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?

Chase: The Complete Trilogy by Thomas Dellenbusch

 

"He wanted to battle criminals, but not to become one himself. Killing was never a part of the plan during these operations".

Chase: The Complete Trilogy by Thomas Dellenbusch is an entertaining and gripping story of suspence. There are lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. 

Blurb:

Chase, the famous detective agency in Hamburg, is faced with three extremely tricky cases. Solving the intricate mysteries is one thing, the dangers involved are another. Chief investigator Rique Allmers and his team are always up against powerful and unscrupulous opponents.

In "The Hunt for the Mute Poetess", they set out to uncover the family secret of a deaf-mute author, which is closely guarded by the Hamburg mafia.

In "The Hunt for a King", the two Chase agents Jerome and Chen Lu travel to Scotland to solve the murder of a history professor. Without knowing it, they fight to preserve one of the greatest legends of mankind.

In "The Hunt for the Tsar's Treasure!, Andree, Chase's IT specialist, after his girlfriend is kindnapped, suddenly finds himself in a trace to find what is probably the most valuable lost treasure in the world.

This series introduces us to the concept of KopfKino.

"KopfKino (a German term for Theatre of the Mind) means relaxing, thought-provoking and enthralling movie-length stories. With an approximate reading time of between 60 and 180 minutes".

All books are published as movie-length instalments.

Chase: The Hunt for the Mute Poetess is the first book in the trilogy.

The plot of the first story shows the dark side of the organised crime empire with its evil ganglords. This grim network, enforced by fear, is involved in the vicious murders, exploitation, human trafficking, ruthless violence. Dramatic events of the past have repercussions that stretch their ugly tentacles into the present.

We're plunged into an action scene from the first page. A young barefoot woman collides into Rique Allmers, the private detective, as he walks in the city centre. She looks terrified, and no surprise, as she is chased by a couple of dangerous thugs. Rique helps the woman escape her pursuers, but the hunt is not over. The adversary - the Hamburg mob - is lethal and ruthless.

Katja Krömer has no idea why she is being hunted by the gangsters. To rescue her, Rique's team has to solve the clues and find the answers in Katja's mother's past.

While the series is named Chase after the agency, there is plenty of chasing in all books, so it's an apt title from both points of view.

Rique Allmers is the head of the enterprise named Chase. "His services, which were commissioned by corporations, celebrities and wealthy citizens, included property- and personal-security, surveillance, extortion-, missing-persons- and industrial-espionage investigations, and much more. The government also engaged Rique's services for covert operations..."

The group consists of a varied group of specialists, from those skilled in close-combat techniques to computer and technology whizzes.

As the plot unfolds, we meet different members of the group, and begin to appreciate their talents.

In "The Hunt for a King" the action moves to Scotland. The pace, suspence and intrigue are expertly handled. 

A professor of history dies in suspicious circumstances. Police declare it to be an accident caused by a drink-drive. The problem is - the well-respected professor didn't drink. Who has killed Ronald Campbell and why? Professor's sons are in danger too. Two agents from Chase, Jerome and Chen Lu, arrive to Scotland to help work out the mystery.

I found this part of the trilogy most exciting, as it turns to be a creative and imaginative interpretation of Arthurian legends. 

In The Hunt for Tsar's Treasure we follow Andree, the IT specialist from Chase, as he tries to rescue his girlfriend Manuela, who's been kidnapped. Finding and freeing Manuela becomes his priority, but to save her, the team needs to decode a series of puzzles, with clues hidden in riddles and artifcats.

This story sets the team looking for the priceless treasures, which were lost during the WWII. 

It's a smart, corkscrew plot, with interesting forays into the historical past.

The main characters of the series are not super-humans, we see them making mistakes, not paying enough attention, or not being physically fit to escape the criminals.

KopfKino has proved to be a promising concept. 

Pros: You can easily read each instalment during a train or plane journey, or whenever you find some free time to yourself. 

Action-packed, these stories are rather visual and suspensful. 

Cons: Due to the format, there is no in-depth character development, or backstory. I would have liked to know more of the background of Rique, Katja etc, to find out how the agency was born.

This gripping read would make a great TV series.

If you enjoy a mix of action/mystery/conspiracy/thriller, Chase will take you on a rollicking adventure.

Many thanks to Thomas Dellenbusch for my free copy of the e-book!

About the author:

Thomas Dellenbusch was born in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1964, and still lives there. The former police detective and advertising copywriter has been actively writing for more than twenty years on a wide variety of topics. 

Although the lion's share of his assignments originate from the advertising industry, he has also put his talents to use producing speeches for government officials, poetry for individuals, screenplays, rulebooks, newspaper articles, sketches and much more. In short, any subject that can be communicated in a stimulating manner. 

