A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane

 

"With grim determination, she marched out with her head held high, unsure of what might happen next but suddenly determined that she would win them all over, that as a woman she would take this job no matter what, a small act of defiance towards those who had belittled her. Whatever would be would be".

A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane is a captivating historical novel, set in 1930.

Blurb:

A country town in need of a good Doctor, but will they accept her as one of their own?

Somerset, March 1930.

Born in the workhouse and adopted by a former suffragette, Frances Brakespeare was encouraged from an early age to be strong, independent and to pursue a career as a doctor. The tragic loss of the love of her life in the Great War propels Frances to commit to her one true vocation.

Rebelling against the unfair treatment of female doctors, Frances is dismissed from her London post and things continue to take a turn for the worse when Izzy, her benefactress dies and Frances finds herself homeless.

With no employment or roof over her head, her future seems uncertain until she's offered a residency at the Orchard Cottage Hospital in Norton Dene, Somerset, a town where quarrying and coal mining scar the land.

It is a far cry from London, and town's narrow minds are not so welcoming of a young, female Doctor, but she's determined to win through.

At first sight the town seems quaintly old-fashioned, a place where nothing much happens but there are secrets and sins bubbling beneath the surface plus a mystery she's determined to solve.

When Frances Brakespeare loses her job at St Aldelm Hospital, she finds herself in a quandary. Her situation is very precarious. Her adoptive mother, Miss Izzy, has died, and Frances becomes homeless.

Looking for professional positions in the paper, she comes across an adevtisement, "Resident Doctor required. Orchard Cottage Hospital, Norton Dene, Somerset. Duties to be wide ranging. Accommodation supplied. A basic stipend of three hundred and fifty guineas is payable."

This position would solve so many problems for Frances, were she employed as the local doctor. 

Norton Dene is a small community, and people are not used to an idea of a woman doctor. Not everyone is happy about the big changes. Frances meets quite an opposition, and has to navigate a lot of undercurrents which she cannot understand at first. Along the way, she makes new friends and comes up with great ideas for the hospital

Frances is passionate about her job, but she is lacking in diplomacy skills. While understandable that her feathers have been ruffled during the interview, she is ready to flounce out without trying to prove her point. She appears to be prickly and awkward, no wonder, the committee might see her as being problematic. 

There is a great gallery of supportive characters, each adding a realistic touch to the story. 

Take Miss Izzy, a former suffragette, who pours all her love and stalled ambitions into raising her adopted daughter. Living through the great injustice and heartache, she has high hopes for Frances. Encouraging her to be independent, in a way Izzy lives her own life through her daughter's, at times being resentful and even hostile when she thinks Frances is making a mistake. 

The novel has strong female protagonists from different social backgrounds and age groups. 

The Norton Dene womenfolk, Lucy, Nancy, Ma Skittings, the formidable Lady Araminta Compton-Dixon, chairman of the hospital trust - their personal stories portray the challenges women faced in-between the wars.

This is the first book by Lizzie Lane that I've read, and I'm happy to discover this new historical series. This is a character-driven historical fiction, a tale of loss and courage, professional challenges and fulfilment.

Loved the story setting, it gave me the vibes of Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman (TV series that I used to watch in the 1990s).Though the setting is different (both the historical period and country), it also addresses the issue of gender, and the obstacles professional women faced in the male-dominant world. Both doctors are strong characters, who need to fight againts prejudices.

A New Doctor at Orchard Cottage Hospital is a beautiful evocative story, full of secrets and emotions, with a likeable protagonist and lashings of romance to come. Utterly compelling.

This post is part of the blog tour for 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/anewdoctorsocial

Author Bio –

Lizzie Lane was born and brought up in one of the toughest areas of Bristol, as the eldest of three siblings. Her mother, who had endured both the depression and war years, was a natural born storyteller, and it's from her telling of actual experiences of the tumultuous first half of the twentieth century that Lizzie gets her inspiration. Lizzie now lives in Bath, preferring to lead a simple life where she can write without interruption.

