Book Review - Christmas at Grey Sage by Phyllis Clark Nichols

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Maude and Silas deck out their adobe house with all the holiday trimmings that delight and thrill family and friends alike. Christmas at The Thornhills' Gray Sage Inn is always a day to remember until a tragic accident occurs. Now, Silas and Maude go on vacation during the holiday to escape the painful holiday memories. When Maude's best friend, Lily asks her to open the inn during the holidays for a group of eccentric travelers, she was hesitant to agree.

When the group of travelers arrives, they are surprised that Grey Sage Inn isn't decorated with Christmas decorations. After a snowstorm hits Santa Fe, the guests find themselves stranded and try to make the best out of the holiday as possible. Will Maude and Silas be able to heal and appreciate Christmas again?

The novel started with Maude's appreciation for Christmas; going into detail about her favorite decorations, traditions and moments. Then we get to meet the group of eccentric travelers and from there we find out why Silas and Maude don't celebrate Christmas anymore and the backstory of each traveler. I found the first few characters really boring and halfway towards the book, it finally picked up, but by then I was already over reading this book. It is a nice cozy reading novel for readers who loves Christmas stories, but this wasn't really my cup of tea.

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

Book Review - Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda

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Paul and Mia Strom have the perfect life. Paul is an advertising executive for a prestige firm, he has a beautiful wife with two healthy boys along with two houses. Paul is the perfect husband; he is the breadwinner, the protector, and the provider. 

Mia has been very sick lately, so Paul decided to plan a very special romantic weekend at their lake house for the two of them. However, while Paul and Mia drive to the lakeside, tensions and emotions are running rampant.  There is an unspoken truth that is haunting both Paul and Mia. How much does Paul and Mia know about each other? Is there such a thing as a perfect marriage?

The novel was very engaging and fun read. I love how reading the novel, you know not everything is as perfect as Paul makes it seem. Just reading how he describes his family and his life, you are waiting for the dark truth to actually come out.  And when you do find out about the dark secrets, holy smokes, does the novel keep you guessing! A definite must read for readers who love thrillers and perfect to make a commute to work fun (just don't miss your stop).

Book Review - A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck

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Matt Wainwright has the best laid intentions, but is constantly sabotaged by the thoughts in his head. Matt is in love with his best friend, Tabby but he has a hard time articulating his feelings into words and actions.  He feels only comfortable  in Mr. Ellis's English class where he can write to express his inner thoughts and feelings.

If everything worked the way that Matt planned that he would be dating Tabby. Except, life doesn't work like that for Matt. Instead, Tabby falls in love with Liam Branson. An unfortunate accident causes Matt to be sidelined and without the ability to express his feelings even in his English class. Will Matt be able to get out of his head and work through his feelings?

I thought this was going to be a romantic comedy where the best friends either fall in love or they let each other be with other people. However, I was drawn how this wasn't like many other YA romance novels I have read. It had a touch of humor while being realistic enough that you can feel each the character's pain. My only qualm is that Tabby's two love interests both never stuck up for her when she was being made teased. We have read in the backstory that Tabby usually sticks up for Matt, but it seems that her love interest, Liam would be the one to defend her. 

It was a very interesting read and I can't wait to read other works by the author.

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

Book Review - Rescued Hearts by Hope Toler Dougherty

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Mary Wade Kimball was looking for a quiet retreat from the demands of her everyday life. While picking up supplies and returning home, she sees a kitten stuck in a thorny bush in front of an abandoned house. She decides to help the kitten when she is taken hostage by two criminals.  Mary  Wade is worried when a third criminal returns with supplies for the storm.  However, the third criminal is actually an undercover agent, Brett Davis. Deciding the woman's safety was more important than his three month investigation, he risks his mission to help Mary Wade escape. Will Mary Wade and Brett be able to escape the criminals?

The novel had an interesting premise, but it failed to keep me interested. I found myself glazing over portions of the book because the plot was predictable and the dialogue felt stilted. I found bits of the story on the topic and quite silly, like Brett who managed to calmly think through things to rush into a known ambush and Mary Wade seducing one of the criminals. The mini story about Brett's stalker was also very predictable and could have been left out. It didn't really add anything to the story other than making the book longer.

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

Book Review - Imperfect Justice (Hidden Justice #2) by Cara C. Putman

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It seemed like an easy open and closed case - Kaylene Adams kills her daughter only to be killed by the police. Kaylene's attorney, Emilie Wesley, questions the validity of the highly publicized story. She knows that Kaylene would never hurt her daughters and she was looking to leave an abusive marriage. Emilie is consumed by self-doubt and it affects her ability to help other women in violent relationships. Will Emilie be able to find out what really happened to her client?

