Two Points of Interest

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Book Review - Winston's Wet by Megan Cline + Giveaway

Winston is back with a new story to share! Except, he is really hot and needs to cool down. He wants to play outside but, it's so hot. His mom tells him he can play in the sprinklers. Together they enjoy playing in the sprinklers together and cooling down under the hot sun. However, Winston makes a discovery and is curious to know where it came from. He found a rainbow and wants to know everything about it. Together with his mom, he will learn all about relationships and rainbows.

The book is a cute read for youngsters and little ones. It teaches them about the rainbow and relationships. I liked how the illustrated book worked in themes of friendship, rainbows, and love.

**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 Books:

Title: WINSTON WINKS

Author: Megan Cline, Sakshi Mangal (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: December 14, 2018

Publisher: FriesenPress

Formats: Hardcover, paperback, eBook

Pages: 28

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

A curious and thoughtful little wombat, Winston is always trying new things and wondering about one thing or another. Luckily, his always loving and patient mom is there to offer encouragement, affection, and the answers to all of his questions―of which there are many.

Today, Winston wants to wink. Why? Well, he always watches his Grandpa wink and wants to wink as well. But wow! What a challenge!

With the help of his mom, he learns that not every skill comes easily, but that with patience and practice and perseverance, they can be perfected.

If Winston wants to wink badly enough and keeps working at it, then wink he will!...

Title: WINSTON WIGGLES

Author: Megan Cline, Sakshi Mangal (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: May 10, 2019

Publisher: FriesenPress

Formats: Hardcover, paperback, eBook

Pages: 28

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

Winston is a curious and thoughtful little wombat who has questions and ideas about the world. Winston's family encourages and helps him with his discoveries and adventures. Tonight Winston has caught a case of the wiggles. He is so excited about his class field trip that he can barely be still. With some help from his Mom and Dad, Winston will learn some calming tricks to get him ready to rest....

Title: WINSTON’S WET

Author: Megan Cline, Sakshi Mangal (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: December 5, 2019

Publisher: FriesenPress

Formats: Hardcover, paperback, eBook

Pages: 28

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

Everybody's favorite Wombat is back, and he's desperate to cool down! Winston wants to play outside, but it's SO hot. Luckily, his mom comes up with a great idea: They can play in the sprinklers! Together they jump and laugh and play in the cool water under a hot summer sun, and then things get even better. There's a rainbow! Right there in the mist. But where did it come from?

With the help of his mom, Winston learns why rainbows appear when there's mist in the sun, and how it's just like friendship and love-something miraculous that you can feel and enjoy, even when you can't catch it in your hand....

About Megan:

A lifelong lover of books, and a member of her local library board of trustees for over fifteen years, Megan Cline has been inspired to create this series of children’s stories by her own insatiably curious son, whose questions and wonderings about the world around him always prodded her to think about things that had never even occurred to her.

Megan currently lives in Iowa with her husband, son, Patsy the dog, and Humphrey the hamster.

Photo by Becky Carlyle.

Website | Facebbok | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

Find out about the Illustrator Sakshi Mangal HERE!

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a signed copies of the WINSTON THE WOMBAT SERIES, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21178/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/2/2020	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
11/3/2020	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
11/4/2020	JaimeRockstarBookTours	Instagram Post
11/5/2020	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
11/5/2020	BookHounds YA	Instagram Post
11/6/2020	Little Red Reads	Review

Week Two:

11/9/2020	Jotted By Jena	Review
11/10/2020	Do You Dog-ear?	Review
11/11/2020	midnightbooklover	Review/Instagram Post
11/12/2020	Jazzy Book Reviews	Instagram Post
11/13/2020	Cuzinlogic	Review
11/13/2020	Cuzinlogic	Instagram Post

Week Three:

11/16/2020	Gimme The Scoop Reviews	Review
11/16/2020	gimmethescoopreviews	Instagram Post
11/17/2020	Novel Novice	Review
11/17/2020	Novel Novice	Instagram Post
11/18/2020	Momfluenster	Instagram Stop/Review
11/19/2020	onemused	Review/Instagram Post
11/20/2020	booksaremagictoo	Review
11/20/2020	booksaremagictoo	Instagram Post

Week Four:

11/23/2020	Nerdophiles	Review
11/24/2020	The Momma Spot	Review
11/24/2020	The Momma Spot	Instagram Post
11/24/2020	Future Bookworms	Instagram Post
11/25/2020	@fictitious.fox	Review/Instagram Post
11/26/2020	@minnesota_mailer	Review/Instagram Post
11/27/2020	two points of interest	Review

Week Five:

11/30/2020

Rajiv's Reviews

Review

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Book Review - The Other People by C.J. Tudor

Gabe is driving home one night and he is stuck behind a rusty old car. As he stares ahead willing traffic to move faster, he sees a little girl's face appear in the car's rear window. The girl mouths "daddy" to him. He realizes it's his five-year-old daughter, Izzy. After their faithful momentary meeting, Gabe never sees his daughter again.

