Author Interview: Richard Gill

21 March 2025 Linda

I am a big James Bond fan, and so it was so good to read a fantastic spy thriller with elements of James Bond – namely the exotic locations, evil villains, handsome secret agent, gorgeous ladies… and a lot more. I read book 3 of The Thomas Bell series:”Kitto Katsu: Mischief Island” by Richard Gill. And I am thrilled to have Richard Gill on the blog! But first, here’s a quick summary of Kitto Katsu: Mischief Island.

BOOK SUMMARY

The Thomas Bell series: ‘Sex, drugs and murder – James Bond on acid’

Thomas Bell works for an ultra-secret branch of British Military Intelligence, MIX. In his third mission, a missing shipment of cocaine and a botched Interpol arrest at Schiphol airport almost scupper Bell’s objective – an elusive narco-kingpin in a world on the brink of war.

A spy thriller series that takes things further. The action barely lets-up as the body count rises. Drugs, debauchery and violence are an integral part of the world of Thomas Bell.

An exciting story that takes place against the background of real-world events that are happening today – the rise of Chinese power, both economic and military, and the response by the West.

Thomas Bell’s third mission sees him performing a series of routine hits in Europe before heading to the Far East to carry out an assignment from which he may never return. He must take down the elusive narco-kingpin whose organisation monopolises the production and distribution of synthetic hallucinogens, including fentanyl, across South East Asia.

The corpse count grows as Bell bludgeons opposition aside to achieve his objectives, all set against a backdrop of the US Navy 7th Fleet Carrier Group plying its way past the northern tip of Taiwan in transit to the Philippines, CIA dirty tricks, a J-Pop girl band with a Svengali manager and a wealthy sugar-mummy who enables Bell to hide in plain sight while kicking ass.

Warning: Contains graphic adult only content.

THE INTERVIEW

Hi Richard, welcome to the blog 👋. Please introduce yourself 😊

Hello. I’m Richard. I’m a qualified accountant (FCCA) who has worked in commerce and industry as what people would describe as a ‘Systems Accountant’. This means dealing with the implementation and running of big accounting systems. I am also an advanced computer programmer who is skilled in writing software using the Microsoft .NET programming language of VB.NET in conjunction with database storge in the form of Microsoft SQL Server. I run a small software company and consultancy, so I am effectively self-employed. This is what you might call my day job.It also doesn’t mean that I can’t find time to produce some fiction output. From the age of sixteen I always wanted to be a writer but had no idea how to progress my ambition. The advent of the Internet changed everything and I have now published three novels – (1) Paloma Azul (2) Lebensrune (3) Kitto Katsu.

I was always passionate about movies, graphic novels and cartoon stories.
To this end I undertook to go on courses and research dramaturgy, filmography and novel writing techniques – the idea being to deliver high-octane entertainment in a fat-free, cinematic style.

The Thomas Bell franchise is like Ian Fleming’s James Bond – i.e. Goldfinger/ Thunderball/Dr No / Moonraker etc. My books in this series can all be read independently of each other, however if they are read in sequence then keen, observant readers with notice that some characters make a reappearance
from an earlier book to a later one.

My writing style is to employing excellent written English and crackling dialogue. I am able to produce the movie screenplay from the prose novel.
I am currently trying to broaden awareness of my writing output.

The background story of Thomas Bell (the main protagonist and the James Bond-type character) is that he works for a totally fictional division of British Military Intelligence called MIX (i.e. not MI5 or MI6). The cover for the MIX division and their office building in Shoreditch in London is that
they are a firm of city accountants and auditors called ‘Charles Carrington and Co.’ and their management consultancy arm called ‘Cyventure’. I rigged it this way because I am an accountant myself – a subject which I am able to talk about with authority.

I see the Thomas Bell franchise distributed and marketed as the following channels:-

[1a] Prose novel – eBook
[1b] Prose novel – Paperback
[1c] Prose novel – Audio book
[2a] Graphic novel
[2b] Comic book reels
[3] Video game
[4] TV box set movie/ series
[4] Hollywood movie

“Kitto Katsu : Mischief Island” is the 3rd book in the series of 3 books of the Thomas Bell Series. The others are: (1) Paloma Azul and (2) Lebensrune – What inspired the book series? Are they stand alone books or best read in numerical order?

My books in this series can all be read independently of each other, however if they are read in sequence then keen, observant readers with notice that some characters make a reappearance from an earlier book to a later one. I went on a business trip to Germany to shut down some overseas subsidiary companies. While at a loose end in the Holiday Inn in Monchengladbach I came up with the Thomas Bell concept. I was inspired to come up with a new James Bond which would cut it in the 21st Century. Ian Fleming inspired me to get to it.

I’m intrigued – what does “Kitto Katsu” mean?

Kit Kat in Japanese is pronounced “kitto katto” which actually sounds very similar to the Japanese phrase “kitto katsu”, which translates to “you will surely win”. The word “kitto” in Japanese means “surely or absolutely”, and the word “katsu” means “bound to win”.

Due to Kit Kats closeness in sound to this popular phrase, the brand become synonymously associated with good luck. Japanese parents would often gift Kit Kats to their children before a big test or exam as a good luck charm, telling them that they will surely win and do well on their exams. Nestle has said that they often see their sales spike in January, when the Japanese college entrance exams are held. And most of the time, when students receive these Kit Kats, they aren’t to be eaten, but rather to have as an amulet for a successful exam period.

Kit Kat, as a brand, definitely took advantage of this lucky coincidence hopped on this trend themselves, with their “Lucky Charm” advertising campaign winning the Asian Brand Marketing Effectiveness Award in 2005. In 2009, Nestle launched a campaign with the Japan Post, where they sold special Kit Kat packages that had a space to affix a stamp and write a message of encouragement to their friends and families that could be mailed from 20,000 post offices across Japan. This campaign was so successful that the promotional packages were sold out in a month. This campaign also won them the Media Grand Prix in the 2010 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.

My favourite character is, of course, Thomas Bell and in Book 3, I also love Jana Cazenove and Miku Kenji 😊Are your characters based on observations of people you’ve come across in the past and incidents you’ve experienced ? Who were the hardest characters to portray?

Leo Tolstoy is quoted as saying that all the characters in the novel are YOU. I.e. thin slices of (as a fiction author) my persona/ ego/ personality traits. As a man I have to try to think like a woman – interesting that! However I do read the press and magazines widely and I am always on the look-out for content which I know belongs in one of my books. Example: If you must know…Jana Hocking who has regular articles published in the Daily Mail exerted some influence over me with regard to the character of Jana Cazenove.

Were there any aspects of writing your book series that surprised you, either by being harder or easier to write about than you expected?

I work to a structured layout to tell a story:-
Target number of words = 80,000.
Act1 + Act2 + Act
Setup + Playout + Resolution
The book’s overall structure is related to the character of the main protagonist . I know that some writers struggle with (a) Writer’s block (b) Endings. I don’t have a problem with those issues because I am privileged to have full command of the English language and its rich vocabulary at my disposal.

Hypothetically speaking, if Kitto Katsu: Mischief Island, was made into a film, who do you think would make a great Thomas Bell? What about some of the other characters?

Thomas Bell (age about 25) – How about a young Brad Pitt or Jacob Elordi? The other characters – I’m not too sure at this stage

Have you always wanted to have a career in writing or did you have other aspirations?

From the age of sixteen I always wanted to be a writer but had no idea how
to progress my ambition. The advent of the Internet changed everything and
I have now published three novels – (1) Paloma Azul (2) Lebensrune (3) Kitto Katsu.

In the meantime, as time and life passes by, I got sucked into the world of
accountancy and earned a good living out of it. However, I never forgot my true calling and I am lucky enough (and determined enough) to make it happen. I’m not that guy standing at a bar in a pub with his mates saying –
‘…of course, I’ve got a great idea for a thriller novel…’

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book?

I do like thrillers; I’m currently reading ‘Hurdy Gurdy’ by Christopher Wilson about a young pupil monk coping with the onslaught of the black death – superbly written. I prefer hard copy. I also prefer it where the author honours his/her side of the contract which means that I (the reader) will suspend disbelief and keep reading provided that you (the author) entertain me in a fully engaging and immersive experience. I consider it a failure on my part if I haven’t got a vice-like grip of the reader from the very first sentence. Two of my favourite fiction-writer mantras (there are a few!)…
Writer’s mantra#1: ‘Only trouble is interesting’
Writer’s mantra#2: ‘Dialogue is NOT conversation’

Are your Thomas Bell series of books available to purchase worldwide?
See Amazon links:-
https://amzn.to/3SUUEFL
https://amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09YP6JB3K

My three novels are published by me on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
as (1) EBook and (2) Paperback.

Paloma Azul * Lebensrune * Kitto Katsu”

Availability: Worldwide
Audiobooks are in the pipeline
Graphic novels and Comic book reels are in the pipeline
A fourth novel in the series is in progress

One final note on availability…My novels do include adult content!
A warning to this effect is printed on the copyright page.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?,

Nike T-shirts and caps.
Polo shirts
Jeans – Black to traditional Levis
Zip-up comfortable jackets
Discreet, understated trainers

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

For building work/ DIY – Wickes and Screwfix are definitely
up there.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

A new leather jacket is on the cards.
Other than that, quality linen shirts and jackets.
Cotton or linen trousers.
For skiwear, for me it has to be North Face and Helly Hanson
thermal vests and long johns. When I’m out skiing I always
take a set of rockclimbing-grade ‘inner gloves’ that I can
wear inside my normal ski gloves. A neck snood has its place as well.

