Cargo Cosmetic Eye Shadow - Moreton Bay

The deep matte purple went on a bit splotchy. It took a couple of goes before I got a full even coverage. I wasn't really fond of the color but it would make a good color for doing a purple smokey eye.

Julep Nail Polish - Tali

The liquid holographic is billed as a glacier breeze color. It has a nice icy blue and silver color. It takes two coats to get full coverage and for the effect to show. The nail polish went on smoothly but it does chip in a day. Then again, all of Julep's nail polish chip in one day.

Stila Pretty in Pink Blush

A limited edition release that was released last Valentine's Day (yes, I am a bit late). The duo blush is a soft pink and a slightly darker pink. The color is super sparkling and swirled together its a pretty pink (not even including the cute packaging!). Yum, perfect glow for date night.

Book Review - Baker's Magic by Diane Zahler

Photo Credit - Amazon

**May Contain Spoilers**

Flowers, Magic, Pirates, Princesses, Maidens, Kidnapping, Bees, Bugs, Baking and Mayhem -- Oh My!

Bee has always been alone.  While wandering around in a new kingdom, Bee stole a bun from a bakery out of desperation. She was immediately caught but the baker took pity on her. Taking her under his care, they both realize Bee is an amazing baker. When one of Bee's friends needs help, Bee stops at nothing to protect those she loves. Together they embark on a journey to save her friends and the kingdom while protecting all she holds dear.

The heartwarming story is filled with quirky cute characters. The book is full of adventure and imagination. I can see how this can be a favorite about middle school age children and it teaches them a valuable lesson on believing yourself while protecting your family.

*Disclosure - I received a free uncorrected eBook copy of this book for my honest opinion*

Book Review - The Never-Open Desert Diner by James Anderson

Photo Source - Amazon

**May Contain Spoilers**

Ben Jones is a heavily in debt truck driver on Route 117. The desert is known as a haven for criminals and people running from their past. Ben provides the inhabitants with supplies and is usually their only contact with the outside world. Each of the inhabitants carry with them a mysterious past and a deep need to keep it a secret. One of the many stops on Ben's route is a mysterious once-famous roadside diner that hasn't open in years but still remains in pristine condition. Among the diner is an abandoned housing development where Ben finds a beautiful woman named Claire. Claire is sitting alone in the abandoned structure and is beautifully playing the cello. As the two fall in love, Claire's past emerges and she is desperate to get rid of it. Will Ben and Claire be able to find their happy ending they both so desperately need?

The beautifully written novel has many twists and turns while keeping the reader entice to the very end. You will root for Claire and Ben to love and complete each other. The book shows how far you would go for to protect the ones you love. But it also shows that when you love someone, they are not yours forever -- you just merely borrow them. As one of the characters put it, the desert is home to light but also for the opportunity for you to embrace it.

**Disclosure : I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion**

Book Review - The Confessions of X by Suzanne M. Wolfe

Photo Credit - Amazon

** May Contain Spoilers **

The poor daughter of a  mosaic layer, she was destined for a live of poverty. When her father passed, she moves in with her aunt and uncle who hopes for a better life for her. She comes across Augustine a brilliant scholar, who she falls in love with. While Augustine was born in a higher social class it seems their love was doom from the beginning. Will their love be strong enough to keep them together?

The beautifully crafted novel shows how two people who are in madly in love with each other try to fight the odds for their love for each other. Her story may have been forgotten in time but her love for her husband and child would stand through test of time. A bittersweet tale of putting your love for someone above yourself and watching everything you have become lost. (P.S. Read with a box of tissues nearby because you will find yourself crying and ask "How can one person bear so much?")

-Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book for my honest opinion-

Stila Lip Glaze - Glisten

I bought this holiday set awhile ago but just got around to opening it. The set came 8 limited edition lip glazes along with festive headband.  Glisten is a glittery sugarplum and leaves a faint color. The tubes were a bit cheaply made, they broke when I tried turning it.

