elusive Astrid Oake? What's inside the mysterious parcel?

The setting of the sea resort in winter works perfectly as a bleak background to the dark drama that is going to be revealed, both in Mila's family life and the investigation she is conducting for the agency.

This is the fourth book by Louise Douglas that I've read, and as always I admire how the author sets the scene. The backdrop - descriptions of the seaside town out of season, the eerie house, the sinister farm in the English countryside - are evocative, vivid and atmospheric. 

The story is gripping and emotionally-charged, though I couldn't warm up to any of the main characters. Mila is rather insipid, still in thrall to her late step-sister's bossy and selfish behaviour. While reading this story, I remembered how much Sophie irritated me in the first book. 

You know this self-obsessed, fickle and capricious type in real life and try to avoid them at all costs. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, left by her egoistic father, unloved by her narcissistic mother, Mila is looking for crumbs of affection anywhere she can find them, and is not able to assert herself.

Mila has to decide what she is going to do with her life in the long term. She left her boyfried Luke behind in the UK, he is expecting her to come back at some point, yet Mila is uncertain about what she really wants. You feel sorry for Luke, who's been more than patient. The position which was supposed to be temporary until the solution is found turns into an indefinite one.

Mila is not a maternal material, having no children of her own, and her niece Ani is a moody teen, self-centred, totally unappreciative that Mila has sacrificed her job and personal relationship to look after her. Given her own parents' egoism and her sad upbringing, it comes as no surprise that Mila finds it hard to set the necessary boundaries. 

Themes of love and loss, bereavement and coping with grief, continue running through the book. These  topics are dealt with sympathetically and sensitively, and resonated with me, as I lost a very dear friend this year, who was like a family to me. Her death has affected me, and I'm feeling very emotional every time I think of her.  

One last quote from the book which I found very true and heartfelt,

"How easy it was to take people for granted when they were alive. Even when you didn't see someone often, still they were there, living and breathing, laughing and loving... But when they were really gone; when they were dead, and there would be no seeing them ever again, no chance to call them, or even to exchange a quick message, then the absence was something different; the missing became deep-rooted. And the world was different too. It was colder. It was lonelier; lacking something; less than it had been."

The Sea House is a gripping story, full of twists and turns, emotionally-charged and deeply sad at times.

When I see Louise Douglas's name on the book cover, I know it will be a tense psychological read, moving and immersive, and incredibly evocative.

Many thanks to Louise Douglas, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/seahousesocial

Author Bio –

Hello! I'm Louise, author of 12 novels mostly set in the Somerset countryside close to where I live and Sicily. I'm thrilled to have won the RNA Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller award 2021 for The House by the Sea which has sold more than a quarter of a million copies.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @louisedouglasauthor

Twitter: LouiseDouglas3

Instagram: louisedouglas3

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/LouiseDouglasNews

Bookbub profile: @lesley119

Degustabox October

We're celebrating a spooky season this month, yet October isn't just all things candy-related. It's also earlier evenings with cosy meals, like bowls of comforting soup and stew, and of course, enjoying hot chocolate, preferably with whipped cream and marshmallows, and baking simple treats like rocky road and caramel squares.

Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. 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.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in October Box Degustabox?

Product of the Month - 

Barilla Pesto alla Genovese con Basilico Italiano (£3.35) is an aromatic and colourful pasta sauce, made in Italy.

Made with real Parmesan (unlike many pestos in jars, which are made with less expensive cheese), this sauce will enhance a variety of Italian-inspired recipes, from pasta to griddled or baked chicken with pesto, from pesto pinwheels to artichoke tart.

Basil in this sauce comes from the sustainable agriculture.

Nutritional values: 482kcal and 3.25g of salt per 100g (one jar is 190g)

Our favourite pasta dish with pesto is pasta alla Genovese, cooked with cubed potatoes and green beans, and coated with a generous helping of pesto. And don't forget the grated parmesan. Mmm, an ultimate comfort food.

Available at Ocado, Amazon, Co-Op, and Morrisons (selected stores).

Brioche Pasquier Pancakes (£2.20) are a lovely breakfast or brunch treat, soft and squishy. 

French family bakery since 1936, Pasquier offers a wide selection of baked goodies. My family loves their brioche, and I buy the pancakes occasionally too, especially when I don't have time to make my own from scratch. Lovely with all kinds of toppings, and with a cup of tea.

Great for lunchboxes, for on the go, eat them as they are, or put in the toaster to warm them up.

