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Thursday, August 17, 2017
Beyond the Books: Cleo Madison Shirt Review
4:57 PM
Although I review mostly books, I actually receive a fair amount of requests from retailers offering up products to try. I decline most of them, but when it comes to clothes, well ... I have a hard time resisting! So, when Liz—the owner of Cleo Madison, an online boutique specializing in modest clothing—offered to let me try an item from her store in exchange for a review, I jumped at the chance.
As you've probably discerned already, I chose the Betty Floral Baseball Tee pictured above (shown on a model, who's about 1000% more photogenic than I am). I'm plus-sized, so I got an x-large, which fit just right—not too tight, not too loose. The length, especially, is perfect. I love the grey t-shirt fabric that makes up the sleeves and back of the shirt. It's soft, stretchy, and super comfy. I'm not as wild about the floral panel in front. It's fairly sheer (I wear a cami underneath because I'm self-conscious like that) and the material is a little scratchy. It has a tendency to bunch around the chest area, so I find myself tugging it down a lot. Irritating, but not a huge, huge deal. Overall, I like this shirt because of the soft t-shirt fabric (love it!), the fun print (a nice change from my usual plain Jane tops), and the length (perfect). Despite a few annoying details, it's a piece I enjoy wearing.
Owner Liz Morgan created her shop in an effort to provide women with a convenient place to find clothes that are modest, conservative and trendy. Cleo Madison definitely delivers. While the Betty Floral Baseball Tee is unfortunately sold out, the store still has plenty of tops, dresses/skirts, shoes, and swimwear from which to choose. The prices are reasonable, shipping is free in the U.S., products arrive quickly—what's not to love? Be sure to check Cleo Madison out on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and its website. For fun posts on fashion, food, travel, modesty, etc., don't miss Liz's blog.
To the FCC, with love: I received a free product in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Liz at Cleo Madison for her generosity!
As you've probably discerned already, I chose the Betty Floral Baseball Tee pictured above (shown on a model, who's about 1000% more photogenic than I am). I'm plus-sized, so I got an x-large, which fit just right—not too tight, not too loose. The length, especially, is perfect. I love the grey t-shirt fabric that makes up the sleeves and back of the shirt. It's soft, stretchy, and super comfy. I'm not as wild about the floral panel in front. It's fairly sheer (I wear a cami underneath because I'm self-conscious like that) and the material is a little scratchy. It has a tendency to bunch around the chest area, so I find myself tugging it down a lot. Irritating, but not a huge, huge deal. Overall, I like this shirt because of the soft t-shirt fabric (love it!), the fun print (a nice change from my usual plain Jane tops), and the length (perfect). Despite a few annoying details, it's a piece I enjoy wearing.Owner Liz Morgan created her shop in an effort to provide women with a convenient place to find clothes that are modest, conservative and trendy. Cleo Madison definitely delivers. While the Betty Floral Baseball Tee is unfortunately sold out, the store still has plenty of tops, dresses/skirts, shoes, and swimwear from which to choose. The prices are reasonable, shipping is free in the U.S., products arrive quickly—what's not to love? Be sure to check Cleo Madison out on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and its website. For fun posts on fashion, food, travel, modesty, etc., don't miss Liz's blog.
To the FCC, with love: I received a free product in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Liz at Cleo Madison for her generosity!
Tuesday, August 08, 2017
Casey's YA Mysteries Just As Compelling As Her Adult Books
7:00 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Most people would be ecstatic about spending their summer holiday at the seashore. Not 16-year-old Jess Tennant. She doesn't have anything against the beach, it's just the odd circumstances under which she's being taken there. Her mother—who has always been tight-lipped about her past—has suddenly decided to whisk Jess away from London to tiny Port Sentinel, the seaside town where she was reared. They'll be staying for months with an aunt and cousins Jess has never met. Talk about awkward.
Even more awkward is the reaction Jess receives while walking around town. People gawp at her like they're seeing a ghost. Which they are, kind of. Turns out, Jess bears a remarkable resemblance to her cousin Freya, who recently died in a fall off a steep cliff. The death has been ruled a suicide, but not everyone is convinced. The more Jess learns about her late cousin, the more she suspects Freya didn't die by choice. Jess wants answers, but her questions only provoke stern warnings and unsettling threats. What really happened to Freya Leonard? Jess is determined to find out.
