You are all invited to an Italian wedding feast. Dust off your gladrags and let Angela Petch tingle your taste buds with an extract from the final chapter of ‘Tuscan Roots’.
Extract
The railings on the steps to Il Casalone have been festooned with laurel branches, garlands of white roses and long strands of variegated ivy and Teresa and her friends from the village have been busy for days in the kitchen, banning Anna from the food preparations. The wedding meal and sharing of food is every bit as important a ritual as the nuptial mass. Tables are piled with a feast of colourful, appetising food, spread on freshly laundered Busatti linen. A warm, balmy October has followed a wet summer and so a separate round table is arranged outside on the terrace to hold a whole Parmesan cheese, cut into squares and served with sparkling Prosecco to each guest as they arrive. Teresa and her team have been busy with starters of roast peppers, courgettes and aubergines, pastries with asparagus and artichokes and melting soft cheeses, home-made cappelletti, small hat-shaped ravioli stuffed with chicken breast, lean beef, lemon zest and nutmeg – and tagliatelle, with Anna’s favourite fresh tomato and basil sauce.
And for the main course, Teresa carries in a platter of whole roast suckling pig served with tiny potatoes kept from the ‘orto’, roasted in olive oil and pungent rosemary, a salad of flowers: nasturtiums, borage and marigold petals with young dandelion leaves, wild sorrel and rocket picked by Teresa and her girlfriends from the meadows around the village. And all this is to be washed down with glasses of full-bodied local Sangiovese and Chianti Classico.
End***
The food prepared by the locals, in the Italian Apennines, transcends time and bridges the gap between the generations. I enjoyed ‘the stuffed zucchini flowers, little squares of crostini topped with spicy tomatoes, liver pate and a creamy relish made from dandelion flowers, roasted bay leaves topped with ovals of melted cheese.’ Food is prepared: to celebrate feasts, to welcome people into the home, to celebrate family occasions and to woo.
Read Tuscan Roots, and you will not want to leave the romantic beauty of ‘indigo blue mountains’, or the ruins of Il Mulino (The Mill). You will be impressed with the bravery of the Italian community during the war, and you will not want to leave the blossoming romance. I highly recommend this book! Please read my whole review.
If you like Italy, you will enjoy this novel. A story of two women living in two different times. In 1943,in occupied Italy, Ines Santini’s sheltered existence is turned upside down when she meets Norman, an escaped British POW. Years later, Anna Swillland, their daughter, starts to unravel romantic and historical accounts from assorted documents left to her after her mother’s death. She travels to the beautiful Tuscan Apennines, where the story unfolds. In researching her parents’ past, she will discover secrets about the war, her parents and herself, which will change her life forever.
Angela’s Love Affair with Italy
I live in the beautiful Italian Apennines for several months each year. Such an inspiring location.
My love affair with Italy was born at the age of seven when I moved with my family to Rome where we lived for six years. My father worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and he made sure we learned Italian and visited many places during that time.
Later on I studied Italian at the University of Kent at Canterbury and afterwards worked in Sicily, where I met my husband. His Italian mother and British father met in Urbino in 1944 and married after a war-time romance.
On our pilgrimage to Canterbury, we decided to stop in Wye in Kent, for provisions. When we collected our daily bread in Wye Bakery, I found myself lost in another age. Allow me some creative liberty in my tale…
The quaint Wye Bakery is accessed via an ancient corridor constructed three hundred years ago.
Walking through the corridor transported my imagination back in time. The Franklin, from The Canterbury Tales, invited us inside to taste the bread. Alas, we did not wish to dip the lovely bread into wine, particularly at such an early hour. We thanked the Franklin for his hospitality and bid him to return to Chaucer’s England. The ancient vision dissolved, as the aroma of fresh bread brought us back to the present day.
Inside, we were greeted by the baker Mrs Hickson, and her daughter. Mother and daughter are passionate about the health benefits of traditional slow baking. It is hoped that Mrs Hickson’s daughter will be able to apply her Nutrition Degree to the business.
The pastries were buttery, crumbly and utterly delicious. The bread had a wonderful robust structure and a delicate taste like sour dough. Is there anything more comforting than simple bread and butter? One could taste the attention to detail in every single crumb.
I heard Robert Browning say:
‘If thou tasteth a crust of bread, thou tasteth all the stars and all the heavens.’
I urge you to visit Wye Bakery. It is refreshing to listen to Mrs Hickson wax lyrical about a business that consumes sixteen hours of her day. Taste the delights of the labour of love that could be your daily bread.
Historical novelist, Imogen Matthews, shares her love of Dutch food and reveals her double life as a romance novelist.
Ah, good food…where do I start? A couple of years ago I went on a sourdough breadmaking course and have been making my own bread ever since. Last Christmas, I made sourdough bagels for breakfast -they vanished almost as soon as I took them out of the oven!
I lead a double life as an author…writing romance novels under my pen name, Alex Johnson, and Dutch historical fiction under my real name, Imogen Matthews. So here are the flavours of Holland, a place I visit at least once a year:
I am delighted to present a foodie extract from The Perfume Muse. Come along and join Oliver and Julie.
A romantic dinner in Grasse
Extract
Over dinner in his favourite bistro in Grasse, the gorgeous suave Olivier breaks the devastating news that he will be moving to New York. But just weeks ago, Julie gave up her life in Oxford to be with Olivier in Grasse…
‘When?’ she whispered?
‘No fixed date but my boss wants the project completed by the end of the year. I’ve told him I need three months, at least, working in Grasse. I think he’s accepted that.’ He drew his lips into a thin smile which broadened as soon as he saw the waiter approach with their poulet served in a piping hot casserole dish.
‘Voila!’ exclaimed the waiter proudly, setting the dish in the centre of the table and flapping his cloth against each plate before placing it in front of them. ‘We have the local chicken from my father, cooked in the oven for a long time with the onions. See how beautiful, soft and sweet, and the fresh tomatoes -you can only get the sweetness from these tomatoes which grow in my friend’s garden.’ He waved somewhere in the direction behind their heads before carrying on. ‘And look at these olives, black and juicy, they burst with flavor. Please, enjoy your meal.’
‘It looks wonderful. I’m sure we will,’ laughed Julie, who was enchanted by this performance. She was pleased to have the diversion, giving her time to gather her thoughts.
End of extract
As Alex Johnson I have written two novels: Run Away and The Perfume Muse. My career in the beauty and perfume industry, where I’ve worked for many years as a journalist, inspired my characters and I’ve used my experiences to give some insight into the fascinating world of perfumery.
The Perfume Muse is the sequel to Run Away: the first story is about the break-up of a family and how Julie, the protagonist, copes with life as a single mother and her wayward teenage daughter. Julie falls in love with gorgeous French perfumer, Olivier, but must decide whether he can offer the future she longs for.
At the start of The Perfume Muse Julie and Olivier move to Grasse, the French perfume capital, but Julie’s dreams are dashed when, almost straightaway, he accepts a job in New York. Their relationship is tested by long periods apart and Julie finds comfort in a budding friendship with the intriguing and sexy Jean-Jacques.
Both men, both acclaimed perfumers, vie for Julie’s affections through perfume: each create romantic, sensual perfumes inspired by and especially for her.
How can she possibly choose between them?
Julie’s resolve is further tested by the unexpected arrival of Olivier’s son, Michel.
What were the reasons for Michel turning up out of the blue?
Can the disappearance of the perfume formula Olivier invented for Julie be connected?
And to top it all, it looks like Michel is falling in love with Julie’s daughter, Lisa.
Julie must get to the bottom of this. She flies out to New York to confront Olivier about the son he’s never mentioned and to determine whether her future lies with him or with Jean-Jacques.
The romance novels are very different to Imogen’s recent bestseller: The Hidden Village – the forgotten story of Dutch World War Two History. Imogen’s romance novels are available for a great price so check out Run Away and Perfume Muse. I am incredibly impressed with Imogen’s versatility as a writer – she is a great storyteller.
Inspired by Gail Aldwin’s ‘Socks’, I have been investigating local sweet shops. If you are confused, then read the flash fiction and let Gail tempt you. It is my sweet joy to present Gail’s foodie flash fiction.
The paper bag is damp in my hand and I peek inside – most of the sherbet pips are stuck together like frogs’ spawn. I pull free a chunk and it fizzes on my tongue. Angela’s got rhubarb and custard, she counts the sweets, putting them in a line along her thigh.
