THE CHALK MAN by C.J.Tudor

It has been a while since I have found a book that kept my attention. This thriller is one of the must reads of 2018, at least for me. I found the characters to be very likeable and I could relate to them very easily. This book reminded me of another very popular book by a different author but once I started reading that is where the likeness ended. The story was easy to follow even though I had a few questions that needed answers at the end. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to adding it to my collection. I will also be reading this book again. I received a copy of this book via @bloggingforbooks #bloggingforbooks complimentary for testing purposes. 

THE CHALK MAN

by

C.J.TUDOR

In 1986, Eddie and his friends are just kids on the verge of adolescence. They spend their days biking around their sleepy little English village and looking for any taste of excitement they can get. The chalk men are their secret code; little chalk stick figures they leave for one another as messages only they can understand. But then a mysterious chalk man leads them right to a dismembered body, and nothing is ever the same.

In 2016, Eddie is fully grown, and thinks he's put his past behind him. But then he gets a letter in the mail, containing a single chalk stick figure. When it turns out that his friends got the same message, they think it could be a prank . . . until one of them turns up dead.

THE BREATHLESS

by

TARA GOEDJEN

I have never read a Gothic mystery but I am a huge fan of supernatural books so I was not sure if I would enjoy this book. However, I have found that I had a hard time putting it down. 

Set in Alabama in a decaying mansion Mae is a very strong character and Cage is the guy accused of murdering her sister. When he returns almost a year after Ro's death with no memory of what happened. He sets out to try to remember what happened to her. Running from Sonny and Childers makes it very difficult for him to try to discover what took place. But he finds a friend in Mae, and she believes that he did not harm Ro. I found this book to be very creepy but not scary at all. For me it was a little weird in places but that made the book even more appealing. I am looking forward to more from this Author and was amazed that this is a first book. I give this book 4 stars and look forward to reading it again.

I received this book compliments of @bloggingforbooks #bloggingforbooks 

A PRAIRIE GIRLS FAITH

A PRAIRIE GIRL'S FAITH

Stephen W. Hines

I have been a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House series of books since I was a child, so it just made sense that I would want to read this. I thought that it would be about her spirituality and not much else but I was wrong. It actually gave a more in depth look at her life, and that is what I loved the most. 

This book gives you insight into Laura Ingalls life from an early age and into her later years. It also touches upon the relationship between herself and her daughter. This is a book that I have added to my library of books. It is something that I will read again and again. I give it 4 stars.

#bloggingforbooks @bloggingforbooks 

I received this book compliments of blogging for books.

 https://www.amazon.com/Prairie-Girls-Faith-Spiritual-Ingalls/dp/0735289786

God Gave Us Family

 Lisa Tawn Bergren (Author), David Hohn (Illustrator)

https://www.amazon.com/Gave-Family-Lisa-Tawn-Bergren/product-reviews/1601428766/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_btm?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews

“Whenever somebody is loving and caring for another, that’s a family,” Mama tells Little Pup in Lisa Tawn Bergren’s children’s book, God Gave Us Family.

We enjoyed this book very much. My grandson is seven and I felt it was perfect for helping him understand the dynamics of a family. It discusses the many different types of families and explains how we are all a part of God's family. It also helps a child to understand why he/she should love the family that they have. 

This book opened us up for conversation and that is hard sometimes as he isn't open to discussing things like this. He was asking questions and we had a very in depth discussion about our family. The illustrations are very well done. Meant for ages 3 to 8 I felt that "God Gave Us Family" was a perfect fit for our family. The wording in this book was also great for my seven year old to read by himself as there weren't any large words. However, I would read it together as a family as it opens up a lot of opportunities for discussion. I would give this book 5 stars as we love it.

I received this book via Blogging for Books.

#bloggingforbooks @bloggingforbooks 

FACE MASKS

I have actually found a facebook page that I love so I started following it. I am including the link at the bottom and I give credit to these recipes for face masks to them. They are always posting awesome content so feel free to check them out. Now on to the good stuff. #kutemax

Pumpkin Face Mask

I have tried this recipe and it is amazing. Pumpkins are full of Vitamin A and Antioxidant Vitamin C as well as Zinc so this mask just makes sense when you use it on your face. I have been using this mask every three days for almost 2 weeks and the results are awesome. Try it for yourself and let me know how it goes..

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of canned pumpkin

1 teaspoon of honey

1/2 teaspoon of milk

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients.

Apply to a clean face in circular motions and make sure to avoid the eye area.

Leave the mask on for 15- 20 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.

