Book Review - The Dog Who Was There by Ron Marasco

Photo Credit - Amazon

Barley is an ordinary dog but one day experiences the extraordinary. Barley struggles to live in the first century Jerusalem. As an abandoned pup, he finds solace with a woodcarver and his wife. When the teachings of the Messiah reaches their door of his master, he learns to forgiveness even when he navigates the dangerous city of Judea. Where he meets a homeless petty criminal named Samid. Together, they face a host of new struggles and experiences. How does Barley crosses path with the Messiah? How does the teachings affect Barley's outlook on life?

The novel had an interesting story. However, I found the book very boring and dragged on towards the middle.  The ending was heart felt and inspiring but the novel had more gruel and pain, then I thought was necessary. A decent story but I don't think I would pick up this book again. 

**Disclosure I received a free unedited copy  of this book**

Tony Moly I'm Real Avocado Mask Sheet Nutrition

The nourishing 3 layer pulp sheet mask is enriched with avocado and natural oils. The latex based essence promises to improve elasticity and nutrition in skin. The cotton mask fit my face relatively well and stayed put during the application. I noticed mild amount of essence drippage on my chin. My face was soft, smooth and felt glowing when I woke up in the morning.

Naobay Natural and Organic Oxygenating Cream Moisturizing

The creamy lotion is enriched with avocado and olive oil. It promises to nourish, protect and hydrate. The cream went in smoothly and left my skin looking radiant. I am not sure why it’s called oxygenating. I have tried Bliss Oxygen and it fizzes when you apply it to your face; this product doesn’t do that.

The Body Shop Foundation Lip Butter

I have been fond of TBS lip butters and when I saw this one and it benefits charity, I thought it was a win-win situation. The shea butter enriched lip butter goes on smoothly and creamy. However, the white hued lip butter leaves my lip with a white tint. The hydration and moisture evaporates after my first sip of water. A definite fail.

Book Review - Hunters in the Dark: A Novel by Lawrence Osborne

Photo Credit - Amazon

Robert Grieve is a young 28 year old Englishman teacher from a small town. He escapes to Cambodia to run away from his everyday mundane life.  He crosses the border from Thailand, where his life is taken through a whirlwind of peculiar events. Robert comes across money that is considered to be filled with bad luck along with a suave American who seems to be up to no good. When, Robert loses all his money, he takes on a teaching job and meets Sothea who joins him on his aimless journey. Why is the American so interested in Robert? What is Robert hunting for?

The book had an interesting description but it fails to deliver. The novel begins slowly, drags on through the middle but when you are finally at the end, you keep thinking, "what was the point"? I could care less about the character, their motives, and whatever happened to them. The characters didn't seem believable and sometimes, they made no sense.  Overall, a confusing, boring and tedious book. 

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

Balanced Guru Organic Farm-a-ceuticals StyleMe Roots to Ends Hair Oil

The organic hair serum is enriched with 4 different oils - argan, pumpkin, sesame and tamanu.  The oil promise to control frizz, flyaways and curls. I smooth in a few drops of the oil after drying my hair and my hair felt softer, smoother and had a sleek sheen. Although, I still had some frizzy hair but not as much.

BBW Beautiful Day Shea Enriched Shower Gel

The fruity scented body wash is enriched with aloe, shea butter, and vitamin E. The body wash provided a generous lather and left my skin delicately scented. However, I didn’t notice my skin being hydrated and I had to follow up with lotion after my shower.

• Top Notes: Sun-kissed Apple, Dewy Pear, Sparkling Cassis
• Mid Notes: Wild Daisies, Lily of the Valley, Fresh Pink Peony
• Dry Notes: White Peach, Blonde Woods

Book Review - The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green

Photo Credit - Amazon

Julianne Chevalier is a 25 year old midwife loves her job. Unfortunately, after a mistake has happened and her client dies, Julianne is thrown into jailed and receives a tattoo signalling that she is a convict. When news travels that John Law are looking for women to transport to New Orleans to build a new colony, she trades her life sentence in hopes to locate her lost brother; her last living relative.

However, nothing is gained for free as Julianne is about to find out the hard way. She is forced to wed a fellow convict in hopes to populate the new colony for good of France. When, she arrives to New Orleans with her new husband, she finds out Benjamin is no longer in New Orleans. In her journey to find out the truth about her brother, she crosses path with military captain Marc-Paul Girard who knows more about Benjamin than he lets on.  Will Julianne be able to reunite with her brother? What dark secrets is Marc-Paul hiding? Will Julianne be able to live her life or will she be branded a convict?

The novel was an interesting read. It was filled with mystery, death and romance (love triangle). It was a bit slow in the beginning and middle. However, I kept reading on to see how the story ends and it doesn't disappoint for those who live happy endings! 

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

Julep Nail Polish - Dakota

The semi sheer rose gold metallic polish went on smoothly. It took 2-3 coats to build up a complete coverage and took forever to dry because it thick after two coats. Unfortunately, this color only lasted 2 days before the chipping started happening.