"Weaver's Needle" by Robin Caroll

Weaver's Needle

by Robin Carroll

Meet the main characters.

Nikolai - ex-cop, now a recovery specialist, tough, rugged, handsome.  Heart of gold and a million dollar smile.

Landry - ex Military Police (MP), now a recovery specialist, wholesome, unassuming, christian girl next door.  Beautiful and tough.

A murder, a mystery, a romance, historical fiction, all wrapped together in one book!

Mr. Winslet was murdered on his way inside the bank with the ancient map he has just

purchased.  The man is dead, the map is missing.  Now his widow wants it back.

Nikolai and Landry both answer the ad.  Working separately, against each other, as both are in need of the impressive payday they will earn when they recover the map.

Rivals working the same case.  The story takes you from New Orleans to Arizona.  To the Superstition Mountains.  Where an ancient Native American treasure lies, as depicted in the map.  The map the old Dutchman made before he died, to the gold he took from them, hidden in plain sight.

It seems the map is desired by more than Mr. Winslet's widow.  As the trail to find it leads Nikolai and Landry to Arizona, location of Weaver's Needle, where the ancient treasure is supposed to be hidden, it also leads them to danger.  

Can they find the map before the killer does?  Can they recover the ancient map and elude harm?

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

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Here is my review, as posted on Goodreads.com and Amazon.com

Weaver's Needle

by Robin Caroll

Wow, I just finished this book and what a good one!  I loved the mix of contemporary fiction, historical fiction, christian fiction all wrapped in with a little romance, suspense, a murder, and a mystery.   Really a fun read, I didn't want to let it down and when I did it kept calling me back - wonder what is going to happen next.  I enjoyed the main characters and really liked them both, watching their relationship change throughout the book.

Robin Caroll does a great job of introducing the characters, setting the stage, unraveling the clues and filling in the background information.  I found it interesting to learn about the ancient Native American culture, the Southwestern scenery, and the tale of the lost gold.  The christian background and the ancient indian beliefs both filled the pages and worked together in the story in such a compelling way!  

Landry and Nikolai are both recovery specialists.  Both need this job's impressive payday, is it worth the danger?  Their lives?  They start off as rivals working the same case--to find the missing map.  Someone was murdered for this map and his widow wants it back.  They both leave New Orleans and head to the Superstition Mountains to find the map.  Lots of mystery surrounds the tale of the map and the lost mine.  Intrigue as you learn about Native American culture that protects this mine.  Who wants the map?  Who would kill for it?  Is there really a lost mine filled with gold?  Will Nikolai and Landry solve the mystery and find the map?  An exciting and fun story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

I rated 5-star as I thoroughly enjoyed the story, it was exciting, it was romance, mystery, and some historical fiction.  What a fun combination! 

Summer is for reading!! 

Evian Facial Spray

Evian Facial Spray

Have you ever come across a product that you didn't know you needed, until you tried it!  Wow, Evian Facial Spray is the perfect summer companion.  I have been spritzing my face with this awesome stuff since I received it free from BrandBacker and Evian, to use and share my opinion.

Evian Facial Spray is, of course, Evian Natural Mineral Water, from the French Alps!  Pure water from deep in the earth, under layers of glacial rock and sand depositing minerals.  This water is free from any chemical treatment!

Check them out here:  http://www.instagram.com/evianspray/

So my first reason to use is to cool - a few sprays of the fine mist directly to face or neck instantly cools.  This is why it's perfect for summer.  I've enjoyed this during and after taking walks, working in the garden, at the pool, and just out and about.  The bottle is lightweight, leakproof, and easy to carry with you.
I have a 5 oz bottle.

Beside the obvious cool down spritz, Evian Facial Spray can also be used to lock in Evian's minerals giving you a mineral hydration.  I have been using this in the morning and night after cleansing, before applying my moisturizer.  Really refreshes and feels good, love knowing I'm adding special minerals too!

You can use to naturally hydrate skin all day, it will "hydrate, tone, and refresh your skin."  

Evian Facial Spray can also be used to "enhance your make-up", hold can about a foot away, spray face for a couple of seconds.  The "mist will help blend and smooth makeup."  I do this after walking the dog, to extend my makeup and cool off.

If you have a baby, keep one in the stroller and you can clean and freshen them.  "Gentle, pure, natural water cleansing."

You can also "spray over cosmetics after work to revive your look", or spritz your hair for a quick repair.

They have proven results from regular use, dermatologically tested, hypo-allergenic, neutral 7.2 pH, and a unique blend of minerals.

Grab a bottle or two, put one in your purse, car, and take one with you to the beach or pool!  

"Evian Facial Spray is propelled by pure safe nitrogen" into a fine mist, "with a million micro-droplets to penetrate and hydrate skin!"

Your product comes with a little pamphlet that indicates all these uses!

I've been carrying mine with me since my first use - such great timing as we have been hitting the hot temps here and next week we are expecting a full week of temperatures in the 90's!

