Sunday, June 30, 2019

CoverGirl Trublend Blush - 200 Medium Rose








The marbled baked blush is dermatologically and clinically tested. It's oil-free and ultra blendable due to the multi-tone shades to give the perfect "glowy" look. I wear blush daily as part of my makeup routine but, I find it hard to get the perfect "glowy, dewy" blushed look. I find either blush are too dark or light for my skin tone. Unfortunately, this blush had a bit of a chalky look and wasn't very noticeable. I might have to try another color because this makeup line did get good reviews.

Friday, June 28, 2019

Book Review - Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton


Photo Credit - Amazon
Louise Wilson has three jobs and can barely stay afloat. Lavinia Willliams has everything she could ever wanted. When a chance encounter throws the pair together, they realize nothing will be the same afterwards. The duo embark on a compulsive, frantic, intense and toxic friendship. When their obsession relationship takes a dark turn, they realize one of them might not come out alive.

I am between liking this book and wondering why the hell did I waste my time reading it. The writing style made it very hard for me to enjoy this novel. A few times I felt that the book was a bit boring with the story feeling stalled. However, I did enjoy seeing Louise get what she wanted and then slowly have it disappear when Lavinia feels like it. The ending was a bit disappointing but, it fell in line with rest of the novel.

  **Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Book Review - Refuge at Pine Lake: A Pine Haven Novel by Rose Chandler Johnson + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

After a fire forces Robin Lancaster and her mother to move out of their condo, they decide to reevaluate their living arrangement. Robin decides to use the family's lake house to rearrange her priorities including finding love. Robin is a former kindergarten teacher but, she decides she wants to focus on her artwork. She hopes to rekindle her romance with Caleb Jackson, who is the area's top hunting and fishing guide. However, all of Robin's plans go awry when she finds out the cabin has been rented to a professor on sabbatical leave. 

Matthew McLaughlin is a widowed university professor and an acclaimed author from California. He comes to Pine Lake to heal after losing his wife in a car accident. He hopes that this sabbatical will help him revitalize his spirits and writing career. However, when he crosses path with Robin and her dog, he wonders if there is more to life.

At first, I wasn't very fond of the main characters. Robin seemed very involved in wanting to have freedom from her mother and to be able to pursue Caleb freely. However, she didn't take into account Matt's feelings and his need for privacy. On the same hand, Matt seemed to be gruff when they first met and then falls for Robin after a few homecooked meals. As the novel progressed, I did warm up a bit more to the characters and was hoping that they get their own happy ending. 

 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**



Refuge at Pine Lake
By Rose Chandler Johnson
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
March 6th 2019 by Chanson Books

Robin Lancaster, a twenty-six-year-old former kindergarten teacher, has her summer and her life all figured out. She’s ready to be on her own, writing and illustrating her children’s stories at her family’s beloved lake house. Once there, she intends to rekindle a romance with Caleb Jackson, the area’s top hunting and fishing guide, and bag him for herself.

Complications arise from the start when Robin finds out her mother has rented the lake house to a man they know nothing about.

Matthew McLaughlin, forty-year-old widowed university professor and author from California, shows up at Pine Lake in crisis. A sabbatical might be his only hope to save much more than his career. He needs a place of refuge. Sharing the lake house with a lighthearted young woman and her dog is the last thing on his mind.

Caleb Jackson has his own plans. He’s used to things going his way, but a man staying in Robin’s house presents unforeseen challenges. When paths unavoidably tangle for these three, hearts are on the line.


About the Author

Rose Chandler Johnson is known for her heartwarming, inspirational writing. In addition to works of sweet contemporary fiction, her devotional journal, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments won the Georgia Author of the Year Finalist Award in 2014.

In her novels, Rose brings to life fascinating characters with compelling relationships embracing family, community, and faith. In distinctive southern settings, Rose creates memorable stories that will stir your heart. Readers often say her writing warms the soul as it reaffirms belief in love and wholesome goodness. Don’t be surprised if you sigh with pleasure as you savor the final pages of her stories.

Rose has lived in a suburb of Augusta, GA for thirty plus years. Before retiring from Georgia’s school system, she taught English, French, and ESOL. Currently, she is an English instructor at a community college. In addition to reading and writing, Rose enjoys cooking, sewing, gardening, and spending time with her six children and her beautiful grandchildren.


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a signed print copy of Refuge at Pine Lake plus a $20 Amazon gift card
One winner will receive a signed print copy of Refuge at Pine Lake
- US only
- Ends July 10, 2019

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Monday, June 24, 2019

Book Review - The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

Photo Credit - Amazon


The world of finance can be lucrative and cutthroat, especially when you are on top of your game.  Vincent, Jules, Sylvie, and Sam are successful in their field and have garnered a few enemies while making their way to the top. With their successful lifestyle, they have many options afforded to them because of their status and success.

The team is invited to participate in an escape the room style team building activity. With budget cuts and layoff looming around them,  they are excited to prove themselves. However, when the lights go off, the doors refuse to open, and with temperatures rising, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary game. 

