Wednesday 31 January 2018

Leaves of the World | Bath Soaks


Hello Teabirds! Today I have a fabulous DIY Post for you with Leaves of the World teas. I've wanted to make bath bombs for a while, but I never liked the idea of lying in a bath of citric acid. You know what I mean? So I decided to make my own non citric acid, bath soaks. 


You will need:
- 1 Cup of Baking Soda (I forgot it on the picture)
- 1/2 Cup of Corn Starch/Cornflour 
- 1/2 Cup of Epsom Salts - These are great for soaking tired and aching muscles after a long day at work or a big session at the gym. 
- 4tbsp Cream of Tartar
- 2tbsp Melted Coconut Oil - This has a multitude of good qualities. It's fabulous for the skin and will soften and soothe whilst you soak! 
- 2tsp Essential Oil (I use Lavender for a relaxing effect)
- 1tbsp Water 
- 1tbsp Spirulina - This will give the bath soak a lovely earthy green colour, and does wonders for your skin too! 
- 5tbsp Leaves of the World Detoxi-Chai - Detoxi-Chai is one of my favourite ever Chai teas. If you want to read my thoughts you can do here

- 1 Large Bowl
- 1 Small Bowl 
- Mould of your choice. I used a few empty baubles which separated. 

Steps:
- Mix together your Baking Soda, Cornflour, Epsom Salts, Spirulina and Cream of Tartar in a large bowl with a wooden spoon or your hands. I used my hands as you get a better feel for the mixture and the consistency. 

- In a separate bowl mix together your Coconut Oil, Essential Oil and Water. 

- Slowly mix your wet and dry ingredients together. Add a bit at a time and mix with your hands until you reach a wet sand consistency. You might not need to use the full amount, you may need to add a little bit more oil or water. 

- Mix in the dry tea leaves to your fixture. 

- Using your mould lightly pack into each side of the mould and squeeze the moulds together.

- Leave to dry overnight. This will allow the mixture to mellow together and dry out, this'll help get them out of the mould a lot easier too. 

- Voila! A final product: 


- And how it looks in the water:





Saturday 27 January 2018

Leaves of the World | Toffee Apple Lemonade

Hey pretties! I had a brainwave recipe idea whilst lying in bed and it's taken me two days to finally put it together and get the recipe right in my head. Here we have a Toffee Apple Matcha Lemonade!


What You Will Need:
* Sparkling Apple Water - I prefer Perrier as the Flavour is best, and the calories are the lowest!
* Lots of Ice
* Large Glass (Mine was a pint glass but tall and thin)
* Optional: Prefered Sweetener 

Steps: 
* Add two perfect Matcha scoops of Top Toffee Matcha into a Matcha bowl with around 125ml of 80 degree water and whisk with a Matcha Whisk until frothy. 

OPTIONAL: After whisking the Matcha add a half teaspoon of natural honey, sweetener or sugar (which ever your prefer) for a little sweetness. I chose not to but it would work quite well with the finished result. 

* Pour your Matcha over ice in a tall glass. Swirl the glass to cool the Matcha and the glass. Cooling the glass with allow your Lemonade to stay cooler for longer. 



* Top with Fizzy Apple Water to preferred strength. I did roughly half and half. Add more Matcha for a stronger toffee flavour or more water for a stronger apple taste. 

This is such a lovely drink and will be perfect in the Summer. The flavour of Toffee and Apple together is a Match(a) made in heaven! I really enjoyed this, the earthy flavour from the Matcha, sweetness from the apple flavour go perfectly together. I would definitely find myself making a few of these over Summer. 

If you fancy giving it a go, you can 20% off Top Toffee Matcha and any other teas from Leaves of the World using my code TEANOMADBECCA20. 

Monday 22 January 2018

Leaves of the World Rep Box | January

Good Morning lovelies! (Or morning for me anyway!) I thought i was long overdue my unboxing of my fabulous Leaves of the World Rep Box for this month! 


This month I was SUPER excited to have received the Leaves of the World Detox Collection through my letterbox. I've been on a health kick this month and after trying out these teas for the last few weeks, they've definitely come in handy when I've been craving a sweet treat (or two!). 

