Thursday, March 30, 2023

March 2023 Empties!

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Well, it's been some time since I did an empties post and I am actually surprised that I don't have that many empties. I did finish a few bath bombs and shower steams but nothing that was noteworthy to get again. 

The same thing goes for the facial sheet masks. There was one mask that was a waste of money and surprisingly it was from one of my favorite brands. It was the Lancome Renergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Face Mask. I loved everything I tried from this line but this mask was a dud. It was soaked with serum which is normally a great thing except, it sits on the skin and it doesn't really absorb in. And then the product pills like crazy which prevents you from layering any moisturizer or anything on top. It wasn't a great experience at all and it was $75 for 5 masks! For something that expensive, I would expect it to work better.

I surprisingly finished three bars of soap which makes me wonder how come I didn't finish much of anything else. I tried two new brands of soaps.  The Plant Apothecary Start Happy bar soap smelled so great and gave a luxurious lather. It was pleasant to use in the shower. I think I might try their other scents and body wash.  I have used Marlowe skincare products but this was my first time using their soaps. I got their Marlowe Body Scrub Soap Bar and I didn't really care for it. It was in the Champion scent. It had hints of lemon leaf, amber mist, and cedar wood. It was a fresh scent but it was on the milder side. To be honest, I rarely use the soap as I find the exfoliating bits to be too rough my skin. I unfortunately had picked a few other bars with other scents that I am now not looking forward to trying.

I used to love Sumbody care products but I recently stopped buying their products. Their stuff is all natural but I realized it wasn't a good value. The products were small and cost as much or more than "traditional" products and sometimes they didn't even do anything. I bought two masks from them (Decongesting Mud Mask and the Alpha Hydroxy Acid Mask) and there was barely any product in the containers to do for one mask. I followed the instructions and it was too watery and did nothing for my skin.

I did try this new night cream by Elemis and I am in love. Their Superfood Midnight Facial smelled amazing and fruity. It smoothed on easily and left my skin buttery soft. I think I loved putting on the cream that I went through the bottle so quickly.  I found this new brand on Amazon and their products has these weird scents but actually smell amazing. I got the Lab Squeeze Pumpkin and Carrot Vegan Hand Cream and let me tell you. This product smells amazing! I get so many compliments and people ask what perfume I am wearing. I thought it was going to smell nature-y but this was not the case here. I would definitely try and get their other products.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Book Review - Shadow Service Vol. 3: Death To Spies by Cavan Scott + Giveaway

 


Shadow Service Death To Spies by Cavan Scott is the third graphic novel in the Shadow Service series. Gina Meyer is a new agent in the MI666 agency and she is still getting used to her new teammates. She is trying to master and control her magical powers.

Gina is working with her new colleagues to try and figure out who is murdering undercover agents all over the world. The secret agents are being killed by monsters that are inspired by folklore. No one seems to be safe, including Gina and her coworkers, as someone is using the monsters to do their dirty work.

While Gina is investigating the murders, she is also working with Quinn to find the truth behind her birth. Gina feels that her mother might not be her real mother and also suspects that she is hiding something from Gina. As Gina and Quinn probe into Gina’s childhood, they realize that someone in her past might be related to the recent string of deaths.

Gina is unsure who to trust after she’s been previously betrayed by her loved ones. This was shown in the previous novels. To add to her feelings of betrayal, one of her teammates switches sides and becomes the enemy. She fears that the person targeting the other secret agents might be someone Gina is close to.

I read the other two volumes of Shadow Service and enjoyed them. The latest installment was just as enjoyable and action packed as the previous two books. In this volume, we learn more about Gina’s background and see her grow into her role as a shadow agent. She also learns to trust her gut instincts and becomes more aware of her growing powers. The graphic novel does end on a cliff hanger and the books need to be read in order. The graphic novel does have scenes of graphic and violent deaths. Not recommended for really young readers due to this. 

