Book Review: Emma's Secret by Steena Holmes

Description from Good Reads
For two years, Megan, Peter, and their two older daughters, Alexis and Hannah, dream of nothing but being reunited with the family’s youngest child, Emma, who was kidnapped just before her third birthday. When Emma is miraculously found living with an elderly couple just miles from the family’s home, they are hopeful that her return will heal the wounds her disappearance created.

But Emma is vastly different from the sunny toddler they remember. She barely remembers her parents or her older sisters. She is quiet and withdrawn, and, worst of all, longs for the very people who kidnapped her.

Megan is consumed with bitterness, while Peter works later and later nights in the company of his gorgeous business partner. And in the middle of everything, Megan’s best friend has become suddenly distant and secretive.

Then a chance encounter in town leads to a secret that changes everything again for Emma. And Peter must decide between the happiness of his youngest daughter and the trust of his family.


My Review
This is a sequel to the book Finding Emma, which I reviewed on October 3rd. I also really enjoyed this book. It was a lovely continuation to Finding Emma, and provided resolution to most of the questions I was left with at the end of the first one (though they were not so many or so bad that it kept me from loving the first one, obviously). 

Emma's Secret begins a couple of months after Finding Emma. Emma is settled back with her family, but still misses her "Papa". Peter is working late hours, and Megan assumes again he is having an affair. Megan has a restraining order against Jack. She is stressed, and forgets Alexis' birthday is coming up. 

Peter makes a choice for Emma to see Jack, and keeps it a secret from Megan. Eventually, this does come out, and is huge. As well as the reason why Peter has been working long hours. Megan's daughter Hannah feels like everything is about Emma, and acts out a bit. But she cares for and loves her sister. 
And then Laurie's best friend is also keeping a reasonably big secret from her as well!


This story did have resolution, and I really enjoyed the ending. It was perfect, and sweet. I definitely think you should read Finding Emma before reading Emma's Secret- in reading some of the reviews on Good Reads, this seems almost crucial. But I think that is the same with every book that is a sequel- you need to read them in order!

I highly recommend this series of books. I think they're thought-provoking (what would you do in this situation?), complex but not complicated, and interesting. 


You can purchase a copy of this book for Kindle here.

FTC: I purchased this book with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post does contain Amazon Affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Ojon Rare Blend Protecting Treatment Review

Today I'm going to be reviewing the Ojon Rare Blend Protecting Treatment that I received in my Summer/Fall 2013 QVC New Beauty Test Tube.

Just a quick note before I start this review- I'm not going to be doing a massive review of the products in the Test Tube or any future subscription boxes I might get, because I might not use them all or use them enough to get a good idea of how I like them at the same time, so I'm just going to do a separate review for all of the products.  But I will still do unboxings of all the products!




Product Description
This multi-action pre-heat styling spray is infused with a restorative blend of seven rare oils including pure hair-repairing Ojon™ oil, the 500-year-old beauty secret, and ginseng, lemongrass, and honey. On contact, it helps hydrate, condition, detangle to prevent breakage, and protect hair from damage. The result: Smoother, more manageable styling and soft, healthy-looking hair with high-gloss shine from root to tip. 

My Review
I love this stuff. 

I was excited to use it, but I just figured it would be another heat protectant. And it is, but it is also something more- it completely detangles my hair, and leaves it feeling so silky and looking shiny and healthy!

It's a pretty easy product to use- you just shake it to mix the dual-phase formula together, and then you spray it from root to tip, and then comb out your hair. Usually I spray it on my hair before I being to comb out my wet hair after a shower, and then sometimes I spray a little more before I start my blow-drying process. 

I really feel like it's helping my hair, too- because it gets less tangled, I have to brush it less throughout the day, which lowers my risk of snagging and breaking my hair even more. 

It also smells so good. It took me awhile to put my finger on what it smelled like and then it hit me- hostess powdered donuts. The smell doesn't really stay around at all, but while I'm spraying it, I enjoy it! But if you're not a fan of sweet stuff, I'm not sure that you would enjoy this scent.


I can definitely see myself purchasing a full size of this, as the small size from my Test Tube has given me quite a few uses. (A full size is 5.9oz and the size I received in the Test Tube is .85oz, which is almost 7 times the amount!) I'm usually a little skeptical of high end hair products, but this seems to really work! And at $27.00, it's not so outrageously expensive that I couldn't justify it when I'm done with the bottle from my Test Tube, since it really does seem to help my hair.


You can purchase this product from Sephora for $27.00.


FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription box, which I paid for with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Review: Finding Emma by Steena Holmes

Description from Good Reads
Megan sees her daughter Emma everywhere. She's the little girl standing in the supermarket, the child waiting for the swings at the playground, the girl with ice cream dripping down her face. But it's never Emma.

Emma's been missing for two years.

Unable to handle the constant heartache of all the false sightings, Megan's husband threatens to walk away unless Megan can agree to accept Emma is gone. Megan's life and marriage is crumbling all around her and she realizes she may have to do the thing she dreads most: move on.

When Megan takes a photo of a little girl with an elderly couple at the town fair, she believes it to be her missing daughter. Unable to let go, she sets in motion a sequence of events that could destroy both families lives.


My Review
Holy Cow.

I read this as part of my book club last month, and I am so glad it's the book that was chosen! I read it in just a few days- I had to know what happened, and if they would find Emma.

I really enjoy the way the author chose to write this book, going back and forth between Megan, Peter, and their other two daughters, and Jack, Dottie, and "Emmie". I thought the premise was just very intriguing- what if your daughter was taken, and what if she was still alive?

Now, don't get me wrong- this isn't a perfect book. I was constantly in a state of "did he cheat? did she cheat?" with Megan and Peter, even though it doesn't seem like either of them actually did cheat, there is just a lot of distrust between them. The author talked about loving moments between them, but I still never really felt that at all.  But I liked the characters separately. I'm not sure how I can not like them together but like them separately, but that's the way it is! I especially liked Peter.

Emma went missing two years ago (according to the time frame of the story), and Megan still sees her in the faces of other children. It's really hard for Peter, and he wants her to start to move on. But because Megan keeps seeing her, she keeps running up to strange children, which, of course, is embarrassing and then painful with the realization it is not Emma. Peter works long hours. The other two girls don't play too big of a role in the novel, although one of her daughter's does say something in school that gets a letter sent home about not being enough to compensate for Emma being gone. That broke my heart in pieces for the other girls.

Needless to say, this is a family that has been through something awful, and is trying to deal with it the best they can. But with Megan unwilling to try to move on, they can't properly let go.

Dottie and Jack have their granddaughter "Emmie" living with them. Dottie doesn't let Emmie go anywhere or do anything, but Emmie then meets a neighbor girl through the fence, and eventually is allowed to go play. Dottie has spells of memory loss, and is on medication. 
I felt so bad for Jack. Out of everyone in the story, he got most of my sympathy. I don't want to ruin the story, but I think if you read the book, you will understand. He has no clue what's really going on with Emmie. He's just a "Papa" who loves his granddaughter and will do anything to make her smile. He wants to take her places and show her things, but Dottie refuses.

They eventually all go to the same county fair. And that's where Megan sees Emma... or at least she thinks she does. And then all of their worlds are changed.


I think this is a great book for those people that enjoy a good, heart-wrenching, fast-paced novel. I really didn't want to put this book down. I had to find out if they would get Emma back, and what the consequences would be. 

This book does end in a bit of a cliffhanger, if you're looking a book that has resolution, but there is a sequel out and I have read it! My review of Emma's Secret, the sequel to this book, will be up on the blog on October 9th!

You can purchase a paperback copy of the book here, or a kindle copy here. 


FTC: I purchased this book with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post does contain Amazon Affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

This Month in Nails - September 2013

Here is what I wore on my nails in September!

China Glaze in In The Lime Light with an overcoat of Wet n' Wild Shine in Nerd Alert: Screech with an accent nail of Avon in Mink with a white art polish design

That's probably the longest title for a polish design I will ever write!



I pulled the inspiration for this design on my last month's Simple but Pretty Nail Art Pinspiration post, and this specifically comes from Polish and Pearls blog (aka MissJenFABULOUS on YouTube). Obviously it's not exactly the same, but I like the way I chose to do this.

In The Lime Light is a polish I bought because it's so obnoxious. It's a neon, so there are some issues with building it up, and streaking. So I decided to layer over a coat of Nerd Alert: Screech.



I really like the way the combo turned out!



This is just a comparison showing these are not dupe polishes!



The brown I chose is actually the only brown I own! But I really like it!


Sally Hansen in Laced Up

I really like the Sally Hansen nail stickers. But it seems like every time I use them, the quality has gone down. These ones only lasted a few days.





The pattern on these is really pretty, and I will definitely use them again, maybe for an accent nail or something. But like I said, I feel the quality has gone down a bit. Maybe it's just this particular one, I'm not sure.



And that concludes this month in nails.
I'm a reformed nail biter, and after this mani, I kind of went crazy. So I'm trying to let my nails grow out a bit. Hopefully they will be grown out soon!