Boots or Shoes?

Whereas I may have worn cowboy boots years ago, the only boots I would
wear these days are my own ski boots which are manufactured by Salomon SAS based in Annecy,France. For ski resort/ heavy walking shoes I use rugged CAT shoes. For normal day-to-day use, I tend to wear deck shoes in various colours with a preference for Timberland, Orca Bay or Sebago.
When on the golf course, Footjoy produce the best golf shoe.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

Main author site: https://www.richardgill.uk
Comic demo link: https://www.richardgill.uk/b01_ch01.htm
Amazon book link: https://amzn.to/3SUUEFL

So fun to chat to you Richard ! I loved the fast pace of your book and am reading the other two books to catch up!!! 😊 Many thanks to Richard for the copy of Kitto Katsu : Mischief Island for reviewing. Thanks also to Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing.

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Richard Gill ( apart from the Kit Kat photo which was by Linda Hobden).

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Food/Drink, Interview

An Interview With Top Hampers

14 March 2025 Linda

Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Valentines, Birthdays, Christmas, Baby Showers, Weddings, Engagements, Thank Yous, Whatever You Are Celebrating … there’s always an occasion where a hamper is a thoughtful and appreciative gift. Especially when that hamper is personalised or tailored for the recipient. Especially when every item in the hamper has been carefully chosen with the recipient in mind. Please welcome onto the blog Cathy Catto, founder of Top Hampers…. Hi Cathy 👋

Hello. I’m Cathy. I’m a mother of four incredible adults, I love business, and I’m curious about a range of topics including astrophysics, neuroscience, and motivational and behavioural psychology. There is so much more I want to learn and experience, and so much more growth I want to achieve. I appreciate every day of my life. The lessons along the way have only made me more thankful for where I am today. I am something of a workaholic and find it difficult to switch off – hence also an insomniac. I do take time out for fun and relaxation though (resisting with difficulty the temptation to check emails). Relationships are hugely important to me and I consider myself attentive to those who matter, always willing to go the extra mile.

I spend much of my time at my Spanish home and, for exercise, I swim, play Padel, do reformer Pilates and walk my three dogs by the sea. But most of my hours are spent at my laptop, working on the business I set up with my two daughters—with some input from my two sons. I marvel at the wonderful people my children have become and I have the privilege of being very close to them all.

What inspired the creation of “Top Hampers”?

I’ve always loved making a personal effort to show people they are valued—whether it’s organising an event, planning a surprise party or finding a truly meaningful gift.

Hampers have traditionally been a mix of items, not all of which are necessarily what someone would choose or enjoy. At one point, I received a couple that were poorly presented and filled with things that didn’t reflect my taste. Not long after, a friend was sent a Christmas hamper from a top-tier company, only to find the meat inside wasn’t fit for consumption. Around the same time, my husband started a senior role and was sent a bottle of Moët by the CEO. While it was appreciated, it didn’t wow or leave a lasting impact—it was simply delivered via Amazon with no personal touch.

It made me think—what’s the point of gifting if it doesn’t feel like someone actually thought about it? A gift should say, ‘You matter, and I want you to know that. I’ve put thought into this—it’s not just a box to tick.’ That’s what led me to create something better.

You offer a lovely wide range of hampers for all occasions. What hampers and products are proving popular amongst your customers so far?

Seasonal hampers are always hugely popular—Christmas is the biggest, with Valentine’s Day growing in demand, and we’re now gearing up for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. But our mission goes beyond traditional occasions. We want to help people strengthen relationships through thoughtful gifting—not just when the calendar dictates, but in those moments when you stop and think ‘This would really mean something to them.’

We love the idea of gifting ‘just because’, and more people are starting to embrace it. It could be a way to lift someone’s spirits during a tough time, a thoughtful gesture after a breakup, or a care package from parents to a child leaving home – something that feels like a hug, with practical items included. The possibilities are endless, and we’re expanding our range daily to make sure there’s always the perfect gift for any moment.

Imagine you are making up the perfect hamper for yourself – what would you include in it?

I’d add some of our excellent sleep products, starting with a luxury jar of magnesium muscle and sleep cream – I’ve always been an insomniac. Maybe ‘The Secret Garden’, as I haven’t read it since I loved it as a child, and it would be a nice change from my usual non-fiction. Definitely some Belgian chocolates and Pol Roger champagne, a True Grace candle, and some bath oils. I could go on, but that would be a good start.

On your website, I noticed you offer a Hush Gifts Service – what does that service entail?

We’re refining this service as part of our upcoming site relaunch, introducing it under the new name ‘Top Gifts’ instead of ‘Hush Gifts’. This update expands our offering, allowing visitors to personally select from a wider range of individual gifts, including higher-end items.

‘Top Gifts’ will complement our themed and bespoke personalised hampers by giving customers the flexibility to handpick one or multiple gifts, whether it’s a piece of jewellery, a silk scarf, or another luxury item. With a single click, they can have everything included, along with optional wrapping paper, bows, cards, and even Sellotape for a fully personal gifting experience.

This concept emerged from our growing base of loyal customers, many of whom wanted the option to curate their own gift selections without compromising on the convenience and presentation we’re known for. For those who prefer a more tailored approach, they can also send us details about the recipient, and we’ll select the perfect gifts on their behalf.

As you are based in the UK, are your hampers available to purchase overseas?

We have customers overseas who buy gifts for people in the UK but, at the moment, we don’t ship internationally. We did trial it, but exporting – especially mixed gift baskets – comes with challenges. Instead, our plan is to establish a local hub in Europe in the near future, making transit across EU countries seamless. After that, we’ll expand into the USA. The plans are in place, but for now, our focus is on growing bigger in the UK.

When picking suppliers for the products for your hampers, what is the criteria you follow? What makes a supplier special?

We love working with UK-based suppliers who create their own products—around 80% of our suppliers fit this criteria. Just as importantly, we choose to work with people we genuinely like and who share our commitment to going the extra mile when needed, just as we do for our customers. Reliability is essential; we can’t afford weak links in the chain.

We’re always on the lookout for something a little different alongside the classics, but above all, quality is our top priority. We made a few missteps with purchases in the beginning, but those lessons have only reinforced our focus on sourcing the very best.

When it comes to bespoke hampers – what’s the strangest item or request you’ve had?

The apology hamper we had to send after Ethan the cat’s unprovoked attack on a neighbouring cat – and its owner – immediately comes to mind. The owner, who ended up in hospital after Ethan turned on her too, was understandably shaken. Meanwhile, Ethan’s mortified owner reached out to us, hoping we could help smooth things over and restore some neighbourly harmony.

Along with a selection of indulgent treats for Helen, the injured neighbour, we personalised the message on the box to acknowledge the rather unusual situation. The request also came with a rather specific addition: Ethan’s owner asked if we had a large water pistol, as she’d given her neighbour permission to fire at Ethan should he attempt another unwelcome visit. As it happened, we had one in stock! We also included a game called *Catastrophe*, which felt particularly fitting.

In the end, the hamper did its job—peace was restored, and both parties were happy (though Ethan may have been less impressed).

What do you enjoy most about your business?

I absolutely love working with my daughters—they’re upbeat, hardworking, and incredibly capable. We’re all driven to succeed, bringing complementary skills and a shared passion for what we do.

Beyond that, we’ve built a small but growing team, carefully chosen for their commitment and alignment with our values. I’ve made both great and not-so-great hiring decisions in the past, but one thing I’ve learned is that a company is only as strong as its people. Now, I won’t compromise on bringing in anyone who isn’t fully aligned with our vision.

Growing up, what were your career aspirations?

I’ve always wanted to have my own business. As a child, I dreamed of opening a tea shop and would stand outside ones I had identified as successful, counting how many people went in and estimating their average spend and profits. I even planned the name, the menu, and how I’d grow it.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I’m not a huge fan of jeans, though I do wear them occasionally in winter with jumpers and short boots. When it comes to brands, I like Mirta, ba&sh, Max Mara, Forte Forte, and Uterque. For occasion wear and tailored suits, Alice Temperley – now Temperley London, is my favourite.

I’m not particularly tied to specific shoe brands, but with a very high instep, completely flat shoes don’t work for me, and I find high heels challenging. Comfort is key, as long as they complement my outfits. I often shop in Spain, where I find more unusual options, but in the UK, I tend to gravitate towards Russell & Bromley.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

Apart from Temperley London, I prefer shopping for clothes in person. My favourite places are El Corte Inglés in Marbella and Selfridges, both on Oxford Street and in Manchester, as they offer a great selection of brands.

For books, I buy online from Amazon. I used to shop for gifts online too, but now, of course, I get them all from Top Hampers!

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

One of my daughters is getting married this year, so I imagine it will be a Temperley London outfit for me. The shoes will depend on the outfit, but comfort is key as I plan to dance the night away!

