Tuesday 28 December 2021

The Scarlet Dress by Louise Douglas

Chez Maximka, psychological thriller


"The two women she had loved best were gone but they were close enough for her to call on if she needed them: distant enough not to disturb her equilibrium. But the past was like water. Once the tide turned, you couldn't hold it back."

"He had thought he was coming closer to Alice by returning to Severn Sands but all the time she had been moving away".

The Scarlet Dress by Louise Douglas is a compelling story of love and loss, family ties and loyalty, betrayal and human frailty. 

One hot summer day twenty five years ago Alice Lang disappeared. Her body hasn't been found. Alice's favourite scarlet dress was discovered at the side of the estuary, and it was presumed she has walked too far, underestimating the power of the currents, and been carried away by the tide. 

The tragic events of the long hot summer of 1995 still cast long shadows over people who never stopped thinking about Alice. She was just twenty two years old, and rented a caravan on the Channel View holiday park on the outskirts of the holiday resort of Severn Sands.

While staying in the caravan, Alice befriends Marnie, a lonely ten-year-old child who has recently lost her mother, and is neglected by her grieving father. 

Marnie's father is a caretaker for the holiday park, right next to the deVillarses' house, a Gothic villa Blackwater, known to all the residents of Severn Sands as the Big House. 

There is also Will Jones, whose mother runs the bar. He falls in love with Alice, and cannot stand seeing her with anyone else. His jealousy is totally out of proportion and ugly. His obsession is bordering on stalking. The tensions are running high on the evening when Alice goes missing. 

That evening Marnie witnesses a nasty argument.

"It was a day in late August, almost twenty-five years earlier. Marnie Morahan, aged ten years and two months was sick, and even if though she didn't know it yet, she was about to betray Alice. And she'd never have the chance to make it up to her, because this was the day that Alice Lang would disappear."

A quarter of a century later, the holiday park is sold off to the property developers, dismantled and churned up by the bulldozers. Severn Sands is fading now, it is a sad shadow of its own vibrant past. In her mind Marnie could see it as it used to be: full of people, colour and noise... 

Mr and Mrs deVillars are still living in the Big House, but the failing business has been passed to their son, Guy, who is quick to sell off the land for development. While clearing the land to prepare the area for the range of new executive homes, the builders find some bones buried in the old funfair area. Alice Lang's bones.

Will Jones, now a successful author of true crime, drifts through life, still obsessed by Alice. He comes back to his hometown.

"For two and a half decades he'd been powerless to do anything, but now he had a task: to make sure the man who had killed her was brought to justice." All these years Will suspected that Guy deVillars was responsible for Alice's disappearance.

Will's career and his passion for unsolved crime were rooted in his obsession with the mystery of Alice.

"There was no future, only the past, and Will owed it to Alice not to let her go. What else could he do for her? What else had he ever been able to do? He was to be the writer of her story; the gatekeeper to her memory".

Back in town, he comes across Marnie, who's built an emotional wall between herself and the world outside.

"Marnie loved all animals, even difficult ones... It was people she struggled with. It was a two-way street, Marnie didn't trust people and most people thought she was weird... Marnie knew people called her a misfit, and worse. It didn't hurt because she was used to it; she'd been the odd one out all her life."

Her daughter Lucy is very understanding, she appreciates that Marnie "could no more change than the sun could rise in the west: she didn't need to be close to people and people didn't need to be close to her". In fact, looking at how awkward in interactions with humans Marnie is, it's a mystery how she managed to have a child.

Marnie remembers herself as a young child. "She used to be proud of being her daddy's girl, that big, strong, handsome man who everyone respected. She never thought that maybe her mother felt left out".

The gruesome discovery brings back painful memories of Marnie's childhood and the complicated relationship between her parents. "They were two very different people: Denise, thoughtful, quiet, bookish; John, a practical man who spoke his mind"

Marnie became completely mute after Alice's disappearance. "...psychological trauma could do that to a sensitive child"

Alice is described via the memories of people who loved her, Marnie and Will. Her own personality remains a hazy mystery. We know she was adopted as a baby, and brought up by strict, old-fashioned couple who couldn't relate to her.

"She had lived a chaotic life. She was one of those young people who attracted trouble, choosing the wrong friends, making bad decisions, lurching from one difficult situation to the next. Her teachers, friends and colleagues at the numerous places where she'd worked said she was kind, loving and generous, but a drama queen. She flirted with danger..."

Alice is portrayed as a kind soul, who showers the neglected child with love and attention. Her relationship with Will is complex.

Will is not a likeable character. It is easy to blame all the mistakes of his later life on what's happened twenty five years earlier. He's self-absorbed, selfish and unpleasant. 

"Over the years, Will had had counselling, hypnotherapy, even psychotherapy to try to get Alice out of his head and heart. He knew his obsession with the young woman he'd loved for three weeks during his nineteenth summer was the darkness at the root of his tendency to drink too much, to work too hard, to be unfaithful, to stay up too late, to say things that shouldn't be said, to go too far because he never knew when to stop".

