Review: L'Oreal Paris Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer Spray

I spend quite a bit each year on disguising my grey roots.  I always joke that I've no idea what my true hair colour is because nobody's seen it for years!

When I was young, it was the lovely reddy gold colour that Ieuan has now but I actually think my real colour now is a dark brown, almost black with the odd grey.

I recently had the chance to try L'Oreal Paris Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer Spray and I chose the brown shade to test.

The product comes in a little spray can which promises enough contents for up to 30 applications. The product is also supposed to last until you wash it out.

The size of the can makes it ideal to slip into your make-up bag or handbag.

I got the Husband to apply the spray for me down my center parting (cue much shouting of "keep still") and it took two good blasts of the spray to cover the roots.

The greys are also a lot less visible with just those couple of sprays.

The only issue I have is that I chose the shade to match my roots but this does not blend in with my dyed hair.  I would have been better off selecting the dark blonde shade and plan to give this a try.

If the dark blonde shade gives as good a coverage as the brown one I tested then I think I could extend the time between salon colour appointments by a good couple of weeks.

At the moment, my salon offers a root touch up service where your roots can be dyed literally down your centre parting and you have the choice of either paying for a wash and blow dry or going home and washing it off yourself.

Currently the charge for this is around the £10-£15 mark (the wash & blow dry is extra of course) but you do have to find the time to get to the salon.  Not so easy with the kids in tow!

This does, of course hide all the roots and the greys.

The Magic Retouch spray, on the other hand, retails at £8.99 in Boots and comes in 5 shades - Light Blonde, Dark Blonde, Brown, Dark Brown and Black.

And, as you can see, it does a pretty respectable job with, if not total grey / root coverage, almost total.

If you want to eek out your salon colour and possibly save yourself some money into the bargain, I think this product is well worth a try.

I'd rate it as an 'emergency' product for those times when you want to look groomed and you just haven't got the time or cash to go to the salon.

Read more

Review: L'Oreal Infallible 24H-Matte Foundation

Now I'm in my 50s I do find that finding the right foundation is more of a challenge than it used to be.  Despite the fact that my skin is drier, I still have a slightly oily center panel and enlarged pores on my nose.

My all time favourite foundation is Estee Lauder's Double Wear, although I have flirted briefly with MAC.  So when I was sent a L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24H-Matte foundation to try, I was curious to see how it would perform, especially since Double Wear is well over the £20 mark.

The shade I received was Shade 11 - Vanilla.

The product promises medium texture with high coverage. This was going to be an interesting challenge for a 50+ skin.

 I thought this was a good foundation. It gave great coverage, particularly over areas with enlarged pores. The colour suited my skin well and gave a slightly pinky overtone.

I did find that the product was quite heavy and caked slightly over drier areas which leads me to suggest that it is better suited to younger / oilier skins.

I suggest that you need to be generous with both moisturiser and primer if you have an older skin like mine.

I applied the product with my fingers and used a blending sponge over my nose so I may have had a different effect if I had used a foundation brush or used the blending sponge all over my face.

I also found that I was aware of the foundation on my skin so, although it is good for building up coverage, you do feel it on.

Since this foundation is a 24 hour foundation giving enhanced matte-ness, this only to be expected but I think that Infallible is better suited for special occasion wear - such as a wedding or party rather than an every day foundation.

I think L'Oreal's Infallible compares well to high coverage foundations with a much higher price point and since it does the job nicely, I can't see the point in spending any more.

L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24H-Matte foundation is available from Boots.com at £7.99 and comes in 6 shades.

Read more

Should We Be Telling Our Sons To "Be A Man"?

It's very easy, isn't it, to fall into expecting your kids to conform to the traditional gender roles which were the accepted 'norm' back in our parents' and grandparents' day.

But when you stop and think about it, the polarisation of certain behaviours between male and female is no longer automatically acceptable.

6 year old Ieuan

When Ieuan has a strop about one of the many things that annoy a typical 6 year old, we have caught ourselves telling him to "man up".

Which got me thinking.

What exactly does "being a man" mean these days.

