Thursday, August 29, 2019

Book Review - Color Me In by Natasha Diaz + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon


Sixteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz never thought much about her biracial roots especially growing up in an affluent neighborhood of New York. Until her parents split up and her mother relocates to her family's home in Harlem. For the first time, Nevaeh is forced to confront her identity.

Neveah tries to get to know her extended family, but her cousin Jordan is annoyed that Nevaeh passes as a white woman. Jordan feels that Nevaeh is privileged, selfish, and pampered to able to relate to the struggles African American people face on a daily basis.  Nevaeh's dad tries to blend the two families by insisting she should have a belated bat mitzvah instead of her sweet sixteen. Nevaeh is convinced this will cause her to be more of a social outcast than she already is. Unsure how to proceed with the chaos in her life, Nevaeh chooses to stay silent. However, after a series of events, Neveah realizes she can no longer stay silent and let her life pass her by.

I thought the novel was an interesting read especially since the author took inspiration from her own life and weaved it into the story. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the poetry but, that's more of a personal choice. Overall, I felt that the novel was interesting and thought-provoking read.

  **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: COLOR ME IN
Author: Natasha Diaz
Pub. Date: August 20, 2019
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 384
Find it: GoodreadsAmazonKindleAudibleB&NiBooksKoboTBD

Debut YA author Natasha Diaz pulls from her personal experience to inform this powerful coming-of-age novel about the meaning of friendship, the joyful beginnings of romance, and the racism and religious intolerance that can both strain a family to the breaking point and strengthen its bonds.

Who is Nevaeh Levitz?

Growing up in an affluent suburb of New York City, sixteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz never thought much about her biracial roots. When her Black mom and Jewish dad split up, she relocates to her mom's family home in Harlem and is forced to confront her identity for the first time.

Nevaeh wants to get to know her extended family, but one of her cousins can't stand that Nevaeh, who inadvertently passes as white, is too privileged, pampered, and selfish to relate to the injustices they face on a daily basis as African Americans. In the midst of attempting to blend their families, Nevaeh's dad decides that she should have a belated bat mitzvah instead of a sweet sixteen, which guarantees social humiliation at her posh private school. Even with the push and pull of her two cultures, Nevaeh does what she's always done when life gets complicated: she stays silent.

It's only when Nevaeh stumbles upon a secret from her mom's past, finds herself falling in love, and sees firsthand the prejudice her family faces that she begins to realize she has a voice. And she has choices. Will she continue to let circumstances dictate her path? Or will she find power in herself and decide once and for all who and where she is meant to be?



About Natasha:
Natasha Díaz is a born and raised New Yorker, currently residing in Brooklyn, NY with her tall husband. She spends most of her days writing with no pants on and alternating between E.R. and Grey’s Anatomy binges. Formerly a reality TV producer, Natasha is both an author and screenwriter. Her scripts have placed as a quarterfinalist in the Austin Film Festival and a finalist for both the NALIP Diverse Women in Media Fellowship and the Sundance Episodic Story Lab. Her essays can be found in The Establishment and Huffington Post. Raised by a first generation half-Liberian/half-Brazilian mother and a Jewish-American father, Natasha writes stories about people who don’t fit into the boxes society imposes, and instead, create their own as they search for their places in the world. Her first novel, Color Me In, will be published by Delacorte Press/Random House August, 20 2019.


Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of COLOR ME IN, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:



Tour Schedule:
Week One:
8/1/2019- Kait Plus Books- Excerpt
8/2/2019- Utopia State of Mind- Review

Week Two:
8/5/2019- Lifestyle of Me- Review
8/6/2019- Country Road Reviews- Review
8/7/2019- Mythical Books- Excerpt
8/8/2019- BookHounds YA- Review
8/9/2019- Books and Ladders- Review

Week 3:
8/12/2019- Wonder Struck- Review
8/13/2019- dwantstoread- Review
8/14/2019- My Creatively Random Life- Excerpt
8/15/2019- Confessions of a YA Reader- Excerpt
8/16/2019- Jena Brown Writes- Review

Week 4:
8/19/2019- We Live and Breathe Books- Review
8/20/2019- Eli to the nth- Excerpt
8/21/2019- A Gingerly Review- Review
8/22/2019- Novel Novice- Excerpt
8/23/2019- Owl Always Be Reading- Excerpt

Week 5:
8/26/2019- Lisa Loves Literature- Review
8/27/2019- Book-Keeping- Review
8/28/2019- PopTheButterfly Reads- Review
8/29/2019- Two Chicks on Books- Excerpt
8/30/2019- Two points of interest- Review

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Book Spotlight - As Many Nows as I Can Get by Shana Youngdahl

Photo Credit - Amazon
In one impulsive moment the summer before they leave for college, overachievers Scarlett and David plunge into an irresistible swirl of romance, particle physics, and questionable decisions.

Scarlett and David have known each other all their lives in small-town Graceville, Colorado, where David is just another mountain in the background, until, one day, he is suddenly so much more than part of the landscape. Magnetic, spontaneous, David is a gravitational force. And Scarlett, pragmatic, wry, eye on the future, welcomes the whirlwind he brings even as she resists it.

Moving between the present and the past, this is the story of a seemingly grounded girl who's pulled into a lightning-strike romance with an electric-charged boy, and the enormity of the aftermath. Smart, bold, and unconventionally romantic, Shana Youngdahl's debut explores grief, guilt, and reconciling who you think you need to be with the person you've been all along. It's an aching, transporting reminder that between the past that shapes us and the unknowable future, we have only the present to forgive ourselves and forge ahead.

