March Edition

CESTRIA MAGAZINE
chester-le-street & birtley’s only lifestyle magazine
march 2017 EDITION
MAKING A CLEAN
SWEEP OF THE
BATHROOM
its all about
french beauty
TV - INTERVIEW WITH KATE
BOSWORTH, SS-GB
REASONS TO VISIT
SANTANDER, SPAIN
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Cestria Magazine
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FROM THE EDITOR
magazine monthly edition just for you
Welcome to our March edition of Cestria
Magazine. With the recent announcement that Sir
Rod Stewart will be playing a concert at Durham
County Cricket Club it only seemed fitting to have
him on our cover this month.
So what have we got for you this issue? Well, weve
got a fantastic interview with actor, Kate Bosworth
about her new role in the BBC’s newest drama, SS-
GB
Hopefully we will soon see the back of winter and
we can all look foward to Spring. With this in mind,
on page 8 we have a look at growing your own
produce and on page 14 we have a look at how
French women seem of offer that little something
else when it comes to beauty.
Contact Us:
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E: hello@cestriamagazine.co.uk
W: cestriamagazine.co.uk
Get Social With Us:
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DISCLAIMER - Whilst we take every care to ensure accuracy in
this magazine, we regretthat we cannot accept responsibility for any
incorrect information. All advertisements are accepted in good faith
as to their veracity and we are not responsible for views expressed
by contributors or other sources. The copying of any material within
this publication is strictly forbidden without the publishers or Studio
Managers written consent. Tel: 0191 354 5878 for more information.
Dont forget to register to take part in “Paws for a
Cause” at Riverside Park in Chester Le Street on
Sunday 5th March.
To finish I’d like to take the opportunity to thank
all of our readers and sponsors for your continued
support gives us great encouragement going
forward with our efforts to create one of the best
magazines in our region! Dont forget to follow us
on Social Media too!
Enjoy this issue and please feel free to send us
your feedback
See you in April
Director
Ian
Cestria Magazine
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12
Autism - one in a hundred
14
its all about french beauty
20
6 reasons to visit santander, spain
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
8
TV Interview
We chat with Kate Bosworth on her role in
BBC1’s new drama, SS-GB
10 home ideas
Making a clean sweep in the bathroom
16 Fitness
Make room for family fitess
14
18
6
Retirement
Why its the best thing, ever!
Gardening Feature
Tips on starting your own vegetable garden
06
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18
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Cestria Magazine
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Garden
Starting your own vegetable garden
Dreaming about a life of self-sufficiency? Growing your own fresh produce
at home is easier than you think. Here’s proof
Despite reductions in the price
of an average shopping basket,
and the increasing availability of
more exotic food types, Britain
is in the throws of a microrevolution.
More and more of us
are considering growing our own
vegetables and fruits at home,
aware of how much this can save
on the budget in the long run,
and also concerned about our
civilization’s need to reduce food
miles in order to try and save
what’s left of the planet.
Put simply, then, this isn’t just
another gardensing craze born
out of some trend. In fact, it’s
quite the opposite. It’s about
getting back to the roots (excuse
the pun) of our species in its
domesticated form, breaking free
from the increasingly distrusted
big businesses that provide the
majority of what we put in our
stomachs, and avoiding too many
nasty chemicals that can be
linked to a variety of unpleasant
diseases.
Tempted? Here’s the basics when
it comes to starting your own
vegetable garden.
Keep your eyes to the ground
Depending on what you want
to grow different ground can
offer different benefits. For salad
items and strawberries, choose
somewhere with shade. And if
that’s not on offer naturally,
create some shade. Carrots,
onions, tomatoes and chillies,
on the other hand, need as
much sunlight as possible. And,
particularly for the latter two, the
further north in the country you
are the more it might make sense
to put them in a greenhouse.
Sample the soil
We’re blessed in the UK. The
majority of soil types are ideal
for growing veg, but check the
quality before planting. Too many
stones is never a good situation,
and if it’s less than a ‘spit’ deep
(the length of your spade’s blade),
then you’ll need to rethink. In
both instances consider building
raised beds
and filling with bought soil, or
growing the crops in large pots.
Clay-soil is well-known for its rich
nutrient content, but in winter it
can kill your seeds, meaning if
you have this type then raised
beds with another soil variety will
be required.
Slugs, snails and weeds often
come together
It’s vital that you keep your
vegetable plot neat and tidy,
and not just for the aesthetics.
