Januarry 2022 Empties!

My first empties post for the new year! I can't believe it! I didn't really finish a lot of stuff other than a few face masks and tons of shampoo/conditioner apparently. The funny thing is I went several days where I couldn't even remember the last time I washed my hair.

Most of the items were repurchased stuff but, there were a few noteworthy things. I finished quite a few masks and I did enjoy a few of them. I have a few products from Sweet Chef but, they are mostly moisturizers. I did enjoy this sheet mask and thought it left my skin hydrated. I didn't notice a scent which was disappointing because I usually expect most food-centered mask to have a scent. The Aippo Soothing Expert Soothing Mask had a nice luxurious feeling and my skin felt so hydrated after using. I have always liked the Detoskin brand when I used one of their mask so, I was excited to try their Puer Tea-Time Mask. This one didn't disappoint either. My skin felt and looked so hydrated. I didn't like the
Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Calming Paper Mask at all. Well, more like when I tried to use the mask there was no serum, the entire mask was all dried up! I am not sure if I got an old product or if that's how the mask is but, it ended up going into the trash.

I used to love the brand Sumbody so, I got some of their items. Their soaps are okay, they have a strong clay scent but, I am disappointed on how tiny they are for the prices. I do like they use easy to read ingredients and they are not filled with chemicals. I did like the Lollia Wish Sugared Pastille Perfumed Soap. It had a soft delicate scent but, it didn't last on my skin.

Did you finish anything this month that you liked?

 

Book Review - One Night Gone by Tara Laskowski

 

Maureen Haddaway wants to start over and have a new life. She decides to join the traveling circus and feels that her destiny is calling to her at the wealthy town of Opal Beach. She finds herself lured by the prospect of having new friends, falling in love, and an exciting social scene. Her new life sounds just too good to be true because by the end of the summer, she disappears without a trace.

Years later, Allison Simpson is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to house-sit a home during the off-season. Allison feels this is the perfect chance for her to get her life back in order after a messy divorce. However, she feels herself drawn to a mysterious disappearance of a young woman thirty years prior. She realizes that someone is hiding a dark secret and they are willing to stop at nothing to keep it a secret.

I found the book to be an enjoyable read. I was able to predict some of the twists but, not the last one at the very end. I thought the book moved at a good speed and had enough to keep the reader entertained. I also liked that Allison had common sense because when she didn't feel comfortable with something, she avoided that person or scenario.  However, there were times that I didn't like either of the main characters. Overall, it was a good read and I look forward to reading other books by the author.

Book Review - Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey

 

Hazel Greenlee works as a transcriber at the Black Harbor police department. Every night she hears gruesome secrets from detectives as she transcribes their notes. Black Harbor is Wisconsin's prolific crime city and it ensures that Hazel will always have work. Hazel is an aspiring writer and believes its her only ticket out of the city. Her plan becomes derailed when her neighbor confesses to hiding the body of an overdose victim in a dumpster.

The police believe the death is related to a notorious drug dealer called Candy Man. Hazel finds herself entranced by the case, especially, the lead detective, Nikolai Kole. She decides to help Kole as she finds herself captivated by him and she can gain information for her book.Will Kole and Hazel be able to find Candy Man before it's too late?

The novel started off good and started rapidly becoming a dull read.The novel billed itself as a mystery but, I felt like it took a backseat to Kole and Hazel's relationship. The mystery behind Candy Man seemed to solve itself while Kole and Hazel spent more time with each other. I can't say that I actually like any of the characters especially, Hazel. She comes across information that made Kole seem like a killer and she didn't even care. She still continued to pursue a romantic relationship with him. I also felt that the author was very heavy on the description and there wasn't really much of a story. The author spends paragraphs to describe things but, only a few sentences is dedicated to moving the story along.

