Book Review: Reluctant Bride's Baby Bombshell by Rachael Stewart

Reluctant Bride's Baby Bombshell by Rachael Stewart is part of the four part one year to wed series published by the True Love series for Mills & Boon.

Eve fled the Australian outback and her home town of Marni after discovering her parents had lied to both her and to her sisters. She has built a life in London and a loving relationship with her maternal grandparents whilst remaining estranged from her parents and sisters. She returns home after her father dies to discover that to inherit the cattle station, Garrison Downs,  the sisters must all marry within a year. Nate Harrington is the son of George who was Eve’s father’s lawyer. As he is I’ll Nate has move home and taken over his practice. Nate resents his father but slowly discovers her was absent for most of his childhood as he was busy helping others. Nate and Eve meet and have a one night stand the night she returns to Marni. She finds out she is pregnant and the storyline goes from there. 

The storyline is very formulaic and there is nothing fun or memorable about it. The characters don’t seem to gell or work very well together. I also thought that they didn’t really catch the reader’s attention.  I enjoyed that that bothe characters worked through their childhood and parental issues. I wouldn’t reread this novel and normally I enjoy Rachael Stewart’s books. 

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I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: Her Secret Baby Confession by Juliette Hyland

Her Secret Baby Confession by Juliette Hyland is a Mills & Boon Medical romance and the second novel in the Hope Hospital series. 

Jackson Peters, a nurse anaesthetist and Dr Ryann Oliver, a trauma surgeon had baby Alya after a one night stand in Hawaii. Jackson never thought he would be a father and has lots of emotional baggage dating back to being abandoned as a very young child. but Ryann has spent the past year trying to firstly tell him sw was pregnant and then that she had had a baby girl. She finally tracks him down to Hope hospital Arizona where she obtains a job as surgeon so she can finally tell him. The story unfolds from there. 

 I enjoyed this book because for once the heroine is the surgeon and both main characters are 40ish with interesting backstories. As someone who lives in the UK I was interested to read this medical romance which very slightly touched on the issues that shape the US - more black women die in child birth for example which I don’t think has ever been addressed in any othe medical novel I have read. 

I disliked the lack of tension and chemistry between the couple. There was a lack of a build up between the pair. was focused on building the perfect family life, whilst one of Ryann’s dominant storylines  was that she was obsessively focused on her elimination diet so she could breast feed. 

A bland book that lacks something to make the characters likeable. A shame as the premise is great. 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Westlab - A Revitalising Combination of Epsom Salts & Reviving Shower Gel For The Perfect Reviving, Relaxing & Revitalising Bath.

 I have chronic pain 24 hours a day and stress and medication triggered psoriasis on my scalp, face an shoulders. When I am having a flare up either condition and to keep my skin under control I enjoy a long soak in a warm bath filled with half a bag of Epsom bath salts. As they are odourless and leave the water clear they don’t make the bath fun, it seems to be just functional. I saw the Westlab bath and shower gels and thought I could combine the two.

The Westlab Epsom bath salts cost £3.19 and the Westlab reviving bath and shower gel £4.99. I used half the bag of the 1kg bath salts and a good squirt of the shower gel to make a foamy bath. 

The shower gel added a hint of luxury and relaxation to my bath. The gel didn’t irritate my skin as it is  SLS free, made with Epsom salts and has magnesium sulphate in it to relax the muscles. I found using it as a bath foam made my bath very relaxing, but also reviving and revitalising. The fresh lemony spa like scent made me relax a lot quicker. The bubbles felt thick and luxurious making the whole experience more sensorial. 

The bath salts are bath salts. They dissolved easily in the bath, leaving the water clear and odourless with no gritty pieces to stand on when getting in and out. 

I felt relaxed and my pain noises quietened down for a few hours which I was pleased about after my bath. As someone with chronic pain I am always looking for ways to reduce it and I find bath salts and a warm bath so help. My psoriasis didn’t flare up as it is normally prone to do if I get too hot or try new products which, again, was a bonus. I enjoyed both of these products and will repurchase.

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

Book Review: The Witch Is Back by Sophie H. Morgan

Mills and Boon published a supernatural Nocturne series between 2013-2017. They seem to be dipping their publishing tie in the world of supernatural romance once again with The Witch is Back by Sophie H Morgan. 

This is a second chance at love romance. Emma Blueswater is a such who wants to leave her witchness firmly in the past. She was never a particularly a good witch. Spells were never her thing. She much prefers running a bar called Toil and Trouble in Chicago with her two best friends, Leah who is human but wants to be a witch and Tia who is also a witch. Her dog and three legged cat are an adorable aside to the plot line. Bastian  Truenote, her best friend since childhood, deserted her when they are making plans for their arranged marriage seven years ago. Despite the complicated marriage contract being signed when they were children he suddenly disappeared without trace. She is humiliated and the mystical/ magical society, especially her mother, blame her as she is not a very good witch. She escapes to the human world where she has lived happily with her friends. He turns up years later in Emma’s bar begging her for a second chance and for the marriage to go ahead as otherwise his mother will die. Bastian is unwilling to share the reasons why he fled in the first place. They go through with the marriage but will they be able to recapture the happiness and love of their youth. 

Although this is a mystical romance many of the split lines are firmly based in reality. Emma is an introvert, Bastian an extrovert. Emma was bullied by her mother when she was a child to the extent that she hates speaking in public. Their characters develop and grow, showing how toxic family life, betrayal and loyal friends can shape a relationship.loyal friends.

