Monday, November 29, 2021

November 2021 Haul Part 2!

 

Well this year went by so quickly! I feel like it was just the beginning of the year a few days ago. Well, hopefully I make something better out of 2022!

I actually showed some self control this month and didn't go to crazy but, who knows with all the holiday sales. I tried cutting back but, honestly, that's no fun.

I got a few masks from Miss Spa and Yes to. I am excited to try them and they were on sale at the drugstore. I love a good buy one get one free deal. I have tried a few masks from these brands and I wouldn't mind trying them again.

I got some bath products from Sumbody. I used to use their organic all natural stuff a lot before I moved and I just recently re-discovered the brand. I got a few of their soaps, bath melts, and salt scrubs bon bons. I also got a few skin care items like their facial mist, their mud mask, in shower masks and aromatherapy balm.  I tried the aromatherapy roll on and it smells so relaxing and divine. I am hoping that their bath products smell this good too.

I am really excited to try the Lancome Renergie H.C.F Triple serum as not only does the bottle look cool but, this serum was a whopping $135 before taxes! I am hoping this futuristic bottle gives me skin from 20 years ago. While I was shopping I came across some bath salts and soap from Margot Elena. I used to have her subscriptions years ago and did like her stuff but, I wasn't using it fast enough and then after awhile I got tired of the same stuff over and over. I managed to finish my previous stockpile so, I might be interested in restarting that subscription depending on how crazy I go over the holidays.

Did you get anything exciting this month?

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Book Spotlight - They Stay by Claire Fraise + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: THEY STAY (They Stay #1)

Author: Claire Fraise

Pub. Date: October 12, 2021

Publisher: Sabertooth Press

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 372

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Membership!

For fans of Stranger Things comes a suspenseful YA mystery about a missing kid, a girl who can see ghosts, and a horrifying crime only four outcasts have the power to stop.

What if the only person who could help you find your missing brother was dead?

Nothing is as important to sixteen-year-old Shiloh Oleson as her little brother Max. So when the six-year-old goes missing without a trace, a heartbroken Shiloh refuses to believe nothing can be done and sets out to find him.

When one of Shiloh’s classmates says she knows where Max is, Shiloh hesitates to believe her. Francesca is creepy. She says she can see ghosts, but everyone knows ghosts aren’t real … right?

But Francesca says that Max is going to be murdered.

And a ghost told her where he is.

As the line between the dead and living begins to blur, Shiloh starts to think Francesca might not be as crazy as she believed. One thing is becoming clear. Someone has gruesome plans for Max, and Shiloh must confront her worst nightmares to find him before it’s too late.

THEY STAY is the first book in the thrilling They Stay Series by award-winning author Claire Fraise. Read on if you like ghost stories, plot twists, enemies-to-friends, creepy circuses, budding romance, and unlikely heroes.

CONTENT WARNINGS: This book contains physical and mental abuse, death, violence, kidnapping, gun violence, alcohol abuse, references to suicide, implied sexual abuse (non-graphic), bullying, and mild adult language.

Praise for THEY STAY:

"Fraise successfully creates an atmosphere like a cold graveyard, and a heart-thundering story that will haunt you more than any ghost can." — Briar Esterline, author of Ablem's Sanctuary

 Download a SNEAK PEEK of THEY STAY here!

 

Book Trailer:




About Claire Fraise:

Claire Fraise earned her B.A. in English from Tufts University. She published her debut novel when she was 16 (award-winning YA dystopian novel IMPERFECT), and her YA supernatural thriller THEY STAY is coming out in October 2021. When Claire’s not writing, she likes crocheting amigurumi animals, reading, and hanging out with her dogs. Even though it goes against every introverted bone in her body, she is on social media. Connect with her on Instagram at @clairefraiseauthor, on YouTube at Write with Claire Fraise, or visit her website at clairefraise.com.

Sign up here to get Claire’s Newsletter --> https://mailchi.mp/40f6e2a8c635/claire-fraise

 

Website  Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | PinterestGoodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a finished copy of THEY STAY, US Only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/8/2021

Devouring Books

Guest Post

11/9/2021

Writer of Wrongs

Guest Post

11/10/2021

For the Love of KidLit

Excerpt

11/11/2021

BookHounds YA

Excerpt

11/12/2021

Don't Judge, Read

Review

11/13/2021

Phannie the ginger bookworm

Review

Week Two:

11/14/2021

The Phantom Paragrapher

Review

11/15/2021

More Books Please blog

Review

11/16/2021

Once Upon a Twilight

Review

11/17/2021

Rajiv's Reviews

Review

11/18/2021

A Court of Coffee and Books

Review

11/19/2021

The Momma Spot

Review

11/20/2021

BookishConnoisseur

Review

Week Three:

11/21/2021

Jazzy Book Reviews

Review

11/22/2021

Review Thick And Thin

Review

11/23/2021

Book-Keeping

Review

11/24/2021

Lifestyle of Me

Review

11/25/2021

Karen Dee's Book Reviews

Review

11/26/2021

@curlygrannylovestoread

Review

11/27/2021

The Book Review Crew

Review

Week Four:

11/28/2021

Coffee and Wander Book Reviews

Review

11/29/2021

Eli to the nth

Review

11/30/2021

Two Points of Interest

Review


Thursday, November 25, 2021

Book Review - Heartless Prince by Angela De Vito + Giveaway

 

 

A power hungry witch has destroyed Evony's kingdom and has left her an orphan. Prince Ammon is drawn to her ability to sense familiars, who are servants to the witches, if they are near the kingdom's shield.  Evony has always had a crush on Ammon and dreams of the day they spend it together.

