Want to Know How? Ask Karen!

World-renowned spiritual teacher and healer Karen Ruimy offers a soulful guide to romantic love, healing, and inner transformation

Internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher, healer and performer Karen Ruimy announces the release of her new book, Ask Karen the Series, a powerful companion for anyone navigating the mysteries of romantic love, soulmates, twin flames, and spiritual partnership.

Drawing on years of deep spiritual work and thousands of heartfelt questions from her weekly Instagram Lives, spiritual guide Karen Ruimy reframes romantic love not as a distraction or indulgence, but as one of the most sacred and transformational experiences available to us in this lifetime.

“Romantic love can elevate us, crack us open, and mirror our deepest wounds,” says Karen. “It is here to awaken us. Love is a sacred mirror, revealing not only our current energetic vibration but the deeper desires of our own soul path.”

Love as a Sacred Mirror

Ask Karen - the Series invites readers to see romantic love as a soul call - a profound yearning not simply for “the other,” but for a return to wholeness within themselves.

Within the book Karen explores how love exposes our ego patterns, fears, and standards, illuminates where we still seek external validation or rescue and encourages us to reclaim our power through self-love and inner healing.

While many of us pour our longing into the search for a partner, Karen offers a radical reframe: true fulfilment does not come from being chosen, but from choosing yourself - again and again.

“Love is sacred, union is a mirror, and being seen in your wholeness by another is one of the most beautiful, brave human experiences we will ever know,” Karen writes. “But it must begin within.”

Redesigning the Matrix of Love

The book gently guides readers to “rewire the matrix” of their romantic life through deep, reflective inquiry. Karen invites readers to ask:

- Who am I when I’m not trying to be loved?

- What is my soul guiding me towards?

- What does my inner child still long to hear?

- Where do I ache for my own tenderness?

- What am I still waiting for someone else to fix or fill?

These questions, she explains, are not quick fixes, but lifelong gateways into authentic self-connection. When we commit to our own healing and say yes to self-love, life begins to meet us with partners, mirrors, and soul companions who honour who we truly are.

A Soul Space, Not Just a Book

Born from countless real-life questions - “How do I find love? How do I trust it? How do I heal when it ends? How do I know if someone is “the one”?” Ask Karen: The Series is both a response and a refuge.

Karen describes the book as “a conversation with you - a safe space, a soul space.”

She speaks not as a distant guru, but as a teacher and friend who has walked the path of love, loss, and transformation herself.Within its pages, readers will explore heartbreak and soulmates, twin flames and divine timing, energetic communication, karmic ties, what it means to be in a true spiritual partnership and the deeper purpose of romantic love.

At its core, the book carries one central message: Love is not a distraction from your spiritual path - love is the spiritual path.

To receive your copy of Ask Karen you can purchase now for £8.99.

https://karenruimy.com

Finding Good Independent Bookshops: Why They Matter and How to Discover Them

There’s something quietly magical about stepping into an independent bookshop. The scent of paper and ink. The handwritten recommendation cards. 

The sense that every title has been chosen with care, not just shipped in bulk.

For That’s Books and More, let’s explore why independent bookshops deserve our support – and how to find the very best ones.

Why Independent Bookshops Still Matter

In an age of algorithms and one-click ordering, independent bookshops offer something refreshingly human.

1. Curated, Not Calculated

Unlike large online retailers, indie bookshops are built around taste, knowledge and passion. Staff recommendations aren’t based on browsing history – they’re based on genuine enthusiasm and years of reading.

2. Community Hubs

Many independents host author events, reading groups, children’s story sessions and local launches. From talks at Daunt Books to community evenings at Mr B’s Emporium, these spaces foster real connections between readers and writers.

https://dauntbooks.co.uk

https://mrbsemporium.com

3. Championing New and Local Voices

Independent bookshops are far more likely to spotlight small presses, debut authors and regional writers. If you want to discover something beyond the bestseller charts, this is where to look.

How to Find a Great Independent Bookshop

Use National Directories

In the UK, The Booksellers Association runs the Bookshop.org platform, which helps readers support independent shops with online purchases. Meanwhile, Independent Bookshop Week celebrates and promotes indie bookshops nationwide each year.

Explore Your Local High Street

Some of the best bookshops aren’t flashy – they’re tucked between a bakery and a charity shop. Look for:

Staff recommendation shelves

Well-organised but personality-filled displays

Local interest sections

Noticeboards packed with community events

Follow Bookshops on Social Media

Many independents are brilliant at sharing reading lists, event announcements and staff picks online. It’s an easy way to see whether their style suits yours before visiting.

