Still Life By Dani Pettrey

Romantic Suspense's Rising Star Continues to Win Fans
Blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot, Avery Tate answered an ad for a crime scene photographer. She expected to be laughed at, but crime scene analyst Parker Mitchell hired her outright--and changed her life. But six months ago, when her feelings for Parker became too strong, she left his employ to sort out her heart. 

Now, for the first time, Avery is facing the world that rejected her to attend the gallery opening of a photography exhibit and support her best friend, who modeled for the show. But the only image of her friend is a chilling photo of her posing as if dead--and the photographer insists he didn't take the shot. Worse, her friend can't be found. She immediately calls Parker for help. As Avery, Parker, and his friends in law enforcement dig into the mystery, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat.

From the Back Cover

Someone Is Out There. Watching Her. Waiting. 
Blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot, Avery Tate answered an ad for a crime-scene photographer. She expected to be laughed at, but crime-scene analyst Parker Mitchell hired her outright--and changed her life. But six months ago, when her feelings for Parker became too strong, she left his employ to sort out her heart. 
  
Now, for the first time, Avery is facing the world that rejected her to attend the gallery opening of a photography exhibit for which her friend modeled. But the only image of her friend is a chilling photo of her posing as if dead--and the photographer insists he didn't take the shot. Worse, her friend can't be found, and so Avery immediately calls Parker for help.
  
As Avery, Parker, and their friends in law enforcement dig into the mystery, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat. 

My Take:

I've read and loved all of Dani Pettreys books. But for some reason this one took me longer to get into. I'm not sure why, once I did get into it, it was great, I think the first book was better but I liked this one too. I liked catching up with Griffin and Finley from the first book Cold Shot, and getting to know Declan and Tanner (the main characters from the next book) If you haven't read the first book Cold Shot you might be a little confused reading this one. So I highly recommend starting there, you won't regret it! All in all I enjoyed this book. The plot was great and the characters were easy to relate to. I also love that Dani has character spotlights on her webpage. Get to know the characters and the setting.

Sins Of The Past Novella Collection Review

Secrets and Lies. Danger That Will Never Go Away.
Join Three Beloved Masters of Romantic Suspense for Novellas Where the Past Will Not Stay Buried.  
Dee Henderson - "Missing"A Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing from her retirement community. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two soon launch into a race against the clock when they realize something dark may lie at the heart of the disappearance. 

Dani Pettrey - "Shadowed"Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young Alaskan fisherman nets the body of a Russian open water swimming competitor. Another swimmer, who'd been the dead woman's roommate years ago, is pulled into the search for answers as it grows more and more clear that something sinister is at play.

Lynette Eason - "Blackout"A young woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong finds herself at risk years later when the real culprit is up for parole. The loot taken that night has never been found and he believes she knows where it's hidden--only her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety?

My Take: 
This review is loooooong overdue! I read the book and then forgot to review it! :/ So here it is at last! 
To be honest the only reason I requested this book is because I really wanted to read Dani Pettreys SHADOWED!It was all I imagined it to be and more! It was so cool to finally get to know the 5 Mckennas parents! (If you haven't read her Alaskan Courage series I highly reccomend it!!) It was by far my favorite Novella of the 3! I also really enjoyed reading Dee Hendersons MISSING! I took me a while to get into it at first but I stuck with it and was happy I did because the ending was intriguing! All in all as far as Novellas go these three are really well written! 
* I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.


Click Here to meet the characters from SHADOWED and more!

You're The One That I Want by Susan May Warren

Owen Christiansen has been in a downward spiral since an injury ended his NHL career. But a job on an Alaskan crabbing boat offers a fresh start . . . maybe even a shot at romance with Elise “Scotty” McFlynn, the captain’s daughter. 

Used to being one of the guys, to never relying on anyone, Scotty doesn’t believe in happily ever after―especially with someone like Owen. Her instinct is confirmed when Casper Christiansen arrives to drag his prodigal brother home, bringing with him a truckload of family drama―and even worse, the news that Casper is wanted for questioning in connection to a crime back in Minnesota. 

