The illustrations in this book are fantastic.  I like how the animals are realistically draw and their facial expressions are fun.  What wonderful messages this book expresses.

There is a large barn where a variety of animals are safely tucked away during a rain storm.  Snuggled inside, all the animals feel safe and secure.  As the lightening scatters overhead and the rain pours down, a family of foxes is left outside.  Discovering a light in the barn, the adult fox glances into the broken barn window as the barn animals stare up at her, their eyes wide.  A fox!  Some of the animals feel threaten by this predator and the message they send, is not friendly.    

As the fox moves away from the window and returns to the family, the barn door is opened. Why?  Good question.  Who exactly opened the door, that is another great feature that I liked about this book.  A beautiful illustration awaits me as I turned the next page.

The other animals watch from afar, as the brave animal approaches the fox.  There is a line that separates them, a line that can be crossed if they are brave enough and ready to cross. 

I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book.  It’s a beautiful book!  There were some strong messages in this book which could be applied to many situations in our own daily lives.  The text and language that the author uses, was dynamic.  Short, simple sentences composed of familiar words mixed with some more challenging words (dapple, prevails, gash, asunder).  I’m going to have to pick up a copy of this one, I think my grandchildren will enjoy it.

JOIN LAURA, AND HER FRIENDS IN ANOTHER ADVENTURE PACKED JOURNEY AT HER CHATEAU IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE.

Following her accident in the snow, Laura wakes up in Enzo’s bed. How did she get there? Is Enzo her ‘happy ever after? And, where is Shadow, her faithful companion? Follow her antics, as she experiences her first Christmas in the beautiful Ardeche, with exciting visits to Paris to attend the auction of her hidden treasures. Her struggles with builders, as the campsite is under construction and the Chateau refurbished. She also finds herself involved in an emotional court case and must deal with some eccentric guests along the way. Will the ghost of Aunt Mary make another appearance, and does Laura manage to find any information about the resistance in the war years? Read on to find out how Laura deals with her belligerent neighbour, Xavier, and much, much more!

Review 4.5 rounded up to 5*

Sweet Pea is the second book in The Chateau series written by Emma Sharp.

Laura Mackley is a character I struggled to like in the first book of the series. However, in this second book, I found myself admiring her a lot more and enjoyed watching her grow and flourish as the story progressed. Laura is an ex-nurse from England living in a chateau in France she inherited from her Aunt Mary.

The story picks up from the end of the first book. I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read the first book, so all I will say is that Laura finds herself facing many challenges as she tries to get her new business up and running and the story is told through her eyes.

Most of the characters from the first book appear in the second one. Xavier is a French farmer, working for Laura. He comes across as intense and broody at first, but he seems to soften as this story unfolds. Alice is his elderly mother. Who, after recovering from her stroke, is now helping Laura and her son with the running of the farm. Then there is Gus, Xavier's ten-year-old young son. He helps around the farm when not at school and is a lovely character. Enzo is a Scottish vet working in France, and Jenny is Laura's best friend from England, who is a nurse. There are a few more characters that make an appearance, which gives the story a lovely realistic feel.

This story is an easy summer read. As mentioned above, Laura grows as a character, and I love reading books when the MC does do so. The challenges she faces are realistic and could happen to anyone, so makes them relatable. The title is apt because there is growth in all aspects of this story - in relationships, and farming, amongst other things. Speaking of relationships, I enjoyed watching one in particular flourish. I will not mention who, as I will leave it to you to read the story to find out. The story also continues about the history of the chateau. And the involvement of the inhabitants of the village during the Second World War. I found this aspect interesting.

The ending has a little twist, and I am now looking forward to reading the next book to see how it all works out.

Emma Sharp is a debut author who has written an intriguing story. Her writing has improved considerably since the first book. It's not often that the second book is better than the debut, but this one shows the growth of the author as well as the characters. It is still not as fast-paced as some books I've read, but it was enough for me to keep turning the pages. The story flows well, which makes it more enjoyable too.

