Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick - Kimchi

I believe I cashed in my Sephora points for this deluxe sample. I love bright lipsticks and the Bite Beauty brand. The lipstick is composed of 12 nourishing oils and triple-milled pigments. It has citrus flavor according to the manufacturer. The lipstick is bright medium-dark Fuschia color with a satin finish. It had a creamy texture and applied evenly. However, I felt like it was a bit dry and showed every "flaw" and cracked skin on my lips. After the color wore down, it did leave behind a faint stain.

Book Review -The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Evan Eldridge never dreamed that he would be a war hero. He thought he would just serve his country in the war against Napolean. When Evan saves the life of a fellow soldier, he is appointed the Earl of Whitelock. He never realized that amount of trouble that would follow his brave actions.

Evan receives the new title along with a crumbling manor house and a stranger for a bride. All Evan wants is his memories from the battlefield. He knows there is something he can't remember because of his wounds. If Evan doesn't remember in time, not only will his marriage be in jeopardy but, someone's life.

The novel was an interesting cozy read with a few surprises thrown in. I felt that the novel moved a bit slowly and the villain gave up too quickly. They portrayed him as someone who will never give up but, he seemed to give up very quickly only to move to another half-brained scheme. I am interested in reading more Marcus in the next novel.

**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

Evan Eldridge never meant to be a war hero--he just wanted to fight Napoleon for the future of his country. And he certainly didn't think that saving the life of a peer would mean being made the Earl of Whitelock. But when the life you save is dear to the Prince Regent, things can change in a hurry.

Now Evan has a new title, a manor house in shambles, and a stranger for a bride, all thrust upon him by a grateful ruler. What he doesn't have are all his memories. Traumatized as a result of his wounds and bravery on the battlefield, Evan knows there's something he can't quite remember. It's important, dangerous--and if he doesn't recall it in time, will jeopardize not only his marriage but someone's very life.

Readers who enjoy Julie Klassen, Carolyn Miller, and Kristi Ann Hunter will love diving into this brand-new Regency series filled with suspense, aristocratic struggles, and a firm foundation of faith.

Read an excerpt from Kregel by clicking here!

He's doing what he can to save the Prince Regent's life . . . but can he save his new marriage as well?

About the author

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate.

Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.

A self-described history geek, she has been planning her first research trip to England.

Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Twitter (@EricaVetsch), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

Book Review - The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

The three Sweeney sisters grew up happy in their small seaside town of Southport, Connecticut. Liza, Maggie, and Tricia are still reeling from the after-effects of their mother's death from cancer over fifteen years ago. The sisters have drifted apart and have their own lives. When news of their beloved father, Bill Sweeney, an international famous literary genius and the renowned professor had died, the sisters return to their childhood home.

They are unsure of what their lives will look like without their father. They decide to throw an Irish wake to honor him. As guests pay their respects to Bill, one guest decides to crash the party because she is a Sweeney sister too.

Based in Washington, DC journalist Serena Tucker decided to test her DNA on a whim. She learns that she is a 50% genetic match with a childhood neighbor - Maggie Sweeney. It turns out that Serena's WASP mother, Birdie, had a history with Bill Sweeney. Serena's entire identity is thrown into a loop and she tries to come to terms with her mother's secrets.

Will the Sweeney sisters be able to accept their new sister? What will this secret hold for Bill's legacy?  Are there any other secrets Bill has kept from his family?

I thought the novel was an interesting read. I felt like there was enough to keep readers interested in reading more but, not enough to fall out of their seat gasping for air. I did feel that there were some slow gaps. I felt like this novel was more like a cozy romantic read rather than Jerry Springer-level family dysfunction read.

**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.**

 

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (April 28, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062909045
ISBN-13: 978-0062909046

Praise for THE SWEENEY SISTERS

"This is a big-hearted belly-laugh of a book, told with wit and poignancy. Family secrets, laughter and tears, shocking reveals, and an uplifting ending make this a story to savor--and share." —Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author of The Oysterville Sewing Circle

"Dolan uses her experience in podcasting with her own sisters to craft believable women characters who worry about real problems and use wry humor to push through dark moments . . . . A warmhearted portrait of love embracing true hearts." —Kirkus

An accomplished storyteller returns with her biggest, boldest, most entertaining novel yet—a hilarious, heartfelt story about books, love, sisterhood, and the surprises we discover in our DNA that combines the wit of Jonathan Tropper with the heart of Susan Wiggs.