This is my first witch/ spells/ paranormal romance and I wasn’t disappointed. Although the basic romantic storyline isn’t by any means unique the way that that the characters, witches and spells were interwoven and shape the dynamic and direction of the storyline made it a very enjoyable read. I never read any of the original Nocturne series, but going by the front cover alone, this new iteration of witchy romance is not as dark and intense but instead toned down, more fun, verging on rom-com with a twist of witch.    

I love Mills & Boon UK and I think you will too! Click my personal referral link to get a discount on your first purchase http://rwrd.io/f4yjeqp?c 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: Brutal Capo by Lucy Munroe

Brutal Capo is the fifth in the Syndicate Rules Series. Bianca had grown up within the New York mafia but was thrown out when she was a teenager after watching her father getting killed. Her twin and mother move away leaving her on her own. She was working as a pole dancer but moved to being a server in a mafia owned bar. Salvatore, a capo, falls in lust with her and the story goes from there. His don finds out who she is and demands that Sal either marries or is killed.

A fast moving plot. Lots of blood, sex and humour between the characters. An enjoyable read but nothing like the Mills & Boon novels that she used to write!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Review: Charlotte’s Web Jewellery part 1

I first noticed Charlotte’s Web jewellery brand years ago when I set up an Instagram account. I must have entered every competition going to try and win one of her new innovative and beautiful spinning rings but alas I never succeeded in my quest! Now CW make spinning rings, spinning bracelets, necklaces, pendants, rings, bracelets and earrings. 

Due to my ongoing root canal saga I have been looking for items to distract myself whilst I have to undergo painful treatment. Charlotte’s Web popped up in my emails offering a discount and then a few days later some free earrings with purchase so I have made several purchases which I am going to separate into mini reviews as each item deserves its own blog post. 

So, what or who is Charlotte’s Web? Charlotte Howarth founded CW in 2005. She is the inspiration, creative director, founder and main force behind the brand. she was inspired to create the jewellery line over 20 years ago during a trip to India when she visited Rajasthan.  She returned a few years later, made friends with local artisans and gem cutters and CW slowly became a reality. Charlotte returns every year to work with her team and source ethically mined and cut gemstones, ensuring that her jewellery is all ethically sourced and well made, so it will last more than a lifetime. Her designs are deeply rooted in India,  are inspired by both Buddhist and Hindu spiritual practices with holistic benefits for the wearer of the jewellery. 

I have made a conscious decision that I will not purchase fast fashion jewellery but only purchase considered pieces which I know haven’t harmed people, animals or the environment. I shall only purchase items from philanthropic eco-jewellery brands.  CW pieces are only made in small batches so are not mass produced or generic items that can be found cheaply/ easily elsewhere. The gemstones and birthstones are guaranteed to be 100% conflict free and are handpicked by Charlotte. The silver, copper and brass is recycled and gold pieces are 24k gold plated onto silver. They do not use nickel, lead, cadmium or cyanide-based chemicals nor do they employ underage workers.  There are medical and pension policies in place for her workers. CW only work with fair trade workshops who only employ local artisans. She visits her teams regularly to ensure that they are being paid a fair wage and have safe working conditions. So CW is definitely an eco-jewellery brand that cares not only about its customers but also about its workers and that is the most important reason why I chose to purchase a spinning ring (and other items) from them. 

 Recently her brand has been undergoing a makeover. Her branding has been redesigned. Sadly the web motif has been replaced by a very understated and elegant pink theme (to reflect the pink city of Jaipur) with a flash of gold (which glows in the sun) for the Charlotte’s Web logo. The new packaging is recycled FSC paper which can be recycled 100s of times which adds to their determination to be sustainable and an eco-jewellery brand. 

 The CW packaging is elegant, discreet and letter box friendly. The jewellery arrives in sturdy cardboard packaging and is then carefully wrapped in CW tissue paper plus a thank you postcard, so no need to wrap it if the item is a gift! 

So that is the introduction to who CW are and I hope you enjoy reading about my purchases in the next few blog posts and enter my competition too!! 

Among other stockists CW pieces are available from:

Etsy- Etsy

Their own website - Charlotte’s Web 

Wolf & Badger - Wolf & Badger 

Not on the High Street -  NOTHS

Book Review: In The Greek Midwinter by Mandy Baggot

  

Set in Athens, Greece, this novel follows the story of Jen who has decided to surprise her boyfriend by visiting him in Athens after they had to cancel a romantic trip to Paris due to his work commitments. When she and her best friend, Bonnie, arrive in Athens (surprise) David isn’t there to greet them. 

Jen is obsessed by Christmas, she is immersed in it all the year round as her business is based upon it! whereas Astro, the Greek waiter she meets via an dating online website detests it! Slowly their relationship develops but will their pasts, especially Astros’s prevent them finding a future together? 

I loved the vibrant and in-depth descriptions of Athens and the green Christmas traditions. I also enjoyed reading the day to day interaction between Astro and Jen as their relationship grew and developed. 

Both characters are complex and they need to deal with the past before they can truly move forwards. The novel has two storylines, one is about the characters finding themselves and the second is their romance slowly developing  with a gorgeous backdrop of Athens at Christmas. 

This is a fun, festive romantic comedy coupled with self discovery for the main characters. A great novel to snuggle up with next to the Christmas tree over the festive period. 

I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.