In the 1970's (when I was in my teens), the archetypal bloke was a mix of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Sylvester Stallone.  Real men did not cry, or dance (much) or eat quiche.

If they did exhibit any 'softer' behaviours, we said they were "in touch with their feminine side", a supposedly humorous allusion to the traditional 'girly' behavours, we women exhibited at certain times of the month or when the safety of a kitten was threatened.

The reverse side of the coin, of course, is that 'being a man' meant being handy with your fists. Fighting was a form of drink fuelled recreation which could garner secret admiration from other 'blokes' and the girls who fancied them.

"He knows how to handle himself".

"I wouldn't mess with him"

"He's a real 'man's man'".

Key skills in those days for a bloke were holding your drink, eating the hottest curry possible and driving like an idiot with the thumping backtrack of Meatloaf pounding your ears.

Real men chased the women too.

And it was automatically accepted that, if men earned more and got more breaks in their career, well, that's just the way it was.

So now, when we tell Ieuan to man up or to be a man about it (in jest I hasten to add), what exactly are we asking him to do?

Should we be defining our kids with gender stereotypes?  The answer must surely be no.

But should we deny them the pleasure of enjoying the perceived strengths and weaknesses which accompany each gender?

As a woman, I don't want to be able to build a dry stone wall or wrestle a sheep to the ground (when in Wales...) but that doesn't mean I want to be thought of as weak either.

What kind of men do we want our sons to be?

As a woman, it's a bit of a struggle to answer that without comparing today's men with those we grew up with and who are still part of our family today.

It's no longer a man's world and it's never been a woman's world.

So where do we go from here?

Read more

Win A Cracking Easter Prize From HARIBO

We love Easter - and the kids particularly love the sweet treats left by the Easter Bunny but sometimes it makes a nice change to offer something other than chocolate.
 

HARIBO has cracked Easter with an ‘egg-citing’ mix of tasty treats especially for the occasion and they have kindly given me a selection of products from their Easter range to give away.

Whilst the themed bucket contains 32 mini bags to hide around the house or garden, plus some extra goodies including Easter hunting tips, clue cards and stickers, brand new Jelly Bunnies is ideal to share with family and friends.

Jelly Bunnies brings together jelly bunny shaped pieces with the popular texture found in Jelly Babies.

Chick ‘n’ Mix is new to HARIBO’s gifting range. A great alternative to chocolate eggs this Easter, it features a selection of tasty jelly, foam and marshmallow treats.

There’s also Fizzy Farm Animals that have been created using the popular Tangfastics original sour mix recipe.

Up for grabs is the Easter Hunt Bucket, Chick ‘n’ Mix, Jelly Bunnies and Fizzy Farm Animals. All this will come packaged in a wooden basket, which you will be able to use long after the treats have gone.

A Cracking Easter Prize From Haribo

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the giveaway ends at 12 am on Saturday 19th March 2016. UK entrants only.  Terms and conditions are on my competitions page.  The winner must submit their details by 21st March in order to receive their prize in time for Easter.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read more

Childcare Vouchers Can Help With Childcare Costs This Half Term

According the the annual Halifax Cost of Childcare research, the cost of raising your kids from birth to 11 has risen significantly in the last few years by 4% - to the sum of £87,000.

Childcare costs can form a significant part of your monthly outlay

It will be no great surprise to discover that childcare accounts for nearly half the monthly outlay for each child - around the sum of £320.

Childcare costs obviously vary according to the child's age and needs.  Some parents will not need childcare after their children start school, other than for school holidays.

For others, breakfast clubs and afterschool clubs become the norm, often supplemented with childminder fees to cope with pick ups and drop offs.

Add in the costs of  holiday clubs, play schemes, activity camps, babysitters and nannies, and the costs soon mount up.

But do you know about Childcare Vouchers?

These are a way to help parents save money on childcare costs through holiday periods such as half-term.

Childcare Vouchers are available through employers to pay for any registered childcare for children up to the age of 16, and can provide savings of up to £933 per year.

Simple to use, a chosen amount is deducted from your wages in return for the same amount of Childcare Vouchers before tax and National Insurance. They are then placed into an online account for parents to use to pay their childcare provider(s).

