Book Review: Nurse’s One-Night Baby Surprise by Louisa George (M&B Medical)

Set in the Lake District, Nurse’s One Night Baby Surprise by Louisa George is a M&B Medical romance. Doctor Fraser is a GP who has relocated from London to the Lake District from London after his ex died leaving him as a single parent to a teenage daughter, Lily,  who is quickly going off the rails. Brianna works at the teenage health care centre he will be working at and she is very bitter towards him as she feels that he kept her away from her best friend as she was dying. Bri is also Lily’s godmother and feels that she must reconnect and help her through this difficult time. 

Slowly resentments between the adults ease as they understand the pressures they were both under at the time. Lily still hates the Lake District and wants to move back to London. There has always been an undercurrent of attraction between Fraser and Bri which explodes into a night of passion and ... a baby. Will their relationship survive step parenting, a new baby or just collapse under these new pressures?

I don’t really like Medical romances or novels of an kind related to this genre but I enjoyed this book as it managed to combine the stresses of step-parenting, teenage angst, a surprise pregnancy, antagonistic adults and a dog with a low key medical element which didn’t over power the other storylines. I enjoyed that the parenting/ step parenting and teenage angst issues were not sugar coated or made to seem a breeze. I also like how the author showed how Fraser and Briannas’ attitudes slowly changed towards one another as the storyline progressed. I found this to be an enjoyable read.  

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

Book Review: Stranded for One Scandalous Week by Natalie Anderson (M&B)

Stranded For One Scandalous Week is the newest Mills & Boon Modern novel by Natalie Anderson. Merle, an archivist has just started her dream job in an abandoned mansion on New Zealand’s Waiheke Island. She loves it because the mansion is both isolated and luxurious. Employed by the owner’s friend she is shocked when Ash, a renowned playboy turns up to stay for a week at his mansion. He first encounters Merle in the bath and is surprised that she doesn’t naturally fall for his charms. As their interaction moves from antipathy, to banter and finally sizzling chemistry during their week together plus being locked in the bunker together, will their relationship thrive and flourish?

On the face of it this follows the traditional M&B method. There is the virginal book worm - Merle and outgoing playboy - Ash. As the story and characters develop the author allows the characters to develop and grow out of these stereotypical personas. Merle is struggling to come to terms with feeling unloved and ignored during her childhood whilst Ash is also having to come to terms with his father ignoring him as a child. These issues have shaped the characters as they start their journey at the beginning of the book but can they break free and have their HEA?

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

Review: Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 Angel Alessandra Lipstick

I bought this lipstick ages ago but forgot to put my review online. The Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 collection features 11 lipsticks which are refillable, interchangeable and inspired by 11 inspirational women. The lipsticks are made from either Charlotte Tilbury’s K.I.S.S.I.N.G formula so your lips will remain hydrated, moisturised and kissable whilst wearing this lipstick. The inclusion of 3D glowing pigments gives the lips a glow from within, creating a satin, creamy plumped up appearance or Matte Revolution which leaves a matte finish, whilst also hydrating and moisturising the lips. 

There is also a fantastic charitable element to this collection. When launching the Hot Lips 2 Collection, Charlotte Tilbury also announced the collaboration with Women for Women International to inspire #lipstickconfidence and change the lives of millions of women who have survived war by pledging £1 million of Hot Lips sales to this charity. 

 

I chose the Angel Alessandra shade primarily because I loved the outer casing. The eyes of the  black panther are mesmerising and I love the way the cat is prowling up the side of the lipstick case. The Charlotte Tilbury logo is embossed on the lid  (a great way to find the lipstick if you are searching in a make up bag for the lipstick, or, if your sight is impaired you can just feel for the logo) and a pair of lips are embossed on the lipstick itself. If you purchase a lipstick either online at CharlotteTilbury.com or any of their stand alone stores you can mix and match the design of the case to your lipstick shade. 

I bought the Angel Alessandra (£28) shade. This is a peachy nude sunset hue with a creamy satin finish. It went on very smoothly and one swipe was enough as the lipstick is very pigmented. It is a very natural looking shade, it makes your lips look healthy with a gentle wash of colour.  The lipstick is light and light to wear but did fade (very elegantly) quite quickly. I like the colour more than I thought I would do and I will try the Matte revolution formula once I have used this one up.  I enjoy wearing it and I would repurchase.

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

Review: Couture Kingdom Disney Essential Pixar Toy Story Rex Dinosaur Necklace

The Couture Kingdom Disney Essential Pixar Toy Story Rex Dinosaur Necklace (£17.99) is available from the Couture Kingdom website. There are matching earrings but they were out of stock when I purchased the necklace. 

As with all the Disney Essential jewellery, the necklace is made from stainless steel, has a trigger clasp and is presented in a gift envelope. Rex measures 16mm and the chain 40cm with an extra 7cm via the extender. There is also enamelled detailing which adds character to the piece. 

The enamelling completely captures Rex’s facial expression that he has in the Toy Story movies! The same goofy smile which makes him so adorable. 

As with all Disney Essential pieces it is well made, has lots of detail and is a reasonable price.

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

Couture Kingdom Disney Essential Toy Story Hamm Piggy Bank Enamel Stud Earrings & Necklace

 

The Couture Kingdom Disney Essential Pixar Hamm Piggy Bank Enamel Earrings (£14.99) and Necklace (£17.99) are available on both Couture Kingdom sites. They are part of the Disney Essential range and are made from stainless steel and have detailed enamelling. 

 

The earrings measure 12mm and are packaged in a display card, whilst the pendant measures 16mm and the chain 40cm with an addition 7cm extender. The necklace is packaged in a gift envelope which is great as the chain doesn’t get tangled up. 

The Disney Essential range make great gifts which are easy and light to pop in an envelope and post due to the current social distancing rules. The Jewellery is cute and reasonably priced for the quality and detail that goes into each piece of jewellery. These items, and others I have reviewed, would make a great gift for any Disney fan. 

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

Review: Couture Kingdom ECC R2-D2 Enamel Earrings and Necklace

The Couture Kingdom Star Wars collection is only available on their Australian site but as shipping is quite reasonable (free registered shipping over $99) and quick I don’t mind paying a little bit extra - I paid £5.94 shipping for my last order. 

 The ECC R2-D2 enamel stud earrings are £11, made from stainless steel and have a butterfly closure. They measure 12mm and come presented on a Star Wars embossed card display. They are adorable and the enamelling is so detailed.  

 The matching necklace has a necklace length of 40cm with a 7cm extender chain. R2 measures  16 and has enamelled detailing. The necklace is presented in a necklace envelope so the chain does not get tangled. 

These are lovely items for a Star Wars enthusiast of any age. The price point and quality are great (even with the shipping costs) and as they are made from stainless steel there are less likely to be allergy problems.

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

Book Review: The Prisoner’s Wife by Maggie Brookes

Based on a true story, this novel follows the story of a a British POW, Bill, imprisoned in a Czech concentration camp during WW2. He meets Izabela whilst working in her family’s small holding and they fall in love and marry . She disguises herself as a young man and joins him as they travel between concentration camps. She manages to hide that she is female from the guards and other prisoners and they struggle through the snow, freezing cold and prison brutalities. A few of Bill’s friends know who she is and protect her.

This is a heartwarming story in the face of terrible atrocities and brutality. Love can survive and flourish at a time of horror and cruelty to other human beings.  I found this story compelling to read. 

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