Felix Unbound

Felix Unbound is a novel by Cathy Gunn.

Tiffany has a reputation for being tough, independent and spirited. She loses her temper with Anthony her boyfriend. Unfortunately she inadvertently topples a set of Egyptian figurines which had been part of an inheritance. 

Now ancient forces are released and and they decide to wreak their mischievous revenge on her. How do they do this? They grant her wish that men were more like her loveable tabby cat, Felix.

Of course, it's all fun and games at first, as Tiffany and Felix joyfully launch Felix into her social circle. However, over time it becomes clear that Felix, loveable, charismatic Felix, is very capable of causing trouble.

Felix quickly obtains a reputation as a highly talented artist and as this happens Tiffany realises that her relationships are starting to change. Sometimes not for the better.

Tiffany realises that what has gotten into Felix is not actually new, and has appeared before in the history of her very interesting family.

But what role are Ozzy and Iris taking in the life of Felix and Tiffany? What are their motives? Can Tiffany rescue Felix from their grasp? Should she? 

A new love interest seems to be on the horizon for Tiffany, as Felix seems to be deteriorating. What should she do? What will Felix do? Can his predatory, feline nature win through?

It's a unique novel and one which will make a superb Christmas gift for the lover of mysterious novels.

It's published by New Generation Publishing in hardback at £15.99. It's available through bookshops and online including Amazon. 

Interestingly this is Cathy's first novel, her previous published books being non-fictional. 

  

On Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service

On Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service is a memoir by British diplomat Sir Michael Burton.

As a teenager Michael's father pointed out that, because of his facility with languages, he should consider a career in the diplomatic corp.

And that was what happened. He was educated at Bedford School and Oxford's Magdalen College. After National Service as a young subaltern seeing service in the Malaysian jungles during the communist insurrection there.

He then attended what was known as the Foreign Office's 'Spy School' which was based in Shemlan, Lebanon, where he was taught the Arabic language.

His subsequent diplomatic career covered a wide range of very important postings not only in the Middle East but also throughout Europe.

This included serving in Berlin as the Minister and Head of the British Mission during the very crucial period that covered the collapse of the Berlin Wall and of the German Democratic Republic itself.

After that he was appointed as the British Ambassador to Prague in the Czech Republic. 

After his retirement Sir Michael and his wife, Lady Henrietta have lived in both London and Sussex.

The book has received high praise from fellow diplomats and historians and it is illustrated with some very impressive photographs.

It is a very compelling account of the professional life of someone who was actually at the heart of the action. Including asides of what happens when tiredness overcomes one and mistakes are made converting Pounds to Lira (oops! gold topped taps?) and the issues raised during the reunification of Germany.

It's a stunningly good read and will make an ideal Christmas present for lovers of modern history and memoirs.

It is published by iB2 Media at £14.95. 

Rock N Roll Nanny

Rock N Roll Nanny is an autobiographic book by Sally Arnold. It tells the story of how, in 1972, Sally Arnold took a job as a children's nanny in Paris in 1971. It was a job that was to totally change her life for good.

Why? Because the child she was looking after was Jade Jagger, the daughter of rock star Mick Jagger. 

Soon she finds herself working for the big legends of the rock music industry but not as a nanny. She became the music businesses first woman tour manager.

Readers will learn what it's like to prepare and cook Christmas dinner for Mick Jagger, what it's really like to go clubbing at the famous Tramp nightclub with The Who's drummer Keith Moon. And exactly how can you cope with the wives and girl friends of the entourage of the rock bands?

Eventually Sally finds herself with yet another career change. Organising massive charity events and having to manage and deal with mega stars such as comedians Billy Connolly and Rowan Atkinson.

Sally also worked with the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Diana, foreign dignitaries like Mikhail Gorbachev and even members of the world of poetry the Queen's Poet Laurate, Ted Hughes.

There were potentially difficult incidents with the somewhat salty language of Peter Cook and Mel Smith (what would her father think?) the problems of dealing with the contents of portable toilets, something which nobody really thinks about.

Other matters included arranging Vitamin B12 injections for the boys, her Harley Davidson, the problems of travelling round the world, working with the BBC and the Old Grey Whistle Test and how she coped with her own health issues including requiring chemo therapy. And how people who she should have been able to rely on turned their backs on her when she needed their support the most.

The book is wonderfully illustrated with a wide range of photographs from Sally's collection.