Vouchers can be deducted each month or as and when they are required. They can be saved up in the online account for when they are needed – perfect for those who only need them to pay for sporadic or school holiday childcare.

Both parents can join their employer's Childcare Voucher scheme, potentially doubling savings – making childcare more affordable.

The Government were planning to launch their new Tax-free Childcare scheme in autumn 2015, but this has now been delayed till 2017.

After school clubs also come at a cost

Currently, Childcare Vouchers are the only option for working parents who want to save on their childcare costs.

Furthermore, they will be many parents who will be better off continuing to use Childcare Vouchers as the savings they provide will be more than they would get through Tax-free Childcare.

Under the new scheme, many parents will be worse off, including middle-low earning parents, families with only one working parent, families using childcare for only a few days a week and those who have children in childcare over the age of 12.

Childcare Vouchers could therefore be the answer and it may well be worth speaking to your employer about Childcare Vouchers, especially since they will save money too.

Or, you could talk to an agency such as Busy Bees Benefits who can discuss the scheme with employers on your behalf.

Busy Bees Benefits' Childcare Voucher scheme helps working parents to save money on childcare and their employers can offer this valuable benefit at no cost to the organisation. Parents can also receive an additional discount if they use a Busy Bees Voucher at a Busy Bees Nursery - there are currently 230 in the UK.

It is certainly worth exploring your options when it comes to defraying your childcare costs and making sure you are getting what you are entitled to.

Further information at Busy Bee Benefits or you can call them on 0330 333 9100

Read more

My Sunday Photo - 14/02/2016

They do quite like each other really.....

Read more

The Arctic - An Often Overlooked Winter Wonderland

When we think about places we'd like to go before we kick the bucket, we don't tend to think about the Arctic.

We dream about a world cruise, or going somewhere exotic, like Easter Island.

That's all too often because we associate going on holiday with going somewhere warm. I believe that when we think like this, we're missing out.

The Arctic has always been a place that conjures up a sense of magic.

Perhaps it was all the talk of Santa and his elves working tirelessly, winter after winter, to make toys when we were children.

Or perhaps you got that sense at school, as I did, that it was one of mankind's last frontiers.

The last great challenge on Earth for heroic explorers like Roald Amundsen. It is for those reasons that the Arctic has always held a certain allure for me. Its that spirit of exploration it evokes; it's the epitome of conquest.

Source Image

But exploring the arctic is no longer the preserve of the wealthy, the reckless and the brave. Anybody can now go there and see what it has to offer and, more importantly, return home safely.

There are so many unique holidays now available that we're spoiled for choice.

Imagine travelling to Alaska, one of the last true wildernesses on Earth.

You could meet local Inuit tribes and immerse yourself in their culture. You could walk for miles absorbing the beautiful ice capped peaks and deep fjords of this beautiful state. You could meet some of the most amazing land animals on Earth.

How about watching a bald eagle swoop down to catch its prey, or a brown bear swimming in a lake? What about a moose, an alpine giant, chewing on some cud?

If you prefer Europe to the States, you can now venture to the most northernmost points of the continent.

If you go in the summer, you'll have the opportunity to view something spectacular: the midnight sun.

For a couple of months in the summer, the sun never sets. You could watch it bounce along the horizon, only to tumble back up, high into the sky.

The arctic also offers a way to get around like no other: dog sledding. This one has been on my bucket list for some time.

The Husband got the chance to try dog sledding in Canada

You can now be chauffeured around the Arctic in style. Many companies now offer multi-day expeditions so you can experience life just like the natives. The dogs are well-trained, eager and friendly.

What better way to see the beautiful wildlife this region has to offer?

And finally, who could forget the majestic aurora borealis?

I know that this is one of those cliches that finds its way onto everybody's bucket list, but so few ever get to see it. And that's a real shame, because seeing it has never been easier.

As the solar wind penetrates the Earth’s magnetic sphere, charged particles are funnelled towards the poles. When conditions are just right, it's the most breathtaking light show on Earth.