 

Social Media Links –  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/baywriterallat1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baywriterallatsea/

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

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lizzie-lane

Whispers Through the Canvas by K.J. McGillick (guest post)

 

I'm delighted to welcome K.J. McGillick to my blog today.

Whispers Through The Canvas

Murder... Across The Fractured Corridors of Time.

Plunged into a centuries-old conspiracy, unconventional art historian Rowan Southeil must race against time to stop an ancient evil from rewriting history. When a young artist is murdered in a chilling echo of medieval violence, Rowan finds herself drawn to a seemingly unrelated clue - a 16th-century painting drenched in arcane symbols. Aided by the victim's haunting presence, Rowan delves into the painting's mysterious past, uncovering a dark conspiracy that stretches back generations.

Teaming up with the pragmatic Detective Lancaster, the intuitive Rowan follows a daring journey through time, from the storied halls of 16th-century Tudor London to the secretive 17th-century Vatican. As she awakens powerful elemental forces within herself, Rowan must decipher the painting's secrets - and the connection to the medieval-style murder - before Lev Rubilov, a dark centuries-old occultist, can harness its magic to rewrite history and restore a twisted vision of the past.

For fans of genre-blending thrillers like A Discovery of Witches and Outlander, this captivating novel weaves together mystery, the supernatural, and high-stakes time travel in a race against the clock to stop an ancient evil. Whispers Through The Canvas is a crime story, filled with action and adventure, within a historical fantasy milieu. If you love kick-ass heroines who have a bit of life experience and walk on the wild side of magic, this book is for you.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTHSC2H5/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CTHSC2H5/

Author Bio –

From the bustling courtrooms of Atlanta to the vibrant tapestry of 16th-century England, Kathleen McGillick's life and career have been a captivating blend of legal expertise, artistic passion, and a thirst for adventure.

Fueled by an undergraduate and graduate degree in nursing, Kathleen built a foundation of compassion and care. This dedication to service later led her to pursue a Juris Doctorate, allowing her to navigate the intricacies of the legal system for nearly three decades. Her courtroom experience now breathes life into the intricate details of her legal thrillers, ensuring every courtroom scene crackles with authenticity.

But Kathleen's story doesn't end there. A deep fascination with art history led her to delve into the world of renowned artists and captivating eras. Her particular passion for 16th-century British history allows her to transport readers to richly detailed historical settings, immersing them in the culture, politics, and societal nuances of the time.

Driven by an unwavering dedication to her craft, Kathleen has independently published eleven legal thrillers since 2018. Her commitment extends beyond solo creation, as she actively engages with the writing community, honing her skills through workshops and courses led by renowned authors.

And when she's not crafting captivating narratives, Kathleen embarks on international journeys, soaking in diverse cultures and experiences that further enrich her writing. This global perspective adds another layer of depth and realism to her stories, allowing readers to connect with characters and settings that transcend geographical boundaries.

To delve deeper into Kathleen's world and explore her captivating legal thrillers, visit her website at kjmcgillick.com.

 

Social Media Links – kjmcgillick.com

https://www.goodreads.com/kmcgillick

 https://www.facebook.com/KJMcGillickauthor/

A Sublime Synthesis: Magic and 16th Century England (guest post by K.J. McGillick )

Ever since I could remember, I've been drawn to tales of wizards, witches, and the mysterious unknown. At the same time, the rich tapestry of 16th century English history has long entranced me with its clashing ideologies, monumental events, and legendary figures. For me, there could be no more sublime synthesis than wedding magic with the vibrant, transitional era of the 1500s in England.

It was a bewitching period when the medieval firmly intersected with the Renaissance - superstition coexisting with empirical inquiry, ancient folklore clashing with humanist rationality. In many ways, the 16th century marked the peak of Western civilization's obsession with all things occult and esoteric. The revival of Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and neo-Platonic magic spurred the likes of John Dee and other learned men to obsessively study the arcane. Debates raged between proponents of white versus black magic, angel versus demonic conjuring.