But Owen is more than the sum of his mistakes, a truth both he and Scotty discover when she escorts both brothers to Deep Haven as part of her new job on the Anchorage police force. Thrust into an unfamiliar world of family, faith, and fresh starts, Scotty begins to see potential for a happy ending . . . if she’s brave enough to embrace it.

My Take:

This is the last book in the Christiansen family series. I've been looking forward to this one just because I read so much about Owen from his siblings books. The action begins on the first page and doesn't end until you close the book. I loved the mystery Scotty and Owen help solve involving Monty and Casper! I definitely recommend you read the first five books in the series just because there is a lot past drama involving the characters in this book that would be confusing if you didn't read the previous books. I really like this book and I was rooting for Scotty and Owen the whole time! Even though there were times that I thought Owen should've used his brain before he opened his big mouth. All in all this was a great ending to the Christiansen family series. 

* Tyndale house publishers has provided me with this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review. 

Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg

A dying newspaper. An intriguing mystery. And a love they didn't see coming.

Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But her new life as a newspaper editor is shaken when the small-town paper is in danger of closing. Her one hope: A lead on an intriguing story that just might impress the new publisher...if only she knew who he was.

After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker now has the chance of a lifetime--a spot on a presidential campaign. But his plans are interrupted when he finds out he's inherited his hometown newspaper. He travels home intent on selling the paper and spending some much-needed time with his young daughter before making the leap into national politics.

But instead of a quick sale and peaceful break from his hectic career, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. They may butt heads more than expected, but a series of leads on Maple Valley's quirky unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.

My Take:

Like never before is the second book in the Walker family series. I have read the first book, From The Start, but you wouldn't need to read it to enjoy this book. I would recommend it though because it's so cute and you would be introduced to these characters and get to know them a little, they are so easy to love! There's something special about Melissa's unique writing style, her stories are so full of sweetness and fun, as well as page-turning, thought provoking situations that leave you thinking about them long after you close the book. There is so much to love about this story!

Amelia's obsession with aviators Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart add a really fun touch, not to mention the awesome Gilmore Girls/Stars Hollow vibe and the old movie references. The only part that I didn't like is that the ending seemed unfinished, but maybe we will learn more about the ending/continuation in book 3. Overall this is another enjoyable Tagg novel and I can't wait until I can read Beckett and Kitts story in book 3!!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Check Out Melissa Tagg's website here 

The masters of fashion illustrated adult coloring book

I was so excited when I was contacted by Wendy to review her new coloring book! If you love fashion and coloring you will love this book! The designs are all hand drawn and they have very clear lines. I love the test pages at the front of the book because I usually like to test my writing instrument before coloring 😀 I do wish the book had lines to tear out, but thankfully there is plenty of room to cut them out of you wish. 

Here is a picture of the one I colored 😀 

Thank you to the author Wendy Piersall for this free copy in exchange for my honest review! 

Check out her website here: http://www.wendypiersall.com

Cold Shot By Dani Pettrey

Four Best Friends. 
And Then One Went Missing . . . 

In college, Griffin McCray and his three best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore Police Department, Declan Grey would head to the FBI, and Parker Mitchell would study to become a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world--and friendships--crumbled. 

Now years later, Griffin has left the police and his friendships behind. Still trying to forget a case that went bad when he was a SWAT team sniper, he's living a quiet life as a park ranger at Gettysburg. Quiet until skeletal remains are uncovered near Little Round Top--and they aren't Civil War-era. 

Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott discovers evidence pointing to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Grey steps in to take over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he'll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he--and those he cares about--are going to escape a downward spiral of crime, danger, and murder

My Take:

I've been hooked on Dani Pettreys books ever since I read SUBMERGED! I was so sad when the alaskan courage series ended. But thankfully she started this awesome new series!! Cold shot is a very promising start of something new! I love how the main characters remind me of Booth and Brennen from the TV show "BONES" I had to wonder if she's a fan?! :-) I also love the setting! Very interesting! The plot was great! I love that I was kept guessing who did it? until the very end. My only complaint is that I thought Finley should've had more input into the investigation then she did. She is a forensic anthropologist after all. I thought she would've been finding way more clues from the body than she did. All in all this was a great book! And I can't wait to read more about these characters!

