Book Review - Brother's Keeper by Julie Lee + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

In 1950 in North Korea, twelve-year-old Sora and her family are living under a regime with harsh rules. They need permits to travel,  no criticizing the government, they must attend all Communist meetings and wear red. The people are afraid to speak their minds and don't trust their neighbors.

The war between North and South Korea is causing chaos. The people are using it as a chance to escape. Sora and her family walk hundreds of miles to get the city of Busan in South Korea from their tiny mountain village. They will just need to avoid frostbite, bombs,  hunger, border guards, enemy soldiers, and many other obstacles. 

When the bombing becomes more than the family can bear, Sora and her younger brother, Young has to get to Busan on their own. Will they be able to survive the journey by themselves?

The novel was a heart-wrenching and emotional read. I felt for Sora as we have similar cultural values to treat girls/women as disposable. I wish this horrible trend would end because every single life regardless of gender should have value and be treated as equals. I enjoyed reading about Sora's journey and how she learned to stick up for herself. The book is a great read for children and adults alike.

**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.**

About the Book:

Title: BROTHER'S KEEPER

Author: Julie Lee

Pub. Date: July 21, 2020

Publisher: Holiday House

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 304

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Can two children escape North Korea on their own?

North Korea. December, 1950.

Twelve-year-old Sora and her family live under an iron set of rules: No travel without a permit. No criticism of the government. No absences from Communist meetings. Wear red. Hang pictures of the Great Leader. Don't trust your neighbors. Don't speak your mind. You are being watched.

But war is coming, war between North and South Korea, between the Soviets and the Americans. War causes chaos--and war is the perfect time to escape. The plan is simple: Sora and her family will walk hundreds of miles to the South Korean city of Busan from their tiny mountain village. They just need to avoid napalm, frostbite, border guards, and enemy soldiers.

But they can't. And when an incendiary bombing changes everything, Sora and her little brother Young will have to get to Busan on their own. Can a twelve-year-old girl and her eight-year-old brother survive three hundred miles of warzone in winter?

Haunting, timely, and beautiful, this harrowing novel from a searing new talent offers readers a glimpse into a vanished time and a closed nation.

A Junior Library Guild Selection

About Julie: 

Julie Lee graduated from Cornell University with a degree in history. After working in market research in Manhattan for over ten years, she decided to pursue writing full-time. Currently, Julie lives in Georgia with her husband and three children. When she is not spending time with her family, she is working on her next book while pursuing an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Brother's Keeper is her debut novel.

Website | Twitter | Facebook |  Goodreads 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of BROTHER'S KEEPER, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21135/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

8/31/2020	Debjani's Thoughts	Review
8/31/2020	Miss Elizabeth	Review
9/1/2020	Karma Readz Kidz Bookz	Review
9/1/2020	Her Book Thoughts	Review
9/1/2020	Her Book Thoughts	Instagram Post
9/2/2020	History from a Woman’s Perspective	Review
9/2/2020	Twirling Book Princess	Excerpt
9/3/2020	The Writer’s Alley	Review
9/3/2020	The Writer’s Alley	Instagram Post
9/4/2020	Two Points of interest	Review
9/4/2020	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
9/4/2020	Jaime's World	Excerpt

Book Review - Silver Moon by Jenny Knipfer + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Luis Wilson was shamed into joining the war and was recruited to work as a spy. He becomes injured and is presumed missing. During his stay at the hospital, he ends up falling in love with the same woman who shamed him into joining the war.

Oshki and Jimmy are fighting in the trenches and have a grim perspective. They worry about returning to Webaashi Bay, Ontario, to their loved ones. Lily is working with the women back home to help support the fight along with rallying support when a local is accused of being a spy.

This book is the third novel in the series. I am not sure if each book can be read standalone but, this was my first book. I found that there were a lot of characters in the beginning and it was hard for me to keep track of. I felt like there was a lot of jumping between different times and it ruined the flow for me. The novel does move a bit slowly. However, if you are a fan of cozy romances with a hint of espionage than this might be the perfect book for you.

**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.**

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Silver Moon

(By the Light of the Moon #3)

By Jenny Knipfer

Christian Historical Fiction

Paperback & ebook, 411 Pages

June 30, 2020

A tale of courage and hope in the darkest of times...

