Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel

The soothing aloe gel is packed fermented aloe vera leaf juice promising hydration without the sticky feeling. The product is formulated without paraben, benzophenone, propylene glycol, BHT, artificial coloring or mineral oil. The gel was absorbed quickly and left my skin hydrated with a sticky feeling.

Sphatika Rose Cleansing Foam

The vegetable based foam is enriched with Bulgarian Rose oil, plant extracts and other rich emollients. The product provided a generous lather for the first few uses, but towards the halfway point, when I depressed the lever, it wouldn’t come back up naturally. The foam was thin and filled more with air bubbles. While, I enjoyed using the cleansing foam, I can’t in good conscience buy a product that when it hits its halfway point it needs to be trashed.

Book Review - Many Sparrows by Lori Benton

Photo Credit - Amazon

**May Contain Spoilers**

Tension and brutal conflicts plague the colonists of the Ohio-Kentucky in 1774, when they try to settle on land that belong to the Native Americans. The Inglesby family decides to make the journey west to search for a better life, when an accident causes Philip to venture ahead for help leaving his pregnant wife, Clare and their four-year old son Jacob alone. The mother and son, find cover for the night, but when Clare awakes she finds her eldest son missing and she is in labor. She finds that her son is being held captive by the Shawnee Indians and threaten his very safety. She enlists the help of Jeremiah Ring who is serving as a messenger between the Native Americans and the settlers. Jeremiah hesitantly agrees at first as he worries that she would be in more danger and he has to deliver an important letter to the council and delaying the message can cause more lives to be jeopardized. Will Clare be able to save her son? Why did the Native Americans capture her son?

The historical fiction novel had an interesting story blending aspects of true events into the story. However, I felt the writing fell flat and seemed tedious at some points. I also found the main character to be detestable and downright a shame to be called a mother. She worries about her lost son, but when she barely worried about the newborn child that she has. I also felt because she had a daughter, she didn't feel as invested in her as her son. She is also portrayed as the mother who would fight for her children, but why didn't she put her foot down before her husband drag their entire family into the wilderness? Why does she treat her newborn daughter as an obstacle and a burden between reuniting with her son? I tried really hard to get into this book, but I kept thinking Clare is nothing but a hypocrite and can't spend 5 minutes thinking of others before she claims injustice. She claims the Native Americans are barbaric for claiming white settler's children as their own, but the white settlers just murdered/attack the Native Americans sometimes without being provoked. At least the Native Americans didn't kill the children while the settlers murdered pregnant Native American women. Clare should open her eyes and feel compassion for others instead of being quick to judge.

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion**

Half Moon Eyes Pink Fruity Wash Off Mask

I don’t know about anyone else but maybe I am overthinking things, but I found the name of the product a bit offensive. Putting that aside, I read many good things about this product and wanted to try it. The mask comes in single serve cups, which was only good for one use, unlike other single serve products I have used. The mask is composed of dragon fruit, snail slime, Jeju canola honey, carbonated mineral water and swiflet nest extracts. The mask promises to tighten pores, hydrate, nourish, calm and brighten skin while removing sebum. The mask went on smoothly, but it stung my face a bit. I toughed it out for a few minutes and wash it out. While, I wasn’t wowed by the result my face did look “cleaner” but it isn’t a mask I am like to try again especially at $3.50 per a use.

Book Review - Love Held Captive (Lone Star Hero #3) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Photo Source - Amazon

Major Ethan Kelly and Captain Devin Monroe served together in the Civil War and were both POW together in the same camp. While their past has a common thread, little do they know that thread will also be a unifying factor in their futures. 

During the Civil War, the resources were tight and Ethan had to order his men to raid nearby homes for supplies to feed his troops. However, after one search and seizure of a woman's home, Ethan is unable to absolve himself of her sad and pitiful look during the raid. As he tries to move on, Ethan crosses path with the woman and he intends to right his wrong. However, Lizbeth Barclay has a dark secret and while Ethan is trying to make amends, Lizbeth has a tough time trusting his intentions.

Devin Monroe's life isn't much different after the war. He continues to live his bachelor life until he crosses path with Julianne Van Fleet. He becomes enamored and pursues her to be his bride. However, he finds out the source of Miss Van Fleet's seclude life and dark past. He struggles to come to terms with the truth. Devin and Ethan turn to each other for support, but when they find out someone from their past is the source of their women's misery, they decide to put an end to it. Will Devin be able to forgive Julianne? What is the dark secret that is clouding Lizbeth's heart? 