Boots or Shoes?

Usually, I opt for short boots if they work with the outfit. I find them more comfortable since the heel distributes weight better, and I also like the look. I have them in a range of colours to match different outfits, but I often wear cream or tan.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about Top Hampers

We’re only just starting to build our presence on LinkedIn, TikTok, and Facebook, and we’ve decided to give X a miss. Our most active social platform is Instagram, where you can find us at top.hampers. That said, the best place to explore what we offer is our website, www.tophampers.com. We’re currently migrating and updating it to improve speed and functionality.

Great to chat to you, Cathy! I must say that Alice Temperley/Temperley London is one of my favourite brands too! 😊

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Top Hampers

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Interview

Book Review: Genocide by Heidi Kingstone

7 March 2025 Linda

Exploring 20th and 21st century genocide , “Genocide” is the latest work from journalist and author Heidi Kingstone. This book is a collection of personal stories of survivors, witnesses, academics and activists.

BOOK SUMMARY

Questions, by journalist and author, Heidi Kingstone. The book tells the story of the last 120 years of genocide, its impact on the world and its relevance today. Kingstone takes the reader on a journey from the Herero and Nama genocide of 1904, through the Armenian genocide, Ukrainian terror-famine and The Holocaust to the Cambodia, Rwanda and Srebrenica genocides of the late 20^th century. She also explores the Darfur, Yazidi and Rohingya genocides of the 21^st century, starkly illustrating that, while some lessons have been learnt, mankind seems to possess a propensity to dehumanise fellow human beings – all too visible in today’s global conflicts. This human failing, argues Kingstone, is fuelled by fear, greed and propaganda, and the refusal to learn from the past.

The book builds on Kingstone’s 20 years as a foreign correspondent for national and international media and is informed by survivors, witnesses, academics and activists. It is a collection of vignettes that link one instance of tragedy to another – a compendium of stories centred around people that Kingstone has met, observing connections that weave their way through relationships, cultures, and continents across time, leading to salutary parallels, past and present.

Kingstone provides us with the origin and definition of the term genocide – it transpires that the word itself did not emerge until the winter of 1944 when Raphael Lemkin, a Polish-Jewish lawyer born in 1900, coined the term. We learn that in 1945 Lemkin went to Nuremberg to establish the crime of genocide. Ben Ferencz, the youngest prosecutor at Nuremberg – interviewed for the book by Kingstone just before his death, aged 103 in 2023 – was one of the first people to use the term. It wasn’t until 1948, we are told, that the definition was enshrined in the United Nations Genocide Convention.

Having met a woman born in Bergen-Belsen, the former Nazi concentration camp, Kingstone talks about life after liberation and how people can rise from the ashes. Haunted by ghosts, children of survivors talk about their lives and the impact of their families’ legacy. And we learn about the ‘Heart of Auschwitz’ – the amazing story of a purple origami heart made by prisoners that survived the Death March. Kingstone’s work also explores the psychology of a perpetrator – how people justify mass murder – and draws parallels between leaders from Saddam Hussein and Adolf Hitler to Josef Stalin.

The book quotes leading authorities on the complex and perplexing history of genocide,including Professor Menachem Z. Rosensaft, former general counsel of the World Jewish Congress and adjunct professor in law at Columbia Law School; Dr Ümit Kurt, the historian whose awakening to genocide took place in his own hometown of Gaziantep, which he discovered was formerly home to a thriving Armenian community; and Dr Jan Ilhan Kizilhan who is a psychologist, psychotherapist, trauma expert and orientalist.

Commenting on the book, Professor André Singer, President Emeritus, Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, stated, “In her beautifully penned and wide-ranging book Genocide – Personal Stories, Big Questions, Heidi Kingstone takes up the challenge of not only reflecting on the Holocaust but on genocides worldwide to paint a fresh and comprehensive picture for the world to learn from. It is her personalised journey covering genocides in so many countries that makes this such a gripping read and fulfils her ambition to help change things and remind us in such a compelling way that we must never look away.”j

Genocide: Personal Stories, Big Questions, is published by Yellow Press (www.yellowpress.co) and is available as a download from Amazon: https://a.co/d/02a4feW4

MY THOUGHTS

The church ruins in Oradour -sur-Glaine, France where women and children were murdered in June 1944. Photograph taken by Linda Hobden

I first interviewed Heidi in July 2015 after she released her first book “Dispatches From The Kabul Cafe” about her encounters when she was based in Kabul in 2007/2008. Read the interview HERE

Heidi’s latest book, “Genocide” is an interesting mix of personal stories and interviews from survivors, witnesses as well as activists of genocides that have rocked the world in the 20th and 21st centuries. The large majority of the book focuses on the Nazi atrocities; but not solely – other genocide atrocities in places such as Rwanda, Cambodia, etc are included too. I found the personal stories from the Yazidi genocide survivors particularly interesting, mainly because I was unaware of their plight; but saddened too. My heart bleeds for those young women who were raped, had their rapists offspring and yet were not fully accepted back into their homelands by their own people.

This book also reminded me of a visit I made last summer to the martyr village of Oradour-Sur-Glane , near Limoges in France. During World War II , Oradour was in the German occupied zone of France. On June 10th 1944, troops of the 2nd Waffen-SS Panzer Armoured Division , Das Reich, massacred 642 men, women and children. The reason for the German attack on Oradour remains unknown. The ruins of the village that stand today are just how they were left in 1944. Including prams. Today, the ruins are maintained by the Ministry of Culture. It was a sad but humbling visit.

I highly recommend this book. Heidi definitely has a talented way of weaving the personal stories, her own experiences, the facts and figures together to make the topic of genocide and its influences easier to understand. Heidi’s enthusiasm and passion for the topics she writes about definitely shows and rubs off onto the reader! 8/10

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Journalist Heidi Kingstone has spent her career covering events around the globe for prominent publications from the Financial Times to the Mail on Sunday. She has interviewed key international figures from Benjamin Netanyahu and HRH Princess Anne to Zaha Hadid and Daniel Libeskind. Her interest in human rights and dictatorships led her to Iraq on four occasions, travelling to Baghdad, Irbil, and Basra before and after the invasion in 2003. She has also reported from Bangladesh, Africa and the Middle East.Arriving in an old Soviet helicopter and a C-130 military aircraft, she reported extensively from Afghanistan. She later wrote her first book: Dispatches from the Kabul Café (2014), a memoir of a country at a tipping point. War and genocide have fuelled Kingstone’s pursuits and informed her work. Like so much in her life, from moving to London from her native Toronto to ending up in Iraq and Afghanistan, serendipity played its part in writing Genocide: Personal Stories, Big Questions

My thanks to Heidi Kingstone for the review copy of “Genocide”.

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Heidi Kingstone, except where stated.

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Interview

Is Using A Personal Trainer Worth It?

28 February 2025 Linda

It’ll be March tomorrow … and time is marching on! Springtime in the Northern Hemisphere and I feel like it’s time to spring into action and get into shape! So, what’s the plan of action, I hear you say? Umm …. I’m not sure yet. One way is by using a Personal Trainer. Fellow blogger, Dan Wilderness of The Financial Wilderness has also thought along those lines and here’s his thoughts on whether using a personal trainer worth it. Take it away, Dan… 😊

Hello everyone! A few years ago I became much more focused on my personal fitness, and anyone who’s every stepped inside a gym has seen people working out with a personal trainer and questioned if it’s worth it or not.

Now whilst prices vary for a personal trainer, they’re not that cheap. Being a finance blogger and generally inclined to the more frugal end, you might have thought this article is a long winded way of saying “No!”.

However a couple of years ago I took a series of sessions with a personal trainer and I think the debate is more nuanced than that, so I thought I’d write an article on it today.

My Reasons For Using A Personal Trainer

Long story short, I’d become rather unfit in my mid-20’s – out of the habits of exercise and working too hard at the office alongside some unhealthy eating patterns were taking their toll.

I was in the process of remedying that already, and felt a need for a challenge alongside wanting to do something for charity, so I enthusiastically signed up to the Spartan Race to try and raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. (A really excellent charity, which I’d recommend making a donation to here if you have some spare cash).

(Also, check out this article on why we encourage giving to charity and ways you can do so).

My enthusiasm dimmed slightly on receiving a training tips e-mail which included a section on box jumps for doing a “fire jump” at the end, and I quote “because you don’t want to be set on fire”. They were right. I did not want to be set on fire. I practised my box jumps!

As I got closer to the race and trained harder, my thought process began to shift that this race was not just something I wanted to do, but something I wanted to do well at and decided I’d enlist a trainer for a set of sessions to help me on my journey.

Choosing A Personal Trainer

My experience with choosing a personal trainer

I spoke with staff at the gym letting them know what I wanted to achieve (strength and stamina) and asked them to suggest which trainers might be best matched to me given their background.

I then look a lot at their qualifications and how they pitched themselves. The person I worked with was qualified to higher levels, and had a background as a professional athlete who had to cut their career short after an injury.

A big part in picking a personal trainer though is comfort – pre or the early part of your first session should focus on sitting down and understanding both your goals and how they work.

