Two Points of Interest

Monday, September 14, 2020

Book Review - You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Photo Credit - Amazon

Shay Miller wants to find love but, she finds herself in love with her roommate, Sean. Sean is in love with his girlfriend, Jodie. She works hard at her job but, finds it to be a dead-end and underappreciated. She wants to have a kinship with others but, find herself lonely and without friends.

Shay's life changes when she meets the Moore sisters. Cassandra and Jane are the definitions of perfection and glamorous. Shay is envious of their lives and wants to be just like them. When they accept Shay as their friend, Shay is willing to do anything for them to be their friend. How far will Shay go to prove her loyalty to them?

I have read the other books by the duo and enjoyed them. This book was also an enjoyable read towards the end. While the twists were surprising, I wasn't exactly blown away. I felt that the novel had too many characters with a different back story. It was hard keeping track of the different people and their history. I wasn't very fond of the main character, Shay because she kept making bad choices that made her look desperate for a friend. I felt like the story was a bit convoluted and long-winded but, I am still excited about their next book.

**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.*

Saturday, September 12, 2020

September 2020 Empties!

Yay, I managed to finish a few facial masks and some skincare products. Most of the masks I tried were okay. I did like the Be Shine Mask. It was the only one I noticed a difference for. If you have really dry and sensitive skin, I would recommend the First Aid Beauty. My skin felt so much better after a few uses.

I bought the Verso Dark Spot treatment to help with the dark spots from wearing the mask. It did help lighten the appearance but, the treatment finished before the spot disappeared. The spot treatment was $150 and barely did anything. Everything else was okay but, not noteworthy to buy again.

Have you tried any of the things I finished?

Cowgirl Extreme C Serum

Eos Shea butter Hand Cream - Coconut

Image Skincare I Mask Hydrating Hydrogel Sheet Mask

Puclair Cocktail Cinderella Sheet Mask

It's Skin Tea Trea Balance Sheet Mask

Bolero Anti-Aging Paper Mask Pomegranate & Gogi Berry

Merbliss Nurse Healing Intense Soothing Guaze Seal Mask

Feel Brilliant Bamboo Charcoal Facial Sheet Mask

Nature Republic Acai Berry Mask Sheet

FrienVita Perfect Skin Adhesion Firming Gold Glow Mask

Lassie'el Be Shine Jewerly Mask Aqua Aura

La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

Mio Skin Tight Body Serum

Burt's Bees Natural Skin Care Body Wash

Burt's Bees Spearmint & Lime Body Wash

VersoSkincare Dark Spot Fix with Retional 8

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Book Review - The Bye Bye Man: And Other Strange-but-True Tales by Robert Damon Schneck

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the winter of 1990 in Wisconsin, three college students decide to experiment with an Ouija board. Little did they know that would be a terrible mistake. The board allowed them to make contact with a psychic serial killer known as The Bye Bye Man. When they learned his name, he becomes drawn to you. He is willing to travel day and night for his next victim. You will know he is close when you hear a shrill sound of a steady whistle. He might be even waiting for you outside your bedroom door, talking to you in the voice of a trusted friend.

I see the movie before I read this and thought it was done well. It was scary and entertaining. The book contains several short stories of weird but, true stories. The author provides the story along with some background and provides his theories. Some of the stories were interesting but, I found a few to be dull and boring. Overall, it was an interesting read, and look forward to reading more of his novels.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Book Review - A Good Idea by Cristina Moracho

Photo Credit - Amazon

Finley and Betty have been friends for years and their friendship even survived when Fin moved in the ninth grade. They talk on the phone constantly and when Fin comes back from Manhattan to Maine for the summer. During the fall of their senior year, they both applied to NYU and hope to be reunited for good as roommates.

When Betty disappears, her ex-boyfriend Calder admits to drowning her. However, his confession is thrown out and the town believes that he was coerced into confessing and Betty had run away with one of her suitors. Fin believes that Calder is responsible for Betty's death and she is determined to get justice for her friends, even if she is endangering herself and her loved ones. How far is Fin willing to go to find justice for her friend?

I was completely torn while reading this book. I didn't really care for any of the characters and when the mystery behind Betty's disappearance is solved, I could care less. I am not even sure the plot is completely believable. The story hints at a town that is keeping secrets which when was "revealed", it was so ordinary. I feel like watching the primetime news would have more noteworthy secrets than this book. The only reason I had picked up the book was that I liked the cover and the bathtub was only mentioned once offhandedly. This was a disappointing and longwinded read.

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Book Review - Island of the Mad by Laurie R. King

Photo Credit - Amazon

Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes were enlisted to help an old friend find their missing aunt, who lives in an asylum. Lady Vivian Beaconsfield has spent most of her adult life in Bethlem after her brother and father died in the Great War. While on an outing for her brother's birthday, Lady Vivian disappears.