Both Marnie and Will have to confront their demons and pinpoint their memories in order to discover what has actually happened that hot summer day. The ugly secrets must be revealed, the lies uncovered, and the overpowering guilt they have been both carrying all these years has to be dissected bit by bit to find out who killed Alice and why.

The Scarlet Dress is the narrative driven by the character's emotional and psychological evolution, along the development of the plotline. Neither Marnie nor Will are able to move forward with their lives, and it seems, they need the outside trigger to change the pattern of their lives.

There are several themes going on, family and loyalty being one of them. Marnie's dysfunctional childhood stems from the fragile relationship with her parents. Her mother Denise who hides a secret past and tries to escape the reality of life in the books, and not paying much attention to her daughter. Her father is oblivious to the tragic circumstances where his wife finds herself, his loyal devotion to the park owners puts blinders on him. They both fail their vulnerable child. 

Marnie's muteness is a signifier of the deep psychological trauma. But it's not just Marnie who has difficulties communicating with the others. Her mother Denise is unable to disclose neither her tragic past, nor the defenceless position she finds herself later to her husband or anyone else.

Alice's adoptive parents, the Langs, are unable to show their love, being old-fashioned in their approach. 

The descriptions of nature are atmospheric and create a perfect setting for a mystery. The declining fortunes of Severn Sands present a bleak picture, the haunting winter landscapes - a psychological mirror of the desolation in the souls of the main protagonists.

The story is a slow burner, mystery unfolds at an unrushed pace, while the narrative is given over to different characters.

The Scarlet Dress is an unsettling, melancholic read, both heartbreaking and tacitly uplifting.

Louise Douglas is my discovery of 2021. I read and reviewed The Room in the Attic back in October, it was one of my favourite books of the year. Louise Douglas is definitely a name that I'd be looking out for.

P.S. If you have a Prime membership, The Scarlet Dress is currently free on Prime Reading.


Chez Maximka, psychological thriller


Friday 24 December 2021

Degustabox Advent Calendar

 

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar


It's Christmas tomorrow. How quickly December goes by, blink, and the new year will be here. The month of dark mornings and early evenings has been made much more enjoyable by the advent calendars. Oh the pleasure of opening the doors every day! While my sons had their own advent calendars with jelly bellies, I had a beauty advent calendar and the most glorious Degustabox advent calendar.

I missed getting one of them last year, and was delighted when Degustabox has offered to send one of those beauties for me to test and review. As you know, I am a big fan of Degustabox, and have been enjoying their suprise boxes of foods and drinks for several years. But the Advent Calendar surely is in the league of its own.

Chez Maximka, food subscription box


First of all, the sheer size of it - 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.

Chez Maximka, food subscription box


There was a little booklet enclosed to give you clues of what to expect in the coming days. You could either ignore it, if you wanted a complete surprise, or if you're impatient like me, you might have had a quick look and ooh-ed and aah-ed at the wonders ahead. 

Day 1:

Stroopwafels are our family favourites, so we were all delighted to find a pack of Daelmans Stroopwafel clip bag (£3.29 for 230g). There was a lovely gift as well - a waffle warmer, which you put on top of your hot drink, and then place a stroopwafel over it to go warm and the caramel layer inside to soften. Did you know that this tradition is called "Wake the waffle", how cute is that?!

Daelmans are a Dutch family bakery.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox Advent calendar


Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar


Day 2:

Maille Wholegrain Mustard (£1.99) is another classic product to enjoy. Famous for its grainy texture, it adds finesse and flavour to many dishes. You can add it to marinades, sauces, vinaigrettes, or use as an ingredient of a crunchy crust for roast dishes. 

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 3:

Crafted Mango & Passion Fruit Juice Drink (£2) is an award-winning fruity blend of juices. Drink it neat, or enjoy in a cocktail/mocktail. Serve it with a slice of lime over ice for a lovely drink.

You get a blend of smooth, sweet, aromatic mango and a tangy zinginess of passion fruit. This is a refreshing drink, with no added sugar or sweeteners (it contains naturally occurring fruit sugar). 

Ingredients include fruit juice from concentrate (apple, grape, passion fruit), apple puree, mango puree etc. Typical values: 30kcal and 7.3g of sugar per 100ml.

Crafted drinks are suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 4:

Little Miss Sunshine Watermelon/Piña Colada Jellies (£2.49) - if you enjoy sour jellies, this is the ultimate treat. My sons loved them, I could only manage one piece, it has a great mouth-puckering taste. If you love eye-popping sour jelly sweets, that's one for you. 

Chez Maximka, Degusatbox advent calendar

Day 5:

Bart Warming Winter Spice (£2.99) is a limited edition spice mix. This delicious blend of spices and orange peel is perfect for baking, roasting and making festive jams and chutneys.