Nutritional information: 124kcal and 9.8g of sugar per pancake; free from preservatives, suitable for vegetarians.

Available in Morrisons and Co-Op.

SlooOW Rustic Multigrain Baguette (£1.60) 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 become a very tasty crusty bread.

Bake it in the oven for 12 minutes for a crispy crust. 

Great for bruschetta, with tomatoes, basil and olive oil, or make hot mini sandwiches with it, with lots of grated cheese. 

Nutritional values: 143kcal and 0.51g of salt per 50g serving.

Available in Tesco and Hello Fresh.

Proper Corn Smoky & Sweet Paprika/ or Tangy Chilli/ or Cracked Black Pepper & Salt popcorn (£1.90) is a super snack with a warm kick for the tastebuds.

Three new flavours of Proper popcorn are going to be a big hit. 

Popcorn is naturally high in fibre, and wholegrains are a source of magnesium and zinc.

Nutritional information: 90kcal and 0.6g of sugar per serve (20g), contains natural flavourings, gluten free, vegan.

Available in Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Ocado. After we enjoyed the new Smoky and Sweet Paprika, I've spotted the new packs in Waitrose. While we will eventually try all flavours, I have already bought the paprika one a couple of times, as it's so moreish.

You should receive 1 item in your box.

Three Robins Little Smoothie (£1.89) is a dairy free oat smoothie with real fruit and veggies. Their motto is Tasty Goodness for Kids.

They come in two lovely flavours: Super Berry and Totally Tropical. My son enjoyed the smoothie.

Nutritional values: 46kcal and 8g of sugar; no added sugar, made with real fruit and veg, fortified with vitamins and minerals; no artificial flavours.

Available to order on the Three Robins website.

Knorr White wine stock pots (£1.90)  are stock pots, made with half a glass of full bodied white wine

Melts in rich flavour in seconds, perfect for risottos and casseroles.

I used one of the stock pots, while cooking a chicken stew with dumplings. 

Nutritional values: 4kcal and 1g of salt per 125ml; free from artificial colours, gluten free, vegan.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Chewits Fruity Jewels (£1.30) are sugared chewy gummies with fruit flavour (rhubarb, cherry, strawberry, pneapple and apple).

This is the same Chewits brand that you're familiar with, but with a lower sugar content and a new fruity mix. 

Nutritional information: 77kcal and 8.5g of sugar per 4 sweets; no artificial colours or flavours

Fruity and Sour Jewels mix are available in Tesco and Morrisons now.

Tarczynski Kabanosy Extreme Piri-Piri (£2.30) are Polish Kabanos with Piri-Piri stuffing. This snack is designed for convenience, and is packed with flavour. 

Piri piri gives kabanos an extra oumph, and will rock your tastebuds. 

Nutritional values: 421kcal and 5.7g of sugar per 100g.

Available in the world food aisle of all major supermarkets.

Nestle Carnation condensed milk (£2.39) is made from all natural ingredients: fresh whole milk and natural sugar.

This classic product is well-known, and is used widely in baking and puddings. You can make Millionaire's shortbread or fudge, rice pudding or ice cream, Banoffee pie or cheesecake, the possibilities are endless.

Nutritional values: 161kcal and 27.5g of sugar per 50g serving; a good source of calcium.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Mardel Alfajor De Dulce de Leche Negro and Blanco (£1.50) are soft cookies, filled with Mardel dulce de leche (milk caramel) and covered with either dark or white chocolate coating.

Gave my boys one each, and they enjoyed these cookies a lot. A lovely sweet treat, Alfajor is an iconic product from Argentina.

Nutritional information: 398kcal and 43.5g of sugar per 100g (one package is 50g).

You should receive 2 items in your box.

Available in international Latin shops.

Three international products in the latest box might give you a taste of what's to come in the International edition of the advent calendar from Degustabox. I have pre-ordered mine a while ago, and can't wait to discover all its treasures.

Family Affairs at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane

 

"So much was good about Norton Dene and her new life, but there were still prejudices that must be overcome, the clinging to the past replaced by the new ideas that would take them into the future".

Family Affairs at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane is a fascinating historical saga set in the 1930s.

This is the second book in the series, which could be read as standalone.

Blurb:

Times are changing as secrets unfold...

Somerset, 1931.

Doctor Frances Brakespeare continues to settle into her new life in rural Somerset at Orchard Cottage Hospital, striving to improve the medical treatments on offer to the community.

After successfully establishing a mother and baby clinic, Frances is determined to move with the times and add family planning advice to her roster - but are the residents of Norton Dene ready for such progress or will she face opposition?

