Loveahappyending Lifestyle Issue 5 by Loveahappyending Lifestyle magazine

In this edition: 3. Welcome 5. A certain ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’ 8. Parents: Take time for yourself 10. Watch out for the trees! 13. On planning the Snap Gap 15. Can’t resist a man in a suit … 18. Revisiting Oliver Stone’s JFK 20. What’s on THE BOOKSHELF? 33. Etiquette in grammar

35. Retirement offers w world of acronyms 37. Visit Club La Calas in Lanzarote 38. Outdoor Concerts 39. Trying something new 41. Get the French connection 45. In search of a happyending 48. The Monuments Men 51. The hot wish list for 2015 gardens!

55. From Muggles to Master Builder 60. Home exchange 66. Fly fishing – an addiction 71. An interview with Jean Christophe Novelli 78. Money Matters 81. Tips for the amateur garden 86. Meet the team

A Warm Welcome to Loveahappyending Lifestyle emagazine with contributors from the UK, US and Canada

Come on 2015 – bring it on! Our team of writers and guests all have very diverse backgrounds, careers, interests and day jobs; the one thing we have in common is that we met online. The internet allows people to meet, share their passions and exchange ideas in an exciting way. Loveahappyending is a great example of that and it only exists because of it. Every single day I have the pleasure of talking online with people I would never have met without the internet. Often because they live hundreds, or thousands of miles away, or simply that our paths might never have crossed if it wasn‘t for a chance chat on Twitter or Facebook. Our lives have been revolutionised and, I have to say—on occasion—taken over by a form of communication that allows us to be accessible 24/7. Is that a good thing? Is there such a thing as sharing too much information? Many of our team are authors and in this exciting new age of publishing, social media is our life blood. It has become as essential as our word processing packages, or the covers that sell our books. For authors to be able to chat to their readers it can have a profound effect. I‘m writing a sequel to one of my novels because of a Twitter conversation between two of my readers, who speculated about what happened after ‗The End‘. I had signed off with a rhetorical question and assumed there was only one possible answer. But apparently not! As we are about to wave goodbye to 2014 and welcome in 2015, it‘s a time when many people will be making their New Year resolutions. If 2014 wasn‘t the year of having your dreams come true, then maybe you are facing the New Year wondering what you can expect next time around. Sometimes life isn‘t easy, is it? Those are the times when we have to grit our teeth and get through it as best we can. But one day follows another and without those tough times, the good times wouldn‘t be half as special. What 2015 does represent is a time when it‘s never been easier to meet up with like-minded people, wherever they are based, to share knowledge and ideas. If you have a product or service to be sold, the world is waiting to find out about it. The opportunities are there, but sometimes you have to think outside the box to stand out from the crowd. And remember that you rule your workload, not the other way around! 3

At Loveahappyending.com we are always trying to raise the bar on what we do. We are constantly on the lookout for new features and articles to bring to our readers. In 2015 we have The Duchess of Dirt bringing you the benefit of her expertise in a new gardening feature and the awesome Canadian-born author, Talli Roland, who now lives in London, and will be ‗telling it all‘ as a new mum in ‗It‘s A Boy!‘. What hasn’t changed is the amount of work that is required to achieve your dream: whether, like us, it‘ producing an online magazine, publishing a book, or being paid to do something you love. An overnight success is rarely just that. And we‘re going into 2015 with the intention of making everything BIGGER and BETTER. So here‟s wishing you an inspirational 2015 that will see all those great opportunities and ideas coming YOUR way. Don‘t take no for an answer; persevere and embrace change. Sometimes the difference between success and failure is simply the ability to take a knock-back and learn from it. Thank you for dropping by and we hope to see you all again throughout the year!

Don‟t forget to visit our two websites for lots more interesting articles: www.loveahappyending.com “LLm”& www.loveahappyending.org “The Bookshelf” You can follow us on Twitter @loveahappyend and @LAHEBookshelf

A special thank you to Production Assistants:

Anneli Purchase (left) and Stephanie Keyes (right) plus our amazing team of writers!

17 Visit the Bonobos suit collection: http://www.bonobos.com/b/mens-suits

The very latest Loveahappyending book news, author buzz and blogger reviews! Our first Bookshelf GUEST AUTHOR is:

Talli Roland… Talli Roland writes bittersweet and witty contemporary women‟s fiction. Born and raised in Canada, Talli now lives in London, where she savours the great cultural life (coffee and wine). Despite training as a journalist, Talli soon found she preferred making up her own stories – complete with happy endings. Talli‘s novels have been short-listed as Best Romantic Reads at the UK‘s Festival of Romance and chosen as top books of the year by industry review websites. I caught up with Talli in London to ask what Christmas means to her and her family. Talli says: ―Christmas is extra-special now that my son is here. It‘s not just the pleasure of watching his face light up as he opens his toys, but the fact that his birthday falls on Christmas Eve. Even more reason to celebrate the festive season! Sure, it means extra shopping (which, I must admit, I loathe), but double the party fun. This year, we plan to stay in London. We‘ll wake up early Christmas morning (we‘ve little choice, given the screams that usually pierce the air), open our presents, then head out to the great outdoors. London is quiet Christmas Day, like a different city without the roaring buses and rattling tubes. After a stroll in the crisp air and a glass of mulled wine or three, we‘ll head back home, deconstruct a turkey, and put the toddler to bed. Then, we‘ll turn on the carols, pour some more wine, and let the Christmas spirit take us away.‖

Married by Midnight

NEW from Talli Roland: : A Christmas Story: Notting Hill Press. Christmas is coming . . . and so is the biggest day of Kate‟s life. While choosing a vintage dress for her Christmas Eve wedding, Kate finds a cryptic note pinned to the inside of a 1930s gown. As doubts about her own ceremony loom, Kate is determined to track down the dress’s owner and determine what became of her – and the marriage. Will Kate find the answers she’s seeking to propel her down the aisle, or will her discovery prompt her to call off the wedding for good? Find out more about Talli Roland Webpage: Blog: Facebook: Twitter 20

LOVEAHAPPYENDING AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT on

ANNELI PURCHASE Loveahappyending Author Anneli Purchase lives on Vancouver Island, Canada, where she works as an author and freelance copyeditor. She is the author of The Wind Weeps, Orion’s Gift, and Julia’s Violinist. Anneli‘s articles on coastal life are published in Canadian magazines and her novels involve relationships that develop in unusual settings, on the wild and remote coast of British Columbia, in the primitive camping conditions of Mexico‘s Baja peninsula, and most recently in postwar Europe and northern British Columbia. Currently, she is alternating between writing the sequel to The Wind Weeps, and copy-editing the writing of other authors. She also works with authors to prepare e-books for uploading. These activities keep her busy, but she always seems to find time to help other writers. If you are a writer needing help, contact Anneli. She‘ll do her best for you. Find out more about author Anneli Purchase : Website And on her Bookshelf Page

NEW in the Love In Provence Series. Book One is The Promise of Provence and now Book Two:

Promises To Keep has just been released by Loveahappyending author Patricia Sands! Falling in love with the south of France was no surprise to Katherine. Choosing to walk away from her past and start over was completely unexpected. A new country, a new lover, and the promise of a bright future beginning in mid-life … who knew Now there were the exciting dreams of restoring the property on the Cap, beginning a new career, experiencing the traditions of Christmas in Provence, and falling even more deeply in love with the man who inspired these hopes. It was all so perfect, until it wasn’t. The anonymous note left on the windshield was just the beginning. Katherine had embraced new possibilities in life and given her heart only to discover something was being kept from her. Something terrible from her lover’s past. Something that could destroy everything. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, had become her mantra. Would it be enough? Find out more about Patricia Sands : Website And on her Bookshelf Page 21

Sweet Occasions Shortlisted in the Festival of Romantic Fiction reader‘s award ‗Best Author Published‘ category Author: Linn B Halton Genre: Contemporary Romance A heart-warming story that deals with many of life’s most difficult issues: being a single dad when a relationship falls apart, the impact of life-changing illness, dealing with the loss of a loved one … and the search for a soul mate. Katie‘s relationship has had more than its fair share of problems. After a difficult few years things begin to pick up and Katie finally realises her dream of opening up a bakery. Sweet Occasions specialises in novelty and celebration cakes, plus the most inspiring range of cupcakes anyone could possibly ask for. Utilising her passion and skill helps to inject happiness back into her life, but it‘s short-lived as things begin to fall apart. The reality is that you need to run a business with your heart AND your head. Help is at hand in the shape of her partner, Steve. He has the necessary experience, but does Katie want to tie herself to him financially, as well as personally? Then one rainy, wintry day a bedraggled customer steps inside the door to order a cake … Reviewed by JB at Brook Cottage Books Shortlisted for the Festival of Romance Blogger of the Year 2013 award JB Says: Sweet Occasions is a beautiful book. Katie is a lovely young woman who is struggling to make her bakery business a success. However, in the background is her pushy businessman boyfriend who wants Katie to take the business in a whole new direction. Then, one Christmas a soaked and frozen Adam comes into the bakery to buy something nice for his grandmother. Katie takes pity on him when she sees he is nearing a state of hypothermia! A strange sort of friendship begins. A friendship that only sees the pair meet up a couple of times a year when Adam visits his grandmother. Told from the different perspectives of each of the central characters I loved how the story was told and how it developed. It flows at a natural pace, much like Adam and Katie‘s friendship. This book will leave a lasting impression on your heart. A lovely book that was hard to put down and equally hard to let go once the final page was turned! READ JB‟s entire review at Brook Cottage Books Purchase: Amazon UK | Amazon Find out more about Linn B Halton from her Website and Bookshelf page