Nutmeg & Cinnamon Face Mask

Nutmeg has anti-inflammatory properties and can actually help to reduce pore size and diminish acne spots and scars. Cinnamon acts natural exfoliant and antiseptic. When these spices are combined with honey, it creates a skin healing mask.

A word of caution though: Nutmeg can be harsh on skin -- especially sensitive skin -- so be sure to try the mask out on a small patch of skin before applying it all over.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of honey

1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients.

Apply to a clean face very gently in circular motions and be careful to avoid the eye area. Do not rub or scrub it in as it can easily cause irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Leave the mask on for up to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.

Sugar & Spice Body Scrub

You already know how great cinnamon and pumpkin are for your skin, but when combined with brown sugar, a natural exfoliant, this scrub will leave your skin feeling smooth and refreshed.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of canned pumpkin

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients.

Apply all over your body (concentrate on areas where your skin is driest), avoiding the face and scrub gently to exfoliate.

Rinse off scrub with warm water and pat dry.

Cranberry Face Mask

Cranberries are naturally rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K and plenty of other antioxidants, which will keep your skin looking healthy and even decrease dark circles. This power-packed berry also acts as a natural toner, and when combined with moisture-rich honey and yogurt, creates a soothing mask.

Ingredients:

6-7 crushed cranberries (fresh, not canned!)

1 teaspoon of honey

1 teaspoon of plain yogurt

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients.

Apply to a clean face in circular motions, avoiding the eye area.

Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, then rinse it off gently with warm water.

Mask recipes are compliments of #kutemax 
https://www.facebook.com/kutemaxusa

THE FIFTH PETAL by BRUNONIA BARRY

THE FIFTH PETAL

by

BRUNONIA BARRY

Set in 2014 Salem, Massachusetts, a young boy dies and Rose Whelan is again under suspicion. But that is nothing new as public opinion held her responsible for the murders of the Goddess murders in 1989. Rafferty, the Chief of Police is tasked with the investigation and it quickly becomes apparent that the murders are linked. Vengeance for past wrongs are the basis for the plot of this book, but who is willing to commit murder? 

I could not put this book down. I just finished it and I want to read it again. You have to pay attention to this book as it delves deeply into lore and legend. I found myself wanting to fact check the legends for myself. I found this to be a great read if your into occult genres. 

I received this book via Blogging for Books for testing purposes. 

#bloggingforbooks #awesomeread 

HERE AND GONE BY HAYLEN BECK

HERE AND GONE

by

HAYLEN BECK

Audra is fleeing an abusive marriage with her children and just wants to reach California.

However, after being pulled over by a sheriff things start to get really weird. Her children disappear and no one believes her. Across the country a man hears the reports and since he experienced something like this he is drawn into the fight. 

This book was a page turner that I could not put down. I had this book read within a week and have read it over and over again. The plot sucks you in and keeps you intrigued. I found this book to be very enjoyable. 

I received this book free via #bloggingforbooks @bloggingforbooks

WHEN GOD MADE YOU

by

MATTHEW PAUL TURNER

I was very interested in this book as my child, who is seven, has ADHD, ODD, and anxiety. He has no friends and struggles with social skills. I wanted to give him the idea that he is special and he has a place in this world. I thought that this book might help him to see that, it is working.

This book reminds me of a Dr. Seuss book in its rhyming. It uses beautiful words and photos to capture your child's attention. This book captivated my child even though he thought it was for a girl, hehehe. It also opened us up to a conversation about how unique he is and how he has a special purpose in this life. My favorite phrase in this book is "A dreamer who dreams in big and small themes, one who keeps dreaming in journeys upstream."

This is a book I would recommend for any child. I wish I had known about it sooner so that I could have been reading it to him. 

I received this book complimentary via Blogging for Books.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

by

Ruth Logan Herne

When I requested this book, I had no idea that I had already read another of this authors books. However, when I started reading "Back in the Saddle." I was hit with a jolt of  confusion. I found myself thinking that I had already read this book but had somehow forgotten. But that was not the case. The first book I read was "Home on the Range". So after realizing I was not losing my mind I continued on with the continuation of the Stafford's lives.

After financial difficulties and near ruin, Colt Stafford heads home to his family with his tail tucked between his legs. He returns to the family ranch to find many changes, one of them being the addition of a house manager by the name of Angelina Morales. Colt is immediately taken with her but he senses that all is not as it appears. So he begins to investigate his suspicions while he is also worrying about his ill father and his brother Nick. 

This book is all about forgiveness and redemption with a love story unfolding with the turn of each page. You will find love, humor, mystery, and a family that needs to heal from past hurts. I found this book to be a delight and I was so happy to be able to continue with this story. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a great plot that is interesting and hard to put down.

