Latest posts Seed and Bean: A Fairtrade Fortnight Brand Spotlight3 March 2021Food & DrinkIntroduction: Seed and Bean a Fairtrade Brand Spotlight At rosegold reports I like supporting companies whose products offer value, quality and sustainability. I care about ethical consumerism, so I try to choose products which are kind to people and the environment. To do this, I look for things like: fairtrade ingredients, good company ethics (e.g. b corp) and recyclable packaging. For Fairtrade Fortnight, I’m showcasing Seed & Bean, a chocolate producer based in the UK. Seed and Bean (founded 2005) make over 20 varieties of chocolate, I review four of them here. Their batch size is just 45 litres, this makes them artisans (industrial chocolatiers produce 20,000 – 50,000 litres). Seed and Bean: Award Winning Ethics Seed and Bean has received awards as one of the most ethical chocolate producers in Britain. They’re the only chocolate brand to receive a perfect 100 ECI (top marks across all ethical categories) in The Good Shopper Guide 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. In 2020 Seed and Bean receive 92, purely due to leaving the Vegan Association, but they still produce vegan dark chocolate. Seed and Bean: Organic and Fairtrade Every ingredient in Seed and Bean chocolate is organic, which is great news because organic food is better for you. Organic food has more nutrients and fewer chemicals (e.g. pesticides). More nutrients means the cocoa contains higher levels of antioxidants which are good for health. It’s also kinder to the environment, for example rain doesn’t leach pesticides from the soil into rivers, causing pollution. Organic farms are also kinder to animals including the livestock they breed and the wild insects living there. The cocoa used in 16 of Seed and Bean’s chocolate bars is fairtrade. Fairtrade is a certification proving that producers in the developing world receive “better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade.” In real terms this means that the farmers receive market rate or above for their beans. They also receive proper proper working conditions and can participate in local projects (funded by the fairtrade foundation). For instance access to healthcare and education. Seed and Bean: 100% compostable packaging Seed and Bean chocolate bars come sealed in a paper outer wrapper and a foil inner wrapper. The outer paper layer is recyclable. The inner foil is made from Natureflex™ . This is a special flexible cellulose film made from eucalyptus wood pulp! This means the inner foil can go straight in your home compost bin.... Is Seed and Bean Chocolate Good?26 February 2021Food & DrinkKey Summary Hello! The first week of Fairtrade Fortnight is well underway and today I’m featuring a review for Seed and Bean chocolate. I’m gifted four different flavoured bars from Seed and Bean in exchange for an honest review. I’ve not tried these before, but am eager to because the flavours sound delicious! The chocolate is fairtrade and organic, and the wrapping is 100% recyclable; which fits perfectly with the brand ethos at rosegold reports. I’ll tell you a bit about the different flavours, where to buy and a bit about the brand. I’ll share more about Seed and Bean themselves in a company spotlight. Seed and Bean chocolate comes in over 20 flavour combinations from classic to wild! As well as bars, there are also truffles. You can buy single bars, sets or even subscribe to get bars sent to you every month (I mention the subscription service here). They’re available in selected Sainsbury’s stores (and online), on Amazon and directly from Seed and Bean. And I have an amazing discount code to share with you – scroll down for the details! View this post on Instagram A post shared by rosegold reports (@rosegoldreports) My Thoughts on Seed and Bean Chocolate I received four dark chocolate, vegan bars, in the following flavours: Extra Dark, Mandarin and Ginger, Lavender, and Orange and Thyme. Extra Dark This dark chocolate contains 72% cocoa and is made from Trinitarian cocoa from the Dominican Republic. The mouth feel is smooth and velvety, with a rich flavour. I can imagine this being a bar I always have on the go; whether a piece or two with my mid-morning coffee or for dessert – either on it’s own or in a recipe. As you can see from the picture, it went down well with some espressos. Orange and Thyme This is one of the more ‘wild’ combinations and I’m excited to try it! It’s 58% cocoa and again made with Dominican Trinitarian cocoa. It’s a delicious orange chocolate, both aromatic and well flavoured. The delicate balance with thyme really elevates this compared with more ‘ordinary’ orange chocolate. I love it! As it slowly dissolves in my mouth I’m imagining all the different recipes I could use it