Yet even as so-called "high magic" entranced the intelligentsia and court nobility, faerie faiths and rustic traditions maintained a stronghold in the popular imagination. One can envision villagers whispering of witches blighting crops, dances with the fey folk under the full moon, or rituals to summon familiars at the dead of night. The very same circles where genteel pursuits of alchemy and astrology were practiced also fostered a deep paranoia of the diabolical other.

Simultaneously, the Protestant Reformation's rejection of Catholic doctrine opened the door for a renewed persecution of those mystics accused of witchcraft - the "cunning folk," wise women, and crones. Upheaval reigned as a Renaissance lust for scientific knowledge collided with deep-rooted pagan traditions. Witch trials and moral panics gripped town after town in their furor.

With its potent, romanticized backdrop of swirling cosmic mysteries and earthly religious conflicts, there is arguably no richer crucible to blend magic and history than 16th century England. Here was an era when the roots of our modern world first manifested, yet a society still equally obsessed with reasoned enlightenment and the alluring, unseen supernatural.

From the lofty towers of learned occult philosophers to the damp, earthen hovels of the rustic wise woman, magic in all its forms infused every stratum of 16th century English life and culture. The era birthed the very notion of the "wise man" or "cunning man" - a renaissance mage straddling medicine and the arcane. Such storied figures as Thomas Allen, John Selman, and Mother Shipton were either revered or reviled for their alleged command of preternatural powers.

In the synthesis of magic and the vibrant tapestry of 16th-century England, we discover a profound reflection of the human condition. Through the lens of history, we uncover echoes of our own struggles with faith, reason, and the unknown. In this sublime fusion, we find not only a window into the past but also a mirror reflecting our deepest desires and fears.

My new book Whispers Through The Canvas blends all my genre loves: Mystery, Magical Realism, Historical Fantasy, and Time Travel.

The Secret Daughter of Venice by Juliet Greenwood (review + #giveaway)

 

"She could sense it. Now, more than ever, she knew she had to find out about her past, or her future would never be truly her own".

The Secret Daughter of Venice is a historical novel, set in England and Italy during and after the WWII.

Blurb:

The paper is stiff and brittle with age as Kate unfolds it with trembling hands. She gasps at the pencil sketch of a rippling waterway, lined by tall buildings, curving towards the dome of a cathedral. She feels a connection in her heart. Venice.

England, 1941.

When Kate Arden discovers a secret stash of drawings hidden in the pages of an old volume of poetry given to her as a baby, her breath catches. All her life, she has felt like an outsider in her aristocractic adoptive family, who refuse to answer any questions about her past. But the drawings spark a forgotten memory: a long journey by boat... warm arms that held her tight, and then let go.

Could these pictures unlock the secret of who she is? Why her mother left her? With war raging around the continent, she will brave everything to find out...

A gripping, emotional historical novel of love and art that will captivate fans of The Venice Sketchbook, The Woman on the Bridge and The Nightingale.

Kate Arden feels suffocated by the confines of Arden House. Snatched from everyone and everything she knew, she was brought to England as a little child and adopted by the Ardens. Though loved by her sisters, and being treated kindly by her step-mother, Kate feels she doesn't belong here. 

All questions about her past are left unanswered. 

Kate is a talented artist, and dreams of studying art, but Leo Arden, her strict father, doesn't want her to move to London. She's always been interested in sketching and drawing, and some suppressed distant memories suggest that she might have had an inspiring teacher.

"...drawing had always been her refuge, the one thing she could hold onto from her past and that elusive memory of the woman - who had surely been her mother - holding her, guiding her, encourgaing her".

Her late (adoptive) mother left illustrated Shakespeare's volumes to all her daughters, with messages hidden inside. One day, after examining the volume once again, Kate realises that the book cover has something hidden within the finer leather. There is a selection of drawings that might reveal the secrets of Kate's past, and possibly her true mother.