I received this book complimentary via Blogging for Books. 

"BRAVING IT"

by 

JAMES CAMPBELL

This has got to be the best book that I have read in a long time. I absolutely love Alaska and would love to live there someday.

Campbell's daughter has turned 15 and her yearning for adventure in Alaska is just beginning. So Campbell fulfills a promise that was made before she was in kindergarten to go to Alaska. But they have a lot to overcome during their adventure. They have to work as a team and trust is a hard thing for Campbell to come to terms with.

This book is filled with so much life and adventure that I found it hard to put down. Not only is it informative but it is humorous as well. I found myself placing myself in their shoes while reading this adventure. I wanted to be there with them, to experience their adventures. This is a great book and I really enjoyed reading it. 

I received this book compliments of Blogging for Books.

TALKING WITH GOD by ADAM WEBER

My father was a minister as I was growing up and you would think that I would know how to pray. You would think that I would be good at it. I was always listening to others to see how they did it. I wanted a script. Because I thought that was how it was done. Boy, was I wrong. Talking With God is like talking to your best friend. It is sad that it took a book to discover that. 

This book was amazing and it taught me so much. It gives you a first hand look at how you should just open up and start talking. No script is needed. I feel that this book would help so many people that struggle as I have. 

Adam Weber has taken a topic that many people have problems with and made it interesting and easy to approach. I have to admit that I would never have wanted to discuss the topic of prayer with my father or our minister at all. With this little book of inspiration I was able to bypass that and get right down to Talking With God on my own. 

I plan on giving this book to my daughter so that she to can become more comfortable with conversing with our Heavenly Father. This book is amazing and I love it.

I received this book for free compliments of Blogging for Books.

HOME on the RANGE by RUTH LOGAN HERNE

HOME on the RANGE 

by

RUTH LOGAN HERNE

It has been some time since I requested this book, but I have read it numerous times since I received it. 

Set in Washington, this book tells the story of Nick Stafford and his struggle to overcome his fathers failures as a parent and to overcome his need to prove that he can be a better father. After his wife leaves him he meets Dr. Elsa Andreas who has issues of a different sort. 

Those who know me, know that I do not give to much information regarding the plot of the story for fear of giving it away. With that being said, I can honestly say that I enjoyed this book. I have read it over and over again and did not get tired of it. Sometimes I donate my books to book boxes around town. This one has been added to my personal library. This book shows how you can overcome fear through faith and diligence. For me it was an inspirational type of story that inspired me to put all fears aside and believe in myself and my ability to accomplish those things that I fear the most. 

I would recommend this book for anyone that wanted to read a faith based book. It is refreshing to read something that does not have bad language, or sexual undertones. 

I received this book complimentary through Blogging for Books. 

Statement Necklace 2016 Summer Maroon and Pink Collection

Statement Necklace 2016 Summer Maroon and Pink Collection

This statement piece is absolutely gorgeous and I look forward to working it into my fall wardrobe. I do not consider this a piece for just summer. I think you can do many things with the right accessories.

This is made with a light weight metal, however it does weigh more than the jewelry that I already have but that is not a deciding factor in my rating and review. I love how the leaves are laid across each other in a layered affect. I normally do not wear pinks at all. But this necklace is different.

The chain is very sturdy is as the clasp so I am not worried about the chain breaking at all. I also tend to wear chains that are larger, like this one. A dainty chain just isn't my thing. I would love to see this piece in different colors. I think a lot of women would love this piece if there was a larger color selection. Personally I would love to see this trimmed in brown with golds, yellows and reds. I assume the fact that our temperatures have dropped and fall is on the way is the cause of this, haha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyreOLyGLJo

I would recommend this for anyone wanting to make a statement. It is definitely a conversation starter as I discovered yesterday.

I think the price of this piece is very affordable and I am glad I got a chance to review it. Again, I am looking forward to seeing what I can do with my wardrobe.

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

GISALA METAL CERAMIC HAIR STRAIGHTENER

GISALA METAL CERAMIC HAIR STRAIGHTENER

My hair is mostly straight already but I do have wave. My hair also loves to go frizzy anytime it rains. If I used hair serums I always ended up getting an oily look. Then I discovered hair straighteners. Gone are the days of hair spray and fancy shampoos and conditioners. Hair straighteners are the in thing, oh and make sure you get yourself some argan oil or your favorite hair serum.

What you get:
1 Straightener
1 Glove
1 Storage Bag
1 Brush
1 Warranty Card

What I love about this brush is that it is metal and has an auto shut off. I am always forgetting things. So this is just one less worry for me. The on the box instructions make it less likely to lose paperwork. I love being able to open the box for a quick reference.