In her personal life, her relationship with the Reverend Gregory Sampson becomes her safe haven whilst battling with an embittered family relative in London. As always, Frances strives to honour the values inherited from her benefactress Izzy Brakespeare.

As further dark family secrets and sins unfold, it seems the Brakespeare family name will have more resonance to Frances than she ever imagined and when a stranger enters her life, Frances may finally have the answers she has always sought.

Doctor Frances Brakespeare is on a mission. After her mother and baby clinic has become a success, she wants to expand the services by adding a family planning advice to its schedule. 

"She'd thrown herself into being resident doctor at the Orchard Cottage Hospital. Some people baulked at the prospect of a female doctor. Others thought her a breath of fresh air. She'd made changes, she'd modernised, and she intended carrying on doing so..."

Frances is adamant that family planning will greatly improve the lives of the local women, who are burdened with big families, and health problems coming from frequent pregnancies. And then there is the financial aspect, of course, with too many mouths to feed. 

"Now she had plans to take it a bit further, which were both modern and bound to shock in such a traditional small town. Family planning advice was likely to be contentious..."

It proves to be a very controversial subject, with the local community being divided in their opinions, and the opposition raising its head.

On top of the clinic issues, Frances has to deal with her adoptive mother's sister Beatrice. Izzy adopted baby Frances from the workhouse, and brought her up, offering all the opportunities she herself was denied and encouraging her education and commitment to the medical profession. Beatrice feels great resentment towards her late sister Izzy for giving their family name to a "nobody". 

Beatrice is a snobbish, unpleasant character, she is incensed that her family name is bestowed on someone she considers to be from the lowly class. "She was like a dog with a bone, she couldn't let go of it, couldn't stop it ruling her days and her nights".

She instructs the solicitor to threaten Frances with possible repercussions if she doesn't relinquish her name.

Reverend Gregory Sampson provides a safe haven to Frances, and a shoulder to lean on. He is also a sounding board for the ideas that might scandalise the local society.

 "...hellfire and Brimstone were not Gregory's style. He exuded infectious joy in his job and everyday interaction with people and the world at large. In short, he had the capacity to make religion part of everyday life, not just for Sundays".

When a stranger appears in Norton Dene, they have a dark story to share with Dr Frances. What tragic secrets will come to light? 

The second book in this historical/medical saga is a captivating sequel to the previous book, which introduced us to the main protagonists and set the scene.

There are new characters brought in the book, as well as a love story unfolding that would please the most discerning romance readers. 

Norton Dene is not a fluffy rose-tinted community of friendly locals with modern ideas. The setting of the book feels authentic and realistic, with all the struggles women faced at the time, revealing tiny steps forward towards acceptance of professional women, and medical progress.

It was lovely to catch up with the lives of the nurses we met in the previous book, sisters Lucy Daniels and Nancy Skittings.

This heartfelt series will thrill the fans of the historical saga.

Family Affairs at Orchard Cottage Hospital is a tale of courage and hope, love and friendship, loss and second chances. Absorbed me completely. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

If you missed my review of the first book, you might want to read it - see A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital. 

Many thanks to Lizzie Lane, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/familyaffairsatsocial

Author Bio –

Lizzie Lane is the author of over 50 books, a number of which have been bestsellers.  She was born and bred in Bristol where many of her family worked in the cigarette and cigar factories, this inspired her saga series for Boldwood The Tobacco Girls.

 

Social Media Links – 

Twitter: @baywriterallat1

Instagram: @baywriterallatsea

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/LizzieLaneNews

 

Bookbub profile: @baywriterallatsea

September Box Degustabox

 Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. 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.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in September Box Degustabox?

Tilda Saag Aloo Rice Limited Edition (£1.54) is the Product of the Month. This is the latest addition to the expansive range of Tilda rice.

It is a combination of two iconic Indian sides - Pure Basmati and Saag Aloo. Perfect with fish or chicken. Eat it on its own with a salad, or as a side dish to go with a curry.

Ready in a couple of minutes in a microwave or 3 minutes in a pan, Tilda rice is always an easy and quick meal.

Nutritional information: 156kcal and 0.65g of salt per 125g serving. Made with finest rice, and nothing artificial, this rice is gluten free and also vegetarian/vegan.

I'm always curious to try Tilda limited edition rice, and this new recipe didn't disappoint.

Available in Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Waitrose and Ocado.

LU Le Petit Cookie (£1.99) is a French biscuit with chunky rich chocolate chips.