A Shadow in the Past Author: Melanie Robertson King. Publisher: 4RV Publishing: Time-slip Women‘s Fiction. Nineteen-year-old Sarah Shand finds herself thrust back into the past. There she struggles to keep her real identity from a society that finds her comments and ideas strange and her speech and actions forward, unlike Victorian women. When Sarah verbally confronts confining social practices, including arranged marriages, powerful enemies commit her to a lunatic asylum. After falling in love with the handsome Laird of Weetshill, Robert Robertson, she must decide whether to find her way back to her own time or to remain in the past with him. Reviewed by: Dayna Leigh Book Review Dayna says: ―A 19-year-old student in 2010, Sarah Shand, in northeast Scotland, is miserable. Her beau cheated on her with her best friend. Her sister has a date with a hunk, and her parents are in her face. She storms from the house, heading for the circle of stones, her refuge, to do the unthinkable. She‘ll show them. She fails. Stumbling around in the dark, she‘s struck by a car. Suddenly things change. It‘s 1886 and she‘s alone in this strange world. Robert, the young, handsome Laird, her host, is the only reason she‘s even still alive. As her memories of her old life fade, she‘s caught up in her new, and different life amidst changes in Robert‘s life that affect her. A well-written, well-researched, time-travel romance, this is an excellent debut novel. Ms. Robertson-King and A Shadow in the Past receive a five-star rating. I‘m eagerly awaiting the sequel!.‖ READ the entire review at Dayna Leigh Book Review Purchase: Amazon UK | Amazon Find out more about Melanie Robertson King from her Website and Bookshelf page

The Bridge Club Author: Patricia Sands. Genre: Contemporary Fiction How far would you go to help a close friend? Is there a place where you might draw the line and simply have to say no? Eight women. Four decades of friendship. One unimaginable request. Where can you find a story about friendship, laughter and the good things in life that also touches on alcoholism, infidelity, porn addiction, illness and grief? For many women, it‘s often

within their own circle of friends. Whether your BFFs are in their twenties or are seniors, everyone has a story. Reviewed by Kate at Me My Books and I Kate Says: ―The author took me on an emotional rollercoaster right to the very end, which I found to be rather different with certain information being omitted. I personally thought it was an appropriate ending and with an epilogue that brought tears to my eyes, it just felt right to me! A story of life and everything it can throw at you, this was a wellrounded read with something for everyone.‖ READ Kate‟s entire review at Me My Books and I Purchase: Amazon UK | Amazon Find out more about Patricia Sands Website and Bookshelf page

Our second Bookshelf GUEST AUTHOR is:

Milly Johnson… Milly Johnson is a half-Yorkshire, half-Glaswegian Barnsleybased author of ten novels plus two novellas. She is a poet, after-dinner speaker, sometimes actress, professional joke writer, copywriter, newspaper columnist and winner of Come Dine With Me. She is the 2014 winner of the RoNA Romantic Comedy Award for her book „It‟s Raining Men‟. She likes birds of prey, the cinema, joke books, the theatre, red wine, and cruising on P & O ships. She does not like ironing or marzipan. I asked Milly about the cameo roles she often gives her characters from previous books – how and when did this start and why does she like to do it? ―I got the idea from a master – Stephen King. I used to be fascinated with the tiny nuggets from one book which crossed into another and which gave an extra dimension to his stories and, though I didn‘t consciously intend to do the same myself, I obviously remembered what he used to do and it took root in my brain. Characters are proper divas. You give them small roles and you can feel them wanting more limelight. Many times, I have written a character who is meant to be a mere part of a plot device or just for a moment of interest or amusement only for them to want more from me. Freya – for instance – who sold the wedding dresses, was never intended to be someone who returned, but the more I wrote about her, the more intriguing she became. 24

When readers responded to seeing characters return, I was delighted. Doreen was a horrible old bat in Here Come The Girls, but I loved writing about her and the more she developed, the more I could see what had made her that way. And the more I felt sorry for her and liked her and wanted her to have her own happy ending. Of course the more books I write, the more of a nightmare it becomes because you have to get their advancing ages right and not give too much information away to people who have not read previous books. It‘s like visiting old friends sometimes and makes the world which my characters inhabit, just that little bit more real.‖ The Tea Shop on the Corner: At her beloved husband’s funeral, Carla Pride discovers that Martin never divorced his first wife and has been living a double life with her. When Will Linton’s business goes bust he at least thinks that with the support of his trophy wife Nicole he will rise to the top again. Molly Jones is being bullied into going into a retirement home by her ‘concerned’ daughter-in-law Sherry and son Gram. Young Ryan O’Gowan comes from the roughest family in the area but unlike the rest of his clan, Ryan wants to make something of his life. Pavitar Singh is a lonely retired doctor with a great love of literature – and a thirst for likeminded company. All very different people in need of a little love and compassion which they find by chance in the stationery and teashop on the corner run by the ever-cheerful Leni. But is the world of Leni Merryman as full of rainbows and sparkles as everyone thinks? Or is her smile papering over many cracks in her heart? Find out more about Milly Johnson Webpage: Blog Facebook: Twitter LOVEAHAPPYENDING AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT on:

CAROLINE JAMES Loveahappyending Author Caroline James has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the catering industry from a pub to a hotel, restaurants and outside catering. Today, she lives in Cheshire and spends her time writing, climbing mountains, and running a hospitality business. Her debut novel, Coffee, Tea, The Gypsy & Me is set in Northwest England, in a country house hotel at the time of a famous gypsy horse fair. The book went straight to number three on Amazon and was Ebook of the Week in The Sun. Her second novel, So, You Think You‟re A Celebrity…Chef? is set in London, Ireland and Barbados with much of the action taking place at an annual Gourmet Food Festival near Cork. The story takes a lighthearted and sometimes hilarious look at the world of celebrity chefs as they battle it out for fame and fortune led by media agent Hilary Hargreaves and her team. Caroline also writes short stories and contributes to many publications.

Find out more about Caroline James: Website And on her Bookshelf Page

Let‟s Hear It For The Boys #MensHealth isn‟t just for Movember … A HitLitPro Anthology Published: 1st November 2014. £0.99. Available in Kindle Format This Movember it is time for the ladies to step up and grab the moustache baton. While we Mo Sistas may be follically challenged about the face, we do have the power of words at our fingertips. Let‘s Hear It For The Boys is a tribute to the men of Movember. The HitLitPro authors have created these nine short stories to celebrate the men in our lives, the effect they have on our hearts, our minds (and our bodies) and the difference they can make to the world around them. All proceeds from the sales of the book will be donated to the Movember charities. So come on ladies, it‘s time to do a little something for our boys! Who are HitLitPro? HitLitPro is an organisation that promotes the work of independent, female fiction writers. This anthology includes the work of nine authors – some of whom are also associated authors with Loveahappyending (LLm): Caroline James, Emma Calin, Jenny Harper, Linn B Halton, Mandy Baggot, Nikki Mason, Rosie Dean, Sheryl Browne and Zara Stoneley. For more information on CandleLit Author Services visit: www.candlelitauthorservices.com For more information on Thornberry Publishing visit: www.thornberrypublishing.com For more information on Movember visit: www.movember.com 26

The Star Child Author: Stephanie Keyes. Publisher: Inkspell Publishing. Genre: Young Adult The world is about to be cloaked in darkness. Only one can stop the night. Kellen St. James has spent his entire life being overlooked as an unwanted, ordinary, slightly geeky kid. That is until a beautiful girl, one who has haunted his dreams for the past eleven years of his life, shows up spinning tales of a prophecy. Not just any old prophecy either, but one in which Kellen plays a key role. Suddenly, Kellen finds himself on the run through a Celtic underworld of faeries and demons, angels and gods, not to mention a really ticked off pack of hellhounds, all in order to save the world from darkness. But will they make it in time? Reviewed by: Genesis at GenGens Book Blog Genesis says: ―The Star Child has everything a Fantasy/Paranormal story has: faeries, gods, goddess‘, prophecies, evil guys, underworld, hellhounds…it‘s packed! The description of the whole story comes to life before the reader‘s eyes—it‘s so vivid and wonderful to imagine everything so clearly. Kellen decides to help Calienta save her family and he stays brave throughout it all, he stays truthful to himself, never straying from the path of good. Something that caught my attention a lot was how willingly the gods are to give up immortal life—become mortal so they can be with the love of their life, who are mortal humans. It‘s touching and beautiful.‖ READ Gen‟s entire review of The Star Child at GenGen‟s Book Blog Purchase: Amazon UK Amazon Find out more about Stephanie Keyes from her Website and Bookshelf page