With rising tempers and personalities clash, they realize they have to put their differences aside if they want to survive. As the game begins, the team realizes their darkest secrets will be revealed. Are they willing to pay the price for their horrendous actions? What are they willing to do to escape their prison?

The author beautifully illustrated how greed can corrupt human nature. I was astonished at the things the characters did to get what they wanted. I found the ending satisfying but, it did leave a few questions unanswered.  The story kept readings guessing who could have planned such an elaborate scheme to get their revenge. The novel was an engrossing read and I can't wait to read more by the author.


 **Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Book Review - Big Mouth Elizabeth by Rachel Vail + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon


Our beloved spunky second grader, Elizabeth is at it again! This time, Elizabeth wants to become a member of the "Big Mouth Club". The club is comprised of students who have lost one or more of their baby teeth.  Elizabeth feels left out because she still has all of her baby teeth. Only Elizabeth and Cali are not in the club and Elizabeth feels Cali is too babyish to be included.  Elizabeth learns how to fit in with her peers while being different.

In this novel, Elizabeth learns about fitting in and treating fellow classmates with respect. It was fun reading how Elizabeth copes with being left out of a popular club while trying not to do the same to a fellow classmate. While reading this book, I remembered my own "why do I still have all my baby teeth" phase.  This was another great addition to the Elizabeth series.

 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**


Title: BIG MOUTH ELIZABETH (A Is For Elizabeth series #2)
Author: Rachel Vail, Paige Keiser (Illustrations)
Pub. Date: May 9, 2019
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 128
Find it: GoodreadsAmazonKindleB&NiBooksKoboTBD

Big Mouth Elizabeth is the second in a new chapter book series spinning off of the Justin Case books, starring Justin's little sister, Elizabeth.

Second-grader Elizabeth longs to be a member of the Big Mouth Club, which is made up of kids who have lost at least one baby tooth. Elizabeth is WAY behind on losing her baby teeth, and so is Cali, a quiet girl who is also left out of the Big Mouth Club. Elizabeth thinks Cali is so much more babyish than she is--in fact, Elizabeth SHOULD be in the Big Mouth Club because she's NOT babyish. But when she understands how bad it feels to be left out, Elizabeth's attitude shifts.

Here is a story about fitting in in unexpected ways. With copious line art by Paige Keiser, this second book in Rachel Vail's Elizabeth series is sure to delight fans of Judy Moody, Junie B. Jones, and Clementine.





About Rachel:
Rachel Vail is the award-winning author of more than 30 books.

Her newest novel for middle-schoolers is WELL, THAT WAS AWKWARD.

Her novels for teens and tweens also include UNFRIENDED, IF WE KISS, KISS ME AGAIN, LUCKY, GORGEOUS, BRILLIANT, and the Friendship Ring series.

For elementary school kids, there’s JUSTIN CASE: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters; JUSTIN CASE: Shells, Smells, and the Horrible Flip-Flops of Doom, and, JUSTIN CASE: Rules, Tools, and Maybe a Bully.

Her picture books include PIGGY BUNNY and SOMETIMES I’M BOMBALOO.

Rachel lives in New York City with her husband, their two sons, and a tortoise named Lightning.


Giveaway Details:
3 lucky winners will receive finished copies of THE ELIZABETH CASE Series, US Only.

Giveaway Link:

Tour Schedule:
Week One:
6/10/2019- Twirling Book Princess- Excerpt
6/11/2019- BookHounds YA- Excerpt
6/12/2019- Nerdophiles- Review
6/13/2019- BookishRealmReviewsReview
6/14/2019- The Hermit LibrarianExcerpt

Week Two:
6/17/2019- BookishRealmReviews- Review
6/18/2019- The Suburban LifestyleReview
6/19/2019- Two Chicks on BooksExcerpt
6/20/2019- Book-o-CrazeReview
6/21/2019- Two points of interestReview

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Book Review - Reentry by Peter Cawdron + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Astronaut Dr.  Liz Anderson is returning to Earth from Mars to debrief Congress on what went wrong.  Instead of being treated to a hero's welcome, she is surrounded by hostility as America is in turmoil. While fighting for her life in Mars, she knew who the enemy was.  Back home, she is unsure who she can trust and how she can escape the deadly aftermath of the war. Upon her return, Liz also brings the remnants of the artificial intelligence that contains traces of her dead partner, Jianyu. Liz is torn between believing he is alive or if she is being manipulated by the AI. While Liz is still working through her grief, she is caught in the middle of a guerrilla war. While Liz is struggling to survive she has to decide can she trust the AI with her life?

When I first picked up this novel, I was aware that this was a sequel to the first novel. However, I felt while reading this novel that this book should have been included in the first novel. The first half of the novel, Liz and her fellow astronaut was dealing with the fallout of the AI takeover on Mars. I felt like the novel was dragging and not much was happening. I felt I would have enjoyed this book more if it had a bit more going on instead of Liz spending most of her time running away.