‘That’s not fair.’ She talks with a sweet tucked inside her cheek, making her look like a gerbil. ‘Last time I bought two ounces, I got eight sweets, but I’ve only got six this time.’
‘Don’t forget the one in your mouth,’ I say.
‘Oh yes.’ She nods and returns the sweets to the bag, inspecting the yellow and red sides. ‘This one’s chipped. D’you want it?’
‘Let’s swap.’ I take the sweet from her and spill some loose pips into her palm.
‘Is that all I get?’ She downs the scattering in one go.
I’ve been walking home with Angela for a whole week now. She’s nice – she’s the friendliest person in my new school. She lives round the corner from me and she says I can call for her in the mornings, if I like. I wish I could sit next to her, but I’m stuck with Brian Redding. He takes more than his fair share of the desk and he rubs his leg against mine when he gets up from the chair.
‘Let’s have a look in the stream.’ Angela picks up her satchel and leads the way. I don’t have a bag so it’s easy for me to scramble over the rocks, but she has to make a path over the dried mud. Once we’re by the water, she dares me to walk under the bridge. I look at the sloping sides and water laps right up to the edge.
‘I can’t. I can’t get my sandals wet.’
‘You won’t get wet. There’s enough of a ledge to walk on.’ Angela points. ‘I’ve done it loads of times.’
‘You go first then.’
Angela clutches her satchel and takes side-by-side steps, her back against the concrete wall. I watch her until she beckons. I’m only a couple of paces in when there’s a splash. She’s dropped her satchel and it’s floating down the stream.
‘What are you going to do?’
‘Get it, of course.’ She steps into the ankle deep water, then trots along, chasing the bag. When she catches it, she swings the satchel onto the ground, splattering droplets into the air like a fountain. I find her sitting on the bank, her legs are soaked and she’s using a leaf to dry her satchel.
‘Aren’t you going to check inside?’
Angela undoes the buckles and finds her pencil-case, the new felt-pens are leaking. She takes off her socks and wrings them, then wiping her pens, she turns them into a tie-dye of colours.
‘Won’t your mum mind about your socks?’
‘I don’t think so,’ says Angela. ‘Not if I tell her Brian Redding pushed me into the stream.’
Jessie: What inspired this piece?
Gail: My family moved to Dorset from south London when my son was ten years old. This move had many advantages including extending the childhood experiences for Jonny. While his friends in the city thought a good day out involved visiting a theme park, my son was riding down the river on an airbed. Jonny’s adventures triggered memories from my own childhood involving outings to the brook.
Back in the day when sweets were sold from jars and measured in ounces, I regularly bought a bag full to eat by myself or share with friends. None of my childhood memories are complete without the tang of sherbet on my tongue.
Jessie: Please tell me a little about flash fiction form.
Gail: I chose to write Socks as flash fiction due to the concise nature of the form. For flash fiction to be effective, it must contains all the elements of a longer piece such as plot, narrative, characters, conflict, and resolution but these parts are distilled into a story that leaves the reader free to fill in the gaps. I hope I have achieved this in Socks. (Socks was first published by FlashFloodJournal)
Jessie: The sweetshop in your extract resonates with me. Do you still enjoy sweet treats from your childhood?
Gail: Hedgehog! I mean the ice cream not the cute creature. A Hedgehog is a Cornish ice cream coated in clotted cream then rolled in toasted hazelnuts. It is essential eating when visiting Chapel Porth, St Agnes, in Cornwall and brings back such memories.
Jessie: What is your latest novel about?
Gail: Paisley Shirt is fascinating collection of twenty-seven stories that reveal the extraordinary nature of people and places. Through a variety of characters and voices, these stories lay bare the human experience and what it is like to live in our world.
Jessie: What did the reviewers say?
Gail: I have had some lovely reviews.
A collection of great depth and variety, packed with emotional integrity. Gail Aldwin’s flash fictions are sensitive, surprising, unnerving, tender and crucial. Maria Donovan, author of Pumping Up Napoleon and The Chicken Soup Murder
In these arresting and sometimes disturbing short fictions, Gail Aldwin reveals hidden moments between husband and wife, lovers, mothers and sons and those on the edge of society. Relationships are fractured or violent, tender or tragic. Often set in city suburbs in different countries around the world, the vividly written pieces in this collection cover a breadth of life and linger long after reading. Jude Higgins, author of The Chemist’s House
Gail Aldwin is a prize-winning writer of short fiction and poetry. As Chair of the Dorset Writers’ Network, Gail works with the steering group to support writers by connecting creative communities. She is a visiting tutor at Arts University Bournemouth and author of Paisley Shirt a collection of flash fiction. This collection of flash fiction has been nominated for the Saboteur Awards.
I hope you will look up Gail’s collection of flash fiction. Has her featured flash fiction tempted you to buy some sweets? As a child, I used to love buying two ounces of sweets and still can’t walk past a sweet shop.
Fifteen miles from nowhere, we saw a faded sign for ‘Fish Shack’. We followed a road to the middle of the beach desert until we reached a decaying old boat that was almost as big as a whale. Yes, and the B52’s track was playing in my head…
Parking the car on the uneven tarmac, we hobbled over the pebbles to the shack. Luckily, I found a table overlooking abandoned boats and Dungeness Power Station. Optimistic that my husband had reserved a love shack to celebrate two decades of marriage, I congratulated him on this romantic setting. Alas, always thinking of his stomach, the Fish Shack was the destination.
Expecting greasy fish and chips, I was handed plaice and salad with a large cup of builder’s tea. The food was absolutely delicious! The plaice, caught only hours earlier, was cooked in olive oil on a hot plate. The fresh salad had an olive oil and lemon dressing. It was served in a small cardboard box, but they will probably steal this idea on the Great British Menu. And builder’s tea could be the new Pinot Noir. I must confess that I declined the bread roll, but understood that it was a nod to the fishermen who eat this food.
Seizing the moment, we decided to go for a walk on the beach. We were told it was fine to walk on the beach if we didn’t touch the ‘fishing tackle’!! Forget visiting a maritime museum, there were artefacts on the beach such as rusty anchors and abandoned nets. These savvy people are obviously protecting the objects d’art to prevent art galleries and Michelin starred restaurants from displaying them in their gaffs. The food and the setting were perfect: The Fish Shack is indeed a funky little shack. Get yourselves off to the food getaway!
Who knows? Maybe this place will become either the Dungeness Modern Art Gallery or even the Derek Jarman Modern. An art gallery and restaurant without walls could be the new concept of the 21st century. Visit now as in the future you may need a credit card without a limit.
Funky Fact
Derek Jarman, the artist and filmmaker, lived in Prospect Cottage, Dungeness.
Imagine walking into a bookshop and buying the entire shop. Three years ago, Mel Griffin bought a bookshop. It was an honour to meet the woman who is living my dream. Step inside Griffin Books, located in Penarth, and turn the pages of Mel’s bookshop story. Meet Elin who is the social media guru for the business.
Jessie: Owning a bookshop has been my dream since I was a little girl. Tell me about your story. Why did you decide to buy a bookshop?
Mel: As a teenager, I had a Saturday job in a bookshop and dreamed of owning one. Having worked in a global IT company for thirty years, I decided it was time for a new challenge.  I visited this bookshop regularly and it rekindled my ambition to own a bookshop. The owners talked of retirement, so I asked if they wanted to sell. An impromptu question changed my life. Following a two year hand over period, I received the keys in 2014.
Jessie: It must have been exciting to receive the keys to your new life. Wow! This sounds like the narrative for a feel-good story.Â
Mel: I suppose it does but it is also hard work. It was great fun to rename the bookshop then build a new identity. My daughter helped me to choose the name. Initially, we were considering ‘Books, Books, Books’. In the end we decided to use our surname – Griffin – which then enabled us to create a great logo based on the mythical creature.
Jessie:Â How has the bookshop changed?
Mel:  I’m trying to emphasise contemporary literary fiction as well as more popular fiction and the classics. The stock is split equally between: fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature. I aim to stock unique books: different to the supermarkets. I’m delighted when my customers compliment me on my choices. Customers, friends of Griffin Books, are encouraged to write the reviews we display around the shop.  I select books to suit my regular customers’ taste â it is their bookshop.  For example, I bought the first in Julia Chapman’s Dales Detective Series with a customer in mind – the customer then wrote a very positive review which built up a bit of a following for Julia locally, eventually resulting in an invitation to the author. We hosted a lovely afternoon tea with Julia where she talked about the series and her future writing plans.