So, You Think You‟re a Celebrity… Chef? Author: Caroline James. Publisher: Thornberry Publishing Genre: Contemporary Women‘s Fiction When media agent Hilary Hargreaves travels to Ireland to look at a campaign for a new cookery school, she meets a blast from her past – the romantic but feckless chef Mickey Lloyd, who is hell-bent on resurrecting his flagging career. Her tough demeanour is rocked as it becomes apparent Mickey‘s intentions involve more than a stint behind a stove in his quest to pursue her. But as plans for the school gain momentum, she realises that she‘s developing more than a passing interest in reformed alcoholic Long Tom Hendry, who owns the crumbling old mansion where the school will be homed. Hilary has many ingredients to juggle with her demanding client list – which looks set to boil over if she doesn‘t keep control. 27

From London‘s bustling Soho, to Southern Ireland and the sunny shores of the Caribbean, has Hilary got too much on her plate and is she really prepared to risk it all for love? Reviewed by: MostlyFood.co.uk Mostly Food says: ―You don‘t need to be a culinary professional to get a kick out of this book. Caroline James, the author, does have that background but it‘s her wry sense of humour that gives this book such wide appeal. So, You Think You‘re A Celebrity …Chef? is a rollicking good read. Caroline James has a quick wit and amusing turn of phrase. There are laugh-out-loud moments, but dip into this light novel and you will be wearing a smile, and sometimes a smirk, from the first page.‖ READ the entire review at MostlyFood.co.uk Purchase: Amazon UK | Amazon Find out more about Caroline James from her Website and Bookshelf page

The Fine Art of Delusional Thinking Author: Bonnie Trachtenberg. Publisher: Amore Publishing. Genre: Humour/Advice Have you always wished you had a glamorous career? A spouse who worships you? An awesome set of wheels? A fantabulous social life? With The Fine Art of Delusional Thinking, all these goals can be within your grasp. You‘ll never again fret about your weight, your monthly bills, your love life, or your bank account. This witty and concise how-to book from best-selling author Bonnie Trachtenberg teaches you everything you‘ll need to know to turn your humdrum existence into a lifestyle others will envy. So delude your way to a happy life—with help from an expert. Reviewed by Rachelle at Rachelle‟s Window Rachelle Says: Advice columnist Bonnie Trachtenberg shows you how you too can have it all by following her quick and simple steps toward a delusional life of excess fame, fortune, and love. This fun little book is chock full of advice. Memorize the five principles any Delusional needs to master to ward off reality. Stay away from toxic people, ever ready to pop your Delusional bubble with their evil sharpened knitting needles. Ms. Trachtenberg provides roadmaps and famous Delusionals that you TOO can emulate from Cleopatra to Imelda Marcos, Sigmund Freud to Julius Caesar. She also gives you a list of careers ultimately suitable for the Delusional lifestyle. TV shows, movies, a 12-step program to drama royalty, and yep, sure-fire weight loss delusions are all available for your imaginary enjoyment! READ Rachelle‟s entire review at Rachelle‟s Window Purchase: Amazon UK | Amazon Find out more about Bonnie Trachtenberg from her Website andBookshelf page

Catch up with the Once upon a NOW series and „Alf the Workshop Dog‟ - the first in Emma Calin‟s modern-day fairytale collection under the ‗Once upon a NOW‘ banner. This series of chapter-book stories is ideal for young readers or for adults to share aloud. Each book is beautifully illustrated by manga/anime artist Miko Abellera. Bonus materials including colouring pages, video, audio clips and photos are accessed from within the text via links and QR codes.

Give him a like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnceUponaNOW Available in e-book, print and audio book formats

LOVEAHAPPYENDING AUTHOR SPOTLIGHTon:

STEPHANIE KEYES Loveahappyending Author Stephanie Keyes is the author of the YA Fantasy series, The Star Child, which currently includes The Star Child, After Faerie, The Fallen Stars, and The Star Catcher, all from by Inkspell Publishing. Mrs. Keyes is hard at work on a new YA Paranormal Romance. Stephanie says: When I‘m not writing, I work as a freelance instructional and graphic designer, along with my husband of eleven years. My most important job of all, however, is being a mom to two little boys under the age of six and Riley, the Cockapoo Princess. When I am not working, mothering someone, or writing, I am an avid reader. Naturally, my favorite genre is fantasy, but I‘ll read just about anything given the chance. I‘m also a gadget freak (if it‘s new I have to have it) and a music addict. I play the clarinet and saxophone, and I sing. The Star Child Series: The YA Paranormal Romance series, The Star Child, follows seventeen-year-old genius, Kellen St. James and his Irish goddess, Calienta, as they fight to save the world from darkness. Come away to a world where magick and destiny intertwine…

Find out more about Stephanie Keyes at: stephaniekeyes.com And on her Bookshelf Page

Falling: Angels Among Us The Complete Series

Linn B. Halton‟s

Published by Harper Impulse ‘No one chooses to see angels. Why would they?’ Linn is very excited that Harper Impulse launched Falling: The Complete Angels Among Us Series on 9 October 2014 in ebook format and the paperback is coming in December 2014. She‘s on the HI blog talking about it this week and the scoop is that there is bonus content that takes the reader on past ‗The End‘ of the third novella, ‗Forever‘ to wrap it up! Linn said, ―In this series, which is a mixture of research and fiction with an over-riding love story to add as many complications as you can possibly want, the ideas were limitless. But the ending has to do the story justice and Forever ends with a scene that needed an explanation. Whether or not you‘ve read the three novellas, there‘s a surprise waiting for the reader in the complete series after ‗The End‘. It‘s an appropriate ending, but it took a while for the words to come …‖ Love is a powerful emotion, but can it change the course of someone’s destiny? This is a romance story that explores the possibility of there being something more than just the ‘here and now’. Ceri’s journey begins… Find out more on Linn‟s website or from Harper Impulse 30

The Edge of Sanity Author: Sheryl Browne. Publisher: Safkhet Publishing. Genre: Romantic Thriller

How far would YOU go to protect your family? A decent, ordinary man, a man who has already suffered the loss of one child, Daniel Conner is forced by extraordinary circumstances into being a hero. Tortured, forcibly drugged— heroin still pulsating nauseatingly through his veins—his wife and daughter degraded, Daniel knows their kidnapper is beyond reasoning with. But does being pushed one step beyond endurance justify doing the unthinkable? High on drugs, indebted to his supplier, and desperate, Charlie Roberts takes Daniel‘s wife and daughter hostage. Daniel does everything within his power to rescue the situation bloodlessly. Eventually though, Daniel realises that with or without violent mood swings induced by amphetamines and cocaine, Charlie Roberts is a psychopath. He wants more than Daniel‘s money. He wants him. Reviewed by: Sophie at Reviewed the Book Winner of the Romance Blogger of the Year 2014 award Sophie says: The Edge of Sanity was gripping, intense, and emotional. Jo and Daniel have had their relationship torn apart after the devastating loss of their youngest child. Their oldest daughter Kayla is suffering in the aftermath. Then psychopath Charlie is introduced… Honestly, the concept of this book sounds good but I just can‘t make it sound as good as it is. The author, seemingly effortlessly, draws you in to this traumatic plot to the stage where you just have no idea what‘s going to happen next. You have to read because you need to see if this broken family will ever come through and the flawless pacing takes you through this whole experience with them, like you‘re witnessing the suffering in real life. Heartwrenching, captivating, dramatic and all-out simply the best thriller I‘ve read in… as long as I remember. Brilliant.

READ Sophie‟s entire review of The Edge of Sanity at Reviewed the Book Purchase: Amazon UK | Amazon Find out more about Sheryl Brown from her Website and Bookshelf page

Made in Nashville Author: Mandy Baggot Publisher: Harper Impulse Genre: Contemporary Romance A story of fear, determination and passion for what you were born to do… An on-stage attack left Honor Blackwood with more scars than just the one on her face. It‘s been ten years since she left her spot as Nashville‘s brightest country music star. Is now the time to return? And is she brave enough to do it? Country rebel and rock star, Jared ‗Jed‘ Marshall is hot property on the Tennessee music scene in more ways than one. He‘s wild, he‘s sexy, and everybody wants a piece of him. But when he sets his sights on Honor, is it pure attraction or just distraction on his mind? Join the country scene to find out! Reviewed by: Jess at A Novel Thought Jess says: I love the relationship between Jed and Honor – you can immediately feel the chemistry and connection between them. Mandy beautifully writes about the reactions they each feel when they look at each other, when they‘re near each other and it is so gorgeous the way Jed learns Honor‘s different quirks that make her unique. There are definitely some intense scenes where Jed and Honor start to act on the attraction they feel. Mandy brilliant builds the tension and gets the heart racing as she describes the feelings and emotions running through the characters.