I'm a big fan of Irish crime writer Jane Casey's adult novels, so I was eager to give her YA series a go. I ended up liking it quite a bit, even more than her other books in some ways. How to Fall, the first installment in the trilogy, introduces the intrepid Jess Tennant. Our heroine is tenacious, brave, and independent. With a funny, self-deprecating voice, she's easy to both like and admire. There's plenty going on in How to Fall to keep readers engaged. In fact, it's a fast, exciting page turner that can easily be read in one sitting. The story takes some dark turns and the teen characters often act a lot older than they're supposed to be, but overall, I enjoyed How to Fall. It took less than a chapter to convince me to put the next two books in the series on hold at my library. I've already devoured them because, well, they're just that compelling. Enough said.
(Readalikes: the other two books in the trilogy, Bet Your Life and Hide and Seek)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, sexual innuendo, and depictions of underage drinking
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, August 03, 2017
Love at First Note Strikes Just the Right Chord
7:42 AM
(Image from Deseret Book)
Violinist Emma Hill knows that moving back to Asheville, North Carolina, will mean taking a step backward in her flourishing music career. Since the South is not exactly overrun with eligible Mormon bachelors, the 25-year-old's dating life will likely take a hit as well. Family's worth it, though, and Emma's is struggling. The effects of her mother's MS are taking a toll on her parents, while her younger sister—also a talented violinist—is threatening to quit music altogether. Emma wants to be there to help, even if her folks insist they're fine.
To Emma's surprise, Asheville is not as RM deficient as she thought it would be. In fact, a very good-looking specimen has just moved into the apartment next door. Not only is Elliott Hart hot, but he's also humble and kind. And a musician to boot. With a large YouTube following, the 26-year-old pianist is a minor celebrity—minus the inflated ego. In fact, he could not be more perfect. With all she and Elliott have in common, Emma expects their hearts to fall into perfect harmony. Except, they don't.
Why is Elliott rebuffing Emma's every (admittedly clumsy) move? How can she convince him she's serious Eternal Companion material and not just another star struck fan? Will the two ever make beautiful music together? Or has Emma struck too many wrong notes with the man she's coming to love most desperately?
I don't read a lot of them, but I do love me a fun, swoony rom com. It has to be done right, though, and Love at First Note by Jenny Proctor definitely struck a chord. Yes, it skims on plot. Still, the novel is light, sweet, and humorous, just as it should be. As a bonus, the characters have depth to them; the story is engaging; and the tone is upbeat. It's a cute, clean romance. Easy to read, easy to love. Which I did. This is the first book I've read by Proctor, but Love at First Note convinced me that it won't be the last.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of LDS romances by Melanie Jacobson and Brittany Larsen)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-copy of Love at First Note from the generous folks at Covenant via those on the Whitney Awards Committee for contest judging purposes. Thank you!
Wednesday, August 02, 2017
Cancun Rom Com Just ... Ridiculous
8:22 AM
(Image from Amazon)
Seven years ago, the man of Belle Lind's dreams married her college roommate. So what if Marco Dawson barely knew Belle existed? She knows the two of them are meant to be together. When Belle learns that Marco is now divorced and vacationing with his family at a posh Cancun resort, it seems like fate. The 25-year-old fashion designer isn't afraid to take this chance to finally make Marco hers. And what more romantic setting could there possibly be than sultry Cancun?
Enter Flynn Dawson, Marco's identical twin. Flynn's determined to help Marco glue his marriage back together. And he's not about to let Belle stand in the estranged couple's way. 'Course, Belle has no idea Marco even has a twin brother ... Cue chaos, confusion, and canoodling on a Cancun beach that's getting hotter by the second.
I'm not a big romance reader as you well know, but I don't mind the occasional rom com—as long as it's more cute than silly. Sadly, How I Met Your Brother by Janette Rallison is just plain ole ridiculous. I hate to rag on Rallison, as she is a wonderful, generous person who has written some novels that I've really loved (check out her very fun My Fair Godmother series), but this novel is definitely not up to par. It is a clean, lighthearted, easy read that will not tax your brain (like, at all), so there's that. On the other hand, we have a childish, manipulative, fickle heroine; shallow, one-dimensional minor characters; a plot that gets more absurd as it goes; and dull, tell-y prose. So, yeah. If it hadn't been required reading for the Whitney category I was judging, I wouldn't have made it past the novel's first page. At least it was a quick read.
(Readalikes: The book has been promoted as Sabrina meets While You Were Sleeping, which I guess I can kinda sorta see ...)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-copy of How I Met Your Brother from the Whitney Awards Committee for judging purposes. Thank you!
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