Ingredients include cassia, coriander, dill seeds, ginger, caraway seeds, orange peel, cloves and nutmeg.

Bart are truly masters of flavour, and this blend is a big success. I already used it for making gingerbread, and also a delicious oven-baked tomato jam. Open the tin, and smell the festive season!

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 6:
Rhythm 108 Swiss Vegan Mint Fondant Bar with dark Chocolate (£3.59 for 100g bar) will please anyone who loves mint-flavoured chocolate. Have an after-dinner nibble or two, with a cup of tea or coffee. It's made in Switzerland. Organic, gluten-free, with 33% less sugar.

This is a chunky chocolate, with smooth and creamy minty-flavoured fondant.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 7:

Mentos Candy Cane (£1.50 for 3mp) is a multi-pack of 3 rolls of Mentos, which come is a limited edition festive flavour, Vanilla Mint. My guys love Mentos, and they were super excited to try a new flavour. The pack looks bright and colourful, and will make a nice little treat for a Christmas stocking.

Each roll has a seasonal greeting on the wrapper, and contains 14 sweets with cute little Christmas-themed images. 

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 8:

Rummo Fusilli (£1.80 foor 500g pack) is a well-known Italian pasta, made from top quality durum wheat. It has taken six generations to perfect the recipe, their ambition is to make the best pasta in the world. 

Fusilli is my younger son's favourite pasta shape. We always have packs of fusilli in the pantry (different Italian brands). He said it was very tasty.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar


It so happened that we had his friend over for dinner, and I cooked fusilli with meatballs and tomato sauce which was a product for Day 9.

Rummo Sugo alla Napoletana (£1.99 for 340g) - though it says, perfect with spaghetti, on the jar, I used it as a sauce for meatballs and fusilli. Both boys pronounced it to be very good.

Rummo Sugo Alla Napoletana is a traditionally-made pasta sauce.made with the Italian tomatoes (90%) plus vegetables (carrots, onions, celery), sunflower oil, salt. It is gluten-free.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 10:

King Monty Granola Snack Speculoos (£3.15) is a vegan granola snack. This Speculoos-flavoured snack is dairy free and gluten free.

Ingredients include: chocolate, vanilla flavouring, gluten free oat flakes, maple syrup, sunflower seeds, rapeseed oil, dates, buckwheat, flaxseed, brown almonds, gingerbread spices and sea salt.

These are quite unusual snacks, but rather moreish.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 11:
Olly's Sweet Chilli and Sour Cream & Onion Pretzel Thins (£1) are a tasty savoury snack. Olly's oven-baked pretzels are the planet's thinnest pretzels. And they are so good! They have less fat, fewer calories and more protein than average crisps. Lovely with dips, or without. I can easily inhale a pack in one go.

These pretzels are vegan too. Other flavours to enjoy are Salted Original, Multi-Seed Sesame and Oh So Cheesy (also vegan).
Stocked in Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons and Ocado, WW and plenty more outlets around the UK and internationally.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 12:
Minivino Merlot (£2.25)  comes in a sealed cup. Made from recycled plastic and fully recyclable, these lightweight and portable cups have a replaceable lid, so Minivino can be enjoyed any time or place.
These cups will be great for picnics, when the weather permits.

Today I used 100ml of Merlot to cook a cranberry sauce for Christmas, with fresh cranberries, orange zest and juice, cinnamon, sugar and cloves.

Available in Sainsbury's and Co-Op.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 13:
Le Saunier de Camargue Fleur de Sel (£3.75) is a unique finishing salt with a delicate and crunchy texture. These salt flakes result from a special form of crystallisation at the surface of the sea water and are harvested by hand in the Camargue since antiquity by the salt farmers.

Fleur de sel is the perfect seasoning to enhance all kinds of dishes.

I used some of Fleur de sel yesterday while making a home-cured salmon for our Christmas meal (the starter will be blini with salmon and soured cream).

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 14:
Terry's Chocolate Orange Bars (£0.50) will delight all fans of the classic chocolate orange. These snacks can be enjoyed on the go, when you need something sweet and satisfying. You get the familiar flavours in a new more portable format.

Typical values: 183kcal and 21g of sugar per bar.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar


Day 15:

Good Earth Rooibos Chai Tea (£2.75) is a delicious flavourful tea. You get a malty flavour of rooibos and the warming, comforting spices like cinnamon, ginger and cardamom. 

Ingredients include: rooibos (Rainforest certified), honey bush, orange peel, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom seeds, clove, natural flavouring, black pepper.

It is made with natural ingredients. There are 15 biodegradable teabags in the box.

Brew for 3 minutes, serve neat, or with a spoonful of honey and a dash of your favourite milk.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 16:

KIND Dark Chocolate Orange Almond (£1.30) is an iconic UK flavour. Drizzled in dark chocolate, with a hint of zesty orange peel, this is a nuttier take on the classic. It is gluten free, high in fibre, has no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Nutritional information: 216kcal and 7.2g of sugar per bar.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 17:

Arden's Cheesy Tiny Twists (£1.20) are delicious flaky puff pastry twists baked with Cheddar. They are small and highly addictive.

