Even In Death A Collection of Short Stories

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 
Even in Death
Title: Even In Death: A Short Story Collection
Author: Kristy Feltenberger Gillespie
Published: August 4th, 2014
Word Count: approx. 40,000
Genre: Short Story
Age Recommendation: 15+

SYNOPSIS

 
Even In Death, a collection of ten short stories, explores the thin line between love and hate; extreme emotions even death cannot destroy.
Julie wants nothing more than to receive a flower bouquet from the hometown veterinarian. However, in “A Flower Story,” flowers are delivered long after a person is alive to smell them.
After purchasing their dream home, Sara and David feel truly blessed. Unfortunately, the couple soon discovers they’ve inherited a wicked curse. In fact, in “What’s Really There,” the former residents’ spirits refuse to move on.
In the title story, on the anniversary of his fiancés’ death, Mark realizes that he can see and communicate with spirits, including Amy’s. Can Mark and Amy’s love survive even in death?
“A Flower Story,” “What’s Really There,” and “Even In Death,” as well as the other seven stories in the collection are rife with emotion that will linger well after the last page.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristy F Gillespie
Kristy Feltenberger Gillespie lives in Warrenton, Virginia with her husband, two cats, and three dachshunds. She’s a middle school counselor, graduate student at Longwood University, (pursuing a degree in School Library Media) blogger, short story and Young Adult novel writer. When she’s not working, she’s traveling or dreaming of traveling. She’s been on several cross country road trips with her mom. In fact, Hawaii and Alaska are the only states she hasn’t been to.
EXCERPT

 

When Angelica adjusts her sunglasses, Olivia notices her best friend’s black eye.
“Oh, sweetie, what happened?” Olivia reaches across the sticky table for Angelica’s hands but she moves them quickly; as if Olivia’s touch is a flame that will burn her beyond recognition.
Angelica chews on her bottom lip. “Nothing.”
“I’m worried about you.”
“There’s nothing to worry about, Olivia.” She separates the ‘O’ from the ‘livia.’
A spunky orange haired waitress arrives at their table. Her name tag reads “Bad Susie” with a little devil sticker next to it. “Can I take your order?”
“Plain coffee, please,” Olivia says.
“Same here,” Angelica says.
Susie places a hand on her hip. “You sure you don’t want pancakes? Eggs and toast?”
They shake their heads.
Bad Susie tilts her head, focusing on Angelica. “You’re worth so much more.”
“What?” Angelica winces.
“You’re wearing sunglasses indoors, long sleeves and jeans, and it’s like eighty degrees outside. And your makeup is only partially covering your bruises. Obviously your boyfriend is a beater. Just know you’re worth more than that.” Before Angelica has a chance to respond, Susie moves to the next table.

REVIEW

 

I’ve done a few book reviews since starting this blog years ago.  I’ve had the chance to communicate with authors via email.  They’ve been lovely to work with.  This one is different for me, because I’ve actually been around this author in person, talked to her, and got to know her personality a bit.  She always seemed to be a creative soul to me. It did not surprise me when I first heard she was writing books.  Knowing her personality and creativity, she paints pictures that is unique to her and offers a refreshing new voice to book readers
I loaded the book to my Kindle app on my phone thinking I could read bits and pieces when I had a chance.  You know when you’re waiting for warm ups to be over at your kids’ football game.  I started reading the very first story “A Fine Winter Day” and read right through it.  Thankfully I started reading after the kids went to bed because it was one of those reads for me where you become almost oblivious to the happening around you.  (One reason I don’t do too many book reviews with 4 kids, if I have a good one I want to keep reading).  The first short was a good kick off for the rest of the book.
Even In Death is right up my alley for this busy mom.  I’m definitely a fan of supernatural and suspense stories.  To define it as just that though would not be adequate.  As the synopsis suggests, there is a number of emotions conveyed through this book. The fact that they were short allowed even this busy mom to take a few minutes of reading enjoyment a day.  The stories are not predictable either.  Often I can pick up a supernatural or suspense story and think “oh let me guess this chick is going to go right in to that basement and see her grandmother’s ghost there” or whatever but this one, not so much. There were a few delightful turns throughout the book.  A couple of the stories I needed to reread to make sure I fully understood what was going on because Kristy finds a way to tuck info into the story you didn’t realize was important until you start reading on.  Did you ever have one of those “Oh so that’s why she said that” type of moments when watching tv or reading a book?

