Book Review - Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

 

In the summer of 1988, a small Maryland town community is shaken to it's core when the mutilated bodies of several young girls begin to show up. The police believe that there is a serial killer terrorizing the quiet suburban town. Local residents believe that there is an evil presence stalking young girls and that's its not entirely human. Law enforcement, however, is certain that the killer is human and that he is playing a game with the police. The once peaceful community is on edge because the police is no closer to find the killer and more bodies keep showing up.

Richard Chizmar is a recent college graduate who returns home right around the time of the murders. As Richard tries to focus on his upcoming wedding and his budding writing career, he finds himself entwined with the murders. Inspired by real events, Richard documents his personal account of the serial killer's reign of terror in his small community.

This was my first book by, the author and I am surprised on how much I enjoyed it. At first, I was kind of annoyed by all the small personal details about Richard's life as I wanted to know all the nitty gritty of the murders. However, after reading the author's note at the end, it added whole new layer to this book. The author seamlessly blended true crime and fiction in a book that was hard to put down once the murders started happening. I thought the novel was going to have some scary elements but, a scary house was mentioned and nothing came out it. There were some parts of the story that didn't get resolved in the end. The story ended with the author waiting for the second interview with the murderer but, I wish the author could have included more details about the numbers behind the murders. I feel like the story was a bit unresolved because we didn't know the entire story behind the murders. Overall, it was an interesting read but, I could have done without some of the extra details.

July 2022 Empties!

 

Ah, it's been awhile since I did an empty post. I haven't been really keep a strict track of what I been using recently and to be honest, it's a lot less stressful. I feel like I can dedicate my time to other things that hold more value to me than spending 2 hours a week keep tracking my spending and what I used.

Surprisingly (or not) I actually finished a few things this month! I finished a few face masks and I been trying to make more of an effort to use at least 2 a week. I always buy a 20 pack when I finish one.  So far, none were standouts but, I did have one brand that was quite meh. I have used Miss Spa products before but their hydrogel lip and eye masks were terrible. The glue left residue all over my skin without any benefit at all.

 I usually like "It's a 10" products but, their Miracle Whipped Styling Balm worked but, it left my hands feeling so sticky and tacky. Also, there was tons of product left in the container but, it won't dispense. I felt that was so wasteful and annoyed since it was a full bottle and smelled so nice! I discovered a new body wash from Plant Apothecary and their Be Well version smells so nice. It has hints of cypress and eucalyptus and puts a smile on my face when I use it.

The next two products I found at my local clean beauty store and I am kinda obsessed with them.  The first is the Tulip Dew Drops by Bloomeffects. The packaging is so pretty and the name is so spot on. The drops look like dew and left my skin so dewy. AND, it smells like buttered popcorn. YUM! Speaking of yum, the Evolve organic beauty Radiant Glow Mask smells and looks like chocolate. A little goes a long way otherwise you might get breakouts but, it smells sooo good. The next time I go back to the store I might see what else the store has to offer for these two brands.

Book Review - Girl in the Walls by A.J. Gnuse

 

Elise knows every inch of the house she once shared with her parents before they were taken by the car crash. She knows which boards will creak and where there are gaps in the walls. Elise knows which part of the house will take her in and hide her. This is Elise's home no matter who else is currently living there.

Eddie is a teenager who is struggling with everyday life. He is trying to forget about the girl that he sometimes notices from the corner of his eye. When his older brother mentions her too, they are faced with the obstacle of removing someone they aren't sure they even exist. As they try to lure Elise out, they end up seeking help from a more dangerous person who brings chaos to their doorstep.

I thought this book was going to be a thriller or mystery novel. Instead, it didn't really have any thrills or excitement unless you include the idea of Elise being caught. I thought it was interesting how the author set up the chapters but, sometimes I felt like the story just muddled along. I thought the ending was interesting and was a nice wrap up but, it took a painfully long time to get there.

Book Review - Nothing Is Little by Carmella Van Vleet + Giveaway

 

Felix is a eleven year old who is the smallest kid in school. He likes being the smallest child because he knows where he fits in. He has a growth hormone deficiency but, he doesn't let it bother him. He has been doing so well in his forensic science club that his friends call him "Shortlock Holmes".

When Felix learns that his biological dad was short, it opens up a hole in his life. He starts to wonder more about his father and who he was. He decides that he would use the skills he learned in forensic class to find his father.

I thought the book was a cute and heart warming book. The book was well written with developed characters. I felt for Felix when he was trying to find his father and he kept hitting dead end after dead end. I loved reading the quips and conversations between Felix and his family and his inner thoughts about Boo. I also liked reading the interesting facts about the forensics club and I wish I had something like that when I was in school. Lastly, I think the author did a great job with Felix and the way he dealt with his condition. It gave readers an understanding of the condition that they might not know about.

