"Here and Gone" by Haylen Beck

From the description, "Here and Gone" sounded like it may be interesting, but I was doubtful... sometimes I have a hard time staying focused on certain books.

When I started reading this book, I was hooked after page 1! Page 1... I don't think there has ever been a book that hooked me after the first page... but here it was! 

This book is basically every parents worst nightmare come true... a mother traveling with her two small children is pulled over and things go from bad to worse... before you know it, the kids are gone and you start to wonder if they were ever really there... Who do you believe? Did the mom kill her kids? Did the cops take the kids? Where are they?

As the pages flew by, I started to almost "fall in love" with the main character, Audra... I felt for her so much... her life was miserable and all I wanted was for someone to come along and save the day...

I can't tell you anymore unfortunately, because lets face it, it would ruin the book for you... all I can say is that trust me when I say, you will LOVE this book! 

The worst part was that it ended...

"Here and Gone" by Haylen Beck can be purchased here if you are interested:

https://www.amazon.com/Here-Gone-Novel-Haylen-Beck/dp/0451499573

***This book was provided to be free of charge by Blogging for Books for an honest review***

"The Tea Planter's Wife" by Dinah Jefferies

Wow! All I can truly say about this book is that you MUST read it! "The Tea Planter's Wife" by Dinah Jefferies had me completely consumed in it's pages... I started reading the book on Sunday night (about 10 pages) and completed it by Tuesday afternoon... 

On Monday night, I was up until 4am reading, because I just couldn't put it down!

Front Cover

In the story, you fall in love with Gwen, she is the tea planter's wife... and you find out little things about her character along the way... she is harboring a terrible secret, but her husband is also hiding something. All the deep dark family secrets come to light. 

I kept hoping for Gwen to have a happy ending.. and in a way she does... but her path has many twists and turns along the way.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who wants to be swept away into the life of a plantation owner's wife in Ceylon!

Back Cover

This book can be found on the Penguin Random House website below: 

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/540479/the-tea-planters-wife-by-dinah-jefferies/9780451495983/

Trust me when I say that you too will not be able to put this amazing book down!

*** I received this book from Blogging for Books for an honest review *** 

"Colored Pencil Painting Portraits" by Alyona Nickelsen

I received the book "Colored Pencil Painting Portraits" by Alyona Nickelsen and immediately noticed how impressive the front cover is. The artwork is beyond beautiful and conveys so much emotion without ever cracking the cover.

Front Cover

Back Cover

Once I opened the book and got to look through it, I was so impressed. Most of the "how to" type books I come across are more of the the, step 1, step 2, etc. type books. This book however is nothing like that. I would say that it is more of an advanced book for artists who are already drawing portraits, but maybe don't quite understand how to give their work the little "extra" it needs to pop off the page. 

An example of that is below... the original portrait is amazing, but using some highlights and shading really brings the portrait to life.

This book is highly recommended for anyone that is already drawing... a portrait artist... and if you are good, even a beginner would hugely benefit from this book.

"Colored Pencil Painting Portraits" can be purchased at Amazon at:

https://www.amazon.com/Colored-Pencil-Painting-Portraits-Revolutionary/dp/0385346271

*** This book was provided free of charge for an honest review by Blogging for Books ***

"Doodletopia Fairies" by Christopher Hart

"Doodletopia Fairies" is not like any other drawing book I have seen in the past. Most of the other ones give you step by step to get the exact image. With this book however, it is set up so that you use your imagination and create a one of a kind masterpiece just for you! 

Front Cover

Each page is set up with a different drawing and then shows you how to draw the foundation for that character... the rest is up to you!

Specific Hats

Action Poses

I wouldn't recommend this for someone who was just starting out drawing... or someone who is afraid to "mess up"... If you are free spirited and willing to just go for it... This is the book for you!

Back Cover

"Doodletopia Fairies" by Christopher Hart can be purchased at:

https://www.amazon.com/Doodletopia-Fairies-Design-Super-Magical-Beautiful/dp/1607746956

***This book was provided free of charge for an honest review by Blogging for Books***