Book Review - Sunrise (Sky King Ranch, #1) by Susan May Warren

 

Pilot Dodge Kingston was meant to be the heir to Sky King Ranch but, after a terrible family fight he left home to become a pararescue jumper. He returns home a decade later after a troubling family accident. He knows that everything he left behind is waiting for him including, his childhood best friends and ex-girlfriend, Echo Yazzie.

Echo is a true Alaskan woman, she is a homesteader and a dogsledder while being an outdoor guide. Dodge  feels that her lifestyle could get her hurt or worse, killed. He is worried that one day she will get lost in the woods again, and he won't be there to help her.

While on a nature expedition, one of Echo's fellow researcher goes missing. Echo is desperate to find her even though there is an ongoing blizzard and a rogue grizzling terrorizing the woods. Will Echo be able to find her before the storm kicks in?

The novel had beautiful and lush descriptions of Alaska but, sometimes there was too many details. I also felt overwhelmed by the amount of people that was introduced in the beginning and many of them didn't really add to the story. It took awhile before I found myself getting interested into the story only to find out that the story ends with several cliffhangers. It was an okay read but, I thought that the author could have cut down the length of the book.

Book Review - The Secrets of Lily Graves by Sarah Strohmeyer

 

Lily Graves comes from a long line of morticians. She knows that everyone keeps buried secrets. When senior class president Erin Donohue turns up dead, Lily believes its her job to uncover the truth. Erin is a pillar of the community and known for her ethnics. However, Lily has a crush on Erin's ex-boyfriend, Matt, which complicates matters and makes them both suspects. As Lily's world comes crushing down, she will have to figure out who she can trust before the killer strikes again.

I had picked up this book on a whim and I should have read reviews before getting it. The book is geared towards young adults and I feel like it's a romance novel with some mystery components to it. The plot was very predictable and I was able to guess the direction of the novel fairly quickly. I felt that story moved along very slowly and some of the character interactions felt forced.  I think the title of the book is very misleading because even after reading the book, I still don't know any of Lily's secrets. The novel might be a good read for young readers who want a book with a light mystery with a heavy high school romance theme.

January 2022 Haul!

 

I can't believe it's already 2022! Last year went by in a blur and honestly, I can't even remember what I did in 2020 - 2021 other than buying way more makeup/skincare than I used. 

We were having a rather nice and mild winter but, it actually started getting colder just the other day. I am actually glad that I will be staying indoors and I stocked up on some bath salts. I got two bottles of mint eucalyptus salts. I got these from the Dollar Tree, I hope these salts will stay $1 when the price change comes into play. These smell great and are a great affordable everyday treat. I did get two bath bombs from Charmed Aroma that were around $20 each but, they include a piece of jewelry. I had gotten a shark one for my friend on her birthday and she enjoyed it so, I decided to get two try them out. And they smell so amazing, I left one on my counter and it scented the entire room up.

I got a few face masks from Facetory as I been making good progress on depleting my stash and with colder months, my skin needs extra hydration. I got a nail mask from Bling Pop that seems exciting but, I usually don't have much luck with hand masks. I got another mask from Detoskin and Needly. These are two new brands I recently tried. I had loved the other masks I tried from them previously. They are jammed pack with serum and they feel so nice against my skin.

I got a new jar of Needly Daily toner pad. This seems cool because I usually just pat on toner but, I also feels like its wasteful because I am throwing away the pad when it's finished. It also reminds me of the acne pads I would use when I was in high school. I got a new mask from Tbg. in lava and it smells amazing. It reminds me of Toostie Rolls and the jar is so beautifully designed. I got a new serum from Rodial in Pink Diamond. I had another one of their serums but, for the life of me I can't find where I left it. Maybe that should be my hint to stop buying new products ;)

Is there anything new this month you are excited to try?

Book Review - Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

In August 1983, it's the day of Nina Riva's annual end-of-the-summer party. It is the party of the year and everyone who is someone is there. The Riva siblings are famous and everyone wants to be around them. Nina is a supermodel and surfer, Jay is a championship surfer, Hud is a famous photographer along with their baby sister, Kit. The siblings are famous and a source of fascination because their dad is the famous singer, Mick Riva.