* I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own. 

Check out this awesome link for character profiles etc! 

www.danipettrey.com/fun

Thin Ice - Irene Hannon

If Ginny Reed is still alive--who is the woman buried in her grave?
After losing her parents and her sister, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Now, life is finally starting to feel normal again--until an envelope addressed in her sister's handwriting arrives in the mail. And the note inside claims she is still alive. 

FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case . . . but he's coming up with more questions than answers. Is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game--or the target of a sinister plot? As Lance digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: someone in the shadows has a deadly agenda. 

My take:

I've been wanting to read a Irene Hannon suspense novel for a while now and when I saw Thin Ice on Revells review list the premise pulled me in. I've always loved figure skating. This book is well researched in this regard, although skating isn't mention much because the heroine is a retired skater. Thin Ice is book 2 in the Men Of Valor series but I read it as a standalone and it wasn't confusing. I liked how fast-paced and well written this book was and the suspense is great but I thought it was kind of stupid the FBI wouldn't protect Christy. I mean isn't that part of their job?! And the villain was really creepy I didn't like reading the parts about him and what he was thinking (shiver) he was mean to his grandma and he tortured mice. But I guess in order to have a good suspense book you need a nasty villain but I didn't exactly enjoy exploring his mind. All in all it was a good book but it could have been better.

* I received this book from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Until The Dawn - Elizabeth Camden

Fascinated by Dierenpark, an abandoned mansion high atop a windswept cliff in the Hudson River Valley, Sophie van Riijn sees no harm in setting up a rooftop weather station for her work with the newly established Weather Bureau. While the villagers are suspicious of the mysterious estate and its tragic history, Sophie has come to see it as her own enchanted piece of paradise. 

The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover Sophie trespassing on his land. 

Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie yet find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There's a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark can no longer be kept in the past, will tragedy triumph or can their tenuous hope prevail

My Take:

I love historical fiction and Elizabeth Camden is by far one of my favorite authors in this genre. I've read four of her books before this one and I've loved everyone of them! But this one just didn't grab my interest as much. It was a good book and I enjoyed the story but I didn't have any trouble setting it down to do other things. The characters were interesting but Quentin and Sophie didn't seem to have the usual banter or chemistry characters in Camden's other books had. All in all, I still think that Until The Dawn is worthwhile reading, Camden knows how to tell a good story. Until The Dawn does have a prequel Toward The Sunrise get it FREE HERE! While the characters in it aren't mentioned much in Until The Dawn it's a really nice intro into Dierenpark and a cute short love story.

* I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Biography

Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian at a small college in central Florida. Her novels have won the coveted RITA and Christy Awards. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband near Orlando, Florida.

She regularly posts about the joys of the book world at http://elizabethcamden.com/blog

Streams Of Mercy-Lauraine Snelling

Anji's Return to the Red River Valley Offers a Fresh Start--and a Surprising Second Chance at Love. 
Anji Baard Moen, recently widowed in Norway, returns to North Dakota with her children. She quickly settles back into life in the familiar surroundings of Blessing, teaching in the high school and writing articles for the Blessing Gazette. In the midst of an unexpected crisis, Anji is thrust into a role she never imagined. And almost without her even being aware, an old friendship begins to show signs of developing into something more. 

Meanwhile, Thomas Devlin, a minister without a post, has arrived in town. Devlin supports himself as a journeyman carpenter, and with the town growing rapidly, he has no shortage of opportunities. Establishing himself in a new community has its challenges, but as the newcomer gets to know the young widow whose house he's been working on, he thinks he may have found yet another reason to stay. . . . 

My Take:

I've been a fan of Lauraine Snellings books for years. But for some reason I can't seem to appreciate this series!