I have read several of Miss Gray's work and I thoroughly enjoyed them. While this is the first one of her novels I have read that isn't of an Amish theme, I must say I was a bit disappointed. I have read several books of historic (and Civil War) romance novels, but Miss Gray let me down with this novel. The book was filled with intrigue and had an interesting story line, but I felt portions of the book was drawn out and stuffed with filler and then the few last pages were written in haste. I am hoping this was an anomaly, but I would continue reading her future books.

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

Nailtiques Protein Nail Lacquer 309 Tahiti

The Nailtiques 2-in-1 nail treatment and color promises to make nails stronger and healthier by providing extra protein. The bright coral color is perfect to give your nails a well deserved treatment and color. The color lasted around 3 days before I got any chips, but I didn't notice my nails being any stronger as they still break when they get too long.

L'oreal Infalliable Paints - 326 Sultry Sangria

At first, when I saw this lip paint, I wasn't sure what to think. Part of me though it was a cheaper alternative to Too Faced's lip paint which it sort of was. It isn't as pigmented or went on smooth, but it had a good and cheap replacement for Too Faced's products. The wand spread it a bit splotchy but not a pigmented in one swipe, but can be built upon. If it is on sale, I would probably buy a few more colors.

Book Review - Gathering the Threads by Cindy Woodsmall

Photo Credit - Amazon

The final novel in the "Amish of Summer Grove" series, shows the hardship Ariana Brenneman faces after she returns from the Englisch world.  After she experienced the outside world, Ariana is now questioning the old ways she was bought up and it causes chaos among her family and friends. Her Amish family is unsure why their sweet daughter now questions their authority while her Englisch family wonders why she blindly follows the faith. Will Ariana be able to restore peace among her family and herself?

While, I have not read the other two novels in the series, the author includes a few page summary of what happened in the two prior books. I am not sure if it's because I didn't read the other two books or the author's writing style, but I just couldn't get into the book. I like how this book had a different take on the Amish lifestyle and drama, but it felt like torture reading this book. It was slow and kept going on and on without adding to the story.

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

Book Review - The Windfall: A Novel by Diksha Basu

Photo Credit - Amazon

The Jha family has lived the comfortable life of in between poverty and rich, but when their son was accepted to an American business school, they looked forward to living out their golden years comfortably. But when Mr. Jha unexpectedly comes into a large sum of money after sold his website to an American startup,  their lives become turned upside down. He and his wife move to East Delhi, where the super-rich resides and he is eager to fit in with the rest of the upper class residents. However, this leads to a chain of unexpected events and causes the family to reevaluate what really matters in life.

This novel showcases the downfall of pride along with the human instinct of wanting to belong along with doing things to please others will only lead to your own downfall. As someone of Indian heritage I saw a lot of the common threads of my family and the Jhas. However, there were a few things where I couldn't relate to and felt like it was the exact opposite of what my family believes. There were things that were appalling that I could relate to as well. For example, Mr. Jha tells other people about how his son was an academic failure so Mr. Jha could fit in more with the neighbors. I personally don't understand how one can  sacrifice a child's emotional health just to fit in with strangers. I also felt some of the characters and bits of the story fell flat, like there was potential, but the author didn't go into more detail. On a side note, this novel is being billed as a comedy, but I didn't find myself laughing along with anything but rather smiling occasionally thinking of my own Indian roots.

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

Book Review - The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the year of 1944, a young woman is clutching her young infant while weighing her impossible situation.  The father of Amelia's child was shot down in the South Pacific during the war. She loses hope as she lost her job and has no money. She decides to reach out to her infant's paternal grandparents as her beau always spoke highly of his childhood and upbringing.  Amelia and Jimmy take the train to meet Jimmy's grandparents and Amelia hopes they would take her and her son in. When she arrives an unfortunate accident causes her situation to become more dire, but when she finds out that his family is rich, would Amelia still be able to go through her plan?

This was the second novel I read by Melody Carlson. Both novels had central themes of Christmas and losing someone, but also redemption. The novella was a quick and lighthearted read with a "Christmas Miracle" sprinkled in.

