Julep Nail Polish - Rae

Well, I am late for this review, this nail polish is apparently from 2014! The Radiant Orchid Creme finished nail polish was the Pantone® 2014 Color of the Year. It was a lush color and provided full coverage with one swipe, but was gorgeous with two.

Book Review - The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

Photo Source - Amazon

In 1950, Idlewild Hall is the place for girls that no one wants. It is home to troublemakers, the outspoken, and illegitimate girls. In the small town, the boarding school  is rumored to be haunted and when one of the young boarders suddenly mysteriously disappears nothing will be the same again.  

In 2014, it has been twenty years since journalist Fiona Sheridan's older sister's death, but Fiona is having a hard time letting it go. She makes frequent trips to the overgrown fields where the ruins of Idlewild Hall sit. When Fiona hears that someone is buying Idlewild Hall and reopening the school, against her better judgement Fiona decides to take on the story. While researching her story, Fiona comes across a shocking discovery that someone would do anything to keep buried. Who is behind the murders of the two young women?

I love how interesting and thrilling this story was. It was a modern day ghost story and the fact that two young women lost their lives around a school that should serve as sanctuary made this gruesome tale even more delicious. I love the strong female friendship along with the many plot twists. A highly recommended read for anyone who loves thrillers. Also, if you are reading this at night, be sure to keep a flashlight handy. ;)

**Disclosure - I won a free unedited copy of this book and was not requested or required to leave a review**

Book Review - Soul's Prisoner (Portraits of Grace #2) by Cara Luecht + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

In 1891, Rachel is trying to survive the cruel winter in Chicago. She left her simple, quiet farm life to become a teacher in Chicago, but when things don't go as she planned. She ends up taking a job as a laundress at a local asylum. As the asylum's laundress, Rachel is able to access the deepest and darkest crevices of the asylum such as the labyrinthine like basement. During a particularly bad winter day, Rachel is unable to return to the boarding home that night and spends a night in the employee area of the asylum. However, Rachel witnesses a devastating secret that might put her very life in grave danger.

Jeremy, Rachel's brother is busy trying to get settled down that he barely has time for anything. But when he receives a letter from their mother desperately asking Jeremy to check on Rachel since no one has heard from her since she left the farm. Jeremy will stop at nothing to find his little sister since he feels responsible that he didn't check in on her sooner. Will Jeremy be able to find Rachel? What is the secret that Rachel stumbled into?

The novel gives readers a glimpse of the dark nature of asylums during the 19th century. It depicts the condition and hardships some of humanity's most vulnerable must have faced on a daily basis. The book was a captivating read and it kept me on the edge of my seat. It was filled with a strong cast of characters who are willing to do what is right regardless of their station in life. The novel is the second book in the series and can be read as a stand alone.

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

About the Book

Book Title: Soul’s Prisoner

Author: Cara Luecht

Genre: Historical fiction with some suspense and romance

Release Date: December 15, 2015

Chicago, Winter, 1891

Rachel is in danger. She’s seen too much.

She creeps along the cement walls through the dank underbelly of the asylum. She’d never planned to leave her quiet farm life, never thought she’d find a place in the city, never imagined she’d be in the kind of danger that would have her cowering in Dunning’s cold, labyrinthine basement.

Jenny has finally found her place. After a childhood of abuse, she has friends, a real job, and her only wish is to give her adopted son the kind of life she never had.

A life of stability, without the risk and uncertainty of a father.

But when Jeremy, Rachel’s brother, stumbles into their warehouse, asking for help to find his missing sister, Jenny’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble.

About the Author

Award winning author, Cara Luecht, lives in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin with her husband, David, and their children. Cara graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Currently, Cara is studying for a Masters of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away a grand prize of a signed copy of Soul’s Prisoner and sketching art supplies!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cb74

Chuda by Dr. Elena Ocher Healing Hydrating Cream

The thick hydrating cream promises to help hydrate and heal dry and damaged skin. According to the instructions a  small scoop of  the creamy product is all that is needed to see results. The cream was easy to apply and but it was on greasy side. I didn’t know any difference between this product and my normal lotions but my skin was softer and hydrated.

