Covergirl Colorlicious Lipstick - 372 Divine Wine

The creamy shea butter infused lipstick goes on smoothly. It imparts a soft purple almost lilac color. The description notes that the lipstick imparts a rich color but, I feel like it soft color wash instead. I had to put 2-3 coats before I get the results above. Overall, a good lipstick for warmer weather when you don't want anything thick or tacky.

Julep Nail Polish - Julianne

Ah, I am so sad that Julep is closing down their Maven program. I used to be a member for a few years and liked that they offer an affordable option to get two nail polish and a skincare/makeup item for around $25 a month. I liked that you were able to customize and skip a month. If I had known they were going to discontinue the program, I would have definitely stocked up during their sales. Although the store is still open, I feel like the inventory won't last or they won't add new products. Granted I feel $14 normal price is a bit expensive for this nail polish as it has less than a product than it's competitors. I am usually able to get three uses of two coats before the nail polish becomes goopy. And maybe another two uses before the bottle is done while other brands I get at least 10 or more uses. Well enough of my diatribe and on to my review!

The smokey grey creme nail polish goes on smoothly. However, it goes on a bit thick than other colors. One coat does give semi-full coverage with a few opaque spots but, two coats provide full coverage. However, any more than two coats cause the nail polish to become very thick and takes forever to dry. I consider this a neutral (compared to my bright neons and colorful glitter nail polishes) that perfect to wear for work.

Avene eau Thermale Soothing Sheet Mask

The facial sheet mask is enriched with Avene Thermal Spring water to leave skin feeling radiant, vibrant and revitalized. The hypoallergenic mask is free of alcohol and fragrance. The mask fit my face well and upon removing the mask, my skin felt softer and radiant. While I like how my skin felt, I am not sure it is worth the $9 per mask. I felt like I got similar results from masks half the price.

Book Review - Fat Angie: Rebel Girl Revolution by E.E. Charlton-Trujillo + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Angie is miserable and the sophomore year just began. Her girlfriend, KC, recently moved away to spend time with her father in Texas. Her best friend, Jake has been distant and flaky. And Greg, her bully, has become increasingly violent towards Angie. Her sister had an over the top funeral with a statue dedicated to her. Her mother, Connie, placed a symbolic urn on their mantel to mourn her daughter's death. All of this just adds to the sadness Angie is feeling. During her sister's ceremony, a visiting soldier gave Angie a letter from her sister. The letter was a list of places she wanted the two of them to visit together when they got home from the war.

After an incident at school, her mother threatens to send Angie to a treatment center. Angie decides to enlist a childhood friend along with her schoolmates to tackle the list her sister left.  Together they travel across the state to cross off items from her sister's list. Will this list be what Angie needs to finally let her sister go and find herself?

I thought the portions of the book where Angie and her friends travel to different landmarks to be interesting. It was nice to see someone be supportive and caring towards Angie after having to deal with hostility at home and at school. The book was a bit " raw" to me in the sense, that it was very graphic and had violence towards people who didn't fit the "standard mold". However, it was nice seeing some characters getting their chance of redemption.

 **Disclosure - I received a free uneditted 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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Series: Fat Angie
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Candlewick (March 5, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0763693456
ISBN-13: 978-0763693459

Praise for FAT ANGIE: REBEL GIRL REVOLUTION

Fortunately and refreshingly, the text gives Angie no weight-loss arc...A welcomingly awkward, offbeat journey for a "gay-girl gay" girl with many heartaches. ―Kirkus Reviews

In this companion to the Stonewall Award–winning Fat Angie, Angie’s girlfriend has moved away, Angie is constantly bullied as she starts as a sophomore after repeating her freshman year, her mother still can’t stand her, and her former best friend, Jamboree, is back in town...it’s still good to see Angie, a very human combination of neuroses, fears, truths, and desires, break through some of her defenses and take risks, from singing to loving. ―Publishers Weekly

More trouble at school and at home — and the discovery of a missive from her late soldier sister — send Angie and a long-ago friend on an RV road trip across Ohio.

Sophomore year has just begun, and Angie is miserable. Her girlfriend, KC, has moved away; her good friend, Jake, is keeping his distance; and the resident bully has ramped up an increasingly vicious and targeted campaign to humiliate her. An over-the-top statue dedication planned for her sister, who died in Iraq, is almost too much to bear, and it doesn't help that her mother has placed a symbolic empty urn on their mantel. At the ceremony, a soldier hands Angie a final letter from her sister, including a list of places she wanted the two of them to visit when she got home from the war. With her mother threatening to send Angie to a “treatment center” and the situation at school becoming violent, Angie enlists the help of her estranged childhood friend, Jamboree. Along with a few other outsiders, they pack into an RV and head across the state on the road trip Angie's sister did not live to take. It might be just what Angie needs to find a way to let her sister go, and find herself in the process.

