Book Review - Poisoned by Jennifer Donnelly + Giveaway

 

 

 

Once upon a time, in a land far away, a girl named Sophie went into the forest with the Queen's huntsman. Her lips were the color of cherries, her skin is soft as fresh snow, and her hair is midnight dark. When they stopped to take a break, the huntsman took Sophie's heart.

She wasn't surprised by the turn of events. She knew what everyone at the palace thought of her. They believed that she was too kind and foolish to rule. She wasn't a good candidate to rule the kingdom. Sophie believes all the harsh and unkind things people said about her. The spoken poisonous words were used to keep Sophie from realizing her true potential.

Sophie laid abandoned on the forest floor when seven strangers come across her body. They help nourish and protect her. However, Sophie wants to regain her kingdom and punish her jealous stepmother. As she begins to find the courage for her mission, she realizes that someone else might be pulling strings and their magic might be too strong for Sophie. Will Sophie be able to recognize that her kindness is her true form of strength?

The story was a wonderful retelling of a classic fairy tale. It encourages girls and young women (or grown adult women in my case) in believing themselves. I liked that it showed the different sides of each character and that not everything is black and white. I can't wait to read more books by the author.

 **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: POISONED

Author: Jennifer Donnelly

Pub. Date: October 20, 2020

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 320

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

 

From Jennifer Donnelly, author of the acclaimed New York Times bestseller Stepsister, comes a fairytale retelling that'll forever change the way you think about strength, power, and the real meaning of "happily ever after."

Once upon a time, a girl named Sophie rode into the forest with the queen's huntsman. Her lips were the color of ripe cherries, her skin as soft as new-fallen snow, her hair as dark as midnight. When they stopped to rest, the huntsman took out his knife . . . and took Sophie's heart.

It shouldn't have come as a surprise. Sophie had heard the rumors, the whispers. They said she was too kind and foolish to rule -- a waste of a princess. A disaster of a future queen. And Sophie believed them. She believed everything she'd heard about herself, the poisonous words people use to keep girls like Sophie from becoming too powerful, too strong . . .

With the help of seven mysterious strangers, Sophie manages to survive. But when she realizes that the jealous queen might not be to blame, Sophie must find the courage to face an even more terrifying enemy, proving that even the darkest magic can't extinguish the fire burning inside every girl, and that kindness is the ultimate form of strength. 

 

 

About Jennifer:

Jennifer Donnelly is the author of A Northern Light, which was awarded a Printz Honor and a Carnegie Medal; Revolution (named a Best Book by Amazon, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and the Chicago Public Library, and nominated for a Carnegie Medal); the Deep Blue series; and many other books for young readers, including Lost in a Book, which spent more than 20 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. She lives in New York's Hudson Valley.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

 

Giveaway Details:

 

3 winners will receive a finished copy of POISONED, US Only.

 

Rafflecopter link:

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21161/?

 

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/1/2020	The Book Nut : A Book Lovers Guide	Review
10/2/2020	oddandbookish	Review
10/3/2020	popthebutterfly	Review

 

Week Two:

10/4/2020	A Backwards Story	Review
10/5/2020	Fictitiouswonderland	Review
10/6/2020	Kait Plus Books	Interview
10/7/2020	The Book Rookery	Review
10/8/2020	History from a Woman’s Perspective	Review
10/9/2020	Momfluenster	Review
10/10/2020	Thindbooks Blog	Review

 

Week Three:

10/11/2020	The Momma Spot	Review
10/12/2020	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review
10/13/2020	Bookhounds YA	Review
10/14/2020	Seeing Double In Neverland	Review
10/15/2020	Book-Keeping	Review
10/16/2020	Nays Pink Bookshelf	Review
10/17/2020	Lisa Loves Literature	Review

 

Week Four:

10/18/2020	Two Chicks on Books	Interview
10/19/2020	The Pages In-Between	Review
10/20/2020	Two Points of Interest	Review

October 2020 Haul Part 2!

 

 

This is one of my bigger hauls this month because October is my birth month! And it's one of the greatest months, if I may say so myself. And there is no better way than buying way more stuff than I can possibly use to celebrate my birthday. I got so many lip products I don't even know where I am going to store it...let alone wear them all. However, this has never stopped me before...

I am excited to try the Ole Henriksen Phat Facial. I used to get facials more often before COVID but, now I rely on more store bought products to keep my skin in line. The mask is supposed to mimic getting a facial with exfoliating acids. I can definitely go for some glowing skin after spending so much time under a mask.

I had good experiences with Elemis products and I am excited to try their moisturizer and jelly mask. I have tried their clay mask from this product line and my skin was noticeable different. I am hoping with the jelly mask and the moisturizer my skin will be revitalized because it has been looking a bit dull lately.

I heard of the brand Byroe but, I haven't tried any of their products yet. I got their tomato serum which looks interesting. Because I am getting older, the weather getting colder, and I have dry skin I been trying to hydrate and moisturize more often. 

And of course I can't wait to try all of the different lip products! I got a few from Stowaway Cosmetics, Fenty Beauty, Stila, Urban Decay, Hank and Henry, and a few others. Have you tried any of the products?

Book Review - Breathless by Jennifer Niven + Giveaway

 

 

Claudine Henry is about to graduate high school and she is focused on three things: going to college, becoming a famous author like her mother, and losing her virginity. Claude doesn't even need to be in love with the person, she is only looking for sex. However, when her parents tell her that they are splitting up and she needs to keep it a secret, her entire world comes crumbling down all around her. She was supposed to spend her last summer going on a road trip with her best friend. This was their last summer together before they go off to different colleges. Instead, Claude and her mom go to a remote island off the coast of Georgia where they have no phone service and she doesn't know anyone. She feels like she is cut off from the entire world.

