Review: Classic Canes Amethyst Marbled Acrylic Derby Moderne Walking Stick

I purchased the Classic CanesAmethyst acrylic marbled moderne derby walking stick from the Stick & Cane Shop (£36.95 plus postage). It is an extremely elegant and lightweight walking stick. The colour combination is eye catching and a classic combination of purple, black and a silver tone accent around the top of the stick. The handle is very tactile - the purple is the exact deep purple colour as high quality Brazilian amethyst and the colour shifts slightly as the light changes. The handle puts a twist on the original derby style whence the modern reference. I have very small hands and find the handle comfortable to hold and use. 

The shaft of the walking stick is black and made from hardwood. There is a silver gilt metal collar to break up the two main colour ways.  The stick is stylish, sophisticated, light weight and easy to adjust. I had 28 cm cut off as I am small in stature. Without my modifications the walking stick measures 95cm and weights 250g. It doesn’t have a wrist strap but I don’t see that as a problem for me as I don’t really use them. The walking stick comes in several other colour ways: garnet; emerald; silver; pink and coffee. All of these options have the same black shaft. There are also extending versions available for £56. 

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

#win Lola Rose Mason Necklace & Bracelet set in Tropical Quartzite

This month’s blog prize is a Lola Rose Mason Necklace and Bracelet set in tropical quartzite (£65). Both items are adjustable and fasten with a Chinese knot and the silver accent pendant is silver metal. The set is quite delicate, not the normal chunky design one associates with LR. They come in a soft pink LR pouch.

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules

Competition opens on 03 March 2020 

Closing date 01 April  2020

Open internationally 

Not affiliated in any way with Lola Rose

Entrants must complete the compulsory Rafflecopter options

Good luck

#AD Book Review: The Scandal of the Season by Annie Burrows

Cassandra Furnival needed to leave home when she was just sixteen due to her cruel step father.  She was convinced by an infantry man to elope with him so that she could leave her family without being forced to return. Unfortunately not all went to plan as he didn’t realise that the she wasn’t old enough to marry so the marriage was not legal and his commanding officer would not allow her to travel to the campaign with them.   Her step father would not let her return to the family home. Instead she went to live with her outcast Aunt who has been disowned for living with another woman. She has spent the last 6 years working as a seamstress until her godmother, The Duchess of Theakstone wants to take her to London and let her have her chance at being a debutante. Colonial Nathaniel Fairfax, who played a large part in thwarting her escape plan all those years ago, is surprised to see her at the Ton and he presumed that she in on the hunt for a rich, titled husband. He is determined to yet again thwart her plans and he is still listening to his sister’s malicious lies about Cassie. 

Nathaniel is still, despite his mistrust, attracted to Cassie, to the extent it is affecting his work. As Cassie is not prepared to break confidences in order to dispel the lies spread by his sister will Nathaniel realise Cassie is not the money/title grabbing debutante he envisages her to be? 

I received this novel from Mills & Boon via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

#AD Book Review: Cinderella and the Surgeon by Scarlet Wilson

Book 1 of the London Midwives Series, Cinderella and the Surgeon follows the storyline of hot tempered Scottish midwife, Esther Mcdonald clashing with upper class neonatal Surgeon  Harry Beaumont , Duke of Montrose when he arrives with his entourage of students, anaesthetists etc when he arrives at the Queen Victoria Hospital London. Her antipathy and dislike of Harry slowly dies away when he invites Esther to a glittering black tie. ball. Slowly a bond develop s between the pair who come from completely different backgrounds and a royal romance slowly develops between them. 

I found the characters to be very stereotypical: angry, prickly Scottish midwives and the posh Surgeon. It would be great if the roles could be reversed. A very clean romance interspersed with lots of medical action! 