Molluscs hide inbetween leaves
and weeds, within long grass and
dense flower borders. Avoid them
all. Try constructing a paved path
in between your flower beds;
these pesky pests will stand little
chance
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Cestria Magazine
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TV Interview - kate bosworth, ss-gb
What if London had fallen to a Nazi invasion? This is the question posed
by BBC One’s new major drama. We ask leading lady, Kate Bosworth, the
same question. This is what she had to say.
What drew you to this project?
SS-GB is unique. It is entertaining, but it’s also
riveting. The sense of “what if this had happened?
what would you have done?” is gripping. We know
the history; we know that type of tragedy, but what
if history had taken a slight turn?
Can you please talk us through your character,
Barbara?
I play Barbara Barga, an American journalist who
works for the New York Times. It is 1941, and the
British have lost the Battle of Britain. The Nazis
have taken over most of England, and Barbara has
been sent over by the paper to cover the story. It’s
a little bit ambiguous as to what side of the line
she stands. This project is mysterious in that we are
left wondering what every character’s motivation
is exactly. That mystery means she’s a little bit of
a femme fatale from the 1940s. She’s been a really
interesting, enjoyable character to play.
What attracted you to the character?
I’ve always wanted to play a character from the
1940s. The look was very appealing to me. The
physicality, the wardrobe, the hair and the make-up
- that’s always been very attractive to me.
How did you go about your research for Barbara?
She’s essentially like a leading lady from the 1940s.
So I watched a lot of those films starring people like
Lauren Bacall. I wanted to be inspired by that, but
I didn’t want to do a caricature of the time. What
is wonderful about having those leading ladies’
performances is we can watch and learn from them.
But I also wanted her to be rooted in a deep sense
of humanity and modernism that was important to
the piece as well.
Were you also taken by the script?
Definitely. I read a lot of novels, and the way the
script read was very novelistic. I appreciated that.
For me, it always starts with the words. So if the
words grab me, as this did, then I’m immediately in.
The writers have done an incredible job constructing
this miniseries. If as a reader I’m intrigued by the
script and am enjoying and questioning it,
that translates to the audience.
Were you intrigued by the
“alternate history”, too?
Yes. I’m drawn to pieces
that are rooted in history
and those “what if?”
scenarios. Those are
interesting to people
because it does feel
like something one can
imagine happening. We
have this tragic history
of the Second World
War. So the idea of “what
if the Nazis had won and
infiltrated London? what
would that have been like?” is
fascinating. Whenever you have
scenarios like this that are rooted
in reality, it’s intriguing to people and
terrifying as well. I liken it to a bullet whizzing by.
You think, “how would that have played out?”
What is Barbara’s relationship with Archer?
Barbara finds Archer very interesting. Archer first
meets her when he sits at her cafe table without her
knowing. Barbara is intrigued by that. Who is this
person who has joined her at her table? What is his
role in her life? And what is his role in this whole
circumstance?
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certainly, and also a question mark. He’s curious
about her role as well.
How did you find it acting opposite Sam Riley?
It’s been a delight. I’ve always been a fan of his
work since I saw him in Control many years ago,
and I have wanted to work with him for some
time. Sam is such a sweet, hardworking, wonderful
person and actor. I love being in scenes with him.
It’s one of those relationships where it has been
effortless in creating the characters’ dynamic.
What was it like working with the director,
Philipp Kadelbach?
Pieces often come down to the director
and his or her vision, and the
moment I met Philipp, I realised
he is very straightforward
and direct, which I
appreciate. He knows
exactly what he wants,
and he communicates it
quite frankly. He is just
wonderful.
Kate plays American journalist Barbara Barga, who
becomes inextricably linked with the murder case
that Archer is investigating.
Set in Nazi-occupied
London, the drama is
based on the premise that
the Germans won the Battle
of Britain.
British actor Sam plays lead, British
Detective Douglas Archer, who finds
himself working under the brutal SS in
occupied London and investigates what appears
to be a simple black market murder.
Starring alongside him, Kate plays American
journalist Barbara Barga, who becomes
inextricably linked with the murder case that
Archer is investigating.
SS-GB is available to watch on iPlayer and
continues on Sunday at 9pm on BBC One.