Prince Ammon is desperate to prove himself to his family and the kingdom. He decides to take Evony outside the borders to fight the familiars. This was everything Evony dreamed of happening until they are captured by the witch Aradia. The witch steals Ammon's heart and leaves his body to turn into a familiar.

Then Ammon's sister, Nissa, is then taken hostage by Aradia's daughter. Evony is determined to bring back the royal family safe and sound. She descends the mysterious Witchlands to retrieve Ammon's heart and save Nissa. Evony comes across another witch that tells her about her past that will change everything.

I thought the graphic novel was a beautifully done and had an interesting story. I am not sure if the authors plan on continuing the story but, the story felt short. There wasn't much back story given to Evony's history and it has the same story line as other novels. I would be interested in reading more about the characters. 

**Disclosure - I received a free copy in exchange for an honest opinion**
 

 About The Book:

Title: HEARTLESS PRINCE

Author: Leigh Dragoon & Angela De Vito (Illustrator)

Pub. Date:  November 2, 2021

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 160

Find it:  GoodreadsAmazon, B&N, TBDBookshop.org

A fierce warrior must save the heart of her beloved prince before it's too late in the first book of a new YA fantasy-adventure graphic novel trilogy, perfect for fans of Noelle Stevenson's Nimona and Kazu Kibuishi's Amulet

Evony is an orphaned princess from a kingdom destroyed by a power-hungry witch. Prince Ammon has recently been drawn to her, or at least he’s drawn to her uncanny ability to sense when familiars—servants to the witches—are approaching his kingdom’s borders. And Evony, well Evony has always longed for something more with Ammon. Wanting to prove himself to his kingdom and parents, Ammon takes Evony outside the borders to fight the familiars head-to-head. All is well until they’re captured by witch Aradia, who steals Ammon’s heart and leaves his body to turn into one of her familiars. What’s worse, his sister Nissa has been taken hostage by Aradia’s daughter. Evony makes it her miss onto retrieve Ammon’s heart and save Nissa, taking her into the mysterious Witchlands. There, she will discover a secret about her past that will change everything.

Reviews:

An enchanting, intense tale of mystery and magic - this book reveals both the vision and vibrant, young talents of Angela and Leigh throughout dense and rich pages full of visual delight and narrative wit.―Matias Bergara, illustrator of CODA

The Heartless Prince is a romantic and thrilling fantasy with strong characters and compelling twists.―Victoria Ying, author of City of Secrets

With a palette of whimsical hues and a heartful cast of characters, HEARTLESS PRINCE is a fantastic read full of witches, adventure, and destiny. I can't wait to devour the sequel!
Hafsah Faizal, NYT bestselling author of WE HUNT THE FLAME

 

About Leigh Dragoon:

LEIGH DRAGOON was raised in a log cabin in the Adirondacks, where she developed an early love of reading and writing. She became a fan of Little Women at age nine, after Beth’s demise made her bawl herself to sleep. This led to a lifelong appreciation of the book. After years of annual rereads, she became fascinated with learning about Louisa May and her family. She adapted both Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy and Marie Lu’s Legend series into graphic novel scripts. She has also written two prose Adventure Time novels: Queen of Rogues and The Lonesome Outlaw.

Website  Twitter  | Instagram | PinterestGoodreads | BookBub

 


About Angela De Vito:

ANGELA DE VITO is a freelance animator, storyboard artist, and character designer working in NYC. She graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a BFA in Animation in 2014. Since then she has worked on animation for commercials and series pitches. Angela has worked for such studios as Hornet, Inc.; Titmouse, Inc.; Aardman Nathan Love; Click 3X; CHRLX; and Disney Digital Network. She also animation directed Comedy Central Digital’s Loafy, created by Bobby Moynihan. She lives with her family and her two adorable, rambunctious cats.

Website  Facebook  | Twitter  | InstagramGoodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of HEARTLESS PRINCE, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/1/2021

For the Love of KidLit

Excerpt

11/2/2021

BookHounds YA

Excerpt

11/3/2021

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt

11/4/2021

Book-Keeping

Review

11/5/2021

Books Are Magic Too

Review

11/6/2021

Nerdophiles

Review

Week Two:

11/7/2021

ZaineyLaney

Review

11/8/2021

The book review crew

Review

11/9/2021

History from a Woman’s Perspective

Review

11/10/2021

A Backwards Story

Review

11/11/2021

celiamcmahonreads

Review

11/12/2021

Rajiv's Reviews

Review

11/13/2021

More Books Please blog

Review

Week Three:

11/14/2021

A Bookish Dream

Review

11/15/2021

@more.books.yes.please

Review

11/16/2021

lexijavabookish

Review

11/17/2021

Once Upon a Twilight

Review

11/18/2021

A Court of Coffee and Books

Review

11/19/2021

Don't Judge, Read

Review

11/20/2021

Bri's Book Nook

Review

Week Four:

11/21/2021

@momfluenster

Review

11/22/2021

The Momma Spot

Review

11/23/2021

Emelie's Books

Review

11/24/2021

Nonbinary Knight Reads

Review

11/25/2021

The Bookwyrm's Den

Review

11/26/2021

Eli to the nth

Review

11/27/2021

Lifestyle of Me

Review

Week Five:

11/28/2021

Two Points of Interest

Review

11/29/2021

onemused

Review

11/30/2021

popthebutterfly

Review


Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Book Review - The Rooster Bar by John Grisham

 

Mark, Todd, and Zola decided to attend law school for their own different reasons. They are now third-year students who feel duped by the system. They borrowed eye dropping amounts of money to attend a low tier for-profit school that is so mediocre that its graduate rarely pass the bar exam or get any profitable jobs. The trio later find out that their school is a chain of for-profit schools owned by a shady businessman who also owns a bank specializing in student loans. They realize they are one of many  victims of "The Great Law School Scam".

They begin to feel hopeless and that they have no way out. They decide to concoct a plan that they can escape their debt, expose the scam along with making a few bucks in the process. However, they realize for their plan to work they would need to leave law school a few months shy of graduation.

This was my first John Grisham novel and I was excited to read it. However, I found the novel to be very boring and slow. I read more than one third of the book before I had to stop reading it. I had a hard connecting to any of the characters and I didn't care for the one female character. It was hard to feel sympathetic with characters who complain about being ripped off and then goes ahead and rips off other struggling people. They were also upset about being duped but, it looks like they didn't really do proper due diligence and feel angry that they are being taken advantage of. Apparently, the school has a wide reputation of being horrible, wouldn't they have figured that out by the first year? I felt like Zola was just made into a prop and rarely served a purpose. I felt like most of the book is ripped straight from the headlines with little addition from the author other than his social commentary.

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Book Review - A Double Life by Flynn Berry

 

Claire is a simple hardworking doctor living a quiet life in London. However, she is a hiding a secret. She is the daughter of a notorious murder suspect and no one knows it.

Thirty years ago, Claire and her brother was sleeping upstairs when a brutal crime was committed in their family's townhouse. The next morning, her father's car was founded abandoned with bloodstains on the front seat. Her mother insists that she saw him in the house but, his powerful and privileged friends insist that he is innocent. Her father was the first lord accused of murder in more than a century.

Claire's life begins to fall apart when the police tells her that they have found him. She doesn't know if her father is guilty or innocent. Claire will have to decide how far she go to find out the truth.

I read reviews that the book would be a page turner but, I felt like this book was a cozy read. I felt like most of the novel plodded along until the last few pages of the book. The ending comes out of nowhere without alerting the reader the possibility of this character or the ending. I felt like the ending was a disjointed and disappointing.

Friday, November 19, 2021

November 2021 Empties!

 

 

I can't believe November is almost over! Wow, it just feels like the days flew by. I finished a few things this month that I liked. 

I like the lip whip by Kari Gran. It leaves  my lips super soft and hydrated. It was such a treat to put on. I heard and have used a few of Herbivore stuff but, it was years ago. I recently got the Herbivore Pink Cloud Soft Moisture Cream and applied it during the night and woke up with super soft skin. The Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm was my first time using a cleansing balm and thought it was pretty cool. It removed most of my mascara and makeup and it was fun to use. I did have to follow up with an oil cleanser to get rid of the most annoying mascara traces.

I tried a new serum called Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ and it was a whopping $149 for one ounce. It was creamy and absorbs quickly but, I am not sure I saw that much results that I am willing to fork over that much money again. I also liked the Graydon Putty Super Soothing Face Cream because it's really thick and cream. It left my skin super soft after applying it.  I tried this new hand cream called Serumkind A Precious Serum of The Royal Black Tulip and it smells amazing. It feels so luxurious and usually I use a cheap hand lotion that I have to constantly reapply. 

Here is everything I finished - 

Lip Whip by Kari Gran - Peppermint
Herbivore Pink Cloud Soft Moisture Cream
Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+
Juara Candlenut Hydrating Shower Gel
MediHeal Line Friends Teatree Care Solution Essential Mask EX.
Frienvita Perfect Skin Adhesion Firming Gold Glow Mask
Facetory Ace that Face Collagen Mask
Bling Pop Face Mask Aloe
Graydon Putty Super Soothing Face Cream
The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Shower Gel
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
Comptoir Sud Pacifique
It's a 10 Miracle Daily Conditioner
H20+ Hydration Oasis Nourishing Gel Cream
Serumkind A Precious Serum of The Royal Black Tulip
Yonka Intense Hydration Repairing
Biorace Pore Tightening Pearl Clay Mask
Hey Honey Walk the Walk Proplis Foot & Heel Cream