Maggie, Eliza, and Tricia Sweeney grew up as a happy threesome in the idyllic seaside town of Southport, Connecticut. But their mother’s death from cancer fifteen years ago tarnished their golden-hued memories, and the sisters drifted apart. Their one touchstone is their father, Bill Sweeney, an internationally famous literary lion and college professor universally adored by critics, publishers, and book lovers. When Bill dies unexpectedly one cool June night, his shell-shocked daughters return to their childhood home. They aren’t quite sure what the future holds without their larger-than-life father, but they do know how to throw an Irish wake to honor a man of his stature.

But as guests pay their respects and reminisce, one stranger, emboldened by whiskey, has crashed the party. It turns out that she too is a Sweeney sister.

When Washington, DC based journalist Serena Tucker had her DNA tested on a whim a few weeks earlier, she learned she had a 50% genetic match with a childhood neighbor—Maggie Sweeney of Southport, Connecticut. It seems Serena’s chilly WASP mother, Birdie, had a history with Bill Sweeney—one that has remained totally secret until now.

Once the shock wears off, questions abound. What does this mean for William’s literary legacy? Where is the unfinished memoir he’s stashed away, and what will it reveal? And how will a fourth Sweeney sister—a blond among redheads—fit into their story?

By turns revealing, insightful, and uproarious, The Sweeney Sisters is equal parts cautionary tale and celebration—a festive and heartfelt look at what truly makes a family.

You can purchase The Sweeney Sisters at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Lian Dolan

Lian Dolan is a writer and talker. She’s the author of two Los Angeles Times best-selling novels, Helen of Pasadena and Elizabeth the First Wife published by Prospect Park Books. Her next novel, The Sweeney Sisters, will be published in 2020 by William Morrow. She’s a regular humor columnist for Pasadena Magazine and has previously written monthly columns for O, The Oprah Magazine and Working Mother Magazine. She’s also written for TV, radio and websites.

Lian is the producer and host of Satellite Sisters, the award-winning talk show she created with her four real sisters. On Satellite Sisters, she’s interviewed everyone from Nora Ephron to Madeleine Albright to Big Bird. Satellite Sisters began life as a syndicated radio show and is now a top-rated podcast for women. The recent book by the Satellite Sisters, You’re the Best: A Celebration of Friendship, is popular with book clubs.

A popular speaker who combines humor and heart, Lian has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS Sunday Morning and The Today Show and many local TV stations. She’s been a featured speaker at the LA Times Festival of Books, the Santa Barbara Celebrity Authors Lunch, the Literary Guild of Orange County Festival of Women Authors and dozens of other events at libraries, book stores, schools and women’s organizations across the country. In 2020, she’ll be on the faculty of the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop.

Lian graduated from Pomona College with a degree in Classics. She lives in Pasadena, California with her husband, two sons and a big German shepherd.

        

WEEK ONE

APRIL 27th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

APRIL 28th TUESDAY Casia's Corner EXCERPT

APRIL 29th WEDNESDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW 

APRIL 30th THURSDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

APRIL 30th THURSDAY TTC Books and More GUEST POST

MAY 1st FRIDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW 

MAY 1st FRIDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW

WEEK ONE

MAY 4th MONDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

MAY 5th TUESDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW

MAY 6th WEDNESDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW

MAY 6th WEDNESDAY Insane About Books REVIEW 

MAY 7th THURSDAY Book Queen Reviews REVIEW 

MAY 7th THURSDAY Reading Adventures of a Book Dragon REVIEW

MAY 8th FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Leaders Insolution Coconut Gel Mask with Blueberry

I have quite a few of Leader Insolution masks and they are usually more expensive than my "day to day" ones. The gel mask is packed with blueberry extracts and vitamins to hydrate and strengthen skin. It promises to target dry and rough skin will correcting imbalanced oil production in the skin. This sounds like a multitasking mask!

