Book Review: Forced Vows: Arranged Marriage Enemies to Lovers (Syndicate Rules Book 6 by Lucy Munroe

Forced Vows is part of Lucy Munroe’s Mafia inspired Syndicate Rules series. Set in New York, Roise has agreed to marry Miceli to protect her young cousin and ensure she doesn’t have to. Prior to meeting her husband to be Roise goes out of town for the weekend and loses her virginity to a stranger - who turns out to be Miceli! Roise is determined to finish her education to become an actress even though as a mafia princess she will never be one. She butts heads with Miceli at every turn and this turns into a very spicy novel where it is the man who changes the most in order to ensure they get their HEA. 

I enjoyed this novel the most out of the whole series. The characters are determined individuals, the book is well planned out,  brings in characters from other books with cameo roles (although the book can be read as a standalone novel) and is well written.

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

Book Review: Revenge in Paradise by Heidi Rice

Revenge in Paradise is written by Heidi Rice and is published under Mills & Boon Modern collection. This is the second in a mini series - both the main characters were introduced briefly during Brandon and Lacey’s novel Revealing Her Best Kept Secret.  Roman Garner was raised on the streets, Unacknowledged by his family he has risen to the status of billionaire but is still bitter about his treatment as a child and young adult. His chance arises when Lacey’s penniless artist sister - Milly Devlin tries to steal Roman’s speed boat in order to escape a party where she has had a huge argument with her sister. Roman’s plan is pretty basic - seduce Milly to get revenge on his elder half brother for ignoring his pleas for help. Once Roman has Milly on his private island, however, he realises that she is nothing like he imagined and their attraction is off the scale. They have an affair which is teetering on a HEA. But will it all come crashing down at Lacey and Brandon’s baby’s christening when unpalatable truths emerge?

This novel has an opulent, billionaire lifestyle backdrop which I enjoyed. I actually liked Brandon’s character, I found Milly’s determination to not accept her sister’s help as she struggled as an artist annoying rather than endearing! It was an enjoyable read but the characters aren’t as relatable as the first novel. 

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: Alex Monroe Jewellery Overgrown Column Ring with Racing Tortoise in Sterling Silver

 

I purchased  Alex Monroe Jewellery’s Overgrown Column Ring with Racing Tortoise in Sterling Silver (£54 from (£135) in their annual archive summer sale. The overgrown column ring with racing tortoise is part of the collection inspired by Aesop’s Fables. 

 The ring is chunky but not uncomfortable to wear.  The band measures 0.4cm, the tiny tortoise 0.9cm and the leaves 0.6cm. In the product photos the ring is shown with the leaves on the bottom of the ring but I also like to wear it so the leaves are at the top of the ring too. The tortoise is very detailed as are the leaves. The tortoise is 3D and so it isn’t a ring I would wear all the time in case I caught my glasses etc. 

I love the ring and have always enjoyed reading/rereading the fable behind its design. The ring would make a lovely gift for a tortoise fan or anyone who enjoys Aesop’s Fables. The ring is packaged beautifully in a drawer gift box which is where mine will live when it’s not being worn! 

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

 

Review: Fashionzaadi Fluorite Crystal Wand/ Ring Holder

 

I purchased this fluorite crystal wand £14.93) from Amazon. It is made by Fashionzaadi which is a generic brand specialising in lower grade/ priced gemstone items such as wands, trees etc. I didn’t have high hopes for the item as the reviews aren’t that great. I thought I would purchase one as I can always return it. I purchased  this to use as ring holder so just wanted a pretty stone that would hold my rings whilst I photograph them or store them. 

The wand works great as a ring holder as it is just the right size for smaller rings (sizes J - M) and so pretty. The fluorite stone is tumbled, has 6 sides as per a crystal wand and measures 53mm in height. The stones are handcrafted in India and each one is slightly different as they are natural stones each one will have different inclusions etc. They measure between 50-55mm in height. and comes with a guide to stones and a little gauze bag so would make a lovely gift. This is the only fluorite stone wand that I have found that is suitable to use as a ring holder as it is slimmer at the top and slowly splays out, giving the ring somewhere to rest rather than just fall to the bottom of the wand. 

 I will say the quality of the stone isn’t the best, you aren’t getting an AAA stone and it certainly doesn’t look like the Amazon picture, it is more rustic and broken in. I want bothered by this as crystal/ semi precious stone wand style ring holders that will hold my rings are actually quite hard to find. 