This brush was so easy to use. I just powered it on and used the plus and minus button to adjust the temperature. Once it had heated up I was ready to go. I also use hair serums to prevent heat damage. I think it is very important. I have some products that I had ordered as well as some I bought at our local stores. I just applied the serum and started brushing. I did not use the glove in the video, I forgot, haha. But this is something that I will use in the future. I also love that this product comes with a hair clip. Normally you do not receive these things with other straighteners. I call them perks. This brush comes in 3 colors so everyone can get the color that they enjoy.

My hair has never looked more amazing. I have used this brush after my hair has been washed and dried and that is all it has needed. Even when I get up from sleep my hair still feels amazing. If you guys do not have this brush, you must check it out. You will not be unhappy with it at all.

In ending I have to say that this is my all time favorite hair straightener. Not only does it tame my frizzy hair on rainy days, but it got rid of my wavy hair for a straighter look. I love that there are some accessories included with this brush that makes styling my hair easier. Doing your hair should not feel like a chore. They just made fixing my hair more enjoyable. I would recommend this product for anyone that has curly hair and also for those of us who need healthier looking hair. I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Hiware® Glass Water Carafe with Stainless Steel Lid

Hiware® Glass Water Carafe

I felt very privileged to be able to sample and review this great Carafe that is not only great for water, but for juice, teas, infused water and whatever else you might want to put in it.

This carafe is very elegant as well as serviceable. It is made from borosilicate glass and is 1.5 liters or 50 ounces. It is dishwasher safe but I prefer to hand wash just because it is glass and might break in the dishwasher. It is for hot as well as cold beverages and I have tried it with both. The handle is also made of glass and I was hesitant at first to use the handle. However, It held up and I was very pleased. This product also comes with a Lifetime Guarantee so you can not go wrong with choosing this product.

My Sunday brunch just became a sophisticated affair, haha. I have discovered that I do need some fruit dishes and a nicer tablecloth to go along with this pitcher. My table is looking a little drab compared to this pitcher. You guys go check this product out and grab yourselves one. You will not be disappointed.

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

LIFE WIPES

LIFE WIPES

I  always need wipes and have been using baby wipes while hiking/camping or when we are on the go. I have a 6 year old and it seems we always need wipes. Napkins just do not cut it. So I was able to try these and they worked so much better for me than baby wipes.

These are so much larger than baby wipes. They are 12" by 24" and offer you more than the smaller wipes. They are very durable. I was able to use one and rinse it and then repeat.

They are pre-moistened but not so much that they drip. There is just enough moisture to keep them wet and serviceable. I love that they are individually packaged. I get so tired of fighting with the wipes that I had been using. You know where you pull one and two or three come out of the package. This was a huge plus for me.

I think what I love the most is that the packages are so small and convenient that you can pack them anywhere and not lose space. I have distributed these into my backpacks, purse, and messenger bags for quick and easy access.

These are portable, giant sized, eco friendly, hypoallergenic and vitamin e and aloe vera enriched.

They are perfect for any outdoor activity as well as dining out or quick cleanups. I would recommend these to anyone that hikes/camps, has children or anyone who works out on a regular basis. These are great for anyone. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

#‎TouchOfClassReviews‬ ‪#‎GotItFree‬ ‪#‎GotADiscount

TIBETAN SINGING BOWL by YAK THERAPY

YAK THERAPY TIBETAN SINGING BOWLS

Wow, what an absolutely gorgeous gift set. This is a handmade traditional bowl that is from Nepal. It is made from seven different metals: copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, silver, and gold. It has a beautiful engraved design that makes a lovely addition to your home or meditation.

The set includes the lovely box that seems to made from recycled material, Chinese silk drawstring bag and matching pillow with tassels, and the mallet. You also receive an e-book.

I am somewhat new to meditating. But I am quickly learning. I have not yet mastered the fine art of using this product. I have made it sing 3 times. It requires some practice and concentration. I may be using it to quickly. The times that it did sing it was lovely. It soothed me and relaxed me after use. Since I am still learning this skill I assume that it will only get better with more practice.