When Claude crosses the path with Jeremiah, she is hesitant to open her heart again. When they spend time together, Claude finds that Jeremiah infuriates her but, she finds herself drawn to him. Claude decides that she will sleep with him with no strings attached as they both know that their fling isn't meant to last. They are hoping that the time they spend together will be enough for them.

The book was a beautiful story about finding yourself and choosing your own life path. It was interesting reading about how Claude navigates different situations in her life. I liked that she was vocal about her needs and wants. I felt like the characters were all well written and realistically portrayed. I think this book would be a good read for any older teenagers/young adults.

**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: BREATHLESS

Author: Jennifer Niven

Pub. Date: September 29, 2020

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 400

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

 

From Jennifer Niven, the New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places, comes an unforgettable new novel about a sensitive girl ready to live her bravest life--sex, heartbreak, family dramas, and all.

 

Before: With graduation on the horizon, budding writer Claudine Henry is making plans: college in the fall, become a famous author, and maybe--finally--have sex. She doesn't even need to be in love. Then her dad drops a bombshell: he's leaving Claude's mother. Suddenly, Claude's entire world feels like a lie, and her future anything but under control.

 

After: Claude's mom whisks them away to the last place Claude could imagine nursing a broken heart: a remote, mosquito-infested island off the coast of Georgia. But then Jeremiah Crew happens. Miah is a local trail guide with a passion for photography--and a past he doesn't like to talk about. He's brash and enigmatic, and even more infuriatingly, he's the only one who seems to see Claude for who she wants to be. So when Claude decides to sleep with Miah, she tells herself it's just sex, nothing more. There's not enough time to fall in love, especially if it means putting her already broken heart at risk.

 

Compulsively readable and impossible to forget, Jennifer Niven's luminous new novel is an insightful portrait of a young woman ready to write her own story.

 

About Jennifer:

Jennifer Niven is the New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe, as well as the popular Velva Jean series. She is also the author of several non-fiction books, including Ada Blackjack, The Aqua-Net Diaries, and The Ice Master, which was named a top non-fiction book by Entertainment Weekly. Her New York Times bestseller All the Bright Places is soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning. Although she grew up in Indiana, she now lives with her fiancé and literary cats in Los Angeles, which remains her favorite place to wander.

Photo: Justin Conway

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a Finished Copy of BREATHLESS, US Only.

 Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21153/?

 

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/21/2020	Two Chicks on Books	Review
9/22/2020	YA Books Central	Excerpt
9/23/2020	@ChristenKrumm	Review
9/24/2020	onemused	Review
9/25/2020	notinjersey	Review

 

Week Two:

9/28/2020	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
9/28/2020	Word Spelunking	Review
9/30/2020	What A Nerd Girl Says	Review
10/1/2020	Eli to the nth	Review
10/2/2020	Becky on Books	Review

 

Week Three:

10/5/2020	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
10/6/2020	Do You Dog-ear?	Review
10/7/2020	Book-Keeping	Review
10/8/2020	Gimme The Scoop Reviews	Review
10/9/2020	Books Beans and Botany	Review

 

Week Four:

10/12/2020	BookHounds Ya	Review
10/13/2020	biancabuysbooks	Review
10/14/2020	Momfluenster	Review
10/15/2020	A Gingerly Review	Review
10/16/2020	two points of interest	Review

 

 

 

 

Book Review - The House Next Door by Darcy Coates

 

Jo lives near a haunted house. She suspected something is wrong with the house since no one stays there long. Recently a family fled during the middle of the night and left all their belongings in the house. Animals including her cats avoid going near the house. Once Jo saw someone pacing through the upstairs room but, no one was living there at the time.

Anna recently bought the house next door. Jo is curious about her new neighbor and decides to reach out to Anna. Jo didn't expect to become friends with Anna but, she is excited to have a friend. However, the Marwick House has become active again with the arrival of its new occupant. Will Anna and Jo be able to get out of the house alive? Will they be able to figure out what is haunting the house?

This was my third book by the author and I enjoyed it. The book isn't really scary but, suspenseful. I found the book to be well written and engaging. As I was reading the book (stupidly late at night and in the dark) I could imagine being inside the dark and creepy house. I felt like the story took a while to build and there wasn't much of a "haunting".  I can't say this was my favorite book but, I am still interested in reading her other novels.

**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 - Nine by Rachelle Dekker

 

 

Zoe Johnson prefers to spend her life living in the shadows. She doesn't like to draw attention to herself or being involved with other people. However, when a disheveled teenager walks into a diner where Zoe works, she feels drawn to the teen. Lucy has no memories and is struggling to figure out what to do next. Zoe is reminded of her own painful memories of the past and wants to help Lucy figure out her own past. Lucy only remembers that she needs to find a woman in Corpus Christi, Texas, which is hundreds of miles away. Lucy and Zoe will need to find the woman before government agents find them.

I found the novel to be a fast-paced and an entertaining read. However, I found the novel to be predictable and had the outcome I expected. I did like that the novel teaches readers that our past doesn't limit our future. It does define us but, we can choose who we want to be. The novel has themes of moving on, love,  accepting ourselves, and forgiveness. I enjoyed reading about the characters growing than the "action" and "suspense" parts of the novel.  I would be open to reading more books by the author but, I wouldn't go out of my way to read her books.

**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.**