Book Review - One More Moon: Goodbye Mussolini! One Woman's Story of Fate and Survival by Ralph Webster

Photo Source - Amazon

In the year 1934, Elsa and her husband, Paul are living a comfortable life in Italy. However, all that begins to change when their daughter, Mela tells them of a hotel called Pensione Alexandria that is on sale. Elsa and her husband are suffering through some financial issues and decided that the hotel might be the answers to their troubles. When, the war breaks out Italy and Germany joins forces which cause a strain on travelers and when the situation gets worse, it makes it harder for Elsa and her family to escape. Will Elsa and her husband, Paul be able to escape the war?

Elsa's grandson writes her story through her voice and invites readers into her journey to escape the Italy before they follow the footsteps of Germany to imprison their fellow Jewish countrymen. The novel was written very beautifully and was told in an interesting way. However, I felt like in the beginning, the book was going to be about the two women  they found in the fields or a bit more detailed about Elsa's journey. Instead, it felt like I was reading a lot of fluff and not enough meat bones about her journey. Overall, it was still an enjoyable book and I look forward to reading more from the author.

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

Book Review - Someplace Familiar by Teresa Tysinger + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

Livy Johnson decides she needs a fresh start after her relationship crumbles with her abusive ex. With her fresh start, she can mend her broken heart and follow her dreams while becoming her true self. As luck would have it, she comes across a listing for her grandmother's old home in the small community of Laurel Cove, North Carolina. Livy believes the distraction of restoring her grandmother's cottage along with the happy memories from her childhood will help heal her ailing heart.

Jack Bowdon, the owner of Bowdon's Supplies, is nursing a broken heart along with being afraid to open up his heart and love again. He crosses past with his childhood friend, Livy, and offers to help repair her home. He hopes to spend time with Livy will help cheer him up. Will Livy and Jack be able to repair their love lives? Will they be able to get over their past?

The novel was an interesting read. It was about two simple people who are trying to find themselves and love while being true to God. The story was a bit slow moving for me along with having a lot of fluff and being very predictable. I felt like the last 50 pages in the book was used to stretch the page count of the book. In my opinion, if the book had the same material, but across less pages, it would have been more enjoyable.

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

About the Book

Book Title: Someplace Familiar
Author: Teresa Tysinger
Release date: May, 2017

Artist Livy Johnson needs a fresh start. That’s what a broken heart and forgotten dreams can do to a person. On little more than a whim, she reclaims her grandmother’s old home in quaint Laurel Cove, North Carolina and vows to restore its original charm. When she literally collides with childhood friend, Jack Bowdon, Livy wonders if she’s back for an entirely different reason.

Jack can’t believe his childhood crush is back. As the owner of Bowdon’s Supplies, and once again the town’s most eligible bachelor, he offers to help Livy with repairs. Together they embark on the project – and an undeniable whirlwind romance.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Can they survive the destructive pain of their pasts and discover God’s grace waiting to renovate their hearts?

About the Author

Teresa Tysinger is a wife and mother transplanted from North Carolina to North Texas. When not working as the Director of Communications for a large downtown church, she writes charming southern romances inspired by grace. Her debut novel, Someplace Familiar, released this summer. She also is a contributing writer for the Fort Worth Moms Blog (part of the national City Moms Blog Network). A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Religious Communicators’ Council, and the Association for Women in Communications, Teresa has spent over a decade committed to telling stories of faith through written word. She loves coffee, caramel, and stories with happy endings.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Teresa is giving away a grand prize of a gift basket that includes a signed copy of the book, an Original Painting by Author’s Sister (artist Cyndi Browning), and a $10 Amazon Gift Card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/ca5b

Eslor Chlorophyll Lifting Mask

The lift mask is packed with natural milk proteins, seaweed extracts, minerals and plant extracts. I applied the gel like mask and waited 30 minutes before washing off. It promises to help tighten skin and help reduce the look of fine lines. My face did feel tight, but the wrong kind, like it needed moisture when I removed the mask. I didn’t notice much of anything after removing the mask maybe a bit glowy but not soft or hydrated. Do note, that while the packaging makes it look like a lot of product, it’s actually pretty small when you pop out the white inner layer.

Book Review - Waking Isabella: Because Beauty Can't Sleep Forever by Melissa Muldoon + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

Nora is an assistant research who feels like her life hit the wall. She is going through a divorce and feels like her life is missing something. After coming across a photo of a friend who was surrounded by two men in the vineyard, Nora realizes she is jealous of her friend and hopes that her life changes for the better. However, instead of sitting around and moping, Nora decides to create a documentary about the rebellious Medici princess, Isabella. While working on her documentary, Nora explores the history of two strong independent in the past and hopes that she can use them as a guiding source for her own life. Will Nora be able to have the life she always wanted? Will she be able to use Isabella as a source of empowerment?