Jessie:Â Is it the customer focus that gives your bookshop its unique identity?
Elin: We have a regular customer base and it’s a friendly, warm environment: the bookshop is the hub of Penarth. Customers know we can make recommendations. But, the bookshopâs ethos involves more than selling books. We reach out to the community in lots of different ways.
Mel:Â Yes, this is a bookshop for the local community. The monthly book club is so popular we have set up a second group. Story time for the under-fives is great fun.
We also like to tackle issues to support the wellbeing in our community. Recently, we organised an event to help people reconnect with those suffering from dementia. We invited two local, self-published authors who had written about dementia.  Elizabeth Webb-Hooper’s ‘Pennies from Heaven’ is about her personal experience of caring for a father with Dementia. Jane. M. Mullins’s ‘Finding the Light in Dementia’ is written from her viewpoint as a dementia nurse. Members of the local community supported the event and it was very successful.
To celebrate World Book Day, we visited the local schools and took the free books to the pupils. We are also happy to act as a base for ticket sales for local events.
Jessie: I’m impressed with the way you’ve developed a significant role in the community. I noted you narrowly missed Independent Bookshop of the Year 2018. Do you work with other independent bookshops?
The author events have also been building up over the years, because we have been working with Bookish, Crickhowell and Cover to Cover, Mumbles: we have formed the South Wales Independent Bookshop Consortium thus enabling us to attract higher profile authors. On Sunday, 3rd June, former Chancellor and PM Gordon Brown will be featuring in an event to talk about his memoirs: My Life, Our Times. Griffin Books is also organising the Penarth Literary Festival from 6th â 8th July. This will have an emphasis on writing from and about Wales, including local authors.
Jessie:Â What is the most popular genre?
Elin: Children’s books are the most popular genre. I featured A Year in the Wild, by Ruth Symons and Helen Aspornsiri, on Instagram. Children like the experience of choosing a book here, as we have such a vibrant selection. I have been coming here since I was a child. I completed my Work Experience here and now I am working here. I love it! It is exciting to watch the business develop.
Jessie:Â Elin, your enthusiasm is evident, and your job will inspire job envy amongst the bookish community. I love your tweets about the statements your customers have made â so funny. Â
Mel, do you have plans to buy more bookshops?
Mel: No, I want to keep my arms around this shop where I am living and feel part of the community. I’m dedicated to developing the shop as the hub of the town.
Reading Journeys
I was made to feel very welcome in Griffin Books. Walking into the shop is like stepping into a friend’s house. It was incredible to go behind the scenes and find out more about the life of a bookshop. I certainly don’t think there is much time for reading. However, I couldn’t resist finding out what inspired Mel and Erin’s reading journeys.
Mel, Elin and Rachel laughed about the impact of Enid Blyton Chalet School Series and Malory Towers Series. Apparently, they enjoyed the midnight feasts, skiing and adventures. Mel recalled reading Swallows and Amazons books at the age of six. She is currently reading Midwinter Break by Bernard Maclaverty.
I recommend you visit Griffin Books if you like to talk about books. Mel, Elin, Rachel, Dawn and Annie will be delighted to welcome you and offer you a complimentary cup of coffee while you browse. A bookshop very similar to Griffin Books was responsible for inspiring my own love affair with books. I wish I could cram this entire bookshop in my handbag, so I could escape there at a moment’s notice.
The quirky vintage appearance of this shop symbolises the essential old-fashioned focus on the customer. However, the website and social media pages display Mel and her team’s vision for a twenty first century bookshop that reaches out to the community.
I hope Griffin Books will celebrate Independent Bookshop of the Year 2019.
Determined to confuse my senses, Susan Willis has sent me her take on a foodie extract. The fruit is alive with colour but isn’t as delicious as it seems. Let Susan tempt you another cheeky extract from The Girl in the Dark. Find out if all is well and whether the kitchen is too hot.
Kim sliced large Jaffa oranges and bright, full Sicilian lemons while Alex made the images look like big cartwheels bursting with droplets of fresh juice. He’s such a clever guy, she thought.
She began to peel a kiwi fruit while Alex watched. He grinned at her. ‘I haven’t had this much fun for ages,’ he teased. ‘What do you think about this, Kim?’
Kim giggled. ‘Hmm, not a shade of lipstick I’ve ever used before, but, I suppose there’s always a first time for everything?’
Alex stared into at her mouth. ‘Maybe not, but you do have those big kissable lips!’
She felt her cheeks flush and touched her bottom lip. It feels as though I’m in some type of trance, she thought, and knew for certain that she was falling for this guy in a big way.
Kim shook herself. ‘Let’s see what this pineapple looks like when sliced?’
Alex danced a little jig from one of his big loafers to another. ‘God, I love it when a plan comes together.’
Kim laughed at the sight of his huge feet skipping lightly.
Alex placed three apples together, but Kim frowned knowing the image didn’t look original compared to the rest of the work.
Touching his arm, she suggested, ‘How about if we make long rows of the apples?’
He nodded as she placed the fruit. ‘Fab.’ he said. ‘But maybe the first one could be cut in half to show the white crispness inside, or, I could always take a bite out of one of them?’
‘What a marvellous team we are,’ Kim cried.
Alex agreed and came up close to her. He bent down to her ear. ‘Not just a pretty face, then,’ he whispered. ‘But more of a very clever lady, methinks.’
‘Oh, I think any stylist can come up with new ideas,’ she said gently shaking her head.
Alex smiled. ‘Aah, but you’re my food stylist and nobody else comes close.’
End of Extract
About the Novel
The Girl in the Dark is the latest Grip Lit novel from Susan Willis. A thrilling romantic suspense story that will keep you turning pages long into the night.
When Kim goes to old friend, Sidney’s, photography studio to start a new food styling contract she meets his new assistant, Alex. Kim is catapulted from her mournful existence into an explosive romantic relationship with Alex. Sidney, however, is wary. He thinks, there’s something not quite right about Alex, and urges caution.
Will Kim look back and wish she’d listened…
Susan Willis is a published author of three novels, and five novellas’. She lives in the North East of England surrounded by family and friends. Following publication of a love story about a chef and her boyfriend, she wrote more foodie-based love stories and wove them into her first novel, ‘Yes Chef, No Chef’.
Now Susan has ventured into romantic suspense with her latest novel, The Girl In The Dark.
Set in her home town of Durham City, this storyline is not a who done it thriller, but, a psychological page-turner which she loved writing. We can only hope the heroine hasn’t put her trust in the wrong man?
Best of luck to Susan with this novel.
The heat is certainly on with this great summer read set in a photography studio in Durham. Kim is styling fruit for the new photographer, Alex, but it’s not only the July sunshine that is making her sizzle with anticipation.
Food is the heart of a culture and its identity, so I have invited authors to share the plates of food offered in their delicious words. Beth Elliott has invited me to join her at her table, in Turkey. Travel with me to enjoy the vibrant colours and fresh flavours of Turkish food. A decadent Turkish feast awaits you in Beth’s travel article.
Friends,
This is the end of a travel article called Cherries and Plums, about a Turkish mountain village [yayla] in the Taurus, north of Adana. My husband was Turkish and his kind relatives invite me to stay with them each summer. Of course, they like the coolest places they can find, hence a cottage as high up in the mountains as they could go.
Best wishes,
Beth
Extract – Cherries and Plumbs
All the plum trees in everyone’s garden up in the yayla are bent nearly double under their load of purple-sheened fruit. It takes several days to pick all those we can reach. After making jam until we have used up all the sugar and run out of jars; after filling five kilo bags for each of a dozen friends and relatives in the city and after eating as many raw plums as we dare, the rest at the top of the tree are left for the birds.
In September in the main street of Tekir there is a slightly melancholy air. The summer crowds have gone. Now the weather is cooler down in Adana, the townsfolk don’t come up to their country cottages so much. A few elderly men in traditional baggy trousers shuffle along the street to their favourite café. There they will read the newspaper, talk with friends and watch the much reduced world go by.
The street is lined with mighty trees. They provide shelter from sun and rain. Little shops expand onto the pavement with displays of thick jumpers and woolly waistcoats, hardware, newspapers and strong shoes, in preparation for the snow of the coming winter. Alongside the general stores, are food shops. The large number of refrigerated stalls stocked with great tubs of thick, creamy yoghurt and pails of local white cheese reflect the importance of these items in the traditional Turkish diet.