Are you feeling in need of a detox? My blend of Green Mate with Pu'Erh tea and Green tea will purify and boost your energy levels to boot! Uplifting spearmint and lemon peel leaves you with a refreshing boost
Ingredients: Organic: spearmint, honeybush, Green Mate tea, nettle, Green tea, Pu'Erh tea, lemon peel. 
This tea was one of my favourites of the box, to be honest I really do love the more herbal teas anyway so it fitted to my preferred tastes the best anyway, and I also love anything with spearmint in too! Spearmint is a rarity in teas I find as the favourite peppermint is often favoured in most blends. But Slim Jim really did taste minty, clean and quite refreshing. A perfect wake me up in place of your favourite coffee!
Hey there, I’m Mr Turmeric, and these are my 46 friends. We’ve all come together to help boost you in every way possible. Myself, I am well known for many properties, and I am a high curcumin based turmeric too. I’m an anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, a natural antioxidant, and I can help improve brain function too. My friends have many health benefits too, and my Maté tea will help raise your energy levels. You’ll need some of me in your diet. I am a superhero
Ingredients: Organic: Nettle, hibiscus, fennel, coriander, lemongrass, rose petals, ginger, cacao peel, orange peel, liquorice, rosehip, apple, cinnamon, lemon peel, chamomile, Rooibos, green Maté, aniseed, Maté tea, Jasmine tea, juniper berries, Black tea, lavender, lemon balm leaves, lemon balm flowers, vervain, common mullein, nutmeg, parsley leaves, black pepper, white pepper, turmeric root, yarrow, sage leaves, oregano, thyme, basil, fenugreek, cardamom, chicory, Chun Mee tea, cloves, dandelion, eucalyptus leaves, elecampane root, mallow leaves, ginkgo leaves
Mr Turmeric I was the most skeptical to try I wont lie. I expected a more savoury flavour than a sweet and spicy brew because of some of the ingredients listed. I've never known a tea with so many ingredients before! Not that that's a bad thing. Mr Turmeric was a really nice tea! I definitely think as a Latte it'll be incredible *heart eyes*. With the nice spiciness from the spices and sweetness from the fruits it blends together in harmony almost. This does come caffeinated so may be a nice switch out during the mid-afternoon slump!
Power up your energy levels with me, and my super secret ingredient, Guarana! Join the other rangers in drinking this super antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, power up super fruit. Get that mega boost ready for your big day or night. Work or play, I'm the super energising cup of cocoa you need in your life... It's morphin' time!
Ingredients: Organic: cocoa shells, liquorice, fennel seeds, guarana fruit
FAVOURITE!! By far this was my favourite tea I got this month, the others were fantastic, but this one was just perfection in a cup for me. It's everything I love! It was quite a sweet tea, so was a perfect detoxing replacement for my usual sweet drinks, chocolate or sweets. It wasn't food I was craving, it was sweetness! This is such a savour for me, I need it in bulk!
If a detox is what you need then I’m the Green tea for you. I’m a little hot but not too spicy, and more subtle than some heat filled black chai teas. My leaves are full of antioxidants to help purify your blood, and I’m naturally low in caffeine too. My cinnamon qualities come out best when I’m latte’d up
Ingredients: Organic: Green tea, cinnamon, apple sticks, rosehip, orange sticks, ginger, cardamom, clove and pepper
I'm not a massive lover of Chai, I like it but only when I'm in the mood for a good chai, and when I want chai I want a good one too. I often find black tea is a touch too heavy for me most of the time, so this tea was a luxury for me. I got the onus of the warm spicy flavour but with a light cleansing green tea taste. With the added apple and rose hip it's a really refreshing blend and greta for those wanting to cut down on caffeine, without cutting it out completely. 
Hello. Is it me you’re looking for…? You bet it is. I’m the most indulgent infusion around. I mean, cocoa, anise, ginger, and all things spice and nice. I’m a treat to savour. Tell your friends. There’s enough of me for everyone
Ingredients: Organic: cinnamon, cocoa beans, cocoa shells, orange peel, star anise, ginger, pink pepper, cloves, black pepper and cardamom.
Again, Chai! Chai is perfect for this time of year, it's cold, it's wet it's disgusting outside. I mean am I right? I'm not for drinking a fruity tea when I'm drenched to the bone, you want that cosy feeling. A hug form the inside out! Choco-Chai does this for you. Especially for all you chocaholics wanting to cut out your elevenses! A light, spicy and creamy brew with a strong depth of flavour and sensational flavour.
I'll be the first to say I'm not Vegan. I don't follow a Vegan diet, I never have and I probably never will. I also avoid any vegan/dairy free/sugar free/gluten free/calorie free/healthy alternative version of my favourite things. It's not down to values or morals, I just don't like them. I don't like dairy alternatives, because I don't really like dairy! So I was dubious about this but it was DELICIOUS! It was everything you want from life, fudgey chewy chocolatey goodness. I am actually `Gluten intolerant so I should follow the diet but I rarely find nice alternatives. This is definitely one of them! 
The moTEAvated box of greatness. It’s time to detox the body, and in here you’ll find four teas designed to help do just that. Raise your energy, boost your antioxidants, and get to it. You’re all set!
PossibiliTEA's Include:
  • Slim Jim
  • Mr Turmeric and his 46 Friends (contains liquorice)
  • Cocoa Power Ranger (contains liquorice)
  • Moringa Magic
  • Under the Weather
  • Detoxi-Chai
Sold? Me too! The Detox Collection from Leaves of the World is filled with everything you could possibly want to start a detox or kick start a healthy diet. Either way, these teas are for you. With a range of green teas, black teas and herbal teas there's a leaf to suit everyone. Form spicy, to cleansing to fruity and delicious there's a flavour for everyone too. Give them a shot, you just might like them ;)
Leaves of the World are insanely well priced, they're high quality teas with good, strong flavour. But you can use my cheeky discount if you like...