Read more

Planning Your Wedding? Here's 5 Ways To Save Money Without Sacrificing Style

Even if you’re determined to make your wedding day extra special, you might not be prepared to part with vast sums of money for the privilege.

But the fact is, if you’re not careful when planning your big day, costs can quickly spiral out of control.

There are plenty of beautiful second-hand and vintage bridal gowns to be had

From your clothing to your catering, you’ll have a host of expenses to cover.

The good news is, it’s possible to save money on your nuptial celebrations without sacrificing on style in the process.

The following five suggestions could help you keep your spending under control.

1. Select a second-hand dress 

Wedding dresses don’t tend to come cheap, but there is way to bring your costs down. Instead of buying brand new, you can take your pick from the selection of second hand wedding dresses now available.

There are a host of gorgeous garments to choose from online and from specialist stores on the high street.

Whether you want a classic, embellished, lace-trimmed or vintage look, you should be able to find something that suits and that fits within your spending limit.

2. Book off peak 

Another top money-saving tip is to arrange your ceremony outside of the peak wedding season.

Most people want to tie the knot in the warm spring or summer weather.

So, by planning yours between November and March (excluding Valentine’s Day), you can reduce your bill by between 20 and 30 per cent.

Also, you may be able to drive costs down further by walking down the aisle on a Friday or Sunday rather than a Saturday.

3. Have your ceremony and reception in one place 

Consider having your ceremony and reception in one location too.

For example, if you do the whole thing in a hotel, you won’t have to worry about the cost of transporting guests between venues.

Save money by holding the ceremony and reception in the same place

If you’re planning to tie the knot in a church, find out if there are any suitable places to hold your reception in nearby.

As well as saving you cash, this can cut your stress levels on the big day.

4. Get someone you know to do the photography 

Your wedding day will be over before you know it, so you’ll no doubt want plenty of pictures to remind you of it.

The trouble is, professional photographers can cost a fortune.

So, if you know someone who’s skilled behind the lens and who has a good quality camera, why not ask them to take your snaps instead?

Sometimes, the pictures taken by friends and family are the best when it comes to capturing the intimacy and emotion of these romantic events.

5. Have a buffet instead of a sit-down dinner 

Having a sit-down dinner might be a tempting idea, but it won’t come cheap.

An effective way to make your catering more cost-effective is to opt for a buffet instead.

You could bring your food bill down by a significant sum if you select this less formal dining style, so it’s certainly worth thinking about.

Your guests will enjoy the grub just as much, and you won’t be left with as big a hole in your pocket.

Each of these five suggestions could make you major savings, and the best thing is, they don’t require you to sacrifice on style.

Read more

Discover England's Hidden Gems

We all have our favourite holiday experiences. Building sandcastles on beaches, exploring rolling countryside and trying out exciting new things. Whether it was hang-gliding off a cliff, taking part in a spot of scuba, or just relaxing next to the pool, these are the memories we hold dear when we return to day to day life. In an ideal world, that is!

The Real Deal 

The reality of low-cost travel can often involve long delays, cancellations, and all kinds of other unpleasantness. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Imagine moving at your own pace and arriving at a time that suits you. We all know the importance of keeping down the costs but we still want to be within reach of golden sands, lush forests, and amazing attractions! All of this is possible, and a UK holiday could be just what the doctor ordered.

Image Source 

Try to forget about the old fashioned view of cramped, freezing tents. Modern holidays are a million miles away from all of that! In the United Kingdom we are blessed with some of the most beautiful countryside in Europe. For example, you would find that caravan holidays in Cornwall can offer everything from sunny beaches, to craggy cliffs and world famous landmarks.

Local legends

In some cases, familiarity can mean that we take things for granted. Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves of the great places that are all around us! Castles, centuries old. Sites of infamous battles, where thrones were lost and won. With a camping holiday you can be sure to have access to some pretty inspiring places, many with good transport options.

Breaks With Benefits

A long haul flight can be tiresome at best, and completely draining at worst. Once you have gathered your bags, made your connecting transfer and checked into the hotel you can feel frazzled and fried.

You don’t have any of these problems with a camping holiday in the UK. One of the best things about a camping trip is being around nature. Whether you are a seasoned tent jockey, or prefer the home comforts of a caravan, you will at some point be face to face with Mother Nature in all her glory.