in. The first one I try is from Seed and Bean’s own (extensive!) recipe page, for orange and thyme hot chocolate. It’s the most decadent, perfect balance of flavours and moreish hot chocolate I’ve ever had! You can find the recipe here. Lavender I’m very intrigued by this one as my experience of flowers in chocolate is limited only to Turkish delight and floral creams. This lavender bar is 72% cocoa and infused with French lavender oil. The flavour was subtle but strong enough to be detectable without being overpowering. It balances well with the dark chocolate; I don’t think it would work as well with a ‘milder’ milk chocolate. I like this one because it’s that little bit different and reminds me of childhood holidays to France. This is really nice on a breakfast bowl with porridge, fruit and nuts or seeds. Mandarin and Ginger Citrus and ginger is a combination which stands the test of time. This bar contains Italian mandarin oil, Sri Lankan ginger and 72% Dominican cocoa. It’s a lovely warm blend, very smooth (there are no ‘bits’) and with a gorgeous, velvet mouth feel. The mandarin flavour is subtle but tasty and the gentle fire of the ginger has a nice longevity. Another very moreish flavour which I can see keeping me company on chilly evenings. Keen to try this with red wine and see how it works! Overall Verdict I’ve tried four different flavours here and enjoyed all of them. So, in answer to this post’s question of whether Seed and Bean chocolate is good, it’s definitely yes from me! Actually it’s very good chocolate because of it’s rich, smooth and velvet mouth feel, well balanced flavours and wide range of varieties. It’s also kind to the environment and communities which produce it, as attested to be the Fairtrade certification. Once you’ve finished eating it, it’s also kind to the environment. This is due to the recyclable paper outer wrapper and home compostable inner foil. 20% Discount on Seed and Bean Chocolate Tempted to try Seed and Bean chocolates? I don’t blame you! I can’t wait to try the other flavours available. Do you think you’re more a fan of classic flavours or will you try the wild ones? Let me know in the comments below. Seed and Bean have kindly given me a 20% discount code which you can use on all of the full-priced items on their website. Just pop ROSEGOLDREPORTS into the box at checkout. The code is valid until the end of May so you have plenty of time to stock up on treats for Mother’s Day and Easter! Plus if you spend over £15 you get free delivery too. About Seed and Bean the Brand Seed & Bean was founded in June 2005 with the idea to create an ethical range of confectionery. The focus was on always using organic ingredients, small-scale suppliers and bravely developing wild with flavours. Seed and Bean is accredited as one of the most ethical chocolate producer in Britain. To find out more about Seed and Bean, check out my Fairtrade Fortnight Company Spotlight.... Calico Thunder Rides Again by T. A. Hernandez Spotlight20 February 2021BooksIntroduction Roll up, roll up! Welcome to my spotlight post on Calico Thunder Rides Again by T A Hernandez. I received this book to read and review as part of the BBNYA (Book Bloggers Novel of the Year Award) tours organised by the @The_WriteReads tours team. All opinions are my own, unbiased and honest. BBNYA is an annual competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors. If you are an author and wish to learn more about the 2021 BBNYA competition, you can visit the official website (https://www.bbnya.com/) or our Twitter account, @BBNYA_Official. If you would like to sign-up and enter your book, you can find the BBNYA 2021 AUTHOR SIGN UP FORM HERE. Please make sure to carefully read our terms and conditions before entering. If you are a book blogger or reviewer, you can apply to be part of BBNYA 2021 by filling out this form (also remember to read the terms and conditions before signing up)! BBNYA is brought to you in association with the Folio Society (If you love beautiful books you NEED to check out their website!) And the book blogger support group TheWriteReads. Calico Thunder Rides Again My Thoughts As this is a spotlight post, I am sharing my impression having read only the prologue and 1st chapter of this book. I read completely blind, with no idea of what it’s about or even what genre it is. It opens with a circus performance, presented from the POV of a man who is accompanied by a boy. The circus atmosphere really creates an impression! My own memories of the circus came flooding back as I read the description of the trapeze artists performing above a fire. But this is no ordinary circus! Two griffins and a dragon then come on stage. At this point I’m super excited for the magic! The man and boy go to introduce themselves to the circus