I like that I can catch up with character friends from other books, but it seems like Lauraine is so into writing this book about the town that the romance that the back cover insinuates is put on the back burner. Anji and Thomas aren't even part of the central plot! To be honest I had a hard time getting through this book the only reason I continued reading is because I'm already invested in and love these characters and wanted to see how things turned out but I'm debating if there is a next book if I'll even bother reading it or not. All in all if your a fan of Lauraines other 'Blessing' books you might like this one.

* I received this book for free from Bethany house publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Hope Harbor By Irene Hannon

Come home to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.
Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and love--altered her plans. Now she's home again--with a floundering farm to run . . . a tragic secret . . . and a wounded heart. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets and devastating regrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help with a project that is close to her heart, winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own.

My Take: 

This is the first book of Irene Hannon's that I've read and I loved it, I can't wait to read more from this author! 

Micheal and Tracy were both great characters in this book I liked how they were so willing to help people and it was really sweet to watch them overcome their pasts and find a second chance at love. I also really liked Anne's character and I loved how Michael helped her come out of her shell/isolation. And the setting was perfect. Oregon is beautiful! reading this book brought back memories of a vacation my family took there and even though the town of Hope Harbor is fictional it seems to fit perfectly.  The part I loved most of all was the strong message of forgiveness and second chances throughout the book. All of the main characters had hurts and mistakes in their pasts and it was awesome to see how God worked through each of their lives to bring them to a place of healing and love. Everything about this book was wonderful! I can't wait to visit Hope Harbor again in book two! 

*I received this book from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

TAKEN By Dee Henderson

An investigator who knows tragic loss firsthand, and his new client, missing far too long...

Abducted at the age of sixteen and coerced into assisting the Jacoby crime family, Shannon Bliss has finally found a way out. She desperately wants to resume some semblance of normal life, but she also knows she has some unfinished business to attend to. She might have enough evidence to put her captors behind bars for a very long time. 

When Shannon contacts private investigator Matthew Dane, a former cop, to help her navigate her reentry into society, he quickly discovers that gaining her freedom doesn't mean her troubles are over. If the Jacoby family learns she is still alive, they'll stop at nothing to silence her. 

If justice is to be done, and if Shannon's life is ever to get on track again, Matthew will need to discover exactly what happened to her--even if it means stirring up a hornet's nest of secrets. 

My Take: 

If your looking for a different spin on a usual Romantic Suspense book look no further than Taken. Taken is a different book because it reveals what happens when someone who's been missing reappears after 11 years, and the process of what they have to go through to get their life back. 

There were several things I liked about this book.

I like that Shannon's faith remain strong despite her ordeal and I really enjoyed the conversations she had with Matthew about faith.

I enjoyed the developing friendship/romance between Matthew and Shannon.
The plotline dealing with bringing Shannon's abductors to justice was interesting.

I like that Shannon was portrayed as a survivor. Impacted by her kidnapping but not crippled by it.

I like that characters from Dee's other books were in this one.

I liked Matthews prayer before one of the meals towards the end of the book it has to be one of my favorite book prayers ever! Lol!

It's a good book but there were a few things that kept me from loving it.

The story is mostly from Matthew's point of view, and we never see/hear the story from Shannon's point of view. When I'm reading a book, especially a romance. I like hearing the female characters thoughts/voice because it helps me to better connect with both characters and the story.

The plotline is more about uncovering past secrets than solving a present problem. I didn't mind too much because the story was interesting anyway but the back of the book portrays that there is action involved.

I wish there would've been a bit more of what was in the diary.

All in all I like this book, it's a little more on the relaxing side but that's nice every once and a while.  If you haven't read any of Dee Hendersons recent books you might be slightly confused at certain parts in this story. 

Favorite Quotes:

"God decided to create a world where free will was more important than no one ever getting hurt. There must be something stunningly beautiful and remarkable about free will that only God can truly grasp, because God hates, literally abhors, evil, yet he created a world where evil could happen if people chose it. God sees something in free will and choice that's worth tolerating the horrifying blackness that would appear if evil was chosen rather than good. I find that utterly remarkable."