Image Source

This could be walking through a wooded glen, the sounds of a babbling brook murmuring gently in your ear. It could be a scenic walk on a cool clifftop, the sea air filling your lungs. Whether you are inland or on the coast, there will be invigorating paths for you to tread and this can have some great health benefits. Being out in the sun will provide you with Vitamin D, which is known for maintaining calcium levels in the blood and keeping those bones nice and strong!

Basically, the fact that you are active and walking around, even if it is only to the local tea shop, means that you are getting some physical exercise. As we all know, physical activity has a huge area of positive effects. These range from weight loss, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles and improved circulation.

So, maybe you should consider a camping trip for your next jaunt. With so much out there to see, isn’t it time you went exploring?

Read more

Interior styling mistakes you need to avoid

Styling your home isn’t always easy, and if you’re lacking in knowledge when it comes to interior design, you could be making some mistakes.

A room is a blank canvas just waiting for you to unlease your creativity

Let’s take a look at three decor blunders that you need to avoid in order to create your ideal home.

1. Skimping on the finer details 

While it’s vital to ensure that your home is filled with essential pieces of furniture, it’s just as important to pay close attention to the finer details too.

For example, soft furnishings can help tie just about any room together, so you may want to focus on these home accessories first.

You could keep the room neutral and add a splash of colour using cushions and curtains as accents

Whether you decide to swap your shabby looking window dressings for some stunning eyelet curtains or ditch your drab duvet cover for a luxuriously soft and stylish bed linen set, you should find that there are a whole host of high-quality accessories available that can help improve the look and feel of each room.

With so much choice available, there is no reason why you should skimp when it comes to these finishing touches.

2. Failing to think about arrangement 

Regardless of whether it’s your bedroom or kitchen, failing to think about how the room is arranged could be seriously letting your home down.

Every room in your property has a different use, so it’s important to make sure that the way in which you organize each space is fit for its individual purpose.

For example, it’s likely that your living area is where you like to relax and occasionally entertain guests.

Add your personality with some quirky accessories

With that in mind, you could position your sofas to create a communal seating area, and perhaps place a coffee table in the center and add a couple of side tables for extra convenience.

No matter which room you are arranging, it pays to give careful thought to how you can make the space as comfortable and practical as possible.

3. Having too much on display 

From vases and photo frames to ornaments and candle holders, the chances are there are a whole array of home accessories that you want to show off.

However, having too much on display could be making your home appear cluttered and chaotic, creating a disorderly and distracting vibe.

Too much clutter creates a discordant atmosphere

It’s important to remember that less is more when it comes to trinkets and knick-knacks. To solve this issue, you could simply remove a few items, keeping your favourite pieces in prominent and visible places.

If you’re guilty of making any of these interior design mistakes, taking this advice on board should enable you to create the stylish home you’ve always wanted.

*collaborative post

Read more

All Alone In The World - The Husband's Off To Sales Week

So it's the company 'sales week' for the Husband and he has jetted off to Canada to discuss all things IT and look at snow.

This means I am left home alone - with the exception of Caitlin and Ieuan - to deal with any DIY disasters and to practise my cooking with the kids as guinea pigs.

I am, as Caitlin used to say as a toddler (and we've no idea why) - "I'm all alone in the world".

It is an annual ritual which I both dread and look forward to in equal measure because somehow it seems to mark the true start of the Hobbis family year.

This is, like most of the stuff I worry about, completely illogical, as the Husband is frequently away for four or five days in various parts of the year.  What I think makes this week different is that it includes the weekend.

Weekends without him seem endless, not least because I'm not too good at wresting, light sabre fighting and crafting.

Currently Storm Imogen is in full force and I am listening to the wind battering our extension roof.

The Husband has been gone less than an hour and there is already some strange cable hanging off the roof which I have inspected but which doesn't seem to be live or connected to anything in particular.

The roof is also leaking in the kitchen and I can see a couple of the suspended ceiling tiles previously stained with damp getting darker where the rain is coming in.