"Somewhere here lay the secrets of her past, and the reason Leo Arden brought her from the warmth of grape vines and olives to the frigid winter of Arden House".

The pater familias is the product of his generation and social status. Leo Arden believes he knows best what his womenfolk need. Children have to be obedient. The whole family tiptoe around him, not daring to provoke him or displease. If only he would tell Kate what she desires to know.

Instead, Kate is left to find her true origins, by solving the clues left to her, and some hints from her old teacher.  Her early memories come as day dreams, and they are all about distant shores, warmer climes, and gentle hands that cherished her.

"She shivered, remembering the deep cold that had settled in her bones in her first terrified days at Arden House; and the feeling of absence - absence of familiar heat, of earth brittle with lack of moisture and yet rich with the scent of lemons and olive groves, rosemary and wild thyme. The absence, most of all, of love".

Unfulfilled as an artist, and unable to pursue her painting until the war is over, Kate uses her artistic skills to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable. Working with young children who've lost everything during the Nazi raids, she proves to be a talented and compassionate teacher.

"She was going to escape! Her life was going to be her own, at least. and perhaps she could use that freedom to follow the clues left to her by her mother and find her, wherever she might really be."

Along Kate's tale we follow the story of Sofia, who is looking for her daughter in Italy, while the war is raging around. Sofia is a talented artist herself. Rather than return to New York when she still could, she stays in Venice, to find answers to the "question that had, in the midst of all her riches and success, eaten away at her, leaving her hollow inside".

Will mother and daughter be able to discover what's happened to each other? Will Kate at last know who she really is?

The plotline settings alternate between England (Warwickshire, West Midlands and Cornwall) and Italy (Venice and Naples).

I loved the Cornish setting, and the descriptions of the sea... the old cottage that used to be the artists' haven, the gallery at St Ives. 

The secret daughter of Venice is a moving story of secrets and deception, fractured families and tragedies, and being true to oneself. 

Juliet Greenwood captures the time and social setting beautifully. The descriptions of hardships of life during the war and human suffering are poignant and harrowing (e.g. the scene of the baby rescue after the raid is heart-stopping). Evocative, vivid, inspired. Highly recommended. 

This review is part of the blog tour for The Secret Daughter of Venice.

Many thanks to Juliet Greenwood, Storm Publishing and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Daughter-Venice-absolutely-historical-ebook/dp/B0CVV7F4N7

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Daughter-Venice-absolutely-historical-ebook/dp/B0CVV7F4N7

 

Author Bio –

Juliet Greenwood is a historical novelist published by Storm Publishing. Her previous novel, The Last Train from Paris, was published to rave reviews and reached the top 100 kindle chart in the USA. She has long been inspired by the histories of the women in her family, and in particular with how strong-minded and independent women have overcome the limitations imposed on them by the constraints of their time, and the way generations of women hold families and communities together in times of crisis, including during WW2.

After graduating in English from Lancaster University and Kings College, London, Juliet worked on a variety of jobs to support her ambition to be a full-time writer. These ranged from running a craft stall at Covent Garden to running a small charity working with disadvantaged children, and collecting oral histories of traditional villages before they are lost forever. She finally achieved her dream of becoming a published author following a debilitating viral illness, with her first novel being a finalist for The People’s Book Prize and her first two novels reaching #4 and #5 in the UK Kindle store.

Juliet now lives in a traditional quarryman’s cottage in Snowdonia, North Wales, set between the mountains and the sea, with an overgrown garden (good for insects!) and a surprisingly successful grapevine. She can be found dog walking in all weathers working on the plot for her next novel, camera to hand.

 

 

Social Media Links –

Storm:                   https://stormpublishing.co/

Website:              http://www.julietgreenwood.co.uk/

Blog:                      http://julietgreenwoodauthor.wordpress.com/

Facebook:            https://www.facebook.com/juliet.greenwood

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julietgreenwood

Instagram:           https://www.instagram.com/julietgreenwood/

 

Giveaway to Win 3 x Signed copies of The Secret Daughter of Venice (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –

UK 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 of the 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.  