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

 


About The Books:

Title: SHADOW SERVICE Vol. 1: Dark Arts

Authors: Cavan Scott & Corin Howell

Pub. Date: April 20, 2021

Publisher: Vault Comics

Formats:  Paperback, eBook

Pages: 128

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/SHADOW-SERVICE-Vol-1-Dark-Arts

 

Gina Meyers is a Private Investigator who makes her living in the underbelly of London. She's also a witch. Not the cutesy kind. The terrifying kind. Witchcraft meets spycraft, when a shadowy government organization abducts Gina.

BLACK MAGIC MEETS BLACK OPS.

Worried your partner is cheating? Need a missing person found?

Gina Meyers is the Private Investigator for you. Sure, she’s a witch who worries that her powers make her more of a monster than the crooks she’s trying to catch, but it’s not like London’s criminal underworld is literally going to hell… is it? Spy craft meets black magic in the shadowy world of MI666.

Collects issues #1 to #5 of the ten issue series.

 

Title: SHADOW SERVICE Vol. 2: Mission Infernal

Authors: Cavan Scott & Corin Howell

Pub. Date: September 28, 2021

Publisher: Vault Comics

Formats:  Paperback, eBook

Pages: 128

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/SHADOW-SERVICE-Vol-2

 

First Gina was a witch. Then she was a spy. Now she’s a traitor. Spycraft meets witchcraft in the world of MI666

BLACK MAGIC MEETS BLACK OPS.

Betrayed by one of their own, the Shadow Service takes to the dangerous streets of Rome. But can the traitor be brought back into the fold? The chase is on. Spycraft meets witchcraft in the world of MI666.

Collects #6 to #10 of the ongoing series.

 

Title: SHADOW SERVICE Vol. 3: Death to Spies

Authors: Cavan Scott & Corin Howell

Pub. Date: March 21, 2023

Publisher: Vault Comics

Formats:  Paperback, eBook

Pages: 128

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/SHADOW-SERVICE-Vol-3-Death-to-Spies

 

Black Magic woman meets Black Ops Bond in this supernatural spy saga from New York Times bestselling author, Cavan Scott!

From NewYork Times bestseller Cavan Scott (Star Wars: The High Republic) and artist Corin Howell (Wonder Woman) comes the start of a thrilling new chapter of the supernatural spy saga!

All over the world, secret agents are being murdered by monstrous folk horrors, and not even MI666 is safe. Gina Meyer faces tragedy as a teammate turns enemy. But what of the quest to find out the truth about her past and powers?

Shadow Service stands tall next to the likes of Criminal Macabre and Hellblazer in the world of supernatural detectives while still putting its own spin on it to stand apart.   – Horror DNA

For fans of Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan (The Hollows), The Department of Truth, Umbrella Academy, Doctor Who, Star Wars High Republic, Hellblazer, and James Bond.   

About Cavan Scott:

Cavan Scott is a UK number one bestseller who has written for such popular worlds as Star Wars, Doctor Who, Star Trek, Assassin's Creed, Judge Dredd, Pacific Rim, and Sherlock Holmes. He is the author of Star Wars Dooku: Jedi Lost, The Patchwork Devil, Shadow Service, and is one of the story architects for Lucasfilm's epic multi-media initiative, Star Wars: The High Republic. He has written comics for Vault, Marvel, DC Comics, IDW, Dark Horse, Vertigo, 2000 AD, and The Beano.

A former magazine editor, Cavan Scott lives in the United Kingdom with his wife and daughters. His lifelong passions include scary movies, folklore, the music of David Bowie, and LEGO.
He owns far too many action figures.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

About Corin Howell:

Corin Howell is a red head Comic Artist of spooky, scary, and sexy, and monsters, maidens, and robots.
I love cats too.
She is the artist for the supernatural detective series from Vault, SHADOW SERVICE, with bestselling author Cavan Scott.          Hometown:  Austin, TX

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

 



Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a finished copies of SHADOW SERVICE series, US Only.