Silver Moon, the third book in the series: By the Light of the Moon, paints a stunning and poignant picture of life on the home front in Webaashi Bay, Ontario, and of three men who are a part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WWI.

Shamed into joining the war, the tide turns for Luis Wilson when he is steered into the depths of espionage. Injured and presumed missing, will he lose his heart to the very woman who presented him with a white feather?

Oshki and Jimmy offer a grim perspective on life in the trenches. They despair of ever returning home to the women who hold their hearts.

Meanwhile, Lily fights for the cause in her own way and rallies the female troops at home as prejudices run high and the local cafe owner is accused of being a spy.

Will the women of Webaashi Bay receive their men back unscathed? Can the power of love win out over insurmountable odds? All this drama and more plays out under the light of a silver moon.

Fans of WWI historical fiction, Christian historical fiction, and literary fiction will find Silver Moon a moving, powerful read!

Praise for the Book

Taking an original angle on a tumultuous time in history, Silver Moon by Jenny Knipfer is a sparkling slice of historical fiction. Ambitiously detailing a diverse collection of characters, this World War I story bounces across space and time, delicately filled with vivid descriptions, nuanced moral dilemmas, and authentic relationships..." --Self-publishing Review

"Silver Moon is a highly recommended read for fans of historical wartime fiction, powerful emotive drama, and excellent atmospheric writing." --Readers' Favorite

"I am stunned by the amount of detail the author gave in this single story. On one hand, we have powerful characters... and on the other, we have a plot that demands all our attention. Jenny Knipfer pulls no punches and holds nothing back." --Readers' Favorite

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to Amazon affiliate links.)

About the Author

Jenny lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Ken and their pet Yorkie, Ruby. She is also a mom and loves being a grandma. She enjoys many creative pursuits but finds writing the most fulfilling.

Jenny’s education background stems from psychology, music, and cultural missions. She spent many years as a librarian in a local public library but recently switched to using her skills as a floral designer in a retail flower shop. She is now retired from work due to disability.

She authored and performed a self-published musical CD entitled, Scrapbook of a Closet Poet.

Jenny’s books, Ruby Moon, Blue Moon, and Silver Moon earned five-star reviews from Reader’s Favorite, a book review and award contest company. Their praise: “Ruby Moon is entertaining, fast-paced, and features characters that are real. Blue Moon continues a well-written and highly engaging saga of family ties, betrayals, and heartaches… Silver Moon is a highly recommended read for fans of historical wartime fiction, powerful emotive drama, and excellent atmospheric writing.”

She holds membership in the: Midwest Independent Booksellers Association, Historical Novel Society, Wisconsin Writers Association, Christian Indie Publishing Association, and Independent Book Publishers Association.

Jenny’s favorite place to relax is by the western shore of Lake Superior, where her novel series, By The Light of the Moon, is set. She has self-published the first three books, Ruby Moon, Blue Moon, and Silver Moon, in her four-part series. One more novel to complete the series is planned for 2020. She is currently writing a new historical fiction series called, Sheltering Trees.

Photo Credit: Craig Jentink

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive ebooks of all three books in the By the Light of the Moon series by Jenny Knipfer (Ruby Moon, Blue Moon and Silver Moon) and a $25 Amazon eGift Card

Open internationally to those who can use one of Amazon's branches
Ends September 9, 2020

ENTER HERE

Book Review - I See You by Clare Mackintosh

Photo Credit - Amazon

Zoe Walker takes the same route to the train station every day. She even stands at the same spot and has a favorite seat. Zoe would never suspect someone is waiting for her every move. It all started when Zoe spots her photo in the classified ad section with a phone number and a listing for a website called FindTheOne.com. 

Zoe notices other women begin appearing in the same ad. The ad has a different woman each day. She realizes that the women from the ads become victims of violent crimes, including murder. Zoe reports the classified ads in hopes that she can determine the purpose of the ads. When she discovers a key bit of evidence, she realizes that it might be someone she knows. Zoe questions every single person that she comes into connection with. Is the friendly stranger on the train have a more deadly purpose than he is letting on?