Lead roles: In drama, Kate plays Barbara Barga and
Sam plays Detective Douglas Archer in SS-GB
Cestria Magazine
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Home idea
making a clean sweep
in the bathroom
Gone are the days when bathrooms were scrubbed spotless in
anticipation of a visit from the Mother-in-Law. Today’s young
people are more concerned with stylish decor and luxury brands.
mother-in-law.
Tellingly, just 13% of women aren’t that
fussed what a new boyfriend thinks of their
bathroom - and are nearly twice as likely to
tidy up for friends.
Relationship expert jenni trent hughes says:
“it’s interesting to see that mothers-in-law
no longer have the same fear factor that they
used to.
“In former decades when you married you
tended to become part of your new spouse’s
family which meant that their mother became
your mother as well. Now a woman’s role in
society in particular has changed and we are
much more independent and in charge of our
own lives.
Men are losing their fear of their mothers-in-law
and care more about what a potential partner
thinks of them, a new survey has discovered.
Around 30% of men tidy and scrub the bathroom
to impress a future girlfriend but only 11% roll the red
carpet out when faced with an impending visit by their
“Another interesting development in society is
what we now refer to as ‘framilies’ which is an
extended and diverse group of friends which
we surround ourselves with, often in place of
our real families.
“Because of this you will often find that
impressing our friends can take precedence
over impressing our families.”
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The survey of 2,000 adults by
mira showers also uncovered
some of the more unusual items
found in the nation’s bathrooms.
A pyramid of used toilet rolls,
motorcycle handlebars used as a
wall hanging, a sack of potatoes,
as well as live snakes, dead frogs
and a prosthetic thumb were just
a few of the oddities spotted by
the survey participants.
But what brits really want to see
in a desirable modern bathroom
is minimal clutter while women
feel at home with co-ordinated
towels and bathmats.
Trent hughes continues: “for
many women the bathroom is
an aladdin’s cave of secrets.
Everything from makeup, lotions,
potions, to even more personal
products - our secrets are there.
“We need them to hand but
we certainly don’t want them
on display for all to see! And
while modern man may now be
persuaded to pick up feminine
items for us at the chemist they
still don’t want them in full view
for all their mates to see.
“The fact that women want to
see so co-ordinated towels and
bathmats is a natural reflection
of a world where we want our
undergarments to match and our
eyeshadow to co-ordinate with
our nail varnish. Most women
thrive on order. We want things
to be neat, tidy and visually
coordinated.
“One school of thought is that we
are that way because we tend to
have many more things to keep
track and the more co-ordinated
and ordered things are, the easier
it is for us to maintain control.”
The research also highlighted
that 18-24 year olds are far more
concerned with brands with
many hiding own-label bath and
shower products before visitors
came round and a further 25%
going as far as buying in luxury
brands to impress their guests.
Mira showers’ roger crabb adds:
“the bathroom is most definitely
one of the most important rooms
in the house. It is one that, when
decorated and fitted stylishly,
can add thousands of pounds on
the property of your house, so at
mira we weren’t surprised to find
out that nearly half of brits make
a split judgement on someone
based on their bathroom decor
and cleanliness.
“It doesn’t seem too hard to
impress judgemental brits either,
as long as there are no live snakes
or hair in the plughole then
Homeowners should be ok!”
Cestria Magazine
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A major NHS study has revealed
that autism and related conditions
affect more of us than anyone
Originally thought
In fact it is now claimed that as many adults - one in
100 - as children are affected by autism, Aspergers
syndrome and similar conditions.
While in recent years numerous studies have been
carried out among children this Department of
Health funded research is the first major look in to
autism spectrum disorders in adults. The results
which found that 72 participants out of 7000 men
and women from across Britain had autism or a
similar condition. The research, which began with
a simple set of twenty question designed to pick
up on participants’ attention to detail, ability to
deal with social situations and abilities to pick up
on the emotions of others, saw several hundred
of the trial’s guinea pigs picked out for further
tests. Five conditions are found within the autism
spectrum though Rett syndrome, marked by small
head size and poor verbal skills, is extremely rare
while childhood degenerative disorder was not
relevant to the research. Classic autism is well
documented in recent years with sufferers notably
unable to relate to people and upset or distracted
by small issues including certain shapes or colours,
mild Aspergers is also found within the spectrum,
characterised by social difficulties and a lack of
empathy whilst the less well known non-specific
pervasive developmental disorder, essentially a
less debilitating form of autism, was also included
in the study. Each condition shares symptoms
including abnormalities in social interaction and
communication, restricted interests and repetitive
behaviour. Not only is the sheer numbers of those
with autism now realised but it has also become
apparent that more men suffer than women while
those who are single and didn’t go to university
are more likely to be found to have the condition.