Jeremiah 5:22 

Do you not fear me? Says the Lord. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it. 

"The ocean is vast. Big. Powerful. It's free. I love that. And it's contained where it belongs by God. I love the ocean for what it is, and for what it tells me about my God." 

* I received this book for free from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review. 

Click Here to go to Dee Hendersons webpage


Watch the book trailer Here!

A Love Like Ours By Becky Wade

Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships. 

When Lyndie James, Jake's childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion's reluctance to run. 

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake's will, Lyndie's sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he's built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he'd thought he'd lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend? 

My take:

This is the first of Becky Wades books that I've read. It's the third book in the series the Porter family novels. Even though it was the third book it wasn't confusing. 

What I liked:

- The setting: i've always loved horses and horse racing so I loved the storys setting.

- The complex characters. I like that Becky Wade didn't treat PTSD as an "easy fix" where Jake finds love and suddenly has no issues. I also really liked Lyndie. 

What I didn't like: 

Ty is described in this book and  throughout the series as very good-looking. However, in this book, he is married. Yet, Lyndie's friend gets flustered around him because he's so hot and comments/notices his good looks a few too many times. It thought it had an uncomfortable feel to it. 

Missionary dating:

Lyndie starts dating Jake fully aware of the fact that he's not a Christian/committed to the things of God. And then prays that she won't fall in love with him! Well, for 1 that's not logical and 2, does that mean that it would be okay for him to fall in love with her!? This bothered me so much that I put the book down for a while. I finally did pick it up again just to see if it would have a good ending. Thankfully it did. 

Overall this was an okay book. I won't go out of my way to read the rest of the books in the series but if I happen to stumble across one I might read it. 

May free stuff!

I think this was the best month ever for free stuff!

I got this box of goodies free to review from Influenster! 

This book free to review from Bethany House! 

This toilet paper free to review from Crowdtap!

This free box of stuff to try for SampleSource!

And these Playtex Sport Combo sample packs. The top 2 boxes were from Crowdtap and the bottom one was from Pinch Me 

I also got another one in the mail and I have no idea where it came from! I don't remember requesting it and it didn't say where it was from on the label. Anyway thanks if it was you! 

Blossom VoxBox Review

INFLUENSTER BLOSSOM VOXBOX REVIEW!!

I was so excited to receive this VoxBox from influenster! It was really fun testing all the products! 

BEANITOS:

Item description:

SUPERFOOD, Not junk food! Beanitos are made from super nutritious whole beans, without corn or wheat, and baked two crispy perfection. One serving of Beanitos chips naturally contains up to 6 grams of healthy fiber and 4 grams of complete protein. Beanitos snacks are real food, full of fiber and protein, free of preservatives, and made only with natural, gluten-free, and non-GMO ingredients.

My Take: i'm not much of a healthy chip type of person, when I eat a chip I want to eat a regular junkie chip. Not a healthy chip. Lol! All in all the Beanitos chips were okay but I thought they had kind of a strange aftertaste but if you like healthy chips you might like them. 

More Info  HERE!

HAIR FOOD ROOT CLEANSING SHAMPOO:

Item description: 

Inspired by the benefits of nutrient-packed, vitalizing ingredients like strawberry and ginger, Hair food root cleansing shampoo deeply cleanses hair to remove buildup for lustrous, natural shine. Similar to how a juice cleanse can detoxify your body, the Hair food root cleansing shampoo cleanses the hair of dulling residues and can be used as a regular shampoo or a deep clean supplement to your routine.

My Take: I really liked the hair food shampoo! It made my hair feel really clean and soft and it has a really nice smell that stays in your hair for a while instead of leaving soon after you wash your hair like some other shampoos. The only thing I didn't like was the pump on the bottle it refused to pop up and no matter how hard I tried it wouldn't work so I had to unscrew the lid to get it out and that caused it to get all over the place! 

More Info HERE!