My guys love LU biscuits (Le Petit Chocolat is a particular favourite). Le Petit Cookie is actually not small at all, both in size and flavour. Perfectly baked, with decent chunks of chocolate, they are a lovely treat to go with a cup of tea, coffee or a glass of milk. 

Once you open the packaging, the smell is so tempting. 

Nutritional information: 116kcal and 8.2g of sugar per 23g cookie.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

SMINT Strawberry XXL tin (£1.50) are sugar free pastilles, made with sweeteners. Three times bigger than regular Smint, Smint XXL Strawberry is a combination of mint and strawberry flavours (and very nice it is).

Coming in a convenient little tin, they are easy to carry around in a bag or pocket for when you need to freshen up your breath.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Jordan's Country Crisp Limited Edition Blueberry Crumble (£3.60) is a new special edition product from Jordan's.

It's a combination of light and crispy golden and purple oat clusters with naturally sweet blueberry pieces. Turns the milk purple. Tasty and fun!

Nutritional values: 190kcal and 10g of sugar per 45g portion (without milk).

A good source of fibre, it's made with wholegrain oats, no palm oil; suitable for vegetarians.

Available in Tesco, ASDA and Ocado.

Truly Nuts! Always Stoked Smoked or Fired Up Chilli Flavoured Nuts (£1.30) is a tasty snack, a combination of brazil nuts, almonds and cashews. 

Gluten free, vegan friendly and baked not fried. 

Great with a glass of cold beer. Morevover, with each purchase you activate your GO WILD FOR GOOD! pledge to donate 25% of profits to preserve the Amazon jungle.

Available on the Truly Nuts! website, Amazon, WHSmith, and independent health stores.

You should recieve 1 item in your box.

Knorr Red Wine Stock Pot (£1.90) is a brand new product from Knorr. 

With colder days ahead of us, it's a useful product to have in the pantry, for making all those lovely stews and casseroles.

Each pot contains half a glass of full bodied red wine - great for adding an extra rich flavour to your dishes, for example, Bolognese, or sausage casserole. Just add one pot directly to the dish you're cooking. 

Free from colours, gluten free, made with sustainably grown herbs.

Nutritional values: 5kcal and 0.99g of salt per portion (each pot contains 4 portions).

Available in ASDA and Ocado.

Cirio Bologna Pasta Sauce or Roma Pasta Sauce (£2.25) is another new product that hits the shopping shelves soon. This new range is region-inspired, and includes a selection of best-known and much loved regional sauces, from Bologna vegan ragu, to Hot Chilli in Calabria, and Tomato and Cheese in Parma.

Cirio is one of our favourite brands of tomato products. I always have a few tins stashed in the kitchen pantry for a variety of pasta dishes. A new product from Cirio is always an exciting discovery.

You should receive 1 item in your box. We received Roma Pasta Sauce, which is a tomato and smoked bacon sauce. Travelling with Cirio around Italy, this product is their tribute to a classic Amatriciana.

An indulgent pasta sauce comes in a convenient TetraPak brick, which is recyclable.

Nutritional information: 126kcal and 4.8g of sugar per 100g.

Coming soon to Ocado.

MAGGI Air Fryer Recipe Mix (£0.99 each) are handy, time-saving pouches of herbs and spices mixes for a variety of tasty meals.

Quick and easy, they can be used with a wide choice of proteins and vegetables. 

We don't have an air fryer, and I plan to use these mixes for tray bakes, and also when making chicken cutlets (chicken breast flattened, coated in a mix of cornflour and spices/herbs, then pan fried), or roast chicken.

You should receive three items: Shawarma, Piri Piri and Fajita.

Nutrition values: 220kcal and 2.4g of sugar per serving (shawarma); 249kcal and 1.4g (piri piri) and 205kcal and 4.9g of sugar (fajita).

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Flava It! Fuss-Free Seasoning Mixes (£1.10 each) are seasoning mix sachets with lots of flavour. Introducing two of the most popular flavours - Smoky BBQ and Chinese Style.

Very easy to use, just sprinkle, cook and enjoy. 

Smoky BBQ and Chinese Style mixes could be used in BBQed, grilled, oven-cooked, or fried meals.

Nutritional values: 28kcal and 5.4g of sugar per portion (BBQ; 1/4 pack) and 28kcal and 4.7g of sugar per portion (Chinese style).

Free from artificial colours.

Available in Tesco, Morrisons and Ocado.

You should receive two items in your box.