The bio-cellulose mask fits my face decently well. There was a bit of shortage and overages in some areas. The masks did have a faint blueberry scent. It did leave my skin with a slightly tacky dewy hydrated finish. Since these masks sometimes can cost around $5 per piece, I use them in between my $4 under face masks.

Molton Brown London Ultra Pure Milk Soap

The Molton Brown soap is a creamy soap. It is triple-milled soap made with palm oils and dairy milk. It provides a creamy lather and leaves the skin feeling hydrated and moisturized. I still applied lotion afterward though.

Book Review - The Midwife's Dilemma by Delia Parr

Photo Credit - Amazon

Midwife Martha Cade has finally decided that when Mayor Thomas Dillion returns in February, she will marry him. With everything else in her life spinning out of control, Martha feels this is the only thing she has control over. Her daughter, Victoria, is besotted with the town's younger doctor. Martha feels that she is ready to settle down and pass on her role as a midwife to someone younger.

The Pennsylvania town has grown in size and population. It has become an important hub for agricultural and economic needs. There are plans of canal allowing the town to be connected with the outside world. With everything changing, Martha will need to decide how she will spend the rest of her life.

I have read the first book of the series but, didn't realize this was the third book. Unfortunately, while each book can be read as standalone, I felt like I was missing portions of the story because I didn't read the second novel. I felt like the novel dragged and most of the time, Martha was spent debating her marriage proposal or about her horse. I also had a hard time understanding why Martha couldn't get married and continue being a midwife. I understand that she will eventually need to retire but, the constant pushing by Thomas to get his way seemed like drummed drama for an otherwise boring book.  I didn't also understand why there was a need for her to be a midwife and if she didn't want to do it, why not say she is no longer a midwife? Perhaps, I am looking at her struggle through a modern lens. I also didn't understand why Martha was stubborn and did things that she didn't like other people doing. I liked the first novel in the series but, this one was quite disappointing.

**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.**

Tarte Apple of My Eye Eyeshadow Palette

The Tarte eyeshadow quad is composed of four eyeshadows with apple-related names such as golden delicious, caramel, gala, and Honeycrisp. There are two matte colors and two shimmers. The palette colors can be used for a subtle look or a dramatic natural look. I felt like the pigment was a bit weak and felt very talc-y/chalky.  Not my favorite palette but, I did like the shimmery gold colors.

Book Review - Ben Braver and the Incredible Exploding Kid by Marcus Emerson

Photo Credit - Amazon

Last year Ben Braver saved Kepler Academy and it's students from mass destruction. Yet, he still feels that he doesn't fit in with the rest of the kids who have special abilities.  He has been keeping his lack of ability a secret since most of his classmates are getting stronger. Will Ben be able to find his superpower? Or will he risk everything to gain his ability?

This was the second novel in the series. While you could read each novel as a standalone, I found it to be more enjoyable to read the books in order. The second novel is packed with humor and surprises just like the first novel. The book is littered with comics shorts and fun drawings. A fun series and a great read for young readers.

**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.**

Soap Cherie Bubble Bath - Relaxation

Who doesn't love a good bubble bath? Probably a lot of people. But, I am not one of them! I love a nice warm soak with a tub filled with frothy bubbles. The luxurious formula is enriched with jojoba oil and vitamin E to moisturize skin. It is formulated with SLS and parabens but, promises to get generous bubbles.

Personally, I love buying bath products but, I find a lot of homemade/handmade bath companies try to bill themselves like Lush by offering the same type of products at a similar cost. I feel for like $32, I was using a lot of product to get a decent amount of bubbles. It didn't even stay bubbly through the whole bath. The bubble bath had a soft delicate scent and it didn't leave skin scented at all. I might try other products from their store but, I am going to be skipping over their bubble bath unless it's on sale.

Etude House My Beauty Tool Lovely Etti Head Band

I have long hair so, when I came across this cute headband, I knew I had to get it. The headband has a thick band to keep hair secure while using masks, cleansing, or showering/bathing. It did take me a few times to set the wideband correctly and it was a bit tight even after a few uses. I am afraid that while it holds my hair up now, if it will keep its shape after multiple uses.