You can purchase Fat Angie: Rebel Girl Revolution at the following Retailers:

        

Deemed a “force of nature” by Kirkus reviews, Mexican American author, filmmaker, playwright and poet e.E. Charlton-Trujillo grew up in small-town Mathis, Texas.

As an author, she is the recipient of the Delacorte Dell Yearling Award for her first novel, Prizefighter En Mi Casa. What followed was: the Parents’ Choice Silver Honor, a Flamingnet Top Choice Award,a National Council for the Social Studies Notable Book and made the NYC PublicLibrary Teenage List. Check out the Reviews on Amazon.com

Her second novel Feels Like Home released to critical praise and award nominations.

It was her third novel, Fat Angie that garnered the American Library Association’s Stonewall Award, was a Lambda Literary Finalist and a Choose to Read Ohio book. Fat Angie was also the foundation for a unique book tour to empower at-risk youth via writing and discussion and the catalyst for the feature documentary At-Risk Summer. From that experience, she co-founded a non-profit to bridge the gap between at-risk youth and artists called Never Counted Out.

Currently, she is completing the feature documentary, A Cultural of Silence for GLSEN Cincinnati, writing two novels and Fat Angie: Rebel Girl Revolution in early 2019.

Click the highlighted links for Meet At Human or The Pirate Tree’s interview about e.

        

PART ONE

MARCH 4th MONDAY A Dream Within A Dream EXCERPT

MARCH 5th TUESDAY A Court of Coffee and Books REVIEW

MARCH 5th TUESDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW

MARCH 6th WEDNESDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT

MARCH 7th THURSDAY Bookriot REVIEW 

MARCH 7th THURSDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

MARCH 8th FRIDAY BookHounds YA INTERVIEW 

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Book Review - Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss by Rajeev Balasubramanyam

Photo Credit - Amazon

Professor Chandra is an internationally known economist who has been shortlisted for a Nobel Prize. He is a divorced father of three children who he struggles to understand. Recently, Professor Chandra was a victim of a bicycle hit and run. He saw his life's work flash before his eyes before the accident. While recovering from his accident, Chandra decides he will take a break as his doctor recommended. Professor Chandra decides to try and enjoy himself and follow his bliss.

When I first started reading this novel, I wasn't sure what to expect. To be honest, I am actually still contemplating what I reading exactly. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I was able to relate to both Professor Chandra and his children. I feel there were times that our culture makes us think something is better for children when it really causes doubt and issues in their lives. For example, when I was younger like Chandra and his children, our parents rarely gave praises instead they would make negative comments. They did this to make us feel motivated and try harder. When in truth, it just made me feel like nothing I ever did was good enough. Overall, while reading this book I was asking myself what is the story or plot behind this book but I found myself introspecting my own life path. Which lead to a lot of different discoveries about myself and I wonder if that was the goal of the novel all along.

 **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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Little Darlings by Melanie Golding

Photo Credit - Amazon

Lauren Tranter is exhausted and needs rest after giving birth to her twins. She is tired especially with taking care of the needs of the twins, Morgan and Riley, by herself.  Everyone thinks Lauren just needs some rest. However, she knows what she saw that night in her hospital room. A woman covered in rags who tried taking her babies and replacing it with her own.

When the police arrive to investigate the incident, they are unable any clues that someone was there. Her husband and her doctors believe Lauren is imaging things and is stressed. Lauren knows what she says and she is afraid to leave her children alone.

As a month passes by, Lauren takes the babies for a walk in the park. She falls asleep and wakes up to find the babies are gone from her side. A bystander finds the children but, Lauren feels that there is something different about them. They might look like her Riley and Morgan to everyone else but, she knows that they are not hers. Lauren is willing to do anything to bring back her babies even if it means risking her life.

The creepy book was an interesting read. I am not a mother myself but, I can only imagine the level of stress mothers deal with after giving birth. Then to add in the drama of believing that your child(ren) are missing is enough to make anyone go crazy. The suspenseful novel leads readers into a maze of discoveries into deciding whether or not Lauren hallucinating or did Faeries steal her children. Overall, a deliciously ghoulish read that's perfect for a rainy day.

