eOriginalArt

Morning! Ready for a brand new product review? This one is extra special because part of this package was made just for us! eOriginalArt is run by the awesome Eren Simpson, who makes personalized rings, buttons, necklaces, teething accessories for you mamas out there, tote bags, and bracelets. You can see her whole line at her Etsy shop here!

 

♥Kelsey’s Thoughts♥

Let’s start with the packaging. It was simple, cute, and I loved it. You don’t need fancy wrapping and expensive bows to make an impression. Sometimes it’s the simpler things that really highlight the products, which is exactly what you see here! Also, she shipped it ASAP. There wasn’t a crazy waiting time or anything, it seemed like we talked about the order and it was there the next day! It was awesome.

Next, let’s talk about the bracelet. Eren made this specially for us and put a lot of thought into it. As you can see, it says “A Kiss at Midnight”! She even asked for our wrist measurements so they would fit perfectly. And the bracelet itself was so light, it hardly even felt like I had it on. Like, I usually take all my jewelry off when I’m writing and editing, but it was like I wasn’t even wearing something on my wrist!

I’ve been wearing it every day since I took it out of the box. And when I had a little writer’s block last night while working on a book, seeing the name of the blog on my wrist gave me a little push to reevaluate my story and continue typing. While this bracelet is obvi just for us, it was made in a style that she already carries. You can check it out here and grab your own personal bracelet for $12.50. Worth it.

Finally, Eren put a little something extra in our boxes, and it was perfect. Even though Sarah and I live in different states, we’re basically the same person. We are published by the same company, we blog together, we are involved in all the big and little things in each other’s lives, and we work as writing partners. Eren recognized our BFF status and gave us each half a heart that spelled out “Sister From Another Mister”. Hella true. Grab your own necklace for you and your other half here for $20.00.

I give this shop 6/6 Glass Slippers!

♥♥♥

♥Sarah’s Thoughts♥

Like Kelsey said, this shipped quickly. She got hers first and I was unbelievably jealous. However, my package came the next day. I was so excited about the “friendship necklace” because Kelsey and I grew up in the 90’s. If you didn’t give your best friend a friendship necklace for their birthday, did your friendship even count? But this is the adult version and it is perfect because of how far apart Kelsey and I live. Now, I can’t wear it on a daily basis, since I have to go to work, but I keep it for the casual days. It’s light, inappropriate, and black so it matches about everything I wear.

Now, the bracelet. Like Kelsey said, we had this commissioned and it was easy. Kelsey and I went onto the eOrigional’s etsy shop, looked at the bracelets and asked for the black thread. So, this isn’t a flimsy bracelet. It is a solid bracelet with an easy clasp. I know Kelsey said she had some issues attaching the clasp, but I was able to slip it on. I was a little more liberal with my wrist size. What I like about the bracelet is that it kind of shines when the light hits it. No, this isn’t an editing trick. This is actually how the bracelet looks outside. And ps, it was mad raining when I was taking it.

I like the ability to customize things but this site makes it easy. You don’t have to come up with the idea all by yourself. There are enough examples that you have a variety of options to choose from. But…there are tons of options you can buy that have already been made for you to choose from. Basically, you have endless opportunities. But the best part of it all, I wore both the bracelet and the necklace for two days straight, except the shower, and I didn’t break out. I didn’t get itchy. I didn’t have a reaction. So those of you with a problem with nickle, you’re all good.

6/6 Glass Slippers

• See all of eOrigional’s lovely items at their etsy shop here

• Follow her on Instagram here

• Tweet at her Twitter here

You can see the rest of our product reviews here! If you’re interested in seeing us review and feature your product, please contact us here! PS, here’s a special coupon code to get your own awesome piece!

Read all about Kelsey’s historical and contemporary romances here and learn about Sarah’s college romances here.

An Outlandish Clan History Part6

Wow, we certainly have a lot of readers with Scottish roots! Remember to look back at part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, and part 5 of this little series to make sure you’re not missing any of the history goodness! Let’s dive right in and see what there is to learn about some of your own, personal, clans…

Clan Nicolson

• Clan Motto: Generositate- By generosity

• This lowland clan came from the Norse raiders, but there are two different lines it could have originated from, although both versions were seen as early as the 800s. The name may have come from the common name “Olson” with the added “Nic”, which in Scottish Gaelic means “Daughter”, and was seen throughout the middle ages. But it also might have come to pass during the Scottish-Norwegian War in the early 1200s, when Hakkon IV of Norway sent Anders Nicolassen into Scotland, where he stayed.
• While this cannot be verified, it is thought that before being the Nicolsons, they were members of Clan MacNeacail.

Clan Guthrie

• Clan Motto: Sto pro veritate- I stand for the truth

Ancient

Battle

Modern

• There’s no exact story of where this ancient Scottish name came from, but one of the more popular legend is that in the 800s-900s the Scottish king named a certain piece of land “Guthrie” after a poor fisherman “gut three” fish and served them for the king’s supper.
• Being an old family gave the Guthries a certain level of respect. Like during the Scottish War of Independence, the Laird of Guthrie was sent to bring William Wallace to Scotland, sparking more support for the side of Scottish independence.
• They were very close to the royal family throughout history, and were often given royal pardons when they wronged a rival clan. They were also often given titles, land, and certain privileges. However, that mostly ended when some of the Guthries began to take arms against the Scottish government, particularly the king, when they began to devote themselves to the Covenanter belief system in the 1630s.
• Guthrie Castle was built in the mid 1400s, with various additions being added on through history. It remained in the Gustrie family until 1983. But, now it’s a lovely golf course and event area where you can even get married!

Clan Macrae

• Clan Motto: Fortitudine- strength
• War Cry: Sgurr uaran- refers to the highest part of the mountain range within the Clan Macrae lands.

