Hot Spring Sauna Face Mask

Hot Spring Sauna Face Mask

What they say:

Bursting with nutrients, the feisty ground Volcanic Spring Powder and chopped Ginger in our gentle self warming sauna mask opens up pores for a deep cleanse. The exfoliating Bamboo gently removes dead cells and polishes, leaving your skin sparkling. (Taken from My7thheaven)

What I think:

This was the first time I have used a self heating mask before, I have always been a little worried by them, not knowing how hot it was going to get. I decided to give it a go and I am so glad I did. From taking this out of the packet I found it quite globby and it began to heat straight away. From rubbing it onto my face I noticed it was quite gravelly, this gave my skin an exfoliation as well as a deep clear. I was really impressed with this. 

When I removed the mask my skin was left feeling soft. I would use this face mask again. 

Cover Reveal - The Day Of Second Chances - Julie Cohen

The Day of Second Chances will be published on 28th January 2016.

Can you imagine keeping a secret so devastating, you couldn’t even tell the people you love?

Honor’s secret threatens to rob her of the independence she’s guarded ferociously for eighty years.

Jo’s secret could smash apart the ‘normal’ family life she’s fought so hard to build.

Lydia’s secret could bring her love - or the loss of everything that matters to her.

One summer’s day, grandmother, mother and daughter’s secrets will collide in a single dramatic moment. Is it too late for second chances?

This looks awesome and I cannot wait for this to come out!

The Stereotypical Freaks by Howard Shapiro

The Stereotypical Freaks by Howard Shapiro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Four disparate high school seniors come together to compete in their school's battle of the bands. Sharing a love for playing rock and roll, the members name the band "The Stereotypical Freaks" because they feel stereotyped by their classmates - smart kid, geek, star athlete and quiet weirdo… when in fact they know they are much more than those labels that have been placed on them.

When one member reveals life altering news, winning the competition takes on more of a meaning to each member. Scared and angry, upset and yet still with a lot of resolve they set out to win one for the good guys… will they?




This was the first graphic novel I have read. I have been wanting to get into this genre for a while, but I have been unable to find something that I thought would like. This sounded more like me.

As soon as I began to read this, I loved the songs that were suggested for each chapter, I thought that this was a really nice touch and the author had obviously thought long and hard about what song would suit that part of the story.

This was extremely easy to read and I read it in one sitting. To begin with I found it a little hard to work out what type of characters they were, after reading further into the graphic novel this became clear. Although I would say this novel is aimed at older teenagers, I think that it would be suitable for younger viewers. There are parts within the graphic novel, where there is no text, I didn't think you actually needed it as the images were able to carry the story by themselves.

I thought this was a good graphic novel and if you are like me and haven't red any before, a good one to start with. It covers sensitive subjects in 'real' ways and with a lot of respect.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review and I would recommend to others.

Weekly Wrap Up - 26.7.15

I have finally made it to the end of term! I'm off on a new adventure, new house in a few weeks and then on to a new school in September! I have spent this week moving all my things into my new school and trying to get all that set up before then new term. I am looking forward to spending a lot of the summer holidays reading in between packing and unpacking!

This week I have been sent:

Between Sisters - Cathy Kelly
A game for all the family - Sophie Hannah

This week I have bought: 

The Mindfulness colouring book - Emma Farrarons

Books I have read this week:

Sunshine and Spaniels - Cressida McLaughlin
Why we broke up - Daniel Handler

The books I have read all have reviews and they will be on the blog soon so look out for that!

Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know

Lisa Ballantyne - Redemption Road blog tour.

It is my stop on the Lisa Ballantyne's blog tour for Redemption Road, I have been lucky enough to have a guest post from Lisa. She has stopped by with her top five father daughter books. Make sure you stop by soon to check out my review of this books too. 

MY TOP FIVE FATHER DAUGHTER BOOKS

1) To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee 
Atticus embodies masculinity while encouraging fairness, independence and equality. 