 **Disclosure - I received a free uneditted 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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat: Enemies #2 by Johnny Marciano

Photo Credit - Amazon

In this second novel of the series, Klawde and Raj explore the delicate relationships of childhood friendship. As Raj begins his first day at a new school, he is worried about making friends. When both Klawde and Raj acclimate to their new environment, they get a surprise visit from someone from their past. Will Klawde and Raj be able to overcome their differences and become allies with the people from their past?

I thought this novel was enjoyable like the first one. It had the same amount of humor and illustrations. I like that even though Klawde and Raj were going through something similar, they both had different outcomes and ways of coping. I hope there are more books to the series as I am looking forward to their friendship continue to grow.

 **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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.** 

Book Review - Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat #1 by Johnny Marciano

Photo Credit - Amazon

Klawde had it all. He was the High Commander of his planet, he had sharp claws and fine fur, along with loyal followers. However, all that changes when he was betrayed and sentenced to the worst punishment possible. He was exiled to a small planet named Earth.

Raj had everything he wanted. He lived in a cool apartment in Brooklyn and his friends lived in the same building. All of his favorite stores were in walking distance. Then his mom gets a new job in Elba, Oregon and then he is forced to move. Then the summer begins and Raj has no friends. His mother encourages him to join a nature camp to find new friends.

I thought the book was a fun read. I enjoyed that the book switched back and forth between Raj and Klawde. The dialogue between Klawde and Raj was witty and funny. It was funny seeing everyday human interactions and things from a different perspective. I thought the illustrations were a nice added treat. Overall, a fun and interesting read especially for fans with feline companions.

 **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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.** 

Book Review - Crow Flight by Susan Cunningham + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Regina "Gin" Hartson loves computer modeling and trusts logic completely. She even created several programs to help her decide what to eat, how to dress and spend her time. Gin is completely focused on spending her time as efficiently as possible so, she can get into Harvard.  Except when she meets her new coding partner, Felix, everything changes.

She no longer relies on programs to her make everyday decisions. She rather makes decisions on how she feels. When she and Felix begins working on a modeling assignment, she notices anomalies in the behavior of crows. As she digs deeper into the data behind the crows' behavior, she discovers a secret that might jeopardize her relationship with Felix. Can Gin trust her logic is correct about the crows?

I enjoyed that Gin was top of her league modeler and that she work hard to get what she wanted. The young adult novel had the basic elements of a good novel, interesting characters, a love triangle, the unattainable rich love interest, and a secret. While, I did enjoy reading the book, I found that the book was a bit slow for my liking. I kept holding on for a big jaw dropping secret but, instead I found the secret to be predictable. However, if you like cozy young adult novels than this would be the perfect book for you.

There was one part of the novel that I didn't quite get and thought it was a bit unrealistic. That one character pulled away and just disappeared. Then the other character kind of just accepted that and was able to move forward. Perhaps, me being the drama queen that I am, I would have definitely caused a bigger fuss than that character did. Overall, a pleasant cozy young adult novel that ties up all loose ends.

 **Disclosure - I received a free uneditted 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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Amberjack Publishing (December 11, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1948705168
ISBN-13: 978-19487051650

Praise for CROW FLIGHT

"You'll adore Gin, who's determined to apply her brilliant computer skills to the mysteries of love... and in doing so, finds herself caught up in high-stakes intrigue. We cheer her on as she learns to trust her gut and heart along with her tech-savvy mind. CROW FLIGHT is a soaring debut from an author to watch." ―Laura Resau, author of RED GLASS

"A timely, fun story that flies across the pages and into your heart. A romantic tale with intriguing content, Cunningham delivers a compelling read about the predictability of life and love. ―Donna Cooner, author of SKINNY and SCREENSHOT

"Crow Flight is a delicious novel. Gin has decided what her life should look like - and it involves logic, equations, computer models, coding, ambition, and over-achieving. An unexpected twist forces her to reconsider, and rather suddenly she finds herself in new territory - a path that calls forth the heart, the willingness to adventure, and most importantly, an effort at finding and honoring the immaterial truth. When an English teacher asks her to consider Victor Hugo's contention that 'One must have bread, but before bread, one must have the ideal,' she boldly launches forth into a world of discovery, romance, and danger. This book, like Gin's adventure, is a beauty." ―Laura Pritchett, winner of the PEN USA Award in Fiction

The curious flight patterns of crows lead a teen computer programmer down a path of mystery and romance. 