owner and we learn that something nefarious and enchanted is afoot. I’m intrigued by the prologue and launch straight into chapter 1! I don’t want to give any more of the plot away but I’m enjoying it so far. I liked the pace of the story and it was easy to read, I’m curious about the characters and about the dragon Calico Thunder. There’s a glossary at the start which introduces the magical world. I promised to do a spotlight review based upon my first impressions of reading only to the end of Chapter 1. I’ve broken off reading to write this post but I can’t wait to get back to reading… so I will definitely finish this book and likely very quickly! Calico Thunder Rides Again came 7th in the Book Bloggers Novel of the Year Awards 2020. It is out now in ebook, paperback and hardback (affiliate links): Cover Blurb for Calico Thunder Rides Again Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Most Fantastic Show on Earth… Three years ago, the Ban changed everything, outlawing certain forms of magic and bringing about the rise of powerful crime syndicates. Now, speakeasies in every city sell illegal charms and jinxes, and bootleggers traffic restricted potion ingredients across the country. But even in this changing world, the magic of the circus still acts as a wondrous escape and provides entertainment for all. Jake Strickland owns one such circus, inherited after an accident ended his career as a rodeo dragon rider. He also inherited the circus’ financial troubles, but since the show became his, he’s slowly managed to turn it into a profitable business once more. Or at least, that’s what he thought. When a dangerous mobster comes to collect an old debt, Jake resorts to desperate measures to get the money before a strict deadline. With lives and livelihoods at stake, he battles the clock, his responsibilities to the circus, and a longstanding personal grudge that has festered for years. Can he pay back the mob before it’s too late? If you enjoy fantasy novels, why not check out my review for the brilliant Amari and the Night Brothers.... Review: The Burning Girls by C J Tudor9 February 2021BooksKey Summary Welcome to my review for The Burning Girls by C J Tudor. Many thanks indeed to Gaby Young and Penguin Michael Joseph for my blog tour space and copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I am keen to be on this tour because I loved C J Tudor’s The Taking of Annie Thorne which came out last summer. I am not disappointed! A fantastic spine chilling thriller; it’s darkly menacing and utterly compelling. The Burning Girls is out now in hardback and ebook. Review The Burning Girls by C J Tudor – My Thoughts I genuinely love everything about this book: the writing, characterisation, plot, atmosphere, dialogue and even the pop culture references. It’s a gripping read so I found it difficult to put down. Having read only two novels by this author, I’m going to read the other two: The Chalk Man, and The Other People. Plot The story opens with Rev Jack Brooks and daughter Flo moving to a parish in Chapel Croft, Sussex. It’s an intriguing location because it’s the site where 500 years ago, eight martyrs were burnt to death. Each year, the villagers burn straw dolls in their memory. That’s not Chapel Croft’s only haunting event though; because 30 years ago, two teenage girls disappeared without a trace. On arrival, Brooks also learns that the vacancy arose because two months ago, the previous vicar committed suicide. If that’s not the perfect construct for a chilling mystery, I don’t know what is! Rev Brooks wants the fresh start to go well for her and Flo, but it’s not as simple as just getting the villagers onside. Brooks receives sinister messages, whilst Flo has visions of burning girls which local superstition suggests is a bad omen. As the story progresses, Brooks tries to find out more about the missing girls and what happened to the last vicar, uncovering more mystery in the process. The plot has a good pace with a bit of variation in it which I find keeps my attention well engaged. There is also a magnificent twist at the end which I absolutely did not see coming. Setting and Characterisation The setting for the novel is a quiet Sussex village in summer. The heat is oppressive and the events seem somehow more malevolent than had they taken place during a cold, dark winter. The village is rural and isolated which also adds to the claustrophobic feel. I really liked the characters, especially protagonist Jack Brooks. The reverend is likeable, funny and down to earth. All of the characters are well developed and realistic, the slow reveal as we get to know them better, feels natural and works really well here. Do visit the other stops on this blog tour, listed below. Cover Blurb – The Burning Girls 500 years ago: eight