READ Jess‟s entire review at A Novel Thought Purchase: Amazon UK | Amazon Find out more about Mandy Baggot from her Website and Bookshelf page

Brought to you by: Janice Horton Website/blog: http://janicehorton.co.uk Twitter: @JaniceHorton FB: Janice Horton Author

Today Bonnie is talking about how to keep your romance „healthy‟, and answering the question “How much sex is enough?” Negotiating the road to a healthy romance can be one of the most challenging endeavors in our life. If our primary relationship with our partner is detrimental to our happiness, or worse—toxic—it can destroy the foundation of our wellbeing. Maybe that‘s why so many people share their concerns about this with me. Whether you are married, in a long-term relationship, or even just beginning to date, knowing what makes a good and solid union can be the best tool you have to finding true happiness and contentment. So if you‘re ambivalent about remaining in a relationship, or wondering if it‘s wise to invest your emotions in a new one, here are some positive signs to look for: 1. You communicate thoughts and feelings to each other easily and often There‘s a good reason people say that being friends first is the best way to begin a romantic relationship. (I can vouch for that!) Do you feel safe sharing your thoughts and feelings with your partner, the way you would with a supportive friend? Do you receive in return a loving and thoughtful response, and the feeling that your partner will always have your back? And is your partner the first person you run to with good news, or even with bad? If so, then there‘s a very good chance the two of you can forge a strong and supportive team. This will make facing life‘s challenges less arduous, because you‘ll bolster each other throughout them. You‘ll also enjoy all the time you will be spending together, because don‘t we all want to hang out with our best friends? 2. You trust each other If you find yourself ―checking up‖ on your partner because you have a feeling he is doing something naughty behind your back, then one of two things is happening. Either it‘s true, and on some level you know it, or it‘s not, but your own insecurities are rearing their ugly heads. Either way, something‘s amiss and needs to be addressed. In a healthy relationship, trust is earned over a period of time and is based on the actions of your partner, the same way it would be for a close friend. When you are able to trust, you‘ll be able to enjoy time away from each other without 45

worrying that your partner is up to no good. If he has already proven himself to be an honest person who loves you and has your best interests at heart, trust will flow naturally, the way it should. If not, it may be time to move on. 3. You can fight without tearing each other down Healthy fighting is an important part of a sturdy relationship. It should go without saying that it should NEVER be physical, but during a fight, it‘s also very important that you maintain a level of verbal respect for each other. You can argue about things without attacking each other personally. It‘s okay to disagree, but being truly disagreeable can be a real relationship buster. Name calling, berating, and ―hitting below the belt,‖ should not be the way you express yourselves, because once the fight is over, you will always have those hurts between you—and those can last a lifetime. 4. Your mate enhances your life instead of draining it It never ceases to surprise me how many people find that their greatest source of stress is sleeping next to them every night. Your home should be your castle, your comfort zone, your safe place, and if you are coming home to partner who sucks the life energy out of you, it can make it impossible to lead a happy and productive life. We all face obstacles, whether related to work, the illness of a loved one, children‘s issues, etc., but if you have someone who adds love, dedication, and emotional support to the mix, hardships will feel more manageable, and good times will be even better. 5. You love each other for who you truly are It‘s important to determine if you are sincerely in love, or if your feelings are merely based on infatuation. The reason it‘s so crucial, is that if it‘s the latter, then you may be in for a rude awakening once the real person inevitably emerges from behind your fantasy. We all should feel comfortable being who we are, and know that our partner loves and accepts us for it. Nobody is perfect; the question is, can you live with her faults and baggage and not hold it against her? And can she do the same for you?

Loving acceptance of your partner is one of the keys to a good relationship, and can help make sure that the bond you share only deepens with each passing year. A question that comes up quite a bit is “How much sex is enough?” Q. I‘ve been married to my husband (who is also my best friend) for nine years and we have a very good marriage. It is the second time around for both of us, and we have children (all over 16) from our first marriages. There‘s lots of love between us, but over the past few years, the number of times we have sex has dwindled down from a couple of times a week to a couple of times a month (unless we are on vacation and therefore very relaxed). We both work, are tired, and have our share of 46

daily stresses, and unfortunately our sex life often takes a back seat. Although in theory we‘d like to spend more non-sleeping time in bed, we are both usually satisfied with the amount of time we do (or don‘t) spend there. However, after seeing how obsessed the world seems to be with sex, I‘m wondering if there‘s something wrong with us that should be worked on. Are we unknowingly doing damage to our relationship? Should we be being more adventurous? Is having sex two times a month enough for two caring partners? I would love to know what you think.

A. In my observation, it‘s the couples that don‘t agree on how often they want sex that end up with problems in their relationship. When one partner‘s sexual urges greatly outweigh the other‘s, unhappiness, resentment, and insecurities can result. Sex is a wonderful way for a couple to bond and reconnect, but how often you feel you need to do this is up to you and your husband. When I read your question, I noted a few things. First, you and your husband are best friends. Those are the best kinds of love relationships because you truly care and look out for each other while making a great team. Second, you said, ―there‘s lots of love‖ between you. Therein lies the most important thing in a healthy marriage—love! And third, you are both on the same page when it comes to your carnal desires, so there isn‘t strife between you because of the amount of time you spend in the bedroom. I really don‘t think that having sex a couple of times a month should worry you. I‘m willing to bet more couples than you think do the same and just don‘t talk about it because they, too, have let our oversexed society dictate their feelings of inadequacy. As long as you keep the lines of communication open with your husband to make sure you both remain on the same sexual wavelength, your relationship should stay strong.

And if either of you should begin to feel that you truly desire more sex, I say plan one of your relaxing vacations and go!

Brought to you by: Bonnie Trachtenberg Website/blog: http://www.bonnietrachtenberg.com/ Twitter: @Writebrainedny FB: Bonnie Trachtenberg

The Monuments Men is a film that seems to have attracted a mixed bag of reviews, many bemoaning the lack of action and criticising the humorous one-liners as taking away from the serious message of the story and the sacrifice made by the characters depicted. I‘m not sure I agree. The Monuments Men, written and directed by George Clooney (who strives to make films around issues he cares about), is based on the book by best-selling non-fiction author, Robert M. Edsel, and therein perhaps is a clue about why the director didn‘t build in dramatic scenes for entertainment‘s sake. The film is attempting to tell the true-life story of men and women serving in the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section (MFAA) of the Western Allied forces, tasked with the mission of saving the world‘s greatest treasures from destruction. The men portrayed were ordinary people, connoisseurs, architects, curators, and sculptors, risking their lives to save great works of art, thus preserving the heritage and culture of Europe for the enjoyment of future generations.

Personally, I would like to have related to the characters a little more. Perhaps the black and white stills of the ‗real‘ heroes, often shown in true-life stories at the credits, could have been shown up-front. The film has been further criticised for its slow-moving exposition and, for my own tastes, the character backstory could have been better fleshed out, allowing us to empathise more easily with the

individuals. However, did we really expect a film starring George Clooney and Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman… not to have elements of humour? Further, would men brought together under such circumstances not banter, employing humour as a coping mechanism and an expression of camaraderie? Hugh Bonneville out of his straight-laced Downton role was utterly refreshing and easy to relate to. Cate Blanchett, (playing Claire Simone, presumably based on reallife heroine Rose Valland) was believable, as was Matt Damon (playing James Granger) turning down her offer of a Parisian ‗after-dinner cognac.‘ He was supposed to be an honourable man, someone she could trust implicitly. Wouldn‘t his honour have been somewhat tarnished in her eyes if he‘d taken up her offer?

Overall, I thought this was an honest film, told as authentically as it could be, whilst delivering the entertainment value. I was entertained. I enjoyed the film. What‘s more, I was educated, learning more about a part of history often overlooked, Adolph Hitler‘s attempt to gather priceless paintings and sculptures to fill up his vision of a museum, ―The Führermuseum‖, showcasing ―Aryan-approved‖ art. The Monuments Men is testament to a brave group of people who uncovered tens of thousands of those pieces of art, some of them paying the price with their lives. If the critical debate rages on maybe that‘s no bad thing, encouraging people to look at art through new eyes whilst browsing museums, cultural centres or churches, to wonder more about its origins, its journey and the history surrounding it; to ponder the tragedy of the destruction of culture.

Were the actorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; portrayals of the characters as true to life as they could be? My view: See it and judge for yourself. Director George Clooney Writers George Clooney, Grant Heslov (screenplay) Robert M. Edsel, Bret Witter (book) Stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Hugh Bonneville, Bob Balaban, Dimitri Leonidas Genre Biography, Drama, War Certificate 12A

Brought to you by: Sheryl Browne Website/blog: http://sheryls-ramblings.blogspot.com/ Twitter: @SherylBrowne FB: Sheryl Browne

HOT WISH LIST GARDENS If you are

FOR

2015

in the nursery and garden supply business, it is always helpful to have your finger on what is expected to be hot in the garden for next season. Gardeners, too, are apt to greatly anticipate what will be new and exciting.