Nina isn't excited about the party and hates being the center of attention. She was also just publicly dumped by her famous pro tennis player husband. Hud is keeping a secret from his beloved brother and he knows that it might break their bond. Jay is excited to be reunited with his dream girl. He can't stop thinking about her and hopes that she shows up to the party. Kit is keeping a few secrets of her own, including, inviting a guest to the party that would turn everyone's world upside down.

I read this book after reading Daisy Jones and The Six and felt there was quite a few similarities. It was like one book was the "what if" for the other. I thought the book was an interesting read but, at times it felt overwhelming with the amount of  characters. Similar to Daisy Jones, I felt like the novel lacked an actual story and was filled with a lot of trivial details. I did like that a few characters did make appearances in this book and the author's other books. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - The Rebel and the Rake by Emily Sullivan

 

Rafe Davies is known for being a charismatic rake. However, in reality he is working for the crown as one of their most valuable agents. Rafe is both relentless and reckless and there isn't a mission that he couldn't complete before. But then he meets lady's companion Miss Sylvia Sparrow while on assignment and Rafe finds himself distracted by her beauty.

Most women throw themselves at Rafe's feet but, Sylvia had enough of those type of men. She once trusted a man and she paid dearly for her mistake. Sylvia is determined to ignore Rafe but, during a few chance encounters, she is surprised by Rafe's personality and finds herself attracted to him. She realizes that Rafe might be keeping a few secrets of his own.

I thought the book was an easy and enjoyable read. I did find that the middle of the book was a bit slow and I thought the ending took forever. When they figured out the bad guy behind the blackmailing scheme the novel still had around 75 or so additional pages from the end. If you like steamy romance novels then you will enjoy this book.

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

Book Review - The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang

Sprout is a hen that is no longer happy with her current life. She doesn't want to lay eggs on command and have them taken away from her. She sees other animal roam free and she wants to live in the wild like all the other animals. She hatches a plan to escape into a wild and to hatch an egg of her own.

The book was a thought provoking and heart breaking read. There were many themes that were explored like motherhood, individuality, belonging, having a purpose, acceptance, family bonds, and being free. The book was a quick read but left me thinking for hours afterwards. If you enjoy reading stories about animals, you will enjoy this book.

 

Book Review - Nine Elms (Kate Marshall, #1) by Robert Bryndza

 

Kate Marshall had a promising career as a police detective until she caught the notorious Nine Elms serial killer. What should have been a great victory quickly descended into a nightmare. Kate watched her career ended in scandal as she was publicly shamed and betrayed over shocking circumstances surrounding the murder case.

Fifteen years later, Kate is still being haunted by the ghosts of her past. She is a professor at a small English university, hoping to move on with her life. However, she was given a chance to face her demons when a copycat killer has taken up the Nine Elms legacy and continuing on the work of his idol.

Kate enlists the help of her research assistant, Tristan Harper, to find and catch the copycat. She believes this might be her chance to redemption. However, Kate doesn't realize she was intended to be the fifth victim and his successor means to finish the job.

I thought the book was an interesting read but, I was a bit torn on the ending. I felt like the story was suspenseful but, the ending seemed a bit of character. I wish there that the characters were developed a bit more and there were moments in the story that audience had to suspense belief. I did like that the author included a bit of foreshadowing at the end and I am hoping it is hinting what the second book would be about. Overall, I thought it was a good read and look forward to reading other books in the series.

December 2021 Empties Part 2!

 

Ah, my last empties post for 2021! Oh boy, this year went by quickly and I didn't really finish this year with a bang like I was hoping. However, I am actually surprised that I finished three lip balms and three serums because I usually don't finish those as quickly. Not surprising, is that I didn't finish any makeup products this month. I definitely been finishing more skincare than makeup products lately.