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

 

About The Book:

Title: NOTHING IS LITTLE

Author: Carmella Van Vleet

Pub. Date: July 19, 2022

Publisher: Holiday House

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 224

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

The case of a missing father is hard to crack . . . even for Felix, a tiny kid with a huge heart and an eye for detail.

Eleven-year-old Felix likes being the smallest kid in school.
 
At least he knows where he fits in. Plus his nickname, “Short-lock Holmes,” is perfect for someone who’s killing it in forensic science club. To Felix, Growth Hormone Deficiency is no big deal.
 
And then Felix learns that his biological dad was short, too. This one, tiny, itty-bitty piece of information opens up a massive hole in his life. Felix must find his father. He only has a few small clues to work from, but as Sherlock Holmes said, “To a great mind, nothing is little.” 

The further Felix gets in his investigation, though, the more he starts to wonder: What if his dad doesn’t want to be found? And what if Felix’s family—his mom, his stepdad, the baby on the way—needs him right where he is?
 
Tender and uplifting, this warm novel from Christopher Award–winner Carmella Van Vleet celebrates little differences in us that can make a big impact.
 
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Reviews:

"A captivating, humorous, and heartfelt story of friendship, family, and crime-solving."—Kirkus Reviews

"A fresh and funny read that sells itself, and it demonstrates that there is more than one way to grow."—Booklist

"The story keeps a steady pace as it ­alternates between school and home, ­giving a firsthand account of what it's like to be young and faced with decisions that are difficult to navigate. ­Engaging and heartfelt, Van Vleet's title delivers big on the feels. Anyone who's ever been made to feel small will benefit from ­hearing ­Felix's story."—School Library Journal

"Nothing Is Little offers powerful proof that little things can matter in a great big way. What a beautiful book! The most huge-hearted and heartwarming story you'll read this year."—Claudia Mills, author of The Lost Language

"Smart, funny, and memorable. You can’t help but love Felix! He has big goals and a great big heart, and he’ll live large in your memory long after the final page is turned."—Margi Preus, Newbery Honor–winning author

 

 

About Carmella Van Vleet:

Carmella Van Vleet is a former kindergarten teacher and the author of numerous books for children, including To the Stars!, which was co-authored by astronaut Kathy Sullivan and named to the Amelia Bloomer list. Her debut children's novel, Eliza Bing Is (NOT) a Big, Fat Quitter, received the Christopher Award and was named to four state award master lists. Just like Eliza, Carmella loves tae kwon do—she has earned her black belt! She lives in Ohio and can be found online at carmellavanvleet.com

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of NOTHING IS LITTLE, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/11/2022	Log Cabin Library	Excerpt
7/11/2022	Yabookscentral	Excerpt
7/12/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt/IG Post
7/12/2022	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
7/13/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
7/13/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
7/14/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review
7/14/2022	@jaimerockstarbooktours	IG Post
7/15/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
7/15/2022	Sadie's Spotlight	Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

7/18/2022	hodophile_z	IG Review
7/18/2022	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
7/19/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
7/19/2022	Little Red Reads	Review
7/20/2022	Write. Read. Live.	Review/IG Post
7/20/2022	@enjoyingbooksagain	IG Review
7/21/2022	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
7/21/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
7/22/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
7/22/2022	Nerdophiles	Review

Book Review - The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks

  

Marissa and Matthew Bishop are wealthy Washington suburbanites who seem to have it all. That's until Marissa drops an explosive bomb that she has been unfaithful to her husband. Underneath their mask of perfection is a relationship that lacks intimacy. Marissa wants to work on her marriage for the sake of their eight-year-old son and because she loves her husband who she has known since her teenage years.

Avery Chambers is a therapist who lost her professional license due to her unorthodox methods. She still continues to counseling people who are interested in getting help with her methods. The Bishops are interested in working on their marriage. As they work together to fix their marriage with Avery, bigger secrets are still hidden and no one is safe once they have been revealed.

I have read every single novel that these two powerhouses have written. I found after "The Wife Between Us", the novels doesn't have the same punch. I found this book to move very slowly and found it boring and predictable. I used to be excited when I saw that they had a new book out, after the last few duds I am no longer a huge fan of the duo. This could have been so much more better. There wasn't any likely main characters and a lot of fluff that just went nowhere. The ending was seen a mile away.