OVERALL WELLNESS is achieved by the tranquility of a singing bowl during yoga courses or in the privacy at home; the high resonance of this traditional Tibetan singing bowl balances your crown chakra, relaxes your body, and relieves stress; ideal for yoga training, Vipassana, Sahasrara, and Prayer for Peace of Mind; its pure sonic waves & healing properties promote relief from stress disorder, pain, and depression while proven to be beneficial for people suffering from various types of diseases. (taken from product description and not my wordage)

100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

This would make a great gift for anyone. Not only for their use but as a bit of décor. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

THE SUNLIGHT PILGRIMS by JENNI FAGAN

THE SUNLIGHT PILGRIMS by Jenni Fagan tells the story of a small Scottish caravan park living through what people believe is the end of times. People are found frozen in the street, schooling and health care are run on a voluntary basis and euthanasia has become acceptable. People are struggling to survive but life must continue. Dylan who just lost his mother and grandmother, arrives in the park one night to start all over. He meets Stella who is struggling to be accepted and her mother who he quickly realizes he is interested in.

The main focus of the story is Dylan and Constance, but do not count out Stella who stands out amongst all the fear and death. Stella is a trans teen who just wants to be accepted for who she is and is quickly becoming. A harsh winter has set in and they are calling for temperatures to be -40 and below with snow and ice. It would seem that the end of the world is near and that is all I have to say about that, haha.

I found this book to be a little boring through the first few chapters. It was really hard for me to get into. It has taken me several weeks to finish it. However, I did find the characters to be interesting and lively. Once I progressed past the first few chapters I was more interested.

I can not say this is my favorite book of all time. I was interesting and once the story unfolded I became more interested in seeing how the plot progressed. I would give this book 3 stars as I found it okay.

I received this book through blogging for books complimentary for my honest and unbiased review.

THE SUNLIGHT PILGRIMS

Aweoods Children Indian Story Play Tent Indoor/Outdoor Teepee

AWEOODS CHILDREN INDIAN STORY PLAY TENT

I received this awesome children's Indian play tent to review and my child loved it. I also loved it as it kept my child busy for hours outdoors as well as indoors. He even sets it in front of the television and sticks his sleeping bag in it, crawls in and watches his movies.

This product was so easy to assemble. It comes with the tepee, plastic tubing, a flag, and décor piece. The plastic tubing has a cord in the middle that makes instructions not necessary. I assembled the top piece and then added the leg pieces. It is important to note that you should stick the top piece inside the tent and add the leg pieces one at a time. Also leave each bottom portion of the leg un-attached until you add the extreme bottom piece inside the tent. It makes it so much easier. Once you have all piping in place tie the cloth strips around the piping to give it more stability and to keep the fabric in place. I then secured the Velcro strips on the front and added the flag at the top and décor piece as well. Voila, it is ready to go.

The fabric on this product seemed to be a canvas type material so I had to go look it up. It is 100% polyester fabric so it is very sturdy. I know I said a canvas type of material in my video but that is in-accurate but in my own defense it does feel like canvas. The tubing seems to be PVC or something similar.

We have been playing with this product for several weeks now and I can not stress enough how much my child loves it. Normally when I am looking for him when we are indoors I now know to look inside the tepee.

I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

WANJIA HANDHELD GARMENT AND FACIAL STEAMER

I was so excited to get to try the WANJIA HANDHELD GARMENT AND FACIAL STEAMER. I do not iron, ever. Who has time for that? This little gadget was so much quicker and gave me better results. I also found that adding a little essential oil to my water made my clothing smell amazing.

This product comes with the steamer, 2 attachments and instructions. The instructions are easy to follow, but make sure you read them. That is very important as I found out first hand. Only fill the water tank to 200 ml, anything more and it will bubble out. Plug it in and set it on the setting you want to use. Ironing? Set it on that. Facial? Set it on that. Give it two minutes to heat up and you are ready to roll. You will see it bubbling inside the tank. It does get hot.

I was able to steam about 6 items before my tank ran out. But I did a thorough steaming. It removed all the wrinkles from my child's clothing as well as my dress. Once I was done, I simply emptied the tank and I turned it upside down in my drainer in order to let it dry. You probably do not have to do that but I did.

Pros:

Heats up very quickly.

Easy to use

Portable, for home or travel

Removes wrinkles

Gives awesome facials

Cons:

None, unless you do not follow the instructions, haha.

This is probably my favorite product of 2016. Like I said I do not iron. I also needed a product for giving myself a facial. You simply set it on the facial setting and let it heat up, again 2 minutes. It does not get as hot as the ironing option but I would not put my face to close to the nozzle. Again, do not fill beyond the 200 ml line. I saw a review of this product and she did not follow instructions therefore giving the product a bad review. I know this because I did not follow the instructions when I first set up the product and the same thing happened to me. IMPORTANT: Do not fill beyond the 200 ml line.

In ending, this product is amazing and I love it. I would recommend this product for everyone. Men, women, college kids and pretty much any mature person that can follow simple directions. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

You can find this product on Amazon