Nutritional values: 14kcal and 0.04g of salt per twist.

Suitable for vegetarians. Pass them around and enjoy!

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar


Day 18:

Fused by Fiona Clever Classic Soy Sauce (£2.50, now available at reduced price on Amazon) is a versatile store cupboard ingredient for a variety of recipes, from stir fries to marinades, and from one-pot dishes to dressings. It adds a touch of umami to any dish. 

Unlike many lower end soy sauces which are chemically processed rather than naturally brewed/fermented, Fused Clever Soy Sauce contains only 4 ingredients and is naturally brewed and fermented. It's also made with non-GMO soybeans and contains no added sugar.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 19:

Whitworths Caramel Fruit & Nut Mix (£2) is a delicious medley of chopped dates, pecans and caramel sultanas. 100% natural flavours. Add the mix to your favourite cereal or porridge or simply snack on its own.

Nutritional values: 526kcal and 14.7g of sugar per 30g serving.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 20:

Mackie's Boxing Day Curry Potato Crisps (£1.25) is a festive flavour from a well-known and much-loved brand of crisps. Mackie's use innovative methods, quality ingredients and come up with unusual inspired combinations of flavours.

If you agree that leftovers are the best part of a Christmas meal, how about a Boxing day sandwich with whatever you have and a generous helping of crisps?

Made in Perthshire, Scotland.

Typical values: 148kcal and 0.3g of salt per 30g serving.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar


Day 21:

Forest Feast 60% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Sour Cherries (£3.50) is an utterly moreish chocolate delight. I love the combination of dark chocolate with cherries. The contrast between sweet and sour is well-balanced. You'd never guess this chocolate is vegan. It is also gluten free and made with real Belgian dark chocolate.

Use code DARKCHOC20 for 20% off online at forestfeast.com/shop

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 22:

Flawsome! Drinks Sweet & Sour Apple Cold Pressed Juice (£2) is made with real wonky apples. This cold-pressed juice is delicious. It has absolutely nothing added. The flavours are sweet and sour, warm and deep. Enjoy cold, straight from the fridge, or make a spiced apple warmer with festive spices.

No added sugar, 1 of your 5 a day, fairer to farmers

Use code FLAWSOME40 for 40% off our products - 1 use per customer, active from 01/11/21 to 31/01/22, not applicable for subscription orders.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 23:

Mackays Strawberry and Champagne Preserve (£1.95) is a wonderfully fragrant jam. You get a vibrant combination of sweet strawberries and fruity flavours of champagne. Spread it over a festive toast, or make jam tarts, or even add to the traditional Christmas trifle.

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar

Day 24:

The final treat is Bahlsen Messino Pink Gin & Tonic (£1.49), a tasty finale to the fabulous advent calendar. A light sponge cake is coated with a smooth and intense dark chocolate. There is a delicious layer of filling with a taste of gin and tonic. A treat for grown-ups.

Nutritional values: 142kcal and 16g of sugar per 35g (3 pieces).

Chez Maximka, Degustabox advent calendar




This amazing box of foodie delights worth £50 costs £39.39 to purchase on Degustabox.com (while stocks lasted). 
Top marks for the selection of foods and drinks, great design of the packaging and value for money. 

Thursday 16 December 2021

The Ghost of Glendale by Natalie Kleinman #BlogTour

 

regency romance, ghost story

On a long winter night, what do you choose to read - an enchanting historical romance, or maybe a good old ghost story? What if both genres are combined in the same book? 

The Ghost of Glendale by Natalie Kleinman is a modern romantic take on the classic genre. This is a charming historical romance, with a paranormal twist.

Can Phoebe and Duncan bring peace to a tortured soul…?

Having never been in love, twenty-four-year-old Phoebe Marcham has no interest in marriage. Fiercely independent, she spends her days helping to manage Glendale, her ancestral home — a centuries-old estate full of long-buried secrets.

While out riding, Phoebe crosses paths with Duncan Armstrong, a charming wanderer who has just returned from the Continent. Finding that they share a penchant for mystery, Phoebe shares the biggest enigma that haunts Glendale: the tortured ghost of her ancestor, Simon Marcham, who took a secret sadness to his grave.

Convinced that Simon’s soul will never be at rest until they uncover his secret, Phoebe and Duncan set about unravelling the riddles that he left behind. As they delve deeper, a story of heartbreak and intrigue soon starts to emerge.

Faced with the darkness of the past, Phoebe is determined to make the most of the future. And as she and Duncan grow closer, she soon begins to wonder 

whether she has at last met her fate…

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are you intrigued?

