Book Review: His Forbidden Obsession: A sizzling forbidden love, secret pregnancy & forced proximity romance (The Martinelli Wedding Book 4) by Michelle Smart

His Forbidden Obsession is the fourth novel in Michelle Smart’s mafia romance series, The Martinelli Wedding. 

Niccolo Martinelli belongs to one of Italy’s oldest, noble, richest and prestigious families. His father is a Duke. Georgia Thomas is an unknown interior designer. She knows there is no future for them as a couple. Nic is having financial difficulties and so needs an influx of cash. The mafia Esposito family lend him the money on the condition that he marries the daughter, Siena. The Esposito family feel that this marriage will give their name social standing to go with their millions. Georgia and Nic have one last weekend together, he tells her about his upcoming nuptials, asks if she will continue to be his lover/ mistress and she tells him to sling his hook. Fast forward 4 months. She has realised she is pregnant and he he is the runaway groom. The Esposito brothers are trying to kill them both as their father dropped dead after Nic ran during the wedding. Nic rescues Georgia in London and they go into hiding. The question remains will they survive long enough to build a HEA? 

I really enjoyed this novel. I think it’s one of my favourite reads of 2025 and the most enjoyable out of the series, although all 4 have interesting and enjoyable storylines. The novel is well paced, the characters gel well together. There are links and references between this and the other novels in the series that are not just an afterthought but work together. The book and storyline is well paced, doesn’t drag and it feels like the author really enjoyed writing this book. If you enjoy mafia inspired, secret pregnancy, alpha male romances I would recommend this and the other novels in this series. 

An ARC copy was provided by Michelle Smart in exchange for an honest review

Book Review:Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon; Harlan Coben

Gone Before Goodbye is a psychological thriller co-authored by Reece Witherspoon and Harlan Coben. 

Dr Maggie Maggie McCabe had been a successful surgeon. She had worked as an army surgeon and won several medals for her bravery. When she left the army she married fellow army medic, Marc, and set up a charity , WorldCures Alliance, which helped victims in war torn areas with their best friend Trace. Her life fell apart when Marc was killed in a war torn Tunisia - he had gone to save lives but lost his own. Her mother died, Maggie’s medical licence was suspended and she was facing a lawsuit from a former patient, so was unable to practice what she loved. She was talking to her husband through a grief bot an app that her sister was creating to help people come to term with their loss of loved ones. Maggie and her sister were facing bankruptcy when she was offered an opportunity by her old professor, Dr Barlow. She would go to Russia operate on 2 people and leave. It sounded so simple and would clear their debts. She took the job and her life spiralled from there into a murky underworld which finally solved her husband’s  death. 

The first 47% of the novel dragged in places as the scene was set for the twists and turns which culminated in an end I did not anticipate. The characters interact well together. Porkchop is my favourite character who, during the first half of the book, caught my interest enough to carry on reading and I am so pleased that I did!  Porkchop’s humorous and stoic character balanced out the confusion, intensity and grief that shaped the main storyline. The exploration of grief and the use of AI to combat those feelings was an interesting tool to show how deeply Maggie depended on her husband in life and death. I read this in one setting as the suspense was palpable. I wanted to see who actually killed Marc and find out where Trace was.  The ending was unexpected as the authors left not a single clue or hint until the last few pages unveiled the answers that Maggie and Nadia had been looking for. 

An ARC copy was provided by Netgalley UK and Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review

Book Review: The Cut Throat Trial by The Secret Barrister writing as S. J. Fleet

The Cut Throat Trial, written by S.J Fleet, is a legal thriller which captures the reader’s imagination. It has an intense sit on the edge of your seat and don’t anticipate the twist at the end plot line which is both enjoyable and nerve racking! 

A retired music teacher goes out on New Years Eve to purchase a bottle of champagne to share with his wife, a yearly tradition. He never returns. Bernard Hooper is brutally murdered, killed by a knife injuries. The trial takes place at Ableford Crown Court a year later. As is devastated wife Rita points out, he will never meet his first grandchild. Three teenagers, Craig, Arron and Jamal  are accused of killing an elderly music teacher. EAs the trial progresses cracks appear in the case as it is clear the evidence is not as clear cut as it first appears. 