Ends April 7th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/1/2023

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

3/2/2023

Mythical Books

Excerpt/IG Post

3/3/2023

Sadie's Spotlight

Excerpt/IG Post

3/4/2023

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

 Week Two:

3/5/2023

Jazzy Book Reviews

Excerpt/IG Post

3/6/2023

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt

3/7/2023

Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

Review

3/8/2023

The Litt Librarian

Review/IG Post

3/9/2023

Cara North

Review/IG Post

3/10/2023

GryffindorBookishNerd

IG Review

3/11/2023

See Sadie Read

Review/IG Post

 Week Three:

3/12/2023

Nerdophiles

Review

3/13/2023

The Real World According To Sam

Review/IG Post

3/14/2023

Lifestyle of Me

Review

3/15/2023

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

3/16/2023

Kim"s Book Reviews and Writing Aha's

Review/IG Post

3/17/2023

The Girl Who Reads

Review/IG Post

3/18/2023

Emily Ashlyn

IG Review/FB Post

 Week Four:

3/19/2023

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post

3/20/2023

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

3/21/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic

3/22/2023

@by_hckilgour

IG Review

3/23/2023

The Book Countess

Review/IG Post

3/24/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

3/25/2023

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

 Week Five:

3/26/2023

Read Dog Reviews

IG Review

3/27/2023

Vamplit

IG Review

3/28/2023

@froggyreadteach

IG Review

3/29/2023

Two Points of Interest

Review

3/30/2023

@thebookishfoxwitch

Review/IG Post

3/31/2023

@just_another_mother_with_books

IG Review


Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Book Review - Black Girls Must Have It All by Jayne Allen

 

 


 

Black Girls Must Have It All by Jayne Allen is the final book in the Black Girls Must Die Exhausted trilogy. Tabitha Brown gives birth to a beautiful baby girl after being told in the previous book that she might not be able to have biological children. She is trying to juggle the demands of being a new parent, the needs of a newborn baby, her friends, her job, and her love life.

After experiencing a stressful year, Tabitha decides that this would be her year to achieve her goals and obtain the life she had always wanted. She plans on getting her career, home, and love life in order. Except, the demands of motherhood are draining and Tabitha feels that she barely has time nor energy to do anything.

Tabitha loves her daughter and finds motherhood fulfilling but she wants more from her life. When her beloved coworker mentions that she is planning to retire from the news studio, Tabitha is worried that she might return from maternity leave to a hostile work environment. Just before Tabitha takes her leave, she basically sets all of her ships on fire by going against the wishes of her producer. When she hears news that the station is planning to hire an outside candidate to fill her friend’s role, Tabby is afraid that she might lose her chance to the weekday anchor position that she has worked so hard for.  Tabitha is worried that she might also lose or not maintain her current position of the weekend anchor.  

She normally turns to her friends for support but they seem to be having their own issues to deal with and her relationship with her friends have been frayed since she became a mother. Alexis, her best friend, is still struggling with her marriage with her cheating husband, Rob. Her other friend, Laila, is trying to launch her own business after being fired from her last job.

Her relationship with Marc has also hit a standstill. She isn’t sure what she wants from their relationship anymore. In the previous books, she wanted to get married and settle down with him and start a family. After Marc gives her an ultimatum about their current relationship, she isn’t sure what she wants to do. To make matters worse, his overbearing and controlling mother comes to visit and has something to say about everything, including her ability to mother her daughter.

Tabitha is trying to navigate her life but finds herself failing in every aspect. She feels lonely and isolated from her family especially right now when she needs them the most. Tabitha knows that her friends and family will help her if she asks for it, but will Tabitha finally put herself first and ask for help?

I read the second book in the series and I was able to follow along with the story. However, I feel that the books should be read in order as it will help illuminate character nuances, relationships, and side story lines. This book addresses the cliffhangers that were left hanging from the previous book and wraps up most of the pending problems in the end.

I felt that the book didn’t flow as smoothly as the previous book in the series and was choppy in some places. I felt that this book was missing something, like the spark the previous book had.  The ending made me feel that Tabby still doesn’t know what she wants from Marc and her relationship with him.  The ending of the series felt underwhelming as I was expecting a lot more to happen but it didn’t. If you liked the other two books in the series then you might enjoy this book.

