December 2021 Empties!

Wow, I can't believe it's already December! I didn't really finish too much stuff this month other than a lot of skincare and face masks. Usually, I don't go out often during the colder months. I tend to spend most of my time at home drinking tea and applying face masks.

I finished a few masks but, only a handful were noteworthy. I liked the FIF micro hyaluron mask. The serum itself was tacky but, it left my skin feeling so hydrated and soft. The Bling Pop Face Mask Collagen Skin Elastic felt nice on my skin too. I think the packaging is cute and fun. I usually like Ariul's 7 days mask but, the lemon one was so dry out of the packaging I felt like it did nothing. I am not sure  if I was sent an old mask or if that's how the product is.

I usually don't use makeup wipes unless I am traveling. I gotten a packet of Klorane's makeup wipe for my recent trip and it reminds me why I stopped buying makeup wipes. The wipes was pretty much useless against mascara and it left my skin feeling irritated. 

I have mixed opinions on Glamglow. It's rarely has any products that actually work for me but, I still end up buying them for some odd reason. I got the Glamglow Moisturizer Omega Rich Moisturizer and didn't really care for it. I thought it was okay. The moisturizer felt very watery and when applied I felt like I had to use a lot to feel anything. The Hank and Henry Stick With It is one of the worst eyeliners I ever used. Most of the time too much product comes out and then it dried up when I barely got to use it.

Did you finish anything this month that you would re-buy?

Here is everything I finished this month -

Comelyco Rest Recipe Peach Mask

Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack

FIF Micro Hyaluron Ampoule Mask

Bling Pop Face Mask Aloe

Celarion Deep Miracle Ampoule Sheet Mask

Purenskin Avocado Mask

Starskin 3 Step Nose Mask

Klorane Make-up remover wipes

Ariul 7 Days Mask - Lemon

Bling Pop Oops Hand Mask

Elensilia-IntraCell Escargot + Placenta Firming

Facetory Dream Garden Camellia

Bare Minerals Lip Gloss

Fresh Rose Petal Soft Lip Cream

Glamglow Moisturizer Omega Rich Moisturizer

Leesha's Lacquers - Cookie Dough

Sumbody Deep Sea Decongesting Mud Mask

Margot Elena Love and Toast Cherry Lemonade Lip Balm

Hank and Henry Stick With It

Forest Rhapsody Good Earth Mask

L'Occitane En Provenece Extra Rich Soap - Shea Milk

The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Shower Gel

Burt's Bees Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar

Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask

 

Book Review - The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

 

Sarah Ashby returns to her childhood home after her husband perished in a accident. She is determined to live out her childhood dream of running the Old Depot Grocery with her mother and grandmother. However, to her dismay, her mother, Rosemary, announces that she plans to close the store and sell it. Sarah and her grandmother, Glory Ann, is desperate to save the store that's so near and dear to them. Rosemary refuses to let Sarah spend her entire life at the Old Depot Grocery like she did. Rosemary has her reasons why she stayed but, she refuses to let her daughter make the same mistakes.

In 1965, Glory Ann finds out that she is pregnant with her deceased fiancé's baby. To avoid bringing shame to her family, they force her into a marriage of convenience with a shopkeeper to preserve their family reputation. Glory Ann is distraught and vows to never love again.

The heart warming read is told in a dual time frame. At times, I felt a little annoyed by it because each chapter was very small and I wanted to know what was going to happen but, then the story switched timelines. I did like most of the characters except for Sarah because she seemed a bit annoying at times. She wanted her family to be open and honest but, she failed to do the same thing with her secrets. Overall, I found that the story was an sweet and emotional read.

Book Review - The Last Equation of Isaac Severy by Nova Jacobs

 

Hazel Severy is an owner of a struggling Seattle bookstore. She receives a letter from her adoptive grandfather days after his death. Her grandfather is a famous mathematician and many suspect that he killed himself. In his letter, Issac hints at a secret organization that is after his life's work and is willing to stop at nothing to get it. He asks Hazel to to deliver the equation to a trusted colleague and then destroying it before anyone else can get it. However, Hazel will have to decipher the clue and hints Isaac has left behind in his letter.

While Hazel begins her search, she realizes she isn't the only one searching for his equation. She comes across evidence that shows catastrophic results if the equation ends up in the wrong hands. Hazel isn't the only one who is struggling to come to terms with Issac's sudden death. The entire Severy family has become unhinged after his sudden death.

As Hazel tirelessly tries to figure out Issac's clues, the agents from the secret company start targeting other members of the Severy family. Hazel fears if she doesn't hurry she will lose her chance to fulfill Issac's wishes. As time starts to run out, Hazel is desperate for help and turns to a family member for help. However, will they help Hazel or are they hiding their own motives?

I thought the book had an interesting premise but, I felt like it was a bit boring. At times, the story barely plodded along. I had a hard time connecting with Hazel and the many characters in the novel. There were so many at one point that it was hard to see their relevance to the story. I understood that this was a book with mathematical elements but, at times it felt overwhelming and my eyes glazed over. I felt like the author just threw out a bunch of names of theories and famous people. I am still left wanting more by the ending and how Hazel found out where the equation was hidden.

Book Review - A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collin

 

In 1865, Lady Katherine Bascomb finds herself in the middle of controversy when her latest article leads to an arrest for the murders plaguing London. The English people believe that women should not be involved in vulgar matters such as crime. Detective Inspector Andrew Eversham is annoyed and furious that Katherine had interfered with his investigation. Katherine decides she needs to escape the unwanted attention and heads to the country only to find a dead body on her trip.

Andrew is annoyed that Katherine keeps showing up in his crime scene. Katherine almost got him fired because of her article. Andrew tries to keep her from getting involved in his investigation again but, he feels attracted to her wit and beauty. As the pair follows the clues, they realize the killer might be closer than they realize.

I thought the book started off interesting but, then got boring. I felt like the main focus of the book was the romance between the main characters. I am actually surprised that they fell for each other because they went from "you are so annoying" to passionately kissing. The killer was expected but, the book did have a few twists. Overall, it was an okay read and I would be opened to reading more books by the author.

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

Book Review - Satisfaction Guaranteed by Karelia Stetz-Waters

 

 

 

 

Cade Elgin has her life all figured out, when it comes to her career. When it comes to her personal life, including, relationships well, that's nonexistent. The only thing Cade is interested in is "professional talk", she has no time to spend in a relationship. Cade is busy working all the time but, when she inherits a sex toy store, her life is turned upside down. Cade has to help manage the store from the brink of bankruptcy with its irresponsible but, cute co-owner.

Selena Mathis knows that she can have too much of a good thing and she has learned that the hard way. It's her main reason for taking an oath of celibacy and focusing on getting her life sorted, including making the store profitable. She is determined not to mess again but, her emotions always have a habit of getting in her way.  

This was my first time reading a book in this genre and it was a funny read. The book was a bit raunchy and over the top at times but, still entertaining.  It was interesting seeing Cade and Selena find their way together as they are complete opposites. I found their occasional banter to be fun and light-hearted. 

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

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?

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: Goodreads, Amazon, 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 | Pinterest | Goodreads | 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

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:  Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.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 | Pinterest | Goodreads | 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  | Instagram | Goodreads

 

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

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.