Book Review - Pursuing Gold: A Novel of the Civil War by Cynthia L. Simmons and Rene Holt

Photo Credit - Amazon

Peter Chandler inherits a bank after his father's untimely death and his father's business partner on his death bed. Peter just recently graduated college and has no experience running a bank. He finds guidance in his partner's daughter, Mary Beth Roper but they both struggle to keep the bank afloat during the Civil War.  However, their problems deepen when they find counterfeit bills in circulation.  Will they be able to work together to save the bank? Who is circulating the counterfeit bills?

The novel is an interesting perspective of the Civil War. It doesn't just give the views of the North and the South but also the people who are caught in between and are trying to live their lives. I was entranced by the novel but after a few chapters in, the novel became boring. The story line was interesting but not enough action. A majority of the novel could have been left out and you wouldn't even miss it. The characters seemed to aloof and mild -- I couldn't see myself rooting for any of them. The novel seemed a bit disjointed that writing didn't seem to flow smoothly. A decent read but I don't see myself picking up this book again.

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

Sephora Collection Rouge Creme - #49 Belly Dancing

The hydrating lipstick imparts lips with a vibrant color. The creamy lipstick goes on smooth and leaves a soft sheen. I should note that the color online and the color I received looked completely different. It looks dark red in the tube but a more tomato red color on my lips. It was more moisturizing than other lipsticks but I wouldn't stop using my lip balm. The color also sadly didn't last very long.

Bison Hot Bath Salt Ruby Grapefruit

The carbonated granules are enriched with collagen, hyaluronic acid, placenta extract, spa water mineral, capsicum extract, ginger extract, and rock salt. The Ruby Grapefruit bath salt is good for pore care according to the package. I never had a pore problem other than on my face -- and never realized that anyone might have that issue.The granules acted like pop rocks and popped but generated almost no bubbles. The packet did turn my water into a bright hot pink but that’s about it. An overall disappointment in terms of bubble bath products.

Patchology Exfoliate FlashMasque Facial Sheets

As a mask fiend, I came across good reviews for this mask and couldn’t wait to try it out. It bills itself as an affordable option but I was able to find cheaper masks online and in store due to the growth of their popularity. Granted, this mask ($8/1 or $50 for 8) is a bit more luxe feeling than the traditional $5 and under masks I have used before. The luxe fabric stays put and has a barely there look according to the package. I had a slight movement and the mask look anything but barely there. However, my skin did feel smoother, softer and hydrated thanks though the lactic acid, papin, aloe leaf extract, yeast amino acids, trehalose, taurine, inositol and betanine. The  Asian pear blossoms and citrus notes give the mask a subtle floral scent, which I didn’t really care for. A good mask but a bit pricey and I am in no rush to try it again.

Cargo Cosmetics Blush and Bronzer Duo - Catalina & Medium

A convenient duo of medium tone bronzer and a soft pink blush. The formulas promised to be silky smooth but I found them to be a bit chalky. The good thing is that the formula goes on a bit sheer which allows you to build up the product to your desired shade.

Book Review - Besties by Leah Reena Goren

Photo Credit - Amazon

A sweet and short illustrated book about the celebration of female friendship. The book is an endearing thank you note, gift, and a love letter to female besties. The illustrated book portrays the best parts of friendship and has a heart warming "ending". Whether its spending friday nights together, making up a secret handshake, being a +1 one at a boring party to being there at your lowest. The quirky artwork and endearing message, makes readers smile and appreciate the beauty of friendship.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I received this book but as soon as I got it, I couldn't stop smiling. The drawings were cute and some of the antics of the characters were very specific. Although, I remembering all the funny and unique things I did with my best friend(s) like eating so much candy in one sitting that we had a two hour sugar high or when we went to 4 different fast food restaurant to make the "perfect meal" and them being there through all the low times of my life as well. This is a great gift for any girl bestie in your life! I gave this book as a stocking stuffer to a few friends with a private note of all the fun memories we shared. It is a great book to make you appreciate the great friendships in your life and how easy it is to take people for granted.