Petunia planter boxes (right)

To this purpose, there are garden media sources, gardening gurus, associations and suppliers who conduct customer surveys, amass fashion information, and keep track of what gardeners buy. The data is sorted, categorized, and evaluated, and then the findings are disclosed as the upcoming ―Gardening Trends.‖ Now this may seem like a whole lot of hoopla to a few people, but in some cases, this information could possibly be the very lifeblood that keeps a garden business afloat at the end of the year. Sadly…and inexplicably, to my way of thinking…there has been a gradual downward trend in gardening as a hobby since the late 1980s. Companion planting (left)

Let‘s face it. Since the recession hit a few years ago, all retail establishments need to keep their fingers on the pulse of what consumers are expected to spend their dollars on in the coming seasons. As a nursery owner, there is little sense in filling

your display benches with rare plants…no matter how beautiful…if the customers will be looking to buy vegetable starts. So…what have the surveys and garden gurus revealed for 2015? New Customer Base. The Millenial generation, or Gen Y as it is often called…young adults aged 19 to 29…is now outstripping the Baby Boomers in the consumer department. Indeed, their numbers are growing. According to one particular survey, there are an estimated 1.7 billion Millenials worldwide. That was back in 2011. So why is this fact important? There are subtle differences in purchasing preferences between the Millenial, Gen X, and Baby Boomer generations. Millenials want instant gratification so their focus is largely towards what gives the fastest results. They also look for plants with a purpose. Therefore, annuals and food plants are generally among their preferred purchases.

Honeybee in Eryngium alpinum

Ecology Conscious. Apparently, the health of our planet is still a strong trend from all buyers. Good thing! Organic choices are gaining more ground over chemical…as is permaculture, companion planting, and soil stewardship. Edible landscaping is near the top of the list…and xeriscaping with native plants. Many gardeners are making conscientious selections while keeping water conservation in mind. Growing Food. Increasing awareness surrounding issues about the security of our food supply is heightened. More and more gardeners are beginning to grow at least some of their own food…whether it be in a traditional vegetable garden or in containers on their balcony. Container gardening is becoming a huge hit with the advent of smaller-sized vegetable plants being bred….right down to tiny pumpkins and summer squashes that only take up a third of the space of regular varieties.

Front yard food garden (above)

Rebel-hoods.

Keeping the focus on the Millenial generation, it would appear more neighbourhoods are rebelling against city ordinances and campaigning for change. The push is to transform urban areas into agri-hoods where growing food on city boulevards and keeping a few chickens and a beehive are acceptable practice.

Container gardening

Portability. Container gardening still ranks high on the list. Many gardeners enjoy enlivening the front porch or corner nook with a colourful planter…whether it be filled with this year‘s hot new annuals or a combination of tried and true plant species. And it is the prudent gardener who has a pot or two of foliage on hand to slip into the landscape after the bulbs have finished their display. But new in this portability trend is the need for the Millenials to take their mini-gardens with them. Their lack of homeownership and flexible lifestyle dictates mobility in higher percentages than from the two previous generations. Garden-tainment. This is perhaps more focussed towards the declining Baby Boomer population and Generation X (ages 26 to 40) who are more likely to hold property with a yard for entertaining. Being outdoors during most of our ―free time‖ in today‘s hectic schedules still seems to resonate quite highly with us. We want our homes to spill out into garden rooms where we can share enjoyable, tranquil occasions with family and friends.

Secluded nook and landscape of pink flowers

Colour. This item always factors in many trending lists…thanks to the fashion industry. I have heard pink, in all its varying shades, will be hot for the garden in 2015. Pastel colours too. However…another survey states ―vintage to muted rustic to teal‖ are all acceptable in showcasing your personality outdoors.

Helleborus x ballardiae ‗HGC Pink Frost‘

And there lies the clincher. Your garden will always be a reflection of your unique personality. No matter what the surveys or gardening gurus may claim is trending hot for the coming year…fill your New Year‘s Wish List with all the horticultural delights which tickle your fancy. I am positive there will be many wonderful treasures displayed in the nurseries and gardening supply outlets next year to suit every whim. You may just have to search a little harder to find them…but then that is half the fun for gardeners.

Garden-tainment spot

Brought to you by:

Website: www.duchessofdirt.ca FB: http://ow.ly/CkBnz 54

Muggles to Master Builders – a mum’s guide! Let me introduce myself! I‘m Mandy Baggot and by morning I am a romantic fiction author, who lives in the UK. By afternoon/evening/school holidays I am a mum of two energetic girls aged 7 and 9.

Having been camping, to the cinema, and had endless BBQs, it was time for the ultimate weekend away. Let me present a mum‘s guide to:

Legoland, Windsor, and The Making of Harry Potter! LEGOLAND This was the first time we‘d been to this adventure park and I have to say the prices are steep at £46.80 per adult and £41.40 per child, but there are discounts if you book ahead online. Loving a bargain, I had saved a ½ price family ticket voucher from a long-since-eaten McDonalds Happy Meal! Happy Days!

There are rides for all ages and nothing too big and scary rollercoaster-wise. Both the girls were tall enough to go on most rides unaccompanied but why should they have all the fun? Mr Big and I went on everything too. The queues for rides built up during the day but we tried to choose wisely and, apart from ducking out of one queue because it was taking so long, we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t wait more than 30 minutes for popular rides and less for others. HIGHLIGHTS: Squid Surfers, Raft Racers and Laser Raiders. TOP TIPS: Take a picnic and save time by eating while you are queuing. Stay late and make the most of the quieter times. Watch a 4D movie and the live action stunt shows as well as going on rides. Be prepared to get wet!

The Making of Harry Potter

This was our second visit to the Harry Potter Tour in Leavesden, near Watford. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s a complete must for Harry Potter fans with props, sets and everything you can imagine from the films.

At ÂŁ93 for a family of four, tickets must be booked in advance. I would say this is great value as, although you have an allotted entry time, there is no restriction on how long you stay. This time we were there for six hours. Climb aboard the Knight Bus, play Wizard chess, visit Harryâ&#x20AC;&#x;s cupboard, his home and see a Mandrake come to life!

HIGHLIGHTS: Riding broomsticks, and the enchanted Weasley car, entering the Great Hall, and feeling like a first year student at Hogwarts and walking through Diagon Alley.

TOP TIPS Take photos of the back of the Great Hall when the crowds have moved on through. Visit the gift shop before and after your visit – there‘s so much to see! Make sure your camera/phone is fully charged with lots of space. You won‘t be able to stop snapping photos!

Brought to you by: Mandy Baggot Website/blog: http://mandybaggot.com/ Twitter: @MandyBaggot FB: Mandy Baggot

HOME EXCHANGE – Oh, the places you’ll go! TRY IT … YOU’LL LIKE IT! Which of these might fit your fantasy? * A slick, sophisticated apartment in the heart of Vienna. * A casual country house with a pool ten minutes from the famous Algarve beaches. * An elegant apartment on the top floor of a regal palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal in Venice. * A family-friendly modern home on a hill in a small village in the Var with amazing views over the Mediterranean and terraced patios leading to an infinity pool. * A 500-year-old village home in a hilltop town in Tuscany. * A modern, bungalow on a top-rated golf course set amidst the mountains near San Diego, California. * A cool loft condo in a restored Victorian building on the Piccadilly tube line in the east end of London, England. * A spacious 4-bedroom country home with pool and classic Provençal blue shutters and doors set in the middle of a private vineyard in the south of France. * A two-bedroom home with private pool in a golf and tennis community in southeast Florida, 15 minutes from fabulous beaches. All of these properties have been ―home‖ to us, at one time or another. They could be yours too. How you ask?

Apartment overlooking Grand Canal-PSandsPhotos

Full disclosure: I am a travel junkie. There is nothing about the travel experience I dislike. The annoying aspects of air travel today don‘t bother me in the least. When I go to the airport I know I‘m on my way to a special destination and flying is how I‘m going to get there. That‘s all I care about. ―Relax and chill‖ is my travel motto.

Entrance to exchange home-Var-PSandsPhotos

I know not everyone wishes to travel far and wide. Some people are happy never to venture any great distance from where they live. Not I. Ever since I spent a year working and traveling in Europe at the age of 21 in 1967, I‘ve been hooked. I love to experience life in different parts of the world, some more than others. Don‘t get me wrong, I appreciate my wonderful hometown of Toronto and all it has to offer but when I have the opportunity to go further afield, I do my best to make it happen. This quote resonated with me many years ago: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn‟t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (Literary comment: I first read that this was a Mark Twain quote but since have discovered it probably isn‘t. Never mind! It works for me.)

There are many parts of the world I have yet to visit but I believe the greatest travel lesson I‘ve learned is this: if you have a desire to go somewhere, no matter how unattainable you feel that dream may be, chances are you can make it happen. In today‘s uncertain economy, there‘s no question untold numbers of travel plans and vacations have been shelved. Often the cost simply squashes dreams. The solution I offer you right here, right now … in fact go ahead and Google it as soon as you finish reading this …two simple words … HOME EXCHANGE. I looked into this concept of swapping homes about 15 years ago and was instantly intrigued. I had heard of it over the years and finally decided to check it out. Why on earth had I waited so long? You‘ll ask yourself the same question! My husband and I have since enjoyed 11 home exchange vacations and highly recommend it. In fact, this year we will be spending two weeks in Switzerland in May, followed by a month in Nice, and then two weeks in Vienna. All with home exchanges.