2) Amongst Women - John McGahern - 
The oppression is stifling in this novel, as a brooding and volatile father tyrannises his daughters on their secluded rural farm after their mother has died. 

3) We Were the Mulvaneys - Joyce Carol Oates 
This novel has stayed with me for years. The father's heartbreaking refusal to forgive Maryann is bound up in his failure to see his daughter as an independent woman. The father is the true villain of this piece as his grief at his daughter's loss of innocence destroys the whole family.

4) Empire Falls - Richard Russo 
For me, Miles's relationship with his teenage daughter, Tick, was this novel's heart. 

5) The Child in TIme - Ian McEwan. 
The child Kate is ever-present but indistinct in this wonderful novel about a father's longing and grief and the relative nature of time. 

Wellies and Westies (A novella) by Cressida McLaughlin

Wellies and Westies (A novella) by Cressida McLaughlin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars




Hilarious, touching and fun, Primrose Terrace will appeal to dog lovers everywhere and fans of Lucy Diamond, Cathy Bramley and Trisha Ashley.

Catherine ‘Cat’ Palmer realises, too late, that bringing an adorable puppy into work at the local nursery was a bad idea, especially after the ensuing chaos gets her the sack.
Determined to turn a negative into a positive, Cat decides this is the perfect opportunity to get her dog-walking business off the ground with the help of her flatmates, Polly and Joe. After all, Primrose Terrace where she lives, is full of home-alone hounds…

Wellies and Westies is the first part of a serialized novel told in four parts – all set in Primrose Terrace.


When I found out this was going to be a series of novellas I knew I had to read it. By now you will know my love with novellas, they are perfect for busy days and when you can only give yourself half an hour to read. This is perfect for those occasions, you get to feel satisfied after a short period of reading and cannot wait for the next installment of the series.

The first think that I thought when I saw the cover for this series was, how beautiful! Each and every installment has a beautiful cover, which just makes me want to read it even more!

I love how easy this novella was to read, only after the first few pages I was in love with Cat, who works in a nursery but makes a huge mistake when she takes her puppy to work with her one day. Unfortunately for Cat the day goes from bad to worse and she ends up fired. After feeling sorry for herself and a chat from her best friend she decides to become a dog walker and begins to set up her own business. I think it is ever so hard to build relationships between the characters and the reader in such a short space of time but McLaughlin manages to pull it off and have you the reader rooting for Cat from the first few pages.

I love how the book is set round a small community and I would love to like in Primrose Terrace, I began to love all the characters that were introduced to me and through development they all have separate stories that mix together.

This is a must summer read this summer, perfect for those moments in the garden or lazing by the pool, it is funny, light and lovable. I really cannot wait for the others in the series.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Art History Paper Dolls by Kyle Hilton

Art History Paper Dolls by Kyle Hilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Get a hands-on art history lesson with these giants of the art world, shrunk down to paper-doll form. Illustrator Kyle Hilton expertly captures the essence of such masters as Leonardo da Vinci, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock and more. Educational trivia and unique accoutrements accompany each artist. Art history has never been so fun!


When I saw this I knew I wanted a copy. This for me has many uses, I love art, history and I am a teacher. This book is brilliant for making art history for kids fun. There are interesting facts and quirky parts to cut out and stick on the dolls.

I love the fact that this books takes you through art history, with the art movements and famous artists. I honestly cannot say a bad word about this book and it makes it fun for kids too. Even as an art fanatic there were a few artists I was unsure of, this book encouraged me to find out more about them and research their work.

I would love to get more of these books to help teach history.

This is a well and truly awesome book, it is great for any age. I will be recommending this to other teachers and my friends. My review can not do this book justice, you just have to get it to see for yourself.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Weekly Wrap Up - 19.7.15

The last few weeks have been pretty stressful, it became apparent that we were going to have to move home soon, due to our current landlord wanting to sell the property. It is not something we want to buy so decided to try and find something asap for us to try and move in during the summer holidays. This week it has been confirmed so for the next couple of weeks I think packing things in boxes are going to be in order. Will have to have a major clear out too. 