I got this first time – I liked that my trainer was focused on gradual but consistent improvement rather than comparison. He encouraged me to push myself hard, but didn’t yell at you to “just do one more” – if he could see my form was beginning to fail at the end of a difficult set, we’d move on and come back.

My Tips on How to Choose A Personal Trainer:

● Always look at and consider their qualifications. Anyone can yell at you to do or lift more (I’ll do it for a very reasonable price) – understanding form, technique and how the body works is important and shouldn’t be underestimated.

● Understand their background and if they have training specialisms, and if this aligns which what you’re looking to achieve.

● It’s important you feel comfortable with your trainer and understand yourself what kind of motivational encouragement you respond to. Do you feel they understand you and your goals? Do you feel comfortable with the instruction and encouragement they’re providing? If not, don’t be put off personal training – it’s fine to switch until you do find your match.

Does Using A Personal Trainer Help?

Yes, in a number of ways:

A personal trainer can improve technique

This was the biggest benefit I got, and something I never really considered going in.

In my training so far I’d been focusing on weight training, and lifting increasingly bigger amounts. I was putting a lot of effort into the “lift” phase, and whilst I wasn’t dropping the weight on putting it down my motion was definitely a lot quicker, using gravity to do the work.

My personal trainer started by studying my existing form, and correcting me to focus equally on both the lift and pull motion, to train the muscle more completely. We slowed the overall movement down on both sides to more of the controlled motion, and initially reduced the weight until the form was right.

This alone was one of the most valuable things I got out of using a personal trainer – I was really pleasantly surprised about how in making a few changes I saw the benefits I was getting increased substantially.

Even now when I’m working out, I often his hear his voice in my head going “slowly and with control” and it reminds me to check my form!

A personal trainer can introduce variation to your exercise routine

Another reason I was looking to take on a trainer was that I was conscious that my exercise routine had become a little bit stale, often deviating between the same routines.

It’s an easy trap to fall into – we all get comfortable with what we’re doing or have preferences, but when it comes to fitness it’s often not a good thing. The muscles become very used to what you’re doing, and the gains become much more limited as a result. For real progress, you need to mix things up.

I spoke to my trainer that I wanted to be introduced to exercises outside my normal ones, and as such we were able to add some great new things in which add more variability into what I do through to today. Sometimes it helps to have someone shake things up.

I personally don’t regularly use a trainer on an ongoing basis now except when I’m aware I’m falling back into a training rut – then I get them on it to move me onto something new.

A personal trainer can provide confidence

I don’t mean outside the gym, but that can be a good side effect of the payoff of all your training!

It’s more that there’s always some machines that you look slightly enviously at the person on mid-workout, but you just feel a little bit unsure about how to use it, and worry that if you try it’ll end up in injury or a sweaty mess.

A trainer can help you steer on those things you’re just not too sure about (but be aware you don’t need a trainer for this if it’s 1 or 2 machines – gym staff will be very happy to help if you ask!)

A personal trainer can help with nutrition and other lifestyle elements.

This one can be a little bit more variable depending on the trainer involved and your personal needs – not all offer it but at least advice on it comes up frequently.

There’s an old saying that a body is half built in the gym and half built in the kitchen, and there’s plenty of truth in that – making changes outside the gym can be just as important.

Now nutrition is a bit of a minefield – there’s plenty of unqualified advice and misinformation out there, but a good trainer should be able to help steer you in the right direction on this front as well.

A personal trainer can help with avoiding injury

If you get a personal trainer with good qualification, they should have a good fundamental understanding of how the body works and what creates stress.

There’s two different angles on this point. The first is that a good personal trainer will show you how to take care of your body when training and avoid injury – especially as you get older, learning how to warm up and stretch your muscles effectively before you start working out becomes more and more important.

The second angle is for someone who has an injury history or has had surgery. It can be difficult to know what to do that won’t aggravate or inflame that injury, and a trainer can give guidance on this.

Where I Don’t Think A Personal Trainer Is Worth It

There’s one reason that some people might be considering using a personal trainer, and that’s to help with motivation – the idea unless someone has a personal trainer there to push them, they won’t go to the gym at all. As a result you end up with a personal trainer for every session, rather than to provide occasional guidance.

Now employing a personal trainer will solve that problem, but I remain unconvinced that it’s a very expensive way to solve something which is far easier – the core problem here is you just don’t like the gym that much as your form of exercise.

And that’s fine – the key to fitness and exercise is to find a form of exercise you do really enjoy and it’s not a chore to commit to – believe me, there’s one for you! I absolutely detest running, and can’t think of anything worse than getting on a path each week – but get me in a pool and I’m happy as anything.

So it’s not a sign to give up, it’s a sign you might want to try something different.

How Much Should I Pay For A Personal Trainer?

Most trainers will charge you somewhere in the £30-£80 an hour bracket, but it’s a question with some variety, because it depends on where in the country you are, the experience level of your trainer and what services they offer etc.

For my sessions, I paid £50 an hour, but received a block booking discount where I bought six sessions at once and so got one free, making it effectively £41.

It’s always worth asking about discounts for block booking. However, I recommend not jumping to buying a block straight away even if it seems good value – have a single session first to evaluate that chemistry test of if you work well and feel comfortable with your trainer, then look to build up that relationship.

Any Questions?

Have you got further questions about our experience? Or have you tried working out with a personal trainer and found it good or bad? Or are you a personal trainer and think we’ve missed anything? We’d love to hear from you! Just drop us a note in our X feed – @LindaHobden or Facebook Boots Shoes And Fashion Blog Page 😊

Thank you Dan for sharing your thoughts !

Linda x

Photographs by Linda Hobden

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Books, Interview, Reviews

Author Interview: S D Price

21 February 2025 Linda

I’ve just finished reading an exciting thriller – “The Tides Of March” by S D Price. The novel has several threads cleverly intertwined that kept me on my toes for sure! This is a fantastic debut novel for author S D Price …. and I am so pleased that Stephen agreed to be interviewed! But before I introduce Stephen to the blog, here’s a brief book summary:

BOOK SUMMARY

In the unseen shadows of Japan, where ancient curses intertwine with the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster, an ominous cascade of incidents unfold…

The Tides of March weaves a tale of espionage, as ancient Samurai legacies and a nation’s struggle with an unseen enemy are revealed, against a backdrop of a series of apocalyptic events that draw in the bewitched descendants of a Samurai family serving as elite agents.

Tasked with the surveillance of activities within the murky world of high-level corruption and its connections with international adversaries, events begin to spiral out of control as they seek to confront a Korean spy ring’s deadly mission to draw a lethal advantage from the heart of chaos. The fate of the characters and the nation hangs in the balance as ancient powers clash with modern evils.

MY INTERVIEW

Welcome to the blog, Stephen …please introduce yourself 😊

I am a Welshman who has lived in the Southwest and now in Berkshire for over 40 years, where I work as a consultant in the pharmaceutical industry.

My wife and I have been together for 23 years. We are both very driven individuals, always looking to get the most out of life while we still can!

I feel that I didn’t truly start living the life I wanted until after my fortieth birthday. Miraculously, for several reasons, things started to fall into place. It hasn’t all been plain sailing since, but my world now bears no resemblance to back then—long may it continue!

Who or what inspired you to write The Tides of March?

When I decided to take a break from my day job to write a novel, I was naturally drawn to formulating characters who were Japanese. As these characters developed, they created a vortex around them, pulling in my knowledge of Japan. This allowed me to weave historical threads and themes into the narrative, shaping the story in ways I hadn’t initially envisioned.

The Tides of March is an exciting thriller set in Japan. The characters are very believable, but what I loved most were the intertwined storylines: a murder investigation, a Korean spy ring, corruption, the supernatural, romance, and even a tsunami. Which character did you enjoy writing about the most? Which character was the hardest?

Developing the individual characters wasn’t my main challenge—it was the stitching together of the three generations of the eternally cursed Kurosawa family into the plot that proved most difficult.

What is it about Japan that has fuelled your imagination since you were young?

From a very young age, probably around 5 or 6 years old, I have been fascinated by Japan—its people and its unique culture.

Over the years, I have compiled extensive knowledge of Japan’s history, dating back to 600 BCE, tracing its evolution into a nation, and exploring how its society has interacted with the rest of the world through history to the present day.

If you could visit any country/place in the world to base your next novel, where would you go and why?

Ukraine. I have just written a short story, The Crap Hat, about a Royal Marine fighting there. The subject is highly topical, with real-time and real-life implications for all of us. I would like to write more about this conflict—to highlight the titanic struggle happening there, which will have repercussions for everyone in the West and Eastern Europe.

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book?

Although I am extremely dyslexic—and still struggle to spell my own name correctly on occasion—I have always been an avid reader and enjoy a wide variety of material:
Thrillers, Sci-Fi, Horror, Historical Fiction, Westerns, the Classics
Non-fiction: Biographies, Military/Warfare, Strategy, Personal Development, and Technical Manuals.

Some of my favourite authors include Conn Iggulden, Stephen King, Steven Pressfield, Hilary Mantel, Irvine Welsh, Robert Greene, Yuval Noah Harari, and Antony Beevor.

