Book Spotlight - Dragon City by Katie Tsang and Kevin Tsang + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: DRAGON CITY (Dragon Realm #3)

Author: Katie Tsang and Kevin Tsang

Pub. Date: April 12, 2022

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 224

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

Book 3 of the Dragon Realm series.

Billy Chan and his friends have been transported 5,000 years into the future where the evil Dragon of Death has become ruler of Dragon City. Humans now live to serve the dragon population, and it’s no different for Billy, Charlotte, Dylan, and Ling-Fei. After losing contact with their own dragons, they’re determined to track them down in this new city, even if it means putting their own lives at risk. But one dragon has turned to the dark side and has no plans to return. With the help of a new clan of dragons, can the four friends undo the Dragon of Death’s villainous work—or will she triumph eternally? 

Grab the first 2 books in the DRAGON REALM series now!

 

About Katie Tsang and Kevin Tsang:

Katie Tsang and Kevin Tsang met while studying at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Kevin works as a healthcare technology consultant, and Katie writes YA as Katherine Webber. Together, they have also coauthored the Sam Wu Is Not Afraid chapter-book series. They currently live in London with their young daughter and can be found on Twitter @kwebberwrites and @kevtsang.

 

Website | Katie Twitter | Kevin Twitter | Katie Instagram | Kevin Instagram | Katie Goodreads | Kevin Goodreads | Katie Amazon | Kevin Amazon | Katie BookBub | Kevin BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive all 3 books in the DRAGON REALM series, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/4/2022	YABooksCentral	Guest Post
4/5/2022	Kait Plus Books	Guest Post/IG Post
4/6/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
4/7/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review
4/8/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

4/11/2022	Celia's Reads	Review/IG Post
4/12/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
4/13/2022	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
4/14/2022	@coffeesipsandreads	Review
4/15/2022	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review

Book Review - Vladimir by Julia May Jonas

 

The narrator mentions in the beginning of the novel that when she was younger, she knew old men loved her and she loved them back. She is a popular English professor who teaches at the same small liberal arts college as her husband. Her husband, John, is a charismatic professor but, he's also under investigation for having affairs with his former students. The couple have a long standing agreement when it comes to their extra-marital pursuits, but with these allegations, it has made life far more uncomfortable for the both of them. Then our narrator becomes obsessed and falls head over heels in love with Vladimir, a new highly celebrated young married novelist who joins the department. 

I thought this was going to be an interesting spin on "Lolita" but, this novel was an absolute bore. The short novel goes on and on about random and meaningless details. For example, on two separate occasion the author decides to write out a ten plus item grocery list or she gives step by step description of items she is cooking. I also don't like how the author switches her train of thought randomly and constantly. I feel like this distracting and makes the dialogue feel disjointed. For example, the narrator starts analyzing her workload and then she starts thinking about her relationship with her husband and then jumps back to her workload all in the same thought. And then her inner self reflections go on and on and add nothing to the story. I was more than 75% done with the novel before I lost interest in the novel as I am yet to see a story emerge. If you like long self reflections with tons of details, then you will enjoy this book.

Book Review - Amelia Earhart (The First Names Series) by Andrew Prentice

 

This is the first book in the First Name Series. The book allows little readers to learn more about Amelia Earhart's life before she became a world famous pilot. Amelia's love for flying began when she visited an airfield and took a short plane ride. She was a tomboy growing up and had a taste for adventure and that plane ride only fueled her need for adventure more.  As Amelia tries to save up money to fly more often, she explores different career opportunities such as, teaching and becoming a nurse.

I usually like reading biographies that are geared towards younger readers as they are usually fun to read. However, I found the writing style to be dull and it felt like I was reading a textbook. I found it hard to engage and keep my interest. I did learn a few interesting things about Amelia and I would be opened to reading other books from the series. I also like that the author included an index, a glossary, and an aviation timeline.

Book Review - Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman

 

Joey Green returns to Beaufort, South Carolina to visit his ailing father who suffers from dementia. He offers to watch over his father while his stressed mother take a break. Marshall Green's short term memory has been severely affected by dementia but, his long term memory is still strong as ever. At times, Marshall's mind slips back into time and believes that he is still a boy growing up in Beaufort.

At first, Joey feels this father's slipping memory to be benign. But, when a murder occurs near their home Joey is worried about his father when his father's hallucinatory arguments hint to deadly secrets and scandals.