Also don't miss your chance to win a £200 Tesco voucher for sharing your feedback (head to Tesco.com and search for Flava It!). A winner will be selected on 15 November, so you still have time to try the seasoning mixes and leave a review. Good luck!

NYOM Original Oat drink premix (£1.10) is a novel plant-base product. 

Unlike many plant-based milks available in shops in cartons, this product doesn't have any water added to it. Adding water at home is a big leap for sustainability and convenience. It has a long shelf-life, and is easy to make. Just squeeze the pouch into a bottle, add cold water, shake and enjoy fresh oat milk with a silky texture.

Order online now at www.myom.shop and use code MXDB2FOR12 to get 2 boxes (6 pouches each) for £12 and free delivery. 12 pouches makes 6 litres of oat milk.

Free from dairy, lactose free, vegan friendly, source of Calcium, Vitamin D3 +B12, nutrient-packed, phosphate free, iodine-fortified, no added sugar.

Typical values: 34kcal per 100ml.

Available at myom.shop.

And finally,

Acti+ Clean Energy Drink (£1.50) - a natural clean energy drink that boosts performance and focus with nootropics, vitamins, and minerals.

Sugar-free and all natural, it professes to enhance mental sharpness and reduce tiredness, as well as support immunity. 

Available in Strawberry & Dragon Fruit and Peach & Apricot flavours, these drinks contain zero sugar and 80mg caffeine.

You can get 30%off with code POSITIVE30 at acti-plus.co.uk until 31 October'24.

Available in Tesco, Holland & Barrett and online.

You should receive 1 item in your box.

Well, what do you think? There were a lot of new products to discover. Which one is your favourite?

I also want to alert you - if you're looking for a foodie advent calendar, Degustabox advent calendars are legendary.

You can get £6 off at qrco.de/advent-UK with code ADVFL24.  This calendar will cost £38.99 (worth £55). 

I was super excited to see that there was an International Advent Calendar, and ordered it at the beginning of September. Not sure if it's all sold out, as I cannot seem to find it any longer on their site.

The Limited edition Advent calendar might be sold out soon too, so don't dawdle or you'll miss it.

Bella's Countryside Christmas by Claire Huston

 

"That was it. She needed a Sarah Connor-style life makeover. Without the guns".

Don't worry if you think you're having a déjà vu moment, I did a cover reveal for Bella's Countryside Christmas only recently. 

Since then, I've read it, and it happened to be my first Christmas book of the coming festive season.

Bella's Countryside Christmas by Claire Huston is a sweet romantic comedy, and the latest in the Love in the Comptons series.

It was lovely to revisit the village of Haileybrook, and catch up with some of the characters who have appeared previously in the series. All the stories are separate, and each reads as a standalone.

Bella’s Countryside Christmas

An uplifting festive romance perfect for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies and authors such as Phillipa Ashley, Trisha Ashley, Sue Moorcroft, Rebecca Raisin and Donna Ashcroft.

Fleeing her heartache and horrendous job, Bella stumbles upon a December wedding in the beautiful village of Haileybrook and the spirit of the season moves her to act as a fake date to handsome stranger Jack.

Jack and Bella hit it off, but Bella has to leave in a hurry and their magical evening soon becomes nothing more than a blissful memory.

A year later, Bella is returning to Haileybrook, seeking a fresh start and a quieter life. With a new job close to her cosy cottage home, a peaceful Christmas is surely only days away.

But it’s not long before family surprises, small-town feuds and romantic drama disrupt Bella’s plans, and she has to wonder if being alone is what she really wants for Christmas …

Trying to escape the most boring work-related pre-Christmas evening do, Bella decides to visit a church in the neighbouring village of Haileybrook. While admiring the interior and Christmas decorations, she inadvertently overhears a conversation between two strangers. One of them departs, leaving the other in a pickle. There is a wedding happening in the next hour, and Jack's plus-one has cancelled on him.

Bella volunteers to act as a fake date, taking pity on Jack, who just happens to be very handsome. As the day unfolds, Bella comes to realise that Jack's mates are rather dismissive of him, and totally take him for granted.

"A ghostly hand squeezed Bella's heart. She knew what it felt like to be rejected and unfairly maligned. And she wasn't about to let these people belittle Jack for being a decent person whose main fault seemed to be that he wasn't rich".

There is an immediate chemistry between the two, they feel comfortable in each other's company and enjoy a friendly banter. The evening turns truly magical. However, family business makes Bella leave the wedding party in a hurry. 

Hypnotized by the beauty of the countryside around Haileybrook, Bella decides to drastically change her job and move away from London to the serene location of happy memories.