martyrs were burnt to death 30 years ago: two teenagers vanished without trace Two months ago: the vicar committed suicide Welcome to Chapel Croft. For Rev Jack Brooks and teenage daughter Flo it’s supposed to be a fresh start. New job, new home. But, as Jack knows, the past isn’t easily forgotten. And in a close-knit community where the residents seem as proud as they are haunted by Chapel Croft’s history, Jack must tread carefully. Ancient superstitions as well as a mistrust of outsiders will be hard to overcome. Yet right away Jack has more frightening concerns. Why is Flo plagued by visions of burning girls? Who’s sending them sinister, threatening messages? And why did no one mention that the last vicar killed himself? Chapel Croft’s secrets lie deep and dark as the tomb. Jack wouldn’t touch them if not for Flo – anything to protect Flo. But the past is catching up with Chapel Croft – and with Jack. For old ghosts with scores to settle will never rest . . . And Finally If you’d like to have a go at making your own straw doll, the instructions I used are here. To learn more about the Sussex Martyrs check out this website. If you’ve enjoyed the review for The Burning Girls and it sounds like your sort of book, you might also like The Puppet Show, a police procedural thriller which also has a strong theme of fire.... Review: Our Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent8 February 2021BooksKey Summary Welcome to my review, Our Little Cruelties the latest novel from author Liz Nugent. My thanks to Penguin Ireland and Ellie Hudson for my copy and having me on the blog tour. This is a dark psychological suspense thriller about family and betrayal, filled with complex characters. It’s the story of three brothers, born in Dublin in the 1960s and the cruelties they inflict upon each other as they grow up. It’s out now in ebook and paperback. Review Our Little Cruelties – My Thoughts The book opens with a great hook: the funeral of one of the brothers. It’s intriguing because we don’t know which brother it is or how he died. The story has a non-linear time frame and comes from multiple perspectives. Nugent does this well, so that the reader is not left wondering whose perspective it is. I found the time jumps a little disconcerting at first because I couldn’t see the relevance of the seemingly random snippets. Over the course of the story though, the picture of the characters builds up. As each character shares their parts of the story, I find my feelings about them change. I didn’t actually like any of the characters because they are not nice people. They are complex however, which makes them realistic. I particularly enjoyed Nugent’s skill at developing this complexity and showing events from different points of view. The family’s dynamic is darkly dysfunctional and there were moments that I sympathised. The tension builds as the novel progresses and although the outcome to me is not surprising I find it shocking to read. If you are enjoying my Our Little Cruelties review, you may also enjoy the suspense thrillers The Puppet Show (a Police Procedural) and the darkly comic My Sister the Serial Killer. Do also check out the other blog tour stops, a selection is shown in the poster below. About Author Liz Nugent Before becoming a full-time writer, Liz Nugent worked in Irish film, theatre and television. Her three novels – Unravelling Oliver, Lying in Wait and Skin Deep have each been Number One bestsellers in Ireland and she has won four Irish Book Awards (two for Skin Deep). She lives in Dublin with her husband.... Valentines Gift Ideas 2021 subscriptions and hampers29 January 2021House & GardenIntro… Stuck for Valentines gift ideas in 2021? A well chosen gift is a great way to show those you love how much they mean to you. So whether you’re with your loved ones this year or you’re separated due to covid, they’ll know you care. There are tons of ideas for gifting on Valentines, Palentines, Galentines or just treating yourself. Here is a showcase of various gifts whether you prefer traditional or unusual. The focus here is on two types of gift: subscriptions and hampers. Valentines Gift Ideas: Subscriptions Why not give a gift which lasts longer than one night? The benefit of a subscription box is the recipient receives it at regular intervals which reminds them of the giver and is something to look forward to! Here is our range of top picks for Valentines Gift Ideas 2021. Huge variety Subscriptions now come for a whole host of items and in varying lengths from a month or two to a full year. Traditional options include magazines, beauty boxes, beer and chocolate. The range of options doesn’t stop there, though! The best thing about the range of subscriptions is you can indulge anyone’s passion, whatever it may be. There’s