Category: upcoming

books, fun stuff, upcoming

Independent Publishers – a celebration

ramblingmads

Starting this month I am going to be celebrating some of the incredible independent publishers and small presses out there, putting incredible books out into the world, and hopefully onto your bookshelves.

2020 has been a particularly terrible year for lots of reasons – I don’t think I need to name them, but for small businesses like these, it’s been a disaster. With no festivals, bookshops closed and no in person events, it’s had a dramatic effect on book sales for small presses.

So, as Christmas approaches, buy books, but not from that website named after a river in South America, instead buy direct from the publishers or order through your local independent bookshop – most of them are online.

And please do join in celebrating indie publishers with me, share the posts, sign up for their newsletters, and buy, buy, buy their books. Or you’ll be missing out!

blogging, lifestyle, upcoming, updates

Where Have I Been?

ramblingmads

Hello faithful readers,

You may have noticed it’s been a little quiet round here, due to some technical glitches and some life upheaval I haven’t been able to post all the lovely things I’ve been waiting to share with you, but they are coming soon, so don’t go anywhere.

Come say hi on Twitter or Instagram, even drop me an email at ramblingmadsblog@gmail.com

Check back on the blog soon as we’re making some behind the scenes changes you’ll hopefully love and there will be exciting new content very soon.

Christmas, lifestyle, reviews, upcoming

Christmas treats with Prestige Hampers*

ramblingmads

Growing up I always loved Christmas hampers, boxes of exotic treats that only came together at one time of the year. 

My dad used to buy them for his suppliers – not for us, but occasionally someone would send us one instead of buying individual presents or if we weren’t seeing them over the holidays. 

When Prestige Hampers, a Yorkshire based family business, offered to send me a hamper, I was thrilled. I received the Fabulous Christmas hamper. 

Although it’s still November just unpacking it made me feel all Christmassy (which is impressive as I struggle with the festive period). 

The team at Prestige are packing experts, once I’d unpacked it all I could not for the life of me get it all back in as neatly. 

The handmade wicker hamper is lovely and reusable – I’m already excited about deciding what to store in it! 

The contents itself is great. There’s so many treats in here. C has already got his eye on several of the goodies in it. 

This hamper includes a selection of sweet and savoury festive essentials along with three mini wine bottles, an individual Christmas pudding, jam and marmalade. 

Prestige provide a wide variety of options of gifts, everything from a bottle of wine, Christmas ham and of course the hampers. 

Right now there’s a sale on – and everything can be delivered in time for Christmas. 

Now excuse me, off to eat all these yummy treats….

*this post includes gifted items but all opinions and words are my own. 

books, reviews, upcoming

Book Preview: Lady of Magick – Sylvia Hunter

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Read the review of book one – The Midnight Queen here. 

Lady of Magick picks up two years after the events of the first book with Sophie and Gray ensconced at Oxford, Gray teaching and Sophie finally studying magic. 

When Gray is invited to guest lecture at the university of Dun Edin in the neighbouring Kingdom of Elba, Sophie quickly agrees to go with him, but something else is going on and it isn’t too long before the Marshalls are tangled up in intrigue and terror. 

Now I thought the first book was great but this one is a corker – new characters, new adventures, the return of some of my favourites from the first book. 

Hunter’s writing is gripping and the plot is fun and clever. This is a fantastic piece of not only fantasy but mystery and adventure. 

The book is currently available in trade paperback but will be officially released on 21st September – plenty of time to read the first book. 

Stay tuned for the third in the trilogy. 

blogging, life, upcoming, updates

Where did all the make up go? 

ramblingmads

You may have noticed if you’re a regular reader that my blog’s focus has shifted slightly. There’s been a lot going on in my personal life and with my health that has taken my energy and focus. 

I haven’t been working so I haven’t been wearing much make up – although my skin care game is still strong, so I haven’t been writing about that. I also haven’t been subscribing to many beauty boxes as I need to actually use up my stash and save some money. 

However I’m hoping to share my skincare regime, faves and problem products as well as perhaps my great love of glitter soon. So stay tuned. 

If there’s anything you’d like to see here – recipes, rats, books etc just let me know. And if you’re a PR, writer or brand and want to work together, I’m friendly, promise. 

Don’t forget you can find me on Twitter, Instagram, Bloglovin or drop me an email. 

books, reviews, upcoming

Book Preview: I Know My Name – C.J Cooke

ramblingmads

Eloise wakes up on a Greek island surrounded by strangers and with no memory of who she is and how she got there. 
Meanwhile in London Lachlan is frantically trying to find his wife, who’s disappeared without a trace. 

As both frantically spiral into their fears, secrets are revealed and things thought left in the past resurface. 

What starts out like a fairly typical thriller soon becomes something else. The exploration of mental illness and people’s choices is thought provoking without feeling exploitative and the characters, while definitely privileged, are flawed and relatable. 

Due for publication on 15th June 2017, I really enjoyed this book. I like a good psychological thriller and this is definitely a good one. 

books, reviews, upcoming

Book Preview: Greatest Hits – Laura Barnett

ramblingmads

Written by the author of The Versions of  Us, Laura Barnett, Greatest Hits is the story of Cass Wheeler a rock star in the form of a Joni Mitchell or Stevie Nicks. Her career has been in decline for a while and she spends her days mourning a tragic loss tucked away on her secluded farm. 
Her record label wants to release a greatest hits collection and this sparks Cass on a mission of memory – of her parents, her former band, and her past. 

Interspersed between the chapters of Cass’ life are her songs, actually written by singer-songwriter Kathryn Hughes especially for the book. 

Interestingly the two writers will be releasing an album of these songs to coincide with the book’s release in June this year. 

I really liked this book, it has great emotional writing and I found Cass very intriguing. At times there were very sad moments and I’m not ashamed to say I cried a little – really good writing hooks your feelings like nothing else. 

The book isn’t out until June 15th, which gives you loads of time to put it on your wishlist. 

adventures, challenges, upcoming

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?

ramblingmads

Did anyone else watch that show as a kid? I know I didn’t make it up.

Anyway, you might be wondering where I and my boxes of beauty products have been all week. Let’s just say it hasn’t been the best week.

WordPress has been a bit buggy and ate some posts, the WiFi and the crazy weather have been duking it out all week and I spent the first half collapsed in a sunburnt achey heap (find out why on Saturday).

Let me know how your week’s been and stay tuned for more posts very soon..

adventures, blogging, life, upcoming

Ch-ch-changes…

ramblingmads

As David Bowie and Freddie Mercury sang changes are heading to ramblingmads. I’ll still be posting beauty box reviews and other bits and bobs but I wanted to change some of the things about the blog and write more broadly on things I care about and am passionate about that might be more serious in tone.

I will mix it up with book and product reviews, recipes and handy hints but there will be more activism, feminism, rats and potentially grumpy rants.

Hope you all stick around for the changes and as always, join in the conversation in the comments. I love hearing what you think. I’ll also be on Twitter and Instagram as always, so come say hi. 🙂

Thanks,

Mads.

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A little giggle

ramblingmads