Book Review - Find Her by Lisa Gardner

Photo Credit - Amazon

**May Contain Spoilers**

For 472 days, Flora Dane is a victim of kidnap, emotional and sexual abuse. Her ability to endure was put to the test and stretched to the limits. However, Flora Dane is a survivor. After surviving the horrific ordeal, she spends the next 5 years of her life adjusting to normal life, however, she isn't quite able to adjust. She pushes her doting mother and scares her brother while continuing risking her life. During her 472 day imprisonment, she harbors a dark secret that puts her life in peril again. Flora is tangled up with a serial killer, three missing girls and then goes missing herself.  Can Flora finally escape her past?

The book is a very thrilling and "quick" read. I quickly devoured each and every page and the story does keep you on your toes. The ending was very creative but can be predictable during the last 30 pages or so. The book does have a bit of sexual and physical violence so it might not be for everyone. A good read for a boring train ride as it will keep you on the edge of your seat -- just make sure you don't miss your stop like I did.

**Disclosure - I received a copy of an uncorrected ebook for my honest opinion --- this had no impact on my review and feedback**

BBW Bourbon Strawberry and Vanilla Shea and Fruit Body Souffle

A shea butter enriched body cream that is scented of bourbon vanilla, garden strawberry and apricot nectar.  The body souffle is creamy and left my skin delicately scented.  The scent is a bit heavy but it wears down after a couple of minutes. I wouldn’t call it a favorite but I might get it again if it is on sale.

Book Review - Freedom's Child: A Novel by Jax Miller

Photo Source - Amazon

**May Contain Spoilers**

Freedom Oliver lives in a small town, keeps to herself, works at the local biker bar, and is known to get arrested for public drunkenness on a daily basis. However, what her friends don't know is Freedom is on the run from her secrets which is finally catching up to her. She was arrested for killing her NYPD husband, putting her two kids up for adoption, served time in prison, she is in Witness Protection, and has her husband's family is out for revenge against her. While keeping tabs on her family from afar, she learns her daughter has gone missing. Determined to rescue the daughter she never knew, she risks everything to find Rebekah. On her mission to save her daughter, she comes to realize she isn't the only one with dangerous secrets.

The fast pace novel is written from multiple point of views. It has a lot of twists and turns but towards the end it becomes unmemorable.  It went from being unpredictable and having the reader at the edge of their seats to saying "Oh, I saw that coming". It might seem like a book about revenge but it is actually a book about forgiveness and making amends.  Just because you made a mistake many years ago and it still haunts you, doesn't mean you can't try to right a wrong.

**Disclosure : I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion**

Premium Barbary Soap - Badlands

The organic soap is composed of certified organic oils of sunflower, safflower, coconut and palm. It is scented with essential oils of sage, lavadin, lemongrass, spearmint with calendula petals and rosemary extracts (these were not certified organic). The soap arrived in a plastic baggie with a heavy duty cardboard box covering a portion of it. Personally, I would have prefer my soap to be shrink wrapped for hygiene reasons. The bar is a decent size, a bit smaller than a L'Occitane size bar and a Irish Spring bar. A tad thicker in width but smaller in length than Jergen's soap. The soap is fragrant and somewhat appealing. I can't figure out why I am not exactly in love with the scent . My first using of the bar, I found it hard to rub against my skin and felt a bit waxy. The second use and afterwards, the soap glided against my skin more easily without a waxy feeling. The soap didn't offer much of a lather nor left my skin moisturized. With a $15 price tag, I at least expected it to scent my skin a bit. Sadly, I didn't smell any of the essential oils on me. It's an okay soap but I don't think the price tag is justified.

Book Review - The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum by Kirsten Weiss

Photo Source -  Amazon

**May Contain Spoilers**

Maddie Kosloski had a promising career as an international executive but when she loses her job she decides to return home to figure out  her next steps. Adele, Mad's good friend, "tricks" her into managing the town's paranormal museum whose own future and past are mysterious. Local town rumors say the museum is haunted and now even more so when a dead body is found in it. The detective on the case is Maddie's own high school bully who seems more concerned about getting even with Maddie than with finding the real killer.  When her friend is arrested, she must manage through a wide cast of eccentric characters to prove Adele's  innocence.

The book was a quick and easy read. I found the book to be a bit boring at times and not enough "excitement".  It is billed as thriller but I found it to be more of an easy going book to read at the beach or as I did on the train.

**Disclosure - I received a copy of an uncorrected ebook for my honest opinion --- this had no impact on my review and feedback**