BEAR NAKED GRANOLA:

Item description: 

Bear naked granola not only brings great tasting ingredients together, it also includes. Thoughtful Combinations that are uncomplicated and delicious! So here's a big, tribal call out to all those who live simply, wholly and awesomely -to those who live Bear Naked. You're invited to join our epic adventure. Now, try Bear Naked's two new flavors: Coconut Almond Curry and sea salt Carmel Apple! 

My Take:

I really like the caramel apple flavored bear naked granola I think it's the best granola I've ever tasted in my life! It has caramel apple chunks and dried apple pieces it was wonderful! But the coconut curry was horrible it would've been fine without the curry but the two just didn't mix. 

More Info HERE!

NYC NEW YORK CITY PROOF 24HR EYE SHADOW: 

Item description: 

Want round the clock color that never fades or creases? This waterproof eye-shadow delivers vibrant color for up to 24HR wear! In eleven on-trend shades perfect for any look. All you have to do is twist, glide and go!

My take:

I'm not much of an eyeshadow girl but this one seems pretty good! it went on really easy and it has a really vibrant color I didn't fade or crease! It also feels really good on your skin it's not heavy at all. All in all this is a very trendy product! 

More Info HERE!

NAYOSA PASTA ZERO:

Item description:

Nasoya Pasta Zero Noodles are traditional Japanese shirataki noodles that I have only 15 calories and 4 grams of carbs per serving! They easily absorb the delicious flavors you cook with... and will save you about 200 calories versus a serving of regular pasta!

My take:

 This is the most interesting pasta I've ever tried! I found a recipe on the Nayosa website that I used, it was very fast! it took a total of five minutes to prepare!  But the pasta kind of had an earthy smell when I took it out of the package which kind of turned me off and when I tasted  it after it was done it was okay, but the pasta had a strange texture. Anyway I think I'll stick with Regular pasta but if you're looking for pasta with hardly any calories this is for you!

More Info HERE! and the recipe I used HERE 

SALLY HANSEN AIRBRUSH LEGS:

Item description: 

Get irresistible, perfect legs in an instant and gorgeous, healthy looking skin! The light weight formula hides imperfections and won't rub off on clothes. Find Airbrush legs in the Sally Hansen section at your local retailer. Available in five shades to match any skin tone.

My take:

The Sally Hansen Airbrush legs is awesome! It comes in 5 different shades, mine was medium. It kind of has the same look as tanning lotion does but it's so much easier! You don't have to wait for it to set like you do with tanning lotion, and if you missed a spot you can just put more on. It had a strange smell when I first put it on but it went away after a while.  It's very lightweight, it doesn't feel like you have anything on it just makes your legs look really good! I had it on for a couple days and it didn't fade or rub off. I washed it off with soap, water and  a washrag and when I rubbed it came off very easily. 

Tanning lotion Vs Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs: 

Tanning lotion: 

- Takes a couple hours to set.

- When it does you can see all the spots      you missed.

- You can't easily take it off whenever you want you have to wait for it to fade.

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs:

- Sets immediately.

- If I missed a spot I can easily correct it.

- I can easily take it off whenever I want

- Makes my legs look healthy and hides my imperfections. 

More Info HERE! 

AUSTRALIAN GOLD SUNSCREEN LOTIN SPF 30:

Item description:

Get the color you crave and the protection you need with Australian gold. Now fortified with native Australian Kakadu Plum - delivering vitamin C and antioxidants for radiant looking skin.

My Take:

I put on the Australian gold sunscreen SPF 30 and laid out in my backyard for about an hour hoping to get a tan, but I didn't have much luck. Maybe I didn't lay out long enough I don't know. I'll  have to try it someday that I will be in the sun about all day long to see if that makes a difference. It felt kind of oily when I put it on, I thought it would go away but it didn't really. It also has a very strong smell but it dosent smell bad. If your going to be outside for a short amount of time and you don't want to burn this is probably for you. Or if your going to be outside for a long time give it a try and tell me what you think! 

More Info  HERE!

* "I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes, opinions are my own." 