• This is an armegerous clan and the name comes from Macraith, which means “son of grace”. It is said that the clan came from Ireland and shares a common lineage with the Mackenzies and the MacLeans. However, that is under dispute.
• They participated in the Jacobite Rebellion in 1715 and it went terribly. Like, everyone died, even their strongest warrior, a man named Duncan Macrae, whose claymore was taken by the English and displayed in the Tower of London for a number of years. However, the sword has been missing for years and it is thought it was lost in the fire of 1841. It is because of their failure in 1715 that they opted out of the rebellion in 1745.
• At one point, their main clan rivals were the Frasers of Lovat!

Clan Nesbitt

• Clan Motto: I Byd It- I Endure
• Clan War Cry- A Nesbitt!

(It’s iffy what the actual Nesbitt tartan is, or if there even is one, but this one is recognized as largely being theirs. If you are a Nesbitt and know for sure what your tartan is, please let me know!)

• This Scottish border clan was originally titled “de Nesbit”, as seen in historic documents from the 11 and 1200s. They were also close to the royals from the time of Robert the Bruce and enjoyed favor from time to time.
• One of the most famous clan members was Alexander Nisbet. Nisbet was known as the expert on all things historic and herald. He is still regarded as the expert on Clan Nesbitt and many of his writings are still seen as valid today.
• By the 17th century, the Nesbitt clan were largely royalists, and in full support of England.

The Buchanan Clan

• Clan Motto: Clarior hinc honos- Henceforth forward the honour shall grow ever brighter
• War Cry: Clar Innes!- Refers to an island in Loch Lomond

ancient

hunting

modern

• This armigerous clan comes from the Loch Lomond area and gets their name from the parcel of land, which were given to Gilbert Buchanan in 1231. However, some members claim heraldry from ancient Irish kings, although that is widely accepted as myth.
• From the time of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, the Buchanans have been supporters of the Scottish crown, and due to their allegiance in battle, were often awarded more lands and titles.
• But the Buchanans didn’t just fight the British. In the 15th century, they were in many skirmishes with other clans. Particularly the MacLarens and Mackenzies. It is said that, more often than not, the Buchanans initiated these fights, battles, and sometimes executions.
• The clan, as a whole, didn’t participate in any of the Jacobite uprisings. However, there were several members of the clan that actively supported the Stuart cause in 1745/46.
• They have a rich history and numerous active members in dozens of national and international organizations that promote their particular history. If you’re a part of this clan, I suggest doing some looking into it!

The Dalrymple Clan

• Clan Motto: Firm

• This lowland armigerous Scottish clan is so small, most describe it as just a family, but it is recognized as a registered clan.
• Most of history only remembers the Dalrymple name due to the act of one man, the Lord Advocate John Dalrymple. in 1603 the Union of the Crown, where King James VI took charge of both England and Scotland. However, many clans still favored the Stewart blood line and that caused years of unrest. In 1691 King William III planned to pardon all the clans, if they pledged their allegiance to him by January 1, 1692. Some clans waited for the deposed Stewart king to give his permission before making the pledge and the MacDonalds of Glencoe ended up missing the deadline. While King William wasn’t too stressed, John Dalrymple wasn’t one to wait, although he himself was Scottish. He sent troops of redcoats to the Glencoe lands, where they pretended to want hospitality. Then they slaughtered a large number of unsuspecting MacDonald men, burned their homes, and caused the death of many women and children.

Clan Brodie

• Clan Motto: Unite

• No one quite knows where Clan Brodie came from, but it is widely accepted that they descended from the ancient Picts. The name is so old, it’s still under debate where the name comes from, what it may mean, and even what language it originated from.
• They were allies of Clan Mackenzie and they were staunch supporters of the Scottish crown. The English saw the Brodies as such a threat, Oliver Cromwell actively tried bribing and wooing Lord Bordie of Brodie to join their fight. But in 1650, Brodie told Oliver where to stick it and joined a party to fetch Scottish King Charlies II back to his throne.
• In the mid 1600s, one chief, Alexander, was a real witch hater. At least two are on record as having been burned executed on his order.
• Their traditional seat, Brodie Castle, was pillaged and overrun several times throughout history, but it has since been rebuilt…and it’s amazing. You can even get married there!

Clan Lamot

• Clan Motto: Ne Parcas nec Spernas – Neither despise nor fear

• This clan is super ancient and hails from the old Irish prince Ánrothán Ua Néill, who lived in the 500s.
• During the Wars of Scottish Independence, the Lamonts supported the MacDougall’s claim to the throne against Robert the Bruce. At the time, they ruled a large piece of land in the highlands. But after Robert won the war, he punished the Lamonts and gave parts of their lands to the Campbells. If that wasn’t bad enough for the clan, in 1646 the Campbells decided they wanted more and took a good portion, forcing the Lamonts into a tiny corner.
• Because the Campbells had the Lamonts boxed in and cut off from the world, they did not participate in any of the Jacobite rebellions, which ended up being a blessing in disguise, since they were spared afterward.

Clan Cunningham

• Clan Motto: Over fork over

• This is an old name, first being noted in the 6th century as “Canowan” but it was changed to the modern Cunningham in 1059. They gained most of their lands through grants from Scottish kings by fighting off Norse invaders.
• They also supported the English claim to Scotland until Robert the Bruce came along and wooed them over his side. However, that didn’t last long, as by the time of the Wars of Scottish Independence, they were were back on the side of the British. They were even involved in the later Battle of Culloden. Captain Cunningham’s Company shot Grapshot at the Jacobites.

Clan McIntyre

• Clan Motto: Per ardua – Through adversity
• Clan War Cry: Cruachan! (the name of a mountain in their lands)

• They get their name from a trade, as do many, and theirs means. It comes from the Gaelic  “Mac an t-Saoir”, which means “son of the carpenter”. It’s said that the McIntyres are descended from a man named Maurice MacNeil, a carpenter and shipwright who saved the ship, and life, of the King of the Isles (the Hebrides and the Isle of Man) Olaf the Red during a raid on the Isle of Skye. Fun, right?
• This clan was known for being great bagpipers and foresters. They often joined the MacDonalds, Menzies, and Campbells in battle as their official pipers and enjoyed a very close relationship to the Campbells throughout their history.
• When the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 came, the McIntryes were asked to not participate by their allies the Campbells. So, as an official body, they didn’t fight for either side. However, a large enough number joined the Stewart cause that they caught the attention of historians and generally being Jacobites.