This week I have been sent:

Luckiest Girl Alive - Jessica Knoll
Sunshine and Spaniels - Cressida McLaughlin 

A Proper Family Holiday - Chrissie Manby
Beneath the Lake - Christopher Ransom
Siren's Call - Jayne Castle
Everything Everything - Nicola Yoon
Sparkling Stilettos - Jess Wright

This week I have bought: 

Books I have read this week:

Art History Paper Dolls - absolutely amazing, check out my review soon. 

Pretty Patterns colouring book
Stereotypical freaks - Howard Shapiro

The books I have read all have reviews and they will be on the blog soon so look out for that!

Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know

Pretty Patterns: Creative Colouring for Grown-ups by Various Illustrators

Pretty Patterns: Creative Colouring for Grown-ups by Various Illustrators
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Pretty Patterns Colouring Book for Grown-ups gives all creative types the opportunity to personalize over one hundred pages of the most beautiful illustrations imaginable. With a hugely diverse range of styles and scenes, there is something here for all tastes. Providing hours of fun and relaxation, the book also gives you the chance to create something you can be truly proud of. The ideal way to enhance your artistic skills or the perfect present for the gifted individual in your life.


Colouring books for grown ups are all the range at the moment, so when I was lucky enough to be offered this book to review I jumped at the chance.

I am an arty person, I have an art degree and I love to create things. This book I found was very relaxing. Personally I don't like using pens to colour as there is every chance they could go through the paper so I stuck to colouring pencils. This was great as I could get tones when colouring too.

There are many different colouring books out there at the moment, this one is full of flowery designs, some are more detailed than others and some have other features on the page such as butterflies. I love how every time I look at the pictures I see something different from the images, as I am colouring them I can also see new things being created.

I would recommend grown up colouring books to everyone, as soon as you are getting a little stressed in your life, pull one of these out and your stress level will soon begin to drop. This is a lovely girly addition to everyone's colouring book collection.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Cowshed Cow Pat moisturising hand cream

Cowshed Cow Pat moisturising hand cream

What they say:

Despite the name, this essential oil-based hand cream from lovers of nature, Cowshed, will leave your hands as fresh as an English garden. Packed with nourishing Shea and Cocoa butters with a sprinkling of lavender, grapefruit, and cinnamon, the rich formula quickly absorbs into the skin for never-greasy hydration. What's more it delivers all-day moisture and an invigorating fragrance. Trust us. (Birchbox website)

What I think:

I absolutely love hand creams, I have so many of them I have lost count. After loving Cowshed candles and their body lotion, I knew I would love their hand cream. It smells great and leaves your hands feeling soft and smooth. I would recommend this product. It is £8 full size, which is 50 ml. I think that is reasonable for a good hand cream and have spent more in the past on hand creams. I will be buying this again. 

You can buy this from the Birchbox website: here

Flash Sticks 1 month review

I thought I would do a very quick update on how my learning is coming along. I have had the flash sticks for about a month now and couldn't wait to put them around the house, I began to go through the pack and taking out the ones I felt could be attached to the items I have in the house. Working full time it makes it really difficult to do any learning as I have little time. These have really helped me to learn Spanish, every day I am seeing the words around the house and even if I don't say the word out loud it begins to become ingrained in my head. 

I had to take down a few of the flash sticks the other day as we had someone come to take pictures of the house, when going to put them back up I noticed I had lost one. The word for door - even though I cannot find it, it turns out that actually I don't need it up there now anyway. Looking at the position of where it used to be I can remember the word for door. This has proved to me that the flash sticks are working. I am so happy as I know I am beginning to learn the language. Some words I am finding more difficult as they have harder pronunciation. This is where the app comes in, I have found this so useful, by scanning over the post it, a video will appear with the pronunciation. 