The novel had an interesting story, but I felt the main character was lacking. She is a person from money and it seems like a lot of things that she does is motivated by money. She mentioned that she would use her trust fund to furnish her lifestyle but not her work. However, she kept mentioning how her work is how she identifies herself and without it, she is lost. She also claims that Kaylene was a good friend and she was torn about the deaths but when Kaylene's brother requested her help, she was hesitant to help saying how it would cut into her personal time (which she also claims she is always working and barely spends time with her friends). But if you think your friend was wrongly accused, I wouldn't worry about my free time (which she still manages to hang out with her other friends). I also think it was petty, that she keeps mentioning her salary at the women's center. And when news of Kaylene's death shook Emilie, she tries to remember  all the good she has done, but when another client comes in to escape with her 10 month old, she seems to be more concerned that she can't write an article for her side job. Overall, it's an interesting book, but it just wasn't for me.

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

Book Review - The Crooked Path by Irma Joubert

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**May Contain Spoilers**

Lettie compared to herself to her "beautiful" friends always feeling like an outsider because she perceived she is lacking. She is short and on the chubbier side while her friends are richer, the other is beautiful or called each other best friends. However, she doesn't let her "shortcomings" hold her back and becomes a doctor like her father. Marco lived through a war that robbed him not only the love of his life but also his health. He moves to South Africa since he can no longer bare the winters in Italy. He becomes one of Lettie's first patients and their relationship grows as she tries to nurture him back to health. Will the duo be able to love again?

The cast of characters appeared in The Child of the River, but I didn't find it necessary to read the first book to enjoy this book.  While, I enjoyed the a book I felt like it wasn't as enjoyable as it could be. The book was divided into four "life" events and the first two spoke about Lettie's and Marco's lives before meeting each other. These chapters were filled with details and consistent in timing while the later chapters had just pertinent details and, sometimes, it was vague how much time passed between pages. For example, Lettie cries about over her beloved's friend's death, but they mentioned her parents' death in passing. I felt like when they were talking about Lettie's and Marco's soul mates, they spent a lot of time going into the story and building the ambience.

There were a few things that bothered me about the story. Lettie is portrayed as the chubby and lovable friend (I sometimes find her petty) and she gets jealous over her friends' happiness, money, beauty, relationships, and children. However, I am surprised she  never felt like a part of Macro's heart will always be with Rachel (his first love). She just loves him blindly even though she notices that he doesn't speak much about Rachel. Another thing is when she realizes that she is falling in love with De Wet again, why does she hesitate? She knows that he likes her and she likes him but plays this "Oh, I don't know" game, but craves his attention. After all this talk about crooked paths, shouldn't she know that her crooked path is leading her to De Wet especially, since she has been in love with him since childhood.

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

Book Review - The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

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Sarah Hollenbeck has gone through her second and probably hardest life transformation. She was married to her high school sweetheart when they got divorced. Unsure of her life path, she joins a book club to pass the time. She discovers she has a passion for writing steamy romance novels. When she decides to become a Christian, she is afraid of how the members of her church would react. It also doesn't help that she is falling in love with the new pastor, either. Sarah is also on the hook for one last novel, but will she able to write another steamy novel? Will Sarah be able to reconcile with her past? Will the church members be able to accept her?

At first I love reading this book, I couldn't put it down. I probably read more than half of the book within a few hours, but towards the middle, I didn't feel the same magnetic pull. I felt some portions of the book moved too quickly, and the characters didn't get to develop. Sadly, I also didn't have a connection with any of the characters. Sarah went from reinventing herself to being a moody child acting adult. However, I would be open to read other works by the author.

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

Book Review - Deadly Proof (Atlanta Justice #1) by Rachel Dylan

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Kate Sullivan is tapped as lead counsel to take on the pharmaceutical giant MPC. In what can be her biggest case of her career, things become more daunting when a whistleblower dies and someone seems to be targeting Kate. Kate turns to ex-Army Ranger, Landon James for his private investigator skills, but after someone makes numerous attempts on her life, she realizes she would need his formidable bodyguard skills as well. As Kate investigates further into the case, it becomes apparent that someone is willing to risk everything to make sure MPC wins the trial.  Who is behind the attacks on Kate? Is Landon willing to forgive his past mistakes and follow his heart?

The novel started off interesting and then immediately went downhill. I felt it was really slow with very predictable story lines. Some of the characters and the story felt like an afterthought. Kate became lead counsel working with other lawyers, but we never hear about them, nor do we actually find out about the "trial" only the conclusion. And then when Kate was being harassed, it seemed very mild compared to the death of an MPC employee. Not a terrible novel, but not very fast paced or suspenseful of a novel.

