December 2020 Haul!

 

 

Where did the month go?! It feels like it was just December 1st only yesterday!  However, I should actually know better because I bought so much stuff during the holidays and used my credit card with wild abandon.

I bought a few more bath bombs from Lush that I am looking forward to using. I been trying to indulge in a bath more often. I got a few more sheet masks from Facetory. I got another Factr mask that I am excited to try. I got a new lip mask to try but, I am on the fence. They are relaxing but, I don't know if they actually do work. Sometimes, my lip gets dry even after putting on balm.

This is our crunch time at work and I haven't been sleeping that well lately. I bought these new Dream patches that you apply to your wrist and it delivers an even dosage of melatonin. I am looking forward to how these work compared to the pill version. 

No shopping haul could be complete without me buying a few lip products. I am loving the Too Faced Drunk Dial lipstick. That purple! Swoon! I bought another Huda lip strobe in Snobby (even though I didn't even use the first one yet). I wish dining was opened again because I can't wait to wear the Scarlet Empress by Nars and Bite Beauty in  Marsala and Cognac. The Marc Jacobs in snap shut looks nice and different from anything I own. The Nars Velvet Matte lip pencil in Do Me Baby isn't as nice as I thought it would be.

I have bought a few things from Facetory's brand but, they are usually their face mask. I decided to try their cloud pouf cleanser to see how it compares to my normal one. I have used the Go-To Skincare facial oil and liked it. I decided to get their exfoliating pads to see how they work.

Lastly, I got a really expensive treat item the Chantecaille facial cream. I can't wait to use this but, I am also afraid of the results. What happens if they are so great, that I NEED this cream in my life? I dunno about anyone else but I love a good head massage. I bought this new head oil that you warm and pour all over your hair and give yourself a head massage and then wash out your hair. I can literally do not even care about the benefits to my hair, I just want a head massage.

Book Review - Search for the Scepter by Julie Dinges + Giveaway

 

 Princess Rosalie and Scarlet went to bed during a breezy night. They didn't expect to be awaken to chaos. Their father's scepter was taken by thief during the night. The entire palace is in chaos and disbelief. The princesses sneak out of bed and try to find clues to the robbery. They realize if they want the thief to be caught, they will need to do it themselves. Will the princesses be able to find the thief?

The book is beautifully illustrated. I love trying to find out what was going to happen next. I like that they display many different characters. However, I didn't like the lack of diversity. There were zero people of color or with disabilities. I feel like books geared to children should show diversity to allow every child to have included.

**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.**

 

About The Book:

Title: THE SEARCH FOR THE SCEPTER

Author: Julie Dinges & Nazar Horokhivskyi (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: December 1, 2020

Publisher: Mascot Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 38

Find it:  Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org, Signed copy

 

When Princesses Rosalie and Scarlet went to bed on a breezy summer night, they didn’t expect to awake to such a fright. Their father, the King’s, scepter was taken by a thief.

 

The royal family was in utter disbelief. The princesses sneak out of bed and find a small clue. There mission is clear, they know what they must do. Along their journey, they meet friends who help them track the thief down. Will they find him and return the scepter to their father who wears the crown?

 

Print a coloring page of Princess Rosalie, Princess Scarlet and the Thief!

 

Official Book Trailer:

 

Link:

https://youtu.be/OpfXba5Py20

 

 

About Julie: 

Julie Dinges lives in Ohio with her husband, two daughters, one dog, and several fish. She loves being outside, cooking, traveling, watching science fiction movies, and reading fantasy books to her girls.

 

Julie spent many years as a technical writer before shifting focus to website design.

 

One of Julie’s greatest ambitions was to write a book. She is excited to share her first published creation, and hopes it sparks imagination and inspiration for all who read of the princesses’ quest.

Website | Facebbok | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads | Amazon

Find out about Nazar Horokhivskyi (Illustrator) Here!

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a signed copies of the THE SEARCH FOR THE SCEPTER, US Only.

 

 Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21193/?

 

Tour Schedule:

Week Three:

12/13/2020	@Fictitious.fox	Review
12/14/2020	Lifestyle of Me	Review
12/15/2020	Jrsbookreviews	Review
12/15/2020	two points of interest	Review

 

 

Book Review - Don't Look for Me by Wendy Walker

 

 Molly Clarke disappeared during a storm.  Her car was found abandoned and out of gas near the highway. They found a note at a nearby hotel saying she is "walking away". Her family is shattered that Molly has abandoned them.