USE TEANOMADBECCA20 for 20% off your order! 

Friday 12 January 2018

Adagio | Pumpkin Spice


Source: Adagio UK

Company: Adagio Tea 
Tea Type: Black
Flavour: Pumpkin Spice 
Loose or Bagged: Loose
Brew Time:Minutes
Temperature: 100 degrees
Rating: 4* 
Buy: Adagio
Price: £1.50 for 23g. £4.50 for 85g. £16 for 454g. 


Description: Premium black tea from Sri Lanka flavoured with pumpkin and exotic spices. Autumn festivities just wouldn't be the same without the comforting, smooth sweetness of spiced pumpkin - and neither would your tea time. Warm and rich flavour, with lingering cozy aromatics.
Ingredients: Black Tea, Cinnamon bark, natural pumpkin spice flavour, ginger root, cloves, marigold flowers and cardamom


This tea guys. I was really dubious about buying this tea, I'm fiercely loyal to Bluebird Pumpkin Spice tea, that tea gives me life. but alas, Bluebird doesn't stock it year round and I never ever remember to stock up *slaps hand* so I figured I'd play the field a little bit and try a different branded Pumpkin Spice.

I have brewed this tea for around 4 minutes as to not over brew the spices and at 100 degree water. With it being a black tea it can hold itself against the boiling termpature of the water without burning the leaves and affecting the flavour.

Pumpkin Spice blend from Adagio is my second favourite pumpkin spice tea I've eve tasted. I've even go as far to knock Starbucks PSL of second place (I know it's a coffee but PSL!). The quality of the black tea, paired with the subtle flavours of the clove and punchy cinnamon it's just heavenly.

I'd really recommend this tea for an all round Pumpkin Spice Tea, I really do miss it throughout the year and now I don't have too! It's such a versatile tea, this would blend well plain and hot, iced in Summer, mixed with foamed milk for a Pumpkin Spice Latte, or even cold brewed topped with cold milk too!

Tuesday 9 January 2018

Blog Tour | Doorways by Robert Enright


I'm very excited to be on day 3 of the fabulous re-launch blog tour for Doorways by Robert Enright. Doorways is being relaunched with an exciting new over too! Doorways sounds bloody brilliant to me and right up my street, every day I seem to be bumping it a little bit further up my TBR, how about you?  Check the blurb out! 
When will you discover The Otherside?


There is more to the shadows than just darkness



The Otherside is located at the fringes of our world, hiding in plain sight and existing within our shadows. Shielded from humanity, the Otherside is watched over by the BTCO, a highly secret government agency, whose members all possess 'The Knack', a genetic anomaly that allows them to see this other world. 



Franklyn 'Bermuda' Jones is the BTCO's finest agent, the only human to have passed to the Otherside and returned. Gifted with the ability to physically interact with both worlds, Bermuda reluctantly stands between both worlds, pining for the life he had to leave behind and the daughter he can no longer see. Teamed with Argyle, an enigmatic Otherside warrior, Bermuda is assigned the case of a missing woman who has vanished under mysterious circumstances.



As Bermuda delves further into the disappearance, he uncovers a threat that could destroy the truce between two worlds...and finds himself in a race against time to safeguard humanity's very existence. 



Discover a new world in this fast-paced urban fantasy packed with thrills, action and the odd one liner.