Although there are no scenes of violence, there is some mention of a sexual nature (which fades and is not explicit), I do not recommend this book to younger readers, as I feel they may struggle with it. I do, however, recommend this book to readers of women's fiction, historical fiction, literary humour and romance. - Lynn Worton

The Report “Aquaponics Market– By Equipment (Grow Lights, Pumps & Valves, Water heaters, Aeration Systems) Component (Rearing Tanks, Settling Basins, Sump, Biofilter, Hydroponics) Produce (Fish, Vegetables & Fruits, Herbs) End User (Commercial, Home, Community) -Forecast(2016–2021)”, is published by IndustryARC.

Browse 21 Market Tables, 75 Figures spread through 174 Pages and an in-depth TOC on “Aquaponics Market (2016 - 2021)”
http://industryarc.com/Report/22/global-commercial-aquaponics-market.html

Aquaponics refers to a symbiotic integration of aquaculture, or the raising of fish and hydroponics, or the growth of plants in a water-based system. This creates a highly sustainable natural system as no harsh chemicals are used to produce food. This report provides the detailed analysis of the components, equipment, produce as well as end-users related to aquaponics.

Aquaponic systems provide year-round crop production under a greenhouse. As the water used in aquaponic systems contain fish waste, it becomes nutrient-rich which in turn accelerates the crop production time. Costs related to soil based gardening problems are reduced when using an aquaponic system. Reduced preparation time and transport & storage costs of food are also the major benefits of aquaponics systems. Rising consumption of organic foods especially in the developed nations provides necessary impetus to the aquaponics market growth. Driven by the aforementioned features of aquaponics, investments for establishing medium to large scale projects as well as funds to upgrade the existing systems is increasing over time propelling the demand for equipment and components.

In aquaponics market, pumps and valves have emerged as the largest revenue generating equipment segment. On the other hand, market for components such as biofilters and consumables including feed, seeds have the high growth potential.

Major equipment of aquaponic systems include:

Grow Lights
Pumps & Valves
Water heaters
Aeration Systems
Monitoring and Alarms
Others

North America is the dominant market for aquaponic produce and is estimated to reach $289.1 Million by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 15.3% during 2016-2021. The number of practitioners is highly concentrated in U.S. Growing organic food demand in emerging economies like India and China strengthens the market growth in APAC region. Market for herbs, biomass & flowers is set to grow faster as compared to relatively well penetrated segments fruits, fish and vegetables.

Various produces of aquaponics included in the market study are:

Fish
Herbs
Vegetables & Fruits
Flowers and Biomass

The global aquaponics market report provides detailed analysis of the different components, produce type, equipment and end-users of aquaponics systems. The overall market is also presented from the perspective of different geographic regions and key countries in each region.

Browse Related Reports:

Apiculture Market Analysis: By Products (Honey, Beeswax, Live Bees); By Applications (Food & Beverage, Agriculture, Military, Medicine, Cosmetic and Chemical) and By Geography - Forecast (2015 - 2020).
http://industryarc.com/Report/213/Global-Apiculture-Market-Forecast-Report.html

BioControl Agents Market By Active Substance (Microbials, Macrobials,); By Application (Seed Treatment, On-Field); By Environment; By Crop (Cereals & Grains, Vegetables & Fruits); By Target Pest (Arthropods, Weeds, Micro-organisms) -Forecast (2015 - 2020).
http://industryarc.com/Report/15013/biocontrol-agents-market.html

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Cicero was full of shit.

Though I did some Classics in the 80s, I barely read any Cicero. (This was out of personal indolence, not the fault of my courses...) He is one of the people from the Graeco-Roman world I really would like to read a bit more of than I did back then - probably in translation on a long National Express coach journey, or something. The impression I retain of Cicero is attractive: someone vain, voluble, companionable, and - crucially - warm; somewhat larger than life, volcanic by temperament, capable of being quite formidable. I think he was like some figures in the performing arts up and down my lifetime, certain directors - I can't even name names right now - rather than politicians I can think of who are active now. I'm sure I've met something of him in a number of people. I dare say the bar still accommodates people with his talents and personality and virtues - I have just known very few people who work there.

If you're into stuff like this, you can read the full review.