 

GIVEAWAY

Giveaway Details
There is a tour wide giveaway.  Prizes include the following:
$10 Amazon GC (INT) and print copy of Even in Death (US)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dr Song Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Review

Dr Song Medicals is a global company that specializes in research and products for licensed professionals.  They offer several different cosmetic products including the Dr Song 20% Vitamin C+E Serum with Hyaluronic Acid I’m reviewing here.

dr song

 

Dr Song serum has a non-sticky formula containing 20% vitamin C enhanced with Vitamin E and Hyaluronic acid and aloe.  It’s been tested and refined by doctors and other medical professionals in the cosmetics industry.

According to the instructions on the website you are to use this product once a day on a clean face.  It says immediate results are not uncommon but they suggest you use it for 30 days for optimal results.  I’ve been using the product for about a week.  I had placed the order through Amazon.  I would have been using it longer but after 16 days had not received the product.  I contacted the company and they stated it appeared to be lost in shipment.  They sent out a replacement immediately so I just got it about a week ago.

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I personally like the packaging.  Very clean looking, glass bottle and glass dropper to easily get the amount of serum you want.  The serum itself is clear and spread evenly on my skin and absorbed quickly.  I didn’t notice anything immediately with use.  After several days however I did start to notice that the fine lines around my mouth and temples weren’t as defined.  It didn’t seem to have much effect after only a week of use on the my deeper lines between my eye brows. I’m gonna keep using it though for the recommended 30 days to see what happens.

You don’t have to be a medical professional though to try Dr Song Vitamin C+E with Hyaluronic Acid.  They make their products available on Amazon with a goal to get it in the hands of consumers at a reasonable price.

Would you like to try this Dr Song serum for yourself?

GIVEAWAY

1 Luv Saving Money reader will win a

bottle of Dr Song Vitamin C+E with Hyaluronic Acid for themself

US only

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Rtgs 20 Micro LEDs String Lights Review

Did you ever wish you could brighten up an area of your home like you mantel or your china cupboard?  Have you ever wanted to put holiday lights up somewhere but there’s no outlet available for the string lights?  Every wanted to create a cute eye-catching center piece for a party but you’re just not that crafty?  I’ve been there.

Rtgs 20 Micro LEDs string lights can help with all those things and lots more.

Rtgs micro leds

 

Don’t let the size fool you, these lights are bright.  The particular set I received were blue but they come in several different colors.  Just pop in 3 AA batteries and switch them on.  There could be a lot of uses for these, especially if you’re creative.   The 20 LEDs come in 5 different colors to coordinate with your home or party.

Rtgs blue micro LEDs

 

These are very bright lights even for just having 20 lights on them.  The “string” is a bendable wire so you could shape it to fit in or around whatever you are using it for.  I decorated and bench we have in our foyer with them here.

Rtgs blue mico leds

 

You could possibly create center pieces for things like wedding showers, baby showers, Halloween parties, birthdays,etc.  I tried throwing together something quick just to see what it would look like. The lights get pretty warm though so you’d need to be careful with what you put around the lights I’d think.  I put some shredded paper in this vase with the lights.  I looked pretty cool but after being on for only a few minute I could feel the vase felt warm. I turned them off and took the lights out of the vase just to be safe.

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I’m thinking these micro LED lights would be nice to put around my village at Christmas time or to put on a mantel wove around christmas decorations.  With new batteries, the lights will last for 48 hours.  I love the fact that they bendable to fit how and where you need them.

You can find Rtgs Products on these social media site:

Twitter: @rtgsproducts

Facebook: facebook.com/RTGSProducts

Pinterest: pinterest.com/rtgsproducts

 

What ideas do you have for uses for these micro LEDs?

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Comforts for Baby Products Review

**I received the following product in order to complete a review. No other compensation has been received.  Any opinions expressed are my own**

It’s hard to believe my daughter is 18 months old.  I honestly feel like just a few months ago I brought her home. She’s walking now, trying to say words, and has her own little personality.  All of my kids are precious but I know I need to take extra care with the things I put on her skin.  I’ve tried my share of baby and toddler products with 4 kids. I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t with my kids.  Being on a budget though, I need to find good products at prices I can afford.