Sound intriguing? I know right?! Well you can read the first chapter of Robs exciting novel now! 
The flashing blue lights erupted from the top of the police car, illuminating the front of the magnificent Cartwright Manor. The huge stone structure stood with an overbearing grandeur, the large, solid pillars of the front door cast in intermittent blasts of blue. The smooth stone reached three floors high, the wall segregated by the door-sized windows in perfect symmetry.
The drive to Eversley had been fairly straightforward; the dreaded M25 that linked him from Hertfordshire to Hampshire was quieter in the middle of the night, instead of the usual standstill of regularity. The streets of Eversley were quiet, quaint little streets lined with small houses, all hidden behind their front gardens. A few country pubs that would have undoubtedly been full of locals earlier in the evening. On the outskirts of the town, Cartwright Manor sat in the centre of twenty acres of land. As he passed through the grand iron gate and slowly cruised up the gravel path that cut through the vast, neatly trimmed lawn, Franklyn 'Bermuda' Jones whistled with admiration.
Gazing his green eyes over the immaculate grounds, he slowly rolled his black Honda Civic to a stop, the engine cutting out with a gentle purr. The two police officers stood fifty feet away, their arms folded across their stab-proof vests as the car door swung open, the chill of the wind slapping Bermuda across his stubble-covered face and throwing his light brown hair into disarray. With the moon hidden by thick spring clouds, the only lights apart from those emanating from the downstairs of the house were those of the police car.
Bermuda added his own, cupping his hand around his Zippo lighter as the flame flickered, touching the end of his cigarette and casting smoke into the air.
He flicked it, the metal lid clapping shut.
'Chilly night, huh?' Bermuda's London accent filtered through the smoke.
As always, Argyle had met him at their destination. Partnered for over three years, Bermuda had become accustomed to Argyle's ability to beat him to the scene of the 'crime'. Although Bermuda stood at six foot tall, his partner towered over him by another eight inches. His muscular arms hung from his shoulders, exposed by the sleeveless armoured plate he wore over his colossal torso. His armoured legs stood firmly together and Bermuda was always impressed with the authority that Argyle's stance commanded. He, on the other hand, in his jeans, shirt, and long black jacket, looked comprehensively human.
Argyle's grey, pupilless eyes, which sat deep in his dark face, betrayed his humanity. Not that it would be a problem. Especially as only Bermuda could see him. As Bermuda leant against his car, he cast his eyes around the acres of land as it flickered with sprays of blue.
'I do not surrender any thoughts or feelings towards elements.' Argyle's response was firm, his voice carrying a low bass. Bermuda nodded, taking another puff on his cigarette. He looked up at Argyle.
'I bet it's a hoarder.'
'We should assess the situation before reaching conclusions.'
'Yeah, yeah. I know. And we will.' Bermuda took another drag, smoke being snatched from the end of his cigarette by the whipping wind. 'But I bet you ten pounds it's a hoarder.'
“I have never understood your kind's obsession with this monetary gain.” Argyle shook his head as he spoke, his words emphasising his disappointment. Bermuda looked towards the officers, their impatience obvious. A smile crept across his handsome face.
'Let's go see what the fuzz thinks.' He pushed himself off from the car and took a final hit of nicotine before carelessly flicking the butt of the cigarette into the darkness. He slapped Argyle on the back, his hand a few inches from the long, razor-sharp blade of the sword that hung from his back. Argyle was a fine swordsman and had saved Bermuda's life on a number of occasions with it. Argyle's other weapon, the 'Retriever', was fastened securely around his powerful forearm.
As they walked towards the impatient officers, Bermuda's own weapon hung from the latch on his belt, hidden by his long coat. His footsteps echoed as the gravel crunched beneath his feet. Argyle walked silently beside him.
'So what's the situation?' Bermuda asked him, scanning the grounds again. He dipped a hand into his pocket and returned shaking a small box of Tic Tacs.
'The woman's husband has vanished. Along with their canine companion. Their maid and a home help worker have also vanished within the last few days. Their relatives have stated that this was their last known location.' The two police officers stepped forward, getting themselves prepared as Bermuda approached.
'How old is the woman?' Bermuda asked, two Tic Tacs rattling in his mouth.
'Mrs Cartwright is eighty-two years old, a veteran of your people.' Argyle spoke, his voice firm and authoritative.
'You can just say ‘old,’ Argyle.' Bermuda smirked, hoping to extract a reaction.
'Would seem strange for such an elderly person to be able to remove that many people.'
'Well, strange is why we are here, Big Guy.' Bermuda approached the two police officers, both of whom looked at him with caution. The shorter officer, mid-forties, thinning black hair, and a shirt about to burst at the midsection, spoke first.
'You okay there, fella?' He looked at his partner and smiled. 'Having a nice old chat, were you?'
'Just getting updated on the situation,' Bermuda retorted, accustomed to the idea that people thought he was crazy. He looked up at Argyle and raised his eyebrows. The policemen followed his gaze, saw nothing, and readied themselves as if Bermuda was about to attack. 'Is she inside?'
'Hold on now.' The younger officer, tall and muscular, reached out and put his palm into Bermuda's firm chest. 'We got a call about some 'specialist' coming down.'
Bermuda sighed to himself and whipped his hand to the back pocket of his jeans. He pulled out the thin, leather wallet and flicked it open.
'Bermuda Jones, BTCO.' The two men squinted, trying to read the small print. The plastic card, covered by a sheet of clear plastic, bore his face and details pertaining to the organisation. The short officer scoffed and look up at him.