Below: Vienna-PSandsPhotos

The first step is to join a reputable website, and there are several, some of which I list at the end of this article. Look for longevity of service and you will soon see for yourself which agency appeals to you. As one of the websites states, ―Home exchanging is a bit like dating, where a house swap service plays the equivalent role to a dating agency. It helps you to meet, but the rest is up to you.‖ When we first mentioned exchange to friends, the reactions ranged from horrified, ―You‘d let perfect strangers stay in your house?‖ to excited, ―I‘ve always wanted to do that!‖ One screwed up his face and asked, ―You‘ll sleep in a stranger‘s bed?‖ We asked how many strangers had slept in the bed in his last hotel room. Think about it. Every one of our exchange vacations has been wonderful and the truth of the matter is you connect in a personal way with your exchange person/couple/family. With some, we have developed a close friendship and others we simply keep in touch from time to time but a connection certainly occurs. Living in a home in a different part of the world, whether it is a foreign land or a different area of your own country, provides a more complete cultural experience than staying in a hotel. You are instantly part of a community and neighbors or friends of your exchange family will have been asked to introduce themselves to you to see if you need assistance with anything. It‘s an amazingly friendly and personal process. Having all the amenities of a home at your disposal makes the travel experience so much easier. If you feel like eating in, you can. Want to do your laundry (and therefore be able to pack lighter)? Go ahead! Take care of the space around you as you would in your own home. We always make sure that there is someone who will come in and clean the house before we leave so that is not our responsibility and I make the same provision at our end. When you arrive at your home exchange destination, you will find a detailed booklet put together by the homeowner. In this will be every bit of information you might need to know, from a list of important phone numbers to information about appliances, doctors, dentists, shopping, entertainment, and attractions. For families with children the benefits are even greater as there are homes with toys and yards. Car exchanges are often offered and specifics such as non-smoking homes or pet-free or child-free can be requested. On the other side of that, you can also find pet owners looking to swap. There‘s something for everyone! The possibilities are endless. Our longest exchange was two months (September, October) in a beautiful home in the middle of a private vineyard in the Var region of France. We were in scenic hills but just a half-hour from the coast. We were even invited to help with the grape harvest. Our other exchange holidays have been in Portugal, Italy, London, Vienna, California, and several in France. 63

Above: France-PSandsPhotos

Without getting into all the details here, there are excellent websites that have been established since long before the Internet. Now you can peruse properties online and send out inquiries to see if the owners are interested in exchanging with you. With email or phone conversations, before you ever commit to an exchange you get to know each other. Not only do you discover unique travel opportunities, you also meet fine people who share your values and with whom you will feel confident about exchanging. Interior and exterior photos are shared as well so you can determine if the property is acceptable to you in every way. On their website, HomeLink International offers these words. â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Respect. Trust. Caring. Generosity. We understand that these are the foundation for every great home exchange holiday.â&#x20AC;&#x2013; All the websites have FAQ pages and are usually only too happy to answer personally any other questions or concerns. Obviously the cost of your trip becomes significantly lower when accommodation is free. We have never experienced one problem and always return to find our home as spotless as we left it. What I love best about exchanging is that it reaffirms my belief most people are good and honest and just like you. You will hear these words from people on these exchange sites who write about their experiences. You will also see there are many far more experienced exchangers than I am. I love reading about others who are on the thirtieth go or more! Give it a try!

Italy-PSandsPhotos

As I mentioned, there are excellent exchange websites, well organized and detailed. Memberships are reasonable. Some are specialized with regard to age, profession, or culture. Here are a few in no particular order, just to make it easy for you to get started: HomeLink International - established in 1953 and spanning 27 countries Home Base Holidays – UK-based, over 25 years experience HomeExchange.com – 39,000+ listings in 143 countries Seniors Home Exchange – exclusively for the over-50 age group Intervac Home Exchange – since 1953 – over 30,000 listings, 80% in Europe I‘m happy to answer questions about all of this, based on our personal experiences. In fact, I‘m such a fan, my latest novel, The Promise of Provence, is centered round a home exchange in the south of France. Try it! Whether it‘s a weekend enjoying The Big Apple, a romantic rendezvous in Paris, a month hiking and taking cooking classes in Italy, golfing in Ireland, sailing in New Zealand, visiting relatives wherever, or simply exploring whatever corner of this wonderful world beckons you. Home exchange can enhance your experience and make your dreams affordable. You‘ll like it! Brought to you by: Patricia Sands Website/blog: http://patriciasands.wordpress.com/ Twitter: @Patricia_Sands FB: Patricia Sands

Fly-fishing: An Addiction Morning comes early for the fly fisherman. Everything has been laid out the night before: chest waders, boots, vest, stripping basket, Sage fly rod, net, Islander reel. His boxes of flies, leaders, and tippet materials are packed into the vest pockets. Even the little lycra finger sock is packed. It will protect his index finger against line cuts from continuous abrasion as he retrieves the fishing line repeatedly. He tucks a small waterproof camera into his vest and fastens the band for his headlamp. It comes in handy for lighting his way along the riverbank on days he prefers to fish the river mouth. He must truly love fly-fishing to risk running into black bears who compete for salmon there. On one occasion he surprised two of the bruins who, fortunately for him, lumbered off into the woods at his approach, the one with a silvery salmon in his jaws throwing him a resentful look over his shoulder. But today the headlamp helps him find his skiff at the beach just before dawn. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ll take a run towards the opening of the inlet that reaches inland from the Pacific.

Photo by Anneli

He anchors the skiff near the shore and steps into the water, hoping he hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t misjudged the depth. It wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t be the first time his chest waders have taken on water when he has stepped into a hole or slipped on a rock. In the early morning light, everything is a shade of blue or green. He takes a deep breath. The tiniest hint of outboard motor gas will soon dissipate leaving only clean fresh sea air with a tang of salt and iodine from the beach. The firs from shore exude their pitchy scent as the sun warms them, while the earthy aroma of moist moss wafts out from the forest floor. The fisherman is not the only one watching for the first splashes of jumpers. A bald eagle perched overhead also waits for a fishing opportunity.

Photo by Ken Thorne

With the incoming tide, the salmon move in. The calm surface of the water ripples here and there as fish fins break the surface. Then things become lively with splashes that at times make the water seem to be boiling. A flurry of action and then nothing. Jumpers appear a little farther out and then go quiet. 67

Photo by Ken Thorne

Carefully, the fisherman steps into the deeper water. He has spotted some activity farther along, and out from the beach. He loads his line in smooth arm motions, careful to take his time and not jerk the line as he whips it back and forth. When he has control of a good length of line in the air he leans forward to let it shoot straight along the fly rod. The fly he tied last night alights on the surface of the water without a ripple. Beside the line to his left, a fish jumps up to thumb its nose at him.

Photo by Ken Thorne

Quickly as he can without disturbing the water, he retrieves his line to redirect it towards the jumper.

Photo by Ken Thorne

The fly lands, sits there for two seconds, and is sucked under the surface with a zing that jolts the fisherman into action. Keeping the tip of his fly rod up he thrills to the buzz and pull of the line peeling off his reel. The coho he has caught is protesting vigorously. The fish is all muscle as he strains against the pull of the flyline in his effort to reach the safety of deeper water. If the coho is lucky, he‘ll wriggle and jump until he spits the hook, or snaps the line with a wrap around a rock or an underwater log. If he‘s less lucky, he‘ll have to wait until he is reeled in and the fisherman unhooks and releases him. When the fall coho run is nearly over, there may still be the odd salmon in the ocean closer to home. The addicted fly fisherman hurries to throw on a jacket over his waders. It‘s a miserable day but the fish are still out there calling to him.

Photo by Pat Gerrie

He needs to get out as far as possible for the line to reach the jumpers, but maybe today it‘s just a wee bit too rough and he should give the fish a break.

Photo by Pat Gerrie

Those of us who do not fly-fish may find it hard to understand the logic behind catching a fish just to let it go. Only an avid fly fisherman can know the rush brought on by the instant surge of energy that travels from the hooked fish to his hand in the seconds after the fish hits the fly. It‘s oft been said, ―A tug is a drug,‖ and this is why he will go to extreme efforts to find that thrill again and again. As far as I know, there is no rehabilitation.