The novel was a quick and suspenseful read filled with twists. The author leads you to believe it can be everyone and anyone who is out to get you. Thankfully, we are in quarantine for the next few months but, when I have to go back into the office, you can be sure I will be mixing things up. I can't wait to read other books 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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

September 2020 Haul!

Is it already September? Boy did the year fly but, I am not mad. I am really excited for Fall to start. I can't wait for Halloween season..yes, SEASON to start. 

I bought a few new facial sheet mask. I love trying new masks. I bought a few more lip products but, haven't finished a single one in the last few months :/ I am excited to try the Biore Rose Quartz face scrub. I heard that products infused with crystals help promote healthier wellbeing. I bought a few new face lotions that help with dark spots since I been suffering from a lot more acne breakouts.

Have you tried any of these products? Anything I should look forward to trying?

Book Review - How to Live on the Edge by Sarah Lynn Scheerger + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Cayenne just turned eighteen years old and she barely remembers her mother who died from breast cancer when Cayenne was four. The women in the Silk family have a history of dying young from breast cancer. Cayenne figures that since her days are numbered, she might as well enjoy life now and engage in risky behaviors such as dodging trains and jumping off cliffs.

She and her sister, Saffron received a note that their dead mother left them a series of video messages before she died. Cayenne is unsure if she wants them because she feels that her aunt Tee has been more of a mother figure to her and her sister. However, when her aunt tested positive for the BRCA gene mutation and decides to undergo surgery, Cayenne is conflicted about her future.

The book was an emotional rollercoaster as Cayenne comes to terms with her life and her health. I didn't like that her sister, Saffron was pushing her to do things that she thought would benefit Cayenne like choosing to get tested or undergoing surgery. I understand that Saffron cares for Cayenne but, I believe forcing or strong holding people to make decisions is a bad idea.  Overall, I thought it was a good read and look forward to reading other books by the author.

**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.**

About the Book:

Title: HOW TO LIVE LIFE ON THE EDGE

Author: Sarah Lynn Scheerger

Pub. Date: August 4, 2020

Publisher: Lerner/Carolrhoda

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 312

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Eighteen-year-old Cayenne barely remembers her mother, who died of breast cancer when Cayenne was four. The women in her family have a history of dying young. Cayenne figures she'll meet the same fate, so she might as well enjoy life now, engaging in death-defying risks like dodging trains and jumping off cliffs with her boyfriend.

When Cayenne receives a series of video messages her mother made for her before dying, she isn't sure she wants them. Her aunt Tee has been her true mother figure. But then Aunt Tee tests positive for a BRCA gene mutation--the one that doomed Cayenne's mom--and decides to get a mastectomy to reduce her chances of developing cancer. As Cayenne helps her aunt prepare for the surgery, she finds herself drawn to her mother's messages, with their musings on life, love, and perseverance. For the first time, Cayenne starts to question what it truly means to live life to the fullest, even when death might be written into her DNA.

About Sarah:

Sarah Lynn (Scheerger) works as a clinical social worker with at-risk youth, helping them figure out who they are and who they want to be. She also provides counseling to adults and couples. She lives in southern California with her husband and children. Sarah started out writing under her first and middle name (Sarah Lynn) because she thought having a pen name seemed mysterious and cool. However, over time she’s transitioned to writing under her real name as well (both Sarah Scheerger and Sarah Lynn Scheerger). Sarah loves reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family and friends.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of HOW TO LIVE LIFE ON THE EDGE, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21124/?

Book Review - The Stolen Ones by Owen Laukkanen

Photo Credit - Amazon

It is a rainy summer evening in Cass County, Minnesota when a deputy steps out of a diner and ends up dead a few minutes later. BCA agent Kirk Stevens is called to help solve the case as he is nearby on vacation. The local police have a suspect in custody, a young woman sitting over the body. The woman speaks no English, has no ID, and is holding the deputy's gun. 

As Stevens and his partner, Carla Windermere, dig into the case, they find themselves tangled in a massive web of international kidnapping and prostitution. The two agents will have to travel across the country to find the person behind the crimes. Will they be able to solve the case before more innocent people get hurt?

This was my first novel by the author and I can't say I am a fan. I thought the novel was pretty boring and straightforward. There were no surprises and the story goes exactly how you would expect it to go. I didn't care for any of the characters or even the main leads of the story.

**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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

August 2020 Empties Part 2!