'BTCO? Never heard of it,' he said, almost mockingly.
'You wouldn't have.'
Bermuda stepped through, and once again the young officer stepped in his way. Bermuda smiled at him politely.
'Sounds like a load of nonsense to me.'
'Could you please let me through? I have a job to do.' Bermuda held his stare.
'Well as far as I can see, that woman in there has something to do with the disappearance of three people. She doesn't need a BCOT or whatever it's called intervention. She needs to be taken in for questioning.'
As if he didn't even hear it, Bermuda once again smiled politely, the wind snatching up his hair and tugging it in multiple directions.
'Please let me through, Officer.'
The young officer glared at Bermuda, who politely waited. The elder officer stood to the side, a voice crackling through on the radio. Instantly his attitude changed and he pulled the other officer out of Bermuda's pathway. As they argued, Bermuda walked slowly towards the large semi-circular steps that lead up to thick wooden doors. They were open, the brightly lit hallway welcoming him through with a warm grasp. Argyle followed, his colossal frame just fitting through. The entrance to the house was as grand as the structure itself, the hallway stretching out towards a broad staircase that split into two directions, wrapping back around the wall underneath the high ceiling, from which an expensive chandelier hung. The walls were lined with large canvases of art, their value not worth guessing. In the far corner stood a suit of armour, the metal shining from good upkeep.
Bermuda popped another few Tic Tacs into his mouth and then walked through the open door to the right, entering an elegantly decorated living room. An oak table sat near the magnificent bay window, shutting out the world with its drawn curtains. A soft rug welcomed Bermuda as he strolled in, locking his eyes on the elderly woman who sat on the sofa, a roaring fire crackling in front of her. Above the fireplace was a large painting depicting what Bermuda imagined was Lord William Cartwright, the missing husband. Stood in his hunting gear, he emanated wealth and nobility. Argyle walked calmly to the centre of the room, past a small cabinet which housed several expensive-looking liqueurs. He stood powerfully, his short, black beard lining his powerful jaw. Bermuda crunched the remnants of his Tic Tacs and approached the sofa.
'Mrs Cartwright?' he offered, his tone friendly. The old lady turned, her wrinkled face forcing a welcoming smile. Her eyes were red, the turmoil of the evening apparent. Bermuda calmly removed his jacket and placed it over the back of the chair. He checked his watch, pulling his shirt back to reveal a heavily tattooed forearm.
'Please. Call me Eleanor.'
'Eleanor. Nice to meet you. I'm Bermuda Jones from the BTCO.'
'The what now?' She looked at him, puzzled.
'The BTCO. We deal with rather exceptional cases, and believe that your husband is one such case.'
'My poor William. Where has he gone?' Bermuda had no doubts in his mind that she was innocent. Her grief for her husband was genuine. The last three years had shown him plenty of it.
'That is what we are here to find out.' Bermuda ran his hand through his hair, sweeping it into a side parting. 'When did you realise your husband was missing?'
'It was, now let me see, a little before lunchtime. I realised that Cordelia, our maid, was missing and it was almost time for lunch. Poor Willy, he went upstairs to the function room to find her and he didn't come back.'
'And Cordelia, she was in the function room?' Bermuda flashed his eyes to Argyle, who was already staring up at the ceiling. A grandfather clock ticked loudly in the background, battling the crackles of the fire for audio dominance.
'Yes. It is mine and Willy's diamond anniversary this Saturday and we are having a party. Oh it will be lovely, our families and friends all together. It doesn't happen enough nowadays, sadly.'
'So the last time you were aware of their presence, it was in the function room?' 
She nodded, sniffling slightly. 
'I have been informed of a home helper missing also?'
'Laura? She didn't turn up today. I heard Bailey barking in the function room and asked her to tend to him. He stopped barking so I assumed she went home.'
'Bailey is your dog, right?' Bermuda looked back up at the painting above the fire, the flames illuminating the German shepherd that stood proudly by its master. 'Is he also missing?'
'He is...' Eleanor's voice cracked and she began sobbing again. Bermuda gave her a moment, beckoning Argyle over.
'I say we check out this room. Will probably find our little guest there.'
Argyle nodded in agreement and Bermuda stood up, whipping his coat around and sliding his arms in. Eleanor looked up from the tissue she was dabbing her eyes with.
'Where are you going?'
'Mrs Cartwright, could you show me to the function room, please?' He slowly helped her to her feet. She nodded, and with the help of her cane, trundled towards the hallway. The blue lights burst through the windows from outside as she lowered herself into her stair lift. As it hummed to life and she slowly began her ascent, Bermuda walked briskly up the curved steps, following them to the right to the landing. A few white, solid doors aligned the wall, all closed with their contents kept secret. He popped another mint into his mouth as he scanned the artwork on the wall.
'This way, dear.'
He followed the little lady as she walked, approaching a double set of the doors at the end of the hall. Bermuda pulled the doors open and stepped over the threshold. Eleanor followed and switched on the lights, pride flowing from her at the tastefully decorated room. The laminate flooring shimmered with polish, the antique tables set neatly around the sides of the room. Blue lights flickered through the large windows.
'Is Bermuda your real name?' she asked as she ambled in. She turned back, suddenly worried by the look of concern on Bermuda's face.