I received this novel from Mills & Boon via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

#AD Book Review: Falling For Her French Tycoon by Rebecca Winters

Nathalie Fournier is a pharmacist desperately wants to adopt her deceased step-sister’s (Antoinette) baby boy. Conscientiously she decides to track down the Alain’s father before she does take the first steps to adopt him. She gets a seasonal job picking grapes at a large Provençal grapeyard/chateau as her Antoinette’s best friend Claire sister had told her that Alain’s father had worked at the Fontesquieu chateau. She falls for her billionaire employer Dominic Fontesquieu, but is he the father of the child? He has the same colouring and an identical birth mark. Raul, Dominic’s cousin turns out to be the father. Nathalie, however, decides she cannot have a relationship with Dominic as she is unable to have children. Will they be overcome this impasse and find their HEA? 

I found this novel heavy going to get through as there are so many questions and flaws that remain unanswered. When Dominic tells Raul he may have a son he doesn’t tell him that the woman he loved is dead. He leaves that announcement for Nathalie. Despite the story being set in Provence there is a lack of descriptive scenes - it might as well have been set in Timbuktu!! The storyline hinged solely on shoes the father and this got overdone very quickly. The interaction between Paul Courtier and just petered out and was a waste of a character. The storyline had potential but the finished novel needed some more work. 

I received this novel from Mills & Boon via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

#AD Book Review: Her Sicilian Baby Revelation by Michelle Smart

Orla O’Reilly met billionaire Tonino Valente when she went to Sicily to meet her father. She ran back to Ireland when she was told by Sophia Tonino was engaged to her.  She was was pregnant and involved in a major car accident. Both Orla and her little boy, Finn,  suffered major injuries - he now has cerebral palsy. She also suffers from amnesia and can’t remember who the father of her baby is.  She meets Tonino at a wedding and the memories come flooding back. Tonino is determined to be a hands on father so they move to Sicily. Will Orla be able to overcome her trust issues and realise she loves Tonino? The epilogue of the novel will tell all. 

This is the first novel written by Michelle Smart that I haven’t enjoyed. I just couldn’t relate to either the storyline or main characters. The characters didn’t seem to gel or have any chemistry of any kind. Not my favourite novel this month.  

I received this novel from Mills & Boon via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Room Review: Mercure Bolton The Georgian House Hotel

I stayed at the Mercure Bolton Georgian House Hotel last Sunday to use up some of my Accor points.  I always stay in one of the Accor brand hotels if  I can as I have always find the staff to be helpful, the rooms reasonably priced and the rooms accessible to a walker, stick  or  someone with limited mobility. I don’t like booking disabled rooms as I like having a bath (as long as I have someone to help me in and out). 

I was in room 782. I found the door not too heavy to push open, even when navigating a wheelie suitcase, a stick and my lack of coordinated self through the door! The light switches were at the entrance so no scrabbling around in the dark. I liked that the suitcase storage area was tucked away in the hall so I was less likely to trip over abandoned luggage in the main room areas. The wardrobe was large and spacious and there was a full length mirror. Opposite the mirror/ storage area was a can’t/ hairdryer/ drinks facility space, which for once I could actually easily reach? 

The bathroom area was well lit and felt and looked clean. Again the mirror was huge and I found the bath easy to get in and out of with help. I didn’t feel unsafe using the grab rail or the power shower.

I liked that the main bed/seating area of the hotel room had been cleverly divided by the ositioning of yet another mirror and the desk area. The lighting was better than some Accor hotels I have stayed in when revising for exams and I have ended up using a torch for extra light. The bed was comfortable and there was lots of space around the bed and seating area which would make it more accessible and easy to navigate for someone like me who lacks spatial awareness and has to use a walker or stick. 

I found the staff to be really friendly, cheerful and helpful. There is a lovely sports centre, bar and restaurant which I didn’t get to use as my cat decided to be ill so I had to leave my break early to go back to look after him! 

I have stayed at this hotel on previous occasions and no doubt will do so again as I find that it is conveniently located for a short break.