The novel starts off with the murder of Isabella by her estrange husband and then switches to modern day with Nora. At first, I loved the concept of meshing the past with the present with a common thread uniting the two. However, when it started doing that for multiple characters and sometimes the novel would switch time without much of a warning and it became hard to keep track of.  While, I am not a dual language speaker, I do enjoy reading novels that have some dual lingo as it helps readers feel immersed in the culture. I would have found it helpful in the author included a dictionary of the Italian terms because I feel like I missed out part of the story when I couldn't understand all of the Italian bits and it was a bit overwhelming to constantly use Google Translate. If you are an Italophile, and/or enjoy art and history, this would be a treat to read.

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

Book Details:
Book Title:  Waking Isabella: Because beauty can't sleep forever by Melissa Muldoon Category:  Adult Fiction,  250  pages Genre: General Fiction Publisher:  Matta Press Release date:  December 2017 Format available for review: print & ebook (mobi, ePub, PDF)
Will send print books out: internationally Tour dates: Feb 19 to March 23, 2018 Content Rating: PG-13 + M (The story begins with violent rape and murder scene, touches on themes of miscarriage, murder, Nazi violence during war, adultery) ​  

Book Description:
Waking Isabella is a story about uncovering hidden beauty that, over time, has been lost, erased, or suppressed. It also weaves together several love stories as well as a few mysteries. Nora, an assistant researcher, is a catalyst for resolving the puzzle of a painting that has been missing for decades. Set in Arezzo, a small Tuscan town, the plot unfolds against the backdrop of the city’s antique trade and the fanfare and pageantry of its medieval jousting festival. While filming a documentary about Isabella de’ Medici—the Renaissance princess who was murdered by her husband—Nora begins to connect with the lives of two remarkable women from the past. Unraveling the stories of Isabella, the daughter of a fifteenth-century Tuscan duke, and Margherita, a young girl trying to survive the war in Nazi-occupied Italy, Nora begins to question the choices that have shaped her own life up to this point. As she does, hidden beauty is awakened deep inside of her, and she discovers the keys to her creativity and happiness. It is a story of love and deceit, forgeries and masterpieces—all held together by the allure and intrigue of a beautiful Tuscan ghost.

 

Meet the Author:

Melissa Muldoon is the Studentessa Matta—the crazy linguist! In Italian, “matta” means “crazy” or “impassioned.” Melissa has a B.A. in fine arts, art history and European history from Knox College, a liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, as well as a master’s degree in art history from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She has also studied painting and art history in Florence.

Melissa promotes the study of Italian language and culture through her dual-language blog, Studentessa Matta (studentessamatta.com). Melissa began the Matta blog to improve her command of the language and to connect with other language learners. It has since grown to include a podcast, “Tutti Matti per l’Italiano,” and the Studentessa Matta YouTube channel. Melissa also created Matta Italian Language Immersion Tours, which she co-leads with Italian partners in Italy.

Waking Isabella is Melissa’s second novel and follows Dreaming Sophia, published in 2016. In this new novel about Italy, the reader is taken on another art history adventure, inspired by Melissa’s experiences living and traveling in Italy, specifically Arezzo, as well as her familiarity with the language and art. For more information about Waking Isabella and links to Melissa’s blogs and social media sites, visit www.MelissaMuldoon.com.

As a student, Melissa lived in Florence with an Italian family. She studied art history and painting and took beginner Italian classes. When she returned home, she threw away her Italian dictionary, assuming she’d never need it again, but after launching a successful design career and starting a family, she realized something was missing in her life. That “thing” was the connection she had made with Italy and the friends who live there. Living in Florence was indeed a life-changing event. Wanting to reconnect with Italy, she decided to start learning the language again from scratch. As if indeed possessed by an Italian muse, she bought a new Italian dictionary and began her journey to fluency—a path that has led her back to Italy many times and enriched her life in countless ways. Now, many dictionaries and grammar books later, she dedicates her time to promoting Italian language studies, further travels in Italy, and sharing her stories and insights about Italy with others. When Melissa is not traveling in Italy, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Melissa designed and illustrated the cover art for Waking Isabella and Dreaming Sophia. She also curates the Dreaming Sophia blog and Pinterest site: The Art of Loving Italy. Please visit the Pinterest page for pictures of Arezzo, the Giostra del Saracino, and all the places we go in Italy in both books. Visit MelissaMuldoon.com for more information about immersion trips to learn the language with Melissa in Italy, as well as the Studentessa Matta blog for practice and tips to learn the Italian language.