a vast selection of items such as socks, seeds, snacks, smoothies, scents, spirits etc. That’s just a few of the options starting with the letter “S”! A great site for browsing product types and review is https://www.allsubscriptionboxes.co.uk/ Book Subscriptions As this blog heavily features books, I have to mention some of the amazing book subscriptions available too! Many also feature author exclusives or other bookish items. Bert’s books has a selection of 12 different choices whether you like crime, fiction, non-fiction, Orenda Publishing etc. The Capital Crime book club is an excellent choice for crime and thriller fans because you get 2 books per month from only £10. If you’d like to spend more time reading with your Valentine, then the Couple’s Book Club subscription is the one for you! There are also subscriptions for Young Adult reads, many come with book themed extras, and Book Box Club gives you the option of just the book, or book plus extras. For more inspiration check out this best of list. Valentines Gift Ideas: Hampers Like subscriptions, hampers come in a wide variety. The vast majority involve food and drink, or cosmetics. But there are more niche ones too. Of course, you can always put together your own hamper, including products and items you know the recipient will love. Here’s our selection for Valentines Gift Ideas 2021. Do-It-Yourself It’s easy to put together a bespoke hamper of hand-picked goodies. To start you’ll need a container, such as the traditional wicker hamper or something more imaginative like a bag or keepsake box. This is what you’ll put your curated selection of treats into, so have a think about how big it needs to be. It can be fun to pick gifts around a theme, or just go for a range of your recipient’s favourites. If you’re doing a theme you could pick their favourite film or book and go for a copy of that plus items featured the film/story or branded items. Penguin books have an amazing range of bookish items from mugs and umbrellas to tea towels and prints. EMP and Forbidden Planet have a great range of branded merchandise for film, tv and bands. This includes clothes, figures, homewares and more. Other options are a hamper based around a hobby whether it’s cycling or crotchet, or around a regular activity e.g. coffee drinking. As an example this could include a grinder or milk frother (I love the aerolatte ones), beans, biscuits or chocolates, and a mug or travel cup. Molton Brown have a great little article offering advice on creating your own bespoke hampers. Pre-Packaged For pre-packaged hampers, there is a large selection of food and drink hampers at hampers.com, John Lewis and Selfridges. These can be general or more specific, I personally love the champagne and glasses set from hampers.com because champagne always elevates a celebration like nothing else. Book hampers have grown in popularity in recent years. The idea is a bit of ‘me time’ so they typically contain a book and some snacks and/or pamper goodies. They tend to be geared more towards women. Don’t buy her flowers have a bookish care package where you can tailor the contents. Bookishly have a selection of book themed hampers. If you really want to push the boat out there are fabulous Classic and bespoke options at the Beautiful Book Company. There is also a plethora of toiletries and grooming hampers and gift sets. The Independent did a great round up of best male grooming gifts recently. Many high street stores carrying their own selections for men and women (e.g. Boots, M&S). If you want to go a bit more upmarket, try John Lewis, Regency Hampers, or Look Fantastic who have a big variety for both men and women. For a range of more unusual hampers try Not on the High Street. Their wonderful selection includes: crafting, flowers, massage, bee keeping, spa items, home fragrance, relaxation and sleep sets.... essie Saltwater Happy Review: Blue Monday Mani20 January 2021Beauty / MakeupKey Summary Welcome to my essie Saltwater Happy review. Saltwater Happy is a warm pastel blue coloured nail polish. It glides on smoothly and offers great chip resistance. Perfect for a Spring/Summer pastel effect or for cheering up January’s blue Monday! I use it with both a base and top coat so it can last almost a week without chipping. My Review of essie Saltwater Happy This is the first essie nail colour I’ve purchased. Swayed by great reviews I decided to try it out. I chose the lovely light blue shade Saltwater Happy because is so pretty and on offer. It’s only £3.23 for 13.5mls on Amazon and also comes as part of the Summer Kit (3x 5mls) along with a nude and a bright red. I went for a dotty pattern combining Essie’s saltwater happy with Boots 17 gel colour in Hurricane (now discontinued). There are ball bearings (small metal