Bermuda took in what he saw. It wasn't the fine art or the expensive furniture. Or the mental image of a wealthy family enjoying their time together. What he saw was what he feared he would. A few feet off the ground, on the far wall, was William Cartwright. As if he had been built into the wall and then painted over, he was trapped in the surrounding brick, cocooned in by the Other they were there to remove. Although he wasn't moving, Bermuda knew there was a strong chance that the man was still alive.
Bermuda sighed, looking around and noticing Cordelia, her face twisted in pain as she faded into the brickwork. Laura and Bailey also joined the collection. It was all too familiar. Whilst Eleanor Cartwright wept for the disappearance of her husband and had concerns about her helpers, they were but a few feet away. However, she couldn't see them. All she saw was a pristine room that was empty without the infectious sound of family and friends.
She didn't have 'the Knack'.
Bermuda was born with it, the ability to see the Otherside and what was truly around us. A parallel world, whose inhabitants predominantly look human, but survive on a very different set of needs. Many of them are harmless, drifting seamlessly into the shadows and corners of our world. They live peacefully, out of the sight of the regular inhabitants of our planet. But as with all species, there are a few who require more than peace to survive.
That is why the BTCO, the Behind The Curtain Organisation, were formed. Every agent has 'the Knack' and every agent has a 'Neither', an Other who has defected to our side. As the world idly goes by, the BTCO are monitoring Other activity, ensuring that the unknown coexistence is maintained. The world behind the curtain.
And now, in a stately home in northeast Hampshire, Bermuda stood seeing what the rest of the world couldn't. His fist clenched, angry not just at the actions of the intruder, but because of what his life was. This curse of vision, inflicted from birth, which had ruined every aspect of his life and would halt any signs of improvement. The burden it placed on him, to risk his life case by case due to an ability he had never asked for.
As he pulled his lips into a thin, agitated line, Eleanor broke the silence.
'What is wrong?' Her voice, interspersed with sniffles.
Argyle entered the room, standing beside and looming over the oblivious resident. He scanned the room, seeing the handiwork of one of his fellow Others.
'It is a hoarder,' Argyle stated, his voice tinged with disappointment.
'Told you,' Bermuda replied, his hand shuffling inside his pocket.
'Told who, dear?' Eleanor turned to Bermuda, her vision not obscured by Argyle.
'Never mind.'
'What is that you have there?'
'This?' Bermuda removed his hand from his jacket pocket and revealed a metal spinning top. The small object, glistening in the light, had intricate carvings down all four sides—words inscribed with such precise detail it required magnification to be read. 'This will draw our little friend out.'
'What friend?' Eleanor said in frustration, feeling as if she was only part of half a conversation. Bermuda ignored her and walked slowly into the centre of the room, peering round at the pained expressions of the captives. As he did, Eleanor slammed her cane against the floor, the thud echoing around the large room. 'MR JONES!'
He turned, her wrinkled face fraught with anger. He looked to Argyle, who took a few steps towards the clearly agitated Eleanor.
'Ma'am, you may want to leave the room for this.'
'I am not going anywhere. Who are you talking to? And what is that in your hand?' She took a few steps towards Bermuda.
'Argyle, hold her.' Bermuda didn't turn as he spoke.
With a mighty hand, Argyle reached out and clutched the old lady by the shoulder. She stopped dead in her tracks, unable to move, despite her best efforts.
'I can't move!' she yelled in frustration. 'What is going on?'
Bermuda leant down, placing the point of the spinning top against the laminate flooring. His fingers grasped the small, engraved handle of the spinning top and he balanced it, ready to spin. He glanced back at her.
'Argyle, make sure she is fine.'
'What is Argyle? What is going on?’ she angrily bellowed, her arms struggling in what she could only see as thin air. Argyle, with his hand still firmly clasped to her, took a few steps to shield her from the door. 'What the hell are you doing?
Bermuda smiled at her.
'You might want to cover your ears.'
Before she could respond, Bermuda twisted the top and released his grip. The metal frantically twisted on the floor, drilling against the wood. Instantly, every window in the room shattered with a large crash, shards of glass spraying across the room like a sandstorm. The wind whistled in and the doors flew open, rocking their hinges to breaking point. The lights flickered, shrouding the stolen bodies within the wall in stop-start darkness. Eleanor watched in horror, her instinct to run hindered by her inability to move. Argyle stood ready, his other hand, the wrist clad in thick metal, clenched.
A horrifying scream echoed through the house.
Suddenly, the rapid noise of thudding rattled through the floorboards, the sound emanating from the room beneath. It grew louder as it made its way up the stairs, the impact rocking the staircase. Bermuda turned to face the door, his eyes closed as he took a deep breath. Behind him, the cold air blew in on another gust of wind.
The metal top continued to spin.
The loud banging approached the broken doors at speed and Bermuda opened his eyes.
'Hello, handsome.'
Jet-black eyes peered back as the Other raced through the doorway. Running on all fours like a beast of prey, it was completely black, its back covered in gothic-looking spikes, shards of its spine that had grown through its otherworldly skin. Hanging from its open mouth were long, sharp teeth that mirrored the claws that framed its beastly hands.
As it bounded towards Bermuda, he slipped his coat to the side to reveal his weapon, a tomahawk which he whipped up from the latch with a quick spin. The hoarder raced towards him and leapt, and Bermuda dropped to the ground and swung up.
The screech of pain shot through the house, cracking the windowpanes throughout. Outside, the two officers were quickly calling for backup, panic-stricken at the carnage they could see from the driveway below.