When Molly ran out of gas, a man and a young girl offered her a ride to safety. However, when the door automatically locked behind her, Molly has a feeling she made a terrible mistake.

 A woman comes forward with a new lead on Molly's disappearance. Nicole, Molly's daughter returns to the small, desolate town where her mother was last seen. Everyone is eager to help and have bits of information to share. Except it seems that everyone has their own motivates and secrets that they are keeping. Will Molly be able to find her mother?

The the book was a quick and interesting read. I was able to predict who the kidnapper was but, the ending was unexpected. I am not really sure I was a fan of the ending. It felt a little unbelievable. However, I am still open to reading 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.**

December 2020 Empties!

 

I can't believe the year is almost gone! Where did the year go? Speaking of which I did finish a few things things month. Although it was mostly face masks.

I didn't try any new masks that was noteworthy. Most of the "new" masks I tried was from Facetory and they were decent. I didn't notice any of them being good enough to purchase again. Although, they recently had a sale for Black Friday so, I did get a few more goodies. I do like their skincare items.

I bought a few things from Lush from their Holiday collection. The Snow Fairy smells like cotton candy. It has soft and sweet scent. I did like the Nuori face mask. I usually applied this after using a sheet mask to leave my skin extra soft. I didn't like Tula's Detox in Jar. It made skin feel very uncomfortable. One thing I did like was the Lime Crime Wet Cherry gloss. It smells so amazing and it made my lips shinny without tacky.

Here is the list of everything I finished -

Meg Two Step Jelly Mask Firming and Radiance

Elvis + Elvin New York Grape Stem Cell Treatment Mask

Feel Brilliant Bamboo Charcoal Facial Sheet Mask

Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack Collage + Olive

Que Bella Professional Radiance Boost Shimmering Cream Mask

23 Years Cocoon Gold Silky Mask

Hanalei Papaya Face Mask

Orjena Nutrition Essential Vita Mask Skin Refreshing

Biobelle Facial Mask #InstantDetox

ElishaCoy Lift-Up Mushroom Mask Sheet

BetterSkin Detoxing Sheet Mask

HaruHaru Soothing Mask Cool Down Drop Kick Maqui Berry

Elensilia - Intracell Escargot + Caviar Repairing Sheet Mask

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel

Nuori Supreme Moisture Mask

Olie Biologique 004 Hydrating Oil

Tula Skincare Detox in a Jar

Comfort Zone HydraMemory Cream

Lime Crime Wet Cherry Gloss

Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray

Biore Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser

Book Review - House on Endless Waters by Emuna Elon

 

 

Photo Credit - Amazon

Yoel Blum is a well-known author. He makes a trip to Amsterdam to promote his book, even though he made a promise to his late mother to never return to his birthplace. During his book tour, Yoel decides to visit the Jewish Historical Museum with his wife. Together they find an old film portraying a younger version of his beloved mother along with his father, his older sister, and an infant he doesn't recognize.

 Yoel is unsettled by this discovery and decides to search for the truth. He discovers some of Amsterdam's dark wartime history. He learns about the underground networks that hid Jewish children along with the people who betrayed their own for survival. As he digs deeper in the past, he realizes the reason for his mother's silence but, he starts to question his own existence.

I thought the book had an interesting premise and I also liked the book cover. I found the writing hard to follow at times and I had to reread the same paragraphs over and over. The book progresses slowly and I found it to be quite boring. I lost interest in the book during the halfway mark.

 

**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.**

Book Review - The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

 

 

Immanuelle Moore is living in Bethel where the Prophet's word is the law. Her very existence is blasphemy. Her mother had an affair with an outsider of a different race. For her mother's sins, her entire family was cast out in disgrace. Immanuelle tries to atone for her mother's disgrace by trying to worship the Father and follow all the rules as the other women in the settlement.