Nearby, another shop also has a refrigerated display, this time of glorious plump green and black olives and turshu – mixed pickled vegetables. On the counter are oblong containers of honeycomb, oozing golden and sweet. The irresistible smell of fresh bread: loaves or the flat pide, wafts to our nostrils.
Everything is piled into the car. We set off slowly down the main street, across the bridge, turn sharply at the edge of town where the houses thin out and the fruit trees begin. The car twists and turns its way uphill. We go past the new mosque with its little pocket money shop underneath [useful for biscuits and matches].
Here the mountain sweeps out into a shelf where shepherds pasture their flocks in the hot summer months. The larch trees grow from this point up. Great cobbles are set in the track to stop wheels losing their grip in wet or snowy weather. The car creeps up in second gear and at last we reach the yayla, set so high above the valley but still far below the sheer grey wall of rock that makes a sharp outline against the sky. Somewhere over the ridge is the eagle’s eyrie.
For the evening meal we have hot yoghurt soup – called, appropriately, yayla soup. This is followed by salad, cheese and olives. Then we fall upon the fresh bread and honey. To finish, there is a huge bowl of plums.
Jessie: This is a wonderful article. I would like to know more about Turkish food.
Beth: I have some photographs to tempt you.
Here is the main market in Adana. Four types of beans, three sorts of peppers, all fresh that morning. Turks won’t eat produce unless it’s of that day.
Breakfast at my aunt’s home. Four sorts of white cheese plus one hard cheese, kaymak, olives, salad, dried apricots, walnuts, honey and grape syrup [pekmez]. The boiled eggs and the freshly squeezed orange juice were added soon afterwards…
Another breakfast, at my brother and sister-in-laws’ home. Again, white and hard cheeses, olives, eggs, some fruit compotes, honeycomb and rosehip puree. All washed down with many glasses of tea.
The town of Akcatekir on the valley floor. The holiday villages are up in those pinewoods, near the rock wall, where the goats scamper along all day and the eagles fly out occasionally from over the top.
Jessie: The tables presented speak volumes about the generosity of the Turkish culture. Tell me how your love of Turkish culture influenced your novel, Scandalous Lady.
Beth Elliott’s fiery, rebellious artist Olivia falls in love with the magical land of Turkey. When she encounters mysterious, ice-cold diplomat Selim, nothing goes to plan – for either of them. Is Olivia destined to live a life of solitude and regret? Or will her past stay buried long enough for her to have her happy ending?
From a young age, Beth made up adventure stories and persuaded her friends to act them out with her. Writing the novels came later, after a career as a Languages teacher in several countries. Her own Mr Darcy being Turkish, Beth adds a few exotic elements into some of her Regency Tales.
I hope you enjoyed a taste of Turkish culture. Please contact me at mailto:JessieCahalin@aol.co.uk if you would like to share your cultural experiences via food and words.
Please see all my extracts and excerpts at Book Extracts and my website and blog
The ritual of making tea always punctuates the flow of my day. I meander to the kitchen between words. Making the tea helps my thoughts to flood out. Builder’s tea is my preference, but a friend challenged me to try something more refined. Thus, we went to Bath in search of tea and Jane Austen.
Bath Market has a wonderful array of teas. The selections are stored in jars like a sweetshop, but woe betide you if you venture to pick up the jars. The assistant will guide you through the tea sniffing journey.
I noted the different textures of the tea leaves: some leaves are larger and crisp while others are smaller and smoother. It was all rather overwhelming to learn selecting tea can be an art form.
I was forced to make my selection on the scent rather than the taste. I pontificated for some time. It had to be Lapsang Souchong, because I liked the sound of the words. It is a black tea, and the aroma of the tea leaves is beautifully smoky. The assistant said, ‘It is packed full of antioxidants and supports well-being.’ The tea sounded like a medicine delivered by a therapist. Apparently, ‘ this tea strengthens the immune system, prevents cardiovascular diseases and fights inflammation.’ Moreover, the Lapsan Souchong can assist with a hangover. What more could one ask for?
My selection was carefully wrapped in a parcel, labelled and presented to me. I couldn’t wait to try the tea at home. Initially, the tea was smoky with a hint of disinfectant. However, as the tea reached room temperature, the taste was pleasantly smoky and quite soothing. As I drank the tea, I decided to write this blog post.
According to Lin Yutang, ‘There’s something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.’ And this seemed to work for me after the taste of the disinfectant had subsided.
I did meet with Jane Austen on another trip to Bath. On this occasion, I heard whispers as I strolled past the Royal Bath Crescent. A woman’s voice confided:
‘But indeed, I would rather have nothing but tea.’ Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Perhaps, the esteemed Miss Austen visited one of the grand houses to take tea with the lady of the house. However, I suspect tea making was also a glorious, thought-provoking ritual for Jane Austen.
Let me know what you think of speciality teas. Do you prefer a robust builder’s tea or a speciality tea? Is coffee the only fuel for your words?
During the last couple of months, I have been immersed in a virtual world of social media. Yesterday, my family insisted that I visited the real world of the Brecon Beacons.
Initially, I complained that it was another rainy day in Wales and it wasn’t worth braving a potential storm. I was happy to admire the colours of the garden from my writing room, but the writing wasn’t flowing. Finally, I put on my walking gear and went to the Brecon Beacons. The beep, beep, beep of my phone was left behind as we drove into the heart of the impressive mountain range.
Always one to admire the cloudless blue sky, I was surprised by depth of the grey sky. I had been adamant that I needed the blue sky for some ‘blue sky thinking’, but I was wrong. I needed the reality of a dramatic landscape to chase away the writer’s block.
We stood in the landscape as the colours were dissolved by silver, grey and bronze tones. We discussed how the scene was changing before us, and how the moving clouds were like the curtains opening and closing on the stage. This made me aware that the weather re-writes the landscape in the same way that a writer changes the shades of meaning in a story.
Rather than staring at the computer screen for inspiration, or peering into the same garden – why not immerse yourself in the real world?
As a Valentine’s Day gift, my husband planned a winter holiday to Cornwall. Severe weather warnings via every form of communication heralded the beginning of our adventure.
On the first day, we went to look at St Michael’s Mount, but it was closed. No worries, I wanted to visit the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, as I adore The Hepworth in Wakefield – well she was a Yorkshire lass. Alas, you guessed it, the museum was closed. Off next to Trengwainton Gardens but it was closed until Sunday. The bitter cold drove us back to the log cabin for the evening.
No one can close Land’s End, so we travelled to the famous landmark and planned to grab lunch there. Land’s End is accessed through an entrance you would find at a theme park – so it could be closed. We walked past the souvenir shops before we reached Land’s End. Glorious cliffs chiselled by the elements and reminiscent of Hepworth’s sculptures greeted us. Lunch in The First and Last Inn was not possible as it was closed. I wore two coats, two hats and a hood teamed with my waterproof trousers to keep out the arctic temperatures.
Amused by the name ‘Mousehole’, we called at the village for a very late lunch. Quaint stone houses welcomed us in the sheltered harbour. We ate cheese sandwiches in a friendly coffee shop tucked away at the end of the village. Apparently, Dylan Thomas described Mousehole as ‘the loveliest village in England. And, there was an ice cream parlour called Jessie’s, so we ordered vanilla ice cream.
Rejuvenated by our rest in Mousehole, we braved the cold to visit beaches. Golden white sand marked with endless footsteps greeted us at Sennen Cove. We rambled along the beach. Light showcased the beach in all its glory, and we stood in the amongst the silhouettes of people who had escaped from a Lowry painting. The next day we hiked around the coast in St Ives and marvelled at the magical beauty of the golden light. Sadly, our camera could not capture the texture of an artist’s brush.
Winter is the best time to view the beaches of Cornwall. Forget the art galleries and tourist traps and enjoy nature’s treasures. Step onto the beaches and walk inside a painting to enjoy nature’s pallet. Snow fell as we drove home. Thankfully, the Severn Bridge remained open until we got home. Visiting Cornwall in winter felt like having the world to ourselves – an idyllic romantic winter paradise. Shh, don’t tell anyone…
People who follow their dreams make my heart sing: people who find their dreams accidentally make my heart sing and dance.