I thought the book was an okay read. There were moments that I felt were a bit ridiculous like when Joey's mother was yelling at him to make the police stop questioning his father. I felt that it was silly since Joey wasn't a lawyer or had any power to make the questioning stop. The scenes where the characters interacted with the police to be a bit farfetched. Towards the middle of the book, the pacing felt a bit off. That the characters discovered things and another character would reveal the same thing again. And then the killer's relationship with Joey seemed to come out of nowhere. That relationship from zero to hundred in a few days and almost with no interaction with each other.

April 2022 Empties!

 

I finished quite a few things this month! But, I need to hold on to this momentum and not buy anything else...or at least try not to ;)

I finished a few masks this month. I was trying to do a new sheet mask every other day and I think I managed to meet that goal. I like the Let Me Skin mask because it was so hydrating. I am not sure why it was called "ultra bubble" but, it was super hydrating.  I like the Purenskin Natural Effect Real Green Tea Mask but, it was a bit more messy than it needed to be. I also had a hard time to pop the bubble to mix the products. I liked the Super Hyalon G:H8 Super Hyalon Ampoule product. However, I felt like the packaging was a bit wasteful.

I like the creamy Payot Paris Hydra 24+ Creme Glacee. It goes on smoothly and my skin just drinks it up. I wasn't a fan of the Meta~Pora Smile Daily Eye Serum. I didn't really notice any results and felt like it was just regular aloe vera I was rubbing on.

Here is everything I finished this month -

Frecipe Peach Jelly Bomb Mask

Nature Republic Acai Berry Mask Sheet

Jant Blanc Honey Essential Sheet Mask

Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack - Rose

Miss Spa Brighten Mask

Innisfree Kiwi Face Mask

Let Me Skin Ultra Bubble Bubble 02 Mask

Bathorium Crush Baslam Fir + Frankincense

Innisfree Green Tea Face Mask

Innisfree Pomegranate Face Mask

Feel Brilliant Bamboo Charcoal Sheet Mask

Purenskin Natural Effect Real Green Tea Mask

Bathorium Crush Vanilla Cream

Purenskin Pear Mask

Skinfactory Aqua Skin-in

Flaunt by Lauren Napier Facial Cleansing Wipes

Super Hyalon G:H8 Super Hyalon Ampoule

Y.N.M. Quick Morning Mask

Bathorium Mistletoe + Holly

Dr. Jart+ Pore Minimalist Black Charcoal Sheet Mask

Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb

Payot Paris Hydra 24+ Creme Glacee

Earth Harbor Tidal Rose Crystal Hydration Mist

Laura Geller Dramalash Maximum Volumizing Mascara

Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo

Meta~Pora Smile Daily Eye Serum

Nuria Defend Skin Shielding Essence

Tsubaki Extra Moist Conditioner

Whish Exfoliating Foot Mask

Earth to Skin Tea Time White Tea Cleanser

Olay Regenerist Regenerating Cream Cleanser

Book Review - Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill + Giveaway

 

Theresa Plane believes she owes it  her grandfather to save the family name after everything he has sacrificed for her. She plans to help clear their debt with creditors before she can marry Edward Greystone. As one of the creditor's threats lands her in a midnight meeting with some questionable people, she realizes that her grandfather is hiding more from her. The secrets that he kept is endangering Theresa's chances to keep their home and her life.

Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove feels that he is about to uncover the identity of the leader of a counterfeiting ring after months of undercover work. He is heartbroken when he realizes that his former fiancée is connected to his case. Broderick feels that she has been unwittingly pulled into joining and he plans on proving her innocence even if he destroys his career.

They decide that they have to trust each other. However, they both are keeping secrets from each other that can cost them their lives. Will they be able to trust each other?

I thought this was going to be an interesting read. However, I felt myself being bored while reading this. Theresa and Broderick seem to have a backstory but, it's never been disclosed to us. Instead we get bits and pieces as the story slowly progresses. I feel like trying to find out more about the characters was like trying to draw blood from stone. I felt like the author should have done another book that explained the characters' backstory otherwise, the readers are left out from any connections and nuances. I stopped reading one third of the way in as there was nothing keeping me tethered to the book.

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin

 

It's 1914, and twenty-five-year-old Frances Marion is ready for a change. She left her second husband and Northern California for the lure of Los Angeles. She is determined to live independently and follow her own dreams. While trying to decide what she wants to focus on, Marion comes across something called "flickers". Flickers is a new silent movie capturing the hearts and attention of people. 