Mary doesn't want to take on the case but, she can't turn down her friend, Ronnie. Together with Sherlock, Mary travels to Venice to find the missing woman. While at Venice, they discover the influence of Benito Mussolini is causing a disturbance in the city. When Mary and Sherlock begin their search for the missing woman, they are thrown into a whole different world.

I have seen Sherlock shows and movies but, haven't read the novels. Mostly because I wasn't much of a huge mystery fan but, the books are on my TBR list now. I was quite disappointed in this novel though. The characters were all dreadfully boring or wooden. Sherlock felt more like a filler than an actual detective and Mary was a bore. The ending felt juvenile and didn't seem like an ending had much thought put into it. I was surprised that there were no surprises or twists but, a straightforward runaway storyline. This was my first book of the series and maybe this book was a dud but, I am in no rush to find out.

Friday, September 4, 2020

Book Review - Brother's Keeper by Julie Lee + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

In 1950 in North Korea, twelve-year-old Sora and her family are living under a regime with harsh rules. They need permits to travel, no criticizing the government, they must attend all Communist meetings and wear red. The people are afraid to speak their minds and don't trust their neighbors.

The war between North and South Korea is causing chaos. The people are using it as a chance to escape. Sora and her family walk hundreds of miles to get the city of Busan in South Korea from their tiny mountain village. They will just need to avoid frostbite, bombs, hunger, border guards, enemy soldiers, and many other obstacles.

When the bombing becomes more than the family can bear, Sora and her younger brother, Young has to get to Busan on their own. Will they be able to survive the journey by themselves?

The novel was a heart-wrenching and emotional read. I felt for Sora as we have similar cultural values to treat girls/women as disposable. I wish this horrible trend would end because every single life regardless of gender should have value and be treated as equals. I enjoyed reading about Sora's journey and how she learned to stick up for herself. The book is a great read for children and adults alike.

Disclosure - I received a free unedited 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: BROTHER'S KEEPER

Author: Julie Lee

Pub. Date: July 21, 2020

Publisher: Holiday House

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 304

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

Can two children escape North Korea on their own?

North Korea. December, 1950.

Twelve-year-old Sora and her family live under an iron set of rules: No travel without a permit. No criticism of the government. No absences from Communist meetings. Wear red. Hang pictures of the Great Leader. Don't trust your neighbors. Don't speak your mind. You are being watched.

But war is coming, war between North and South Korea, between the Soviets and the Americans. War causes chaos--and war is the perfect time to escape. The plan is simple: Sora and her family will walk hundreds of miles to the South Korean city of Busan from their tiny mountain village. They just need to avoid napalm, frostbite, border guards, and enemy soldiers.

But they can't. And when an incendiary bombing changes everything, Sora and her little brother Young will have to get to Busan on their own. Can a twelve-year-old girl and her eight-year-old brother survive three hundred miles of warzone in winter?

Haunting, timely, and beautiful, this harrowing novel from a searing new talent offers readers a glimpse into a vanished time and a closed nation.

A Junior Library Guild Selection

About Julie:

Julie Lee graduated from Cornell University with a degree in history. After working in market research in Manhattan for over ten years, she decided to pursue writing full-time. Currently, Julie lives in Georgia with her husband and three children. When she is not spending time with her family, she is working on her next book while pursuing an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Brother's Keeper is her debut novel.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of BROTHER'S KEEPER, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21135/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

8/31/2020	Debjani's Thoughts	Review
8/31/2020	Miss Elizabeth	Review
9/1/2020	Karma Readz Kidz Bookz	Review
9/1/2020	Her Book Thoughts	Review
9/1/2020	Her Book Thoughts	Instagram Post
9/2/2020	History from a Woman’s Perspective	Review
9/2/2020	Twirling Book Princess	Excerpt
9/3/2020	The Writer’s Alley	Review
9/3/2020	The Writer’s Alley	Instagram Post
9/4/2020	Two Points of interest	Review
9/4/2020	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
9/4/2020	Jaime's World	Excerpt

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Book Review - Silver Moon by Jenny Knipfer + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Luis Wilson was shamed into joining the war and was recruited to work as a spy. He becomes injured and is presumed missing. During his stay at the hospital, he ends up falling in love with the same woman who shamed him into joining the war.

Oshki and Jimmy are fighting in the trenches and have a grim perspective. They worry about returning to Webaashi Bay, Ontario, to their loved ones. Lily is working with the women back home to help support the fight along with rallying support when a local is accused of being a spy.

This book is the third novel in the series. I am not sure if each book can be read standalone but, this was my first book. I found that there were a lot of characters in the beginning and it was hard for me to keep track of. I felt like there was a lot of jumping between different times and it ruined the flow for me. The novel does move a bit slowly. However, if you are a fan of cozy romances with a hint of espionage than this might be the perfect book for you.