The hoarder latched onto the wall, a large wound across its chest as it crawled across the stored body of William Cartwright. His wife looked on in despair, seeing only Bermuda, watching him rolling on the floor. She watched as he got to his feet, spinning the wooden handle of the small axe, the head a material she had never seen.
Otherworldly.
The hoarder was clearly feral; one of the more beast-like Others that had escaped to our side. It roared again at Bermuda, its thick claws clattering against the wall as it raced around the room.
'Are you ready, Argyle?' Bermuda yelled, spinning on the spot to keep the beast in his eye line.
'Ready.' Argyle raised his arm, the metal band around his wrist aimed straight at the monster. Resting atop it was a thick spike, attached to a metal chain that disappeared within it. The Retriever.
The Other bounded off the wall to the floor and then leapt again at Bermuda, its mighty claws cutting through the hurtling wind. Bermuda spun to his left, dropping to one knee, and swung his tomahawk. The metal, forged on ‘the Otherside', ripped through the back of the hoarder's leg. It roared again in agony, falling to the floor and shaking the room on impact.
Eleanor stood completely still thanks to Argyle. Without hesitation, Argyle shot the Retriever, the sharp metal racing off his arm with marksman’s precision. The spike burst through the damaged leg, ripping out the other side and spraying a grey blood across the floor. Instantly, the spike opened out into four sections, hooking back round and locking itself inside the leg of the hoarder.
It mustered a whimper of anguish before finally relenting, rolling onto its side in resignation. Bermuda stood, latching his tomahawk back to his belt before taking careful steps towards the defeated visitor. As suspected, attached to the front of its stomach was a small blue rock known as a latch stone. Found on the Otherside, it allowed the Other who possessed it to combine itself with our world. To latch onto it.
When in possession, the Other could physically interact with humans, an ability that the BTCO only wanted reserved for its Neithers. Without one, Argyle would not have been able to protect Eleanor, who stood in complete confusion. The wind howled through the shattered windows, causing the broken doors to creak on rickety hinges.
The glass crunched under Bermuda's feet as he took his final steps before reaching down and removing the stone with a hard tug. Instantly, all four inhabitants of the wall fell to the ground, their captivity over. As their bodies crashed against the hard, wooden floor, Eleanor screamed in horror. Out of nowhere, her husband and dog had returned to her. 
From thin air.
With confused steps, she shuffled through the glass to the elderly man on the floor, proof that the painting above the fireplace was a few years old. He slowly began to stir, a wrinkled hand speckled with brown spots reached up to cradle a head that was frosted with white hair. Laura and Cordelia were both starting to move, the confusion of their disappearance soon coming. Bailey sprung to life first, bounding towards Eleanor, who carefully accepted his welcome.
'Banish him,' Bermuda said to Argyle and watched intently. Argyle, with the grace of a true solider, bowed down to one knee and held a small relic above the fallen Other. He muttered words of a distant language, a speech that Bermuda knew he would never understand. The blades retracted into the spike and slid automatically back up the chain before returning to rest on Argyle's wrist.
The fallen Other turned slowly, a slow, painful groan escaped it as it slowly began to disappear, a small trail of black smoke rising from its chest and into the open relic in Argyle's grip.
The rattle of Tic Tacs, and Bermuda popped another one into his mouth as Argyle finished his sermon, the beast on the floor finally disappearing as the last trail of smoke filtered in. Argyle snapped the lid shut and attached it to the grand belt that wrapped around his waist. It would be deposited when he returned to HQ.
'Let's go home, Argyle.' Bermuda smiled, his trainers crunching the glass. His partner nodded, his face etched with a slight sadness that always accompanied a banishment. Sometimes Bermuda mused that Argyle was more human than anyone else on Earth.
As they crossed the threshold of the door, Eleanor yelled out to them.
'Thank you. Thank you so much.'
Bermuda turned back and smiled. The old lady was kneeling beside her husband, cradling him as he awoke from a dream he never had. Bailey circled them excitedly, his tongue hanging out of his mouth as he panted. Laura had gotten to her feet and was bent over and helping Cordelia. Bermuda nodded to Eleanor, whose wrinkled face, splashed with tears of happiness, returned one in kind.
The front steps and driveway of the house were littered with the odd shard of glass; the windows at the front of the building had cracked or broken. Instantly the two officers strode towards him, their faces a mixture of anger, fear, and confusion. The younger, brasher one took the lead.
'What the hell happened in there?' he demanded angrily, pointing towards the large home. Bermuda just kept walking, his head down and the gravel scraping. The elder policeman hurriedly walked towards the door of the house, speaking rapidly into his radio. 'Hey, I asked you a question!'
Bermuda reached his car and then turned back, the wind sweeping the hair from his forehead.
'I found them.'
He swung open the door and dropped into the driver’s seat as the young officer looked round in bewilderment at the emergence of Laura and Cordelia from the house. His colleague gently helped them down the steps and he took one last, cautious look at Bermuda before jogging over to assist. Bermuda turned the key and the engine roared into life as Argyle approached the car. After clicking in his seatbelt, Bermuda pressed the button and his window slid down with a faint hum.
'You owe me a tenner.'
He smiled upwards at Argyle, who responded with a less-than-impressed look. Bermuda smirked as the window began to climb again.
'I'll stick it on the tab.'
With a small spray of gravel, he drove off back down the driveway and into the night.