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

Book Review: Her Forever Billionaire by Natalie Anderson

Her Forever Billionaire, written by Natalie Anderson, is a quirky fun romance which combines romance, characters’ finally growing up and of course a HEA! Jack Greene is a billionaire who is either always Chasing the next high adrenaline thrill, a woman or both! Kelsi Reid nearly runs him over on her way to a day spa and their relationship goes from there. Jack is only in town for intensive physio therapy before the winter snowboarding season starts then he plans to be off again, he isn’t expecting a one night stand/ surprise pregnancy to throw him a curve ball. Both characters have issues they need to overcome if they are going to get their HEA. Kelsi hides behind her colourful contact lenses and goth clothing to avoid rejection. Her father rejected her when she was a child and this has affected her outlook on life. Jack avoids both love and long term relationships. The unexpected pregnancy means they both need to reassess their lives and learn how to connect and talk to others.

I enjoyed this novel and read it in one sitting. The characters are relatable to the reader and fun. They work well together and the interaction doesn’t seem forced. Their issues are also ones that most people can relate to (apart from being a billionaire!). I would recommend this book, it is well written and has good pacing, the storyline is just the right length to keep the readers’ attention. 

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

Review: Recycled WWF In the Wild Lulu Bag

I first saw the Recycled WWF In the Wild Lulu Bag in jade green (£75) when browsing Instagram to search for ethically made products which support good causes. I used to subscribe  to the WWF many years ago. I had the t-shirt, stuffed panda, magazines etc. I only stopped because I wanted to support more charities on an adhoc basis. I have also been looking for an ethically made vegan leather bag, obviously for ethical principles but also because I tripped over a hedgehog when I was going out in the evening to put the hoggies’ food out. As I can’t look down I felt my foot touch him, lost my balance and flung myself to the side to avoid landing on him and potentially squashing him. He got out of this fiasco unscathed, I did not. I landed on the shoulder which is pinned. The pins are now no longer where they should be. I need to use a lighter bag to avoid putting pressure on my shoulder for the foreseeable future. As I was feeling pretty miserable I decided to buy jade green Recycled WWF In the Wild Lulu Bag.

The WWF x Fenella In The Wild Collection supports the WWF’s Save Our Wild Isles Campaign. The bag is jade green, measures 7.5 D x 16H x24W.7.5  It is made from vegan leather (recycled RPET FABRIC  which is a new type of environmentally friendly recycled fabric. The yarn fabric is made from recycled coke bottles and mineral water bottles, also known as coke bottle fabric).  The bag comes with a beautiful crossbody adjustable strap and a tassel zip. There is a pouch pocket on one side of the main bag compartment and a inner zipped compartment. The bag has complimentary gold hardware and a sturdy zip. The inside of the bag has the same print as as the strap. 

The bag arrived carefully wrapped in Fenella Smith London embossed tissue paper. The bag is incredibly light but does not look cheap or fake as some vegan leather items sometimes do. The “leather” is textured and feels very tactile to the touch. The strap design and the inside of the bag are works of art. The birds and flowers are so detailed and intricate. I love the tassel. As someone who can’t look down and has difficulty gripping small items such as zips the tassel makes it so easy to undo and fasten my bag without me worrying I haven’t pulled the zip all the way and I at risk of getting pickpocketed! 

I love my bag. I can fit quite a lot in it, my wallet, phone and camera plus it supports a great cause. I have used my bag continually since I purchased it and will continue to do so. It is one of the best items I have purchased. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to support an ethical brand and especially to anyone who has hand problems and/or needs a lightweight but smart looking bag. 

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

Charlotte’s Web Part 3: Review & Win Aqua Chalcedony Infinity Universe Earrings

 Charlotte’s Web aqua chalcedony Infinity Universe earrings (£35) are one of the most affordable pieces on the website. Handmade from sustainable silver and ethically sourced aqua chalcedony cabochons the stones can go from a dull blue to a greenish hue depending upon the light. The cut and colour of the stones makes the earrings look like hey are part of a warm inviting ocean. The hooks are easy to slide in and out (I haven’t tried this pair for hygiene reasons as they are a prize) and as I have coordination issues I find they are the easiest to put in/ take out. They are packaged I the new style gift box.

I really like these earrings. They are elegant, eye catching, timeless, feel light so won’t drag the ear lobe down. I am only using them as a prize as I have nowhere to wear them where they will be admired and appreciated, annoyingly I am developing an allergy to silver and my ear lobes swell if I wear silver for any length of time, and I also have so many pairs of earrings that I cannot possibly wear them all in one life time!  As with the pendant I want them to go to a home where they will be worn and admired as so much effort goes into each piece. This competition will be on my Instagram account - Sparkling_Magpie (@sparkling_magpie).

Rules:

Competition is open worldwide;

Competition opens 4 June 2024, closes 5 July 11.59pm GMT; 

Must follow my IG account;

Comment on the competition IG post;

Comment on other IG posts for extra entries;

The competition is not affiliated with Instagram, Meta, Facebook or Charlotte’s Web in any way. Please contact me if you have any queries;

Good Luck!

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