I always have a printed book, a Kindle, and an audiobook on the go at any one time—each format serves a purpose depending on where I am and what I’m doing.

For my own novel, I was fortunate to have Brian Nishi, a Japanese-American actor, narrate the audiobook on Audible (ACX).

Is The Tides of March available to purchase worldwide?

Yes! It is available worldwide in print, eBook, and audiobook formats.

Growing up, had you always wanted to be an author, or did you have other career aspirations?

As a child, I was always making up stories—relaying them to friends, storyboarding them, or, much to my parents’ amusement, recording them on an old cartridge tape deck!

However, I never thought about actually writing them down until I had a serious head injury in a motorcycle accident. During my recovery, I experienced what people describe as an out-of-body, ‘up to the light’ moment. After that, I had a nagging urge to write—it was very strange.

That said, it took me a long time to get to this point. Life often gets in the way of creative aspirations, and I felt I needed to educate myself in many ways before committing to writing seriously.

Interestingly, I did write a Sci-Fi story read out on the radio shortly after the accident!

I also struggled with a chronic recurring illness, which wasn’t cured until my late thirties, making the journey even more challenging.

As a keen mountain climber, you’ve tackled many peaks, including the Matterhorn. Which has been your favourite? What’s next on your mountain-climbing bucket list?

As a keen climber and skier, I love being in the mountains, and each location holds special memories.

I mainly climb in Zermatt, Switzerland, and my first experience of high-altitude climbing was the Obergabelhorn Ridge traverse. It was utterly terrifying at the time, and my climbing partner and I were lucky to get out of it in one piece!

I’ve been back many times since. A year ago, I climbed Castor (4,228m) with a friend, who wanted to experience this type of climbing for the first time. We hired a local guide—who managed to fall off during the descent! Thankfully, we arrested his fall, as we were all roped together, the consequences of failing do so were not great…! All’s well that ends well, and my friend came away with a great story to tell!

What outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

Fashion has been a personal journey for me—divided into pre-meeting my wife and post-meeting my wife!

I’ve evolved over the years and now own a mix of Moncler, Stone Island, Louis Vuitton, Dunhill, Paul Smith, Lacoste, Balmain, and Ralph Lauren. Belstaff jackets are my go-to for casual wear—I somehow own five of them!

One of my most extravagant pieces is a Dior jacket in dark blue with 20 buttons, a high collar, and embroidered stars on each side—a bit Sergeant Pepper-esque, but I love it! Even my wife was surprised I bought it! The icing on the cake that day was our ‘Mrs Harris goes to Paris’ moment when ladies in white coats came out into the Dior fitting room and measured me to have altered.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I rarely shop online for clothes—I need to try things on first and see how they fit and feel before buying.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

I have too many shoes—most of which I barely wear anymore! I’m always on the lookout for timeless pieces that will last as part of my collection. I have to admit to becoming a real fashion victim over the last twenty years.

Boots or shoes?

I love boots, especially from Barker—a classic English brand.

For casual wear, I’ll go with white Adidas or Balmain trainers.

For specific occasions:

Suede boots
Patent shoes for formal wear
Adidas trainers for running and gym workouts

Links you would like to share (website, social media, etc.)

🌍 Website: https://www.sd-price.com

Great book Stephen, and thank you for chatting to us! I love the fact that since meeting your wife your fashion buys have changed! Have you visited the Jeffery West Shoe Shop in Piccadilly yet? ….😜

My thanks to Stephen & Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing for the review copy of The Tides Of March. All photographs have been published with the kind permission of S D Price.

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Beauty/Hair, Health/Fitness/Sport, Life Issues/ Motivational Posts

Beginners Guide To Laser Eye Surgery

14 February 2025 Linda

My guest this week is Professor Sunil Shah, Consultant Ophthalmic surgeon at Midland Eye. If you are looking at having laser eye surgery done, or trying to decide what options would be best for you or simply just curious about laser eye surgery , then Sunil’s guest post is just for you….

Laser eye surgery reshapes your eye’s cornea, which is the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of your eye. Using incredibly precise lasers, surgeons can modify the cornea’s shape to change how light enters your eye, helping to correct various vision problems that might currently have you reaching for your glasses or contact lenses.

Usually taking just 15-30 minutes for both eyes, it has become one of the most common elective surgeries in the UK. Yet, laser eye surgery isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution and sometimes there are better options to solve your vision problems.

Which Type Of Laser Surgery Could Help You?

The type of laser surgery that’s right for you depends largely on your specific vision problems. Let’s look at the main options and what they can help with:

Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)

LASIK is the most common type of laser eye surgery. The surgeon creates a small flap, reshapes the corneal tissue underneath with a laser, then puts the flap back in place. It’s particularly good for:

● Moderate to severe short-sightedness (up to -8D)

● Mild to moderate long-sightedness (up to +4D)

● Astigmatism (where your eye is rugby ball shaped: up to 6D)

The big advantage of LASIK is its quick recovery time – most people can return to work within a couple of days, and their vision stabilises relatively quickly.

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) or the newer version called LASEK

PRK might be an older technique, but it’s still the best choice for some people.

LASEK (Laser epithelial keratomileusis) can theoretically combine all the advantages of LASIK and PRK and potentially avoid some of their complications.

With PRK, instead of creating a flap, the surgeon gently removes the cornea’s surface layer before reshaping the tissue.

With LASEK, a flap of the very top layer (the epithelium) is made without the need for any cutting.

While recovery takes longer than LASIK (usually 5 days), it’s often recommended for:

● People with thinner corneas

● Those involved in contact sports

● Military or emergency service personnel

● Treatment of lower prescriptions

● Those with relatively dry eyes

● Those scared of the ‘cut’ in LASIK

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)

SMILE is the newest addition to the laser eye surgery family. It’s a bit like keyhole surgery for your eyes – requiring only a tiny incision rather than a flap. It’s particularly good for:

● Higher degrees of short-sightedness

● Those concerned about dry eyes after surgery

What Laser Eye Surgery Cannot Treat

While laser eye surgery can help with many vision problems, it’s important to understand its limitations. Some eye conditions require different types of treatment entirely. For instance, refractive laser eye surgery can’t help with age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, or severe diabetic eye disease (although there are other lasers available for those conditions).

Laser eye surgery also can’t prevent the natural ageing of your eyes. So, while it might give you perfect distance vision now, you may still need reading glasses as you get older – just like everyone else.

It’s important to note that while both procedures have “laser” in their name, laser eye surgery is quite different from laser cataract surgery or laser refractive lens exchange. Laser eye surgery reshapes your cornea to correct vision problems, while cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange—whether laser-assisted or traditional—both replace your eye’s natural lens with an artificial one rather than reshaping your natural lens.

Considering Every Option

While laser eye surgery is an effective treatment for those with moderate prescriptions who don’t need reading glasses, refractive lens exchange can prove a longer-lasting solution for many patients. In fact, most patients who initially come to Midland Eye Clinic for laser eye surgery opt to have refractive lens exchange surgery instead.

Not only can refractive lens exchange fix severe vision issues, but it can also help with reading issues in older patients. It also ensures that you’ll never suffer from cataracts as you are swapping a natural lens for an artificial one.

This is why having a thorough consultation is so important; it helps ensure you have realistic expectations about what the surgery can and cannot achieve and a full range of options for your particular situation. The best eye surgery is the one that is right for you long-term, not which solves an issue for the time being.

The Journey To Clearer Vision

Getting laser eye surgery typically starts with a thorough assessment. If you are having vision issues and think that laser eye surgery could help, start by chatting with your optician, or you could self-refer to a specialist eye clinic like Midland Eye.

If your consultant believes that laser eye surgery might help improve your vision problems, they will then book in an initial consultation. During your initial consultation, your eye care team will:

● Take detailed measurements of your eyes

● Create a 3D map of your corneas

● Check your overall eye health

● Discuss what you’re hoping to achieve

● Talk through which type of surgery might suit you best

Recovery and Results

The recovery journey after laser eye surgery is usually straightforward, though it varies depending on which procedure you’ve had. Most people find their eyes feel a bit uncomfortable for the first few hours after surgery – rather like having a grain of sand in your eye. This is completely normal and usually eases quickly.

Your vision will typically be a bit blurry at first, rather like looking through a steamy window, but this gradually clears over the first few days. You’ll need to use eye drops regularly during this time to help with healing and keep your eyes comfortable. Many people are pleasantly surprised by how quickly they can return to their daily routine, though it’s wise to take things easy for the first few days.

Over the following weeks, your vision will continue to settle and improve. While many people notice dramatic improvements within days, your eyes need about 3-6 months to fully stabilise. During this time, you might notice your vision fluctuates slightly – being a bit sharper or blurrier at different times of the day. This is perfectly normal and gradually settles down.

Most people achieve very good vision after their surgery, with many reaching 20/20 vision or better. However, it’s important to remember that everyone’s eyes heal slightly differently, and while the vast majority of people are delighted with their results, a small number might need a follow-up procedure to achieve their best possible vision.

Depending on your clinic and the scope of the surgery, there may or may not be an additional cost for the follow-up procedure. At Midland Eye, for example, we provide a free follow-up surgery for further correction as we specialise in complex prescriptions, where it is difficult to predict the exact outcome of surgery.