A year later she gets a job in the Brookfield retirement village, finds a cosy little cottage to live in, and dreams of a peaceful festive season. This move is supposed to be a beginning of a more relaxed life.

"She had moved to Haileybrook to concentrate on herself. She would start her job tomorrow. Settle in and eventually make some friends, perhaps get a little involved in the local community. Romance was the last thing she had planned."

Relaxed life is not on the cards though. Bella is plunged deep into a demanding job, and cannot help but get involved in the local drama and small-scale feuds. And while romance is the last thing on her mind, she has to re-think her ideas of a solitary "peaceful" Christmas. Matters of the heart rarely respect our thoroughly laid plans.

I enjoy Claire Huston's humour, she is brilliant with describing her characters, with their quirks and habits. It's not just the main protagonists, there is a plethora of supporting characters, who are masterfully portrayed to create a convincing and true to life setting. Then there is a witty banter and some very amusing observations that will make you chortle, as you will definitely recognise the pompous and self-centred people and awkward situations. 

There is also a dash of cosy crime thrown into the main story, which does not deflect from the romcom.

Bella is a girl after my own heart, as she enjoys her food, and does not count calories (though even I might have raised an eyebrow at her love of cakes, not in a critical but rather admiring way).

Set against the beautiful winter background, Bella's Countryside Christmas makes me dream of a white Christmas. Could we please have some snow? 

Fresh and funny, Bella's Countryside Christmas is hugely enjoyable. An excellent premise, and great fun. If you're looking for a seasonal read in the near future, this book is a perfect candidate.

Many thanks to Claire Huston and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/BellasCC

Publication Date: 18^th September 2024

Author Bio –

Claire Huston lives in Warwickshire, UK with her husband and two children. She writes uplifting modern love stories about characters who are meant for each other but sometimes need a little help to realise it.

A keen amateur baker, she enjoys making cakes, biscuits and brownies almost as much as eating them. You can find recipes for over a hundred sweet treats at clairehuston.co.uk. This is also where she talks about and reviews books.

Social Media Links – 

https://linktr.ee/clairehuston_author

Valhalla's Fury by Donovan Cook

 

"For longer than I can remember, Charles, I was lost. All I wanted was to die, to end my existence on Midgard. But then you came along and gave me a reason to live again".

"It did feel like the gods had turned against them. Or him. Although Sven was never really sure that Odin was ever with him".

Valhalla's Fury by Donovan Cook is a compulsive historical adventure book set in Francia in late summer AD 854.

This is the fourth book in the Charlemagne's Cross series, following Thor's Revenge. The main conflict has been established as a propelling course of action in the previous books, and I recommend starting with the first book in the series to appreciate all the dynamics of the plot, and the relationship between the major historical and fictional characters, appearing in this thrilling saga.

Blurb:

Abandoned by his people and destined for Valhalla, do not stand in the way of his fury.

Ribe is lost, its hall burnt, and Charles is still missing. Sven must once more sail into dangerous waters to rescue his grandson.

King Louis of East Francia, the man who took Sven's son from him almost twenty years ago, has Charles captive and uses him to force Sven to do his bidding and create chaos raiding his brother's Kingdom of West Francia.

The long awaited meeting of Charles and his mother, Abbess Hildegard, is not what Charles dreamed it would be and soon it becomes clear that Charles is in even more danger. Torn between the heathen gods and his Christian god, Charles must decide where his future lies.

Sven must fight if he wants to see Charles again and keep the Cross of Charlemagne out of the hands of the Frankish kings. The only thing that Sven knows is that to save Charles, innocent people must die.

Proceeding the events narrated in Thor's Revenge, when Sven the Boar, the jarl of Ribe, is separated from his grandson, and his hometown is burnt down, we follow his footsteps as he travels to Francia in search of Charles.

The people of Ribe are glad to see him leave, as they have never wanted him as jarl, "not after all he had done and the lives that were lost because of him".

King Louis of East Francia uses his own grandson as a pawn to force Sven's hand. "For King Louis, Charles was a threat, even if the boy was only nine winters old. He was a weapon that could be used against the king of East Francia, but as long as Sven proved to be useful to King Louis, then Charles would be safe. Or so Sven hoped".

Charles is a prisoner of King Louis. His mother, Abbess Hildegard, is pretty much the hostage of her father's political ambitions as well. The boy feels lost and despondent, and is quickly losing his faith. Being brought up a Christian, Charles believes he's been punished by God. He finds himself in a very dangerous position, and even his mother cannot safeguard him.