The Irvine Clan

• Clan Motto: Sub sole sub umbra virens- Flourishing in sunlight and shade

• This clan comes from the High Kings of Ireland and gets their name from the Irvine lands. They really began to rise in rank and power after really helped their neighbors, Clan Bruce, put Robert on the throne. Good call for them, since they began raking in the land. I mean, at one point, William Irvine followed Robert into hiding, literally hiding in bushes from the soldiers searching for the Scottish throne claimant. And Robert the Bruce isn’t one to forget a friend, so he even gave the Irvines the clan badge with three holly bushes to remember all the good times they had together.
• They were basically always on the side of the Scottish crown in all wars. They even helped ransom King James I from the English and participated heavily in the Battle of Culloden as Jacobites.
• If there was one thing the Irvines hated more than a British guy coming in and telling them what to do, it was a member of Clan Keith. The two clans were constantly warring with each other, even when a Scottish king would tell them to knock off the fighting or he was turning the country around and no one would get dessert. You know when they did finally declare an official end to their feud? 2002. Only, like, 600 years since they first decided they hated each other. Talk about commitment.
• Their family seat, Castle Drum, is beautiful, and also available for special events!

Clan Munro

• Clan Motto: Dread God
• Clan War Cry: Caisteal Folais ‘na Theine! – Castle Foulis in Flames! (Castle Floulis is their family home)

ancient

modern

• The Munros are of Irish stock, hailing from a line of Irish chiefs in the 1000s. Their name translates into something akin to “Man from Ro”, referring to an area in Ireland surrounding the River Roe. They got their lands from the Scottish king for their victory against Norse invaders. That began their close relationship to the crown.
• They were also known as a war clan, almost always participating in battles. This military way of living made them formidable enemies and often ensured they were on the winning side. Along with the Frasers, they even helped Mary Queen of Scots take Inverness Castle, which was thought to be impossible.
• But the Munros weren’t Jacobites. in 1715, they fought for the British, which pissed the Jacobite Mackenzies off. The Mackenzies invaded the Munro lands, who then invaded their in retaliation. in the 1745 rebellion, the highlands generally hoped the Munros would join the Jacobite cause, but they stayed with the English.
• Shout out to Hugh Munro, the bringer of dragonflies in amber and super spy extraordinaire!

Clan Colville

• Clan Motto: Oblier ne puis – I cannot forget

• The Colvilles come from ancient Norman stock, hailing from the Colville lands in Normandy. In the 1170s, a Colville was granted some land in the southern area of Scotland by William the Lion, who was then the king of Scotland.
• They were a small clan that followed nobles, no matter the crown. They can be seen through history serving both the Scottish and British kings. But they usually placed their allegiance to the British crown, and retained their titles and lands because of it.

Clan Turnbull

• Clan Motto: I saved the king

• This clan has a fun name origin story. One tale says that during the Scottish Wars of Independence, Robert the Bruce was being charged at by a giant bull. Well, this guy named William wasn’t having any of it, and tackled the beast to the ground, saving his king. He turned the bull around. Get it?
• The Turnbulls kept up their namesake, as they were always ready to fight. It’s said that a man from another clan went to the Turnbulls on behalf of his chief, to ask for their support for the chief’s claim to the throne of Scotland. The Turnbulls apparent answered something like, “we don’t give a flying haggis what you politicians do, we just wanna get out there and smash some skulls!” These brass balls stayed throughout the centuries, as one modern member of the clan, James Turnbull, held the German’s at bay for 24 hours with only a machine gun during WWI.

The Paterson Clan

• Clan Motto: Huc Tendimus Omnes – We all strive for this

• This armigerous lowland clan gets it’s name from the Gaelic “MacGille Phadraig”, which means “son of the devotee of Saint Patrick”.
• The Patersons are mega small, in the historical sense, but it’s one of the most common names in the lowlands in Scotland. Some even consider them to be a sept of the MacLarens.

Clan Davidson

• Clan Motto: Sapienter si sincere – Wisely if sincerely

• There are many stories of where this clan came from, but they all point to Clan Davidson being among the oldest in Scotland. But it’s generally believed that they are descendents of Gillichattan Mor, who was the first chief of the Chattan Confederation.
• They were a strong fighting clan until 1370 when Clan Cameron virtually wiped them out. But their numbers rose and by the time the Jacobite Rebellions came into play, the Davidsons fought for Scotland. In the end, a great number of them were banished to the North American colonies, where they settled mainly in the mountains of North Carolina.

Names asked for, but not included: Wilson (sepf of Clan Gunn), Achmoody (not a clan, but a last name), Mollahan (not a Scottish clan, but an Irish last name), Jeffrey (sept of Clan Donald), Harbinson (Scottish or Irish last name), Maynor (a Norman/English name with Germanic roots), Irwin (sept of Clan Irvine-see above), and McCracken (sept of Clan MacNaughton).

TKeep coming back every weekend to see what Scottish histories and Outlander articles and quizzes we have for you. Check out all the past Outlander Saturday posts here!

Finally, do you want to treat yourself and love FREE shipping? Check out our review of several bath and body products by Bellissima Bain here and see what super cheap and amazing products the lovely owner has for you. Arlene, the owner, is currently battling breast cancer, yet still pursues her passions. Nothing more inspirational than that♥

Sarah and I both have books out now, so if you like our posts, you’ll probably love our books! First Semester is a thrilling college romance that you can get HERE. Queen of Emeralds is a historic romance set in the highlands that you can get HERE.