For Pinning Later. Photo by Linda Hobden

The Financial Side

Cost is often a key factor in decision-making. Laser eye surgery typically isn’t available on the NHS unless you have specific medical conditions affecting your vision. For most people, it’s a private treatment costing between £2,000 and £4,000 per eye, and many clinics offer payment plans to spread the cost.

Consider that refractive lens exchange surgery costs around £3,000 to £4,000 per eye and can treat more severe vision issues, prevent cataracts and help with reading issues as you age, and it is clear why so many choose it over laser eye surgery.

Making Your Decision

Laser eye surgery can be life-changing, but it’s important to:

● Take your time deciding

● Ask plenty of questions

● Have realistic expectations

● Choose a reputable provider

● Your vision will typically be a bit blurry at first, rather like looking through a steamy window, but this gradually clears over the first few days. You’ll need to use eye drops regularly during this time to help with healing and keep your eyes comfortable. Many people are pleasantly surprised by how quickly they can return to their daily routine, though it’s wise to take things easy for the first few days.

Remember, while laser eye surgery has an excellent safety record and high satisfaction rates, it’s still a surgical procedure. Take time to weigh up your options, and don’t feel rushed into making a decision.

About Professor Sunil Shah & Midland Eye

Professor Sunil Shah is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Midland Eye. Midland Eye was founded by four ophthalmic surgeons who wanted to provide patients with a comprehensive, specialist service for the diagnosis and treatment of all eye conditions. The team are leaders in their field and offer a consultant-only service to all patients requiring eye care or surgery. Every consultant is qualified to treat common eye conditions such as cataracts, but each one also has a particular area of specialisation, ensuring that patients get the best possible outcome, no matter what the diagnosis.

https://midlandeye.com

https://www.facebook.com/midlandeyesocial

https://www.instagram.com/midland_eye

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-midland-eye-institute-limited

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Professor Sunil Shah & Midland Eye (apart from where stated)

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Books, Interview, Reviews

Language Of Love Book Tour

7 February 2025 Linda

Ah … February… the love month ❤️ and I’m so pleased to be part of author Nancy Christie’s book tour celebrating her new book : “ The Language Of Love & Other Stories”. This book is a little gem – a series of short stories each representing different facets of love. It’s a great read and not just for February either ! I couldn’t wait to ask Nancy about her love affair with writing, especially her love of short stories … but first, a quick book summary:

BOOK SUMMARY

The Language of Love and Other Stories is about all types of love relationships: the ones that exist between parent and child as well as between generations, the bonds that grow between new lovers as well as those that exist between long-settled couples. The 20-story collection explores all the stages of love: the tenuous yet exciting beginning, the calmer, more mundane phases, the uncertain periods, and finally the ending—sometimes anticipated, other times devastatingly unexpected. It’s about whom one loves, how one loves, and what one does when the love is reciprocated, rejected or over.

PUBLISHER: Unsolicited Press

ASIN: B0DG333HWN

ISBN-13 978-1-963115-28-4

Print Length: 208 pages

MY INTERVIEW

Hi Nancy, welcome to the blog 👋 Please introduce yourself:

Hi, I am Nancy. The short version is that I am a writer of fiction and nonfiction, the author of 9 books including this one, short stories and essays. I’m also a full-time professional writer.

The long version (which I think is more interesting!) is that I am a woman who has been making up stories for more than 60 years, who spends hours in conversations with people who don’t exist (my characters, I mean), who frequently recites lines of dialogue out loud (resulting in strange looks from those around me!) and who plans to continue to write until my fingers fall off!

Who or what inspired you to write your collection of short stories of “The Language Of Love & Other Stories”?

My short story collections—Traveling Left of Center, Peripheral Visions, and Mistletoe Magic—are all theme-based. So, when I thought about coming out with a fourth one, I looked at the stories I had already completed and decided I wanted to do one that centered on the idea of love—not just romantic love but also love that spans generations and, in the case of “Henry, Hortense and The Hallowe’en Party,” brings in a bit of the supernatural. I chose several from the already written stash on my computer, added in some new ones and voila! The collection was born!

“The Language of Love” is a collection of short stories about love in its many guises! The stories are quite varied – my favourite stories were “Henry, Hortense and The Hallowe’en Party” and “Bingo”. They both made me smile 😊 . Which short story did you enjoy writing about the most?

That’s like asking a mother which child she loves most! But I do admit I have a soft spot for “Henry” and “Charley and the Cupid Caper.” (Regarding the latter, that’s the second time the Adams Investigation team have appeared in one of my collections. They were also in Mistletoe Magic in “Charley Catches the Christmas Spirit.”)

You have written novels and non fiction books as well as collections of short stories. What are the hardest and easiest aspects about writing a collection of short stories as opposed to writing a novel? Do you have any writing preferences?

Since I started decades ago writing short stories, the process comes very natural to me. I don’t plan the stories out. They start with a line of dialogue that pops into my head and even though I have no idea who the character is or what he or she is talking about I just follow along. Often I don’t even know how the story will end until I get there! My short story process is more like watching a movie and being surprised by the dénouement. That’s not to say that the stories don’t undergo revisions because they do, but that is more cleaning up and tightening up.

Novel-writing requires a bit more planning and a lot more tracking of details. I need to understand the main characters, their background, and their goals for the stories to make sense. However, I stop short at doing detailed character profiles or story outlines. I am a pantser who does some plotting in the beginning and along the way. Would that make me a plot-pantser? Pants-plotter?

If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base a future collection of short stories in, where would you go and why?

Somewhere by the water that is filled with history—Greece or Wales, for example. Water—rivers, streams, lakes, oceans—have always been a source of inspiration for me. And the wilder the environment, the better. There is magic in nature.

Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book?

Last first: I am a print reader. I don’t like eBooks because I want to be able to hold the book in my hands, turns down corners, underline passages. I love the smell of book!

Genre: fiction and nonfiction, although I have to be careful what I read. I don’t like violence, gore or really scary books. My mind creates images that go along with what I’m reading and that can lead to nightmares. I love reading books by or about writers about their writing lives. One of my favorite books is The Writer On Her Work—Vol 1, edited by Janet Sternburg. Since I first got a copy, I have returned to it again and again for inspiration and comfort and a sense of being part of the writing community.

I will read anything by Shirley Jackson, both for the pleasure of reading her work as well as for education. I learn a lot by picking apart one of her stories to see just how she manages to give me goosebumps each time I read one of them, even though I know how the story will end. I have lots of other writers whose work I love, but if I start listing them here, we’ll run out of space!

And yes, I am a bookworm. I have bookshelves and stacks of books in nearly every room in my house, and I still buy more. And I rarely discard books. If I’m not sure if I’ll like it, I get it from my library first (I love libraries!) and then, if it speaks to me, I’ll buy it.

Is “The Language Of Love & Other Stories” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes, through various online retailers. And I’m sure your local bookstore can order it in! Right now, I am working on contacting libraries in the United States to encourage them to carry it. If anyone wants to help in this time-consuming activity, all they have to do is go to their local library’s website and fill in the form to request the book. (Hint, hint!)

Growing up had you always wanted to be a writer or did you have other career aspirations?

I don’t know that I consciously wanted to be a writer. It was just a natural outlet for my imagination. But I never thought I could make a living at it. Turns out I can—both as an author and as a professional freelance copywriter. The latter also takes imagination as well as a good grasp of grammar and spelling and punctuation!

If I hadn’t become a writer, I might have liked to be an archeologist, uncovering past lives and learning how people long dead once lived and loved. In a way that’s what fiction does. It reveals the lives of people: their secrets, fears, motivations. What drives them and what holds them back.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

While I would love to say that I dress up for work—something I write about in my novel, Finding Fran, when people ask her about her “writing clothes”—I’m usually in a sweatshirt and sweatpants in the winter, and shorts and a t-shirt in the summer. I’m all about comfort! But I do dress better for book events!

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

My website is https://www.nancychristie.com/

You can find me just about anywhere and everywhere online:

I also have two YouTube channels: Books by Nancy Christie on YouTube and Midlife Moxie Novel Series™ on YouTube

And I have two newsletters— Nancy’s Book News (for readers) and The Writing Life with Nancy Christie (for writers)—and people can sign up for either or both here.

BOOK TOUR DATES

Fabulous chatting to you Nancy and thank you for inviting me onto your book tour. Thank you for the review copy of “The Language Of Love & Other Stories” – I loved it 😊

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Nancy Christie

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Beauty/Hair, Eco Friendly, Reviews

Review: The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company

1 February 2025 Linda

As Valentines Day is fast approaching, and Mothers Day too, this week I’m reviewing two products from The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company in bonnie Scotland – “The Very Very Best Lip Balm In The Entire World” aka “Geranium and Sweet Orange Lip Balm” and the “Reverie Botanical Perfume Oil”. These two items make the most delectable gifts or you could just treat yourself to some gorgeousness! Before I begin in earnest though, here’s my disclaimer alert: The items mentioned have been supplied to me by The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company for the sole purpose of this review; however, all opinions expressed are 100% mine!

