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.

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

Book Spotlight - Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: OUT OF MY HEART (Out of My Mind #2)

Author: Sharon M. Draper

Pub. Date:  November 9, 2021

Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 352

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

Melody faces her fears to follow her passion in this stunning sequel to the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling middle grade novel Out of My Mind.

Melody, the huge-hearted heroine of Out of My Mind, is a year older, and a year braver. And now with her Medi-talker, she feels nothing’s out of her reach, not even summer camp. There have to be camps for differently-abled kids like her, and she’s going to sleuth one out. A place where she can trek through a forest, fly on a zip line, and even ride on a horse! A place where maybe she really can finally make a real friend, make her own decisions, and even do things on her own—the dream!

By the light of flickering campfires and the power of thunderstorms, through the terror of unexpected creatures in cabins and the first sparkle of a crush, Melody’s about to discover how brave and strong she really is.

 

Reviews:

"A deeply satisfying and worthy continuation of a beloved story." (Kirkus Reviews, STARRED September 15, 2021)

“Melody Brooks, a smart, determined 12-year-old diagnosed with cerebral palsy, returns in this sequel to 2010’s Out of My Mind. Longing for independence from her family and daily routines, she persuades her parents to let her attend Camp Green Glades, a summer camp for kids with disabilities in her home state of Ohio. With the help of her Jamaican American counselor Trinity and three cabinmates, Melody navigates new experiences—including zip-lining, horseback riding, and a first crush. Melody’s voice is as wryly funny as ever, and the supporting cast, which features kids and adults of various ethnicities and disabilities, treat her with respect and empathy… it’s impossible not to be charmed by the witty protagonist’s affirming, frequently ecstatic discovery of what it means to be part of a community that truly understands her.” (Publishers Weekly *STARRED REVIEW* October 11, 2021)

Grab the first book in the series now!

 

About Sharon M. Draper:

Sharon M. Draper is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and a recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. She has received the Coretta Scott King Award for both Copper Sun and Forged by Fire, and was awarded the Charlotte Huck Award for Stella by Starlight. Her novel Out of My Mind has won multiple awards and was a New York Times bestseller for over three years, and Blended has also been a New York Times bestseller. She taught high school English for twenty-five years and was named National Teacher of the Year. She now lives in Florida. Visit her at SharonDraper.com.

Website  | Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will win a finished copy of OUT OF MY HEART, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/8/2021	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
11/8/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
11/9/2021	bookblogarama	Excerpt
11/9/2021	Little Red Reads	Review
11/10/2021	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
11/10/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
11/11/2021	Bri's Book Nook	Review
11/11/2021	Sparetimereader	Review
11/12/2021	More Books Please blog	Review
11/12/2021	OneMoreExclamation	Review

Week Two:

11/15/2021	Wilted pages	Review
11/15/2021	Don't Judge, Read	Excerpt
11/16/2021	For the Love of KidLit	Excerpt
11/16/2021	BookHounds YA	Review
11/17/2021	Eli to the nth	Review
11/17/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review
11/18/2021	Not In Jersey	Review
11/18/2021	@bookshelfmomma	Review
11/19/2021	Once Upon a Twilight	Review
11/19/2021	The Momma Spot	Review

Book Review - Hush Little Baby by R.H. Herron

 

Jillian Marsh has been a survivor her entire life. She escaped her toxic upbringing from her religious mother as a teenager and then she hit rock bottom in her twenties because of alcoholism. She has gotten her life together after getting sober and building a successful marriage and medical career. However, she is struggling to make amends for her past mistakes during her drinking days.

A decade later, things are going down hill for Jillian. Her wife, Rochelle, has cheated and left her for someone else while Jillian is pregnant with Rochelle’s biological child. Jillian feels unsettled being alone at home especially, when weird things are happening. Even the members of her mommies-to-be group are no longer offering the solace it once was especially, when secrets are being unraveled.