Bellissima Bain

Morning, lovelies! We had a delightful treat for you guys from a little company called

Bellissima Bain. It’s run by a wonderful French-Italian woman named Arlene, who is currently battling breast cancer. Yes, she’s fighting off an illness that would leave some bed bound, but she’s still lovingly honing her craft to create luxurious products that left us feeling pampered. So let’s dive right into Bellissima Bain…

‎♥Kelsey’s Thoughts♥

First, let’s start with the packaging. I thought it was quite nice, clean, and professional. I mean, look at that business card! It’s something worthy of the spa experience I felt I received in my own home. In my package, I received Candy Heart Lip Scrub, Sugar Cookie Body Scrub, and Cocoa Body Butter.

My favorite product I received was the Candy Heart Lip Scrub. While that was a Valentine’s Day special, the rest of the lip scrubs are available here.

Winter had be really harsh on my lips. I’m constantly putting on chapstick, which can make things worse. I hadn’t actually ever tried a lip scrub before, although I had heard about them. Let me tell you, this Bellissima Bain scrub converted me into a regular user. A simple swipe and a little massage is all you need for perfectly kissable lips. And it was so sweet! The added ingredients made it much tastier than the original candy heart, so putting it on was a treat by itself! If I can suggest some flavors for those who looking to try a jar, I would say the Honey Lemon Drop, the Peach Bellini, and the Rose Milk all sound amazing! You can check out the whole lip scrub line here! And at $4.50 a jar, it’s really quite the steal.

Next was the Sugar Cookie Body Scrub.

I love me a good body scrub, and this one smelled delicious! It was like I was being exfoliated by the Pillsbury Doughboy. My skin came out smooth and lightly scented. I was worried I would smell like a Bath and Body Works cashier, but it was really lovely. Not overpowering and just added the lightest hint of sugar to my skin. You can get the Sugar Cookie Body Scrub here, and it’s only $13.50, which I think is a pretty nice deal for something in such a sizable tub. I did my whole body and probably have enough for 5 more uses. There are also so many scents to choose from; Cocktails/Drinks, Desserts, and Herby/Fruity/Floral scents. I recommend the Chai Latte, the Crem Brulee, or the Lemon Sea Salt.

Finally, I also received a Cocoa Body Butter, which smelled delightfully like hot cocoa.

It was smooth and I only needed a light covering to coat my arms. Again, the smell was there, but not overpowering or with those fake undertones that ruin a lot of otherwise great products. Also, I have sensitive skin, so I was worried about reactions, but I’ve worn this body butter several times now without issue and my skin stays perfectly soft all day! You can get this tasty Cocoa Body Butter here, or maybe you’d like to try the Rose Milk, which I’m adding to my shopping list!

I give Bellissima Bain 6/6 Glass slippers!

‎♥Sarah’s Thoughts♥

I was sent the Blueberry Margarita Body Scrub and I actually used it on Margarita Day! So, it doesn’t smell like tequila and bad decisions. The blueberry smell is pretty overpowering but I actually really liked how sweet it was. I used the scrub before shaving my legs and…geez it made a difference. My legs were silky smooth for longer than normal. It did make me look like the purple people eater, but it came off with the water. Just be careful with this, it left a blue ring on the side of my tub. It came off easily, but you want to remember to make sure to wipe the container, so it doesn’t spread the colors.

I also got the key lime pie lip scrub. Like Kelsey, winter (well, the like two weeks of cold weather we’ve had) was hard on my lips and I have a sexy husband that I like to kiss. At night, I started using the scrub and then the lip balm before going to bed. I wake up with smooth lips no matter how badly chapped they were the night before. I definitely am adding this to my nightly routine and I’d suggest you do too. It makes it so much easier to put lip stick on.

Now, the Key Lime Pie…it actually smells amazing.

Finally, I got the Strawberry mimosa petite body butter. This was a lot smaller than my blueberry one and I felt I was going to use it all pretty quickly. Overall, it didn’t really smell like a mimosa but the strawberry flavor was on point. Between the two, I liked the blueberry more but that could be because I know it will last. But the petite body butter, would be great for traveling. However, it is pink and that’s all I need in life. Well, that and tacos.

All three of these products were light and not the slightest bit greasy. I saw on their page that they are now making face scrubs, and I am very interested in trying that.

I give them 5.5/6 glass slippers. 

♥♥♥

Some final notes before we say farewell: First, Bellissima Bain does bulk orders that can add a special something to your party, wedding, or baby shower. I mean, are you getting married and have a signature drink? Check out the page here to see if they have any products to match your bar. And the best thing about this shop? Bellissima Bain offers FREE shipping to all orders made in the US! What a steal.

• Check out all Bellissima Bain has to offer on their website here
• Follow them on Instagram here
• Friend them on Facebook here
• Tweet them on Twitter here
  

And a very special thank you to Arlene, who we hope beats breast cancer and continues spreading her wonderful body and beauty products with the world!

You can see the rest of our product reviews here! If you’re interested in seeing us review and feature your product, please contact us here!

Read all about Kelsey’s historical and contemporary romances here and learn about Sarah’s college romances here.

Cauldron

It’s here! My review of Meredith Stoddard’s Cauldron, book two in the Once and Future series. To refresh your memory, here’s my review of The River Maiden. I wouldn’t dream of reading Cauldron as a standalone.You need the info The River Maiden has to offer in order to really immerse yourself in this wonderful tale.

Overall Rating: 6/6 Glass Slippers

Genre: Scottish Folklore Fiction

Sarah MacAlpin’s life is in disarray. The events of the previous months have left her reeling and wondering what in her life is true and what has been a lie. This doesn’t just include her love life with handsome Scottish folklorist Dermot Sinclair, but her own roots. Sarah’s mother, Molly, has been gone for years, leaving an aura of mystery and unanswered questions in her wake. But Molly has left something behind for her daughter, something that could help clear up some of the muddled truths.

Old faces and new come into play in Cauldron, taking you on another fantastic journey, picking up right where The River Maiden left off. You feel Sarah’s heartache over Dermot’s return to Scotland and commiserate when she finds out her carefully cultivated research turns out to maybe not be as trustworthy as she thought. Most of all, you get to know Molly, thought of as a mad woman by those who knew her. She’s left a story behind for her daughter, and you learn what secrets it holds.