Amazon.com Kindle Monthly Book Deals, $3.99 or less for October 2013

Some of you may or may not have a Kindle. I apologize if you don't, but these posts are for anyone with either access to a Kindle or a way to get the app downloaded.


Every month, Amazon sells books for $3.99 or less that typically cost more. I have been able to purchase some really great books from these sales, and always check on the first of the month. I also check their daily deals as often as I can remember.

 I got an e-mail last month suggesting I post covers, because some people do really enjoy them, so I am starting to do that this month!

This month there are six books that I am recommending. I have not read them all, but based on the descriptions, I want to!




Finding Emma by Steena Holmes ($1.99 - 87% off print list price)
I read this book last month, and gave it a solid four star review on Good Reads. I absolutely loved it! Coincidentally, I have a full review of this book coming out on the blog tomorrow! (I will link it here once the blog is up, for you future readers!)



Emma's Secret by Steena Holmes ($1.99 - 87% off print list price)
I also read this book last month, pretty much immediately after I finished Finding Emma, and also gave it a solid four star review on Good Reads. This is just a great, heartbreakingly beautiful series, and I wish there were more. 
I also have a full review on this book coming out on October 9th! (I will link it here once the blog is up, for you future readers!)



Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan ($2.99 - 67% off print list price)
I've had this book on my Good Reads "to read" shelf since the beginning of the year, so it's nice to see if on the monthly deals list! This comes highly recommended to me all the time, and has a high rating on both Amazon and Good Reads. I've heard some people say they didn't like this book because the world in it is unrealistic, but I think everyone needs that every once in awhile, to believe the world can become a beautiful and more accepting place.



The Translator by Nina Schuyler ($1.99 - 92% off print list price)
This seems like an interesting premise- a woman that is known for translating languages hits her head and then only remembers Japanese. I'm intrigued and want to know more!




The Final Piece by Maggi Myers ($1.99 - 83% off print list price)
This book gets great reviews on both Good Reads and Amazon, and sounds like the kind of book I've been drawn to lately- great stories with strong characters overcoming something.



Cat versus Human by Yasmine Surovec ($1.99 - 80% off print list price)
I have seen these little comics all over the place, and now I know where they came from! As a person that has had cats almost my whole life, I can relate to the ones I have seen, so it will be fun checking all of these out!




There are 199 other books available, and all of them will be available at reduced prices until the end of October.


FTC: All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links to amazon.com. You can read more about the amazon affiliate program in my disclosure policy. 

Bonus Post: 99 Questions Tag

I'm a little bored today, and am catching up on my YouTube Subscriptions, and saw MsGoldgirl's video on the 99 Question tag, and thought it might be a fun way for a) my readers to get to know me, and b)to waste some time while I'm procrastinating working on a huge blog post that will be coming mid October for the Geek Chic Dangerous To Go Alone collection. (Yes, I do work on blogs sometimes well in advance, especially if they are large posts!)

So, here it goes!


1: Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
My closet doesn't have a door, so I guess it's always open! (It does have a curtain, but the curtain is basically always open.)

2: Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?
It depends on the type of shampoo and conditioner. Typically, no.


3: Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?
Out, I move around too much to keep them tucked in.


4: Have you ever stolen a street sign before?
Not personally.


5: Do you like to use post-it notes?
I do! I use them often at work.


6: Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?
Yes.


7: Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?
Notice it says "attacked" by bees but not stung? I wouldn't mind being attacked by bees if they don't sting me.

8: Do you have freckles?
Not really... Like, not on my face or anything, but maybe a few on my arms?


9: Do you always smile for pictures?
It depends, but usually.


10: What is your biggest pet peeve?
I feel like I have quite a few, is that a bad thing? I really dislike people that are not mindful of their germs. Especially during flu season. I also don't like when someone comes up behind me and touches me. It kind of freaks me out! I don't like people touching me without an invitation, in general. I have a feeling when I get pregnant I'm going to want to walk around in a bubble to keep hands away from my belly!


11: Do you ever count your steps when you walk?
Only if I'm wearing a pedometer, which I'd like to get back into doing.


12: Have you ever peed in the woods?
Not that I can recall. 


13: What about pooped in the woods?
No.


14: Do you ever dance even if theres no music playing?
All the time!


15: Do you chew your pens and pencils?
No, but sometimes I'll tap the end on my lip.


16: How many people have you slept with this week?
Just the one (my husband).


17: What size is your bed?
Queen. It's a good size for us, I don't see ever wanting a bigger bed.

18: What is your Song of the week?
Gorilla by Bruno Mars. 