Gin trusts logic a little too much. She even designs programs to decide what to eat and how to spend her time. All that changes when she’s paired with a new transfer student, Felix, on a computer modeling assignment to explain certain anomalies in the behavior of crows.

As she enters Felix’s world and digs further into the data behind crow behavior, Gin uncovers a terrible secret. And the wrong decision could equal disaster squared . . .

You can purchase Crow Flight at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Credit: Kel Elwood Photography

Susan Cunningham lives in the Colorado Rocky Mountains with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys science nearly as much as writing: she’s traveled to the bottom of the ocean via submarine to observe life at hydrothermal vents, camped out on an island of birds to study tern behavior, and now spends time in an office analyzing data on wool apparel. She blogs about writing and science at susancunninghambooks.com.

        

PART TWO
FEBRUARY 23rd SATURDAY Bookish Kali REVIEW & GUEST POST
FEBRUARY 23rd SATURDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW
FEBRUARY 24th SUNDAY TTC Books and More GUEST POST
FEBRUARY 24th SUNDAY Insane About Books REVIEW
FEBRUARY 25th MONDAY Port Jericho REVIEW & EXCERPT
FEBRUARY 26th TUESDAY Cover2CoverBlog REVIEW
FEBRUARY 26th TUESDAY Kelly P's Blog EXCERPT
FEBRUARY 27th WEDNESDAY Literary Meanderings TENS LIST
FEBRUARY 27th WEDNESDAY Pages and Pugs REVIEW

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Book Review - Brunch at Bittersweet Café by Carla Laureano + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Melody Johansson tries to find the positive in every situation. However, seven years after she moved to Denver, she feels like she is stuck in a rut. She is a classically trained baker and pastry chef but, she is currently working in a mediocre chain bakery. Her love life has stalled after a string of disastrous relationships. When the handsome and charming pilot Justin Keller knocks on her door during a snowstorm, Melody finally feels her luck might be changing.

Justin is impressed by Melody and her positivity. However, the last thing he wants is a relationship after his own romantic failures. He feels his job is demanding and stressful to have meaningful relationships and connections. Plus, he plans on moving across the country to Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.

Justin and Melody against better judgment decide to give their budding relationship a try. They find themselves bonding over their career choices and shared love of adventure. When Melody suddenly comes into a windfall she realizes she can finally live out her dream of opening her own bakery-cafe with her best friend. However, she finds herself stuck with an impossible choice. Should she give up her dreams of owning her own store or give up her chance at love?

This was the second novel in "The Saturday Night Supper Club" series but, I found each novel could be read as standalone. This novel focuses on Melody and her journey to accomplish her dreams and finding love. I enjoyed Melody and Justin's search to balance their love life and dreams but, found it to be a bit slow in some parts. Overall, a solid second novel to the series.

 **Disclosure - I received a free uneditted 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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**  

About the Book

Title: Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe
Author: Carla Laureano
Genre: Christian Romance

Release date: February 5, 2019

Publisher: Tyndale

Baker and pastry chef Melody Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but seven years after she moved to Denver, she can’t deny that she’s stuck in a rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery. Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it’s a sign that her luck is finally turning around.

Justin is intrigued by the lively bohemian baker, but the last thing he’s looking for is a relationship. His own romantic failures have proven that the demands of his job are incompatible with meaningful connections, and he’s already pledged his life savings to a new business venture across the country—an island air charter in Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.

Against their better judgment, Melody and Justin find themselves drawn together by their unconventional career choices and shared love of adventure. But when an unexpected windfall provides Melody with the chance to open her dream bakery-café in Denver with her best friend, chef Rachel Bishop, she’s faced with an impossible choice: stay and put down roots with the people and place she’s come to call home . . . or give it all up for the man she loves.

About the Author

 

Carla Laureano is the RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carla is giving away a grand prize package of a macron baking mat, a macron book, and a paperback copy of Brunch at Bittersweet Café!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/db0f/brunch-at-bittersweet-cafe-celebration-tour-giveaway

TokyoMilk Dark Pretty Rotten No. 33 Lip Elixir

The clear lip balm is enriched with aloe leaf and vitamin E to leave lips soft and supple. The lip balm has scents of green tea, jasmine, apple, rose, mandarin, and forest greens. I found the scent to be very pleasant and tantalizing. I like that they redesigned the lip balm container as the old ones were very difficult to open. I can't wait to try the other flavors from the line.