Blog Tour - Moonlight on Nightingale Way by Samantha Young

Logan from Echoes of Scotland Street is back with his own smouldering story, as the bestselling On Dublin Street series returns...Logan spent two years paying for the mistakes he made. Now, he's ready to start over. He has a great apartment, a good job, and plenty of women to distract him from his past. And one woman who is driving him to distraction...Grace escaped her manipulative family by moving to a new city. Her new life, made to suit her own needs, is almost perfect. All she needs to do is find her Mr. Right-or at least figure out a way to ignore her irresistible yet annoying womanizer of a neighbor. Grace is determined to have nothing to do with Logan until a life-changing surprise slowly begins turning the wild heartbreaker into exactly the kind of strong, stable man she's been searching for. Only just when she begins to give into his charms, her own messy past threatens to derail everything they've worked to build...

 This is the sixth, and last, book in the Dublin Street novel series by Samantha Young. This one focuses on Logan, who is readjusting to life outside of prison. He was initially introduced in the fifth book, as Shannon's older brother.

As with all of Young's books this one is full of emotion, great story and those sizzling steamy scenes which I know I will devour! But it's uppermost theme continues to be that of family and friendship in many forms. Each installment has introduced new characters but old favourites continue to pop up, which is like revisiting old friends.

This installment is the perfect end to the series, however I am going to miss the cast of Dublin Street and I hope that Samantha Young's next project is as fabulous as this series has been.

Thank you to the publishers for providing me with a review copy via Net Gallery in return for an honest review.  

Ozeri 4x3razor Digital Pocket 3D Pedometer with Tri-Axis Technology

• New 3D Tri-Axis Bosch Sensor from Germany (with X, Y, Z vector detection) provides superior accuracy in any position.
• Designed for high-performance athletes, the 4x3razor is the world's thinnest and lightest pedometer -- 0.5cm (less than 0.2") thick and weighs just half an ounce.
• Records steps, distance, calories and exercise time with the most advanced Tri-Axis technology.
• Counts up to 1 million steps with 7-Day Memory, and includes a built-in Clock and Sports Timer with Auto Sleep technology
• Razor thin design that fits in any pocket. Ships with a belt clip, extra battery, and detachable lanyard included. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

The Ozeri 4x3 digital pedometer is a small, lightweight pedometer that has lots of potential. It not only measures both steps and distance walked but can also tell the wearer the speed walked and, more importantly to me, how many calories have been burned in each session.

It is a slim line model, with a spring clip on the back making it easy to attach to any waistband. It can easily be hidden under longer tops and can’t be seen due to its sleek design. It is well made, and I have had no problems or system errors in the many months I have been using it.

It is easy to set up and can be used in one of two scales – miles or kilometres. It has the scope to keep 30 days of steps taken, distance travelled and calories burned in its memory

The instructions state the battery should last an average of seven months (based on an average of 10,000 steps per day.

I liked the added feature that it the pedometer would not sense motion like travelling in a car as additional steps taken, there is a suspend feature which prevents motion activation in vehicles.

In summary this is a great pedometer – I have used a number of the free pedometers that companies have given out over time and they are great for someone who is only interested in the number of steps taken each day but for those who wish to train for events or those who wish to use walking as an aid to weightloss I think this is a fantastic pedometer.

I received this product in return for an honest product review.

Dr Miriam Galt Fill and Spill Barn

Introducing a new range of developmental toys for baby’s first year and beyond. Developed with Dr Miriam Stoppard, the UK’s most trusted parenting expert. Each toy is designed to encourage learning through play and includes a play guide written by Dr Miriam with tips on how to play with the toy in the most beneficial way while having fun!A wooden barn with 8 farm animals to put in and take out. Encourages hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity including the important skill of picking up and letting go. All wood is from renewable sources.

A wooden barn with 8 farm animals to put in and take out. Encourages hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity including the important skill of picking up and letting go. All wood is from renewable sources. Part of a range of baby toys developed with Dr Miriam Stoppard, the UK's most trusted parenting expert. Includes a play guide written by Dr Miriam with tips on how to play with this toy in the most beneficial way while having fun!

I work in a children's centre and one of the most popular toys we use is the farmyard and therefore when I was offered this through the Amazon Vine programme in return for an honest review I was very interested in testing it.