I received a complimentary product to use and share my opinion.

Powered by BrandBacker / Sponsored post

"The Ebb Tide" by Beverly Lewis

The Ebb Tide

by Beverly Lewis

Well, as with all of Beverly Lewis' books - I read them way too fast and then I'm sad when I am finished!

The Ebb Tide was a great book, Beverly Lewis has a writing style that gives you great things to ponder but is so simple and pleasant to read.  And I appreciate the woven in godly messages and lessons.  Reading about the Amish, their lifestyle, their religion, and family life is also very fascinating.  If you have never read Beverly Lewis you are missing out on some great reads.  

A quote before you begin reading, for some reason this just stuck with me!

Never Give Up!  

I was delighted to receive a free copy of this book to read and provide a review through the Baker Publishing/Bethany House Blogger Program.  My review is my own.

Lookie Here - I couldn't put it down!!

My review as written, and submitted on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com

I am a huge Beverly Lewis fan and I think I've read most, if not all of her books!  Her writing style is so comfortable and the books read themselves!  I think I read this in a couple sittings!  She is the best at writing about the Amish and including all the godly lessons and examples, and gives us much to consider even after the book is finished!  The Ebb Tide was a bit different as it took us out of Amish country for much of the story!  I enjoy reading about the relationships and expectations within an Amish family.  When the book opens you learn about Sallie Riehl, she is embarking on a trip of a lifetime before she gets baptized and is required to settle down.  You see pretty quickly she is struggling with her inner self that longs to see the world and what she knows is expected and maybe even right, that she join the church.  The book takes us with her, as she travels to be a nanny for the summer, she thinks this trip will allow her to get the traveling bug out of her and be content with life back home.  I enjoyed Sallie's relationships with the family that takes her to Cape May, the daughter she is in charge of, the boy back home, and the Mennonite young man she meets!  She has   She has to decide her own future.  God's ways are not always our ways, he knows more than we do!  

I was given a free copy to read and review from Baker Publishing/Bethany House Blogger Program, this review is my own!

Jan Marini's HYLA3D

JAN MARINI'S 

HYLA3D

I am constantly on a search, on a quest, for the next weapon to put in my anti-aging arsenal.  Seeking out new products, new technology, and new ways to take care of my skin.

Through BrandBacker I was given Jan Marini's HYLA3D to use and share my results.

So first, what is HYLA3D and what can it do for you.

To understand this products benefits they explained to me that age and sun damage reduce the body's ability to produce or maintain youthful levels of Hyaluronic Acid which leads to loss of volume and and signs of aging.  

Hyla3D is a 3-dimensional approach to hydration, volume, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  So, yeah!

How it works - Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a large component for healthy skin, healthy skin that has volume and hydration.  Key ingredients in Hyla3D works in the following 3 ways to address the needs of your skin.

1.  Multiple forms and weights of HA allow for deep penetration to rejuvenate your skin and provide continual hydration.

2.  Advanced technologies enhance native HA that is within your skin.

3.  Peptides and antioxidants boost collagen and elastin.

So as a result, your skin has restored moisture, volume, and reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How to use:  I use after cleansing, before applying moisturizer.

In the brochure there is a three-circle illustration that explains the 3-dimensional idea

The circles overlap, with Hyla3D in the center, 

Circle one:  Apply - adding HA to varying depths of your skin

Circle two:  this enhances your HA plumping skin from within

Circle three:  boosting collagen and elastin with peptides and antioxidants

So that is the science behind this product.  It is produced by Jan Marini Skin Research.  Jan Marini is one of the most respected brands in skin care and have partnered with leading physicians and scientists to create cutting edge solutions.

Now that you know  about Hyla3D and Jan Marini, how did the product work for me?

I have been using this product for about a month, I wanted to give it a good go, and see what results I can share.  

My situation in my anti-aging battle is a need for hydration, my skin was always dry and tight.  I can moisturize at night and in the morning and mid-day feel the tightness returning.  I also have fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes, dark circles, and a general lack of plumpness in my skin.

One for sure result for me is actual, as in I can really feel it, much more hydrated skin.  It took time before I noticed, since you only notice the negatives -  but the last couple weeks I have gone about my day not realizing my face wasn't feeling tight by late afternoon, my face doesn't feel tight.

I'm going over my before picture and taking an after picture.  Let me compare them and report back.

This is my before.

You can see my lines and wrinkles around the eyes.

One the sides and below the eyes.

You can also see the lines across the top of my nose.

My dry areas, around the eyes, above the nose, my forehead, and my cheeks.

My skin does feels more hydrated and plumper.

Here are some "after" pictures, you can see there are fewer lines and wrinkles, or maybe they are less noticeable and less pronounced because my skin just looks plumper and feels more hydrated.

Plumper under eye and the finer lines are less noticeable and I will continue using Hyla3D to see if it will reduce the appearance of the deeper lines!