Now you have a chance to read an Excerpt from the book:


Phoebe gasped as she entered the gallery, for in spite of the intense heat outside it felt icy cold. She looked at Duncan and it was evident from his expression that he was experiencing the same sensation, one heavy dark brow raised in question.

“I have been here many times, but never before have I felt his presence so strongly, said Phoebe.

“It would seem your ancestor is trying to tell us something.”

“You believe that?

“There are many unexplained things in this world, and to dismiss them out of hand would be foolish. Come,” Duncan said, taking her hand, “let us walk the length of the room and see if anything happens.”

Phoebe chose to disregard the effect his touch had upon her and would indeed have been reluctant to withdraw her hand from his. The iciness dissipated a little but returned with full force as they came abreast of a statue said to be of Simon Marcham and his lost love. The couple were entwined in what was all too obviously a loving embrace. Phoebe found she was gripping Duncan’s hand rather tightly.

“Allow me to introduce you to my great-great I know not how many greats … grandfather.”

“The family ghost?”

“The very same.”

“Perhaps now might be the time for you to tell me his story, but let us first adjourn to another room.”

Phoebe was happy to do so. She had never before felt uncomfortable with Simon’s ghost, but today’s experience had taken on a whole new dimension. Though she felt no fear, she was certainly shaken. And she didn’t think it right to talk about her ancestor in front of him. Whatever am I saying? she thought, but she realised that she had always been convinced there was some truth in the story she was about to relate to Duncan, blasé though she might seem to be.

She and Duncan were soon settled in her mother’s drawing room. It had an airiness about it, the mahogany doors a good deal lighter than the oak to be found in much of the rest of the house. The fretwork motif of the doors was replicated around four hand-painted panels that adorned the walls. It was an altogether feminine room, and even after all these years Phoebe could still feel her mother’s presence there. Her father could no longer bring himself to enter as it reminded him too acutely of his loss, but for Phoebe it was a sanctuary.

“There was no way Simon and his love would be allowed to marry,” she explained to her companion. “There was conflict between their families, and they were torn apart. It was Simon who found her lying under a tree in the home wood, or so the story goes. He was inconsolable and for many years became reclusive. Eventually, realising it was his duty to continue the family name, he married without love and produced an heir. Lucky he did, or I would not be standing before you today!” Phoebe smiled faintly, trying to lighten the tone. Duncan, though, was still looking serious.

“Poor man. No wonder it is so cold in there. His soul is not at rest.”

“And it is said it never will be until his secret is discovered.”

“What secret is that?”

“That’s the trouble. Nobody knows.”

“Then we must make it our business to find out, for he is in torment.”

Phoebe could only be amazed that this huge bulk of a man held so sensitive a spirit. Most would have ridiculed such a suggestion, and so she told him.

“I have handled many pieces of antiquity. Some are cold to the touch and some, even though carved from stone, have a warmth when one’s hand is laid upon them. I did not touch Simon’s statue today. I wanted first to hear his story. Forgive me for being presumptuous, but do you hold any records that might give us a clue?”

“There are a few accounts: people’s experiences of encountering Simon in the gallery, records of the date he withdrew from the world and again when he emerged from seclusion.”

“I would see them, if I may.”

Phoebe, recognising his genuine desire to help, told him she would fetch them immediately. It seemed that Phoebe’s mother, Emily, had also been intrigued by the tale and had insisted during her lifetime that she had several times encountered Simon’s ghost. She’d gathered what information she could, and it was now stored in a chest within a flat-fronted mahogany sideboard that stood beneath their ancestor’s portrait. Phoebe had just placed the chest on the table between them and was about to lift the lid when the sound of horses was heard through the open window. “Oh no, it is my aunt! Isn’t it just like her to come at this moment!”

Regency ghost story



About the Author:

Natalie's passion for reading became a compulsion when she attended a ten-week course in creative writing some sixteen or so years ago, She takes delight in creating short stories of which more than forty have been published, but it was her lifelong love of Regency romance that led her to turn from contemporary romantic fiction to try her hand at her favourite genre.

Raised on a diet of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, she is never happier than when immersed in an age of etiquette and manners, fashion and intrigue, all combined into a romping good tale.

She lives on the London/Kent border, close to the capital's plethora of museums and galleries which she uses for research as well as pleasure. A perfect day though is when she heads out of town to enjoy lunch by a pub on the river, any river, in company of her husband and friends.

Natalie is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, the Society of Authoors and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.

You can find out more about Natalie on Twitter @NatKleinman, Facebook/NatalieKleinmanAuthor and on her website nataliekleinman.com



Monday 13 December 2021

Photo diary: week 49, project 365

 One more week, and the school is over for a Christmas break. My younger son is counting the days, though Sash would most likely miss college, as it's his social life and variety from the same things we do at home.

My husband was away for a week, and I'm just tired of doing everything on my own. Though holidays bring their own challenges and issues, at least I won't need to get up in the dark to prepare breakfasts for everyone, and make sure nobody forgets their lunchboxes and other things. 