First impressions was that it was very nicely packaged and packed within the box, with pieces wrapped in tissue paper to ensure no scratches etc before it was given or bought. The main farm barn is well made, with a removable roof. The corners have been rounded to ensure safe for young hands. It is not a large farm, just the right size as a first farm for toddlers. It is, however, one which can be bought as a first farm and then added to a larger farm set. 

Now, since receiving this item I have had time to consider one issue that I have with this product - the animals are not animal shaped - they are carved out of wood and have a cartoon style animal picture on them, beautiful as they are, but are solid shapes, not proper animals with legs to stand on, or chew on!. This product has been endorsed by Dr Miriam Stoppard, who Galt have said is teh UK's most trusted parenting expert, I am not arguing this, however when I have spoken in the past to Speech and Language experts through my work, they have said that children should see 'real photographic' images of things when learning, therefore surely farmyards should have pieces which look like animals, with four legs which can be grabbed at and a head which can be held, not a shaped piece of wood.

I also found the enclosed leaflet in which Dr Miriam told the reader how to play with the toy rather patronising - it also appeared to me to be too advanced for a 12 month old - Here is a DOG, he WAGS his TAIL and says WOOF WOOF - for example is too much for very young children and although some parents do need tips on playing with their child I do not think the leaflet was very informative.

However, after everything I have said, I do like the actual toy - great size for a young toddler, something which could be used for many years and used as a base for a farm which could, for example, be suggested to people to add to for future birthdays or Christmas, where people could buy separate pieces to add to the farm (eg separate animals, tractors, fencing etc). 

I received this through the Amazon Vine Programme in return for an honest review.

The 20 cm Green Earth Frying Pan by Ozeri, with Textured Ceramic Non-Stick Coating from Germany (100% PTFE and PFOA Free)

Utilizing GREBLON -- a natural ceramic coating from Germany, the Green Earth Pan by Ozeri is one of the world's first frying pans to achieve non-stick perfection while remaining absolutely free of PTFE, PFOA and other harmful chemicals. This version of the Green Earth Pan features a textured ceramic cooking surface designed to prevent food bonding for superior non-stick performance. The elevations of the textured cooking surface also create air pockets which distribute heat underneath food to enhance cooking performance. Conventional non-stick cookware is achieved through a coating of PTFE (PolyTetraFluoroEthylene), a synthetic substance that has waxy properties. At very high temperatures, PTFE begins to decompose and release fumes which are documented to be lethal to birds and small pets, and which can be harmful to humans. In addition, traditional pans incorporating PTFE are manufactured with the aid of PFOA (PerFluoroOctanoic Acid), which the EPA has classified as a 'persistent pollutant of the environment'. With the Green Earth Pan's GREBLON ceramic from Germany, even under high temperatures, no harmful toxic fumes are ever released into the environment. This is because the Green Earth Pan utilizes a 100% ceramic coating derived from nature - not from a laboratory. The Green Earth Pan's ceramic coating is completely free of PTFE and PFOA. The Green Earth Pan's natural ceramic coating is also far more durable and scratch-resistant than other non-stick surfaces. With better non-stick properties, the Green Earth Pan allows you to cook with as little as half the amount of oil normally used, and it makes cleaning a breeze. The Green Earth Pan by Ozeri is made of the highest quality anodized aluminum that allows for even cooking and fantastic browning without the risk of hot spots. It boasts a magnetized bottom for rapid heat transfer on induction stoves, and a heat resistant silicone coated handle. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

As soon as I received this frying pan I was very pleased with it - it's bright, lime green colour stood out and looked modern and stylish within my kitchen. It was a good weight, although it wasn't too heavy, easy enough to hold in one hand. It felt solid and had the feel of a well made and premium frying pan.

Before reading up on this product I was unaware that other frying pans release toxins when they overheat or when they get old, however this 'green earth' frying pan does not do this. It is 'ecofriendly' and does not release any toxins.

As a household we are trying to eat healthily and do not like to use much oil or fat when cooking. This frying pan requires very little oil - a quick spray is all it takes to get optimum cooking temperatures etc. The frying pan heats up quickly, the handle does not heat up and it can be used to finish food cooking in an oven which I also liked as a feature. The pan also requires very little maintenance. To clean the pan after use it needs only a quick clean with a damp cloth and is ready to use again.