  **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.**

 

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Book Review - The Night Visitors by Carol Goodman

Photo Credit - Amazon

Three people have their faith interlocked with each other during a winter storm. Alice is a victim of domestic abuse and flees from her current relationship. She is desperate to protect ten years old, Oren. He is an avid Star Wars fan and is seemingly wise beyond his years. He bonds instantly with Mattie, a social worker in her fifties. She lives in a huge run-down house in the middle of nowhere.  Mattie takes in the duo for the night as she has plenty of room. However, she doesn't mention that Oren reminds her of her little brother, who died over thirty years ago at the tender age of ten. As the storm progresses and traps them indoors, Mattie will soon to learn, she isn't the only one keeping secrets. And some secrets can't stay buried forever.

I thought the novel was an interesting read with a few unexpected twists in the end.  I was surprised that the novel had a few supernatural twists. I usually don't mind books that include supernatural elements but, I was expecting a story about abuse and survival, not a ghost story. Overall, it was a good read but, slow in some parts.

 **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.**

Friday, August 23, 2019

Book Spotlight: Brave the Page: A Young Writer’s Guide to Telling Epic Stories by Rebecca Stern and Grant Faulkner + Ideas for Inspiration

Photo Credit - Amazon

Partly a how-to guide on the nitty-gritty of writing, partly a collection of inspiration to set (and meet) ambitious goals, Brave the Page is the go-to resource for middle-grade writers. Narrated in a fun, refreshingly kid-friendly voice, it champions NaNoWriMo's central mission that everyone's stories deserve to be told. The volume includes chapters on character, plot, setting, and the like; motivating essays from popular authors; advice on how to commit to your goals; a detailed plan for writing a novel or story in a month; and more!

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes in the transformational power of creativity. They provide the structure, community, and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds--on and off the page. With its first event in 1999, the organization's programs now include National Novel Writing Month in November, Camp NaNoWriMo, the Young Writers Program, Come Write In, and the "Now What?" Months.

 **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.**


Topic - Things you can do for motivation to help you with story ideas 

Spending time to write down one's thoughts and emotions are essential for mental health. A common misconception is that you need to be a "writer" or you only "need to write stories or poems". However, even take a few minutes to write whatever you are feeling can give you mental clarity. But, what happens when you are feeling the dreaded writer's block? I have a few ideas that can help you get into the writing mood!

1. Take a long relaxing bath or shower 
2. Go for a walk  in nature  
3. Take a walk utilizing a different route
4. Talk to a stranger
5. Read a book 
6. Do word associations
7. Take a look at photographs and try to picture the memory
8. Listen to music
9. Draw without limits
10. Visit a museum
11. Try eating/cooking a new dish
12. Ask a relative about their favorite memory
13. Research events that happened around a specific day
14. Take a nap
15. Meditate 
16. Try freewriting
17. Eating a favorite childhood dish
18. Playing 
19. Going for a run


What are your favorite things to do when you feel "stuck"? Which techniques helps you the most?


 

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Book Review - My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Photo Credit - Amazon


Korede loves her sister but, is also jealous of her sister, Ayoola. Ayoola is everything Korede isn't. She is beautiful and her mother's favorite child. However, Ayoola might be a serial killer. Ayoola relies on Korede for her practical skills such as cleaning up the blood, knowing where to ditch the body, and acceptable social behaviors for someone who is "mourning her missing" boyfriend. Korede is in love with a handsome doctor at her hospital. She dreams of the day when he will notice her. However, when he asks Korede for Ayoola's phone number, Korede must decide how far she is willing to go to protect her sister.

The novel was a fun and interesting read. I like how different Korede and Ayoola were but, they very loyal to each other. However, I was disappointed by how the novel ended. It felt like it ended abruptly and it left me with more questions than answers. The novel was a quick and entertaining read during a long train ride but, I wished the ending was better.



 **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.**

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

BBW Aromatherapy Sleep Lavender and Cedarwood 24hr Moisture Butter






The cream is scented with lavender and cedarwood essential oils which promotes relaxation and sleep. The cream is enriched with mango seed butter, cocoa seed butter that helps keep skin hydrated. The thick cream was easy to spread but, it did leave my skin slightly greasy.Overall, it's an indulgent treat  to be included in my nighttime ritual.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Book Review - The Missing Years by Lexie Elliott


Photo Credit - Amazon
Ailsa Calder's mother recently willed her an old Scottish manor. However, only half of the house belongs to her. The other half belongs to her father who disappeared twenty-seven years ago with diamonds. Ailsa is torn between leaving her life in London behind and returning to her childhood home. She returns to get the house in order before selling and asks her half-sister to join her.

While spending time at the Manse, Ailsa feels claustrophobic and can't sleep. She feels drained and tired. She senses someone is watching her and especially when she hears stories about the manor's past. Then one night an intruder shows up causing Ailsa to fear what secrets the Manse might be hiding. Will Ailsa be able to move on from her father's disappearance?

I have read the "French Girl" and liked it but, this novel left me baffled. While the "villain" was unexpected, I felt disappointed. The novel dragged on and on only for a mediocre ending. I was left with more questions than answers. This novel is an easy pass and not worth even a second glance.


 **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.**