I'm taking part in the #penandinkchallenge whenever I have a chance, doing quick sketches with inks and pens. One of the prompts for the past week was a Christmas wreath. 

Chez Maximka, Galina Varese art

Another prompt was a Snow globe. I used one of the old photos of Eddie as a reference. He was about 3 years old, and loved his Elmer the patchwork elephant snow globe. We still keep it somewhere in the house.

Galina Varese art, Chez Maximka

I keep getting emails with offers from The Tomato Stall, and placed an order a week before. It arrived this week, a big box of fresh tomatoes which smell like summer, and some tomato-based products. I love the smell of tomatoes, for me that's one of the nicest scents. 

Chez Maximka

On Wednesday morning, after Sash left for college, I went into town to meet my friend for coffee and chat. Like me, she comes originally from Russia, and we have a lot in common. 

One of the recent books which I would recommend is Fannie by Rebecca F. John, a modern retelling of Fantine's story from Les Misérables. It's told from the perspective of this vulnerable tragic heroine. In this feminist version Fannie acquires a rebel-like, almost insurgent personality. Her body might be broken, but her spirit is not subdued. 
This book will be published in February by Honno Welsh Women's Press. I got an advance copy. 


Chez Maximka, modern retelling of classic stories

One of early Christmas gifts for Eddie was this Polar bear bedding set. He found it funny.


Chez Maximka

One more of my drawings for the week. The theme was Elves. I used Diamine inks and markers.

Chez Maximka, Christmas sketches

Eddie's friend was coming over after school, and I decided to bake some gingerbread. I wanted to use a special carved board for biscuits, which was a gift from Sophie Anderson, the author of several wonderful books. 
The gingerbread has lost its definition after baking, though you can still see the bear. I should try to experiment with a different type of cookie dough to see if I can get the printed design more pronounced.

Chez Maximka, Christmas food

I've been trying to find a recipe for oven-baked tomato jam, which I've seen some time ago. I believe it was an Italian chef. Was it in a book, in a food supplement, who knows?! I searched high and low, and even appealed to my foodie friends on FB, but nobody seems to know what I'm talking about.

I found a variation of the recipe in one of my cook books, but that was not exactly what I wanted.
Anyway, I made a batch of oven-baked tomato jam, using some of the Tomato Stall produce. It was so tasty, I quickly made another batch, this time with the frozen cherry tomatoes and garlic cloves. I can happily eat the whole jar.

Chez Maximka, what to do with a glut of tomatoes



What else did we do in the last week?

We started watching Hawkeye on Disney +. It's not bad at all, though I find the female protagonist super annoying. I don't know if she's meant to be endearing by being so bubbly and "exuberant". She behaves like a child, and she is supposed to be 22 years old. 

Another series we began to watch is Alex Rider season 2 on Amazon. Eddie's a big fan, he read all the books in the Alex Rider series. It's pretty good, if you enjoy action films/series for young adults. I only laught at the "Russian" name of Yassen Grigorovich. Sorry to disappoint you, Anthony Horowitz, but Yassen is a totally made-up Russian name.

I've read The Scarlet Dress by Louise Douglas which I enjoyed very much. It's the second book by the author I read this year. If you have an Amazon Prime, this book is free on Prime Reading. Highly recommended, if you love psychological twisty mysteries. The descriptions of landscapes are so atmospheric, you can almost see yourself wandering around the Severn Sands on a gloomy day.

At the same time I re-started reading one of the books I picked up on NetGalley in spring. I didn't like it then and dropped it, then decided to give it another go, but I find it tedious. And of course, until I write a review for it on NetGalley, it will be a blot on my profile as an unfinished project. What do you do about the books on NetGalley that you don't enjoy? 


How was your week? Are you looking forward to winter holidays?


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Thursday 9 December 2021

Aqua Perfecta PerfectAir Sense

Chez Maximka, air purification

 


I've had problems with the sinus pressure for as long as I remember. I have tried almost every remedy you can name, from saline wash to steam, elevation and hydration, humidifier in the bedrooom and medication etc. I know my triggers but it's impossible to avoid them altogether, as some as seasonal.

 Our house is also on the street with a high level of traffic, and suffers from pollutants and toxic air. The local authorities have done the monitoring tests which shown that nitrogen dioxide pollution levels within the AQMA are above national health standards. Traffic is the overwhelming source of pollution.

This is quite worrying, and unless we decide to move, we need to do something about trying to improve the air in the house.

I recently received a PerfectAir Sense Air Purifier for testing at home and reviewing. 

PerfectAir Sense promises to deliver an impressive clean air delivery rate (CADR) of 77 cubic metres per minute. It works great in average sized rooms of around 25m2, but can purify the room of up to double that size. 

This is a freestanding unit, which can be moved around your home, to where it's needed most.