 **Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**



Print Length: 304 pages
Publisher: John Joseph Adams/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (June 11, 2019)
Publication Date: June 11, 2019
Sold by: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Language: English
ASIN: B07FKD6GH9


Praise for REENTRY

"It's good to consider the AI possibilities ahead. Peter Cawdron's REENTRY is a marvelous read but also an intriguing scenario for what might go on within the superintelligences." ―Vernor Vinge, Hugo Award-winning author of A Fire Upon the Deep and A Deepness in the Sky


After almost dying on Mars, astronaut Liz Anderson returns to Earth, but not to a hero’s welcome. America is in turmoil. The war is over, but the insurgency has just begun. So while life on Mars may have been deadly, at least up there she knew who the enemy was. Along with her, Liz has brought the remnants of the artificial intelligence that waged war on two planets. Buried somewhere deep within the cold electronic circuits lies the last vestiges of her dead partner Jianyu. Liz is torn, unsure whether he’s somehow still alive in electronic form or just a ploy by an adversary that will go to any length to win. Heartbroken and treated with suspicion, she finds herself caught up in the guerrilla war being waged on Earth, wondering if the AI threat is truly gone, or if it has only just begun.

You can purchase Reentry (Mars Endeavour #2) at the following Retailers:
        

Photo Content from Peter Cawdron

Peter Cawdron is an Australian science fiction author, making hard scifi easy to understand.

His debut novel Anomaly has gone on to sell over 75,000 copies around the world, while his zombie story What We Left Behind was selected by Kindle Scout for publication with Kindle Press.

        
WEEK ONE
JUNE 10th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW
JUNE 11th TUESDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT
JUNE 12th WEDNESDAY Sabrina's Paranormal Palace REVIEW
JUNE 13th THURSDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW 
JUNE 14th FRIDAY Stephanie's Life of Determination REVIEW
JUNE 14th FRIDAY Tyto Forest EXCERPT 

WEEK TWO
JUNE 17th MONDAY Wishful Endings FILL IN THE BLANKS 
JUNE 18th TUESDAY Insane About Books REVIEW
JUNE 19th WEDNESDAY A Dream Within A Dream EXCERPT
JUNE 20th THURSDAY TTC Books and More TENS LIST
JUNE 20th THURSDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW
JUNE 21st FRIDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Book Review - A Is for Elizabeth by Rachel Vail + Giveaway


Photo Credit - Amazon

Elizabeth is super excited for her big homework assignment. She has to create a poster with her name on it. Until she realizes her name has over a million letters and she will be doing more work than her classmates. To make matters worse, Anna's name begins with an A. That means she always gets to go first for everything. While Elizabeth works on her school project, she learns a few new life lessons along the way.

I was surprised I found this book very funny and entertaining. I like how the author combined a bit of humor while educating young readers about taking turns, being fair, and rules. Little Elizabeth is highly relatable and fun to read about by audiences of all ages.


 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**


Title: A IS FOR ELIZABETH (Elizabeth Case #1)
Author: Rachel Vail, Paige Keiser (Illustrations)
Pub. Date: May 9, 2019
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 128
Find it: GoodreadsAmazonKindleB&NiBooksKoboTBD

Elizabeth is in second grade. Class 2B! It's great! Friends, recess, homework!
Even a big project: Make a poster of your name.

Yayyy!

Hang on.

The name Elizabeth has a bajillion letters in it!

The name Anna has only four letters. Plus, Anna's first letter is A, which is also the first letter of Alphabetical Order. But Anna can't always be first! That's not fair!

In A is for Elizabeth, Elizabeth makes more than a poster. She also makes some important choices—about fairness, rules, speaking up, and glue. But the most important thing she makes is...a friend!


A new spin off from Vail's Justin Case series starring Justin's little sister.




About Rachel:
Rachel Vail is the award-winning author of more than 30 books.

Her newest novel for middle-schoolers is WELL, THAT WAS AWKWARD.

Her novels for teens and tweens also include UNFRIENDED, IF WE KISS, KISS ME AGAIN, LUCKY, GORGEOUS, BRILLIANT, and the Friendship Ring series.

For elementary school kids, there’s JUSTIN CASE: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters; JUSTIN CASE: Shells, Smells, and the Horrible Flip-Flops of Doom, and, JUSTIN CASE: Rules, Tools, and Maybe a Bully.

Her picture books include PIGGY BUNNY and SOMETIMES I’M BOMBALOO.

Rachel lives in New York City with her husband, their two sons, and a tortoise named Lightning.


Giveaway Details:
3 lucky winners will receive finished copies of THE ELIZABETH CASE Series, US Only.

Giveaway Link:


Tour Schedule:
Week One:
6/10/2019- Twirling Book Princess- Excerpt
6/11/2019- BookHounds YA- Excerpt
6/12/2019- Nerdophiles- Review
6/13/2019- BookishRealmReviewsReview
6/14/2019- The Hermit LibrarianExcerpt

Week Two:
6/17/2019- BookishRealmReviews- Review
6/18/2019- The Suburban LifestyleReview
6/19/2019- Two Chicks on BooksExcerpt
6/20/2019- Book-o-CrazeReview
6/21/2019- Two points of interestReview