As with the first, I loved this book. When you open page one and see a bit of Gaelic, its very comforting. Realism in writing is something that I cherish, and Stoddard certainly puts a lot of research and effort into her work. Everything in this book has a purpose, even if you don’t see it right away. There are breadcrumbs to follow and mysteries to unravel. I know I’ll be waiting for book three with baited breath! Like, will Sarah and Dermot make it work? And what about James and Duff? I highly recommend this series to people who love mysteries, Scotland, Gaelic, fiction, folklore, romance, and reading in general!

Taking a Break!

We’ve gotten so much Outlander Saturday love from you all, that we hate to take a break, but we both have our first books coming out and are in the initial editing phase. It’s very time consuming, but we promise to be back next Saturday with an all new Outlander post! Until then, you can check out our past Outlander posts here!

If you’re curious about what we’re working so hard on, we’ve left Claire and Jamie behind for the day, you can read about Sarah’s contemporary college romance here and Kelsey’s Scottish historical romance series here!

YA Superwomen Smack Down

With all the superhero movies out there, I’ve noticed a serious lack of woman power. Now, I love staring at Chris Hemsworth in a cape and Chris Evans in spandex as much as the next girl, however, I decided to go looking for a new super woman story, since I have to wait so long for “Wonder Woman” to come out. Along the way, I found Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram and SuperNova: Heroes of Arcania by Liz Long. So, let’s talk about both stories together.

Heat: ♥

Genre: Young Adult

Overall Rating: Wait Until The End

Let’s talk about the superheroes first, Jamie and Nova.

Jamie is new to San Francisco. Her family moved after there was a terrible accident involving Jamie and her boyfriend Derek. Her car was hit by a truck carrying, yes you guessed it, dangerous chemicals. Then a lamp post fell, and between the chemicals and the electricity, Jamie got her powers. But we’ll talk about the powers later. Derek was killed in the accident and Jamie hasn’t recovered. She’s known as the ice queen.

Not that one. But Ryan is determined to break  the icy exterior and learn more about the raven haired beauty. However, Jamie thinks it’s too dangerous to let him in because of her powers. They’re a secret. Her parents are afraid that if anyone finds out about them, they’ll take her away and do experiments on her…or worse. But there are only so many times that Jamie can turn down the blue eyed football star.

Now, how about Nova? She is also recovering from a loss. Her sister was killed by a super villain named Fortune. The worst part, Nova had her powers at the time, but she froze. Now, she blames herself. But, senior year is starting and she meets two people who start to bring her back to life. You see, Nova, unlike Jamie, was born with her powers. They’ve been growing as she ages, but until Cole and Penelope enter the scene, she hadn’t met anyone with powers. As she gets to know Cole, she begins to realize that it’s not just his powers that she’d interested in.

Alright, let’s get into the powers. Jamie has kind of unlimited powers. All of her senses have been heightened. She can run at super speed, like from San Francisco to the Grand Canyon in a matter of like thirty minutes. She can hear and see from about a mile away, and she has super strength. This all seems to be from the chemical waste. As for the electricity, it pretty much flows through Jamie. She can pull electricity around her, shut it off, and eventually, control it. Jamie is like Spider-Man, she woke up one day with powers and struggles to control them in high school. Her powers are directly related to her emotions and as most of us know, teenage girls CANNOT control their emotions. As a result, being around Ryan is dangerous, her very kiss shoots him with so much electric juice that he is up all night. Anything more could kill him.

And for the lovely SuperNova. She is what is called an Unbreakable. As you can guess, she is unbreakable. What this means is that her skin is unpenetrable and she can’t really feel pain. She’s never had a broken bone, she’s never skinned her knees, and she’d never felt a bee sting. But she has limits. The super strength isn’t indefinite. She is strong, but not like The Hulk. There’s also this one hitch. Cole tells Nova that powers are hereditary, but her parents and sister never showed signs of powers. So, like Jamie is Spider-Man, Nova is more like an X-Men. At least none that Nova knew about.  It’s great that Nova can share her secret with Cole but their feelings make them vulnerable and it infuriates Penelope. After all, her brother is all she has.

Now for the boys! Jamie is trying to get over the guilt she feels about Derek’s death and is terrified of what she could do to a new guy. Ryan pretty much laughs this off and pursues her with so much gumption the only options are a restraining order or a date. He is the quarterback for the football team, like Derek was, but he has a charm and charisma about him that makes him even more desirable. On top of that, he has a girl best friend. Yes, all of you ‘When Harry Met Sally’ fans, it is possible to have a girl best friend if you’re a guy. He loves her something fierce, and she hates Jamie something wicked. Naturally, this causes problems. But at the end of the day, you root so hard for Ryan, it’s that whole charisma thing again. He wins the reader over and you beg Jamie to give him a chance, even if it means risking his life. After all, isn’t that what high school is for? Feeling with so much abandon that you fear you might explode?

Cole. So the fun thing about Cole is that Nova’s book is actually in dual POV so we get to know exactly how he feels for Nova. It’s nice because all of the guesswork is gone, but at the same time, Nova is a complicated chick. Cole and his sister Penelope grew up in a very different kind of home than Nova. He was trained to use his powers and then trained in hand to hand combat so he’d never actually need to use them. In other words, picture a guy, muscles toned from working out in the gym of his basement, a heart of gold, and honey brown eyes. Anyone else swooning? Not yet? Well, have I mentioned he looks out for his sister, she’s a year younger, protects her, and actually spends time with her because he wants to? If you aren’t swooning, pretend he’s like twenty-six and you’ll be there.

Here’s the best part, well the best part in my opinion. Both books belong to a series. That’s right. When you’ve finished reading one, you can go back to amazon, buy the next one and continue to binge. I have only read book one of each, but I will be buying book 2 of both books.