spheres) in essie polish: always a good sign of quality! I gently turn the bottle between my palms so that the ball bearings mix the polish evenly before use. To ensure my polish lasts longer I always use a base and top coat. I use 2 coats of Saltwater Happy (after a base coat) and it goes on so smoothly. That is, no lumps or streaks. I always wait a good time for each coat to dry before finishing with a topcoat. The colour remains true with no lightening or fading. I’ve used it a few times and usually get up to a week without chips. I’m very impressed with the ease of application, quality of finish, longevity and colour. I’ll definitely buy essie again! About essie Saltwater Happy essie Salt Water Happy nail polish is a sugar-sweet atlantic blue nail colour with a soft creamy finish. Soft and inviting, nothing says summer on the ocean like this light blue nail varnish that stretches on and on. essie nail polishes selling points are: Intense rich colour with high coverage Wide brush for quick, easy and smooth application High shine with a glossy finish High shine with a glossy finish Professional long-lasting, chip resistant formula Available in over 100 sheer, shimmer and crème shades About essie the Brand essie is the go-to nail brand for salon professionals, beauty junkies, industry insiders, celebrities and fashion icons around the world. America’s nail salon expert, essie aims to inspire a love for the manicure experience with a wit and style that touches people everywhere. essie remains center stage on runways around the world, offering highly anticipated colour collections that drive trends season after season. the salon-quality formula and catchy, whimsical names have led to the creation of thousands of shades. For more than 35 years, essie has been a colour authority and leader in nail luxury, committed to high quality standards with an award-winning line of nail polishes and nail care products. started in 1981 by our namesake Essie Weingarten, essie continues to delight the colour-obsessed with a love shared all over the world. If you enjoyed this review, check out my other beauty posts.... Review: The Invitation by Katie Webster19 January 2021BooksKey Summary The Invitation by Katie Webster is the first in a young adult fantasy trilogy. Published by The Conrad Press it’s available as an ebook and paperback. It’s the story of Lucy a school girl from Scotland as she finds herself a protagonist in a fantasy. My thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things tours for my spot on the blog tour and copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This is Katie Webster’s debut novel. My Thoughts on The Invitation by Katie Webster This story drew me in slowly, but once in the fantasy world I was intrigued to see how the plot progresses. Lucy is a shy and awkward teenager who is bullied at school and has a difficult home life. Her best friend is her dog Crumbs. There is some serious violence in the 2nd chapter which I wasn’t expecting and it jarred a bit. I don’t mind violence in books, but some readers may appreciate a domestic abuse trigger warning. Lucy finds herself an unlikely heroine upon arrival in the fantasy place of Archmond. Archmond is run by Soleman and his partner Ronald. Her arrival is a threat to the rule of Queen Abigail whose rule creates discord. It seems Lucy features in a prophecy as a bringer of peace. Lucy feels out of her depth and that she has no skills to draw upon, Ronald too is sceptical that she is capable of overthrowing Abigail. This type of ‘imposter syndrome’ is, I think, an aspect many readers will identify with. I enjoyed the fantasy construct and the variety of magical characters. The fantasy world was easy to follow and this would be a great introduction to the genre for any YA fans. The characters are well developed and believable. I particularly enjoyed the political machinations to which there seem to be many layers. There were enough plot twists to keep the reader engaged and the story fresh, original and unpredictable. Do visit the other stops on this blog tour, see poster below for dates and bloggers. If you’re a fan of YA fantasy you may also enjoy Amari and the Night Brothers which I reviewed recently. Cover Blurb for The Invitation On the island kingdom of Meta Emery, a young queen, Abigail, wakes in the middle of the night to a terrifying realisation; hostile wizards from the rival kingdom of Archmond have finally done what they’ve been threatening to do: bring a girl, Lucy, into this world to destroy the queen and all she has worked for. Hundreds of miles west, in Archmond itself, a great feast unfolds in the castle to celebrate Lucy’s arrival. Soleman, one of the wizards and a co-ruler of Archmond, has spread the news to his people that Lucy is the heroine an