Some now argue that this study was carried out
in the hope of encouraging a higher uptake of the
measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) - proof
that people of all ages are affected by autism puts
paid to the theory that the rise in childhood autism
is down to the MMR jab. Either way there is no
denying that this study, however small, shows that
autism-type disorders are not only more prevalent
than previously thought but apparently not on the
increase either. At the same time it was found that
those with autism do not appear to have enough
support from their medical providers. In fact 63%
claim to not have their needs adequately met with
several thousand claiming to feel isolated and
ignored. With this in mind the new findings show
that perhaps the NHS is severely lacking in its
attitude towards those with these conditions.
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Cestria Magazine
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Academy award-winning actress Marion Cottilard
all about french beauty
There’s arguably something about French women that us brits simply
dont have. So what gives them that unknown edge?
From Catherine Denueve and Brigitte Bardot
to Juliette Binoche and Audrey Tautou there’s
undoubtedly something that French women have
that we Brits don’t. And it isn’t just about their
relative proximity to the Chanel flagship store.
Unlike the fickle women of the UK French women
know that beauty is about more than the latest
lipstick or a quick smear of the latest wrinkle
cream.
Over the channel good skincare is of the utmost
importance, drummed in to girls from an early age
by their mothers. Here we learn make up tricks
from magazines, we choose skin creams from
television adverts, we’re swayed by celebrity
endorsement. In France women are taught the
importance of skincare by their mothers, they
carefully investigate the latest technical advances
in pursuit of ever younger skin.
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French beauty is much more than skin deep - it’s
intelligent and calculated, the French woman has
been using the very best wrinkle attacking lotion
for years by the time we even learn to paint our
own nails.
Just look at one of Paris’s favourite beauty and
skincare brands. Biotherm products don’t come in
glass bottles wrapped in pink, curly ribbon, they
don’t have names referencing flowers or youth.
No, Biotherm, who French women in the know turn
to in their times of need are simple on the outside,
complex within. This company with their nondescript
plastic packaging and no nonsense names
spent twenty years researching pure thermal
plankton, isolating it and learning to reproduce it
before even launching a product.
What’s your aim when you visit a spa or a beauty
salon? More often than not relaxation and

pampering we’d guess. For the
French woman, treatments are just
another weapon in her looking good
arsenal. Facials from the likes of
Carita are, admittedly, manna from
heaven but also use science and
technology not only to treat but to
first diagnose skin - facialists can
tell a client’s blood type and diet
from a brief touch of their face.
It isn’t just spas which French
ladies swear by but cellulite creams
(most chemists in France sell more
creams and lotions for the thighs
and buttocks than for burns and
bee stings) and creams for feet and
hands. As we so often forget it isn’t
just our faces which giveaway our
age or the after effects of a big night
out. And while the British solution
to a less than perfect visage is an
extra layer of slap the French, to
the contrary, keep make up
to a minimum preferring the
nude look - a touch of base,
a little mascara and a slick of
gloss followed by a generous
splash of fragrance. Of course
for the French woman money
is no object when it comes
to looking good, buying one
top of the range eye cream is
preferable to endless pots of
shadow and sticks of liner.
Applying the French ethic
to your beauty regime takes
time and effort - no Parisian
femme would admit to
looking good being a near full
time job but rest assured it
is - and the results speak for
themselves.
Cestria Magazine
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FITNESS
Make room for family
fitness
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Creating a family fitness room makes it easier than
ever to stick to your workout -and it’s a great place
for the kids to chill out, too.Obviously choose the
biggest space you can for the fitness area, but don’t
forget to create an atmosphere of warmth. That way
it will be an inviting space for the whole family.
Experiment with different types of lighting and use
cherry or walnut trim for added luxury. Durable,
self-adhesive carpet squares help cushion floor
exercises. Blinds offer privacy while one person is
working out and others are watching TV. Conversely,
keeping the blinds up allows exercisers to watch
TV or even incorporate exercise videos into the
workout.
Putting mirrored panels on the back wall not only
reflects light and gives the room a more open feel,
but also has a practical function. Being able to
see yourself when performing strength-training
exercises helps you check your posture for better
results and less risk of injury. And for the kids,
why not make the centrepiece of the room a wild,
wavy climbing wall? It will create an interesting
design element, and provide endless fun for the
youngsters. More importantly though, it will ensure
kids make exercise a lifelong habit. Variation keeps
families committed to exercise and improves fitness
because it encourages working out different muscle
groups in different ways.There are other practical
considerations to a family fitness room.