Add to the list a boiler which likes to cut out when its pressure drops and a smoke alarm given to going off in the complete absence of any smoke, and you can see why I might be feeling a little nervy.

I also hate being without the Husband now at nights.  I don't feel completely safe.  The sound of creaking floorboards is magnified.  In fact every sound is magnified.

And the kids frequently choose the Husband's absence to develop a new lurgy or, in Ieuan's case, to start his full blast night-time shouting.

I know it's not particularly feminist to make these sorts of admissions.  Truth be told, since I gave up work Mat and I have fallen into pretty traditional parenting roles and they work for us.

I often think of those whose partners are in the Military or have to work really long stretches away. Our kids miss their dad terribly after just a few days.  What must it be like after months?

I suppose you adapt.

As usual, you've just got to get on with it really, haven't you?

Read more

My Sunday Photo - 07/02/2016

Read more

A Secret Solution To Looking More Pert - Pertz leggings

After finding her perfect pair of leggings in a boutique abroad which gave shape, support and a slight shimmer and being unable to find anything comparable at home, Caroline Hyde spent 18 months designing, researching fabric and testing to reproduce her perfect pair of leggings.

Leggings - Pertz, Top, Guess

Pertz leggings (The Shape of Feeling Good) are her solution and I was sent a pair to try.

Pertz leggings have a unique design and are manufactured to limit any ‘muffin top’.They have a hidden tummy control panel whilst the fabric used helps give the bottom a smooth yet pert appearance.

Many women wear leggings with a tunic top or long jumper to disguise their waist, tummy and bottom and Pertz leggings are designed to be worn this way.

They are, however, designed to show off your legs since the leggings will minimise any visible bumps from cellulite and give the appearance of toned thighs.

Pertz leggings come in sizes small to extra large - going from sizes 8-22 and cost £45 per pair.  They are available in one colour, black, and in a choice of either Capri or Standard lengths.

So what did I think?

My initial thoughts were that the material was very thin and the leggings looked so small I wondered if I would actually get them on.  I was sent the medium size (12-14) to try.

The fabric reminded me of compression sportswear and the tummy control panel has quite a pronounced seam forming a noticeable 'V' shape in the crotch.  This is easily hidden under a tunic top or jumper.

To put them on, you almost have to roll them on like tights the first time you wear them and you need to gently pull them up.  I would not advise trying to put them on with long fingernails or wearing jewellery.

Although they came up to my navel, I would have preferred them to reach up a little higher but I suspect this may because I have quite a short body and long legs.

Extra options for leg length could be something for Pertz to consider in the future.

This might possibly be solved by going up a size, although this may well compromise the overall fit.

I found the leggings gave a good shape and I liked the slightly glossy finish.

You can feel them supporting you but without the uncomfortable pressure some shapewear garments give you.

And you obviously need to wear a thong or invisible pant line type pants.  You won't get away with your 'comfy pants'.

As I mentioned, my only request to Pertz would be to adjust the sizing for those of us with longer legs - in other words the leg length / length of body ratio.

Would I buy them?  Yes I would.  They are great for giving you an extra bit of confidence and help to hide that 'mum tum'.

Don't I look pert? 

I think I would keep them for special occasions though.  I've managed to put holes in the knees of a couple of my usual pairs of leggings (John Richmond Star Leggings from Debenhams) when playing with the kids on the floor.

And I wouldn't want to ruin a pair which make my bottom look more pert!

For further information go to www.pertz.co.uk or you can find them on Facebook or Twitter.

*I was sent a pair of Pertz leggings to review.

Read more

How will you enjoy Nutella on World Nutella Day?

I'm sure we are all familiar with Nutella, the hazelnut-chocolate spread which is similar to peanut butter but with a sweeter flavor.

Yes, it does contain saturated fat and sugar but it also supplies a good amount of key vitamins and minerals that you need for good health, including fibre, iron and calcium.

We all need to watch our sugar intake these days but I'm still a firm believer in "a little bit of what you fancy does you good", and that certainly applies to Nutella.

And today is World Nutella Day when fans globally celebrate their love of the spread in a whole host of ways, from writing poems, taking selfies and creating Nutella inspired songs and pictures.