I am really getting into learning words, useful words that actually I may use (not like when you learn a language at school!) I am hoping that the more words I learn I begin to be able to create sentences, at the moment I feel like I am only learning the odd words. I am so pleased I had the opportunity to review flash sticks, please head back soon to continue on my journey with me. 

I would recommend these to anyone with a busy day job, who doesn't have time to learn a language, you will be surprised at how much you do learn.

I would like to thank the company again for sending these in exchange for an honest review. 

Weekly Wrap up - 12.7.15

The week has been a stressful one, not with work, thankfully for once but with house hunting. We are going to be moving house at some point and I am hoping it happens in the summer holidays so I have time to do it. This has cut into my reading time this week as I am visiting properties all the time. This weekend however I was hoping to read quite a bit and I am had a mini readathon I think to try and get some reviews done, otherwise I won't have any scheduled. 

This week I have been sent:

Sing no Evil - JP Ahonen & KP Alare 

Art History Paper Dolls 

This week I have bought: 

Books I have read this week:

The books I have read all have reviews and they will be on the blog soon so look out for that!

Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know

His Other Life - Beth Thomas

His Other Life by Beth Thomas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The story of a couple with seemingly perfect lives…and the secrets they hide behind closed doors.

Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Jo Jo Moyes.

He was hiding a terrible secret . . .

Grace’s new husband Adam seems like the perfect package. Good looking, great job, completely charming – almost too good to be true . . .

So when Adam suddenly disappears from Grace’s life, she is left bewildered and heartbroken. And with a lot of unanswered questions.

As she tries desperately to find him, Grace opens a Pandora’s Box of secrets and lies – and starts to learn that Adam wasn’t so perfect after all.

What shameful secrets was her husband hiding? Is Grace in danger? And can she survive the truth? However terrible it may be . . .


Sadly this book sounded so promising but under delivered. It sounded so intriguing; Graces husband Adam seemed like the perfect package. We are told that he is hiding a terrible secret, what could it be? The seemingly perfect man, good looking, good job, charming, everything a woman could want but it seems that beneath the surface secrets and lies were hiding. It's not until Adam suddenly disappears that Grace starts to unravel the truth about her husband and I for one was really hooked on finding out what the terrible secret was.

Unfortunately although this was a good plot line the characterisation was so weak and unbelievable that the story had little chance of succeeding for me. The plot line was slow, sometimes laboriously so and I must confess that I skim read from about
a quarter into the book.

I had worked out what was happening on early into the book but kept reading as I was not sure if there would be a twist or a curve ball somewhere but there wasn't. It was well written but just a bit boring and predictable for me so I felt a sense of anti-climax at the end and had the feeling that it wasn't worth the read which was a shame.

I can only give this 3 stars - I can't honestly say I enjoyed it - it was just OK but not a memorable read. Sorry Beth.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Cowshed Knackered Cow Relaxing Body Lotion

Cowshed Knackered Cow Relaxing Body Lotion

What they say:

So, your alarm has gone off, you’ve made it out of bed (just!) and you’re struggling to deal with the fact that the weekend isn’t yet in sight. We feel ya! When you’re burnt out and longing for the extra hour in bed, the Cowshed Knackered Cow range will lift you out of exhaustion and into the real world thanks to its blend of calming lavender and uplifting eucalyptus. Post-shower, slather on the Knackered Cow Body Lotion to awaken your senses while the finest shea and cocoa butters work to moisturise and tone the skin.(Taken from Birchbox website.) 

What I think:

To be honest this suits me down to the ground with it's name, I cam constantly knackered after work and I have used this after showering in the evening. The slight lavender sent really has relaxed me and made me ready for bed. To be honest I think this has been the best product in my Birchbox this month. full price is £18 and you get 300ml for that, which is a decent size. Would I be buying this when mine runs out? I think I would, it is a lovely product, which makes my skin silky and smooth. I cannot wait to try out Cowshed's other products. 