Travel for the Experience

If you’re visiting another town or city, seek out its best indie bookshop. Shops such as The Grove Bookshop in Devon or Barter Books in Northumberland are destinations in their own right.

What Makes an Independent Bookshop “Good”?

A truly good independent bookshop often has:

Knowledgeable, approachable staff

Carefully chosen stock rather than overwhelming quantity

Comfortable browsing space

Events and reader engagement

A sense of identity

Some specialise in crime fiction. Others focus on travel, art, children’s literature or second-hand treasures. The key is authenticity.

The Joy of the Unexpected Find

Online shopping is efficient. Independent bookshops are serendipitous.

You might walk in looking for one title and leave with three you never knew you needed. That unexpected discovery – a novel you’ve never heard of, a forgotten classic, a local history gem – is part of the experience.

And when a bookseller presses a title into your hands and says, “Trust me,” you often end up discovering your next favourite author.

Why Supporting Independent Bookshops Matters

Buying from an independent shop keeps money circulating locally. It supports high streets. It helps preserve cultural spaces in our towns and cities.

In a world that often feels increasingly digital and distant, independent bookshops remind us that reading is still a shared, human experience.

So next time you’re looking for your next read, skip the algorithm. Step inside an independent bookshop instead.

You might just find more than a book.

More Steam Trains at Chester Station

This time it is the preserved steam hauled train The Irish Mail.

Again I recorded the video whilst waiting for a connecting Transport For Wales Train from Chester to the West Midlands, having just alighted from a Merseyrail metro train on platform 7, which is the only platform at Chester with an electric line, being a third rail powered line. 

A Steam Train in Chester

During my commutes to and from Liverpool to the West Midlands I use a slightly convoluted, but shorter, train journey which involves travelling via Chester and then using the Metro to Liverpool which is Liverpool's very own underground railway service which goes under the River Mersey and direct in the heart of Liverpool's iconic city centre.

There's often a fairly lengthy wait at Chester for a connecting service to the West Midlands. However, there's often a good deal of steam trains passing through Chester station and I have made videos of those steam trains.

I was watching a steam train video on YouTube the other day when I thought: "Wait a minute! I have a number of steam train videos that I recorded at Chester station. And as I also have a YouTube channel, why not upload those videos to my channel?"

And this is what I have started to do from today onward. I hope you enjoy this short example of British steam train nostalgia. 

Not Quite Done with Dating: Latest book from Bella Osborne

The protagonist of Not Quite Done With Dating is Nora. To be honest, Nora's dating life, of late, has been hit and miss. But more miss than anything else.

Nora realises that leaving her dating life up to chance or fate, as she has done so ar, simply hasn't been working out for her.

However, Nora has one more trick up her sleeve that most of us don't have. Because Nora is a statistician. 

Her gut feelings might have let her down but have numbers ever let her down? No! You always know where you are with numbers.

So Nora designs a unique mathematical formula to help her play the dating game. But this time she intends to use math and numbers to conquer the quest to find romantic love in her life!

Putting her love theory to the test takes Nora to some decidedly odd places that are populated with some decidedly odd men.

But she's not going to accept defeat. After all, she knows that her one, special man must be out there, somewhere. But maybe that one, special man is closer to her than she realises?

What do readers say?

"I love Bella Osborne’s books and this one is no exception! Not Quite Done With Dating is a smart, funny rom-com that kept me turning the pages. I loved the mix of humour and heart — especially the idea of trying to logic your way to finding love. The characters are delightful, the writing is beautiful, and the humour genuinely made me smile. 5 sparkling stars for this gorgeous read!"

"So many laugh out loud moments, along with adorable characters and a story that keeps you on the toes as Nora backtracks through her catalogue of boyfriends. The sort of book where you want to be friends with many of the characters and others give them a good shake. The perfect heartwarming read you didn't know you needed."

It's available in paperback at £9.49 or Kindle at £3.99 on Amazon and you can order it here:- 

https://amzn.to/3OtMmqH

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon -Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo- Performance Details Announced & Ticket Sales Now Open!

Cast, and Ticket Information Revealed for New Immersive Sailor Moon Theater Opening in Tokyo in April 2026.

The cast lineup and ticket details have been officially announced for the highly anticipated new Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon theater production, “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon – Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo, japan” set to open in April 2026 at Club eX, Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo.