Comforts for Baby has a full line of affordable baby and toddler products.  Everything from easy grip nail clippers, to baby shampoo, diapers, sippy cups, and lots more.  Comforts for Baby brand is available at Kroger stores at a price that’s more budget friendly than some of the other baby brands.

 

Comforts for Baby Products

 

Now, I realize that price shouldn’t be the main deciding factor when choosing products for your baby or toddler.  Before I accepted the offer to review some of their products I visited the site to see what they were all about.  Comforts for Baby products are produced with the highest quality standards. They’re products like pacifier and teethers are all BPA free and meet the highest safety standards.  Products like their baby wash (pictured above, far left) is 100% soap free, dye free, paraben free, and ph-balanced for baby’s sensitive skin.  It’s clinically tested to be hypoallergenic and allergy tested too.

I received the Comforts for Baby items pictured above: Baby Wash, Baby Lotion, Baby Shampoo, Baby Oil, and Creamy Diaper Rash Ointment.  So how do they work you ask?  I tried the baby wash and baby shampoo with each bath for my two youngest children since I received them.  They worked wonderfully.  They had a light scent.  I love that the bottle have the pump for the wash and the pop up type top for the shampoo.  They were easy to dispense when bathing two kids.  Also near tears so that’s a good thing too.

Comforts for baby bath

 

All of the product I received are a generous size.  The shampoo and body wash are 15 fl oz with the oil being 20 fl oz.  After bath time it was time to dry off, lotion up, and put on a fresh diaper.  This was my opportunity to try the baby lotion and diaper rash cream.  My daughter’s skin is sensitive.  Especially in the diaper area it seems. I can only use certain brands of disposable diapers on her otherwise she gets terrible rashes.  I put diaper creams on her just to help protect her skin.  Some diaper creams haven’t been worth the box they came in while others were just what we needed.  I’m always a little iffy about trying a new diaper cream because I know which ones were.  The diaper cream was a thick white paste that came in a tube.  Again it was easy to dispense. It seemed like the consistency of some of the creams that worked.  It did work!  I love the generous size of the tube too because it will last a lot longer than some of the others I’ve tried.

comforts for baby diaper cream

 

I was happy with every product I received.  I wouldn’t hesitate to buy more of these products if I saw them on a store shelf near me.

You can read more about the Comforts for Baby brand on their website: Comfortsforbaby.com . There you can also find store location, coupons, and more info about their line of products.

Follow Comforts for Baby on the following social media sites too:

Facebook: facebook.com/comfortsforbaby

Twitter: @Comfortsforbaby

Pinterest: pinterest.com/comfortsforbaby

 

 

Ageless by Thera Vita Review

As a 30 something mom I do have concern about things like wrinkles and dull skin.  I’ve tried lots of different skin creams, serums, gels, and lotions.  I’ve yet to find that miracle product but I have tried quite a few that did offers some benefits to my skin.  As I read more and more though I prefer to seek out products that don’t have chemicals and have natural and organic ingredients to help my skin.

Ageless by Thera Vita uses organic ingredients to offers benefits to your skin such as increasing elasticity, reducing fine lines, and give you glowing skin.

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Ageless by Thera Vita comes in a pump bottle.  I found that one pump was enough to use on my entire face. It has an almost gel like consistency.  The serum itself has a cloudy appearance to it.  I really enjoyed the scent of this product.  You were able to pick out the scent of some of the organic ingredients in the serum. Some of the organic ingredients include: green tea, witch hazel, aloe, jojoba oil, Vitamins A, C, E, and geranium oil.

I actually took this with me when we went on vacation to the beach.  I used face sunscreen but hours at the beach I did get a little red.  Not badly burnt but I had a some color.  I was a little hesitant to put this on my skin. I didn’t know if it would sting on my sun exposed skin.  I put it on anyway and it actually made my skin feel better. I suppose it has something to do with the aloe in the serum.

After using it a few times, my skin appeared brighter.  I had a few blemishes and it also seemed to quiet down the redness of those.  You can find Ageless by Thera Vita on Amazon:

 

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.