Blossom VoxBox

Who hoo! I just got my #blossomvoxbox from influenster!! I can't wait to try everything! Product reviews coming soon!

From The Start by Melissa Tagg

Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley. 

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?

My Take:

If you're looking for a book that is witty, cute, and romantic look no farther than From The Start. This is the first of Melissa Taggs books that I have read but it definitely won't be the last! I could easily relate to the characters and I learned a lot about football and about life, I liked the Walker family, the town of Maple Valley and the cover although I pictured Colton more like Tim Tebow than that guy. I thought the town of Maple Valley was so cool, how everybody pulled together after and during a tragedy. I had read on Melissa's blog that she pictured Maple Valley like Stars Hollow from the TV show Gilmore Girls and I could definitely see the resemblance :) 

A book that can make me laugh and draw me in as much as this one did is a book worth reading! Definitely the best book I've read so far this year!

I read the prequel, Three Llittle Words before I began From The Start, which I loved (it's adorable! and the best written novella I've ever read!) and gave a great introduction to the town of Maple Valley. However, you could easily start the series with From The Start, as it can easily be read as a stand alone. But why should you when you can get it FREE!!! right now from AMAZON!! CLICK HERE!! 
As the first in the series, I'm looking forward to reading the following books, about the other Walker siblings! It's sure to be my new favorite series! 

What I loved:

- Kate and Coltons unexpected meeting. 

- The unfolding of Coltons past.

- The very likable and realistic characters.

- The unexpected twists Tagg wove into the story. 

Favorite Quote:

It's called taking a risk, Kate. Think about the characters in your movies. When they finally realize how they really feel – usually at the end – they act on it. The hero goes after the girl, or vice versa. Stop letting your characters be braver than you are. Be the girl who takes the risk. It's okay to admit what you want. When you do, you might finally get brave enough to go after it.

*I received this book for free from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Read a sample chapter HERE!
Take a tour of Maple Valley HERE!

THE AUTHOR

1. 

   © David’s Gallery

   Melissa Tagg

   Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last, is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she is also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft-and-coaching community for writers.  When she's not...

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A Harvest Of Hope By Lauraine Snelling

Miriam Hastings has her future plans in place... 
But Trygve Knutson is intent on changing them. 


Just a few short weeks into her year-long training at the Blessing Hospital, Miriam Hastings is called home to Chicago, where her mother is gravely ill. With siblings to care for, Miriam pleads to be allowed to finish her training in Chicago. Her nursing supervisor grants her a brief reprieve but extracts a promise that Miriam will return to Blessing and fulfill her one-year commitment. 

While in Chicago, Miriam has tried to get Trygve Knutson and Blessing out of her mind, but his letters make that impossible. Trygve is busy building a house, hoping he can convince Miriam to return to North Dakota and marry him. Torn between Trygve's love and her family's needs, she doesn't know what to do. 

When Miriam finally returns to Blessing, she buries herself in her work. But no matter how hard she tries to put it off, she has some life-changing decisions to make about her future, her family... and the man who is never far from her thoughts. 

What will it take to convince her to stay? 

My Take:

A Harvest of Hope by Lauraine Snelling is the second book in the Song of Blessing series. It picks up a few weeks after the first book (To everything A season) ended. The Bjorklund Family is deeply mourning the loss of their beloved Haakan and they are trying to find a new normal to their way of life. Miriam, a trainee at the blessing hospital, is also mourning the loss of her mother. She is torn with knowing where she belongs. Her siblings are all in Chicago and as the oldest she feels obligated to care for them, but her heart is beginning to tie her to blessing. Trygve has declared his love for her and she's starting to have feelings for him as well. She is struggling with her faith and now she must make some decisions for her future. Will she choose blessing or Chicago? I am always excited to get a 'blessing' book from Lauraine Snelling I've been reading about the Bjorklund family through Lauren's writings for years and I have come to love this family, getting a new book is like getting a letter from an old friend. But my review on the previous book in this series (To everything a season) could also apply to this book in the same way, it's a great book if you know the backstorys but otherwise you'll probably be majorly confused because there is a lot of characters to keep up with. All in all this is a great book -- fun, easy, lighthearted (for the most part) I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!  I recommend this book if you are a fan of Lauraine Snellings Red River Valley series.