Most of these items were repeat purchases but, since I don't have anything new I can do a small recap. I have used Sumbody's products in the past and enjoyed their bath melts. Unlike other bath products, they don't fizzle or really carry a scent. I was able to get two uses and my skin was very soft after using. The only thing I didn't like is that the product didn't really melt and I had to crumble it myself and place it under the hot water tap.

I like Sunday Riley's products but, I had mixed opinions about their UFO acne treatment oil. I didn't really notice a difference. I never knew Elizabeth Arden made skincare products and I absolutely love their anti-aging daily serum. It made my skin feel so smooth and hydrated. The Purlisse cleanser didn't really do anything but, I really like how great it smelled and the texture. Every time I used the cleanser, I had to follow up with another cleanser to remove stubborn eye makeup.

Did you finish anything this month that you enjoyed?

Here is everything I finished this month

Farmskin Soothing Superfood Salad for Skin

Dewytree Quince 100 Mask

Needly Peony Jelly Mask

Kocostar Watermelon Slice Sheet Mask

Oseque Pure Noble Water Mineral Mask

Sumbody Bath Melts

Sunday Riley UFO Ultra Clarifying Acne Treatment Face Oil

Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Daily Serum

ArtNaturals Anti-Aging Serum

Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator Exofliating Cleanser

Purlisse Watermelon + Charcoal Purifying Cleanser

Fourth Ray Beauty The Lightweight Hydrator

Sumbody Rice & Shine Showermask

Sonage Collagen Boosting Serum

On10 Dr. Pepper Lip Balm

Dylan's Candy Bar Candy Lip Saver Coconut Bon Bon

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Book Review - We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange

 

Sunday Brennan wakes up in a Los Angeles hospital covered in bruises after being in a drunk driving accident. She realizes she will have to swallow her pride and go home to her family in New York. She is afraid to go home after abandoning her family and her high school sweetheart five years ago without any explanations.

Sunday wants to make amends and rebuild her life even if it means dealing with her resentful brothers and ex-fiancé. She starts to realize that they might need her as much as she needs them.  However, a dangerous man from her past is out to destroy their family business and their family. Sunday realizes that the only way to save the family from financial ruin is to tell her family her secrets. As Sunday tries to come to terms with her past, she realizes she isn't the only hiding something.

I picked this book because of the beautiful cover. However, I should know better than to do that by now because this book was super boring. The plot barely moved along and the big reveal was predictable. I thought the reason for Sunday leaving to be silly and found it hard that she didn't talk to her boyfriend before leaving since they had an unbreakable bond. If you like cozy romantic reads, you will enjoy this book.

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

Book Review - Take Me with You When You Go by David Levithan

 

Ezra Ahern wakes up one day and his entire life has turns upside down. His beloved older sister, Bea, has disappeared. She left without even saying good bye to anyone. Bea left behind a cryptic email address hidden somewhere only he could be able to find. Ezra never expected that Bea would leave him alone to deal with their abusive stepfather and mother.

Bea Ahern knew that she needed to get as far away from home as she could for her sanity. When she receives an email she realizes that she is alone in a new city without a real plan and the person she is looking for might not want to be found.

As thing spiral out of control, Bea and Ezra share secrets about their past that will change them forever. They realize that they might be apart but connected through their emails. They come to terms with the abuse that they endured and realize they need to face their own demons before they can be reunited.

The novel is a heart warming and thoughtful read. I reading the email exchange between the two siblings and was hoping for them to get their happy ending. I think the authors did a great job talking about abusive and neglectful parents along with touching on the insecurities the children might feel. The book was a great read and I look forward to reading other books from the authors.

Book Spotlight - Wider than the Sky by Katherine Rothschild + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: WIDER THAN THE SKY

Author: Katherine Rothschild

Paperback Pub. Date:  December 7, 2021

Publisher: Soho Teen

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 288

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

In the wake of sudden tragedy, twin sisters uncover a secret that rips open their world. Katherine Rothschild explores the pain and power of forgiveness in a stunning debut novel that will shatter your heart and piece it back together, one truth at a time.