Since 2013, he has specialised in the production of movie-length stories - written both by himself and seven other authors via the publishing company he founded expressely for that purpose.

A Voice in the Darkness (The Sundering Chronicles Book 2) by Mark Iles

 

"All wars leave scars. Not just the physical but the mental. The memory of watching friends die when there was nothing at all you could do about it."

"He was death incarnate. A nightmare once seen never forgotten. The sight of him was enough to send witnesses into screaming fits and nightmares for the rest of their lives".

A Voice in the Darkness (The Sundering Chronicles Book 2) by Mark Iles is a gripping sci fi/fantasy action-packed thriller with lots of twists and turns you won't see coming.

This sequel to Gardens of Earth was worth waiting for. It expands on the concepts from the previous novel. If you haven't read the first book, I'd suggest starting with it, and you will be hooked.

Blurb:

When children on the colony of Semillion go missing, they return changed, the parents even claim they are not their offspring. Sheriff Andrews soon finds himself investiagating the bizarre situation. what he discovers, leads to him being recalled by the military and sent back to Earth, a place now quarantined and where colonical humans are forbidden to venture.

The intention is to recruit ex-commando Seethan Bodell, who's living with the survivors of The Sundering and the mythological creatures that now inhabit the world.

Earth is still ruled with an iron fist by the alien Spooks, but there is something else going on behind the scenes, a new and deadly threat.

To succeed, Andrews and Bodell need to call on that grand tapestry of inhabitants: the shapeshifters, elves, the ravening pack of werewolves that Seethan now belongs to, and even the dead; in the hope that it will be enough to prevent an escalating situation that could so easily lead to war.

Sheriff Andrews lives among the colonists of the green planet Semillion, enjoying the relative peace and quiet, and pondering about his recent past. It was he who'd agreed the peace accord with the alien Spooks. The interstellar conflict had ended, yet the Admiralty decided he should take responsibility for the disaster, even if the dramatic chain of events had been utterly outside his control.

Semillion appears peaceful, "the forests flush with life and filled with bird song, air fragrant with the scent of flowers, loud and soft calls of unknown creatures, and the heady welcoming embrace of nature all around him. If Eden had ever existed it had to be like this".

However, this Eden has problems of its own.

Andrews is tasked with solving the mystery of the missing children. Some of them disappear for a while only to re-appear without remembering anything about what might have happened to them.

When daughter of the local widow goes missing, her mother is distraught. Andrews and his Deputy begin the investigation, following the possible clues, only to discover that the dreadful disappearances are just an indication of a much bigger problem, going beyond the Semillion's colonists.

There are "strange things going on out there in the forest".  As his Deputy says, "The shadows in these woods suck the life right out of you, Sheriff. It's an ominous feeling, like being watched all the time by God knows what. Go on, tell me you don't feel it. Everyone does".

To find the answers to their problems, Andrews has to go back to Earth. He has no choice. The trip could well end in a disaster, as the alien Spooks who rule the planet refuse to grant access to Earth to any colonial humans.

The surviving humans live in primitive conditions, without modern technology. What's more, the creatures of myths and legends now inhabit the same space as the humans.

Andrews hopes to find ex-commando Seethan Bodell and recruit him in the dangerous mission. Yet Bodell has undergone a huge change, having become a werewolf. "Seethan wasn't your average werewolf. He was a war veteran. A man who cared. Someone who'd learned to use his PTSD strategies to temper his murderous and manic lycanthrope urges, tools to keep the darkness away".

To succeed in their mission, Andrews and Seethan have to work out their differences. In fact, there is a lot in common between two war veterans. They also need to challenge their own fears and wipe away the preconceptions. 

To confront the embodiment of the interstellar evil, all the diverse groups inhabiting the Earth, have to unite and fight together: humans, elves, werewolves and shapeshifters, and even the dead. 

The first book was a thrilling mix of dystopian sci fi, fantasy, horror and high-octane action. While all these elements are still present in the second book, it leans heavier on the fantasy side. Plus there is a strong philosophical undertone, with the insights into PTSD, its effects and methods to cope with it. 

This dark tale raises deep philosophical questions about the survival of human species, futuristic technology, the devastating effects of colonialism and unchecked exploitation, and many others.

Though set in the future, the book is a commentary on the present state of humankind. 

The story pulls you in and refuses to let you go. The shocker of an ending hints at the next book in the series, and I'm hoping it won't take too long for the Book 3, as I really want to know how certain plotlines will develop. Highly recommended. 

About Mark Iles:

Born and raised in Slough, Mark Iles began studying the martial arts when he was 14 and joined the Royal Navy at the age of 17. A voracious reader he used to devour up to three paperbacks a day - primarily science fiction, fantasy and horror - by the likes of John Wyndham, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark, Ray Bradbury, Brian Lumley, Frank Herbert, Stephen King, and a plethora of others.