Nutella has long been a cupboard staple in our house. As nice as it is dolloped on toast, it's equally useful when melted slightly and added to ice cream or when adorning a home-made banana split.

There are, though, a whole host of more exciting ways you can use Nutella.

Image Credit

Image Credit

Pancakes are always popular - and it's Pancake Day on Tuesday 9th February!  Why not combine Nutella with the zing of fresh raspberries?

Here are a few more suggestions.

Banana Bread With Nutella Swirls

Image Credit

Discovered HERE at passthesushi.com.

French Toast Roll Ups

Discovered HERE at CinnamonSpice&EverythingNice.com.

Nigella's Nutella Cheesecake

Discovered HERE on www.nigella.com.

Netmums' Nutella Microwave Mug Cake

Discovered HERE at www.netmums.com.

Nutella Fairy Bread

Image Credit 

Discovered HERE at www,kidspot.com.

Are you a fan of Nutella?  How will you be eating yours on World Nutella Day?

Read more

Beck Valley Books Tour & Giveaway - At Bay, An Alex Troutt Thriller By John W. Mefford

NEW SERIES....
Alex Troutt Thriller Series #1
AT Bay
Alexandra Giordano never knew she had it so good. Until it was all gone in an instant.

As she begins her daunting quest to uncover the black spots on her memory, what she finds isn’t sweet or charming or even pleasant. And that’s when she begins to question everything, including herself.

Her work as a Special Agent for the FBI is only a distraction, serving as a mental metronome…anything to crank the gears of her feeble mind.

And then it happens—a bizarre, ritualistic murder. She loses herself in her work, fully immersed in the investigation. Unable to recall even her own kids, she’s somehow able to formulate coherent theories on what type of person could pull off such a sickening act.

As her mind slowly plugs a few memory gaps, her emotions are scrambled by the reality of her worlds colliding. And the resulting explosion tears her in two.

Can she pick up all the incendiary fragments to solve the twisted crime while she clings to some semblance of sanity?

One woman can only keep so much…AT Bay.

Available to buy from.....

Amazon Kindle    Amazon Paperback    Barnes and Noble    iBooks   Kobo   

MY REVIEW 

I loved this book.  I particularly love that Mefford has created a plausible and likeable female agent who gives as good as she gets, without needing to reapply her lip gloss. Booker has met his match!

The story begins with FBI agent Alex coming out of a coma having sustained substantial memory loss after a car crash. 

Whilst on leave of absence, she nevertheless manages to get herself involved with a new murder case. Alex becomes a woman on a mission to reclaim her memory and to solve the case of a killer whose method of dispatching his victims is truly unique - and unpleasant.  

Whilst grappling with the seemingly unsolvable, Alex also has to reacquaint herself with her family and her history, including a marriage that seems to be unravelling and a nanny who has designs on her husband.

Not only does she have to catch a killer but she has to grapple with the typical guilt many working mothers feel - has she not been there for her family?

As ever, Mefford's writing is gutsy, fast paced and enjoyable. Highly recommended.

About the Author

A veteran of the corporate wars, former journalist, and true studier of human and social behavior, best-selling author John W. Mefford has been writing novels since he first entered the work force twenty-five years ago, although he never put words on paper until late 2009.

John writes novels full of intrigue, suspense, and thrills, but they also evoke an emotional connection with the characters.

When he’s not writing, he chases three kids around, slaves away in the yard, reads, takes in as many sports as time allows, watches all sorts of movies, and continues to make mental notes of people and societies across the land.

John lives in Frisco, Texas with his beautiful wife, three opinionated kids, and a feisty fat cat who rules the world.

Find the author on the following sites...

Website   Facebook   Twitter   Google+    Goodreads   Amazon Author Page

OTHER BOOKS FROM JOHN W MEFFORD

Follow the book tour

I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY

Win Signed paperback copies of AT Bay and BOOKER - Streets of Mayhem
2 Winners!!
Ending on Sunday 7th February at 11.59pm CST

Open Worldwide 

Enter HERE

Good Luck !!

Read more