Book Spotlight - Last Gate of the Emperor 2: The Royal Trials Book by Kwame Mbalia + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: THE ROYAL TRIALS (LAST GATE OF THE EMPEROR #2)

Author: Kwame Mbalia & Prince Joel Makonnen

Pub. Date: July 19, 2022

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 272

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

From Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel David Makonnen comes an Afrofuturist adventure about a mythical Ethiopian empire. Sci-fi and fantasy combine in this epic journey to the stars.

Yared has traveled a long way to find his place in the universe. Light years, even. Though the battle of Addis Prime is over, the spacefaring Axum Empire is still fractured. The kingdom once gave their technology away free of charge, to better humankind. Now, having been missing for over a decade, they’re returning to the planet where their galaxy-spanning civilization began―Earth.

But they find the planet in disarray. Old Earth’s atmosphere is a mess of junked shuttles and satellites. This is especially true of Debris Town, an orbital flotilla where poor spacefarers―left to rot by the Intergalactic Union that rose up in Axum’s place―have taken to piracy to survive.

Yared is set to speak at the opening of the Royal Trials, a competition of the best exo pilots in the Sol System. But on the day of his speech, the pirates launch an attack!

The siege sets off a chain of events that will lead Yared into the depths of Old Earth―and the jaws of a cruel betrayal. There’s more to the pirates―and Debris Town―than anyone saw coming.

Grab book 1 LAST GATE OF THE EMPEROR now!

About Kwame Mbalia:

KWAME MBALIA is a husband, father, writer, a New York Times bestselling author, and a former pharmaceutical metrologist in that order. He is the author of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, a Coretta Scott King Honor book. He lives with his family in North Carolina. Visit him online at kwamembalia.com.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads

 

About Prince Joel Makonnen:

PRINCE JOEL MAKONNEN is the great-grandson of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, the last emperor of Ethiopia. He is an attorney and the co-founder of Old World/New World, a media and entertainment company focused on telling powerful African stories that inspire global audiences through film, TV and books. He lives with his wife, Ariana, in Los Angeles.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE ROYAL TRIALS (LAST GATE OF THE EMPEROR #2), US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/5/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt/IG Post
7/6/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
7/7/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt
7/8/2022	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
7/9/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt

Week Two:

7/10/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
7/11/2022	@jaimerockstarbooktours	IG Post
7/12/2022	Little Red Reads	Review
7/13/2022	Nerdophiles	Review/IG Post
7/14/2022	Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog	Review/IG Post
7/15/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
7/16/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review

Week Three:

7/17/2022	The Erudite Labyrinth	Excerpt
7/18/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
7/19/2022	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
7/20/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review/IG Post
7/21/2022	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
7/22/2022	Books and Zebras	Review/IG Post

Book Review - Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

 

In 2018, Morgan Christopher's life has taken a turn for the worst. She takes the fall for a crime her boyfriend has committed and in the process her dream of finding a career in art has been put on hold. She feels that her world is closing in around her until a mysterious visitor makes her an offer she couldn't refuse. They can get her released from prison immediately if she can restore an old post office mural. Morgan knows nothing about art restoration but, she is desperate to be free. As she begins to work on restoring the mural she discovers that the painting has a few secrets buried.

In 1940, Anna Dale is an artist from New Jersey, who wins a national contest to paint murals for a post office in Edenton, North Carolina. Anna is desperate for a change of scenery after her beloved mother has passed away. She is hesitant at first to work in a town where prejudices run deep but, she finds herself entwined with the townfolk. As she works on the mural, she realizes everyone has secrets that they will stop at nothing to keep hidden.

This was my second novel by the author and I thought this novel was enjoyable as my first. The book followed the same basic format as the other novel with the dual timelines.  I thought this was an interesting read but, I was still confused on how someone can be so nice in front of you but, then take any chance to harm you when given the opportunity. The novel reminds me that you can never know someone's true nature. Overall, the book had a few twists and I would be interested in reading more books by the author.

Book Review - Never Come Back by David Bell

 

Leslie Hampton assumed that her daughter Elizabeth would care for her son, Ronnie, who has special needs when the time came. Elizabeth doesn't want to be responsible for taking care of Ronnie as she wouldn't be able to live the life she wants. When Leslie dies unexpectedly, Elizabeth is consumed by grief and guilt. 

The police determined that Leslie was strangled to death, and they suspect that Ronnie had a violent outburst. Elizabeth can't believe that her brother is capable of murder. However, when a stranger is named in Leslie's will, Elizabeth feels that her mother might be keeping secrets from her. As more secrets start to unravel, a dangerous stranger from Leslie's past claims to have answers but, not without a price.

I thought the book was an interesting read. I was able to guess some of the twists but, overall, the book kept me entertained. I didn't really care for Elizabeth at times because I felt like she kept herself closed off from others. The story did move slowly but, I would still be opened to reading other books by the author.