This new theater experience continues the legacy of the beloved theater restaurant “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon – SHINING MOON TOKYO,” which operated in Azabu-Juban in 2019 and attracted significant attention from fans. 

Reimagined as a next-generation entertainment space, the Shinagawa theater offers audiences a deeper and more immersive encounter with the world of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon through original stories and stage direction created exclusively for this venue.

The show and greeting performances will feature a double-cast system divided into Team Gold Moon and Team Silver Moon.

In addition, the production introduces an original enemy character, Queen Valsia, created specifically for this theatre. With bespoke stage direction, music, and costumes, the cast will bring to life an entirely new musical experience unique to this production.

Original Drinks & Sweets

Guests can enhance their theater experience with exclusive menu items available for pre-purchase through the official online ticketing system. These include the “Crystal Bottle Drink,” designed to be enjoyed while watching the performance, and the “Luna Cut-Out Baumkuchen (Plain),” featuring original artwork of Luna.

The Crystal Bottle Drink lineup includes flavors and colors inspired by the ten Sailor Guardians and Tuxedo Mask. Limited-edition drinks themed after the Sailor Starlights will also be available during each character’s birthday period.

Inside the theater, guests may order alcoholic beverages such as the “Shining Cocktail,” inspired by Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion, as well as a selection of non-alcoholic drinks.

Please check the official website for important notes and details.

Ticket Information

Tickets will be sold through the official online platform, where both domestic and international audiences can select seats.

General On-sale: February 8, 2026

All ticket sales operate on a first-come, first-served basis and will close once inventory is sold out.

Ticket sales will be released in phases, each covering four months of performances. Phase 1 includes shows from April through July 2026. Details for later phases will be announced via official websites.

Performance Details

Title:　Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon -Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo-

Opening:　April 4, 2026

Venue:　Club eX, Shinagawa Prince Hotel (Tokyo, Japan)

Original Work:　Naoko Takeuchi (Published by Kodansha)

Composition & Direction:　Go Ueki

Script:　Shinjiro Kameda

Visual Art & Theatre Design:　Wataru Linda Igarashi

Ticket Prices (tax included):

Premium Seat / Premium Seat (Sofa): ¥18,000

Class S Seat: ¥13,000

Class A Seat: ¥8,000

Class A Seat (Ages 4–12): ¥4,000

BOX Room: ¥32,000

Cast details are available on the official website.

Official Channels:

Website　https://prettyguardiansailormoon-stst.com

X　https://x.com/sailormoon_STST

Instagram　https://www.instagram.com/sailormoon_stst/

Official Hashtags:

#prettyguardiansailormoonshiningtheater #shiningtheater

#美少女戦士セーラームーン #シャイニングシアター

© Naoko Takeuchi

© Naoko Takeuchi,PNP/“Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo” project

Celebrating International Book Giving Day

Because stories and ideas are meant to be shared.

International Book Giving Day, marked each year on 14 February, is a gentle reminder that books are one of the most meaningful gifts we can give. 

Whether it’s a brand-new picture book, a much-loved paperback, or a surprise novel slipped onto a friend’s doorstep, the day is all about spreading the joy of reading – without pressure, price tags, or pretence.

Why book giving matters

A book can educate, comfort, distract, inspire, or simply offer a few quiet minutes away from the world. For children especially, receiving a book can spark a lifelong love of reading. For adults, it can feel like being truly seen – “I thought you’d like this.”

International Book Giving Day encourages us to think beyond ourselves and remember that not everyone has easy access to books at home.

Simple ways to take part

You don’t need to do anything elaborate. Small gestures are very much the point:

Gift a book to a child – a new title or a gently used favourite

Donate books to schools, libraries, food banks, or charities such as Book Aid International https://bookaid.org

Leave a book somewhere public with a note inviting someone to enjoy it

Post a book to a friend “just because”

Share a recommendation on social media and encourage others to do the same

Even one book can make a difference.

A lovely excuse to talk about reading

For book lovers, the day is also a chance to celebrate stories and ideas themselves. It’s a great prompt to revisit childhood favourites, support local bookshops, or finally pass on that novel you couldn’t stop talking about.

At That’s Books and More, we love anything that puts books into more hands and more homes. International Book Giving Day isn’t about grand gestures – it’s about kindness, connection, and the quiet magic of a good read finding the right reader.

So if you’re looking for a thoughtful way to mark the day, skip the chocolates and share a story instead.