The Rafflecopter gadget is hosted by Chez Maximka for free for the purposes of the blog tour. I have no access to the data collected.

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

Good luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Crucial Black by Colin Garrow (extract)

 

I'm thrilled to welcome Colin Garrow to my blog today.

Crucial Black

A brace of corpses. A bone-crunching machine. A new recruit.

Now employed by an Inverness organised crime gang, former petty thief Relic Black is teamed up with hitman Ali McKay, the man he almost killed a few weeks earlier. As the team tidy up the loose ends after the shooting, gang member and bent cop DI McKenzie must investigate the disappearance of two people, knowing Relic and Ali have already disposed of the bodies.

Meanwhile, Rebecca’s unpopular colleague DI Swinney, suspects her of involvement in the shooting. Knowing one of the bodies currently taking up space in the mortuary remains anonymous, he discovers the man’s identity. Can Swinney uncover the truth, dig the dirt on McKenzie and regain his former status with the DCI, or will the gang step in to stop him?

Warning - strong language and adult situations throughout.

Crucial Black is book #2 in the Relic Black Thriller series set in Inverness, Scotland.

NB book #2 is not a standalone – the series must be read in order.

 

Purchase Link

AMAZON https://geni.us/gXeQFS

SMASHWORDS https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1345380

Author Bio –

Colin Garrow grew up in a former mining town in Northumberland. He has worked in a plethora of professions including taxi driver, antiques dealer, drama facilitator, theatre director and fish processor, and has occasionally masqueraded as a pirate.

His short stories have appeared in several literary mags, including SN Review, Flash Fiction Magazine, Word Bohemia, Every Day Fiction, The Grind, A3 Review, 1,000 Words, Inkapture and Scribble Magazine. He currently lives in a humble cottage in Northeast Scotland where he writes novels, stories, poems and the occasional song.

He also makes rather nice vegan cakes.

 

Social Media Links –

Twitter https://twitter.com/colingarrow

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/colinngarrow/

Website https://colingarrow.co.uk/ 

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/colin-garrow

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

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@colingarrowauthor

Extract from Crucial Black

Owing bent cop Rebecca McKenzie a few favours, barber Hughie McVitie finds himself agreeing to do some spying on her behalf…

The Twa Heids Barber Shop, Castle Street, Inverness 7:12pm

Hughie McVitie flicks the cigarette away and locks the shop door. Standing for a minute, he tells himself to calm down. After all, it’s not as if the bitch is calling him night and day for favours. He looks at the address she’s sent him. It’s only a ten-minute walk from where he is, so not massively out of his way. Walking down past the castle, he veers right onto View Place, then into Haugh Road. Turning left, he gets confused. Halfway along, the road goes straight on to a dead end but also leads off to his left. Both, apparently, are Gordonville Road. Not confusing at all. Taking the left one, he follows it along almost to the corner of Paton Street and realises he’s walked in a full circle. Backing up, he finds the flats on the right-hand side.

Gazing around, there’s no-one lurking in the bushes. In fact, there aren’t any bushes to lurk in. If anyone were spying on the place, as McKenzie seems to think, it’d be near impossible to do it without being spotted. Crossing to the opposite pavement, he continues along, ducking under the tree overhanging the house on the corner and promptly colliding with a man doing the same thing coming the other way.

‘Fuck’s sake,’ Hughie mutters.

The other man steps aside. ‘Aye, my fault, mate, sorry…’ Then he pauses. ‘Hang on…’

‘Oh, Christ,’ says Hughie. ‘What is it noo? Am I no even allowed to walk the fuckin streets on ma ain?’

Swinney mumbles something Hughie can’t hear and hurries off past the flats.

Hughie stands watching until the copper reaches the other end and turns the corner. Unsure what to do, he dithers for a minute, then follows the cop back down to the main road. By the time he gets to the junction there’s no sign of him.