19: Is it okay for guys to wear pink?
I don't have a problem with it (it's just a color), but I would never buy a pink shirt for my husband. Mostly because I know he wouldn't wear it.


20: Do you still watch cartoons?
All the time- I just watched Tangled last night.


21: Whats your least favorite movie?
I can't think of anything off the top of my head.


22: Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?
... why would you tell someone this?


23: What do you drink with dinner?
It depends.


24: What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
Sweet and Sour.


25: What is your favorite food?
I like comfort foods, and italian. I also love a good salad.


26: What movies could you watch over and over and still love?
So many. My husband and I have over 400 movies and I've watched at least half of them at least 3 - 4 times, if not more on some of them.


27: Last person you kissed/kissed you?
My husband for both.


28: Were you ever a boy/girl scout?
No.


29: Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?
Probably not.


30: When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?
I honestly can't remember.


31: Can you change the oil on a car?
I'm sure I could, but I never have.


32: Ever gotten a speeding ticket?
Nope!


33: Ever ran out of gas?
No, I'm actually a fanatic about always making sure I have gas in my car!


34: Favorite kind of sandwich?
I freaking love sandwiches. My favorite sandwich I've ever had has to be the Tuna Salad Sandwich from Point Loma Seafood in San Diego. My brother-in-law recommended I have it last time we were in San Diego visiting them, and I've been having dreams of it ever since. I also love the Tuna Melt at Sequoia Sandwich Company. I clearly like a good Tuna sandwich.


35: Best thing to eat for breakfast?
I'm not sure about the best thing, but I love having bagels for breakfast.

36: What is your usual bedtime?
Usually between 9 and 10 on work nights.


37: Are you lazy?
I do tend towards laziness, but I try my best to not be!


38: When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
I was a ballerina, I was Beetlejuice, I've been a Black Widow (which is funny, because I hate spiders), I was a dead cheerleader, I was Princess Leia... I've been a lot of things!


39: What is your Chinese astrological sign?
Rat. 


40: How many languages can you speak?
English.


41: Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
So many. I'm actually planning a blog post about that this month!


42: Which are better legos or lincoln logs?
Legos!


43: Are you stubborn?
I can be, but I wouldn't say it's a trait someone would tell someone else I have.


44: Who is better...Leno or Letterman?
Neither- I watch either Conan or Jimmy Fallon if I watch Late Night anything.


45: Ever watch soap operas?
I never really have!


46: Are you afraid of heights?
Yes. 


47: Do you sing in the car?
All the time!


48: Do you sing in the shower?
Sometimes, if I'm listening to music.


49: Do you dance in the car?
Again, all the time! 


50: Ever used a gun?
I've used a BB Gun. I want to take gun lessons, though! 


51: Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?
Probably at my wedding.


52: Do you think musicals are cheesy?
No, I love musicals!


53: Is Christmas stressful?
Only if you allow it to be! My husband and I generally shop early (usually online either on Thanksgiving or the day after), and get everything wrapped as it comes in. 


54: Ever eat a pierogi?
I had to look it up, and I don't think that I have.


55: Favorite type of fruit pie?
I love the chocolate satin pie from Marie Callende'rs.


56: Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?
A Teacher, A Librarian, or an Accountant. I am none of those things lol.


57: Do you believe in ghosts?
Yes, I absolutely do.


58: Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?
Quite often.


59: Take a vitamin daily?
No, but I should!


60: Wear slippers?
Sometimes.


61: Wear a bath robe?
Yes.


62: What do you wear to bed?
Depends. Usually a night gown (something like this), a tank and shorts, or a shirt and underwear. 


63: First concert?
I think it was Bachman Turner Overdrive at a fair. But if you mean in a venue, it would be The Offspring.


64: Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?
Target. I haven't been in a Kmart in years (though I do think they have cute stuff, I just always forget about them), and I really prefer not having to go to Wal-Mart.


65: Nike or Adidas?
Nike. Not that I own either, but if I had to choose.


66: Cheetos Or Fritos?
That really depends! To just snack on, probably cheetos.


67: Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?
Probably peanuts.

68: Ever hear of the group Tres Bien?
Nope!


69: Ever take dance lessons?
I took a few tap lessons when I was a kid!


70: Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?
I see him doing something he loves.


71: Can you curl your tongue?
Yes.


72: Ever won a spelling bee?
Nope.


73: Have you ever cried because you were so happy?
Yes, I cry all the time.

74: Own any record albums?
No.


75: Own a record player?
No.


76: Regularly burn incense?
No.

77: Ever been in love?
Yes, and I still am!


