#AD Book Review: Demanding His Secret Son by Louise Fuller (M&B Modern)

Demanding His Secret Son is written by Louise Fuller and published by Mills and Boon Modern. This is a reunion/ second chance at love story with a secret baby thrown in for good measure!  Theodora Taylor was briefly (7 weeks) married to Aristotle Leonidas. Teddie only found out she was pregnant after they split and as Ari had moved countries and blocked her she couldn’t tell him. They meet by chance years later when she is working as a magician in one of his hotels. He discovers he has a little son and the story moves on from there. Ari is resentful that Teddy never told him about the baby, conviently forgetting he was the one who moved and blocked Teddy’s lines of communication! Slowly they iron out their differences but will they get their HEA. 

I found this book hard to get in to. Somehow the characters didn’t gel together, the chemistry between the pair seemed either forced or non existent and the storyline seemed stilted.

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

Zara Lets Movie: The Lion King Eau de Toilette 50ml

The Lets Movie, Lion King eau de toilette (£7.99 for 50ml) from Zara is a surprisingly grownup fragrance considering it comes with Lion King stickers so you can personalise the bottle. It contains grapefruit, sandalwood and marine notes and lasts quite a long time on the skin. A lovely fresh summer fragrance, well worth £7.99! 

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

Beak & Claws: Anna Sui Limited Edition Lipstick in Red Tint

As part of their summer collection Anna Sui Cosmetics released 8 LE lipsticks (£27.50) which are lip tints rather than traditional lipsticks. Each lipstick reacts with the water content of the wearer’s lips thus creating a uniquely flattering shade. The lipsticks are also packed full of hydrating ingredients to keep the lips moisturised and soft.

         

I chose T404 red tint. It proved to create the perfect red for me. My teeth looked whiter and my skin less sallow. The lipstick was comfortable to wear and it did hydrate and moisturise my lips. The packaging is immediately identifiable as Anna Sui. The white container is both gothic yet summery! 

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

#AD Book Review: A Return, A Reunion, A Wedding by Annie O’Neil

A Return, A Reunion, A Wedding, is written by Annie O’Neil and published by Mills & Boon Medical.  This is a second chance at love story.  Jayne is a heart transplant surgeon who has been working in busy London hospital whilst her ex fiancé and GP, Sam has been working with his grandfather (also a GP), in an Oxfordshire village. Jayne broke Sam’s heart after she called off their wedding after her sister was killed in an accident.   Jayne returns to the village after one of her patients dies to help care for Maggie who is suffering from pre eclampsia.  Sam’s grandfather has broken his wrist, so Sam offers Jayne a temporary job. Slowly they fall back in love, but will Sam learn to trust Jayne again and will Jayne be able to forgive herself for her sister’s death? 

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

#AD Book Review: Untamed Billionaire’s Innocent Bride by Caitlin Crews

Untamed Billionaire’s Innocent Bride is written by Caitlin Crews and published by Mills & Boon Modern. Lauren Clarke is the PA to Matteo Coombes. She has been given the task of tracking down his long lost brother in Hungary and bringing him back to London in order to avoid a PR disaster. She tracks Dominick down to the woods, where she assumes he is living hand to mouth in a shack whereas in reality he is a billionaire! In order to avoid a scandal she marries him, but will they get their HEA?

This book is based upon the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. In the opening pages Lauren is depicted as walking through the woods in her high heels and red outfit, whilst Dom is depicted as the big bad wolf. Although the imagery is cleverly done, I just found this book hard to get into and it didn’t capture or hold my attention as other Crews novels have done.

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

#AD Book Review: An Heir For The Richest Man by Maya Blake

An Heir For The World’s Richest Man is written by Maya Blake and published by M&B Modern.  Joao Oliviera is the world’s richest man,  Saffron Everheart is his assistant. After a night of passion in Morocco she decides to quit as she is tired of committing herself to his business needs 24/7.  Joao decides that he needs Saffron to stay to help him tie up his latest business acquisition. He finds out she is pregnant with his children (twins)and the story and characters build from that point. He has built his empire from nothing and doesn’t want children whilst Saffron does. He does, however, decide that he wants the twins. Will there be a custody battle or marriage?

An enjoyable read, that drip feeds and explains the alpha male somewhat arrogant behaviour of the hero whilst at the same time showing how impending fatherhood can change a person’s character and relations with others. Saffron is a likeable character, who could have been developed further.

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

#AD Book Review: His Shock Marriage In Greece by Jane Porter

His Shock Marriage In Greece is written by Jane Porter and is published by Mills & Boon Modern.  Damon Alexopoulos is a powerful shipping tycoon who has overcome a dark past and wouldn’t let his emotions control any part of his life. His marriage, therefore, was purely business. Unfortunately for him his original bride, Elexis, fled the night before and her sister, Kassiani Dukas, her polar opposite in every way, is forced to be the replacement bride as her family will lose everything if this marriage does not go ahead. Even though Damon realise he has been duped at the church that he has been tricked, he continues with the ceremony. They discover a passionate attraction during their honeymoon around the Greek islands, but due to Damon’s fear of love and commitment can they move beyond just hot sex to a fulfilling marriage? 

This could of been the trite swapping brides at the Altar and they automatically fall in love, but it wasn’t. Damon was expecting the traditional society bride: an exuberant, elegant, confident bride, and on the face of it he got the exact opposite when he was tricked in to marrying her sister. The pair go through a journey of  self discovery as they honeymoon around the Greek islands and it is interesting to see how their characters and relationship slowly changes.

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

#AD Book Review: The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare

The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare is the third instalment in her Girl meets Duke mini series.  Lady Penelope Campion, the strong minded and independent heroine lives alone with her menagerie of pets which include a goat, hedgehog and a dog.  Her first season was a disaster, culminating with her hedgehog falling out of pocket during a ball! She is happy to live as an eccentric recluse but her Aunt has warned her that her brother is going to bring her home if she doesn’t get rid of her animals and return to the Ton.

Gabriel Duke owns and is renovating the house next door. He knows he will get a better sale price with an aristocrat living next door so doesn’t want her to leave although he would be quite glad to see the back of the menagerie.  The pair cook up a plan to help her get her name in the society papers and regime her beloved animals. The chemistry between the two is palpable but there is a slight shift in the tone of the book as Penny’s childhood secret is revealed.

I have enjoyed reading the whole of this series. The heroines are unusual in the fact that they know their own noses and are prepared to stand up to the heros rather than just being simpering, virginal waifs in need of a strong man to whisk them away. There is also a send of continuity in the series- characters don’t just disappear once their stories are told but reappear, however briefly, in other novels. There is also humour - the animals, vegetarianism and interaction between the characters is fun and can bring a chuckle from the reader. I am not the greatest fan of historical romance novels but I really enjoy these. 

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

Chantecaille Limited Edition Lip Veil in Pink Lotus

 I enjoy wearing Chantecaille Lip Veils (£40) as they are comfortable on the lips and the opacity and colour range is great. They brought out three LE colours as part of their summer collection and I chose Pink Lotus.

Lip Veils aim to moisturise and colour the lips. Enriched with Fairwild-trade organic baobab oil which leave a wash of  illuminating moisture on the lips. These lipsticks feel light and balmy on the lips, are easy to apply, they just glide on evenly and are not patchy. The colour, I find fades slowly and evenly. 

I love the shade and.packaging of Pink Lotus - the packaging is sturdy, elegant and the embossed elephant on the lid is so cute. This line of lipsticks supports the charity which preserves the migratory path of elephants, so I don’t feel totally guilty spending so much on one lipstick!!

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