Book Review - The Cadence of Gypsies by Barbara Casey + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

Carolina Lovel knew that she never quite fit in with her parents. When she receives a letter on her eighteenth birthday that she was adopted she kind of expected it.  The letter was written in an unknown language and has answers surrounding her birth and her family. Carolina decides that she would take  her three intelligent and gift students with her to discover more about her past. Will Carolina and her students be able to decipher the note?

The novel had an interesting premise and was fun to read. I found the four main female characters to be lovable and well-developed. However, I found that the story was more of a cozy read than a thriller or action packed that I thought it would have been. I felt like a lot of the mysteries and answers just fell into the protagonists' lap and there wasn't much mystery or action. I also appreciate how the author weaved in historical facts but I was dismayed that she referred to the Hindu people as "Hindoo" and alternated the spelling of "Sanskrit". If one is going to use a culture and religion, please make sure to use it correctly.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

The Cadence of Gypsies: Book 1 of the F.I.G. Mysteries

Book Details:

Book Title:  The Cadence of Gypsies (Book 1 of The F.I.G. Mysteries)by Barbara Casey
Category:  YA fiction,  272 pages
Genre:  Literary/Mystery
Publisher:  Gauthier Publications/Hungry Goat Press
Release date: April 2015 (e-Book)
​Content Rating:  PG-13 (A few expletives, mild sexual innuendo)

​Book Description:

On her 18th birthday Carolina Lovel learned that she was adopted and was given a letter written by her birth mother in an unknown language. After years of research she travels to Italy on a mission to find the truth about her past. Carolina is accompanied by three extremely gifted but mischievous students the FIGs from Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women. In an effort to help their favorite teacher, the FIGs will have to use their special abilities to decipher the Voynich Manuscript, the most mysterious document in the world, and the one thing that is strangely similar to what Carolina was given. Their search will take them into the mystical world of gypsy tradition and magic, more exciting and dangerous than any of them could have imagined.


Meet the Author:
​
Barbara Casey is the author of several award-winning novels for both adults and young adults, as well as book-length works of nonfiction true crime and numerous articles, poems, and short stories. Her nonfiction true crime book, Kathryn Kelly: The Moll Behind Machine Gun Kelly, has been optioned for a major film and television series. In addition to her own writing, she is an editorial consultant and president of the Barbara Casey Agency. Established in 1995, she represents authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. Barbara is also a partner in Strategic Media Books Publishing, an independent publishing house that specializes in cutting-edge adult nonfiction. Barbara lives on a mountain in Georgia with her husband, and three dogs who adopted her: Benton, a hound-mix; Fitz, a miniature dachshund; and Gert, a Jack Russel terrier of sorts.

Connect with the author: Website

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Royal Apothic Lip Conditioner - Fig

The lip conditioner is enriched with Argan and Jojoba oil to leave lips soft and hydrated. Truth be told, the only reason I bought this lip conditioner is because of the cute old school packaging. However, that leads me to my next comment -- the product was a bit difficult to come out especially when the product was halfway used. They should have included a “clip” that slides over the tube and lets you squeeze the product out. I bought the fig scent, but it tasted and smelled nothing like fig but very horrible. It also did a poor job of keeping my lips hydrated and soft. Another failure I bought just because of packaging and marketing.

Il Frutteto di Nesti Fig and Almond Milk Soothing Soap

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Wen Fig Cleansing Conditoner

The five in one [shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, detangler and leave - in conditioner] conditioning cleanser is packed with aloe leaf juice, fig, and sweet almond oil. The cleanser promises to improve the condition of hair, reduce frizz and retain color.  The cleansing conditioner is free of sulfates and phthalates and provides lightweight, low lather conditioning to hair.  I love the sweet floral scent but I found the cleansing conditioner was too rich. It made my hair feel greasy, sticky, and  heavy. I felt like someone dropped a bucket of gel on my hair and it dried and got tacky. I think my hair is too thick for the conditioner so I usually mix this cleansing conditioner with my regular conditioner to make my hair more manageable.  I probably would not buy this again.

Korres Fig Showergel

Photo Credit: Sephora.com

This all natural Greek treasure is one of the most moisturizing shower gel, I have ever tried. Upon opening the bottle, the sweet smell of freshly cut figs envelop you.  The fragrance is not overpowering and leaves a sweet lingering scent on  your skin The gel lathers up quite generously and leaves your skin feeling soft to the touch. After showering, usually I have to immediately put on lotion to lock in the moisture, but I noticed that after using this gel, I can usually wait till the later in the day before I need to apply lotion. The shower gel is packed with Vitamin C, E and zinc, that leaves thirsty skin quenched. Pamper the Greek goddess in you, with amazing skin.

Andrea