On moving in to Parva Farm, Judith and Colin discovered vines on the neglected, bracken infested land. The vines planted in 1979 survived, so they decided to cultivate them, without any prior knowledge of viticulture. The first yield, in 1998, produced fifty six bottles, then in 2006 they went on to produce eleven thousand bottles. We have marvelled as an abandoned vineyard has been brought to life to produce award winning wines.
Colin and Judith grow a variety of grapes including: Bacchus, Seyval Blanc, Muller Thurgan, Pinot Noir and Regent. They adapted their farmhouse to include a shop and wine tasting room. Tours of the vineyard, with excellent views of the abbey, are available for the more adventurous. There is always a warm welcome! We have visited Parva Farm Vineyard for two decades because we like to hear about the latest developments in their narrative. Their achievements seem like a dream, but behind the scenes, I am sure there is a great many ups and downs. Judith and Colin’s story has attracted visits from Countryfile and the Hairy Bikers. This delightful, industrious couple battled on quietly to become the first vineyard in the area. The vineyard, on the hillside, can be seen for miles and is testimony to their determination.
Nowadays, Judith and Colin tend the vines and keep sheep on their land – they have exceeded their dreams. These accidental viticulturists have become experts at nurturing the vines, but they accept that some years one will have bad years: they cannot control the Welsh weather
Authors can take inspiration from vine growers. The story is nurtured, pruned and cultivated.
Sometimes the narrative flourishes like the healthy vine, but on other days there are too many off shoots to the narrative. On other occasions there is a drought of ideas. It is essential to keep working and chasing the dream, as there may be a dream waiting around the corner.
If one is struggling, then you could take a break and visit some people who can infect you with their enthusiasm. As a reward for your labour, you could reach for a bottle of the Regent wine. It tastes of cherry pie and vanilla and will warm your heart.
I confess, a visit to Tintern and the vineyards did contribute to the inspiration of my fictional Welsh village of Delfryn. In my novel You Can’t Go It Alone, Olivia and Marcus walk to a vineyard and taste some wine.
‘As Olivia and Marcus trekked along the river, they searched for a sight of the vineyard. Sunlight danced on the river and caressed the trees. Signs of moss and water damage clung to the row of houses on the opposite side of the road. The spring sun glowed on Olivia’s skin, as she stopped to glance towards the proud Delfryn Abbey. Olivia turned around to point out the vineyard on the hill. Neat rows of naked vines yearned for the heat of the summer sun. The steep hill leading up to the vineyard distracted from her favourite view of the village. Buoyed by the promise of wine tasting, Marcus rushed ahead while Olivia struggled to breathe. The gravel crunched as an old pickup truck climbed up the hill in front of them; a cloud of dust made Olivia cough until she almost fell over.’
The young Marcus, in my novel tastes the wine and his observations remind me of the Tintern wine.
‘The Seyval Blanc is citrusy, light and refreshing. I prefer the Pinot Noir and the flavours of red berries. Oh, and the hint of vanilla.’
Cheers, Judith and Colin and thank you for the inspiration!
I urge you to visit Parva Farm to sample Welsh wines, sparkling wines and cider – you won’t be disappointed.
On arrival at Restaurant James Sommerin, we ordered a good Pinot Noir. We noted that the ambiance was calm, staff attentive and the other guests were very well attired.
Feeling relaxed, in our jeans and T shirts, we discussed the merits of the food; each dish looked elegant like a work of art. Much to my husband’s dismay, I started to make notes about the food. The guests on the neighbouring table were intrigued by the notebook. Clearly, I wasn’t a restaurant critic as I was wearing jeans. We sipped more of the wine that was so beautifully flavoured with summer fruits that it could have been a soft drink.
The delicious food improved with each course. Buoyed by this tasting experience, I was determined to write an analysis of each dish. I scribbled furiously between each morsel and took photographs of the dishes. More delicious wine was poured into a glass that could happily home several goldfish.
Alas, I cannot read the scribbles in my notebook. Throughout the notebook, I had repeated the words ‘great textures’ and ‘explosion of flavour’ albeit in various styles of handwriting. ‘Desert’ was underlined enthusiastically. Did I go to the Sahara to eat pudding? Other words were incomplete and I hope that they didn’t run off onto the beautifully laundered table cloth. I circled ‘black pudding’ purée several times because I didn’t have my highlighter pen. I do remember that I was offended by the puréed texture but I am a northerner.
Undeterred by the black pudding, I did note down Picasso’s poetry on a plate. Obviously, Pinot Noir should come with a cliché warning on the label. Mysteriously, the notebook has splashes of wine and food inside of it but I will keep it as a tribute to the Picasso chef.
James Sommerin is a chef and an artist. The restaurant was like a theatre of food and next time I will dress up for the occasion. The food was so good that I can forgive the corruption of the black pudding texture. I will wish on a star for the restaurant!
‘Lay Me to Rest’ is the story of the newly-widowed, pregnant Annie’s attempt to overcome her depression, by renting a remote cottage in Anglesey. Her arrival, however, triggers violent, unexplained disturbances within the house and the “holiday” soon becomes the stuff of nightmares.
Why should I keep your book in my handbag?
You’ll want to keep the book to hand – there are several momentous events throughout, so you’ll probably want to keep turning pages!
Extract
Again, the same line, yet louder and more persistent. It seemed to reverberate round the walls. I was in no doubt now that the words had been uttered with venom; that someone – or something – meant me harm. My breath came in shallow, rapid gasps. I was filled with a feeling of unreserved dread.
As my eyes grew accustomed to the dimness, I could discern a silhouette, apparently seated at the foot of my bed. I opened my mouth to scream but the power of speech seemed to have deserted me. I could do no more than watch in sheer terror, as the mattress rose slightly and a nebulous figure drew to its full height, releasing a rush of icy air. I could not – dared not– conceive of what might ensue. I was petrified.
I stared helplessly at the apparition; through the gloom, its body resembled the shimmering negative of an old photograph; but the eyes receded deep into their sockets, as black and fathomless as a calm lake. My stomach lurched as the spectre brushed past me, only to vanish into the wall. I sat, rigid with fear, hardly daring to breathe. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest that it seemed to fill my whole head.
The tension shines through in this extract and involves the reader. Elizabeth’s debut novel is receiving very positive reviews. This is a gripping thriller; perfect for fans of Kerry Wilkinson, Sarah Wray and Stella Duffy.
The novel is currently on offer. Find out more about the book at:
Elizabeth will talk more about her book in an interview on Friday. This ghostly book is released on Friday, 29th September. Warning! You won’t be able to put this book down.
Please see my blog for more articles, book reviews, author interviews and adventures at jessiecahalin.com
Shirley Valentine made me giggle in my twenties, and now I am old enough to be Shirley. I still dream of sipping wine, seated at a table, with a sea view, in Greece. Imagine my delight when Ian Wilfred invited me to Greece to discuss his new novel. I joined him on his island of Holkamos. We drank wine and ate a marvellous picnic of feta cheese olives, tomatoes and stuffed vine leaves. Ian looked so relaxed as we chatted, soaked up the sun and enjoyed the sea view. He woreshorts polo shirt and flipflops, and his new novel, Secrets We Left In Greece, was stored in a black bag.
Jessie: Ian, it is great to finally meet you. You provided the very first photograph for my Handbag Gallery. You have written two books since then. Please tell me about your latest book Secrets we left in Greece.
Ian: It was a pleasure to make the connection via the Handbag Gallery. My photograph was on a local Norfolk beach, as I just love the sea. Norfolk is wonderful but holidays in Greece, with my husband and family, inspired the setting of the latest novel. It is a story of old secrets and new memories on the Greek island of Holkamos.
Miriam had something on her mind and it needed sorting. What she had planned wouldn’t go down well with her daughter Heather and Granddaughter Amy, but there was no going back; the tickets were booked she had to face the island again.
Jessie: It sounds like a fabulous escape. Why should your readers be tempted to buy this novel?
Ian: You only get one chance to live your life. Escape to my Greek island Holkamos with Miriam, Heather and Amy; support them on their journey of self- discovery. Pack your passport, settle down in the sunshine and listen in to their secrets. My characters learn life is not a rehearsal, and it’s time to move on. Sometimes, you need to escape to a paradise island in order to remove the rose-tinted glasses.
Jessie: What do the reviewers say? Were they intrigued to find out the secrets?.
Ian: Have a look at the reviews here in Netgallery.