Frances believes it's her calling to take part of this fledgling industry. She is excited that she is able to write stories for people to view. Marion is besotted when she makes the acquaintance of actress Mary Pickford and befriends her. Mary is known for her signature golden curls and her charm. She is known to people as "America's Sweetheart".

When their ambitions gets challenged by men around them and the limitations imposed on their gender, they realize  success comes at a price. Mary is the world's highest paid actress and she struggles to live the life she wants under the spotlight. She is afraid of losing her fans but, when she finds herself in love with a fellow actor Douglas Fairbanks, she has to decide if she is willing to lose her fame for love. Frances longs to share her life with someone but, she's afraid that she would have to give up her career.

At first I was really enjoying the novel and learning more about the two women. However, towards the middle of the book, I felt like the novel became boring and repetitive. I felt like the author tried describing how things might have happened but, failed to talk about how the characters really felt until the very end of the book. I felt like the book would have been better if it was shorter and had character development. I did like reading about their accomplishments and their experience in the industry.

Book Spotlight - A Darkening of Dragons by S.A. Patrick + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: A DARKENING OF DRAGONS (Songs of Magic #1)

Author: S.A. Patrick

Pub. Date: April 1, 2022

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 400

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

Three accidental heroes encounter one legendary villain in an epic dragon-filled adventure just right for young fans of Terry Pratchett, J.R.R. Tolkien, and How to Train Your Dragon!

13-year old piper Patch Brightwater is a boy in disgrace. Thrown in jail for playing a forbidden spell, he is no one's idea of a hero. But then he discovers a deadly truth – the evil Piper of Hamelyn is on the loose.

With the help of Wren, a girl cursed to live as a rat, and Barver, a fire-breathing dracogriff, Patch must stop the Piper from sparking the biggest battle of them all.

S.A. Patrick’s debut children’s novel is a vivid retelling of one of the darkest legends of all time – the Piper of Hamelyn. Combining fairy tale lore with the very best of modern storytelling and empowerment, A Darkening of Dragons takes fantasy fans on a journey filled with adventure, magic, and the delight of finding friends in unexpected places. Perfect for fans of The Hobbit, Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching books, and How to Train Your Dragon.

A Carnegie Medal nominee. 

About S.A. Patrick:

S. A. Patrick was born in Belfast. When he was a child, he wanted to write video games, become an author, and have magical powers. The first two came true. If he ever does get magical powers, he hopes people like dragons and griffins because there’ll suddenly be a lot of them around. He lives in England.

 

Twitter | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of A DARKENING OF DRAGONS, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/28/2022	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
3/28/2022	@enjoyingbooksagain	Excerpt
3/29/2022	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
3/29/2022	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post
3/30/2022	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
3/30/2022	Log Cabin Library	Review
3/31/2022	Nerdophiles	Review
3/31/2022	Onemused	IG Spotlight
4/1/2022	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review/IG Post
4/1/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review

Week Two:

4/4/2022	Ravenz Reviewz	Review/IG Post
4/4/2022	@coffeesipsandreads	Review
4/5/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
4/5/2022	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
4/6/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
4/6/2022	BookHounds YA	Review
4/7/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
4/7/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
4/8/2022	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
4/8/2022	@lexijava	Review/IG Post

Book Spotlight - The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra

 

About The Book:

Title: THE RUMOR GAME

Author: Dhonielle Clayton & Sona Charaipotra

Pub. Date: March 1, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 480

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

All it takes is one spark to start a blaze.

At Foxham Prep, a posh private school for the children of DC’s elite, a single rumor has the power to ruin a life.

Nobody knows that better than Bryn. She used to have it all—the perfect boyfriend, a bright future in politics, and even popularity, thanks to her best friend, cheer captain Cora. Then one mistake sparked a scandal that burned it all to the ground.

Now it’s the start of a new school year and the spotlight has shifted: It’s geeky Georgie, newly hot after a summer makeover, whose name is on everyone’s lips. When a rumor ignites, Georgie rockets up the school’s social hierarchy, pitting her and Cora against each other. It grants her Foxham stardom . . . but it also makes her a target.

As the rumors grow and morph, blazing like wildfire through the school’s social media, all three girls’ lives begin to unravel. But one person close to the drama has the power to stop the gossip in its tracks. The question is—do they even want to?

From Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra, authors of the Tiny Pretty Things duology (now a Netflix series), comes the edge-of-your-seat social thriller everyone will be talking about.