78: Who would you like to see in concert?
I'd really enjoy seeing Bruno Mars, or Macklemore. I also want to go see Rush again (they're my favorite band), or Metallica again. Both put on a great show.


79: What was the last concert you saw?
I think Rush a couple of years ago. It's been a long time since I've been to a concert.


80: Hot tea or cold tea?
That really depends on my mood, but I do love a good hot cup of tea!


81: Tea or coffee?
Tea, I dislike the taste of coffee and it makes me jittery. 


82: Sugar or snickerdoodles?
Snickerdoodles.


83: Can you swim well?
No, I am not a strong swimmer. I learned to swim later in life, and I attribute that to my inexperience. Plus, I just don't get in the water all that often. 

84: Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?
Yes.


85: Are you patient?
Sometimes? Lol.


86: DJ or band, at a wedding?
We had a DJ at our wedding.


87: Ever won a contest?
I've won things before, but I've never been like a grand prize winner.


88: Ever have plastic surgery?
Nope! 

89: Which are better black or green olives?
Black.


90: Can you knit or crochet?
No, but I wouldn't mind learning.


91: Best room for a fireplace?
A living or family room.


92: Do you want to get married?
I am married, and I hope to never have to get married again!


93: If married, how long have you been married?
A year and a few months.


94: Who was your HS crush?
My HS crush ended up being my boyfriend my senior year. 


95: Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?
No, I'm an adult.


96: Do you have kids?
Not currently.


97: Do you want kids?
Eventually, I want one. We might decide to have another, but right now we are planning on "one and done". 


98: Whats your favorite color?
Purple


99: Do you miss anyone right now?
I kind of miss my grandparents, I should give them a call!


Okay, that was fun! I might do another sometime!

What's in my makeup bag? (As of September 26th, 2013)

Time to switch it up again, and not a moment too soon.
I had way too much going on in my last makeup bag, and needed to simplify a bit!


I decided to use the same eyeliners and primers as last time, with one addition- the Urban Decay Anti-Aging primer potion!


I got this sample with a purchase I made at Ulta (ran out of my favorite, must have setting spray- All Nighter), and so far, I'm enjoying it, and it may be comparable to my Too Faced Shadow Insurance! I'm not a fan, at all, of the original or sin formula of primer potion, so I am really surprised! I'm going to keep using it and will give a full review later!


For mascara, I decided to almost completely switch it up.


As I have mentioned before, I LOVE Too Faced LashGASM. My friend Jeanette gave me the sample of Bare Minerals Lash Domination, and I'm still forming my opinions. Currently, I find it to be extremely wet and clumpy, but I've only used it three times. The Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Mascara is quickly becoming one of my favorites, and is even outranking the volumizing formula, which is one of my favorite mascaras ever. And, finally, the Cover Girl Clump Crusher mascara, which I also really like.


For eyeshadows, I decided to use the Bare Minerals eyeshadows I received in my Bare Escentuals Beauty Surprise Collection Box. So far, I'm not super impressed with the pigmentation, but I haven't tried using them wet yet.




I also pulled out my Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette.


I plan on trying to recreate all of the looks on my Pinspiration post!

I decided to keep this out, too- this palette currently only contains Sin, but I plan on trying to pick up a couple more colors soon.



And, lastly, I decided to break back out my NYX For Your Eyes Only Green Eyes palette. I definitely want to experiment with the green shades in this one.




I also decided to break back out my color tattoos.


(Bad to the Bronze)


(Barely Branded and Inked in Pink)

These are definitely key to a quick look when I just need to get out of the door- especially Bad to the Bronze. In 10 seconds, I can look completely pulled together.


For primer, I decided to use two of my faves - Pond Luminous BB+, and L'oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB.



I put up a review on the Ponds BB+ Cream last week, and I have a review of the L'oreal one in the works. I love both of these products!

I also decided to break out one of my liquid foundations, since temperatures are cooling down.


This is the Mary Kay Timewise foundation. I'm not a huge fan of liquid foundation in general, and I'm still playing with this one, but so far I like it.


I also am going to use my Bare Minerals Original Foundation and Mineral Veil.


I'm so glad I got these in my Suprise Box- I've been without Bare Minerals for a long time, and even though I had convinced myself the L'oreal mineral powder is the same, it's not. It's a good substitute, but it is not the same.

Lastly, the only blush I decided to keep out- Avon Smooth Minerals in Rose Radiance.


I love this. I've had it for a really, really long time (see that 2009 sticker?? Yeah...) but it's just so pretty!


And that's it!

FTC: All products listed above were either purchased by me or given to me as a gift.