If You Love Romance ~

I'm soooo excited to finally announce that Book 2 of my historical Iroquois series, Captive Heart, is finally published along with a brand new inspirational contemporary romance, This Too Shall Pass.  This past year has been, to say the least, full of challenges.  Life certainly does not always give us what we feel we deserve and loves to create plenty of detours at times in our lives.   Despite it all, I've brought to life what I feel are two of my best writings ever and if you're looking for good summer reading, I promise you won't be disappointed. And won't you please share the news with all the fabulous women in your life as well?  Let me know your thoughts and thank you so very much for your continued patronage.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe summer season.

Historical Romance

Captive Heart ~ Book 2 - Iroquois Series ~ Historical Romance 

Banished from her Seneca tribe, Nuchzetse (New-zet-see) snubs her punishment as ward to the Shaman of the Oneida Nation. That is, until she comes face-to-face with the striking Oneida Bear Clan Leader, Lone Star. Even though his contempt for her is obvious, she wrestles with the desire to either win his favor or, escape the judgment holding her free spirit captive.

She finds herself caught between two worlds ~ remaining who she is, or the woman she secretly wishes to become. Captive Heart is a soulful tale of spiritual rebirth, and a passionate love story that blossoms during an extremely difficult journey of revelation. 

PAPER BACK  CLICK HERE $5.00 off Summer Discount ~ promo code 8D5DAYHE

Kindle

Palm/Ipad/Nook/Sony Readers  15% off until Aug. 30th ~ Promo Code AM94Z

Contemporary Romance

This Too Shall Pass ~ Contemporary Romance 

Rising from the ashes once you hit rock bottom is not easy for a woman alone. Neither is the journey along the road to self-discovery. The end result proves awe inspiring for Alana Waverly when fate steps in, however, and presents her with the wonderful possibility of not only believing in love, but finding it again.

This Too Shall Pass is an endearing and inspirational love story that teaches the importance of self-love, belief in oneself and knowing that the obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings.  

 
PAPERBACK AVAILABLE ~ CLICK HERE TO ORDER   $5.00 off summer discount - promo code Z8VKA9EZ

Kindle

Palm/Ipad/Nook/Sony Readers  15% off until Aug. 30th ~ Promo Code YX33P

Going on a little winter holiday...

To keep you occupied, there's a little (a big) competition going live on Monday, 4 June at noon. Captain Courage (aka The Cat) and the house sitters will be moderating entries while I'm gone.

Don't say I didn't give you a head's up!

C xx

Essence Gel Style Nail Stickers

I tried these before a big night out this past Saturday. The stickers are see through, and as per the  recommendations I painted a layer of lilac-pink polish underneath. Have a look (but not too closely - my cuticles look dire, as I had just cleaned up excess nail polish with a nail corrector pen and I didn't immediately realise they look so horrid):

Essence Gel Style Nail Sticker 01 -
It's called Cult Object from Cape Town :)

I think they look really cool, but I'm sad to say they only lasted a few hours before they started peeling off. I'm definitely trying it again without nail polish, since I have my suspicions about this - they didn't peel off from the nail polish, they came off together with the nail polish, like solid little false nails. 

Essence Gel Style Nail Stickers in
Cult Object From Cape Town, R30

Application tip: I found filing them difficult - trimming them with good old nail clippers was the easiest way to go.

Essence Cosmetics are available from Clicks and DisChem stores.

C xx

Eyeshadow review: Catrice Intensif'Eye

At the Catrice Launch Party a couple of weeks ago we got seriously great goodie bags, and I'm ever so slowly working my way through it.

I've been playing around with the Intensif'Eye Wet & Dry Shadow in #020, Charly's Chocolate Factory. It's a beauty - baked browns and bronzes swirled together is just perfect for a grey-blue-green-eyed girl like myself - it makes the peepers look pretty, and it warms up the complexion a tad on a dreary winters day.

Catrice Intensif'Eye in 020 Charly's Chocolate Factory, R49

Swatched: Catrice Intensif'Eye in 020 Charly's Chocolate Factory
Not quite doing it justice.

I also dabbled in #040, Have You Seen Alice?, which would work well for dark-eyed girls.

Catrice Intensif'Eye in 040 Have You Seen Alice?

Swatched: Catrice Intensif'Eye in 040 Have You Seen Alice?

Catrice cosmetics products are exclusive to DisChem stores

C xx

Zam-Buk Cherry Lip Balm

I'm pretty late to the party, but today was the first time that I saw a Zam-Buk Cherry lip balm in a store. So either they're not being stocked properly, or they sell out really fast - even my local Pep Stores (that always has regular Zam) said they had never seen it.

Zam-Buk Cherry Lip Balm, R3.50

I am now really chuffed to have it - it smells exactly like my favourite cherry flavoured slush puppy at the cinema, and it's small enough to carry along everywhere. It also costs half the price of a can of Coke Zero - how cool is THAT!

C xx

3D/Kawaii Nail Art: The Latest in Ridiculous Nail Trends

I apologise in advance. It seems that we mostly have the Japanese to blame for this - the Kawaii culture embraces everything that is overly cute, since it is seen as attractive. Think Hello Kitty meets Teletubbies on serious steriods. There are even tendencies to speak and giggle in overly high pitched voices, and carry around stuffed toys to come across as more coy and cute. This is done BY MEN AND WOMEN IN THEIR 20'S AND 30'S. Vomtastic.

Kawaii Nail Art (source)

3D Bubble Nail Art (source)

Garden Nails. I dare you to wipe your ass with that.
I'm sorry, I have no filters - but you must have been
thinking it too? (source)

Fruity 3D Nail Art (source)

Blackjack Nails? I guess so. (source)

How do you acheive this fun, stylish look? A nail technician can sculpt the 3D object with Acrylics, you can buy and stick on 3D nail stickers, or you can use these things:

source

You slice away and stick it on. "But why stop there?", the website asks. You can also adorn your iphone, laptop and any other items in your house. Nice.

You're welcome.

C xx

Shimansky Organic Collection

If I had a couple of hundred grand lying around in my jewellery budget, I would most certainly spend it on these instead of shiny yellow gold diamondy things (I'll have you know I've had a R600k Shimansky on my ring finger. I felt nothing. But the ring that I'm inheriting from my mom one day when she dies of natural causes at the age of 95 is different - that one I'll wave in front of you're faces).

They're made from 18 carat white gold with rose- and brilliant cut diamonds, and the items pictured are priced between R52 000 and R132 000. The full collection is exclusive to Shimansky V&A and the newly revamped Clocktower store.

Shimansky Organic Earrings

Shimansky Organic Earrings

Shimansky Organic Rings

As you were.

C xx