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

Book Review - The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne

Photo Credit - Amazon

Cyril Avery was adopted from birth and his adoptive parents remind him that he will never be a true Avery. He was born out of wedlock to a teenage woman who was thrown out of her Irish community of the church. Only, Cyril's best friend Julian Woodbead allows Cyril to feel like he belongs and has a true friend. However, as Cyril grows older he realizes he wants more than just a friendship with Julian and struggles to cope with his sexual preferences. Will Cyril act on his feelings for Julian? Will Cyril be able to find someone who understands him? 

In this coming of age novel, it shows the struggle when one tries to find their true self. The novel spans the entire life span of Cyril and it allows readers to see how Cyril grows and adapt to his surroundings. While, the novel was a fun and interesting read, I felt like it had one too many coincidences and tidy "clean ups" but it was very entertaining to read. I look forward to Mr. Boyne's next novel.

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

Book Review - The Creeps by Fran Krause

Photo Credit - Amazon

The cute creepy and a bit dark graphic novel depict fears in an illustrated comic form. A few favorite comics were about the ghosts, falling trees, eating after visiting the dentist (a true fear!) or funny bathroom thoughts. A great read for people who have a lot of random thoughts! However, while the comic collection was fun to read, reading the whole book through one sitting is possible but not as fun. I also felt the book was definitely longer than it needed to be as some pages only had two cells of drawings. Overall, a fun coffee book or a good holiday exchange present.

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

Book Review - Coloring Christmas Devotions by Lizzie Preston and Claire McElfatrick

Photo Credit - Amazon

Ah, I can hardly believe that the holidays are around the corner. It's seems just yesterday I was huddled together with my SO trying to keep warm while waiting for the ball to drop. Although, to be fair, I am excited that the holidays are coming. It is like the only best time of the year. The coloring book includes devotions on one side of the book and on the accompany pages it includes an intricate coloring page. A fun and perfect activity for the holidays!

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

Book Review - Rule of Law by Randy Singer

Photo Credit - Amazon

For a rare mission ordered by the President and monitored in real time by top government officials, the members of the SEAL Team Six takes on a historic mission. An American journalist and a young Saudi prince were captured by Houthi rebels and the SEAL team was sent in to free the two prisoners when the prisoners are scheduled to be executed on Easter Sunday. However, the mission ends with failure causing everyone to point fingers. The SEAL families are all looking for answers and if the President knew the mission was going to be a failure going before the mission began. Paige Chambers was hired by the widow of one of the SEAL members, but she has also lost someone to the cause as well. Did the President know the truth about the mission? Who is behind the mission failure?

The book had an interesting and unique story line. Unlike, most of the other legal thrillers I have read, this book was the only one who didn't have a romantic interest where it was competing with the story. However, I still couldn't get into the book and felt like the story had a lot of unnecessary details that never went anywhere for example, the drone pilot. He called Paige and gave her information, but I don't recall them ever using his testimonial or even his name after they went to such great lengths to find the identity of the drone pilot. An interesting story line, but I felt the story was longer than it needed to be.

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

Book Review - A Time to Stand by Robert Whitlow

Photo Credit - Amazon

Adisa Johnson, a young African American woman is living her dream. She is an aspiring lawyer in a prestigious firm in downtown Atlanta with a promising career.  However, a simple makes changes the trajectory of her career and causes her to lose the job she loves. Around the same time, her dearly beloved aunt became ill and Adisa to move to be closer to her aunt and looks for a new job. A few days earlier a Caucasian police offer had shot an unarmed African American team who is fighting for his life in the hospital. With racial tensions high, Adisa wants to be bought on as a special prosecutor on the case. Although, when she speaks with a fellow mentor and victim's grandmother, she is left with conflicting feelings on the case. Which side will Adisa choose? What happened during that faithful of the shooting?

I like that the novel took on racial topics that are very prevalent this day. However, I felt the story lacked depth and suspense. The story seemed to drag on and on, filled with details that just cloud the story. Sadly, I also couldn't find myself liking the any of the characters. As a WOC, I loved seeing a fellow WOC in charge, smart and engaging. But I felt like Adisa fell flat and act impulsively/emotional. For example, when she was let go of her job she didn't want to steal her former employer's clients. But when she asked her mentor for a job, she had no problem becoming a special prosecutor on the same case her mentor was defending on.

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