You can purchase this from the Birchbox website: here

First One Missing - Tammy Cohen blog tour

I have been lucky enough to be offered a place on Tammy Cohen's blog tour for her new novel 'First One Missing.' I am super excited to bring you exclusive content from her, which you can read below. 

Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner today!

Changing Genres

Q: What’s the difference between a crime writer and a non-crime writer?

A: Not much. When I first started writing fiction, I naively thought being categorised in a particular genre would be constricting. What I failed to realise was it would also be bloody handy. My first novel, The Mistress’s Revenge, was about a woman driven so crazy by the end of a love affair that she starts stalking her ex lover and his family. When people asked me (as they always did) what kind of book it was, I breezily told them ‘Contemporary women’s fiction’. ‘Oh,’ they invariably replied. ‘You mean chick lit?’ That’s when I realised how much readers love genres – and how even if you don’t categorise yourself, nine times out of ten they’ll do it for you. And not always accurately.

When The Mistress’s Revenge was published in Holland, it was marketed as a psychological thriller. It was dark. It had an undercurrent of menace. Crimes were committed. In Indonesia on the other hand, it was marketed as a romance with a pink, flowery cover (leading me to wonder whether the publisher had ever actually read it, and feel bad for readers who picked it up hoping for a bit of warm and fuzzy escapism).
The point is, readers and publishers really like genres. So it’s bonkers really that it took me another two books to work out that, actually, I quite liked them too. And not just because, without a convenient label, it was so hard to describe the types of books I wrote. I’d also realised by this time that genre writers have more fun. No really. Looking around at other writers, it was obvious the ones who ‘belonged’ in crime, or romance or fantasy, were having a wail of a time attending conventions, appearing on panels, fraternising with other writers in their genre in secret Facebook groups. Being in a genre was like being in a really cool club. My writer friend, Amanda, and I tried to establish an AGA writers (Association of Genreless Authors), just so we could have conventions and fun too. It didn’t take off.
But then something weird started happening. I noticed that most of the books I was reading were crime books, and the writers I was gravitating towards were crime writers. And then, something even weirder happened. I wrote a book called The Broken that wasn’t a whole heap different from my first three books, except I decided to call it a psychological thriller because it’s dark and sinister and because it made it easier to talk about, and no one called me a liar, and the police didn’t come to arrest me for misrepresentation. And then I wrote Dying For Christmas, which was definitely a crime book. And now First One Missing, which is also definitely a crime book. Except that as well as having crimes in them, those books are also about families and relationships and love and betrayal and lots of other things that could also place them just as easily in other genres, or back in general fiction.

So what I’m trying to say in a very roundabout way is that genre is fluid, and the same book can be interpreted in any number of ways, and books are seldom just one thing but can be lots of different things all at the same time and writers wear many different faces, even within the same book. I’m loving being classed as a ‘crime writer’, mostly because crime writers are such a welcoming bunch and always the last ones left in the bar. But - and don’t tell anyone this - in my own head, I just write ‘fiction’. Interpret that as you will.

Make sure you stop by at other stops in this tour!

Percy & Reed Smoothed, Sealed & Sensational Volumising No Oil, Oil

What they say:

So, we all know the benefits of hair oil; it protects strands, injects moisture and leaves everything looking lovely right? Right! But Percy & Reed’s Smoothed, Sealed and Sensational Volumising No Oil, Oil takes things a step further. Not only does it nourish and repair tired locks with a burst of pro vitamin B5 to strengthen and protect, it also uses violet extract to keep everything sleek while adding volume! Who’d have thought it?! It also doubles up as a nifty heat protecting treatment. A true miracle worker. (Taken from the Birchbox website)

What I think:

I was intrigued by this product when it arrived as it looks like an oil but apparently isn't one. I like to make my hair smoother but I don't like the look of oil on my hair - it leaves it greasy looking and I have to wash it the following day. This is something that didn't happen with the product, I could put it in my hair when it was wet and then blow dry it. It didn't make it less frizzy but I found my hair was softer and seems stronger. 