Safety aside, exercisers should be able to secure
or stow gear that little ones could hurt themselves
on. When everyone is done using the room, there
should be a place to put everything. So make
sure there’s plenty of storage room and space
for everyone to exercise.A wardrobe with ample
shelving and drawers for each person’s towel and
exercise clothes is essential. As is ample shelving
for holding equipment such as dumbbells, and a
few towel racks would be a good idea too.The space
behind the climbing wall could also serve to store
equipment when you need more floor space for
aerobics or the next time the kids want to roll out
the mats to do a little tumbling.For most families,
the key to fitness can be summed up in one word:
convenience. Few things are more convenient than
having all the essentials of a fitness club right in the
middle of your house. But the room ideally has to
work as part of a home and as a part of the lives of
the family using it. So remember, if you’re going to
commit a space in your home to fitness and exercise,
you have to make it inviting and motivating.
A weight bench and an old treadmill down in a dark
corner of the cellar won’t really work. You should
want to spend time there and make it so there’s
something for everyone: yourself, your spouse,
and even the youngest children.Picture:Work it out:
the key to a good home fitness area is comfort and
convenience.
Cestria Magazine
17

etirement: Arguably the best thing
in the world, ever!
They are not called the Golden Years for nothing- so go out and enjoy the
new-found freedom to do all the things you couldnt do while you were
working.
There’s a strange awkwardness that comes with getting older. We were once the lifeblood of a nation,
working in the engine room of Britain’s economy - whether that’s an office or building site. Now it can feel
like we’re stepping ever closer to becoming a burden.
People are living longer, putting a greater strain on the NHS, social services and pension pots. Meanwhile,
other reports concerning retirees are hell-bent on hammering home the risk factors involved in Not Having
A Purpose. Poppycock, we say - for what greater purpose is there than to enjoy life?
Many of us feel a sense of dread, regret and nervousness when our time comes to say goodbye to the
working world, which is a ghastly trick that has been played on us by the powers-that-be. Convinced that
our very existence is based on a need to serve some higher profit-making purpose, we’re guilt-ridden at the
idea of not getting up at 7am every morning to battle through the god-awful commute, before having a ton
of pressure piled on us in order to meet some ridiculous target. But, given the decades we have committed
to the cause of employment, it’s hardly fair to make retirement synonymous with uselessness.
Of course, we don’t need to listen to the spurious spoutings of younger people turning green with envy at
the fact they do indeed need to make that meeting first thing tomorrow. The rise of the retiree has been
charted for some time now; for proof just think of all those “I’m spending my kid’s inheritance” holiday
t-shirts that did the rounds in the early 1990s, and the 70-year-old wearing it whilst looking over-themoon
at his brand-new speed boat. We probably don’t condone splurging every bit of savings and leaving
nothing to your heirs; it’s nice to pass things on, yet the fundamental principles of that attitude represent
the correct mental approach when facing retirement.
In short then, although school is where you discovered
the opposite sex and took the first tentative steps
towards becoming a real person, and universities and
college convert that into adulthood, the best time of
your life should really be the so-called Golden Years.
Why the hell else would they call them the Golden
Years? From indulging in time-consuming hobbies to
packing your bags and embarking on a grand voyage,
offering time to charities or simply catching up on all
those Hitchcock films you never found an opportunity
to watch, this is your time, you deserve it, so for Pete’s
sake go enjoy it, because nobody else is will do it for
you.
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Cestria Magazine
19

TRAVEL
6 reasons to visit santander, spain
From surfing to museums and libraries to restaurants, Santander has
plenty of attractions for the visitor
Thanks to a huge fire that raged
through the city centre back in
1941, it’s safe to say the capital
of Cantabria, Spain, doesn’t offer
a huge amount to fans of quaint
historical townscapes. Well, at
least not when compared with
the country’s abundant centuriesold
urban areas. Nevertheless,
this is still a place with plenty of
strong selling-points
summer months, what Santander
lacks in grand opulence it makes
up for with a living, breathing
city culture that spans everything
from museums and galleries to
bars, restaurants and live music
venues. The bars and restaurants
of the old town are popular
with tourists, as well as the El
Sardinero beach a couple of
kilometres away
Whilst most Britons arriving into
Santander by ferry don’t hang
around - and few advise against
exploring beyond the port town
- there’s plenty to do here for a
couple of days. The ideal start, or
finish, to a relaxing holiday spent
benefitting from the sunshine
and splendidly laidback lifestyle
this region offers during the
Still need convincing? Here are
six good reasons why we say
your stay in Santander should last
longer than a few hours:
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Escuela de Surf Santander
Head down to the seafront at El Sardinero to check out the surfers that arrive
in droves when the waves are just right, which is more often than not.