Unbeknown to him, Thora the shield maiden, and Sven's loyal supporter, travels across Francia to find Charles, and help him escape the clutches of King Louis. 

Thora senses a change in Charles. "The boy was destined to be a warrior, just like his father and his grandfather and their fathers before them. The Norns had already decided that for Charles, whether he accepted it or not".

Sven has lost the lust for battles, yet fight he must if he hopes to ever see his grandson alive. Caught between the enmity of the royal brothers, the Frankish kings, Sven is full of anger and fury. There is so much senseless loss of lives. Innocent people pay for the amibitions of their kings.

Who will get the infamous Charlemagne's Cross? Will Sven re-unite with his grandson?

Charles is so burdened by the feeling of guilt, that his Christian faith no longer supports him. He has been questioning his faith for a while, and having lived among both Christians and heathens, he finds savagery and kindness in both religions. There are so many questions, to which there are no obvious answers. Charles knows that one day he would have to make a choice between his grandfather and his mother, and this idea brings much misery.

Sven is a multi-dimensional character. It's impossible to like him.  Being what he is, a man of his times and culture, a bloodthirsty Norse raider, he is ruthless and savage. You shudder at the rate of violence his men and he incur on the innocent people. Yet he is not without redeeming qualities, and you feel a certain sympathy for him, as he genuinely loves his grandson, and is put into an unbearable position.

Numerous battle scenes are quite graphic, authentic and convincing. The characters, major and minor, will stay with you long after you finish the book. 

I don't know if there's going to be a new series, featuring the younger generation of characters from the Charlemagne's Cross series. I would love to know what life has in store for Charles (and Jorlaug).

Valhalla's Fury is a deftly-woven, remarkable ending of the excellent historical saga. Stylish, compulsive and very readable.

 

See reviews of the previous books in the series:

1. Odin's Betrayal

2. Loki's Deceit

3. Thor's Revenge

This review is part of the blog tour for Valhalla's Fury.

Many thanks to Donovan Cook, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/ValhallasFury

Author Bio –

Donovan Cook is the author of the well-received Ormstunga Saga series which combines fast-paced narrative with meticulously researched history of the Viking world, and is inspired by his interest in Norse Mythology.  He was born in South Africa and currently lives in Lancashire, UK.

Social Media Links –   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonovanCookAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DonovanCook20

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DonovanCookNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donovan-cook

Bella's Countryside Christmas by Claire Huston (cover reveal)

 

Claire Huston is one of my favourite modern romance writers, and I'm delighted to reveal the UK cover for her latest book Bella's Countryside Christmas.

Bella’s Countryside Christmas

An uplifting festive romance perfect for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies and authors such as Phillipa Ashley, Trisha Ashley, Sue Moorcroft, Rebecca Raisin and Donna Ashcroft.

Fleeing her heartache and horrendous job, Bella stumbles upon a December wedding in the beautiful village of Haileybrook and the spirit of the season moves her to act as a fake date to handsome stranger Jack.

Jack and Bella hit it off, but Bella has to leave in a hurry and their magical evening soon becomes nothing more than a blissful memory.

A year later, Bella is returning to Haileybrook, seeking a fresh start and a quieter life. With a new job close to her cosy cottage home, a peaceful Christmas is surely only days away.

But it’s not long before family surprises, small-town feuds and romantic drama disrupt Bella’s plans, and she has to wonder if being alone is what she really wants for Christmas …

And ta da! Here it is, a festive book cover for Christmas romance fans!

Pre-order Link - https://mybook.to/BellasCC

Publication Date: 18^th September 2024

Author Bio –

Claire Huston lives in Warwickshire, UK with her husband and two children. She writes uplifting modern love stories about characters who are meant for each other but sometimes need a little help to realise it.

A keen amateur baker, she enjoys making cakes, biscuits and brownies almost as much as eating them. You can find recipes for over a hundred sweet treats at clairehuston.co.uk. This is also where she talks about and reviews books.

Social Media Links – 

https://linktr.ee/clairehuston_author

August Box Degustabox

 Summer, good bye! You passed in a blink, with lots of adventures, challenges and happy (and not so happy) days galore. It's back to school in a few days, and oh boy, are we not looking forward to it.

Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. 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.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in August Box Degustabox?

Let's start with Product of the Month:

Tilda Garlic & Herbs rice (£1.54) is the latest addition to the range of Tilda rice. 