Disclosure - I received a free unedited 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.

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Silver Moon

(By the Light of the Moon #3)

By Jenny Knipfer

Christian Historical Fiction

Paperback & ebook, 411 Pages

June 30, 2020

A tale of courage and hope in the darkest of times...

Silver Moon, the third book in the series: By the Light of the Moon, paints a stunning and poignant picture of life on the home front in Webaashi Bay, Ontario, and of three men who are a part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WWI.

Shamed into joining the war, the tide turns for Luis Wilson when he is steered into the depths of espionage. Injured and presumed missing, will he lose his heart to the very woman who presented him with a white feather?

Oshki and Jimmy offer a grim perspective on life in the trenches. They despair of ever returning home to the women who hold their hearts.

Meanwhile, Lily fights for the cause in her own way and rallies the female troops at home as prejudices run high and the local cafe owner is accused of being a spy.

Will the women of Webaashi Bay receive their men back unscathed? Can the power of love win out over insurmountable odds? All this drama and more plays out under the light of a silver moon.

Fans of WWI historical fiction, Christian historical fiction, and literary fiction will find Silver Moon a moving, powerful read!

Praise for the Book

Taking an original angle on a tumultuous time in history, Silver Moon by Jenny Knipfer is a sparkling slice of historical fiction. Ambitiously detailing a diverse collection of characters, this World War I story bounces across space and time, delicately filled with vivid descriptions, nuanced moral dilemmas, and authentic relationships..." --Self-publishing Review

"Silver Moon is a highly recommended read for fans of historical wartime fiction, powerful emotive drama, and excellent atmospheric writing." --Readers' Favorite

"I am stunned by the amount of detail the author gave in this single story. On one hand, we have powerful characters... and on the other, we have a plot that demands all our attention. Jenny Knipfer pulls no punches and holds nothing back." --Readers' Favorite

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to Amazon affiliate links.)

About the Author

Jenny lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Ken and their pet Yorkie, Ruby. She is also a mom and loves being a grandma. She enjoys many creative pursuits but finds writing the most fulfilling.

Jenny’s education background stems from psychology, music, and cultural missions. She spent many years as a librarian in a local public library but recently switched to using her skills as a floral designer in a retail flower shop. She is now retired from work due to disability.

She authored and performed a self-published musical CD entitled, Scrapbook of a Closet Poet.

Jenny’s books, Ruby Moon, Blue Moon, and Silver Moon earned five-star reviews from Reader’s Favorite, a book review and award contest company. Their praise: “Ruby Moon is entertaining, fast-paced, and features characters that are real. Blue Moon continues a well-written and highly engaging saga of family ties, betrayals, and heartaches… Silver Moon is a highly recommended read for fans of historical wartime fiction, powerful emotive drama, and excellent atmospheric writing.”

She holds membership in the: Midwest Independent Booksellers Association, Historical Novel Society, Wisconsin Writers Association, Christian Indie Publishing Association, and Independent Book Publishers Association.

Jenny’s favorite place to relax is by the western shore of Lake Superior, where her novel series, By The Light of the Moon, is set. She has self-published the first three books, Ruby Moon, Blue Moon, and Silver Moon, in her four-part series. One more novel to complete the series is planned for 2020. She is currently writing a new historical fiction series called, Sheltering Trees.

Photo Credit: Craig Jentink

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive ebooks of all three books in the By the Light of the Moon series by Jenny Knipfer (Ruby Moon, Blue Moon and Silver Moon) and a $25 Amazon eGift Card

Open internationally to those who can use one of Amazon's branches
Ends September 9, 2020

ENTER HERE

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Book Review - I See You by Clare Mackintosh

Photo Credit - Amazon

Zoe Walker takes the same route to the train station every day. She even stands at the same spot and has a favorite seat. Zoe would never suspect someone is waiting for her every move. It all started when Zoe spots her photo in the classified ad section with a phone number and a listing for a website called FindTheOne.com.

Zoe notices other women begin appearing in the same ad. The ad has a different woman each day. She realizes that the women from the ads become victims of violent crimes, including murder. Zoe reports the classified ads in hopes that she can determine the purpose of the ads. When she discovers a key bit of evidence, she realizes that it might be someone she knows. Zoe questions every single person that she comes into connection with. Is the friendly stranger on the train have a more deadly purpose than he is letting on?

The novel was a quick and suspenseful read filled with twists. The author leads you to believe it can be everyone and anyone who is out to get you. Thankfully, we are in quarantine for the next few months but, when I have to go back into the office, you can be sure I will be mixing things up. I can't wait to read other books by the author.