I have used the pan to cook a number of different foods and I have found that there were no foods which stuck while being cooked, they all easily slipped out of the pan when cooked. The pan was perfect for use under the grill or in the oven to finish food cooking.  The only downside that I have found for this pan is that the green outer colour of the pan has become discoloured and stained after over-spill of sauces being made in the pan. These have not come off while being washed and over time is beginning to look 'grubby' however it does not outweigh the pros outlined above.

I am really happy with this pan - it is reasonably priced and as it is available in a number of sizes I am sure that I will be buying more pans in differing sizes soon.

I received this product in return for an honest and unbiased review from Moderna Housewares. 

Bic Evolution ultra-resistant colouring pencils made from recycled materials. These quality colouring pencils are available in 12 vibrant colours and provide great coverage. The highly pigmented quality leads are protected by a unique sheath that makes them resistant to shocks. As they're made from resin, not wood these pencils are chew resistant and won't splinter if broken. 

This special circus pot contains 60 pencils (12 different colours) with matching barrel & tip and a funky contrasting nose cone. 

For more than 60 years Bic has created and produced simple, inventive and reliable products, which are the preferred choice of millions of consumers worldwide! Bic Kids products are made in the expert tradition of Conté, a colour and drawing supply brand renowned since 1794, part of the Bic Group since 1979. BIC manufactures all of the BIC® Kids products.

There are many plus points to these pencil crayons:  good selection of colours, good storage included, bright colours and five of each colour per pot meaning no arguing over wanting the same colour at the same time, easy to sharpen and comfortable to hold and give good courage and deep colour quickly. However I also found that the leads snapped easily and although the storage is good, they are not easy to transport in the pot as there is no lid. I also believe that the RRP of £25 is rather expensive for the pencils, even with the Bic name and manufacture behind them. However at 45p per pencil it is not overly expensive. This pack would be a great idea for schools, nurseries or art groups wanting multiples of the same colour. The colour selection is good, vibrant colours, however there is no black, white or dark brown included which I think is missing from this selection. I like the idea that when the pencils are sharpened there is another bright colour around the lead which all adds to the circus theme (i.e. when the yellow is sharpened, a bright green is revealed).

In summary I think that these pencils are a good purchase for art fans, however they are quite expensive and, dare I say it, too good for children to have as everyday colouring pencils. Keep them for the adults or use on special colouring projects.

I received this product via the Amazon Vine Programme. 

Cole and Mason 16-Jar Filled Hudson Herb and Spice Rack Carousel

Preparing, sharing and enjoying good food is at the heart of every home. Cole & Mason’s high performance, good looking seasoning products help everyone to cook more confidently and create delicious, flavour-packed dishes.

Market leader in salt and pepper mills and expert in seasonings, our knowledge and experience reaches right back to 1919, when our company began. Now we have applied that expertise to herbs and spices.

People today have an appetite for more adventurous dishes using a rich variety of seasonings. At Cole & Mason, we share this enthusiasm and understand how new and exotic ingredients can transform cooking and eating. We also know that the right equipment matters and can take your cooking to a whole new level. From the way it feels in the hand to how it looks in the kitchen or on the table, Cole & Mason seasonings cookware delivers superior performance.

The choice of herbs and spices available today brings bold new flavours and colours into the kitchen. To help food lovers get the most from these ingredients, we have a brand new range of jars, racks and carousels for storing and dispensing herbs and spices, along with stylish pestles & mortars. We believe the Cole & Mason herbs and spices range will quickly become as popular with committed cooks as our salt and pepper mills. And they make great gifts.

The new range of Cole & Mason spice racks really have been designed well, with smoothly rotating bases, and well crafted jars. The lids provide three different options, shake, pour, and seal close. Both spice rack, and carousel have been built sturdy enough for lifting in and out of the cupboard, whilst looking good to leave on the worktop to show off.

The spices included are the best recommendation for each different configuration of spice rack or carousel. This product also comes beautifully packaged so it makes for a great gift.