Connect with Melissa:Website ~ Twitter ~  Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram ~ Youtube 

Book Review - Saturday Night Supper Club by Carla Laureano + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

Rachel Bishop is renowned James Beard award winning chef who owns and is the head chef of fine dining restaurant. Things look like they are going her way when she suddenly become a target of a smear campaign, which causes her to be bought out by her business partners. Suddenly, Rachel loses the only thing she knows and she will stop at nothing to get her life back even if she has to enlist the help of the journalist who set the whole thing in motion. 

When Alex pens the opinionated piece, he never realized it was going to end up viral. He was only hoping to revive his own career and not destroying Rachel's career. They both realize they will have to work together on creating a memorable Saturday Night Supper Club, if they can generate enough positive buzz for Rachel. Will Rachel be able to work withe man who destroyed her life? Will their idea be enough to help Rachel?

I found this book rather enjoyable. I love the strong, supportive female friendships along with the quirky brother and sister dynamic. I also found the love dynamic between Rachel and Alex fun and lighthearted. However, I found some of the things Rachel did cause me to be disappointed in her. For a strong woman, who always had a plan in play, I found how she got herself in hot water could have been prevented. The ending was understandable, but it still left me a bit disappointed as I wanted a completely different outcome for Rachel. However, this was a good read, especially for those in the foodie scene.

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

About the Book

Title: The Saturday Night Supper Club

Author: Carla Laureano
Genre: Christian fiction/romance fiction

Release Date: February 6, 2018
Denver chef Rachel Bishop has accomplished everything she’s dreamed and some things she never dared hope, like winning a James Beard Award and heading up her own fine-dining restaurant. But when a targeted smear campaign causes her to be pushed out of the business by her partners, she vows to do whatever it takes to get her life back . . . even if that means joining forces with the man who inadvertently set the disaster in motion.
Essayist Alex Kanin never imagined his pointed editorial would go viral. Ironically, his attempt to highlight the pitfalls of online criticism has the opposite effect: it revives his own flagging career by destroying that of a perfect stranger. Plagued by guilt-fueled writer’s block, Alex vows to do whatever he can to repair the damage. He just doesn’t…

About the Author

Carla Laureano is the RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carla is giving away a grand prize of a $200 Visa Card for the winner and a friend to attend a cooking class!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c9b4

Book Review - Honey by David Ezra Stein

Photo Source - Amazon

Bear has waken up from his winter nap and only has one thing on his mind -- honey! Sadly, it is too early for Bear to indulge in the delicious treat. Bear tries to preoccupy himself with other things he loves to do, but once hear hears that buzzing sound, Bear knows it is time for a delicious feast.

I read this cute children's book with tots I volunteer with. They were beside themselves when I told them I had a new book for them to read together. They love the colorful drawings with a playful looking bear. My only qualm was there was two words that might be a bit over the reading level of the targeted demographic. Other than that, it was a lovely book and cute book.

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

Book Review - Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky + Giveaway!

Photo Source - Amazon

Isabella Grayson is the oldest daughter of a wealthy, English newspaper mogul who wishes to be like her father. Her parents believe that Isabella shows focus on marriage prospects than following her dreams of becoming a journalist. Ever persistent, she pens an anonymous letter to her father's newspaper that impresses her father and fuels her dreams of writing. Her father reluctantly agrees that she can write a series of article on aviation, but on the condition she must accept a marriage proposal within the year.

When the aspiring aviator, James Drake crashes his plane near the family's home, Isabella is smitten. She wants James to fulfill his dream of being the first to fly across the Channel and win prize. However, the closer the pair works together they discover they both have a dark secret. Will the duo be able to forgive each other and find happiness together? Will James succeed in being the first to fly over the Channel?

The Edwardian novel was an interesting and fun read. I love how the author wove in the mystery of Drake's father along with his desire to fly. My favorite parts were the family dynamics of the Professor and James. I think the author did a great job showing how family can both be people who are blood related or people who become family through a common desire. I thought the romance dynamic between Isabella and James was endearing and not annoying and back and forth like it sometimes happens in other romance novels. They both know they let each other down, but they worked together to put the past behind them and work towards a future together. A great read and I can't wait to read other works by the author.