Growing up, Immanuelle has heard stories about the Darkwood forest. Settlers are forbidden from entering the forest. The forest is where the first prophet chased and killed four powerful witches. When returning home from the market, an accident occurs which causes Immanuelle to enter the Darkwood forest. She comes across two of the witches and they give her a gift. When Immanuelle opens the gift, she realizes it's her dead mother's journal. She finds out that her mother once sought sanctuary in the woods.

Immanuelle knows that having the journal is forbidden but, she is fascinated with the secrets that are buried in the pages. She is struggling to understand how her mother could go against her faith and conspire with the witches. As she tries to dig deeper into the journal, she learns the truth behind the Church and its history along with the secrets it keeps.

The novel is an interesting read. I thought it was interesting reading the description of the witches. However, I was expecting a bit more from the novel. The secrets that the church has is more about human greed than a secret scandal. I felt like the story followed most storylines about cults where men are fearless leaders and women are stripped of most of their rights. Then one woman will try to stand up to the leaders but, the "faithful followers" will go against her but, she will do the right thing anyway. I was confused by the role of witchcraft. It seems like some of the other "darker-skinned" people worshiped the witches but, the witches seem to be evil people hurt whoever gets in their way. I thought when Immanuelle saw the marks on the witches' faces are similar to the Prophet's wives, the story was going to take a different turn but, it didn't.  The story had potential but, failed to live up to it. Also, can we stop making people who look different especially people of dark skin color villains by the story characters?

**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.**

Book Spotlight - Ottoman Dominion by Terry Brennan

Diplomatic Security Service agent Brian Mullaney wants out. He's been drawn against his will into a dangerous international mission with world-ending implications--and his final assignment is going to pit him directly against the terrifying, evil entity known only as the Turk. But when the Turk's minions breach the US embassy in Israel and the American ambassador disappears, Mullaney has no choice. He must accept his role as the final guardian of a mysterious box, his only weapon against the powers of darkness bent on preventing the second coming of the Messiah, no matter who or what they annihilate to accomplish their goal. Can this man who's already lost so much find the strength and faith to save the world--and fulfill the prophecy of peace? The final volume of the Empires of Armageddon trilogy will have fans of Joel Rosenberg, Ronie Kendig, and Frank Peretti on the edge of their seats up to the final page. Click here to read an excerpt!

About the author

Terry Brennan is the award-winning author of The Sacred Cipher, The Brotherhood Conspiracy, and The Aleppo Code, the three books in The Jerusalem Prophecies series. His latest series is Empires of Armageddon, which includes Ishmael Covenant, Persian Betrayal, and Ottoman Dominion.

A Pulitzer Prize is one of the many awards Brennan accumulated during his 22-year newspaper career. The Pottstown (PA) Mercury won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing for a two-year series published while he led the team as the newspaper’s Editor.

Starting out as a sportswriter in Philadelphia, Brennan became an editor and publisher for newspapers in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York and later moved to the corporate staff of Ingersoll Publications (400 newspapers in the U.S., Ireland and England) as Executive Editor of all U.S. newspaper titles.

In 1996, Brennan transitioned into the nonprofit sector, spending 12 years as VP Operations for The Bowery Mission and six years as Chief Administrative Officer for Care for the Homeless,  both in New York City.

Terry and his wife, Andrea, now live in Danbury, CT.

More on Brennan can be found at www.terrybrennanauthor.com. He is also on Facebook (Terry Brennan) and Twitter (@terrbrennan1). 

Book giveaway

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Book Review - Burden of Proof by Davis Bunn

 

 

 

Three weeks after his twenty-third birthday, Ethan missed the chance to save his brother's life when he was assassinated at the courthouse in Jacksonville, Florida. Ethan has felt a profound disconnect between the man he was meant to be and the man he became after that fateful day. His days are a jumbled mess as he constantly replays the scene of his failure again and again.

His brother's widow enters his life and calls for his help to discover who was really behind his brother's murder. Ethan is shocked to learn that she and her late husband were involved in a much larger case than he knew—one that threatens the global power system. When Ethan joins the search for answers, he will travel back to his past and find a way of redeeming his future.

I thought this novel had an interesting spin. However, I found myself having a hard time getting into the novel. I thought the main character was annoying and all the female characters were either stupid and annoying or aggressive and rude. The entire novel felt like a chore and was very boring to read. I stopped reading halfway and never looked back.

 **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.**