**Disclosure - I received this book in exchange for an honest review**

Alessandro International Hand!Spa Age Complex Cream Royal Nutrifying Hand Treatment

The rich hand cream is packed with royal jelly, shea and mango butter to soften, enrich and moisturize skin. The hand treatment was designed for rough and dry hands as a hand mask. I have used it whenever my skin felt dry. The cream is very thick and it leaves my hand a bit greasy. It kept my hand moisturized and delicately scented but I found myself constantly reaching for it throughout the day. For around $40 for little under 2 oz, one would expect amazing results, sadly this isn’t the case.

TBS Born Lippy Pomegranate Lip Balm

 

Photo Credit - TBS

The cult classic lip balm in now in a stick format, which means less sticky fingers! I have tried a couple of TBS lip products and they are usually hit or miss. The lip balm supposedly has a transparent shimmer but I didn’t see anything. The lip balm does impart a slight subtle shine but like the shimmer it’s hardly apparent. The lip balm does moisturize and condition my lip and has a sweet scent --- I could see how it can be considered a pomegranate scent but I wouldn’t consider it pomegranate, if I was smelling it for the first time. A very average lip balm, I might get it again if it was heavily discounted, otherwise I would stick with the basics -  Chapstick/Nivea/Blistex.

Book Review - A Love Made New (Amish of Birch Creek #3) by Kathleen Fuller

Photo Credit - Amazon

Abigail Schrock has been through enough heartache for a lifetime. Her mother and father were taken from her after a tragic accident while her sister is still recovering. She is hopeful that her current boyfriend will make everything better by marrying her. Unfortunately, he breaks up with her and tells her there is someone else. Asa Bontrager leaves his home and moves to Birch Creek because he believes it's God's purpose. He doesn't understand why God is telling him to follow Abigail when she wants nothing to do with him. Will the two be able to find true love?

The novel was an interesting and quick read. While, it read like almost every Amish romance novel, I like how they included back stories for the support characters. On a side note, there is a lot of characters which might make the novel confusing at first especially if you didn't read the other novels. However, the novels each can be read standalone.

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

Book Review - The Remnant by Monte Wolverton

Photo Credit - Amazon

The  year is 2069 and  the Apocalypse has come and gone. After, a devastating war that wiped out 90% of the world population and resources, religion was blamed as the root of all evil. People who chose to continue follow their religion are punished by being sent to a work camp. Grant Cochrin lives at the petroleum camp with his family and friend for a majority of his life. After, a strange encounter, Grant starts questioning his life and wonders if there is more to life than he currently knows. With a band of friends and family, they set out to the unknown. Will Grant and the others be able to find a Christian group like them? What evils lie beyond their borders?

The book had an interesting premise about religion and  the state of the world after an end of days situation. The writing seemed a discombobulated along with having flashbacks at random points of the novel without any lead way to it. The story seemed a bit longer than it needed to be and the characters didn't seem authentic. The writing felt forced especially towards the end with fluff over detailed pieces peppered in.

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

Jurlique Purely Bright with VitaBrightKX Night Moisturizer

Photo Credit - Amazon

I usually have a good opinion of Jurlique products, however, lately I tend to have more misses than anything. The night moisturizer promises a rich and creamy consistency but it seemed a bit watery and not as creamy as other night creams I have tried. Granted, because of the thin consistency, this night cream could be better suited for the warmer months than the colder months, where moisture and hydration is key. The overnight cream promises to minimize the appearance of dark spots/discoloration. The night cream is packed with sunflower and safflower oil, hyaluronic acid, kakadu plum extract, citrus unshiu peel extract, African birch extract and vitamin C. With a powerful cocktail of natural oils, antioxidants and vitamins -- one expects to be WOW’ed by the results. I didn’t notice any difference on my skin. My face still felt dry and my skin drank the lotion up. I think I am going to pass on Jurlique’s products for awhile.