It is well designed and is pretty easy to set up. After you remove all the packaging, you need to open the front panel, and remove the film over the filter, then insert the activated carbon filter, the HEPA filter, pre-filter, fasten the panel shut.

Now remove the water tank and fill it up with water, ready to start. Once the installation is completed, plug it in and press the on/off button to purify the air.

You can choose whether to press the switch button on the air purifier itself or using the remote control. It has a Sleep Mode, a Timer and a Child Lock Function.

The control allows you to change the purifier settings. There is even a lock button which prevents anyone accidentally changing the settings (or children playing with it).

For manual purification press the "Auto" button to enter the auto purification mode. This will allow the intelligent system to automatically purify the air.

If the air quality is excellent, the indicator light will be green, and the fan will operate at a low speed. The good quality of air will be indicated by the blue light and middle speed, the normal air is shown by the yellow light and high speed. Finally, if the air quality is poor, the indicator light will be red, and the fan will work at the highest speed.

Chez Maximka, air purification


Some technical information:

Pre-Filter is composed of an aluminium frame, aluminium plate net and initial cotton effect filter cotton. This filter removes large particles such as dander, hair and dust, and can be washed and reused.

Hepa Filter effectively filters particulate matter in the air, for the purification of PM2.5. (I had to google to find out what exactly PM2.5 mean - basically they are particles composed of solid particles and liquid droplets - dust, dirt, soot, smoke etc, they can be so small, that they are not visible to the naked eye. They are dangerous to the human health).

Activated Carbon Filter absorbs odour, deodorizes, dehumidifies and sterilises the air.

Molecular Sieve Adsorption Layer purifies gases in the air.

Photocatalyst Filter Layer kills bacteria with the UV light and decomposes toxins in the air.

UV Light destroys the molecular chain structure of microorganisms to kill harmful pathogens in the air.

Negative Ion Filter Layer releases negative ions to neutralise positively charged particulates, such as soot and dust, to purify the air.

Natural Humidification Method: humidifies the air.

That's probably enough of the technical information. 

What did we think of it?

We've used it for over three weeks now. 

And these are my thoughts: While my sinus pressure issues have not completely disappeared, I noticed that I find it easier to breathe at night with the air purifier in the room. It clearly does the job of improving the air quality indoors. 

It filters the air as you sleep. Conveniently, it has the sleep function, which means when this setting is activated, the display lights are turned off, so nothing disturbs your sleep.

We have tried it in two different bedrooms so far. Our younger son's bedroom is quite small, and though I air it every day, opening the window into the garden in the morning, we keep the windows shut for the night, and the room gets quite stuffy overnight. My son has also commented that he finds it different after the air purifier stays in the room.

Chez Maximka, air purification at home


It is an excellent product. My only bone of contention is that it is quite bulky (size 706x410x230mm) and heavy (its weight is 10.5kg), and takes space. I suppose, it's not a problem if it stays put in one place, but if you alternate rooms from one night to another, it is quite heavy to move around. 

Since we only tried it in November and early December, I'm looking forward to using it during the grass pollen season, as our older son suffers with the hay fever. If this unit helps, it will be brilliant.

Overall rating on the job done: 10/10. 


Chez Maximka, air purification

Disclosure: as mentioned above, we received this product for free for testing and reviewing. All opinions are our own.


Chez Maximka, Air purifier


Tempted by the Runes by Christina Courtenay (review + #giveaway)

 

Chez Maximka, vikings in fiction

Vikings romance book, time slip romance

"She was only supposed to go for a quick walk in the ninth century, look around, then return to her own time straight away. Not become embroiled in a fight, get concussion and meet this... this stubborn bastard..."

Tempted by the Runes by Christina Courtenay is a Viking time-slip (dual time) romance, which skilfully interweaves past and present.

This is the 4th book in the series, but reads perfectly well as a standalone (I haven't read the previous books).

Madison Berger is visiting Dublin with her parents and brother for the Clontarf Viking re-enactment festival, held in St Anne's Park. Her parents have been attending such events for as long as Maddie can remember. These events have given her a taste of what life has been in the Viking times. 

Maddie is not just a visitor, as she's been asked to do fortune-telling with runes. "She'd become quite proficient at it in the last couple of years, and even believed she had the second sight, as she was sometimes able to predict the future".

While her brother goes on a pub crawl with his mates, Maddie is bored to death, staying in the hotel, and ventures out for a walk along the banks of the Liffey, still dressed up in her Viking outfit. Mudlarking, she conveniently stumbles upon a small antique knife with runes. "Pale in the fading light, it looked like a small piece of bone, but there were markings on it - a design of some sort." 

Having read the runes, Maddie recognises that the lucky find is not just a knife, but a time-travel device. "They existed. For real.Maddie knew that because first her sister Linnea had found one, then Linnea's best friend Sara. And now they were both living in the ninth century, courtesy of a magical artefact".