As missing items starts turning into threats, Jillian starts to question everyone around her. She is afraid that someone close to her wants to hurt her. The only thing Jillian knows for sure is that she is willing to do anything to protect her baby.

I thought the book was an okay read. The book was a bit slow but, the ending was a whirlwind and made it hard to seem believable. There wasn't anything in this book that set it apart from other book with similar premises. I would be opened to reading other books by the author but, I wouldn't be going out of my way to read them.

Book Review - Lights Out (The SNAP Agency, #1) by Natalie Walters

 

CIA analyst Brynn Taylor has created a new initiative to help fight terrorism. She collaborated with members  of foreign intelligence agencies to help foster cooperation between the countries. Everything was going as planned until an Egyptian spy Remon Riad goes missing.

Jack has been a member for the Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency for nine years. He has the expertise to find a missing spy. However, when he finds out Brynn is involved, he is worried because he knows he can't trust someone who betrayed you once before.

The pair try to follow every lead they can get to solve the disappearance. However, they realized that they onto something bigger. Can the pair learn to trust each other before its too late?

The book was an action packed read filled with thrills and suspense. I didn't really care for any of the main characters and found them to be a bit annoying. However, I liked Kekoa and I hope he has a bigger presence in the next book. I also liked the friendly banter between the entire team. If you like high intensity novels, then you will enjoy this one.

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

Book Review - Snotlings by Tarryn Mallick + Giveaway

 

Jackson Hart loves picking his nose but, that changes when he finds a tiny warrior in his booger. After finding the warrior, everything starts turning weird and dangerous. He finds out that he has a tiny civilization of snotlings and one of them is out for revenge.

Mucuszar is out for revenge and with the help of his germ army, he takes over both nostrils and is heading to take over Jackson's world next. Will Jackson be able to stop him?

I wasn't a fan of the book. I found it to be over the top gross and it was hard to keep track of the different creatures in the story. It was interesting to learn about the anatomy and the different roles things played but, I couldn't get over the ick factor. I did like that the author included a game to hunt for mini-snotlings across the pages. I had fun looking for them.

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

 

About the Book:

Title: SNOTLINGS: The Boogie Monster

Authors: Tarryn Mallick

Pub. Date: October 25, 2021

Publisher: Tarryn Mallick

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 298

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, TBD

Can you survive the snotpocalpyse?

Jackson Hart loves picking his nose. But when he finds a tiny warrior in his booger, everything turns WEIRD and DANGEROUS! Not only does he have a civilisation of snotlings up his nose . . . one wants revenge.

Mucuszar and his awful germ army have conquered both nostrils and Jackson’s world is next!

Can Jackson and his friends stop the snotpocalypse? Or will Mucuszar’s deadly creation destroy the planet?

 

About Tarryn Mallick:

I became a writer because I had a story to tell. A story about snot! It may seem strange to write a book about boogers, but growing up, my little brother tormented me with his snot every… single… day!

I got my degree in Creative and Professional Writing and studied numerous courses and books, applying everything I had learnt to my book. It took me a short six years and now Snotlings is nearly ready to be shared with everyone.

To know that families around the world will squish together in bed and read my story and laugh- as I did with my Mum and brother- brings me so much happiness!

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a SNOTLINGS Book Box with fun goodies and finished copy of SNOTLINGS, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/18/2021	Rockstar Book Tours	Kickoff Post
10/19/2021	Two Chicks on Books	Interview
10/20/2021	BookHounds YA	Interview
10/21/2021	Lily Luchesi's Blog	Guest Post
10/22/2021	bookblogarama	Spotlight/Excerpt

Week Two:

10/25/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
10/26/2021	Nerdophiles	Review
10/27/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
10/28/2021	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
10/29/2021	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review

Week Three:

11/1/2021	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Review
11/2/2021	I'm Shelfish	Spotlight/Excerpt
11/3/2021	The Momma Spot	Review
11/4/2021	celiamcmahonreads	Review
11/5/2021	Don't Judge, Read	Guest Post

Week Four:

11/8/2021	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
11/9/2021	Little Red Reads	Review
11/10/2021	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
11/11/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review
11/12/2021	@curlygrannylovestoread	Review
11/13/2021	Jaime's World	Excerpt

November 2021 Haul!