Three years later, Gabe spends his days and night going up and down the highway searching for his daughter. He refuses to give up hope because that would mean admitting that his daughter is dead. He receives help from an unlikely ally and discovers the car he last saw his daughter in. The car was found abandoned with a body inside. Gabe must come to terms with the day Izzy disappeared and his past.

Fran and her daughter, Alice also spends a lot of time on the road. Unlike Gabe, they are running from people who want to hurt them. It's because Fran knows the truth behind Izzy's disappearance. She knows that if they catch her, they might not make it out alive.

I thought the novel was an interesting read. I wish the author gave more details about certain things and characters. I didn't really care for some of the supernatural bits of the story. While the story took a bit to get going, I found the book to be an enjoyable read.

**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, November 17, 2020

Book Review - Dreaming of Tomorrow by Michelle De Bruin + Giveaway

Logan De Witt is the town's pastor. He is popular with women in town because he is a bachelor. Logan is engaged to Karen and he must convince the single women that he is off the market. Logan and Karen hope to have a simple wedding to celebrate their love. However, when the bride's arrival is published in the newspaper, the whole town decides to join in the celebration and showers the couple with support.

Karen is excited to be reunited with Logan. She is excitedly counting down the days. Karen wants to become involved with Logan's congregation. Logan's church has received a donation of an orchard and a small house on the land. Karen and Logan will need to help come up with a plan for the generous donation.

This was the second book I read from the author. The book is a cozy read and this isn't usually my favorite type of book. For example, more than halfway in the book, the couple doesn't really face any obstacle that isn't resolved within a few pages. The mystery behind the orchard farm isn't actually bought up and revealed later in the book. I did enjoy reading about Logan and Karen's family. I liked that he took the path of being straightforward and forgiveness.

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Dreaming of Tomorrow

By Michelle De Bruin

Christian Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 317 Pages

November 10, 2020 by Scrivenings Press LLC

Love leads them to a lifetime of commitment where the dreams they have held onto for so long start to come true.

Popular and eligible, Logan De Witt must convince the women in town that he is engaged to be married. A quiet, simple ceremony is what he has in mind for his wedding day, but when the date and time of his bride’s arrival is published in the newspaper, the whole town joins in the celebration proving to Logan and his new wife their sincere friendship and support. Added to the excitement of Logan’s marriage is the question of what the congregation should do with the unexpected donation of an orchard.

Karen Millerson is counting the days until her long-distance engagement comes to an end and she may travel to Oswell City to marry Logan. More than anything, she wants to share in his life as a help and support, but keeping a house and finding her place in the community requires much more work than she ever expected.

Learn, laugh, and love with Karen and Logan as they start a new marriage and work together ministering to the citizens of their small town.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to Amazon affiliate links.)

About the Author

Michelle De Bruin lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. She has a bachelor’s degree in Religion with a Christian Ministry emphasis, and in Music. Michelle is the spiritual services provider for an organization that offers services for people with mental and physical disabilities. She has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2015. Michelle writes inspirational historical romance about people who live in rural communities. Characters that bring to life the delights of farm and small-town living, whispers of Dutch heritage, and Christian faith make Michelle’s stories distinct. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story.

Her first book, Hope for Tomorrow, released in 2018. The sequel, Promise for Tomorrow, released November 2019. The third book in the series, Dreaming of Tomorrow, releases November 2020.

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $20 (USD) Amazon Gift Card and a copy of Dreaming of Tomorrow (winner can choose print if in the US and ebook outside the US)

Open internationally

Ends November 25, 2020

ENTER HERE

Sunday, November 15, 2020

Book Spotlight - Cupcakes and Crumbs by Melissa McClone + Giveaway + Excerpt

As Juliet’s upper teeth sunk into her lower lip, she stopped herself. That would ruin her lipstick, and if Ezra happened to arrive home, he would notice.

She glanced at the messages again. If she didn’t plan on going, she should let Nell know.

I want to go.

The thought resonated through Juliet. She didn’t ask for much these days—other than a kind word from her husband and time with her grandmother—but she wanted tonight with her former coworkers and friends.

Ezra hadn’t called or texted to say he was working late, but he didn’t always give her advanced notice. If tonight was one of those nights, she would end up stuck alone again, waiting for him to get home when she could be out with her friends.

That gave her an idea. Okay, a reason to call him.