As for my favorite…I hate it when things end in a tie, because I think that’s just someone being dishonest. I did enjoy Jamie’s book, but I liked the superhero filled world that Nova lived in. That being said, I am a superhero fan, so that may have been a part of it. Both stories were well written, kept me reading, and were error free. I’d recommend both books (I did love both of them) to anyone who enjoys YA, or someone who likes superheroes. Give it a look while you’re waiting for ‘Wonder Woman’ or read it before the movie to hype yourself up. Either way, I think you’ll have found a great new series, well two new series, to get excited over.

Being Jamie Baker can be found here and right now it’s FREEEEEEEE

SuperNova: Heroes of Arcania can be found here and it’s only $.99

To find out more about me and my upcoming books or for links to my author interviews click here

An Outlandish Valentine’s Day

We know it’s not Saturday, but we’d still like to wish you a Happy Valentines Day with a special collection of Outlander cards, made just for you!

We hope you have a lovely Valentines Day! Check back on Saturday for more Outlander love, and check out our Outlander page here to read all our previous posts! BTW, check out the WeeBox and treat yo self to a piece of Scotland.

Sarah and I both have books out now, so if you like our posts, you’ll probably love our books! First Semester is a thrilling college romance that you can get HERE. Queen of Emeralds is a historic romance set in the highlands that you can get HERE.

My Dirty Crown

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Grace Risata. She’s one vulgar lady, but she can string one hell of a great story as you can see in My Dirty Detour, Nights in the Fast Lane (my personal fav), and Ungranted Wishes. Now, My Dirty Crown is a Dirty Detour novella, and while it could be read as a standalone, I recommend you read My Dirty Detour first so you are familiar with the whole cast.

Heat Level:♥♥

Overall Rating: 6/6 Glass Slippers

Genre: Action/Comedy Novella

Violet’s been working at the Grim Rock Distillery as their book keeper for a bit. But it’s not just the paycheck she goes in for, but her mega hot boyfriend Rocky, who brought much more adventure into Violet’s life than the mild-mannered, semi-germophobic, woman bargained for. But, the odd couple makes it work and Violets melded into Rocky’s world without too much issue.

Anyways, Violet goes into the brewery, hoping for a lovely date, but instead got roped into shopping with fellow brewery girlfriend, Irena, and anothey brewery worker named Dmitry.To keep from giving too much away, there’s a makeover, a “grizzly” stranger, a crossbow, a biker gang, some sequins, and a series of wild events that seem to find Violet wherever she goes.

Note: Violet is hotter than this and NOT a Disney villain. I just like this movie. Totally under appreciated.

As always, I was a fan of this book. It was a nice way to spend the evening, even if I cackled like a drunk witch, every other page. What was different about this one is that each chapter was from the viewpoint of different characters. You get Violet’s nervous, but vulgar, charm. You see Rocky’s protective side, along with his calculating mind. Then you see how Irena works, when she works the street in her leather pants. All in all, it was another hilarious, action-packet, ride that you won’t regret. So, keep writing, Grace, I’m waiting!

Season 3-Ready for a Voyage?

Morning! We hope you loved our review of the Scottish subscription box, WeeBox, and are now ready to get into some straight Outlander talk! But use caution: This contains Outlander season 3/Voyager Spoilers! Read no further if you haven’t read the the third Outlander series book!

Now that you’ve been warned, are you ready to talk about Voyager and what might come in season three of Outlander on Starz and what Sarah and Kelsey are looking forward to, plus where you can see some of the stars, besides what we mentioned in another post, which you can read here.

A final reminder, if you hate spoilers, don’t read any further!

Anyways, here’s Kelsey with some of her book-themed dreams, hopes, thoughts, and feelings before Sarah brings in her movie skills to tell you all about the new actors and actresses that are gracing the Outlander stage with their presence!

♥Jamie’s return to Lallybroch♥

It’s going to be sad, seeing Jamie wounded and hiding in Dun Bonnet’s Cave for so many years with only a few books to keep him company. As you probably read on our Legends of Outlander post, there was a real-live man named James Fraser who hid in a care and was nicknamed Dun Bonnet by the cap he wore. Nice connection, Diana!I love seeing history come to life and see how things connect. Something I’m not too thrilled about seeing it when little Fergus get’s caught up in the traitor madness and looses his crafty little hand. I assume more than one tear shall be shed for our tiny adopted Fraser.

♥Friends Foreverrrrr♥

The peculiar relationship between Jamie and Lord John Grey is something that I’m curious to see brought to life on the screen. I’m not saying it’s romantic, you know Jamie only has eternal eyes for Claire, but his friendship with Lord John Grey is going to be one of the cornerstones for the series moving forward. Without Lord John Grey, Jamie’s time in prison, and his later reunion with his biological son, might never be possible. Although, it looks like they’re setting it up to be more romantic in the show than it was in the books, something I’m not really into, as I think their complicated friendship in the series was compelling and deep. I almost feel like making it sound like a torrid love affair, like in some other blog posts and news stories, cheapens their dynamic relationship. If only the show series could do a chapter an episode!

♥Roger and Brianna help Claire Prepare♥

Okay, so A lot of people have a lot of thoughts about how Brianna was cast for the show, and honesty even I was expecting someone redder and taller, but the acting may surprise us in the coming season! But one thing I had a little bit of an issue with is how the show portrayed Brianna and Claire as not being close, like…at all. In the books I felt that there was much more warmth involved in their relationship that wasn’t represented on the show. However, Starz only has an hour an episode to work with, so I’m trying to ignore it, knowing that it’ll be impossible to ignore their true, loving, feelings as the show goes on. So I’m looking forward for Roger and Brianna to grow close as they help Claire prepare for her return to Jamie. I hope it’s just as touching as it was in the book! BTW, just so you know, we also have a lovely Claire dress guide here, so your clothes can be on point, and Sarah’s done a Claire hair tutorial, which is so easy, even I could do it.