After The Falklands War Mark was drafted to Hong Kong, where he began writing features, for a variety of martial arts magazines, and short stories for a wide range of markets.

In 2012 he decided to challenge himself and undertook an MA in Professional Writing, followed by Diplomas in Copywriting and Proofreading. With over 200 short stories and articles under his belt the book he wrote for his MA Project, A Pride of Lions was published by Solstice - followed by two other novels, a short story collection, and four novellas. His novel Gardens of Earth, book I of The Sundering Chronicles, was published by Elsewhen Press in 2021.

A Voice in the Darkness is the second in the series. Now a 9th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, Mark is still involved in martial arts and has also written both a book and an app on the subject.

Author's Social Links:

http://www.markiles.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mark-Iles/e/B004YZBP3I

http://www.twitter.com/welcometoearth

www.linkedin.com/in/mark-iles-82267a33

Mark Iles – Elsewhen Press

 

The Home Front Nurses by Rachel Brimble

 

"...if nothing else, this war had taught her how important human beings were to one another. How everyone needed someone else to rely on, to trust."

"It was time to forget the past and concentrate on creating a different kind of drea. A different kind of future".

The Home Front Nurses by Rachel Brimble is a stirring tale of friendship and loyalty, trauma and challenges, fulfilment and inner strength.

This is a character-driven historical fiction with strong female protagonists. Rachel Brimble portrays the home front nurses and the challenges they face with compassion and sensitivity.

Blurb:

September 1941, Bath - three friends are about to find that some of the biggest battles are to be found on the home front...

As war rages and brave soldiers returning home from the frontline need nurses more than ever, fiercely proud redhead Sylvia Roberts is determined to help in any way she can. In spite of her mother's belief she isn't good enough, Sylvia believes that becoming a home front nurse is her calling.

Together with the two friends she makes on her first day in the job - Freda and Veronica - she knows she can help save lives. And, as the devastation of war shows no signs of ceasing, their work becomes even more vital.

Then Sylvia's life is thrown into the path of a man who might just be able to capture her heart. Even though he is somebody who everyone - except her best friends - seems prejudiced against. Can love really conquer all, in times of war?

One thing she knows is that - in the dangerous days that will follow - she and her friends will all need to support each other right to the end.

Sylvia, Freda and Veronica are newly qualified nurses, working in one of the hospitals in Bath. Their friendship is helping them through difficult times.

The nurses' personalities are quite different, what they have in common is their desire to help save lives.

Sylvia Roberts lives with her mother, who has told her countless times she would fail to become a nurse.

"Having stood firm and determined in her work and mind - not to mention remaining stalwart in the face of the daily physical strain - from today, she was a fully registered nurse. The world was her oyster..."

Sylvia is trying to prove to people that she is nothing like her brass mother who's got quite a reputation locally.

"I might not have been enough for certain people in my life, but I am good enough for Bath hospital and I'm determined to become one of the best nurses this city has ever seen".

Freda is trying to be "a good girl", while cherishing a dream of using her writing skills in the future. Her parents don't mind her being a nurse, as they think it is a good opportunity of finding a decent husband. 

Freda, however, has ideas of her own. "She could not waste her life adhering to her mother's well-meant but wholly domestic plans for her and Dorothy [younger sister]. She was made of tougher stuff than to serve and pander to a husband, see to a brood of kids and cook something - to quote her mother - "delectable" every night". While determined to do her job diligently, Freda knows that nursing is not for her, not by a log shot.

Veronica is the complete opposite of self-assertive Sylvia. She is shy and vulnerable, and is hiding a dark secret. Friendship with Sylvia and Freda helps her face her fears and believe in herself. "Sylvia's confidence and humour and Freda's quiet strength and kindness had begun to break down her self-imposed boundaries".

Three friends have to deal with their own personal issues. Sharing their secrets and hopes, they offer advice and support to each other. 

"It was time women took control of their lives and openly declared what was best for them once and for all in this stupid messed up world".

The Home Front Nurses will appeal to the fans of historical fiction, set during WWII. 

It is a gripping story, that transports you back in time. An unforgettable page-turner of love and hope, grief and resilience, drama and romance.

The book ends slightly abruptly, on a cliffhanger, and some of the plotlines will hopefully be explored further in the next instalments of the series.

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

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

Author Bio –

Rachel Brimble is the bestselling author of over thirty works of historical romance and saga fiction. The first book in her series, The Home Front Nurses, is set in Bath.

 

Social Media Links –  

 

Facebook: @rachelbrimbleauthor

Twitter: @RachelBrimble

Instagram: @rachelbrimbleauthor

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