The narrative and point of views moves between all the main characters, defendants, Judge etc. each chapter focuses and tells the story from a different viewpoint/voice. The reader also learns about the backgrounds of the characters and none are particularly likeable. The boys’ lives have been shaped by social deprivation, the judge already assumes they are guilty before the trial even begins and the barristers are an eclectic set of individuals. There is lots of court room drama and tension and not surprisingly the novel gives an insight into how trials play out in the English legal system. 

This is a morally compelling complex legal drama. Enjoyable to read but also shows the reader not to assume but listen to all the evidence and arguments before coming to the decision of who is guilty (or not). I enjoyed the style of writing, the pacing of the storyline was just right and kept me, as the reader, enthralled in finding out who the killer actually was. I am looking forward to reading the next novel by Fleet. 

An ARC copy was provided by Netgalley UK and Picador  in exchange for an honest review

Review: Halloween Themed Classic Canes Bats At Night Derby Walking Stick

Repost: I haven’t purchased and reviewed a walking stick for some time but I as I was browsing the Stick and Cane website I noticed that Classic Canes have launched quite a few walking sticks in their Contemporary Chic  Derby Adjustable Stick. The patterns include ladybirds, owls, birds and bats. I want them all, but restrained myself and chose the bat themed walking stick. 

The Bats at Night walking Stick (£46) is adjustable, collapses into four pieces and comes in a protective pouch. My stick looks slightly strange in the photo as I had a piece removed (I am only 4ft 7”). There are black bats, tree silhouettes, orange and yellow stars on a greyish background. Depending on the lighting and background the grey takes on a lavender tint.  The stick comes with a black non slip ferrule and a chrome collar. The colours aren’t exactly the same between the handle of the cane and the shaft (not a design flaw but due to the different materials used to make the stick) and I think that adds to the spookiness of the design. The derby shaped handle is comfortable to hold and the height of the stick is easy to adjust, just press the silver buttons at the top of the shaft and slide to the height you want. Without having any adjustments made to the walking stick it is adjustable from 79cm to 89cm.

I enjoy using this stick. The theme and graphics are really cute and eye catching. I shall continue to use it when Halloween is over! 

I purchased the item myself and the views expressed in my blog are my own 

Mr Snug Katden, Outside Cabin for Feral Cats

I purchased and reviewed the Cat Cosy Cabin a few months ago. It is made still in use, albeit by a different cat. The original cat, Princess Jasmine has moved into the house to live with the ex resident of the original cat house, Lily, who is not amused. Saturn, their brother has moved into the cosy cabin but Poppy, their sister, was living in the garden and needed shelter. I couldn’t find Cosy Cabins in stock anywhere so I purchased a Mr Snug Katden with mattress and liner in dark green (£84.99). As a side note they are all black cats (not easy to rehome even though they have gorgeous temperaments when on their own) and are from the same litter. They don’t like each other any more as they want to be the only child after they moved themselves out of a hoarder situation of 27 cats to live with the idiot down the road!

The den is raised off the floor so the resident will not feel damp or cold through the bottom of the house. There is a drainage hole so it easy to clean and drain the water out and a porch to help stop rain getting in. The den is easy to clean, hygienic, parasites and microorganisms cannot live in it and it will not rot as it isn’t made of wood, so even though it’s expensive it is an investment as it will last a long time! 

The den measures 55Dx40wx44Hcm, weighs 4.5kg so may need weighing down in gales but doesn’t take off during normal winds! The entrance measures 15Wx19Hcm. 

I went for the mattress and liner option. The mattress measures 16”x16” the liner 18”x14”x14”. They arrived already inside the den which I was pleased about as I have mobility problems and would have struggled to get the liner to fit in so it was comfortable for Poppy. The material feels and looks great quality. The liner is very thick and will be a great layer of insulation for cold winter months (although I think she is planning on moving into the house before then). Both the liner and mattress are machine washable. I will be buying a set (29.99) to put in my cabin, as I am so pleased with them. 