It is published by SilverWood Books www.silverwoodbooks.co.uk at £13.99 and it will make an excellent Christmas present for lovers of memoirs and of those who want to know the inside story of the rock n roll industry from someone who was at the heart of it. 

https://rocknrollnanny.co.uk

Chocolate Bombe Dessert from Cocoba

Cocoba has joined forces with Sophia from Baked by Bon to create an easy but delicious dessert that you can whip up in minutes, which will make an ideal Christmas dessert.

This very delicious and yummy dessert can be made using any of their Hot Chocolate Bombes and they highly recommend serving it with a scoop of ice cream for a truly decadent dessert.

Carefully make a small hole in the bottom of one of the bombes and fill it with other treats like small brownie chunks, honeycomb, or shortbread, before turning it upside down so the hole is on the bottom.

Ingredients (for 1):

- One hot chocolate bombe

- 50g milk chocolate

- 20ml double cream

- Fillings for the bombe (optional)

Method:

1. Melt together the milk chocolate and double cream in the microwave or in a pan on the hob until smooth

2. If you are adding a filling, gently make a small hole in the bottom of one of the bombes and place your fillings inside

3. Plate up the hot chocolate bombe and decorate the plate if you wish

4. Pour over the hot chocolate sauce and watch the bombe melt away to reveal the treats inside!

To learn more please visit https://www.cocobachocolate.com.

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Chimney Fire's delicious Espresso Martini

You'll already be aware that Chimney Fire's Coffee have launched their 12 Days of Discovery Advent Calendar is a specially curated collection of coffees from their 2022 Discovery Coffee range. 

You might not be aware that Chimney Fire Coffee has introduced an absolutely delicious coffee Espresso Martini that will make an absolutely delicious addition to your Christmas drinks cabinet.

It is best served chilled, with or without ice. 

I rather like the idea of serving it with fresh, chilled cream! Maybe garnish it with cinnamon and other traditional Christmassy spices? Yum!

Chimney Fire's Espresso Martini is carefully blended with Wry English vodka.

You can order it here https://silentpooldistillers.com/wry-vodka-x-chimney-fire-coffee-espresso-martini.

A 50cc bottle costs £24 and the abv is 20%.

Whilst you are there, why not check out the other Silent Pool Distillers excellent products, all of which look to be great additions to your Christmas drink's cabinet!

Gift them the art of repair with Sugru

Fixing is the unsung hero of creativity!

There aren’t many people who haven’t shed a tear or two watching the BBC’s Repair Shop. Restoring the things we love can be joyous, fun and incredibly rewarding, too. 

So why not gift the art of repair this year? Choose from three gorgeous kits that are available at Sugru.com and give them to your nearest and dearest.

Kintsugi Repair Kit in Gold or Silver (£23.99)

Perfectly imperfect and truly unique! That’s the mantra of Kintsugi, the ancient Japanese art of repairing ceramics with visible gold or silver seams. No need to feel sad about a smashed plant pot or cracked tea cup, instead of throwing your broken items away, simply add a touch of magic! You’re able to fix up to 10 items with this amazing kit.

Multicolour Wool Clothing Repair Kit by Woolfiller (£19)

If you’re keen on easy repairs for your threads, look no further than Woolfiller. It's absolutely brilliant for fixing little holes in woollen jumpers (sweaters!), cardigans, jackets, hats, scarves, blankets, carpets, sofas, even car roof linings, in fact, any woollen textiles. 

And just check out how satisfying the felting needle process is here A new solution for an age-old problem, wool-filling is quick, simple and incredibly sustainable. 

Fix & Create Kit by Sugru (£10.99)

The Fix & Create Kit is designed with the repair revolutionary in mind. The friend who is keen to waste less, whilst crafting more. Projects cover everything from repurposing old jars and jewellery, to repairing and adding texture to simple plant pots. Upcycling and improving the things you love!

Best known for its award winning multi-purpose mouldable glue, Sugru has now filled its online shop with equally innovative products designed to inspire people to reimagine their home, garden, clothes and planet in a way that empowers their everyday creativity to beat the throwaway culture. 

Sugru invites you to unlock your imagination and find new ways to  repair, improve, organise, decorate and protect the things you love. Find an ever-growing selection of clever tools, kits, ideas and guides to get you started at Sugru.com  and let the fun begin!

We at That's Christmas are convinced that these presents from Sugru will be talked about with great pleasure for years to come!