Maddie is super excited: now she can time travel too and have her own adventures. She only intends to have a quick visit to the 9th C. "Maybe I could just visit briefly? Check it out?" she murmured. It would only be for a very short time; she'd be back before anyone even realised she'd gone. What harm could it do?" What harm indeed?! Whenever someone says these famous words, you just know, it's not going to end as planned.

Having travelled to Dyflin, ad 875, Maddie is attacked by four men who consider her an easy prey. 

 Geir Eskilsson has come to Irland to buy some thralls and a larger ship suited for his cargo. He is on the way to the harbour, when he is alerted by the screaming and shouting. Geir can see that the young woman is holding her own, but she is one against four, and he runs to her rescue.

Maddie gets hurt in the attack, being knocked unconscious. She wakes up on a ship travelling to Iceland, with the man who has saved her from the attack. She discovers that Geir has left his family in Sweden, hoping to establish his own settlement in Iceland. 

Geir believes it's the Norns (entities which control the fate) that have brought Maddie to him. His brothers are married to the time-travellers, so he recognises the pattern. He proceeds to travel to Iceland, refusing to take Maddie back to Ireland. They strike a deal - she will stay with the crew for a while and help establish the settlement, then she is free to travel back in time. 

Maddie agrees, "staying here would be an exciting challenge, and it could also be fun - establishing a settlement, building houses, growing food, living in tune with nature. It was what she'd yearned to do in her own century, but there it was much more difficult to achieve".

As time goes, and the settlement is taking shape, the new rhythm of life seems to suit both of them. Maddie finds this life satisfying, she is doing something "useful, productive, and every task was important". There is a chemistry between them, but Maddie doesn't allow Geir to get too close. After all, she does plan to return to her time.

Their settlement is small and compact. The nature is harsh, but not without its rewards. They hunt and fish, grow crops, pick berries, build barns and improve their living conditions, but they are not prepared for a raid.

It's not just the raid and single combats that have to be won. Will Geir be able to win Maddie's heart and persuade her that her runes might be telling the truth she tries to avoid?


Maddie is truly maddening. In appearance and attitude she reminds me strongly of another annoying time traveller, Brianna Fraser from the Outlander series. In fact, they could be twin sisters. Both bring in their modern-day attitudes and sensibilities to the distant past and try to instil their views on the historic characters. Aren't they concerned about interfering with the timeline? They might not be born at all, if they keep meddling in the affairs of the past and changing the historical events.

Many times I felt sorry for Geir, he didn't deserve to be cancelled rebuffed at every opportunity, and criticised for thinking the way his contemporaries did. He is way too accommodating to all Maddie's whims, and too open to be "re-educated". She gives him the silent treatment, when he doesn't jump to do her bidding and give freedom to the thralls as soon as she demands it.

Maddie is sulking, when she doesn't get what she deems should be done, with all the attitude of the uncompromising Millennial. Would a 9th C Viking be so indulgent of a woman who insists that only her way is the right one?! 

I found the chapters dedicated to establishing the settlement, preparing food and land for crops, building the house, most fascinating. The description of the big house, its interior and sleeping arrangements is most absorbing. These were the pages I found more gripping than Maddie's romance. As a close community, they had to be self-sufficient, making all their clothes, furniture and tools, growing all their food as well as hunting/fishing. You get the sense of how crowded and busy their house is, how strange to the modern mind their sleeping arrangements are, how all the available space is used for everything.

 The story is well-researched and full of interesting facts of life in the 9th C.

Tempted by the Runes is an enjoyable time slip romance, with enough magic, history and a good dose of escapism to enchant and amuse you.

This post is part of the blog tour for Tempted by the Runes.

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

Chez Maximka, Vikings in fiction




Purchase Links

Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tempted-Runes-stunning-evocative-adventure-ebook/dp/B08TTVCDLB/


Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/tempted-runes-stunning-evocative-adventure-ebook/dp/B08TTVCDLB/


Author Bio – 

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 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

Tempted by the Runes (time travel published by Headline 9th December 2021) is her latest novel. 

Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and archaeology (the armchair variety).


Vikings in fiction



Social Media Links – 



https://twitter.com/PiaCCourtenay


 


If you like the sound of this book, and would love to win a signed paperback copy of Tempted by the Runes plus some goodies, check out the giveaway below.

Chez Maximka, Thor hammer


Giveaway to Win a signed paperback copy of Tempted ByThe Runes, a pair of silver Thor's hammer earrings and a Thor's hammer Christmas tree bauble (Open INT)


*Terms and Conditions –

Worldwide entries welcome.  

Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  

The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. 

If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. 

Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  

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 ofthe winners’ information. 

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.  

I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Please note that this giveaway is being promoted on several blogs as part of the blog tour.

Chez Maximka is only hosting the Rafflecopter gadget for free. I am not involved in the selection of the winner, or dispatch of the prize, and have no access to any data.


Good luck!

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chez Maximka, time slip romance