 

Monday, March 27, 2023

Book Spotlight - There Goes the Neighborhood by Jade Adia + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Author: Jade Adia

Pub. Date: March 7, 2023

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 432

Find it: Goodreadshttps://mybook.to/jade-adia 

A raised fist against the destructive forces of gentrification and a love letter to communities of color everywhere, Jade Adia's unforgettable debut tells the darkly hilarious story of three best friends willing to do whatever it takes to stay together.

The gang is fake, but the fear is real.

Rhea’s neighborhood is fading away―the mom-and-pop shops of her childhood forced out to make space for an artisanal kombucha brewery here, a hot yoga studio there. And everywhere, the feeling that this place is no longer meant for her. Because while their little corner of South L.A. isn’t perfect, to Rhea and her two best friends, it’s something even more important―it’s home. And it’s worth protecting.

But as more white people flock to their latest edgy, urban paradise for its cheap rent and sparkling new Whole Foods, more of Rhea’s friends and family are pushed out. Until Rhea decides it’s time to push back. Armed with their cellphones and a bag of firecrackers, the friends manipulate social media to create the illusion of gang violence in their neighborhood. All Rhea wanted to do was protect her community. Her friends. Herself. No one was supposed to get hurt. No one was supposed to die.

But is anyone ever really safe when you’re fighting power with fear?

Reviews:

"Equally strong in its magnetic messiness and potent candor, the novel plunges into discussions of youth activism, capitalism-fueled displacement, and racism’s myriad forms with fierce vision and conviction. A robust cast of characters diverse across various dimensions gives voice to contemporary perspectives on community-oriented social justice and performative wokeness . . . this one’s a much-needed read. Plain terrific."――Kirkus Reviews

"In this riveting portrait of community care, debut author Adia paints the pain, danger, and consequences of gentrification with visceral clarity, highlighting changes such as displacement and fractured families via Rhea’s biting and witty voice and her unwavering loyalty to her hometown."――Publishers Weekly

About Jade Adia:

Born and raised in South LA, Jade Adia writes stories about gentrification, Black teen joy, and the sh*tshow that is capitalism.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Ethnicity, Race & Migration, and a certificate in Human Rights. She recently survived law school, graduating with a specialization in Critical Race Studies. There Goes the Neighborhood is her debut novel.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD, US Only.

Ends April 7th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/1/2023

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

3/2/2023

YA Books Central

Excerpt/IG Post

3/3/2023

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt/IG Post

3/4/2023

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

3/5/2023

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt

3/6/2023

@ugcbyabby

IG Review/TikTok Post

3/7/2023

Kim"s Book Reviews and Writing Aha's

Review/IG Post

3/8/2023

Lifestyle of Me

Review

3/9/2023

Lisa Loves Literature

Review/IG Post

3/10/2023

gsreadingspree

IG Review

3/11/2023

Emily Ashlyn

IG Review/Facebook Post

Week Three:

3/12/2023

Brandi Danielle Davis

IG Review/TikTok Post

3/13/2023

onemused

IG Spotlight

3/14/2023

Eli to the nth

Review/IG Post

3/15/2023

Review Thick And Thin

Review/IG Post

3/16/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic

3/17/2023

Author Z. Knight's Guild

Review

3/18/2023

travelersguidetobooks

IG Review

Week Four:

3/19/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

3/20/2023

@froggyreadteach

IG Review

3/21/2023

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

3/22/2023

@carlysunshinebooks

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic

3/23/2023

The Litt Librarian

Review/IG Post

3/24/2023

I'm Into Books

Excerpt

3/25/2023

popthebutterfly

Review/IG Post

Week Five:

3/26/2023

Cara North

Review/IG Post

3/27/2023

Two Points of Interest

Review

3/28/2023

@evergirl200

IG Review

3/29/2023

@drew_ambitious_reading

IG Review/TikTok Post

3/30/2023

More Books Please blog

Review/IG Post

3/31/2023

Books with Brandie Shanae

YouTube Review/IG Post