Sixteen-year-old Sabine Braxton doesn’t have much in common with her identical twin, Blythe. When their father dies from an unexpected illness, each copes with the loss in her own way—Sabine by “poeting” (an uncontrollable quirk of bursting into poetry at inappropriate moments) and Blythe by obsessing over getting into MIT, their father’s alma mater. Neither can offer each other much support . . . at least not until their emotionally detached mother moves them into a ramshackle Bay Area mansion owned by a stranger named Charlie.

Soon, the sisters unite in a mission to figure out who Charlie is and why he seems to know everything about them. They make a life-changing discovery:their parents were hiding secrets about their sexual identities. The revelation unravels Sabine’s world, while practical Blythe seems to take everything in stride. Once again at odds with her sister, Sabine chooses to learn all she can about the father she never knew. Ultimately, she must decide if she can embrace his last wish for a family legacy--even if it means accepting a new idea of what it means to be a family.

 

Praise for Wider than the Sky

“Sabine’s struggle to reconcile her memory of her father with the man he really was—and to make room in her life for his hopes as well as her own—cuts to the heart of what it means to love someone unconditionally. Wider than the Sky skillfully weaves multiple character arcs together to examine the ideas of home, hope, and family in surprising new ways.”—Misa Sugiura, It's Not Like It's a Secret

"Lyrical and lovely, Wider than the Sky is one of those rare books that has everything—masterful storytelling, a great love story, important themes, razor-sharp wit, and memorable characters. It's a gorgeous debut that will capture your heart."—Corina Vacco, Delacorte Prize–winning author of My Chemical Mountain
 
“I haven’t stopped thinking about these sisters since I first read Wider than the Sky. Sabine and Blythe will leap off the page and live in your memories like old friends. There is so much heart and humor in Katherine’s writing; even as her characters grapple with serious concerns and issues, she captures how life can slice us open and yet give us the ability to laugh and love and hope through the deepest pain and loss.”—Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, New York Times bestselling author of Book Scavenger

“Rothschild’s story showcases how secrets impede a person’s ability to see the world clearly and that self-acceptance and honesty are the keys to a happy ending.”—School Library Journal

“Change comes suddenly to the lives of 16-year-old Sabine and her identical twin sister, Blythe, when their father dies unexpectedly, prompting their mother and a strange man named Charlie to move the girls to the small town of Thornewood . . . Rothschild’s first novel is accomplished and nicely plot-rich with some interesting quirks, chief among them being Sabine’s deep-rooted love for Emily Dickinson’s poetry and her compulsive need to recite it.”—Booklist

“Kath Rothschild’s Wider than the Sky is pitch perfect! Young adult readers will fall in love with her wonderfully quirky narrator Sabine and her swoony romance with Kai. Combine that with family secrets and a mysterious stranger and you have the ingredients for a compelling read. I cannot wait to put it in the hands of my young customers!”—Kathleen Caldwell, A Great Good Place for Books (Oakland, CA)

 

About Katherine Rothschild:

Katherine Rothschild is a Lecturer in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric at Stanford University, a former ballet and Arabic dance instructor, and an obsessive Twitter food truck-follower. Her first-person essays have been published on KQED/NPR, in The San Francisco Chronicle, and other Bay Area and California publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction Writing, a PhD in Composition and Applied Linguistics, has received artist’s grants from Vermont Studio Center and Kindlings West, and is a longtime member of the SCBWI. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. Her debut novel is Wider Than the Sky from Soho Teen. Find her on Twitter @Kath_Rothschild.

Website  | Facebook  | Twitter  | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a hardcover copy of WIDER THAN THE SKY, US Only.