Box Contains

1 x Spice Carousel

16 x Filled Spice Jars

Product Description

Key features. . Stylish and elegant glass jars. Sleek chrome caps shake, our and seal. Carousel spins for convenience. Re-fillable jars sealed for freshness. Central convenient carrying handle. . . Contents:. . Cumin seed 0.98oz (28g). Ground paprika 0.70oz (20g). Ground bay leaves 0.35oz (10g). Ground parsley 0.19oz (5g). Caraway seed 0.86oz (24g). Fennel seed 0.63oz (18g). Ground dill 0.32oz (9g). Ground mint 0.19oz (5g). Ground cinammon 0.79oz (23g). Coriander seed 0.63oz (18g). Ground basil 0.29oz (8g). Ground oregano 0.14oz (4g). Ground chilli flakes 0.76oz (22g). Ground rosemary 0.57oz (16g). Ground thyme 0.25oz (7g). Ground marjoram 0.110z (3g). .

This is a stylish, sleek and compact spice rack which would not look out of place in any modern kitchen. In black, chrome and clear glass, this spice rack is one which should be on display rather than hidden away.

The jars are a good size and come pre-filled. My only negative re the jars is that the spice names are printed on the lid and it  is not possible to read the names of the jars on the bottom shelf unless you pull each jar out when the top shelf is also full. However as the jars are clear this is not a huge problem - just a little negative. 

The jars all fit in securely and do not fall out easily. The carousel also rotates to enable easy access to each jar, The unit is also lightweight, even when all jars are full. 

The carousel takes up very little room on a worktop counter - about the diameter of a biscuit tin (or one of those chocolate tins everyone has at Christmas time) but contains 16 good size, refillable herb/spice jars.  The herbs and spices which are contained within the unit when initially bought are good quality, aromatic herbs and spices which will flavour cooking perfectly.

The jars each have the easy to use dispenser in the lid, with the option of the lid being closed, sprinkle or open pour dispenser, making it easy to control the amount of herb/spice dispensed at any time. The jars are also comfortable to hold, they are not bulky but are suitable for people with grip problems as they are not slight or flimsy. They appear to be made of a thick glass which, hopefully, means they will be long lasting and will survive the occasional fall on surfaces or floor.

In summary, I really like this carousel. It is smart, sleek and modern, taking up little room on a worktop - however if this is too big to fit a kitchen or is to be given to a reluctant cook who uses few or a confident cook who uses lots of different herbs and spices, there are other units in the range to suit these cooks too. It would make a great housewarming present or maybe for a student leaving home for the first time.

I received this through the Amazon Vine Programme.

Me To You Tiny Tatty Ted Cuddly Comforter

A cute comforter toy which makes the perfect gift for a special baby boy. Soft and snuggly, it’s suitable from birth once all tags and packaging have been removed.

Tiny Tatty Teddy is a loveable grey teddy bear with a blue nose and a warm heart. He has soft fur and cute patches, and he’s always looking for cuddles.

This adorable Me to You teddy bear appears on a fantastic range of beautiful baby and toddler products. Gorgeous designs feature soft, neutral colours, which means that Tiny Tatty Teddy gifts are perfect for baby girls and boys!

A Tatty Teddy Bear comforter made by soft toys and gifts manufacturer Carte Blanche . This cute cuddly toy is suitable from birth and is from the desirable Me To You Tiny Tatty Teddy Collection. Coming in a presentation gift box this makes the perfect gift. There are more Tatty Teddy gifts available in the Me to You Tiny Tatty Teddy collection including comforters snowglobes and soft toys.

Tatty Ted/ Me To You bears are very popular and I don't think it matters what age or gender you are, a tatty ted bear is one of those characters which everyone likes.

This Tatty Ted is one of the Tiny range. Aimed at gifts for new babies and their families they make adorable presents for a new birth or christening gift. This Cuddly Comforter is made  in the softest of materials. It is a teddy bear's head and arms with a blue blanket that can be grabbed and held tight by the littlest of hands! 

It is packaged perfectly and would make the perfect gift for a newborn. It is also available in pink, however before this could be bought as a gift it is necessary to know the gender of the child as unfortunately no neutral option is available. 

This is a high quality, well made, licensed character gift, suitable for births or christenings. It is a reasonable price and packaged beautifully.

I received this through the Amazon Vine Programme.