Brought to you by: Anneli Purchase Website/blog: http://www.anneli-purchase.com/ Twitter: @Anneli33 FB: Anneli Purchase

Caroline James Interviews ‘The World’s Sexiest Chef’ Jean Christophe Novelli Caroline James visits the Novelli Academy and talks to the legendary chef/proprietor, Jean Christophe Novelli

Jean Christophe, it is such a great pleasure to meet you today. Can you tell me, when did you first decide that you wanted to become a chef? I decided from a very young age that I could make money cooking for people. When I was at school, we had a summer fair and I was last to choose what I could do, so I decided to cook crepes. I ended up having the best stall and sold out within a very short time. I realised then that I could make money out of this. I was probably about 13 at the time. You‟ve been described as „The world‟s sexiest chef‟ by the New York Times, and voted as one of the „Top 50 Beautiful Men‟ in a Sky viewer‟s poll. Is it true that you make women swoon with the flick of your whisk? Well, maybe in my younger years (laughing). Now, I try to impress people with my flavours and passion for cooking. It‘s interesting, my Novelli Academy is 10 years old this year and when I first started, the place used to be filled with women and now we have about 70% men visiting us, which says a lot. Men are realising the power of cooking to impress others! What brought you to the UK and why did you adopt it as home? Elie de Rothschild, whom I was working with in Paris, suggested that I should expand my horizons and visit the UK. Once here, I realised the opportunities were immense and that the English were hungry for my style of cooking. I haven‘t looked back since that time. 71

Who do you most admire in the cookery world and why? I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t have one particular person that I admire in the cookery world, I admire all chefs and cooks who can pass their passion onto others and if the food they produce is making people happier, what more can you say? Who was your strongest influence in your culinary life? As I have always said, my mother, Monique, is my biggest influence in my culinary life. Having watched her from a very young age, I instantly feel at home in any kitchen. The smells, the tasting, and seeing the results that she produced are memories that will live with me forever.

What has been your most valuable life experience? Believe it or not, the most valuable experience in my life has been losing (having owned them) a few restaurants due to bad advice and surrounding myself with the wrong people. I have now learnt to be in control of my own destiny and trust only the people in my close vicinity. Those being my fiancĂŠe Michelle, my close friends, and my team at Novelli Academy, whom I know I can trust with my life. Having control of my own finances and knowing exactly what is going in and out of my account is very important but also helps me to keep focused on my business. I used to live in Cumbria and notice that you have strong connections to Whitehaven and their annual festival. Why is that? Cumbria is probably one of the most beautiful counties of Britain. It has fresh clean air and the stunning landscape is just perfect. I find the people very welcoming and hospitable, especially having made some very good friends through my friends Gerard and Dianne Richardson who live in Whitehaven. I like to meet people there during the wonderful festival and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;m demonstrating again this year, taking the cook (and friend), Rosemary Shrager with me.

Many of the visitors to Loveahappyending Lifestyle Magazine love romance stories. Are you a romantic at heart and what has been your most romantic gesture to date?

I guess I am a romantic at heart. I recently asked Michelle to marry me in a castle on top of a mountain in the Austrian Alps. Luckily she said yes and so she will really feel like a princess. I can‘t wait! I love the easy-to-follow recipes and tips in your new book, Simply Novelli, what was your inspiration behind this book? Simply Novelli was written very quickly. From writing the first recipe to the end of the photo shoot was only 6 weeks! I wanted to explain to people in simple terms how French cooking can be made for everyday use and not just for special occasions. So many people confuse fine dining with normal meals and I wanted to show people this wasn‘t necessary. Obviously there are still special occasions, where fine dining is nice, but I wanted to acknowledge the changing times these days of busy working lives and families who don‘t have time to take four hours and more to prepare a meal. I hope that everyone who has bought the book agrees. I always welcome comments on my Twitter and Facebook sites whether good or bad because you can always learn from the thoughts of other people. The recipes look so simple to prepare in Simply Novelli – is every day French food really so easy? What you have to remember is that French food (classics) have evolved over centuries and have changed as the produce has become available to the masses but 73

it essentially derives from peasant food and yes it can be made easier to cook. In this age of the supermarket, produce is available all year round, and from all over the world so the opportunities have increased too. What‟s your favourite recipe in the book? My favourite has got to be the Coq au Vin avec Chocolat. This combines the flavours of the original dish with my twist of using chocolate and vanilla as spices, just as they were meant to be centuries ago. The flavours are immense and as you will see no salt is used in either this dish or anywhere else in the book. I try to cook healthily, with reduced saturated fats and little or no salts, replacing them with sugars, spices and herbs. Try it – I‘m sure you‘ll agree that it works! Do you follow a fitness routine or watch your diet? I‘m very careful of what I eat and yes I would class myself as fit. I train daily and have a gym in my barn and definitely watch what my family and I eat. No salts and low fats, which is reflected in my book. Recently, I was given the chance to ride a bike around the London Olympic Velodrome against Eddie the Eagle for Sport Relief and I trained so hard for this. I take these challenges very seriously, otherwise why compete? Since then, several other projects have emerged involving sports, which I am hoping will materialise as I love this type of challenge. You‟ve been awarded Restaurant of the Year on numerous occasions – are there any more restaurants planned? No restaurants planned at the moment. Having learnt from my past, running a restaurant takes a lot of time and commitment and having a young family, I feel that I need to be around to help Michelle with the boys. Years ago when I was involved in restaurants my daughter Christina hardly saw me, which I always regret and don‘t want to make the same mistake again, although it hasn‘t hurt her career and she is now a hugely successful musician, singer and dance DJ, performing around the world in front of thousands of people. Your cookery school, the Novelli Academy has been deservedly voted, „One of the Top Ten in the World‟ by The Independent. Are there any plans to extend your cookery school abroad. If so, where and why? I‘m looking to expand the school further and having spent a lot of time in the Middle East recently we are actively looking for partners to help develop this idea. There are such incredible opportunities in places like Abu Dhabi and Dubai and the local Emirates are such keen cooks; many of the men too. I think the restaurant market there seems to be flooded, but having researched a little into that area I think an extension to my NovelliAcademy would fit in perfectly. 74

You are so passionate about the Novelli Academy - why?

Novelli Academy

The Novelli Academy gives me the chance to be close to the people who I am really trying to impress and it gives me the chance to pass on my passion directly to my visitors. Seeing the reaction to my cooking in their faces, especially in their eyes, is very rewarding. It is based in my house, so every event is like welcoming people into my home and everyone sits in my kitchen – where I cook food for my family every day. Although it is near to Luton, when the sun shines you could be anywhere in the French countryside! You demonstrate all over the world. What‟s been your favourite show or event? I enjoy demonstrating all over the world and it‘s impossible to have a favourite place. It can be in front of a crowd of maybe 100 people in Portsmouth‘s Gun Wharf Key (as recently happened) to 25,000 people in the centre of Dubai. As long as people are enjoying what they see, smell, and taste, then I have done my job. Jean Christophe may I thank you profusely for your time and the delicious recipe. We wish you luck with Simply Novelli and I‟m sure our visitors will be racing to get their copies. I for one can highly recommend it! Caroline thanks so much for giving me this opportunity and I hope you all enjoy reading and trying some of the dishes from Simply Novelli and remember: Enjoy entertaining your friends and family with your food… Simply Novelli is available online and in all good book shops.

Further information available by clicking below: Novelli Academy Jean Christophe Novelli on Facebook Jean Christophe Novelli on Twitter www.jeanchristophenovelli.com

RECIPE Jean Christophe Novelli – Tarte Tatin with Caramel Created by the Tatin sisters in Sologne in the 19th Century when, in a daze, Stephanie Tatin forgot to put pastry into the pan. Noticing her forgetfulness, she decided to add the pastry over the apples and bake the pie and this is the result. Hunters have since enjoyed this pie, which became known as the ‘Tarte Tatin’. Serves: 4 Prep time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes

Ingredients: 5 apples, peeled and halved just before using 100 g butter 200 g sugar 1 star anise 1/2 vanilla pod (halved lengthways) 6 cardamom pods 1 large pack ready-made puff pastry 76

Method: Preheat oven to 180c (fan), 200c (non-fan) or gas mark 6 Using a large oven-proof frying pan, gently melt the butter on a medium heat with the star anise, vanilla pod, and cardamom pods. Add the sugar and gently colour everything until pale yellow in colour. Peel & slice the apples in half and pat dry with kitchen paper. Place neatly, face down into the pan and set aside. Roll out the pastry into a circle, approx 28 cm in diameter and 1/2 cm thick. Carefully place the pastry over the entire pan, pressing the pastry all around the apples to form a tight seal. The apples at the edge of the pan can be lifted slightly and the pastry tucked underneath. This will avoid steaming the pastry as opposed to baking it. Put the pan on a low heat. After a couple of minutes, lift the pan, place your hand over the pastry and, holding it tight, pour off the excess liquid. Repeat this process twice before placing the pan into the oven for approx 25 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 30 minutes. After this time, remove from the oven and leave to rest for five minutes. To Serve: Position a lightly oiled plate, which is larger than the pan, over the pan and turn out the tatin being careful not to spill the caramel that may still be hot. Serve with good quality, real vanilla ice cream. This delicious recipe is from Simply Novelli Photography by Tim Green Photography Brought to you by: Caroline James Website/blog: www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk Twitter: @CarolineJames12 FB: Caroline James Author

Our Lifestyle feature editors: Left to right:

Janice Horton, Bonnie Trachtenberg, Caroline James, Linn B Halton

Bookshelf Reviews: Janice Horton lives in Scotland. She writes fiction with humour and heart and with a hint of tartan. Look out for her Amazon Kindle bestselling ebooks ‗Bagpipes & Bullshot‘ and ‗Reaching for the Stars‘ and her magically romantic novellas ‗How Do You Voodoo? and ‗Voodoo Wedding‘. Janice writes lifestyle articles, has also been involved in BBC Scotland‘s ‗Write Here Write Now‘ and is a member of the Romantic Novelist‘s Association. In Search of a Happy Ending: Bonnie Trachtenberg is the author of two bestselling romantic comedies, Neurotically Yours, and her debut novel Wedlocked, which won the Gold Readers Favorite Award, the Beach Book Festival Award and the Indie Excellence Award. Bonnie was senior writer and copy chief at Book-of-the-Month Club and has written seven children‘s book adaptations. She lives in New York with her husband, four cats and a dog. People with a Passion & Interior Design: Linn B Halton writes novels about ‗Love, life and beyond…but it‘s ALWAYS about the romance‘. There‘s often a psychic twist that will make you stop and think … ―what if?‖ Linn signed with US publishing house Sapphire Star in 2012 and Harper Impulse in 2013. Before becoming a writer Linn had two very different careers—finance and interior design. Linn is a member of the Romantic Novelists‘ Association. In 2013 Linn won the UK‘s Festival of Romance Innovation in Romantic Fiction Award for Loveahappyending and the support it gives to authors. Food, glorious food! Fabulous recipes, whether you want to eat healthily or indulge: Caroline James has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the catering industry from a pub to an hotel, restaurants and outside catering. She currently lives in Cheshire and when not writing, runs a hospitality related company. Caroline spends her leisure time cooking, climbing mountains and contemplating life.

Our LLm member contributors: Mandy Baggot brings you award-winning fiction! In 2012 she won the coveted Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK‘s Festival of Romance. Her novel Strings Attached was also short listed for Best Author Published Read! Mandy writes strong contemporary romance and characters you‘ll fall in love with. Previously self-published, she was signed by US publishing house Sapphire Star Publishing in January 2012 and in 2013 by HarperImpulse. Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists‘ Association.

Sheryl Browne brings you Fabulous, Funny, Heart-breaking Romantic Comedy! Her novel Recipes for Disaster, commissioned by Safkhet Publishing, was shortlisted for the Innovation in Romantic Fiction Award. She now has four books published under the Safkhet Soul. A member of the Romantic Novelistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; Association, Sheryl grew up in Birmingham, UK, where she studied Art & Design. She works part-time in her own business and is a mum and a foster mum to disabled dogs.

Emma Calin was born in London in 1962. She currently lives part of the year in the UK and spends the rest in France. She has been writing since childhood and has won numerous local, national and international prizes for poetry and short stories. She blogs about the contrasts in life on both sides of the English Channel, which she likes to explore on her tandem whenever weather and fitness coincide. She defines herself as woman eternally pedalling between Peckham and Pigalle, in search of passion and enduring romance.

Stephanie Keyes spent the first twelve years of her career in the telecom industry, wearing various hats. Last year, Keyes began consulting under her own business, Sycamore Road Design. In addition, Keyes is the author of the YA Fantasy series, The Star Child, which currently includes The Star Child and The Fallen, both released by Inkspell Publishing. Stephanie Keyes holds a certification in Instructional Technology, an undergraduate degree in Business/Management Information Systems from Robert Morris University, and a M.Ed. from Duquesne University.

Anneli Purchase has more hobbies and projects than she can pursue in one lifetime, but of them all, writing takes priority. Storytelling has been a part of her life since she was a child. Writing the stories is just another phase of the process. Traveling, camping, fishing, mushroom picking, and birdwatching are her preferred pastimes when she is not writing.

Anneli has lived on Vancouver Island, Canada, for most of her life. The island provides everything she needs for the activities she enjoys.

Melanie Robertson-King lives in Brockville, Ontario, Canada on the St. Lawrence River. She wrote non-fiction articles before she turned her love for the written word to short stories and novellength fiction. Her first book, A Shadow in the Past, was published in 2012. Melanie loves Scotland and all things Scottish.On one of her trips to her father‘s homeland, she met Princess Anne at the orphanage where he was raised.

Patricia Sands lives in Toronto, Canada, when she isn‘t somewhere else. An admitted travel fanatic, she can pack a bag in a flash and be ready to go anywhere … particularly the south of France. With a focus on women‘s issues and ageing, her stories celebrate the feminine spirit and the power of friendship. Encouraging women of all ages to stare down the fear factor and embrace change. Her award-winning debut novel The Bridge Club was published in 2010. The Promise of Provence was released in 2013.

Miriam Wakerly retired in 2008, the day after Gypsies Stop tHere was launched in Waterstones. There was more to say; so No Gypsies Served followed in 2010. Set in the same delightful English village, Shades of Appley Green offers new themes: family, community and love, written with both humour and emotion. Brought up in Tetbury, Glos, she has lived in Surrey for 35 years. With a BA Degree in English, French, Sociology, Politics, she is author of many published articles and short stories; her novels show a keen understanding of social issues and change.

Our guest writers: Nicole Dauenhauer (left) and Elizabeth Cassidy (right) are - The Film Fatales! Elizabeth Cassidy‟s favorite quote is: ―My soul was removed to make room for all this sarcasm.‖ She has excellent taste in movies and will argue to the death anyone who would dare disagree with her.

Nicole Dauenhauer is known for her acerbic wit and razor-sharp barbs. Her taste in film ranges from the absurd (Anchorman) and the zany (Young Frankenstein) to stuffy period pieces (A Room with a View) and classic suspense (Rear Window).

Adam‟s Rib (adult satire) - Irreverent and oddly observant, Adam Hornyak is a selfdescribed train wreck. For reasons unknown, Adam is a human magnet for wildly outrageous situations that only he can communicate in his own unique manner. Since nothing embarrasses Adam, he will happily share personal stories of arrest records, family catastrophes, and an atypical dating life. With no filter between his brain and mouth, Adam will periodically shock his audience by tackling taboo subjects and providing commentary on topics that most people would never dare say aloud.

How best to help your children utilise their IT skill than encouraging them to think for themselves? Children and education – Mark Hulkus has worked in a teaching environment for many years. He has been a primary school teacher in a Preparatory Department in a 150 year old boarding school in Wales; he spent several years as a Head of IT. He currently provides a range of IT services in schools, helping them gear up for the recently announced changes in IT requirements. He has three children, is obsessed with the 1980s, and runs a fun design website at:www.retroboombox.co.uk.

Award winning author Sue Moorcroft – Sue works full time as a writer, a tutor and a competition judge. Sue is head judge for Writers‘ Forum Fiction Competition. Her novel Love & Freedom was the winner of the Best Romantic Read Award 2011, presented at the Festival of Romance and Dream a Little Dream has been nominated for a RoNA (Romantic Novel Award) in the Contemporary Romantic Fiction category. Born near Monchengladbach in Germany, Sue comes from an army family. They spent time in Cyprus and Malta, the latter being Sue‘s favourite place in the world. She now lives in Northamptonshire. Sue admits she hates to miss a Formula 1 race!

Talking about some exciting travel destinations – and you really will wish you were „there‟! Kim Nash - Mom to 5 year old Ollie, is a reviewer with a huge passion for books and loves to spread the word about the amazing authors and brilliantly entertaining books that are in the world. Kim loves chick lit, thrillers & suspense and books about the afterlife. She is a Sales & Marketing Manager for The Marketing Room and a writer for Have a Lovely Time.

Fun sporting activities – Kenneth Rosenberg is a California writer whose work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Surfer Magazine and other publications. Kenneth attended UCLA where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. When he is not writing, he spends his time surfing, snowboarding and traveling the world on a shoestring. Kenneth‘s first novel, ―No Cure for the Broken Hearted,‖ was a top 10 bestseller on Amazon UK. His second novel, ―Tinseltown Blues,‖ was a bestselling romantic comedy. His third novel is the suspense-thriller, ―Natalia.‖

Trying something new is like walking in someone else‟s shoes Janice Ross was born in Guyana, South America and migrated to the USA in 1980. Although her citizenship certificate now reads the United States of America, she considers herself a citizen of the world. Sure she has not physically been around the world and back, but she‘s travelled in her mind and dreams. Janice is an author of a range of titles, reviewer of every possible type of book and devout supporter of others like herself. Janice will be sharing some interesting interviews with people who have stepped outside their comfort zone to try something new! Janice is also the host of the popular Blogtalkradio show ‗Cultural Cocktails‘.

Thanks for joining us! 90

Visit our two websites for lots more interesting articles: www.loveahappyending.com “LLm” & www.loveahappyending.org “The Bookshelf”

You can follow us on Twitter: @loveahappyend and @LAHEBookshelf FB Loveahappyending.com

You can also email us at loveahappyending.com@gmail.com