I'd have to give this a very positive review as I can notice an actual difference in the appearance and the feel of my skin.  Thanks to Jan Marini and BrandBacker for the complimentary product to use and share my results and opinions.  All opinions are my own and completely honest!

Here are a couple links if you are interested in learning more about Jan Marini's Hyla3D or get some for yourself!

https://www.janmarini.com/skin-care-products/rejuvenate/hyla3d-ha-activating-complex

or

http://apps.janmarini.com/raffle/spring-renewal/

"Powered by BrandBacker"   #sponsored

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Honeysuckle Body Wash

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day

Honeysuckle Body Wash

Thank you to Crowdtap and Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day for the chance to try a full size product!  Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Honeysuckle Body Wash!  First off, the scent!  Secondly, the scent!  It's that amazing that it gets two bullet points!  The moment you squirt some out and apply it to your skin you are transported somewhere fresh and clean.  It's honeysuckle, but it's not floral, it's a natural, strong, sweet, incredible scent!  I think my shower experience has doubled in the happy category thanks to this body wash!  

Beyond the scent, the body wash lathers up just enough to slather on and clean your skin, all the while your immersed in the scent!  It's a gentle on your skin, yet cleans you thoroughly.

The bottle states it is Aromatherapeutic Body Care - yep, that's it!

It's made with plant derived ingredients - flaxseed oil, chamomile extract, aloe vera extract, olive oil, glycerin, and essential oils - all good stuff!  It's made without parabens, formaldehyde, and artificial colors.  And it's moisturizing - with all those essential oils and other oils, it leaves my skin soft, fresh, and clean!

All in a nice 16 oz recyclable container with a pop-top lid for ease of use!  

Again, thanks to Crowdtap and Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day!  I received a complimentary product to use and share my opinion!

To the Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden

To the Farthest Shores

by Elizabeth Camden

Another great read from Bethany House!  This is my first book by Elizabeth Camden and I'm going to look for more - this was a great story.  As I've said before - I'm a huge historical fiction fan, so here I am reading a nice historical romance!  I love the idea of learning about a time period in our history and getting a glimpse of what it might have been like living at that time.   I received a free copy of To the Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden through the Baker Publishing Blogger Program.

I enjoyed this book immensely, took it on my vacation with me to read while flying and in the evening before bed!  I took it to the farthest shores with me!  The story starts out at an Army base where nurse Jenny Bennett is stationed.  She is a determined nurse and a strong woman.  But, she has been hurt by Lt. Ryan Gallagher, who broke her heart.  

Ryan broke her heart by disappearing, on a secret mission, with no word to Jenny as it was a top secret mission.  One that, six years later, is still ongoing, when he reappears in her life.

Because this mission is a secret, he can not tell Jenny where he was or what he was doing without endangering others.  She can't get over the hurt and when Ryan needs her help she doesn't know what to do!  

This books takes you on a great journey, learning about the time period, naval espionage, and the cultured pearl industry at this time.  

Great read if you love historical fiction, romance, redemption, forgiveness!  

I received a free copy of this book through the Bethany House/Baker Publishing Blogger Review program.  

Murder on the Moor by Julianna Deering

Murder on the Moor

(A Drew Farthering Mystery)

by Julianna Deering

I'm a huge historical fiction fan, so I was excited to get selected to read Murder on the Moor by Julianna Deering - a slight twist on my normal genre - historical mystery.  A fun mystery that takes place in 1930's England!  

Drew and Madeline Farthering are a delightful couple, and he has a reputation for solving mysteries and murders.  He is contacted by an old, forgotten school pal to come to the Moor to help!  A series of mysterious goings on, and then a murder.

So much fun to read, the main characters are delightful and you feel as if you are their friend!  An exciting story, twists and turns, and resolution, with a ton of fun in between!  As soon as you're sure "whodunit" a twist or turn is thrown in for fun, and you are no longer sure!  

Enjoyed the book immensely - and the good news - this is Book 5 in the series, so I have 1-4 to enjoy!

I received this book free from Baker Publishing as part of their blogger review program, all opinions and thoughts are my own!

A review of this book has been posted on GoodReads and Amazon.com, see my review below:

Since this is a mystery - I expressed how much I enjoyed the book and what I felt reading it - no spoilers!

This is my first Drew Farthering Mystery and I just love it! The story moves quickly, is easy to read and the two main characters are delightful. I'm a big historical fiction fan and this historical mystery is great fun! I'm laughing one minute, amused another, and completely sure I can solve this mystery - then a fun twist comes about and I'm back to square one. The writing is so smooth you feel like your there, understand and know the Farthering's, Drew and Madeline.
This book starts out on a stormy night, Madeline is reading to Drew and a phone call is received. It's an old, forgotten school friend calling for Drew's help. Drew has a reputation of solving mysteries. It seems there is trouble on the Moor, troublesome problems and a murder.
Just a delightful read! I loved every page, and am happy to see that I have the first four to read - and hope there are more.
I received this copy free from Baker Publishing to read and review and share my opinions.