Book Review - The Gillespie County Fair by Marc Hess

Photo Credit - Amazon

The oldest fair in Texas is the Gillespie County Fair. The fair is well regarded and everyone loves to participate in the fair. The old German farming community is struggling to keep it's original charm alive, while rampant land developers are trying to buy up family homesteads.  Two families are torn apart over the sale of their homestead. Will the community be able to survive?

When I first read this book, I thought it was going to be about a community that is struggling and how they able to come together. However, I made it 75% through the book before I found it rather pointless to say the very least. There were a lot of characters and many of them felt just throw into the story. It was very hard to keep track of how all these characters played a role in the story. To be honest, I still don't know what role they played. And, I am not really interested in finding out more about the characters. Overall, I found the book very hard to get into and the characters unrelatable. I wish the author focused on a few main characters and built a concise storyline.

 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Chalk Man by C. J. Tudor

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the year 1986, Eddie and his friends had been regular kids. They ride their bikes and hang out around the community while avoiding the older bullies. They create a special secret code between themselves: small chalk stick figures that only they can understand with each of the kids having their own color. However, one day their secret code leads them to a gruesome murder with a missing head.  In the year 2016, Eddie is fully grown and left those childhood memories in the past. However, he receives a message in the mail with a chalk figure. He finds himself facing the demons of his childhood. What does the code mean? Who is sending the code? Is the code connected to the murder?

The novel alternates between past and present for Eddie. The readers are given A dark, thrilling novel that left me in suspense. It was an interesting read that kept me guessing until the end, even though some portions left me stumped. I felt like it shows how the things we regret affect us as we grow up and even how it affects our behaviors and reactions. A great read for a stormy day! 

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

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer Fair to Medium Skin Tones

Before Photo

After Photo

Before you ask, what is a brown skin person using a self-tanner, I wanted to see what the fuss about. Most people think having brown skin means you don’t get cellulite or it becomes less visible. I can sadly say, this is not the case. The tanning lotion didn’t make the cellulite less noticeable...er...I mean..what cellulite? The tanner promises a “natural - looking color that's streak-free, hassle-free and with our breakthrough patent-pending technology, now has no sunless tanner odor.” While the tanner wasn’t completely odorless, it just wasn’t as strong as many others. I didn’t notice any streaks mostly because the color gradually appears when you apply the lotion daily.  After applying, don’t be fooled by the white lotion, wash your hands otherwise you will end up with tell tale orange hands [trust me], but imparted a soft golden bronze color on my skin. As a side note, make sure to apply a thin layer and not to double up anywhere thinking you missed a spot otherwise you will get splotches. And try to go easy on the drier areas, like knees, ankles, elbows, and knuckles or it looks a bit weird. While I rarely burn, I don’t get a golden color [sadly]. But I must say, I don’t think that golden color is something found naturally in nature. The color started to fade by day 3 and I would recommend this to anyone who wants a “little color” should try it or as soon as we invent the technology, I will be more than happy to share my natural brown color :}