Fine. Well, that’s me done, he thinks to himself. Taking out his mobile, he sends a text. A minute later, he gets a reply.

Hang around for an hour, will ye? See if he comes back.

Scanning the message, Hughie groans. ‘Fuck’s sake. Like I’ve no got onythin else to do.’

Murder on the Italian Riviera by T.A. Williams

 

"Just you be careful. I wouldn't want this to be some kind of hoax or, even worse, like an attempt to incriminate you in return or even kill you".

Murder on the Italian Riviera by T.A. Williams is an entertaining cozy mystery, with grips and twists until the very end.

This is the 7th book in the Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries series. It reads as a standalone, but it might help understand the dynamics between the main characters, as well as their back story, if you've read some - or all - of the previous books in the series. (If you haven't discovered this series yet, I suggest you start with the 1st book. You will thank me later.)

Blurb:

A brand-new cozy crime series set in gorgeous Tuscany... It's murder in paradise!

An ex-con...

Private investigator Dan Armstrong is no stranger to working with criminals, but when he's approached for help by Bianca Moretti, he's on high alert. Biance is intelligent and beautiful, and Dan likes her, but he also once sent her to prison...

A suspicious death...

Bianca explains that a guest has been found dead at her father's luxurious and private retreat on the beautiful Italian Riviera. The police are sure the death is accidental, but Bianca is convinced the man's been murdered. Dan's sure he can get to the bottom of things... as long as Bianca is telling him the whole truth.

A very revealing case!

But when Dan arrives at the resort, he's in for a shock. He finds that the place is a naturist retreat, and everybody is walking around stark naked! Dan is determined to discover the truth, but this is going to mean revealing a whole lot more of himself than he expected.

Can Dan sniff out the truth about this case before Oscar's cold wet nose causes havoc?

Dan Armstrong and his loyal sidekick Oscar the labrador are back in action. Dan works as a private detective in Tuscany. He is a retired Met DCI, and also a published author with a bestselling book.

Dan loves Italy and he enjoys his job. "There was no doubt about it, my decision to settle in Tuscany two years ago was one of the best of my life..." 

When Bianca Moretti asks him to look into a death of a British tourist named Jospeh Beck at her father's private retreat, Dan is rather surprised. The last time he met Bianca was back in the UK, when he sent her to prison.

Bianca is a mystery figure. Can Dan trust her motives for approaching him? Is it some kind of a revenge plot to pay back? Why couldn't Bianca find someone else to look into the case of the dead Brit?

The police pronounce it the accidental death, yet Bianca is convinced that Beck has been murdered.

When Dan arrives at the resort on the Italian Riviera, he is in for a big surprise. This is the naturist retreat. To uncover the truth, Dan has to blend in with the guests. But where and how will he carry his notebook and phone?

The retreat welcomes guests from all over Europe. Finding the right information is rather tricky.

"I was feeling curious to know more about the mysterious Joseph Beck. Who had he been: a harmless, trilingual Brit with a penchant for letting it all hang out or somebody altogether less clear-cut?... had his death really been a simple accident or might there have been a more sinister reason behind it?"

This series combines all the winning elements of the genre, a clever mystery, a sympathetic main character, a gentle humour, dramatic and eye-catching locations (a new one in each book), wonderful descriptions of local cuisine, colourful supporting characters and much more.

And Oscar is truly a shining star of each instalment in the series.

I've said it before that there are many cosy mysteries with a token dog/cat/mouse, "helping" with the investigation, but Oscar has become a truly integral part of the series. He has a great personality, and his interactions with Dan and people he meets are a joy to observe.

Murder on the Italian Riviera is an intriguing puzzle with plenty of twists, red herrings and false leads. I've enjoyed all the books in the series, Dan and Oscar have become my friends, and I'm looking forward to each new mystery with great anticipation.