Review:

"A juicy, elegant, absolutely flawless thriller with a twist. It's the diverse Gossip Girl we've been waiting for!"―Tiffany D. Jackson, New York Times best-selling author of Grown and White Smoke

 

 

About Dhonielle Clayton:

Dhonielle Clayton is the New York Times best-selling author of the Belles series, The Mirror: Shattered Midnight, and the coauthor of Blackout and the Tiny Pretty Things duology, now a Netflix original series. She hails from the Washington, DC, suburbs on the Maryland side. She taught secondary school for several years, and is a former elementary and middle school librarian. She is COO of the non-profit We Need Diverse Books, and president of Cake Creative, an IP story kitchen dedicated to diverse representation. She’s an avid traveler, and always on the hunt for magic and mischief. Up next: The Marvellers, her middle grade fantasy debut. You can find her on social media @brownbookworm.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

About Sona Charaipotra:

Sona Charaipotra is the author of Symptoms of a Heartbreak and How Maya Got Fierce, and coauthor of the Tiny Pretty Things duology, now a Netflix original series. She earned her master’s in screenwriting from NYU and an MFA in creative writing from the New School. A working journalist, Sona has held editorial roles at People, TeenPeople, ABCNews.com, MSN, and most recently, the Barnes & Noble Teen Blog (RIP), and contributed to publications from the New York Times to TeenVogue. She is a former We Need Diverse Books board member, and co-founder of CAKE Literary, a boutique book packager focused on high-concept diverse titles. Find her on the web talking about books, Bollywood movies, and chai.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Goodreads | BookBub

 

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE RUMOR GAME, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/1/2022	For the Love of KidLit	Excerpt
3/2/2022	The Reading Devil	Excerpt
3/3/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
3/4/2022	BookHounds YA	Review/IG Post
3/5/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review

Week Two:

3/6/2022	The book review crew	Review/IG Post
3/7/2022	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
3/8/2022	@coffeesipsandreads	Review/IG Post
3/9/2022	Excuse Me, I’m Reading	Review
3/10/2022	Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog	Review/IG Post
3/11/2022	YA Book Nerd	Review/IG Post
3/12/2022	onemoreexclamation	Review/IG Post

Week Three:

3/13/2022	@capturedfiction	Review
3/14/2022	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
3/15/2022	Cindy's Love of Books	Review
3/16/2022	Karen Dee's Book Reviews	Review/IG Post
3/17/2022	Confessions of a YA Reader	Excerpt
3/18/2022	Fire and Ice	Review
3/19/2022	Lady Hawkeye	Excerpt/IG Post

Week Four:

3/20/2022	boozybook blog	Review/IG Post
3/21/2022	The Book View	Review/IG Post
3/22/2022	The Girl Who Reads	Review/IG Post
3/23/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
3/24/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
3/25/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
3/26/2022	YABooksCentral	Excerpt

Week Five:

3/27/2022	onemused	Review/IG Post
3/28/2022	Nerdophiles	Review
3/29/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
3/30/2022	@jypsylynn	Review/IG Post
3/31/2022	Momfluenster	Review/IG Post

March 2022 Haul Part 2!

 

I can't believe March is over already. It felt like it took forever but, also went by pretty quickly some days. I am looking forward to brighter days and warmer weather. I think Spring and Fall have the best weather.

I got tons of great goodies this month that I am excited to use. I love eucalyptus so when I saw the shower steamers from Lujobar, I knew I had to get them. I can't wait to take a shower later and use them. I got two new bars of soap which I am so super excited to try. I got one from Megababe called space bar. I believe it's for underarms but, honestly I might use it for all over. I recently discovered stress sweating is a horrible beast and smells 1,000x worse than regular sweating. I am definitely going to start using these during more stressful weeks.

I got a few things from UMM skincare and this brand looks so luxurious. Their "The Bar" smells amazing and it has so many delicious and good for you ingredients. Their hand and body butter has scents of jasmine, sandalwood, and rose. It looks so creamy I can't wait to rub this in. The body oil is so amazing and it has bits of 24kt gold and saffron. Everything I have gotten smells amazing and I can't wait to try them.

I got this $249 cream from Lancome called Absolute Rich Cream. You have to be rich to afford this cream. I am hoping that it both works and it doesn't so I don't get stuck buying more. I got a new facial oil from Herbivore that I am exciting to try. I love facial oils and this one has a cool name!

Is there any you got this month that you are excited to try?