 

October just came and went right like a blur! I got a few things this month and I am surprised I didn't get carried away like I normally do every time. I did end up spending a lot of money on food and experiences though.

There is a few things I got that I am excited for. I like L'Occitane and sometimes, have a love and hate relationship with their stuff. I got a huge brick of soap and their rich body cream that I am looking forward to using during the colder months. 

I am trying to use more facial sheet mask because my face gets so dry and dull during the colder months. I got this reboot mask from Baby Face and it reminds me of those baby foot mask that removes all dead skin and leaves my foot sooo soft. I hope this mask leaves my face soft but, I can do without the insane peeling on my face. I really love Facetory's branded face mask and they redid the formulation for the Ace that Face mask. I loved the original so, I am excited to try the new one.

I got a sleeping mask and the water cream from Laneige that I am excited to try. I have tried a few samples from them and thought they were good. I own several of their lip mask. I like the bubble gum scent but, I think there are better lip masks out there. I recently discovered cleansing balm and I bought a new one from Yadah. This one will be my third one and I am excited to see how it fares against the Glow Recipe and the Farmacy one.

Did you get anything this month that you are excited to try?

Book Review - The Retreat by Elisabeth de Mariaffi

 

Maeve Martin needs a new start and she arrives to the High Water Center for the Arts with the intention of starting her own dance company. The lodge is a beautiful retreat that is nestled between the Rocky Mountains. She is a mother of two and a retired performer who is trying to piece back together her life after her violent marriage. She is happy to rediscover herself as this is the first time she is on her own in years. Maeve feels that she can forget about her past by being surrounded by the beautiful landscape.

As Maeve starts practicing her routine, an avalanche traps her and six other guest in the lodge. They have lost all connection with the nearby town including power and the only road into town. At first, everyone tries to get along and pass the time. However, as the storm rages on, tensions start to run high indoors. They feel that help is coming and they just need to hold on.

Then a tragedy occurs and one guest perishes and then another shortly follows. Maeve must come to terms about how little she knows the people she is stuck with it. Will she be able to survive the storm if the darkness is already near her?

 At first the book started off interesting and then it became a boring hot mess. The book lagged and barely had any story and the ending felt like it was unrealistic and rushed. The motive behind the murders seemed trivial at best. I felt like the ending left more questions than it gave any answers. This was a disappointing read for me and I am in no rush to read other books by the author.

Book Review - The Healing of Natalie Curtis by Jane Kirkpatrick

 

 

Natalie Curtis is a classically trained pianist and singer who has isolated herself for five years after having a breakdown before her debut with the New York Philharmonic.Natalie is filled with guilt and feels that she can't reclaim the joy of music. In 1902, her brother, George returns home and invites her to join him in the West to help her heal. In the West, she is able to find her love of music through the stories, songs, and rhythms of the Native Americans.

As Natalie finds herself entranced by their music, she is discouraged to learn that the US government has laws in place to erase the Native American's culture. The Code of Offenses prohibits them from singing, dancing, and even speaking their own language as it will help prevents them from assimilating. Natalie is determined to help document these songs and traditions to before they are erased and she appeals to President Teddy Roosevelt for help with her task.

I have read quite a few books by the author and I have mixed opinions about her novels. The author uses a true story to weave a story about a woman on a conquest to help protect the Native American's culture. I like reading about her journey but, I found the writing to be dull and boring. I didn't like the writing style and it felt like I was reading a textbook. The writing style made it hard to feel connected to Natalie. I found the book to be very slow and dull for my liking. I appreciate the author's efforts to educate readers on this remarkable woman and her cause but, I didn't like the execution.

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