‘Solid chick lit…it doesn’t take itself too seriously. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and say, ‘Oh no! Definitely a fun weekend read.’ Shirley Anne, Reviewer
‘Love fiction set in Greece. This was a light, enjoyable read.’ Anita T, Reviewer
‘Amusing, believable characters on a voyage of discovery.’
*** Ian retrieved the novel from his black bag. The vibrant front cover looked so inviting.
Ian: ‘Paul they were happy times- no one died, and I have lots of special memories of my holidays on Holkamos, I just don’t want to go back, I’ve moved on from that’.
‘What’s that, Amy? Why do you need to move on from something that brings back happy memories what happened?’
Jessie: How did you feel when you had finished the novel? Did you miss any of the characters?
Ian: Jessie, I loved writing it and I felt really good. Once I finished, I couldn’t wait to send it off to my editor, Nancy. I sort of missed the character Cleo. In all my other four books, my main characters have been over fifty, but Cleo was only twenty. I wanted to take her story further. You never know, I might revisit Cleo one day if she invited me back to the island.
Jessie: Who would you like to read your book and why? This could be another author, someone famous, a friend or a member of your family.
Ian: Just someone who chooses to read it. I don’t give my books to family or friends to read, but if they want to that’s lovely but very scary. I shout and promote them on Twitter but have never asked a blogger to read because that’s even scarier.
Jessie: Why should I keep your book in my handbag?
Ian: This book is an essential edition to a British handbag as it will give you sunshine on a grey day. Travelling to Holkamos will chase away those rainy-day blues, and you’ll be in the company of great friends. Each time you read this book, you’ll be tempted to open a bottle of Greek wine.
Jessie: What is the last sentence written in your writer’s notebook?
The last sentence in my notes for Secrets We Left In Greece is – take out the middle H from Holkhamos and call the island Holkamos as that sounds better. On Sunday, I wrote: ‘Olive Sarah or Billy ?’
Jessie: What is the biggest challenge for an author?
Ian: My biggest challenge is TIME. I write and work full-time. Family and friends are fed up with me saying I would love an eight day week. Have you got an extra day of the week in your handbag?
Jessie: Very funny! I probably have more than a day’s worth of junk in my handbag. What is the best advice that you have received as a writer?
Ian: This is easy. Write every day even if it’s only 200 words, as this keeps the story fresh in your head. Read and watch everything Milly Johnson has to say about writing. Milly Johnson’s Author Tips are the very best.
Ian Wilfred is 50+ but in his head he will always be 39. He lives on the Norfolk coast with his husband and west highland terrier. His perfect day would be to walk the dog on the beach, drink lots of coffee and write, but in real life after walking the dog, Ian goes off to work.
His debut novel ‘Putting Right The Past’ was published in 2013 and set on the island of Tenerife. ‘The Little Terrace of Friendships’ was published in March 2017, and Ian’s third book ‘A Secret Visitor to Saltmarsh Quay’ was published in November 2017.
You can follow Ian on Twitter at @ianwilfred39 (he will always be 39).
Chatting to Ian made the sunshine. If you fancy an escape then buy his latest book. Are you ready to find out some secrets? Promise you will leave the secrets in Holkamos.
Lizzie Lamb’s blue VW camper attracted admirers at Urquhart Castle in Scotland. The engine purred obediently as Lizzie expertly manoeuvred the vintage beauty into a parking space, overlooking Loch Ness.
Lizzie emerged from the van and invited me inside. She wore a very glamorous blue and white blouse and jeans.
While she prepared some tea in the compact kitchen, I opened a tin of Scottish shortbread. A copy of Lizzie’s novel, ‘Girl at the Castle’, invited me to peer inside. Lizzie’s books are always so beautifully designed and presented in a distinctive lilac colour.
Lizzie: Fate takes Henriette Bruar to a Scottish castle where the laird’s family are in mourning over a tragedy which happened many years before. Cue a phantom piper, a lost Jacobite treasure, and a cast of characters who – with Henri’s help, encourage the family to confront the past and move on. As part of the healing process, Henriette falls in love with the laird’s son, Keir, and they achieve the happy ending they both deserve.
Jessie: The plot and setting sound thrilling. I know you write in a very natural and witty style. Can you tempt us with a couple of words from ‘Girl in the Castle’?
Lizzie: ‘Giving a superstitious shiver, Henriette acknowledged there were subtle forces at work in this ancient castle. Forces which wanted her and Keir to be together, forever.’
Jessie: This is delicious! I know you have been longlisted for the Exeter Novel Prize. What did the reviewers say about The Girl in the Castle?
Lizzie opened up a folder on her laptop and read some reviews. I was sure I heard the distant sound of bagpipes, but Lizzie didn’t comment.
Lizzie: Ah, here they are. I’ll read three reviews.
‘I loved all the many elements in this novel: The location, history, slightly paranormal atmosphere, love lost and found, and a missing treasure. Not to forget gorgeous Keir MacKenzie, a hero to swoon over.’
‘This convincing romance beginning in conflict and distrust is set in stunning scenery which comes to life through Henri’s experiences and Keir’s enthusiasm for his birth right. A great read!’
‘Girl in the Castle is romantic, witty, interesting and you don’t want it to finish. I enjoyed all the characters – and the storyline. I laughed, gasped, and wished I were Henriette! I love the way Lizzie is knowledgeable about Scotland and shares this with the reader in a heartfelt way. A romantic novel with substance and wit – hurry up and write us the next one, please.’
Jessie: As expected the reviews wax lyrical about your writing. Having read one of your novels, I get the sense that you are very attached to the characters and this brings them to life so beautifully. Did you miss the characters of ‘Girl in the Castle’ when you had finished writing the novel?
Lizzie: When I finish a novel it’s always hard to say goodbye to the characters. Many of my readers feel the same and often ask for a sequel. However, although I miss the characters and the setting ,once I type THE END, that’s it for me. I leave the novel so that readers can imagine what would happen next . . . I think it has been hardest to say goodbye to Henri and Keir. And – mad writer alert – I still have conversations with them in my head and I know exactly what they’re doing now. I felt the same about Charlee and Rafa in Boot Camp Bride and Fliss and Ruairi in Tall, Dark and Kilted.
Lizzie opened a collection of photographs in a gallery. She left me to scroll through the images while she refilled the teapot. I was sure I heard the bagpipes again as I studied the photos.
Lizzie: We spend a month each year in Scotland. Castle Stalker on Loch Linnhe, near Oban is the inspiration behind Girl in the Castle.
Jessie: Of course, I have seen this iconic image on the front cover. I’d love to visit the castle and read all your novels. Who would you like to read your novels?
Lizzie: I would choose Jilly Cooper. I adored her earlier books: Emily, Prudence etc. and her bonk busters: Polo, Riders et al. I would like Jilly to read my books because that would be my way of saying: ‘thank you for inspiring me to become a writer, and for making it all seem possible’. If I’m allowed a second, more practical choice, I would thank Amazon for giving indie authors the means of getting their books ‘out there’ to a wide audience of readers.
Jessie: As an independent author, I notice your wealth of images and campaigns. Where do you get the photos from?
Lizzie: As a writer and blogger I am very aware of infringing copyright so I have subscribed to a couple of websites where I pay and download images: https://www.123rf.comhttps://www.dreamstime.comhttps://unsplash.com Other than that, I take my own photos with my iPhone wherever I go. A word of warning, don’t assume that images you see on Pinterest etc. are copyright free, always double check before uploading anything onto your sites. If in doubt, credit the artist/photographer.
Although, it was drizzling and grey outside, we decided to enjoy the Scottish weather. Meandering along the shores of Loch Ness, we both joked about meeting up with Monster.
Jessie: Tell me, why should I keep your novel in my handbag?
Lizzie: My book would be the ideal companion when you’re feeling at a low ebb because I write feel good books, set in wonderful locations, with humorous secondary characters and, most importantly, a hero to fall in love with. If you want a break from the usually run of the mill romances, try one of mine. Oh, and bring a large handbag, my paperbacks are 9”x5” and need lots of space.
Jessie: Don’t worry, I am always hunting for a new handbag. I think a tartan handbag is called for, after this trip. What is the last sentence written in your writer’s notebook?
Lizzie: Dialogue between the hero (Logan) and his grandfather written as bullet points (which is how I generally write dialogue in my first draft).
do you love the girl?
I guess I do, but . . .
then what are you waiting for. Go get her. As the poet said: faint heart never won fair lady.
