#AD Book Review: the Debt by Jackie Ashenden (M&B Dare).

The Debt, written by Jackie Ashenden is published by the relatively new M&B imprint - Dare. This series of books are racier, steamier and the main characters aren’t necessarily the archetypal traditional M&B hero/heroine. 

Ellie Little is a chauffeur who wangles a job with billionaire Ash Evans in order to persuade him not to pull his financial investment in her father’s car business. Ellie lost her mother when she was young and has always lived in her brothers’ shadows. Her father is in dire financial straits as he had to pay Ellie’s assaulter a large amount of money.  Ellie has two days to persuade Ash not to pull the financial plug on her father’s business.  Both of them get rather more than they bargain for when Ash convinces Ellie to masquerade as his fake girlfriend so that he can get one over on his step brother and purchase some islands that he wants. The chemistry between the pair is hot but will it last? 

As an exfighter Ash is portrayed and comes across to the reader as very protective of Ellie and vice versa. I have followed Jackie’s career (via twitter) and enjoyed the books published prior to her foray in to M&B. Her heros are still slightly quirky, unusual, alpha males with a twist be it that they are broken or gritty characters shaped by past experiences. Her heroines are fiesty, independent and  force to be reckoned with!  Ellie’s father appears, even by the end of the novel, to be a very very unlikeable character. I always enjoy Jackie’s novels and look forward to the next one!!

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

#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