Many thanks to T.A.Williams, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

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

Author Bio –

I write under the androgynous name T A Williams because 65% of books are read by women. In my first book one of the (female) characters suggests the imbalance is due to the fact that men spend too much time getting drunk and watching football. I couldn't possibly comment. Ask my wife...

I've written all sorts: thrillers, historical novels, short stories and now I'm enjoying myself hugely writing romance and whodunnits. Romantic comedies are what we all need from time to time. Life isn’t always very fair. It isn’t always a lot of fun, but when it is, we need to embrace it. Murder mystery is all very well, but it needs to put a smile on your face, so that's why I like to inject some humour. I'm having a lot of fun writing the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series set in sunny Italy. They are all standalone books but if you really want to do it properly, start with the first one in the series, Murder in Tuscany. If my books can whisk you away to gorgeous locations, put a smile on your face and maybe give your heartstrings a tug, then I know I’ve done my job.

I‘ve lived all over Europe, but now I live in a little village in sleepy Devon, tucked away in south west England. I love the place. That’s why you’ll find leafy lanes and thatched cottages in many of my books. Oh, yes, and a black Labrador.

I've been writing since I was 14 and that is well over half a century ago. However, underneath this bald, wrinkly exterior, there beats the heart of a youngster. My wife is convinced I will never grow up. I hope she's right.

Social Media Links –  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TAWilliamsBooks

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

April 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 April Box Degustabox?

Snatt's Green Pea Piselli Mediterranean style snacks (£2.20) are vegetable and spice flavoured baked snacks. Totally addictive! My guys loved them, and we're hoping they will be available in the local shops soon. Top marks for flavour and texture! 10/10

Ingredients: pea flour, corn flour, rice flour, sunflower oil, sugar, onion powder, salt, natural flavourings, tomato powder, garlic powder, spices, parsley etc.

Natural ingredients, not fried, no palm oil, gluten free, no added MSG, vegan.

Nutritional values: 477kcal and 1.6g of salt per 100g (one pack is 85g).

Available in major supermarket chains soon.

The Food Doctor Salted Caramel High Fibre Protein Bar (£2.20) is a high fibre lower carb snack bar. 

Recommended for those who follow a Keto or a low carb diet.

Nutritional values: 143kcal and 0.7g of sugar per serving; high protein 12.2g per bar Keto friendly, low sugar, vegan.

It has a slightly bitter, powdery aftertaste.

Available in Sainsbury's, Ocado and Amazon.

Ryvita Snack It Thins Sour Cream & Chime Flavour (£2.20) are a wonderful new addition to Ryvita range. 

Perfect for snacking, these wheat and rye flatbreads with sour cream and chive flavouring are great to eat on their own, or as part of the cheese or mezze board. Try them with cream cheese and sliced cucumber as a tasty snack.

Nutritional values: 38kcal and 0.08g of salr per thin.

Vegetarian friendly, British-baked, no artificial preservatives.

Available at Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado and Amazon.

Nature's Path Gluten Free Organic Mesa Sunrise Cereal (£3.50) is a delicate blend of corn, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth and flaxseed, combined and lightly toasted to create crisp, whole-grain flakes.

This cereal is high in fibre, gluten free and vegan. Serve with dairy or plant-based milk of your choice, and a scattering of fresh berries for an extra flavourful breakfast.

Nutritional values: 120kcal and 3.9g of sugar per 30g serving (without milk). There are 12 servings in a pack.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

Yogiyo Korean Hot Chilli sauce/ Korean Sesame Soy or Korean Chilli Sauce (£0.85 each) are made in Thailand, using only finest ingredients.

You should receive 2 items in your box. We got the Chilli sauce and Sesame soy sauce. Both could be added to stir-fry dishes. 

Chilli sauce could also be used as a marinade for chicken, beef, pork or fish. These authentic sauces will jazz up any noodle dish.

Nutritional values: 72kcal and 11g of sugar per serving (Chilli sauce), 84kcal and 11g of sugar (sesame soy sauce).

Available in Waitrose and Amazon.