ancient prophecy predicted; he promises that the discord throughout their world will soon be over. But his fellow ruler Ronald remains dubious that this apparently meek and troubled girl could really overthrow Abigail, or whether she is ever likely to want to. This highly imaginative and original novel is the first in an exciting new fantasy series, ‘Lucy’s Crypt’. About the Author Katie Webster Katie Webster is an Australian lawyer, born in Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest. She has worked in both criminal and international law. She has published academically, but this is her debut novel.... AMARI and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston Review11 January 2021BooksKey Summary Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston. Huge thanks to Dave of The Write Reads for my place on tour and to publisher Egmont Books for my proof in exchange for an honest review. My sincere apologies also that this post is so late (I won’t bore you with my personal horror story as 2020 was a nightmare for everyone). Amari and the Night Brothers is out in hardback on 21st of January. Amari and the Night Brothers is a fantastic middle grade fantasy. I don’t think I’ve ever read a middle grade fantasty as an adult (unless you count the very first Harry Potter) but there was so much positivity surrounding it, I thought I’d try it. And wow – it was exactly what I neeeded!!! This magical book is the perfect antidote to life in lockdown. It has everything you could possibly want; a great protagonist with personal challenges, a brilliantly created fantasy world, a clear mission and an engrossing battle between good and evil. It is so well written, I absolutely loved it! I hope there will be more Amari adventures and I’m not a bit surprised that Universal Pictures snapped up the film rights. My Thoughts on Amari and the Night Brothers Characters, Plot and Fantasy World This book drew me in straight away and the character of Amari is very likeable. It is great to read a story featuring a protagonist who adds diversity (Amari is African American and from a poor background). Amari’s brother Quinton has been missing for six months and there are no leads. Amari suspects it’s something to do with his top-secret job but no way to find out, so when she receives a strange invitation that changes. Amari goes to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and learns about a whole supernatural side to the world she never knew existed, a world which includes both her and her brother. Amari’s adventures at the Bureau and beyond are brilliantly compelling. The characters are well developed and interesting. I really liked the ‘supporting cast’ of magical creatures; from Yeti’s and the Abominable snowman, to fairies and leprechauns with loads in between. The fantasty world is fully formed and so creative. There are references familiar to me such as Atlantis, plus some that were completely original. There’s great blend of gripping plot developments, fascinating descriptions of the magical world, and a generous dash of humour. This quote from near the beginning of the book has me in stitches: “People tend to fear what they don’t understand. And fear can far too easily become hatred. Why, the Great Bug Conflict of ’69 comes to mind. The League of Sentient Insects had gone and invented ‘people repellent’ spray. You’d think that a reasonsable person would understand that turnabout is fair play, but you’d be surprised how quickly reason goes out of the window when the bugs start spraying back. A particularly rough year for the Bureau, that one.” Next time I see an insect I’ll be checking if it’s carrying a bug-sized can of people repellent. Who I’d recommend it to Amari and the Night Brothers is perfect for fans of magic, fantasy or middle grade books. If middle grade fantasy is not your usual literary fare, that’s even more reason that I recommend you try it! Seriously, my logic for this is flawless. I find Amari’s magical world is the perfect escapism because it draws me in so deeply. As a result, I completely forget I’m living in a post-apocalyptic pandemic lockdown. Sometimes you really need something refreshing and different! I’m pre-ordering copies for friends and am slightly jealous they’ll get to experience the Bureau and it’s magic for the first time. Cover Blurb for Amari and the Night Brothers Amari Peters knows three things. Her big brother Quinton has gone missing. No one will talk about it. His mysterious job holds the secret … So when Amari gets an invitation to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain this is her chance to find Quinton. But first she has to get her head around the new world of the Bureau, where mermaids, aliens and magicians are real, and her roommate is a weredragon. Amari must