There are several different options/packages when purchasing a Katden. There is just a den (different colour options), den and a door, den and a self heating pad, den and a mattress, den and a mattress and liner, den and a cooling mat or any of these options and a door (just make sure you choose the installed option if you aren’t handy! 

I love the Mr Snug Katden just as much as the Cosy Cabin. Both are great options and it would be unfair to say one is better than the other as they both do the job, are well made etc. I shall do a side by side review once Poppy has fully moved in.

I purchased the item myself and the views expressed in this blog are my own. 

 

#Win Chamilia Beauty and The Beast Sterling Silver Pendant & an E-book Beauty and the Reclusive Millionaire by Rachael Stewart

 As my last blog post showcased Rachael Stewart, this linked post will contain the promised competition prize - the Beauty and the Beast, A Tale as Old as Time, Sterling Silver Pendant. Rachael Stewart is donating an ebook of her True Love romantic novel Beauty And The Reclusive Millionaire as it was inspired by this timeless classic. 

Chamilia’s Beauty and the Beast collection launched in 2017. The Disney x Chamilia collaboration included bracelet charms, rings, earrings and pendants. Belle’s rose was the main feature but characters such as Cogsworth, Lumiere, Chip and Mrs Potts also made an appearance. 

This sterling silver pendant is shaped like a book - Belle loved reading.  It has Belle’s rose on one side and “A Tale as Old as Time” inscribed on  the other. The bale has Disney Chamilia stamped on it. The necklace is sterling silver and has a tiny Chamilia tag attached to the fastener. It is packaged in a Chamilia drawer style gift box. 

Beauty And The Reclusive Billionaire (True Love Mills & Boon) is inspired by the timeless classic, Beauty and the Beast.  Catherine and Alaric were childhood friends who drifted apart and haven’t seen each other in 10 years. Catherine now goes by Kitty and is a famous LA actress. Alaric, however, has had a terrible accident and has hidden himself away on a private Greek island. Kitty is going through some emotional and physical trauma and Alaric’s sister suggests she goes to the island to recover.  The chemistry between them is still there and whilst Alaric acts like the angst ridden hero and Kitty is still struggling with the aftermath of her recent ordeals they start to heal together. This is very much a modern day Beauty and the Beast romance set in a beautiful island and of course there is a library!

To enter the competition all you need to do is fill in the compulsory Rafflecopter questions - you will get more entries if you fill them all in. 

Rafflecopter Link: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules:

Must fulfil the compulsory Rafflecopter requirements;

Competition is open worldwide;

Competition opens on July 17 2025

Competition closed on August 17 2025

Good Luck 

Rachael Stewart: Romance Rocks

Rachael Stewart is an author who can be found in the romance genre. Her books can be anything from tame to explicit but they are all fun and enjoyable reads. She mainly writes for Mills & Boon but with the advent of Kindle Unlimited and expansion of online self publishing,  her raunchier reads can be found there! I chose to write a blog post about this author as I subscribed to her newsletter and now receive not only e-books to read but she also highlights books from authors who fall into similar genres. 

As you can see below I have been reviewing her novels since 2020 and reading her books since I invested in a kindle back in 2012. Apart from a few duds I really enjoy her work and if you choose to subscribe to her website or download her books I hope that you do to! 

Book Reviews:

Mr One-Night Stand 

Naughty or Nice 

What Happens at the Beach

Reluctant Bride's Baby Bombshell

Fake Fling with the Billionaire

Website: Here

As she is a romance author and Beauty and the Beast is the ultimate timeless romance,  I decided to offer this Chamilia Beauty and the Beast, A Tale as Old my as Time, sterling silver pendant as this month’s blog prize. Rachael Stewart is donating an ebook of her True Love romantic novel Beauty And The Reclusive Millionaire, as it was inspired by this timeless classic.