While Lizzie read her dialogue, I noticed a mysterious shadow in the water, and the skirl of bagpipes sounded closer. I think a certain Nessie may have been listening to the story. Neither of us commented because we just knew… Lizzie removed a delicate whisky flask from her handbag and we celebrated with a wee dram. Slainte!
Jessie: What is the biggest challenge for an author?
Lizzie: Writing books has never been an issue, my head is teeming with ideas for future novels. The hard bit is getting my books to the notice of a wider public and finding new readers. I would love to get my books in supermarkets etc. but I know that won’t happen without my being a contracted author. If I was contracted to one of the ‘Big Five’ publishers I’d probably have to write books in genres I wouldn’t enjoy. So, its Catch-22 for me. I would like more time to write and spend less time on social media, but without social media I wouldn’t have achieved the sales I have.
Jessie: What is the best advice that you have received as a writer?
Lizzie: Stop endlessly polishing the first three chapters and a synopsis to send to agents and publishers. You might find that once the novel is completed you jettison the first few chapters in any case. Finish the whole novel, edit it and then polish it to send out to agents/publishers (if that’s the route you want to take). Failing that, publish it yourself – but remember, time, tide and the whims of publishers/agents wait for no man. By the time you write that great novel of yours, trends will have changed and your novel won’t be what agents/publishers are looking for.
Jessie: This interview has inspired me to plan a trip to Scotland, but my Scottish neighbour is always warning me about the midges.
Lizzie: The received wisdom is that you are ‘pretty safe’ in late May/ early June but the wee beasties are bad in July and August. Having said that, if May is very warm, the eggs hatch and they come early. We’ve never been bothered by them and I’ve received worse bites in our garden in the summer.
Jessie: That’s reassuring. Where’s the best place to begin a tour?
Lizzie: Edinburgh or Inverness make great centres to tour from if you’ve never been to Scotland before. Fewer midges on that coast, too. We love the west coast but it is much wetter (and more midges). Stirling is also a good centre as you can have some fantastic days out exploring the Trossachs. When you get a feel for those parts of Scotland you can head for the ‘wilder parts’ on another visit.
Lizzie showed me collection of photos. Ardvreck Castle, Assynt Geo Park Nth West Scotland, Achnasheen nr Kinlochewe, island in middle of Lake Maree, Argyll and Bute
Jessie: Thanks for the advice. I am going to stock up on your novels then plan another trip to Scotland.
About Lizzie
Lizzie: If you have a dream – go for it. Life is not a rehearsal After teaching my 1000th pupil and working as a deputy head teacher in a large primary school, I decided it was time to leave the chalk face and pursue my first love: writing. In 2006 I joined the Romantic Novelists? Association’s New Writers? Scheme, honed my craft and wrote Tall, Dark and Kilted (2012), quickly followed a year later by Boot Camp Bride (2013) and Scotch on the Rocks (2015) – finalist, The Exeter Novel Prize.
Lizzie is hardworking, creative and focused on writing the best book she can. She loves sharing her stories and ideas with readers, new and old. She gets a real buzz when readers tell her that when they turned the last page of her novel they feel bereft and she should hurry up and write another.
I first stumbled on Lizzie’s books when searching for another great reading escape. Thrilled at Lizzie’s ability to inspire comedy, I downloaded all of her novels. Her Scottish books motivated me to plan a holiday in Scotland. Lizzie is great fun and her love of writing shines through her novels.
Lizzie says: “when I’m not writing – I’m dreaming”
I had the pleasure of visiting Yorkshire Sculpture Park last week. Located in the grounds of an eighteenth-century mansion, the landscaped gardens work together with the sculptures to create an amazing creative harmony.
There is such a variety of sculptures and each one inspires questions. Indeed, it is amazing the way in which perfect strangers are happy to discuss the sculptures without worrying about their interpretations. Perhaps the visitors feel uninhibited as they are not confined by the walls of gallery that echoes with knowledge. Who knows?’
During the walk, we stumbled on many people from different countries. An Australian woman told me that she had been ‘startled’ by a wonderful sculpture of a woman’s head. We agreed that the spirit of the woman seems to beckon you. From a distance, the sculpture looks like a projected image – prompting: is she real or imaginary? As you approach, the sculpture is flat like the silhouette on a stamp.
There are steps carved into the earth, and I decided this was also a sculpture but others were sceptical. A plaque marked the spot as if to reassure me.
The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a wonderful place to visit. I wonder if you would be able to spot the sculptures that instigated our discussions?
I was intrigued when Mary Smith asked me if she could present an extract about Afghan food. Always keen to learn more about food and other cultures, I invited Mary to present an extract from No More Mulberries. The feast of food is a treat for the senses.
This extract from No More Mulberries comes at the start of the book. Scots-born Miriam, her Afghan husband Dr Iqbal and the two children are finishing their evening meal. Miriam and Iqbal are arguing because he has arbitrarily cancelled the English classes she teaches to some of the village boys.
Extract:
Iqbal’s eyes narrowed and his voice was cool. ‘The subject is closed.’
About to protest, Miriam became aware the two children were still sitting in the room. For once, Ruckshana had fallen silent, gazing round-eyed at her father. Farid’s head was bowed and she couldn’t see his expression, but knew his face would have the closed, tight look it assumed whenever there the possibility of an argument. She’d wait until the children were in bed before continuing this discussion. Hoping to dispel the tension in the room she rose to her feet, saying, ‘Come on, Farid, you clear the plates while I bring the toot.’
The children whooped as she placed a large basin heaped with a pyramid of mulberries – white, red, purple – on the cloth. Washed in icy cold well water the berries glistened like jewels in the light of the oil lamps. Everyone gathered round, busy fingers searching expertly for the choicest fruit. At last, Miriam sat back. ‘My favourite, favourite, fruit. I wish they were in season all year round. I’ll put some up to dry tomorrow. They’re not the same dried, though, with their chewy textures and …’ she groped for the word she wanted, shrugged, ‘dustiness. Right, you two,’ she continued, pointing at Ruckshana and Farid in turn, ‘hands and faced washed before you get a story.’
‘I’ll get them ready for bed and read to them,’ Iqbal said. ‘I don’t need to go out tonight.’ She gave him a fleeting smile in outward acceptance of what she understood was a peace offering, though inwardly she still seethed. It would take more than a bedtime story to make peace.
End of Extract
When I lived in Afghanistan I, like Miriam, loved mulberries and was always sorry when their short season ended, though by then it was time for apricots and peaches. It really made me understand the meaning of eating seasonally. Besides, with such a great variety of things to eat it was no hardship not to have apricots in December – fresh ones, that is, there were always dried ones, which were delicious soaked and poached and served with yoghurt for breakfast.
In No More Mulberries, Miriam worked in the remote, mountainous region of Hazara Jat, as I did. The daily fare is simple: rice with lentils, yoghurt and sometimes ash, which is handmade pasta. Afghanistan was on the Silk Route so benefited from fusion cuisine long before it was fashionable here. The pasta is served with quroot, a rock-hard sour cheese made from buttermilk which is re-hydrated into a sauce and nan, baked in the tandoor. The heat in the tandoor is fearsome. When the weather is cold children sit with their feet dangling inside to warm them – I was horrified to find my three-year-old doing it.
Shurwa is a meat-based soup (chicken or goat) into which we broke our bread – like I used to do with tomato soup when I was a kid – and once it was all nicely mushed, another piece of bread is used as a spoon.
Afghans love entertaining and at a dinner party, a minimum of seven dishes is served, including kabuli (sometimes seen as qabuli) rice cooked with lamb and topped with raisins, almonds and strips of carrot, vegetable dishes and firni a pudding made with milk and corn flour and heavily sweetened. I so admired how the women (often, it has to be said, helped by the men), working in the most primitive conditions, on a mud-constructed stove, smoke billowing around the kitchen produced these dishes, all cooked to perfection, all hot at the same time.
In the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif people came from all over Afghanistan, bringing their own regional and tribal specialities. Little leek-filled dumplings are delicious as is mantu, a dish of steamed dumplings filled with minced beef and onions, topped with a yogurt sauce. One of my favourite dishes – perhaps because it is easily reproduced at home – is banjan-sia borani. This is egg-plant (aubergine) slices fried and served with cooked tomatoes, topped with a sour cream and yoghurt garlicky sauce and dried mint.