♥Meeting Geneva♥

This is going to be tough for all those who love Claire and Jamie. I’m going to be honest, I think Geneva is a grade A asshole. Blackmailing Jamie into sex was a low blow and the man’s life has been tough enough. I know I’ll have a rage stroke when she throws out the “bang me or I’ll scream rape” card. At least Jamie can see some joy in the terrible union by his son William grow for a few years. But seeing as how happy he was knowing Claire was pregnant when she left, It’ll be tough seeing him watch his child from afar. There’s a lot of controversy surrounding this particular part of the series, with the word “rape” being used to describe both sides of the coupling. It’ll be interesting to see how the show addresses it. To cleanse the soul, let’s take a look back in time to when Jamie and Claire were #RelationshipGoals…

♥Baby Jamie♥

Jamie and his interactions with his secret son is going to be bittersweet. Their doings takes up a good chunk of book, and for good reason. We all read, and saw, how into being a father Jamie was when Claire was pregnant with Faith and how important it was for Claire to go back to Frank for the safety of their unborn child. It’s going to be bittersweet to see how young Willie sees a father figure in Jamie and Jamie longs to be close to a child he never thought he’d have, after Claire’s leaving. Their bond in the books might be hard to portray on screen, but Starz has done an awesome job, so far. We know Jamie’s big heart is one of the things we all admire about him, and in care you need to be reminded of the other reasons, take a look at our other list here!

♥The Highlight of the Year♥

I know for a damn fact that I’m not the only person who ugly cried when Claire went through the stones and later learned that Jamie was alive all along. While I understand that she needed to go for her own safety, it’s like she’s still twenty years too late to their reunion. I’m already preparing myself for the Kim Kardashian-like sobs when she finally sees him in the print shop. I’m also dying to see how well Jamie aged. I’m guessing it’s like a fine, beautifully kilted, wine… although he’ll be unkilted for a lot of the season, and not always in the fun way. The fact that we’ll probably have to wait a few episodes for this glorious meeting adds a certain level of delicious suspense. At least it’ll be a smoother journey for Claire, as Roger and Bree help her get the cash and clothes necessary for a successful jaunt through time. Some people are salty that Claire left Brianna in the present to go into the past, saying she’s a bad mom, but Claire did right by her kid and her promise to Jamie, so she deserves to have some Highlander goodness up in her petticoats.

♥The Scorned Second Wife♥

Dis Bitch is right. Ya’ll probably know that I feel Laoghaire is a dirty home wrecking hussy and no one deserves to get lumpy and gross in their old age more than her…well, except for Black Jack Randall… not that he lives long enough for that. Well, anyways, her coming out of the woodwork again to claim Jamie as her rightful husband is something I’m looking forward to. Like, I get how she saw Jamie as the one that got away but, damn girl, have some self respect! I wouldn’t tie myself for a man who was constantly wishing I was someone else, no matter how hot he was. BTW I’m all sour grapes on how Jenny lashes out at Claire and rats to Loaghaire, even thought Claire told her the potato-planting key to Lallybroch’s survival. I hope Loaghaire’s gun-toting dramatics are just as wild on the screen as they are on the page.

♥High Seas Misadventure♥

Poor Jamie can’t catch a break. He, along with Claire and Marsali, go to rescue Ian and he’s stuck vomiting with seasickness while Claire is basically kidnapped by the Porpoise, because the ocean has never been kind to Jamie. Like, universe, give the man a break! All he wants is to live the quiet life and plant some crops and make sweet love to his new found wife, not be held captive and taken towards prison. At least he’s conveniently shipwrecked near Claire. Small victories. I’m curious to see how this will play out since, in the book, their oceanic struggles is a large chunk of action. Thankfully, Starz has brought Mr. Willoughby onto the scene, so poor Jamie will have some relief on the ship. Also, it’s said that the Outlander Starz crew will be using some of the same set used to film their pirate series Black Sails, which I highly recommend to people into high seas adventures, sex, romance, murder, mystery, history, and backstabbing.

♥The Return of Geillis♥

Gonna be real, I’m pumped for the return of Geillis. I know she’s a murderer, adulteress, and all around baddie, but I’m really excited to see her return in all her crazy glory. You have to admire her vicious tenacity and the way she unraveled thousands of years of legends and myths to learn about time travel. Sure, she could have gone around without human sacrifices, but I admire a bitch with flair. I mean, if she had really been killed before having her son, a certain green-eyed man wouldn’t be able to grace us with his presence (lookin’ at you, Roger, you silver-tongued songster)! It’ll be neat to see the witch we love to hate back on the screen.

♥The British Scorch of the Highlands♥

After the failed Jacobite uprising, England took measures to ensure the Scottish would never rise again. They passed the Heritable Jurisdictions Act of 1746 that outlawed the Scottish chief system, hoping that by removing those men from their places of power, the people would be more accepting of full English rule. The Act of Proscription of 1746 was also put into effect, which outlawed all highland dress (see ya later, kilts) in the Dress Act. This took away a large part of the clan identity, which is exactly what the British wanted. If you were caught wearing a kilt after 1746 you could be fined, imprisoned, or even sent to the British colonies for “indentured servitude”, which was just a fancy term for “slavery”. It explains why the kilts of the previous seasons will be lost for a while and not make any sort of comeback for some time. As a history-lover, I’m curious to see how these real life restrictions will come about on the show. Now…let’s have a moment of silence for the glorious kilt.

BTW, if you’re interested in learning more about the Clans, and how they fared after the Jacobite rebellion, take a look at our Outlander page here and read up on Outlandish Clan History parts 1-5!

Sarah’s Thoughts

Now, I am here to help keep Kelsey honest lol. No, I read the books up to what’s been shown on TV to keep the spoilers at bay, so I have not read Voyager yet. My fingers are itching and I can’t wait to start, though. So I get excited about other things…like actors.

As much as I try to avoid spoilers, it is nearly impossible. As a result, I know about Jamie’s other daughter, the “Other Fraser” (Ten points if you get this reference). But what really excited me is the casting! Lauren Lyle and Nell Hudson look so alike its scary!

Perfect casting right? It almost makes you not want to hate Laoghaire…almost.