This fragrant garlic and herbs (basil, parsley, oregano) flavoured rice will make a delicious side dish, or base for one pan/pot dishes. Ready in just 2-3 minutes, it's a quick and easy meal.

I always have a couple of Tilda rice pouches in the pantry for the days, when I don't have time or energy to cook rice from scratch, and serve it with either salmon, Beef Stroganoff, sausages, roast vegetables or chicken dishes.

Nutritional values: 146kcal and 0.63g of salt per 125g (half a pouch).

Available in Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Ocado.

Nongshim Shin Ramyun Spicy Chicken noodle (£1.20) is for fans of spicy noodles. Enjoy the authentic taste of Shin Ramyun chicken. It's super easy to prepare, it needs a few minutes of boiling water to preparer a quick meal.

Nutritional values: 408 kcal, 3.5g of salt and 3g of sugar per 100g.

Available in major supermarket chains.

These Korean instant noodles have lots of E-numbers in the list of ingredients. We were curious to try the dish, but it is very hot.

New Skittles Giants Gooey (£1.25) is the latest Skittles innovation. 

Filled with gooey citrus centre, these soft, fruity flavoured sweets will thrill all the Skittles fans.

Flavours included are strawberry, lime, lemon, blackcurrant and orange

Nutritional values: 392kcal and 76g of sugar per 100g.

Available across major supermarket chains.

Cadbury Brunch Light Orange/ or Honey & Oat bars (£1.35) are cereal bars made with wholegrain oats, crispies, orange zest and bran flakes, drizzled with honey and dipped in smooth milk chocolate.

Our older son loves cereal bars, and he was very happy with this lot.

Nutritional information: 93kcal and 4.5g of sugar per 26g bar.

Available in major supermarket chains. 

You should receive 1 item in your box.

Whatever Kidz Peppa Pig Little Choco Chip Cookies or Little Butter Biscuits (£1.50) are lovely sweet treats for little people. 

There are two flavours to choose from. You should receive 1 item of two, and we got Peppa Pig Butter Biscuits. They were buttery, light and not too sweet, which I appreciated.

Made with fibre and free from artificial colours and preservatives, they make a wholesome choice.

Typical values: 89kcal and 3.5g of sugar per 20g serving.

Available in Iceland.

Knorr Aromat Seasoning (£1.90) is an all purpose savoury seasoning.

Free from artificial preservatives and artificial colours, this seasoning offers a finely balanced blend of herbs and spices. Incredibly versatile with a wide selection of meals, you can also use it just like salt and pepper at the table.

Nutritional values: 165kcal and 7.1g of sugar per 100g.

Available in major supermarket chains.

Just Live a Little Raspberry, Coconut & Cashew Granola (£1.50) is a mix of golden gluten free oats with zingy and sweet raspberries, toasted cashews, coconut, pumpkin seeds, crisped rice and a dollop of almond butter.

Enjoy for breakfast with coconut yogurt and fresh fruit, or try making granola bars or cookies.

High in fibre, good for your gut, no refined sugar, vegan.

Nutritional information: 191kcal and 5.3g of sugar per 45g pouch. 

Available at Amazon and justlivealittle.com.

Ueshima Coffee Company Iced Latte/ or Iced Matcha Latte (£2) - the original canned coffee - is best served chilled. Created by their founder Mr Ueshima in 1966, this coffee has acquired a cult status among the iced coffee lovers.

Smooth and refreshing latte, brewed the Japanese way. 

Nutritional information: 75kcal and 10g of sugar per can; Rainforest Alliance certified coffee.

Available on www.ueshimacoffeecompany.com.

You should receive 1 item in your box (we got the Iced Latte).

SqueezeIt Apple & Blackcurrant/ Apple & Raspberry (£0.69) is a still juice drink with spring water.

In bright coloured soft squeezy bottles, these fun drinks and refreshing and vibrant.

Made with sweeteners (aspartame and saccharin), they are still too sweet for my personal taste.

Available in Iceland, Home Bargains, B&M, Heron Foods, Farmfoods and many more.

You should receive 2 items in your box.

Get More Vits Raspberry & Blueberry Multivits 330ml and Mango & Passionfruit Vitamin D 500ml (£0.85 and £1.25) are fruity, sugar-free soft drinks with a daily dose of vitamins.

These drinks make it easier to boost your vitamin intake.

Sugar-free, low calorie and made with UK spring water and natural fruit flavours, Get More Vits are refreshing and flavourful.

Available from most major UK supermarkets.

You should receive 2 items in your box.

What is your favourite product in the latest Degustabox?