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

Juara Radiance Enzyme Scrub

The 2-in-1 exfoliator is enriched with an ingredient list good enough to eat: apple enzyme, clove flower, cinnamon, candlenut oil, turmeric, jojoba and bamboo beads. The scrub promises to reveal a smoother, brighter and more radiant skin. The scrub was a bit rough and had the same scent (candlenut, if I am not mistaken) as most of Juara’s products. The exfoliator was a bit rough and it left my skin feeling smooth and soft but it wasn’t any different from other cleansers I have used.

Yankee Candle Crisp Morning Air

The crisp scent of Autumn layering with scents of eucalyptus and mint along pear. It reminds me of walking down a leaf covered street scented of earthy and sweet. A fun scent for the fall and winter season.

H2O+ Oasis Hydrating Treatment

The H20+ hydrating gel is enriched with sea grass and water lily extracts. The cooling gel goes on smoothly and absorbs quickly. It provides hydration for 24 hours. However, while the gel was non-greasy and didn’t make my face feel stiff, I didn’t my face to be hydrated for 24 hours. I found this treatment more useful to use as a cooling lotion after a hot day.

Book Review - Murder in Disguise (A Preston Barclay Mystery Book 3) by Donn Taylor

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When news of Preston Barclay's beloved friend committed suicide, Preston is unable to believe the news. However, when the evidence points to an open and close suicide case, he decides to let sleeping dogs lie. The victim's wife, Grace, doesn't believe it is a suicide and pleads with Preston to investigate her husband's death. Preston begins to question the suicide, when details are emerging that don't quite add up including the anonymous threats. Will Preston be able to figure out the truth behind his friend's death?

This was the third novel in the Preston Barclay series, but each book looks like it can be read as a standalone. The book was an easy read but a few pages in, the number of musical references was a bit overwhelming to the point of annoyance. I found my eyes glazing over paragraphs with the music reference and found myself too lazy to search what each song was. I also found the dynamic between Mara and Preston to be boring, petty, and unauthentic. Mara is jealous when Preston talking to another female, but she purposely needles him about other men without Preston is saying or doing much. I felt like Mara and Preston made a poor investigator and they seem to be more like, "Let's kick the hornet's nest and see what happens". The author keeps mentioning Preston's Special Ops training, but not once I made it seem like he actually puts any of that to use. If anything, when I think of Preston Barclay, I think of a frumpy grandpa with his pants mid chest along with a pair of oversized glasses.

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

Rouge Bunny Rouge Gleaming Temptations Lip Gloss - 040 Smother Me with Kisses

The Rouge Bunny Rouge lip gloss promises fuller and more luscious lips. The lip gloss is packed with gold, silver, and copper shimmer and is enriched with vitamins and botanical ingredients. It promises to conditions, nourish, and hydrate slips. The shimmer raspberry pink went on smoothly and was sheer. The formula was not goopy or overly sticky nor did I notice a strong scent or taste.A decent lip gloss, but I don't think it was worth the markup.

Book Review - Pass It on: a Proverbs Journal for the Next Generation by Champ Thornton

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The imitation leather journal is a Bible study on Proverbs. It is meant for one person to complete the activities and then pass it on to a loved one. Readers are asked as they go through the journal to create their own personalized wisdom with the aim to share it with their loved ones. It is the perfect keepsake and made with heirloom quality materials that won't disappoint!

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

Sabon Bath Salt - Rose

Last year I had received a $200 gift card for my birthday and just recently found it. At first, I thought $200 might be too much, but as I started adding things to the cart, I felt like maybe it wasn’t enough! I am a huge bath person and I loaded up on bath products. When I saw this, I thought it would look so beautiful (loving the glass container!) perched on my bathroom tub in my otherwise ugly bathroom. The bath salts are enriched with a blend of essential oils that left the bath water delicately scented of rose. I also liked how the salts had pieces of rose petals. Although, contrary to what was depicted in the photo on the website while ordering, my rose petals were more like small crushed pieces mixed in and bled through the normally “white” salts. The packaging recommended using 5 scoops (which would have been helpful to include a scooper); I just dumped a bit of the product into the tub. The salts and scent were relaxing, but I didn’t notice my skin being hydrated or smooth. A cool product, but I am not sure I would get it again unless I had a discount.

Book Review - The Gift (The Amish of Hart County #3) by Shelley Shepard Gray

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When the Schwartz family inherited a small fortune, they couldn't wait to start their new life on a farm instead of their duplex. The family hired a real estate who found them a beautiful and affordable farm in Hart County. However, strange and deadly things start to occur once the family arrived.  Susanna hears gunshots that frighten her horse and topples over her buggy while her little sister, Traci falls through a wooden bridge into a creek. At first, the incidents seem like accidents, but eventually it starts to become clear, someone wants them gone. Who is targeting the Schwartz family? Why are they targeting them and will they be able to survive?