Okay, we’ll talk about one more kid. Young Ian. I also know who this is, Jenny and Ian’s son but that’s all I know. However, I am a HUGE Jenny fan so I am excited to see the craziness her spawn will likely cause. Plus, he looks like a little Jamie (sorry Ian). It’s alright for a kid to look like his uncle though. In fact, I think it is going to seriously help his future! So, let’s say ‘hello’ to John Bell!

Alright, let’s get into the big one…John Grey. Now, I know he and Jamie are supposed to be friends, but again, that’s all I know. I have heard the rumors that their bromance may be turned into a romance. All I have to say is, where is Jamie going to find the time to do that? Doesn’t he have enough going on with all the needy women in his life? I think it’s all hype to keep people interested and talking about the show while we’re waiting not so patiently for it to start. However, I will say I am terribly upset with the casting of David Berry! Uh! Did we really need another sexy man on the show? Okay, totally joking. He is a nice piece of eye candy and I definitely can’t wait to see his strutting across my BIG screen TV.

I love a man in a suit!

Now let’s here it for Fergus! Everyone’s favorite trouble maker is all grown up and lookin finnnneeeee. I’m happy to see he’s still around and even more excited to see where his character goes from here. The hand thing… yeah, that’s going to be interesting. I almost wish they could pull a Hunger Games and pretend like that bit never happened. But, I don’t think it’s going to take our man too long to get his good hand into plenty of trouble. Let’s hear it for César Domboy!

How about Joe Abernathy? I know he’s a doctor with Claire and he knows about time travel, so that is going to be a whole lot of fun. Mostly because I looked at Wil Johnson’s photos, and he takes a good picture! He has one of those stares that just bores into your soul and leaves you questioning everything in your life!

So, what are you looking forward to in season 3?  Are you a fan of the new cast members? Let us know in the comments! BTW, if you’re a fan of Scotland, check out the WeeBox here! It’s a subscription box filled with all sorts of fun Scottish items worthy of ever Sassenach♥ And don’t forget to check out our Outlander page to fill up the bitter droughtlander!

Sarah and Kelsey both have books out now, so if you like their posts, you’ll probably love their books! First Semester is a thrilling college romance that you can get HERE. Queen of Emeralds is a historic romance set in the highlands that you can get HERE.

WeeBox – A Special Box From Scotland

This morning we have an amazing treat for you. So do you love Scotland? Are you craving a visit to the Highlands? Have you pinned pics of the lush hills to your “Dream Vacation” Pinterest board? Is Jamie Fraser making you long from some standing stones? Well, finding the time to travel and being able to budget for a vacation can be difficult. But, luckily, Scotland isn’t too far away with the WeeBox! Click Here to see their website!

The WeeBox is an amazing subscription box filled with Scottish products picked by true Scots, packaged in Scotland, and delivered to your door every month.This delightful purple box brings you candy, books, art, candles…everything to remind you of the “Heathery Isle”. We were both lucky enough to receive the special Gaol, or “Love”, boxes from the lovely people over at WeeBox. Talk about a Happy Valentines Day!

So, let’s take a look at at Kelsey’s thoughts…

Overall, I LOVED this box and and am probably going to buy a subscription, because getting that purple box in the mail was the highlight of my week. There was nothing in my WeeBox that I wasn’t a fan of. Sure, it’s a little pricy, but I believe in paying more for quality items straight from the source…besides, I’m dying to see what real Scottish gems will be in the Outlander box they’re working on. Can you imagine how amazing that one will be?

Overall, I give WeeBox a solid 6/6 Glass Slippers for being such a bòidheach (beautiful) subscription box. I recommend it to all fans of travel, Scotland, and Outlander.

Now for Sarah’s thoughts…

When I studied abroad in Spain, I made a last minute stop in Scotland. Unfortunately, I was not an Outlander fan yet, so clearly I need to go back.

I was not prepared for the cold!

However, I loved it there. I traveled to the Isle of Arran and Glassboro. We were only there for three days and I feel like I missed out. With the WeeBox, a little bit of Scotland is coming to me! Who doesn’t love rich chocolate, candles, Valentines Day cards, and a precious book of Scottish songs? It is basically a date in a box. One: Order the box. Two: Have her open the box. Three: See the gifts in the box. (10 points if you get the reference). In fact, I took myself out on a little date.

I have always been a fan of silly cards. My husband loves getting me the sentimental ones, and they’re so sweet. However…I tend to buy him the ones that involve pushing him super fast in the wheelchair while we terrorize the nursing home we’re in. In other words, I love this card. Now, I’m a woman, so that chocolate stayed on the plate for about as long as it took me to take the photos. It was delicious! I’m always surprised how good chocolate could taste after being shipped overseas. As for the candle, it smelled delicious and sweet. It is a honey scent that quickly overtook my dining room. Trust me, no one was complaining!

Now, for the book of Scottish songs. This is probably my favorite part of the box. It’s unbelievably unique and I wish I could sing/read music. However, my grandmother has a beautiful voice and plays piano after years of church choir. She and I are going to have some bonding time over this book. Normally, we go to the casino and play slots to bond, so this is definitely a lot cheaper!

I love the box, I love the gifts, and I love the idea. 6/6 Glass Slippers for me too!

Interested in getting your own WeeBox? Head over to this link HERE! And if you do subscribe, then be sure to share all your goodies on their social media pages for a chance to win a free subscription box! Talk about an amazing prize.

But you can also follow their Instagram HERE, their Twitter HERE, and their Facebook HERE to see what else has been in past WeeBoxes and keep up on their magical subscriptions.

Are you interested in having us review your book, product, shop, or subscription? Take a look at the rest of our product reviews over at Lover’s Lane and then use this contact form to get in touch!

Also, if you loved this post, take a look at our Outlander page here where we teach you Gaelic, talk about season three, give you some fun quizes, talk about Scottish and clan history, and so much more!

Read about Sarah’s contemporary college romance here! And take a look at Kelsey’s Scottish historical romance series, as well as her contemporary romance novel, here!