compete against kids who’ve known about the supernatural world their whole lives, and when each trainee is awarded a special supernatural talent, Amari is given an illegal talent – one that the Bureau views as dangerous. With an evil magician threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is the enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton … Cover artwork by Brittany Jackson B. B. Alston lives in Lexington, SC. Amari and the Night Brothers is his debut middle grade novel. When not writing, he can be found eating too many sweets and exploring country roads to see where they lead.... Best Christmas Gifts for Foodies!21 December 2020Food & Drink / House & GardenChristmas Gifts for Foodies Intro… Welcome to my inspiration for the best Christmas gifts for foodies! If you’re stuck for last minute gift ideas for the foodies in your life then I’ve got you covered. Here’s my list of the best gifts for those with a passion for food and drink, whether they like to create, consume or both! #1 The Aerolatte Frother I love this steam free frother for 3 main reasons: 1) you can do a lot with it, 2) it’s easy to use and clean, and 3) it’s great value. The aerolatte is a hand held, battery powered, steam-free milk frother. It works on any kind of milk, including but not limited to: cow, goat, soya, coconut, almond, oat, powdered, UHT, unicorn. So for those who cannot wfh without proper coffee, this will save your cappuccino and whipped cream topped hot chocolate! It takes less than 20 seconds to froth milk for a cappuccino. It also does soups, sauces, meringues, omlettes, desserts etc. So whether your giftee is a hot drink aficionado or a whizz in the kitchen this is the perfect gift for them! The frother is also really easy to clean; literally just rinse under running water, or whizz in soapy water if needed. It’s powered by 2 AA batteries. I’ve done a full review of the Aerolatte Frother (gifted). There is a variety of different finishes and designs, depending on your preference for plastic versus metal housing and colour options. There is even one designed especially for matcha latte. Additional Christmas Gifts for Foodies: Aerolatte Accessories Aerolatte also make items for brewing your coffee and for finishing it with cocoa/cinamon sprinkles like the Cappuccino Design Artist. This is a shaker and stencil holder in one, which comes with size different stencils. The stencils are stored in the bottom of the shaker and you just swap on top which design you’d like. It took me a couple of goes to get the hang of using this, which involves turning upside down and shaking off any excess, then holding close to the foam as you twist the base one click. There is a video on the aerolatte website showing how it’s done, which is hugely useful. I was making barista quality designs in no time! #2 Institut Paul Bocuse Gastronomique Books This book is the ‘creme de la creme’ of how to cook. I’ve had my copy for almost 4 years and it’s proved a indispensable! Ideal for both aspiring chefs and serious amateurs, it will teach you the key fundamentals as well as providing an extensive range of recipes. It’s the ultimate reference work with more than 700 pages and over 1,800 photographs. It provides step-by-step advice and guidance on preparing, cooking and serving a wide variety of high quality dishes. RRP is £65 but you can currently buy through Blackwell’s for only £46.99. #3 RSPB Tea Towel by Shruti Designs Tea towels are an essential in every kitchen so they are always gratefully received. With lockdown, foodies are spending more time at home and even non-chefs have been bitten by the sourdough baking bug. I’ve picked this sunny tea towel because it’s sure to brighten up any kitchen! It also helps to raise funds and awareness for the RSPB so is great if your recipient is also a nature lover. Made from 100% recycled cotton it’s very absorbent and measures a generous 65 x 45 cms. It’s available through amazon (see link below) with free delivery for everyone. #4 Healthy, Ethical and Free From Chocolate Yes, you read that right, there is such a thing as healthy chocolate! I’m a big fan of nono cocoa for 4 main reasons: delicious taste, free from allergens, healthy and ethical. They contain nutritious ingredients not usually found in chocolate and are vegan and free from the 14 most common allergens. Finally, nono cocoa is an ethical cooperative business, providing employment to the most vulnerable in society. The chocolates are so pretty and come in a wide variety of traditional and original flavours. There is a good selection of boxes available (from £14.50) as well as packets of buttons (from £2.95) and an awesome advent calendar. Check out https://nono-cocoa.com/collections... Categories Books Beauty Food & Drink Health House & Garden