About the Author

Carrie Turansky has loved reading since she first visited the library as a young child and checked out a tall stack of picture books. Her love for writing began when she penned her first novel at age twelve. She is now the award-winning author of nineteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. Carrie and her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, author, and speaker, have been married for more than thirty years and make their home in New Jersey. They often travel together on ministry trips and to visit their five adult children and five grandchildren. Carrie leads women’s ministry at her church, and when she is not writing she enjoys spending time working in her flower gardens and cooking healthy meals for friends and family. She loves to connect with reading friends through her website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. 

Purchase a copy of the novel at Amazon!

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away a grand prize of an autographed copy of Shine Like the Dawn and $30 gift card to Christianbooks.com!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c987

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

No. 4 High Performance Hair Care Clarifying Shampoo

Just like every other part of our body, sometimes our hair needs a bit deep cleansing as well. This low lather shampoo doesn’t strip moisture or color from dyed hair, which makes this the perfect once a week treatment for colored hair. The gentle shampoo has a blend of white freesia, golden amber and warm musk to make washing my hair less a chore more like a treat. The sulfate and sodium chloride free shampoo left my hair feeling soft and free of buildup.

Julep Lip Shade Sheer Lip Butter - Currant

The sheer lip balm is enriched with Shea butter, broccoli seed oil, Rosehip seed oil and black currant seed oil. It goes on smoothly and left feeling luxuriously soft. However, I am a bit disappointed that the lip butter doesn't impart any color which makes this just a very expensive lip balm.

Book Review - Hope Nation: YA Authors Share Personal Moments of Inspiration by Rose Brock

Photo Credit - Amazon

Words can have different meanings and invoke different feelings. Hope can bring out different feelings depending when it was and by whom. This timely, relevant anthology of essays by twenty four YA authors hope to invoke awe, inspiration and empathy. In this personal collection of stories, each author narrates how hope is a decision they made and help inspire readers to have hope.

When I first opened the book, I wasn't sure what to expect. I assumed it was going to be a bunch of boring or mundane stories. I was actually pleasantly surprised and found myself staying up late and reaching for this book throughout the day. I love the stories where the author opened about their personal lives and the obstacles they faced. They displayed how they had the perseverance and conquered their obstacles and how they enriched their lives with hope. I found many of the stories inspiring, hopeful, and enjoyable to read. I feel with the current political atmosphere, this book is highly relevant for readers who need a bit of hope in their lives. 

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


BOOK DESCRIPTION

Hope is a decision, but it is a hard one to recognize in the face of oppression, belittlement, alienation, and defeat. To help embolden hope, here is a powerhouse collection of essays and personal stories that speak directly to teens and all YA readers. Featuring Angie Thomas, Marie Lu, James Dashner, Nicola Yoon, David Levithan, Libba Bray, Jason Reynolds, Renée Ahdieh, and many more!

"The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood."--Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We all experience moments when we struggle to understand the state of the world, when we feel powerless and--in some cases--even hopeless. The teens of today are the caretakers of tomorrow, and yet it's difficult for many to find joy or comfort in such a turbulent society. But in trying times, words are power.

Some of today's most influential young adult authors come together in this highly personal nonfiction collection of original essays, poems, and letters, each a first-hand account that ultimately strives to inspire hope.

Like a modern day Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul or Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens, Hope Nation acknowledges the pain and shines a light on what comes after.

Authors include: Atia Abawi, Renee Ahdieh, Libba Bray, Howard Bryant, Ally Carter, Ally Condie, James Dashner, Christina Diaz Gonzales, Gayle Forman, Romina Garber, I. W. Gregario, Kate Hart, Bendan Kiely, David Levithan, Alex London, Marie Lu, Julie Murphy, Jason Reynolds, Aisha Saeed, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Jenny Torres Sanchez, Jeff Zentner, and Nicola Yoon.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Rose Brock is a twenty-year veteran professor who has dedicated her career to turning teens into book lovers. Building relationships with readers through books is her superpower. In addition to her career as a librarian and educator, Dr. Brock is also very involved in helping to organize the North Texas Teen Book Festival, a one-day event, which hosts sixty authors and has an impressive annual attendance of over 3,500 teens and tweens. She also serves as a team leader of the International Literacy Association's Young Adults' Choices project, which empowers teens to read and select the best books of the year. Dr. Brock was named by the Texas Library Association as the recipient of the Siddie Joe Johnson Award, an award given by the Children's Round Table to a librarian who demonstrates outstanding library service to children.