I would say that a little goes along way, I have found if I put too much in, then it will turn my hair greasy so really make sure you read how many drops to use. 

Will I purchase this product again? Yes I think I would, its £14 so not too expensive for an oil and it does make my hair seem softer. I only wish it could have made it less frizzy too. 

You can buy this from the Birchbox website: here

Weekly wrap up 5.7.15

This week has been a little more chilled, reports are written and I am beginning to wind down at school now. I also have another adult in my classroom, who is happy to mark and get resources ready so the workload has been split. I have felt a little more relaxed, however due to the hot weather this week I am finding it very hard to do anything but drink! Here is my weekly wrap up. 

This week I have been sent:

I knew you were trouble - Paige Toon
Some kind of Wonderful - Sarah Morgan
A Summer Breeze - Colette Caddle (won)

This week I have bought: 

Books I have read this week:

Currently reading The Good Girls by Sara Shephard

The books I have read all have reviews and they will be on the blog soon so look out for that!

Thanks for stopping by at The Book Corner, I loved  hearing what you have got this week so please leave a comment to let me know

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturiser

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturiser

What they say:

As skincare obsessives, there’s nothing we love more than a moisturiser with added benefits so when we heard that Caudalie had created an innovative new product combining our beloved Vinoperfect range with a little complexion coverage we were sold. The ultimate ‘all-in-one’ product, this oil-free formula not covers imperfections but cares for your skin day after day: dark spots will fade, you skin’s natural radiance will shine, and you complexion will never have looked more even!

Use in the morning, directly after cleansing. Leave as is to let your natural skin shine through or apply your usual make-up on top. (Taken from Birchbox)

What I think:

To be honest, I loved this product, it is so smooth and soft. I had a sample size and this was generous at 15 ml, the full size product is 40 ml so it wasn't that bad at all. It is slightly tinted which is perfect for the summer season and for taking on holiday with you. It feels like your skin is able to breath through the make up and makes it feel so soft once applied. 

The cost for the full size item is £27 and comes in light, medium and dark. 

I think that once I have finished the sample, I may purchase the full size. I would recommend this for the summer. 

Stainiac

theBalm® cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen

What they Say: (Birchbox)

You wouldn't know it from the state of our make-up drawer, but we’re actually beauty minimalists. Our motto: why use two products when you can get the same effect with one? This two-in-one lip and cheek stain gives us a natural, understated flush and helps us get out the door faster! The gel formula looks dark in the tube but delivers a sheer tint.

The tinted gel leaves a lasting stain on lips and cheeks. Since it’s water-based, it has a longer setting time than most quick-dry stains, which means it won’t leave any unsightly streaks behind as long as you take care to blend well. Use a single coat for a subtle look or layer it on for a more visible (yet still discreet) hue.

What I think:

To begin with I was a little worried when I received this in my Birchbox, I thought the colour was too bright just by looking at it and I didn't think it would last very long at all. I was wrong on all accounts. When applying it to the lips I found it to be a gel consistency, which took a little longer to dry than more water based tints. I thought this was a good thing as it gave you time to smudge the colour if you wanted to. The only negative I have about this product is the fact my lips felt very dry after using and I would then use a lip balm over the top to moisturise them. 

This product apparently can be used on your cheeks too, so it doubles up as a 2 in 1 which is great, I haven't actually used this on my cheeks yet. It lasts quite a long time, however you would need to carry it around with you to reapply throughout the day, but it is much more lasting than a lip stick. 

Would I buy this again? After trying the product for quite a while now any early on worries I had about it have vanished and I actually really like the brand. This is £10 full size to buy and I think as it is so long lasting this is a good price, I will be purchasing it again in the future. 

You can buy this on the Birchbox website: here