E.Wedel Snack Popcorn (£1.30) is a milk chocolate bar with roasted salted corn and salted crispy cereals. We've tried several different E.Wedel chocolate treats in the past with Degustabox, and it's always a pleasure to discover new flavours and textures.

If you enjoy the combination of sweet and salty, this chocolate bar is for you. 

Nutritional values: 540kcal and 50g of sugar per 100g

Available in Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's and Amazon.uk.

ManiLife Deep Roast Salted Peanuts/or Cocoa Dusted Peanuts (£2.80)

When it comes to peanuts, ManiLife are experts. 

You should receive 1 item of two in your box. We got ManiLife Deep Roast Salted Peanuts. Fab with a glass of cold white wine or cold beer, or as part of a cheese or mezze board. You could also add them crushed to noodle or curry dishes.

These peanuts are wonderfully crunchy, with a creamy smooth taste.

Nutritional values: 156kcal and 0.18g of salt per 25g serving.

Available in Sainsbury's, Ocado and Whole Food Market.

Lamb Weston Farmer's Mash (£1.69) is made from real British potatoes. A handy pantry staple for making a bowl of mashed potatoes when you don't have enough time to make it from scratch.

One packet contains 4 servings. Just add water.

Serve with bangers, coleslaw, top up Shepherd's pie, or use as an ingredient in making potato blini.

Nutritional information: 134kcal and 0.81g of salt per serving.

Available at Ocado.

Mixologist's Garden Zesty Limes (£2.75) are freeze dried lime garnishes for drinks. 

Adding a lovely fruity taste to a variety of drinks, these garnishes have no additives, no nasties, and no surprises. 

Nutritional values: 278kcal and 16g of sugar per 100g (one pack is 10g).

Available in ASDA, East of England, Co-Op and larger Tescos.

Teapigs Liquorice & Peppermint/or Peppermint Leaves organic tea (£4.60) is a blend of peppermint leaves with liquorice root.

This naturally caffeine-free tea is made, using only big, quality, whole leaves and no dust. 100% natural, with no artificial flavourings. All tea temples are plastic free.

I'm a fan of Teapigs tea (their Earl Grey, Everyday Brew and Peppermint are exceptionally good), but I'm not a fan of liquorice generally, and will pass this pack on to a friend who likes sweet tea.

You should receive 1 flavour in your box.

Available in all major supermarkets and online at teapigs.co.uk.

AquaLibra Blood Orange & Mango and Raspberry & Blackcurrant (£1.15) are lovely, refreshing summery drinks. We've had AquaLibra in some previous Degustabox deliveries, and enjoyed them.

You will find two items in your box. 

Contains no sweeteners, no sugar, no artificials. Just sparkling water, natural fruit flavours and a dash of lemon.

Best enjoyed chilled. And lovely as an ingredient for a white wine spritz too.

Nutritional values: 0.5 kcal per 100ml.

Available in single 330ml cans and multipacks of 4 cans in all major supermarkets.

And finally, the Products of the Month - Maggi Pan Perfect Gingery Teriyaki and So Juicy Cajun Chicken (£0.99).

Maggi Pan Perfect Sweet Teriyaki recipe mix could be used with chicken, salmon or tofu. 

Just mix the contents of the pouch with water to make a smooth paste, and pour over the protein of your choice. Serve with stir-fried vegetables, noodles or rice. 

Our favourite Teriyaki recipe is tofu, cooked with sweet peppers, carrots and sweetcorn, and served with rice.

Nutritional values: 233kcal and 4.7g of sugar per serving.

Maggi Aromatic'n'peppery Cajun is a seasoning mix. The pouch contains a cooking bag, where you place chicken drumsticks and vegetables. It's a quick and easy way to cook a flavourful chicken dish with the bold flavours of Louisiana cuisine.

No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Cajun chicken is available in all major supermarket chains. Teriyai mix is available in Sainsbury's only.

You should receive two items in your box.

What is your favourite product in the latest Degustabox box?