You can grab Doorways now for just 99p on Amazon UK!



Robert Enright was born and raised in North London and resides in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. Working as a HR System Manager by day, he spends his evenings and weekends writing (or binge watching TV with his fiance).


Robert first self published One by One in March 2016 and saw it published by Britain's Next Best Seller in October 2017. 



In early 2018, DOORWAYS will be re-released as an ebook, paperback and audio book under Robert Enright's management. The sequel, THE ABSENT MAN will also be released in early 2018. The third in the series, WORLDS APART, is set for a late 2018 launch. A prequel, titled BERMUDA, is in the works for a 2018 launch also.



For more information about Rob and his upcoming books, then feel free to check him out on social media:








Monday 1 January 2018

The Bookshop on the Corner | Rebecca Raisin

Author: Rebecca Raisin
Title: The Bookshop on the Corner
Series/Standalone: Bookshop Series #1
Rating: 5*
Publisher: Carina UK - 17th June 2014 
Pages: 123
Format: eBook
Bought/ARC: ARC
Pair With: A fruity tea with a bit of spice. Try T2 Chilli Berry Boom. A sweet storyline, a spicy romance and an Australian Author. Perfect!

Who said that only real heroes could be found in fiction?
Sarah Smith had an addiction – she was addicted to romance novels. The meet-cute, the passion, the drama and the gorgeous men! Now this wouldn’t have been such an issue if she hadn’t been the owner of the only bookshop in Ashford, Connecticut.
Ever since her close friend Lil, from The Gingerbread Café, had become engaged she had been yearning for a little love to turn up in her life. Except Sarah knew a good man was hard to find – especially in a tiny town like Ashford. That was until New York journalist, Ridge Warner stepped into her bookshop…
Love could be just around the corner for Sarah, but will she be able to truly believe that happy-ever-after can happen in real-life too!
Well, my god it feels like it has been such a long time since I've reviewed a Rebecca Raisin novel, in fact it has been long, far too long. I have read all of The Gingerbread Cafe series and ultimately fell in love with Ashford, the characters and Rebecca's writing style. I've never had such a love for an Author as quick as I did Rebecca's books. I'd admired Sarah and was secretly hoping for her own lime light and along came The Bookshop on the Corner. 
The Bookshop on the Corner follows Sarah Smith who owns The Bookshop on the Corner which features lightly in The Gingerbread Cafe series. Sarah is your typical bibliophile, in love with the written word, day dreams about fictional heroes and ultimate book boyfriends, and she spends her life with her nose wedged between the pages of a novel and longs to have her own Hero. 
Sarah was skating through life nicely but with no real love life of her own until the sexy and smouldering Ridge Warner steps his cute little behind in Ashford, and Sarah is thrown into a spin. With Ridge being captured by Sarah, and her him the story follows their will-they, won't-they storyline, and it has you dying to just shout OH KISS ALREADY throughout the book. I don't want to cover too much of the outline because I think they're best discovered for themselves
The characters of this novel are obviously brilliant, witty, divine and upmost genuinely incredibly. As Rebecca is so perfect for writing such life-like and realistic characters that are hard to not fall in love with. Sarah is whimsical and I suppose an under dog of sorts, it's nice to see those quitter characters shine. Ridge was sexy, sophisticated and alluring businessman, you know the type. Travelling the world for a profession gives him that air of mystery and alluring sultriness! I totally fell in love with reading the passion and chemistry grow between the characters, it's almost atmospheric throughout the storyline. And no, real heroes aren't just for fiction Miss Raisin.. Because (although fictional herself) Sarah shows if you just hold out for a hero (till the end of the night, you gotta be strong, sorry!) that you really can find your own real hero. 
With a few hiccups along the way, interfering friends and fates little twists The Bookshop on the Corner rounds up to be a perfectly sweet, indulgent and fabulous read with love, friendship and what it means to find your own hero. Rebecca is an ingenious writer, a creator of adoringly sparkly romances and an author I will follow forever. Her writing is just perfection nestled between the pages of a book.