THE BRAND/WEBSITE

www.edinburghskincare.com

Founded in 2010 , The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company started out making cold -processed honey soap in the home kitchen which was a big success at the Edinburgh Christmas Market that year, by selling all stock on day one! Flip forward to today and the company are still based in Edinburgh, although not in a home kitchen, but they still sell cold-processed soaps as well as countless other skincare items such as day and night creams, lip balms and perfumed oils. There is an interesting story on their website explaining how the company started, from its humble beginnings to today – well worth a read 😊 As far as the website itself is concerned, I found the site very easy to navigate, easy on the eye and they have a very good selection of products.

THE PRODUCTS

I reviewed two products out of the vast range: the “Geranium & Sweet Orange Lip Balm” and “Reverie Botanical Perfume Oil”. All products from The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company are handcrafted using traditional methods in Edinburgh , using 100% natural ingredients and are never tested on animals. It goes without saying really, but the products contain no petrochemicals, phthalates, parabens, or sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS).

THE VERY VERY BEST LIP BALM IN THE ENTIRE WORLD aka GERANIUM & SWEET ORANGE LIP BALM

https://www.edinburghskincare.com/products/geranium-and-orange -luxury-best-lip-balm

Whether it is the very very best lip balm in the entire world I am not entirely sure without trying every lip balm in the entire world …but the company obviously thinks so and who am I to doubt them?! This little pot is filled with a delicious combination of natural ingredients including blended beeswax, coconut oil, coconut oil and sweet almond oil. Sweet Almond oil is well known for its moisturising properties and with the rest of the ingredients this balm hydrates, nourishes and soothes dry lips.

I also found it gave my lips a delightful natural glossy look without any sticky residue. It was fab over matte lipstick and stopped my lips looking too wrinkly which matte lipstick does on occasions ! It has a subtle citrusy smell but it isn’t from a synthetic fragrance. It is the ultimate treat for Valentines Day and for self -care/beauty days and it’s even better knowing that the product and packaging rank high in sustainability too. I was impressed that no single use plastics were used in the manufacturing of this product and that it comes in zero waste, eco friendly packaging too. A big ✔️ from me.

REVERIE BOTANICAL PERFUME OIL

https://www.edinburghskincare.com/products/reverie-botanical-perfume-10ml

This divine smelling perfume oil won me over on several accounts :

–the smell : it’s a subtle smell – a delicate blend of flowers, fruits & spices. The ingredients include amber, rose, sweet orange, bakhoa attar, green oak moss, black pepper and patchouli. How exotic is that?!
– the essence makes me feel relaxed – indeed some of the ingredients in the oil such as amber are known to be stress relievers.
– the rollerball applicator ensures no mess and the perfume is easily absorbed into the skin. Rolling the essence on the inside of your wrists releases the scent that gave me instant stress relief. The scent isn’t overpowering so ideal so use when travelling on a plane, for instance. It is also very gentle on my sensitive skin.
– the size. It is compact so ideal to slip into your handbag/clutch.
– the packaging. The perfume oil is encased in a chic glass bottle – the roller ball applicator ensures no wastage, and it comes in a sturdy cardboard outer tube case to minimise breakage.

I found this perfume oil an absolute delight and a definite holiday travel companion – a scented comfort blanket in a bottle with a touch of rose to give it that aphrodisiac kick! I can’t think of anything more gorgeous to receive on Valentines Day than an aphrodisiac scented comfort blanket – can you?

MY FINAL THOUGHTSk

Price wise I found both products to be mid range – the lip balm was around the same price bracket, give or take a penny, as similar ones I have purchased in Body Shop , for example. I did find that I preferred the Edinburgh Natural Skincare Co lip balm to other ones I have previously used – I found the Geranium & Sweet Orange Lip balm a lot less greasy, gave a glossy moisturised look and didn’t make my lips too sticky when I puckered up for a kiss from my long suffering husband 😊 9/10

I love, love the perfume oil though. The exotic scent, the handy size, the rollerball and an altogether more favourable alternative to Rescue Remedy oil when I need to feel relaxed. This is definitely going to be in my hand luggage when I go on my travels 10/10

My thanks to The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company for sending me the products to be reviewed.

All photographs are by Linda Hobden

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Accessories/Jewellery/Bags, Interview

An Interview With Loel

24 January 2025 Linda

This week I’m chatting to Andrea Flamini, founder of Loel, a small family run business passionate about jewellery. The exquisite handmade Italian jewellery made from recycled gold and silver have graced the ear lobes and necks of celebs such as Claudia Winkleman, Mel B and Tyra Banks. Hi Andrea, and welcome …

Hello 👋 I’m Andrea, a 46 year old mother of two boys and more recently a puppy. I was born in Malta but lived most of my life in London and more recently the Kent Coast. I am the owner of Loel, an independent jewellery brand passionate about Italian hand made designs. Apart from being passionate about all things jewellery I love to dance, sing, read and make things – whatever they are from tapestry cushions to copper Christmas decorations. I love nothing more than a spontaneous dinner with friends fuelled by pasta and wine

What inspired the setting up of “Loel”?

I have always adored jewellery. Growing up my mother had the most incredible style and collection of pieces she bought or inherited from her grandmother and I loved playing dress up in her pearls and brooches. When I was older my parents moved to Italy and my mother set up her own jewellery business making and selling jewellery to 5% hotels around Europe. At the time I would help her with the online aspect of the business and travel with her on any buying trips to meet the Italian designers. I loved being immersed in this world of design and creativity so much so that when it was time for me to go back to work after my first maternity leave I decided to leave my Head of Marketing job and try and create a brand that brought the beautiful hand made pieces that I was seeing in Italy to a UK audience.

I absolutely adore your Tassel Collection – especially the Tassel Hoop earrings! What items are proving popular amongst your customers so far this season?

The Tassel Hoops have always been a best seller for us. They are so distinctive that everyone who wears them adores them. As part of that collection we launched a large multi tassel cuff at the end of last year which Claudia Winkleman wore on Strictly and that sold out instantly. We’ll be getting more of those and the hoops in for our waiting list and looking to introduce a new collection later this year,m

Out of all your collections, do you have any favourites?

It’s very hard to say as I love all the designs that we have had over the years. However one close to my heart is our Gold Coast Collection which we developed alongside our photographer friend Jaron James. These were pieces inspired by the iconic landscape around us on the Kent Coast the stunning photographs that Jaron had created. The Arrow pendant from that collection is still one of our best sellers. I would love to do a follow up collection at some point..

As you are based in the UK, are your products available to purchase overseas?

We ship all over the world but at the moment don’t have any stockists outside of the UK. We are always open to working with brilliant people so would love to explore that option.

When looking for jewellery designs to add to your collection, do you take into account your own tastes, your customer base, requests, traditional pieces, what you have discovered or bits of all those?

From the start I always wanted to buy pieces that I would love to wear. I felt this way I could honestly and passionately talk about the designs in an authentic way as I truly believed in them and how they were made. Our customers however do also help shape the collections and the pieces we develop. I really listen to their feedback and requests to see if we can develop pieces that they love and we love.

As you are passionate about Italy … as well as jewellery, of course, what are your 3 favourite things you love about Italy?

I love everything about Italy. I studied Italian at university and spent a year living in Piacenza as part of my course and fell it love. My parents later moved to the Italian lakes and lived there for many years and I would visit at least 3 or 4 times a year. I love it’s culture and attitude, Italians really know how to embrace life and live it to the full. Whether thats with the food they eat, the importance of family and the value on tradition their quality of life in my opinion is second to none.

I love the variety that Italy has to offer. Each region and town is unique offering a history and culture all of its own, even from one neighbouring town to the other. They are passionate about their own particular wine or food or particular famous landmark and will argue to the death that their is the best in the world.

I love their style. The Italians are just so elegant. Everything is considered and put together in the most exquisite fashion. I love their crazy rules around what is and isn’t acceptable to wear when. For example you’ll never find an Italian wearing navy in Autumn. Navy is only ever worn in the Spring. Why I have no idea but I love their commitment to the rules.

What part(s) of Italy do you feel offers the best when it comes to jewellery?

Our designers are predominantly based in Tuscany – the region is renown for jewellery with many artisans and generations of families in the business. There are a number of small independent family run manufacturers in the area, each with their own style and speciality. Vicenza is also famous for its jewellery, a historical city as beautiful as the pieces that their local designers create.

Hypothetically speaking, which famous lady would you pick to be the “Face” Of Loel and why?

I would have to say Claudia Winkleman is the perfect Loel girl. She absolutely knows what she likes and has a style of her own. She’s incredibly funny, self deprecating and never takes herself too seriously – something we try to do ourselves with the brand. Jewellery should be fun and not serious or moody. It should be the cherry on top of your outfit cake. Therefore someone with that sense of style and fun is key to our customer base.

Growing up, did you always want to be a jewellery designer or did your aspirations lie elsewhere?