Read my review of book #1 To Everything A Season Here

Previous series include:

#1 Red River Of The North 

#2 Return To Red River 

#3 Home To Blessing 

#4 Daughters Of Blessing 

#5 Song Of Blessing 



Read a sample chapter here

 

*I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

 

The Author 

1.  Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography

   Lauraine Snelling

   Lauraine Snelling, an award-winning author of fifty-plus books with sales of over 2 million copies, also writes for a wide range of magazines and teaches at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California....
   

   Continue reading about Lauraine Snelling

   
   

Wonka Randoms

I was selected to try the new Wonka Randoms for free through Smiley360.com I enjoyed trying them and sharing them with friends and family. They are really cool I loved all the different shapes and textures! They had a really good flavor but I thought they could have been a little softer. My favorite was the ones with the white on the bottom and my least favorite was the ones with the gooey stuff inside because I thought it should have been more liquidey. The resealable bag was also really nice because it kept them nice and fresh!

SABOTAGED By Dani Pettrey

Finally Returned Home, Reef McKenna
Finds His Beloved Alaska Facing Its Greatest ThreatGrowing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and troublemaker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now, working together as search-and-rescue for Alaska's arduous Iditarod race, a growing attraction seems to be forcing aside old arguments. Then Reef catches Kirra sneaking from camp in the middle of the night. 

Kirra's uncle, a musher in the race, has disappeared. Kirra and Reef quickly track the man, but what they discover is harrowing: Frank's daughter has been kidnapped. Kirra and Reef, along with the entire McKenna family, are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl's life--but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen. 

If you are looking for an explosive, engaging adventure full of frenzied furry in a frigid location with an intriguing backdrop look no further than Dani Pettrey's SABOTAGED

Reef and Kirra are interesting and easy to relate to characters, and I've enjoyed how they have been interwoven into previous Alaskan Courage books. The romance in this book was not my favorite of the McKennas, mostly because I thought one of the romantic scenes at the beginning of the book was kind of dumb, but it quickly got better! The plot is packed with mystery and action, as Reef and Kirra race to save her cousin and their beloved Alaskan Wilderness. I thought the plot sometimes became almost reiterating as the two spent most of their time driving or interviewing suspects, I understand that's what they had to do to solve the case it just got kind of tiring. But as a whole, it was well thought out and an interesting take on the vulnerabilities of people, passionate environmentalist and those who are out for revenge. The Faith element is very strong in this book. Understanding why God allows bad things to happen, how he helps us to heal, and trusting again were all covered in a very strong and powerful way. One of the things I really appreciate about Pettrey's writing is that she tackles some really hard issues without going into so much detail as to horrify the reader, but also doesn't gloss it over, she did a great job of showing her characters as being committed to purity, without preaching about it. 

I was eagerly looking forward to the last book in this series. By the time I finished, it was sad to say goodbye. I've come to love the McKenna family and I wish there were more adventures to come. However the series wrapped up everything very nicely in the end!

I highly recommend this book to those who like mysteries and anyone who enjoys Christian romance!

* I received this book for free from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review.

My Favorite character banter:

"Man." Reef whistled."I really get under your skin, don't I?" 

"Ha." She bit The inside of her cheek as the flames flash higher, devouring the newly added branches.

"Good comeback"

She took a deep breath, expelling it in a rush. 

"Contrary to what you think, you have no effect on me whatsoever."

"your heartbeat skipping along the curve of your neck seems to suggest otherwise." 

To discover more about Dani Pettrey click here
Dani has a fun page on her website for character dossiers, character soundtracks, etc... check it out!!

The Author

1. 

   © Michael Pettrey Photography

   Dani Pettrey

   Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the Alaskan Courage romantic suspense series, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, and Silenced, and new release,...
   

   Continue reading about Dani Pettrey