3 winners will win a paperback copy of WIDER THAN THE SKY, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One: 

12/6/2021	BookHounds YA	Promo Post
12/7/2021	Kait Plus Books	Promo Post
12/8/2021	perusewithcoffee	Promo Post
12/9/2021	Mythical Books	Promo Post
12/10/2021	Phannie the ginger bookworm	Promo Post
12/11/2021	GivernyReads	Promo Post

Week Two:

12/12/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Promo Post
12/13/2021	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Promo Post
12/14/2021	Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog	Promo Post
12/15/2021	100 Pages A Day	Promo Post
12/16/2021	Two Chicks on Books	Promo Post
12/17/2021	Never Hollowed By The Stare	Promo Post
12/18/2021	@readingwordsmith	Review

Week Three:

12/19/2021	The Momma Spot	Promo Post
12/20/2021	Eli to the nth	Review
12/21/2021	Emelie's Books	Review
12/22/2021	Two points of interest	Review
12/23/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
12/24/2021	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Promo Post
12/25/2021	Karen Dee's Book Reviews	Review

Week Four:

12/26/2021	@jypsylynn	Review
12/27/2021	@thebookishfoxwitch	Review
12/28/2021	brittreadsalattebooks	Review
12/29/2021	My Fictional Oasis	Review
12/30/2021	@coffeesipsandreads	Promo Post
12/31/2021	Lexijava	Review

Book Review - The Lilac House (Lake Summers, #1) by Barbara Josselsohn

 

Anna Harris used to love summer escapes to Lilac House. The Lilac House was always a source of comfort for her and her family. However, since her husband's death, things has changed and nothing seems the same as before. Anna and her kids, Zac and Evie, try to collect the pieces and try to build a new life without Greg.

When Anna and the kids arrive, the house is everything that they remember it as. They get caught up in the small town life and helping their Aunt Hope run her little shop on Main street. Anna begins to feel like herself before she gave up her passion of dancing.  While searching for some guidance, she crosses path with Aidan. Anna and Aidan feel drawn to each other because they both know what it's like to lose someone. They recognize in each other something they both have been missing.

However, Aidan isn't being completely honest on why he's at Lake Summers. Anna learns a secret Greg was keeping before he died and it makes her question everything she knew. Will Anna and Aidan be able to find peace?

I found this book to be boring but, I liked that the characters were upfront and honest with each other. I hate when books use a misunderstanding between the two characters as the only form of story. I felt like that the book barely had any story (except the minute details about ballet) and it definitely dragged during the middle and there were no surprises or twists. I was surprised by the ending because the story wasn't wrapped up in an bow and the next book in the series seems like it would be new characters. I thought the book was okay but, I won't go out of my way to read another book by the author.

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

December 2021 Haul!

 

I can't believe the year is almost over already and this will be my last haul for December! I did go a bit crazy but, it is the end of the year and it's the season of indulgence. 

I get really dry skin during the winter so, I got a bunch of moisturizers. I got this new body lotion from Basd and it has this amazing mint scent. According to the bottle, most of the ingredients are plant based which seems interesting. I got this new facial moisturizer called Rich B*tch and the name was kinda funny. It's enriched with cactus and vitamin C. 

I got a new serum from Summer Fridays. I never tried anything from the brand but, I heard good things about them. Their CC Me serum promises to brighten skin so, this would definitely be good for the colder and gloomier months. I got a body serum from Frank Body called Booty Drops. It promises to tighten skin and can be used with moisturizer or by itself. Personally, I have no booty so no droopage but, I will be using it on my tummy.

I have used a few of IT Cosmetics products and enjoyed them all. I am looking forward to using their 15% vitamin C serums. I got a new mask from Aceology. I heard of their brands but, can't say that I have tried any of their products yet. I also haven't really been doing as many masks as I should be doing. I have tried a few Sunday Riley products but, I saw they recently released a scalp serum called "Clean Rinse". I love doing head massages so, this would be an exciting treat to use.

Did you get anything you are excited to try?