And kebabs! I still remember the tantalizing aroma of those lamb kebabs being cooked on street grills. Afghan sheep have what’s known as dumba – a fat tail – and pieces of this fat are interspersed with chunks of lamb on the skewers to add flavour. The kebabs were served inside round nan breads, which soaked up the delicious juices. I found sheep testicle kebabs particularly tasty, possibly because I’d eaten them before I knew what the succulent softness was.
This is a tiny taster of the varied foods on offer in Afghanistan. And yes, the most memorable meal I had was in the home of a very poor family. He had leprosy and we’d gone to give him his supply of medicines. The rules of hospitality meant he had to feed us, even though he had next to nothing. He brought us spring onions, salt and thin nan. We wrapped a spring onion in the bread, dipped it in salt and it was as good as eating at a banquet.
Biography and links:
Mary Smith is a writer, freelance journalist and poet based in Dumfries & Galloway in south west Scotland.
She worked in Pakistan and Afghanistan for ten years, where she established a mother and child care programme providing skills and knowledge to women health volunteers. She has written a memoir, Drunk Chickens and Burnt Macaroni: Real Stories of Afghan Women, about her work in Afghanistan and the country also provides the setting for her novel No More Mulberries.
Mary’s poems have been widely published in poetry magazines and anthologies and her first full length poetry collection, Thousands Pass Here Every Day, was published by Indigo Dreams.
She has worked in collaboration with photographer Allan Devlin on two local history books: Dumfries Through Time and Castle Douglas Through Time. Secret Dumfries comes out in June 2018. Her next project is to turn her blog; My Dad’s a Goldfish, into a memoir about caring for her dad through his dementia.
Donkey Boy & Other Stories is her latest publication.
Mary’s latest book is a collection of short stories: Donkey Boy & Other Stories. Shot through with flashes of humour the stories here will entertain, amuse, and make you think. Mary Smith’s debut collection of short stories is a real treat, introducing the reader to a diverse range of characters in a wide range of locations. A donkey boy in Pakistan dreams of buying luxuries for his mother; a mouth artist in rural Scotland longs to leave the circus; a visually impaired man has a problem with his socks; and a woman tries to come to terms with a frightening gift – or curse.
Let’s eat read and be merry with Patricia Furstenberg as she presents ‘As Good As Gold’: an exciting book of poetry celebrating the simple things from a dog’s perspective. Patricia is a prolific writer of children’s fiction, and I wanted to find out more about the author. I have invited Patricia to talk about her culture and heritage through food.
Whenever I write a children’s book, part of me travels back in time to my native Romania and the magic of childhood. For the lucky ones, childhood means endless joy and discoveries, unconditional love and food – food indulgences, ahem
Romania is a magic land with rich traditions, its culture and history influenced by the significant nations surrounding it. Throughout the centuries Romania had to deal with the Turks, the Prussians, the Russian, while gladly accepting the French culture (Bucharest, the capital city, as nicknamed The Little Paris at the beginning of the 20th century). All this happened while still retaining a strong hold onto our Latin roots. Because the Romanian language is deeply rooted in Latin, therefore is very close to Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and French.
Here’s a look at my favourite childhood dishes.
Chicken Schnitzel with mashed potatoes – a proof of our Prussian influence. You have to visit places such as the medieval town of Sighisoara to understand what this dish is and where it comes from.
Pancakes, prepared in Romania like the French crêpes, are best enjoyed in one of the many coffee shops adorning Bucharest’s quaint streets of Lipscani area. Once you are full you have to pop in the amazing bookshop of Carturesti.
Plum dumplings (Gombots), a Hungarian influence from Arad and Sibiu, the towns of my countless childhood holidays.
I simply have to mention the Turkish coffee, the type of coffee I grew up with. It was a rite of passage being allowed to watch the coffee pot simmering on the stove. Drink this while chatting with a friend on the smooth, sandy beaches of the Black Sea.
Sometimes, when you want to return to a place dear to your heart and travelling is not an option, choose a culinary tradition, indulge your taste buds and revitalise those neural synapses formed long ago.
As engaging as a tail wag
Celebrating the simple things in life as seen through the eyes of our old time favourite furry friends, “As Good as Gold” is a volume of poetry revealing the talent and humour we always knew our dogs possessed.
Dogs are full of questions, yet they are famed sellers of innocence especially when it comes to explaining their mishaps and often foolish effervescence through ponderings such as “Why IS a Cat Not Like a Dog”, “As Brown as Chocolate”, “Silver Stars and Puppy Tail” or, best yet, “Dog or Book?”
A book with an enormous heart for readers of all ages, it includes 35 poems and haiku accompanied by expressive portraits of our canine friends.
About Patricia Furstenberg
Patricia Furstenberg came to writing through reading. She always carries a notebook and a pen, although at times she jots down her ideas on the back of till slips or types them on her phone.
Patricia enjoys writing for children because she can take abstract, grown-up concepts and package them in humorous, child-friendly ideas while adding sensitivity and lots of love. What fuels her is an exhilarating need to write and… coffee: “How many cups have had this morning?” “None.” “Plus?” “Five cups.”
Between her books you can find the beloved Joyful Trouble, The Cheetah and the Dog, Puppy, 12 Months of Rhymes and Smiles.
She is a Huffington Post contributor and pens the Sunday Column for MyPuppyclub.net as well as dabbing in freelancing. After completing her Medical Degree in Romania she moved to South Africa where she now lives with her husband, children and their dogs.
Book available at: Amazon UK OR https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BZ5WTLK Amazon US OR https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BZ5WTLK Amazon Canada OR https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07BZ5WTLK Goodreads OR https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39783075-as-good-as-gold
Nobody followed me to the No Sign Bar, Swansea – a regular haunt of Dylan Thomas. Seated next to the window, I searched inside of my handbag for Collected Stories by Dylan Thomas and found The Followers
A ping from my phone confirmed a signal, but I ignored the emails. I sat in the bar Thomas renamed the Wine Vaults. I read the opening lines of the story, but there was no sign of the beer I had just ordered. Without anything to quench my thirst, there was nothing I could do apart from read on. Between words, I felt compelled to search for two pairs of eyes outside of the window, but there was no sign of anyone.
Outside the window, ‘the rain spat and drizzled past the street lamps.’ No one wore ‘squeaking galoshes, with mackintosh collars up and bowlers and trilbies.’ Alas, the ‘rattle of bony trams’ was silenced long ago. Only the swish of car tyres, hum of engines and slamming of car doors filled the silence on the streets. Gazing at the decaying red window frames, I did not see ‘a young man with his arm around a girl’. Instead, I glimpsed a young couple hand in hand dashing across the road while there was a break in the traffic. Outside, there was a mass of coloured jackets and everyone wore jeans, leggings or trousers. No one looked inside the tatty building. They didn’t seem to care that Dylan Thomas had once frequented this watering hole.
Reading the short story, I pursued the followers, as they scurried through the alley. Inside No Sign Bar, I could smell the old musty wine cellar. No one was responsible for the spontaneous spark of colour in the open fire. The pitted floorboards had been battered by tired and drunken feet for centuries. Words echoed around cavernous room. Perhaps, these were the words that inspired Dylan Thomas’s story The Followers – his only ghost story. And I heard the rise and fall of the Welsh accent that probably escaped into the pages of Thomas’s mind, as he imagined the story. I read the final sentence, ‘And we went our separate ways.’ I departed.
Near to Paradise Alley, I heard a voice echo.’ Spare some change, madam?’ The homeless soul was clutching a synthetic, fleece blanket. His watery, bloodshot eyes regarded me as he rolled himself a cigarette. I spared him fifty pence, but this wouldn’t even buy him a beer. He caught the meagre offering with a grateful nod that punched my conscience.
I ran to the car park. The rain drizzled until diluted my memory of the bar. I heard the distance tapping of footsteps and turned around. Thankfully, there was no sign of anyone following me. Checking Twitter, I did note I had two more followers.
No Sign Bar and The Followers
No Sign Bar is believed to be Swansea’s oldest pub and dates to 1690. The wine cellars date back to the 15th century. The name ‘No Sign originates from legislation of licencing when public bars had to have a recognisable sign. This building was not public house and did not require a sign, hence was later given the name No Sign to announce its presence!
Dylan Thomas frequented No Sign Bar, as a young man. No Sign Bar is featured as the Wine Vaults in Dylan Thomas’s story.
Here are useful links if you wish to visit Swansea and find out more about the writer, poet and playwright.