Museo de Arte Moderno y Contemporaneo
Santander’s extensive museum boasts a huge selection of work spanning
the 16th to 21st centuries, with a heavy focus on Spanish artists. The collection
includes Goya’s famous portrait of King Fernando VII.
Iglesia del Santà simo Cristo
Immerse yourself in Santander’s Roman history with a look at excavated
ruins visible beneath the floor you walk on, then examine the skulls of the
first Christian martyrs to arrive here, along with several other holy relics.
Biblioteca de Menendez Pelayo
Located at the same address as Museo de Bellas Artes, this huge library was
under the possession of Marcelino Menendez Pelayo, who left Santander
his rare collection of 41,500 published volumes when he died in 1912. Fascinating
to say the least.
Peninsula de la Magdalena
These beautifully situated parklands located on a headland are a great way
to spend an afternoon, with seals, penguins and a small train ensuring kids
will have a fun-filled time. The grandiose Palacio de la Magdalena is also
here, an early 20th century vanity palace.
Restaurants
Santander is home to a mouth-wateringly strong restaurant scene that
caters for everything from informal tapas right the way through to the
Michelin-starred El Serbal at Andres del Rio. Needless to say, epicures
will be in their element.
Cestria Magazine
21

This Argentinian dish is different
but easy to make using shortcrust
or flaky pastry
Serves 12
Ingredients
METHOD :
3 tbsps butter
2 medium onions, chopped
1 spring onion, chopped
250g minced beef
50g green Spanish olives, chopped
3 tbsps raisins
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp ground cumin
12 discs of pastry
1 egg, lightly beaten
Pre-heat the oven to 180C and grease two large baking
trays.
Melt butter in a frying pan and saute the onions and
spring onions until tender. Add minced beef and cook
until browned.
Reduce heat to low and stir in olives, raisins and hardboiled
eggs. Season with the salt, pepper and cumin.
Cook for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let the
filling cool down.
Place the pastry discs on a flat surface. Brush edges
with warm water and salt. Put a tablespoon of minced
beef filling in the centre, fold dough over and seal
edges pressing with a fork.
Transfer empanadas to the greased trays and brush
with beaten egg before baking for ten minutes or until
golden brown.
Bon Appetit!
BOOK review - french
kissing
If only every girl could have a French penfriend like
Alexandre...
28-year-old Anna Mitchel has been writing letters to
Alexandre since they met on a school exchange trip
as young teenagers. Exam results, first jobs, and new
partners are detailed in their letters as time goes by,
but Anna never seems to have the time to hop on the
Eurostar and see her friend again after all these years. But
when Paris-based Alex, now a successful photographer,
is offered a job in London
and needs a place to stay,
Anna offers to put him up.
To her surprise, the
shy, skinny boy she
remembers is now tall,
broad-shouldered - and
gorgeous. Anna’s female
friends are soon swooning
over Alex, but he has just
broken up with his longterm
girlfriend, and has
no intention of embarking
on a relationship with
anyone else. Anna’s
steady boyfriend Nick is jealous of her friendship with a
handsome single man. Months go by, and Anna and her
penfriend grow closer and closer, till one day, Alex has
to return to Paris for a photography exhibition, and asks
Anna to accompany him, finally giving her the chance to
see the city he adores...
Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Strolling along the banks of the Seine and exploring the
narrow winding streets of Montmartre, Anna discovers
that Paris is also a city where it would be very easy to fall
in love. Even if the man you long to kiss still has feelings
for his ex, and regards you only as his amie Anglaise - his
English friend.
French Kissing is an original and witty novel, a pageturning
contemporary romance that is, at different
times, both light-hearted and sensuous. As the action
moves from London to Paris, these two vibrant cities are
brought vividly to life, while the chemistry between the
main characters simply leaps off the page.
22 Cestria Magazine

Cestria Magazine
23