I always wanted to do something creative with my life. Whether that was in fashion and design or another creative route. I ended up spending many years in advertising and marketing which did allow me to spend a lot of time amongst creative people which is so inspiring.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

Since moving but the coast a few years ago if I’m honest I am usually in joggers and trainers which is shameful I know. I work from home so there is very little reason to get dressed up most days. If I do have to make an effort then I would usually wear some kind of oversized Co-ord set or bagging jeans and some great shoes. And always way too much gold jewellery for most people’s liking.

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites? (Apart from your own!)

My dream is to be forever in cashmere and Max Mara but the reality is I try to shop locally where I can. Positive Retail in Margate and Deal is an amazing store offering pre-loved and dead stock designer pieces at a reduced price. POM in London is one of our stockists and Katie has the most incredible eye. I’m also a sucker for a bargain so will have a nose around The Outnet or TK Max every now and again. Plus I am trying to be better at finding things on Vinted or Ebay before buying anything new.
High Street wise I would say Cos or Zara but always in an XL!

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

We got a new puppy at Christmas so I am on the hunt for some good walking boots! And a really great oversized cashmere sweater

Boots or Shoes?

I would have to say Boots from now on as I will be walking much more with the puppy. But generally I’m in trainers and flat so traditionally shoes! I do have some amazing shoes that my incredibly generous Mother In Law has given me over the years.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about Loel:

https://loel.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/LOELANDCO/

Fabulous to chat to you Andrea! I love Italy and I love those tasselled earrings too! 😊

Linda x

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Andrea Flamini

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Books, Interview, Reviews

American Still Life Book Tour

17 January 2025 Linda

I’m so pleased to be on author Jim Naremore’s “American Still Life” book tour. I absolutely loved this book – it was raw, edgy, sad, with happy moments too. It was definitely an emotional whirlwind and I really did enjoy the ride. I’m so pleased that Jim agreed to be interviewed … I had so many questions bubbling in my mind 😃 But first, here’s a book summary:

BOOK SUMMARY

We are all drowning, and we are all saviours .

Wresting with addiction, guilt, and self-loathing, gifted photojournalist Skade Felsdottir finds herself trapped in a web of her own creation when she is forced by circumstances to return to her hometown—the place that holds her crippling secrets. After screwing up her “big break”, a photo essay book about descansos—roadside memorials to people who have died tragically, Skade tries to salvage the project against a tight deadline. While simultaneously working and keeping her darkest demons at bay, Skade reconnects with an old boyfriend and befriends a unique but broken young woman named Kit. Their burgeoning friendship begins a process of healing for them both, until a devastating sequence of events plunges Skade into darkness, leaving her to decide between redemption and running away; between life and death. Set against a backdrop of the back roads of a forgotten America, American Still Life explores the crossroads of grief and artistic expression, of loneliness and atonement. A journey familiar.

Publisher: Regal House Publishing (Deceember 17, 2024)

ISBN: 1646035054

ISBN: 978-1646035052

AISN: B0CNTWJH98

Print length: 296 pages

MY INTERVIEW

Hello Jim and welcome to the blog 👋. I really enjoyed reading your book, “American Still Life ”and I particularly enjoyed the characters of Skade ,and her new found friend, Kit (Kitten). I loved the rawness & edginess of Skade ; and how her friendship with the weird Kit develops. What character did you particularly enjoy writing about? What character was the hardest to portray?

Honestly, the most fun character for me to write was Jerome. A character like him shows up in almost all my work. Kind of the wise fool. Sort of a stock character for me. Of the main characters, I’d say both Skade and Kit were equally enjoyable but equally difficult. There’s a lot of me in Skade, so I had that going for me, and she was pretty good about showing up and “talking” to me as work progressed (I know that sounds weird. Writing is really great and easy when the characters begin to take on their own lives and tell you things as you are working on the story) even though she was often stubborn and short-tempered about things. For example, early in the project I had just finished a scene and needed Skade to get from one place to another so I could start the next scene. The scene I had finished (not sure which one) was pretty emotionally heavy, or traumatic for her. I was about to shift to the next scene when she popped up and said, “I’m going swimming.” Out of the blue like that. That literally just came out on the page as I was typing. From that odd little statement came all of the swimming stuff in the book. She told me about her being a competitive swimmer and using the water as a safe place. So that was great. Kit told me she was afraid of thunderstorms, so that’s where that chapter came from.

The difficulty, of course, was that both of them are women, and I am not. I really had to stretch and work and lean on my female friends and writer’s group members because I was terrified of writing “guys in skirts” which can happen when a man tries to write a deeper female character. I think Kit was especially hard for me because it’s easier for me to access the parts of me that are in Skade. The parts of me in Kit are tougher to find.

I loved how the “friendship” between Skade & Kit develops; I could almost feel the pain that Skade felt in returning to her home town and her memories that she tried to blot out with alcohol; Skade’s need for friendship that matched Kit’s….and oh, the ex boyfriends too. So, hypothetically speaking, if American Still Life was made into a film, who would you envisage to play the main characters?

My writer’s group did this game with each other’s stories once, but I get super picky about this kind of casting. I’m not sure there are perfect actors for these parts, at least that I’ve seen. Emma Stone might be able to pull off Skade? Physically I think Skade looks a little more like a younger Jennifer Connelly (like in “House of Sand and Fog”), but even they are not exactly right. I’d be SUPER curious to hear what you and your readers think of that! Kit is an interesting case, since no one in Hollywood is like her physically (that I know of). I will tell you I had two people in mind when I wrote Kit, but neither are actors, they are both WNBA players, who are obviously both far more physically comfortable and coordinated than Kit, but I wrote with Elena Della Donna in mind, and later, Cameron Brink. I kind of see James Franco as Lane? Not sure… Like I said, I’d love to hear other thoughts… My ideas are not “correct” by any means!

The characters and places depicted in your novel – did you base your characters on people you have come across or aspects of the novel based loosely around your own experiences?

Yes. So much of this book (all my writing really) is based on things in my experience. The locations are all sort of smashed together places I’ve lived in or been to. Carleton is based on several smaller rustbelt cities I’ve lived in. Even the Mosier Crosses in the book are actually “real”… I fictionalized a real story and location that’s just north of Martinsville, Indiana on Highway 62. Fairfax Road is real, it runs from Lake Monroe to Bloomington, Indiana where I grew up.

All my characters are amalgams of people I know or have met. And the primary characters all have a lot of me in them. Skade especially might be the most “Jim” character I’ve ever dared put on paper. I’ve been sober for over a decade, but I remember what that felt like. Jerome’s idea of putting a boat into a creek and floating all the way to New Orleans was something me and my friends endlessly speculated about when we were teenagers… start in Salt Creek and see how far you can get.

If you could visit any place in the world to inspire your next novel, where would you go and why?

I went to Morocco while I was writing American Still Life and instantly wanted to do another book with Skade in it taking place there (I have all the notes for it… She’s photographing the work of a mysterious graffiti artist and following a trail of graffiti work around the world). Morocco is amazing. A place I have not been but want to go to is Australia. I think touring Australia would be incredible. I’d also like to dive into Japan. I was in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam a few years ago, and that was incredible too. I’m drawn as much to cities as I am wilderness, I guess.

Are you a bookworm yourself? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

Old school proper books only for me. Too trad. Its funny but I don’t read a lot of fiction when I’m writing (which is most of the time) since I’m paranoid I’m going to start to imitate another writer’s voice. I’m pretty eclectic with my fiction. The only things I don’t usually read are spy novels or traditional thrillers. I read a lot of mysteries (I grew up reading Raymond Chandler and Dashiel Hammet). I like Tania French’s voice a lot. I used to read a lot of Sci Fi and Fantasy and will still come back to Tolkien for comfort. Literary writers like Marquez and Sebald blow me away. I’m reading Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia right now and enjoying it thoroughly. I loved There There by Tommy Orange recently and hope to pick up Wandering Stars soon.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

God, Linda, I’m such a clothes horse… It’s one of my faults. My personal style tends toward California. Ralph Lauren is great, and I usually can’t go wrong with his stuff. But at times I’ll toss in French vintage or even Japanese stuff like Kendo jackets. I’m usually super casual, denim, natural fibers, leather. I do a fair amount of vintage military, too.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Clothes horse… see above… Next on the list is probably getting rid of a lot of stuff! Closet is too full! There is a current men’s wear trend I don’t have and would like to get: a houndstooth wool overcoat, full length.

Boots Or Shoes?

Seasonal… I wear boots in the fall and winter (Blundstones or Redwings) and shoes in the summer. I started wearing Sabahs last summer and love them to death. I also love vintage leather men’s dress shoes. I have too many. And cowboy and campus style boots. I have too many! Want some?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With roots in the American deep south and the Midwest grounding his sense of place, Jim Naremore has published an array of short fiction and the award-winning novel The Arts of Legerdemain as Taught by Ghosts (Belle Lutte, 2016). He holds an MFA from the Solstice program at Lasell University in Boston and currently lives with his partner and cat in New York’s Hudson River Valley.

You can follow the author at:

Instagram: @jim_naremore
https://www.instagram.com/jim_naremore/

Website: https://www.jim-naremore.com/

BOOK TOUR DATES

All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Jim Naremore.
Many thanks to Jim Naremore for the review copy of American Still Life and for inviting me onto his book tour.

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Boots, Shoes & Fashion

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