Ah, I can't believe August is over! It feels like the year just blew right by. But, at least Fall is almost there and I am really excited to put the hot days behind me. I didn't finish much for this batch other than a few more face masks. I am definitely been trying to finish the ones I have but, I always seem to get more than I can finish.

I got a few more masks from the Facetory line. I feel like these masks are definitely more basic and affordable. They are perfect if you just want to target one area of concern. I tried the Aorh mask and oh boy! It was so refreshing, relaxing, soothing and so pleasant to use. I am looking forward to trying their other masks.

I love Bite Beauty's lipsticks and lip pencils but, I am finding some of their lip treatment items lacking. I like that the night lip therapy was thick like honey but, I felt like it wore off too quickly. I found that I had better luck swiping on a thick layer of Vaseline instead. Their scrub was very mushy and ended being messy. I think I like the scrubs with the bigger sugar pieces.

Here is a list of everything I finished -

Friendvita Perfect Skin Adhesion Firming Gold Glow Mask

Farm Stay Real Peach Essence Mask

Soo'ae Panda Eye Brightening Mask

Facetory Everyday Rice Bran Soothing Mask

Facetory Everyday Pearl Brightening Mask

Sur Medic Vital Collagen Mask

Elakoko Noni Enriched Nourishing Mask

Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack - Sodium Hyaluronate + Lotus

Facetory Everyday Charcoal Detoxifying Mask

Aorh This Mask Packs Makes Your Skin Feel Soothes and Moisturizes

Jant Blanc Aloe Essential Sheet Mask

Bite Beauty Agave+ Nighttime Lip Therapy

Bite Beauty Fruit Scrub Whipped Cherry

Clean Scene by Murad Gaga for Glow Gentle Facial Scrub

Briogeo Don't Despair Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

Book Review - The Suicide House by Charlie Donlea

Photo Credit - Amazon

Indiana's elite Westmont Preparatory High School is well known for its strict rules and high expectations. Students are expected to follow their highly enforced rules. However, behind the campus is an abandoned house in the woods that is a late-night hangout for students. At the abandoned house, the students play a game called "Man in the Mirror" and they have one rule: don't let your candle go out.

One year ago, two students were brutally murdered one night. The case became well known and became the focus of a hit podcast, The Suicide House. While a teacher was convicted of the murders, there are still many mysteries and questions surrounding the case. One chilling mystery is why the survivors of the horrible night all return to the boarding house to kill themselves.

Rory is an expert at finding clues on cold cases. She is working with her partner, Lane to solve the mystery behind the murders. They try to recreate the night to find answers that were missed.  As they begin to dig into the case, they discover dark secrets and someone willing to stop at nothing to get what they want.

This was my first book by the author and I am hooked. I already added his other books to my reading pile. The novel was thrilling and kept me entertained until the end. I wasn't a fan of the writing style though. I am guessing the author formatted the chapter to feel like short bursts but, it felt annoying after awhile. Overall, I loved the book and can't wait to read more by the author.

**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.**

Book Review - Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton

Photo Credit - Amazon

S.T. is a domesticated crow who enjoys the simple pleasures of life. He likes hanging out with his owner Big Jim, insulting the wild college crows of Seattle, and eating delicious human food such as Cheetos. 

S.T.'s day started like every other day until one day, Big Jim's eyeball falls out of his head. S.T. tries to do everything to make Big Jim feel better. He tries to feed him food and beer but, nothing seems to work. After being nearly attacked by Big Jim, S.T. and Dennis set out to the new world in hopes to find a new home.  They discovered that mankind has succumbed to this deadly virus and is now consuming each other. With the top predator from the food chain gone, local wildlife is taking over Seattle along with new dangerous predators. The human race is becoming extinct and S.T. is determined to do something about it.

Oh, this book had me going through a rollercoaster of emotions. At first, it took me a bit longer to get into the book but, after halfway in I was glued to the book. The novel had me laughing throughout the book and also rolling my eyes at S.T. (in a good way). I didn't like that at times the novel didn't seem to be going anywhere and the author had these long run on lists. I felt like this took away from the novel. We read this as a buddy read and we had a lot to talk about. This isn't usually the type of books we would normally read but, I am glad I did read it.

**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.**