I have read a few of Mrs. Gray's novels and been a fan of most of them. This novel is no different, it offered a lot of suspense and questionable characters on who could be the culprit. However, I felt something was missing as the novel wasn't as exciting as her other "Hart County" novels. As the culprit became very clear midway through the novel. That isn't to say that I won't read her other novels.

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

Book Review - A Forest, a Flood, and an Unlikely Star (Rwendigo Tales) by J. A. Myhre

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Kusiima is a thirteen year old, boy but unlike the average kids his age, he has no time for school or having fun. An orphan living with his grandmother and sister, he has to work long hours to support his makeshift family. Kusiima barely makes enough to support his aging grandmother and his sickly sister when he was presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity. The owner of a prominent charcoal company asked Kusiima to accompany him to his next charcoal expedition.  However, when Kusiima realizes they are entering a protected forest where it is illegal to cut down the trees, Kusiima is surrounded by several decisions. Would Kusiima do what is best for his family? Will Kusiima be able to do what is right if it means that his family would suffer?

The short story was an interesting read. It showcased a lot of problems children from third world countries face that children in the first world would take for granted. Children in the United States complain about going to school when many children in other countries don't even have the option of attending school. However, I felt like while the story had a "happy ending", there might be a lot of topics that are too dark and stressful for the target age demographics such as AIDS, abandonment, children dying from starvation, lack of health care, degradation of natural environments, and hopelessness. While, it can be a good tool to let young ones to be more aware and to show them to treat others and Mother Earth with generosity and compassion it would be better to pair this with additional conversation to overwhelm young readers.

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

Book Review - Bringing Maggie Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer

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Hazel DeFord has a deep and dark secret that continues to haunt her. In 1943, a young ten year old Hazel was picking blackberries with her younger three year old sister, Maggie.  Hazel momentarily leaves Maggie alone to discover Maggie has disappeared upon her return. 

More than seventy years later, Hazel is still haunted by the guilt while the mystery remains unsolved. Hazel's secret has strained her relationship with her daughter, Diane, who is frustrated by her mother's paranoia and being overly overprotective. Diane's daughter, Meghan, on the other hand, loves her grandmother's affection and attention. When Meghan is hurt in an accident, she decides to use her recovery time to visit her grandmother. However, when she arrives, she finds out her mother has also planned to tag along as well.  Diane and Meghan uncover Hazel's dark secret while visiting. Meghan is a cold case detective and volunteers to help her grandmother uncover the truth behind Maggie's disappearance. Will the three generations of DeFord women be able to survive each other? Will Meghan be able to solve the mystery behind Maggie's disappearance?

The novel had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. I felt like the story dragged on and on until the last few chapters and I felt like the book could have detailed some characters better. For example, Hazel and her late husband's relationship; did he know about Hazel's secret? I also felt that Meghan didn't really help much with solving the mystery behind Maggie's disappearance. Her partner had a bigger role in solving it and than she did while the "mystery" was quite obvious from the beginning. I like the author's writing style so I might be open to reading more of her novels.

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

Book Review - The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks

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 When I first picked up this book and read this description: 

A novel of suspense that explores the complexities of marriage and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.

When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.
You will assume you are reading about a jealous wife and her obsession with her replacement.
You will assume you are reading about a woman about to enter a new marriage with the man she loves.
You will assume the first wife was a disaster and that the husband was well rid of her.
You will assume you know the motives, the history, the anatomy of the relationships.
Assume nothing.

Discover the next blockbuster novel of suspense, and get ready for the read of your life.

It answered nothing, but what the book was about, but left me with more questions than answers. However, I was pleasantly surprised how fitting that description is really. The novel starts out with two different points of view and the reader will make judgments of both of them. But as you start to get more into the book the more you realize, maybe you are wrong. What you assume is wrong. Who you think you know is wrong. Nothing you know is right.

The novel beautifully blends many suspenseful mini stories which will keep readers guessing how it all ties in together. An amazingly good read on a rainy just not on the train or you might miss your train stop!

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

Book Review - An Amish Christmas Love: Four Novellas by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin and Ruth Reid

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The "novel" is composed of four novellas of Amish Christmas Love. Each of the mini stories is how a person experiences the beloved holiday a different way. Whether it was spending a widow spending her first Christmas alone, a young woman finally finding the right person for her, a young man who has to choose between his new girlfriend or an old flame, and an unlikely pair being the perfect match.

Each story was a fun and heartwarming read, especially when the temperatures start to drop. It made me appreciate the small things in life and to remember what is really important during the holidays. As a person speaking from experience, it's very easy to get overwhelmed and take things for granted, especially when the to do list keeps getting longer and longer. Each novel took a two to three hours to complete, but some were more detailed while others felt there could have been more details.

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