I shouldn’t need one to call my husband.

Juliet knew this, yet she found herself trapped with a verbally abusive husband. At times, she wondered if it would be better if he hit her. Then, her love for him would completely disappear, and she might find the strength to leave her comfortable—albeit unfulfilling—life.

Mustering her courage, she hit his number.

The phone ring. Once, twice…

“What do you need now, Juliet?”

She flinched. The way he snapped suggested he hadn’t had a good day.

As long as he doesn’t take it out on me.

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Cupcakes & Crumbs

(Berry Lake Cupcake Posse #1)

By Melissa McClone

Women's Fiction

Paperback & ebook, 237 Pages

November 17, 2020 by Cardinal Press, LLC

After life takes five women on different paths, a death brings them home. But friendship might not be enough to keep them together.

When Bria Landon and her estranged father each inherit fifty percent of a small-town cupcake shop, her dad hires her worst enemy, and first love, to turn the place into a soulless franchise…or sell it.

To save her aunt’s legacy, Bria needs the help of people who love the bakery as much as she does—her old friends who worked there fifteen years ago. Except each woman is dealing with her own problem:

Juliet, who's trying to prove she’s more than a trophy wife; Missy, a widow who fears losing the job she loves; Nell, who's meddling mother won't stop playing matchmaker; and Selena, a life coach who excels at fixing everyone else's lives...but hasn't a clue what's missing in her own.

Each woman wants to believe their friendship can overcome anything. But as the Berry Lake Cupcake Posse reunite to save their beloved cupcake shop, they soon discover the undertaking will bring more trouble than they expected.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo

About the Author

USA TODAY bestselling author Melissa McClone writes heartwarming women’s fiction and sweet contemporary romance novels for Cardinal Press, Tule Publishing Group, and Harlequin Books. When she’s not writing relatable characters and sigh-worthy happy endings, she spends rainy Pacific Northwest reading from her Kindle’s ever-growing TBR, napping, and decorating her Happy Planner. Melissa lives in Washington state with her husband, three children, a Norwegian Elkhound, and three cats who think they rule the house. They do!

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

A Cupcakes & Crumbs Prize Pack, which includes:

A $10 Amazon gift card, cupcake makeup bag set, cupcake charm, cupcake socks, set of magnetic clips, lip gloss, key chain, sticker, swag pack, and bookmark (US only)

Ends November 25, 2020

ENTER HERE

Friday, November 13, 2020

Book Spotlight - The Crimson Wraith: Legacy of the Hood by J. Griffin Hughes

About The Book:

Title: THE CRIMSON WRAITH: LEGACY OF THE HOOD

Author: J. Griffin Hughes

Pub. Date: August 28, 2020

Publisher: J. Griffin Hughes

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 425

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Membership!

Living in Titan City, 23-year-old Gracie Chapel has heard of the Crimson Wraith, the masked vigilante who, along with his sidekick the Wily Wisp, has fought a war against crime for 80 years. She never expected to meet him though. Gracie is a girl accustomed to rescuing herself, should she need it.

But when their paths cross, Gracie finds herself not only receiving the Crimson Wraith’s aid. She will help him solve a murder whose roots go back through the hero’s decades-long career…

This complete edition collects Parts 1-4 of Crimson Wraith: Legacy of the Hood, previously published as e-book novellas.

A gritty, comic-book-inspired thriller for mature readers.

Book Trailer:

INSERT YOUR POST OR REVIEW HERE!

About J. Griffin Hughes:

J. Griffin Hughes was born, raised, and reared in Raleigh, NC. He counts espresso and sushi as much a part of his Southernness as sweet tea and grits. Child of the '80s. Kitchen wizard for fun and profit. Lover of black and white films with detectives and samurai. He received his graduate degree in creative writing from Royal Holloway, University of London.

Giveaway Details:

1 Winner will receive a THE CRIMSON WRAITH: LEGACY OF THE HOOD prize pack which includes a signed copy of the book, mug, stickers, & bookmarks, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/2/2020	Rockstar Book Tours	Spotlight
11/2/2020	Jaime's World	Spotlight
11/3/2020	Two Chicks on Books	Spotlight
11/3/2020	JaimeRockstarBookTours	Instagram Post
11/4/2020	BookHounds	Excerpt
11/4/2020	BookHounds	Instagram Post
11/5/2020	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
11/5/2020	A Dream Within A Dream	Instagram Post
11/6/2020	Books A-Brewin'	Excerpt
11/6/2020	Books A-Brewin'	Instagram Post

Week Two:

11/9/2020	Gimme The Scoop Reviews	Review
11/9/2020	gimmethescoopreviews	Instagram Post
11/10/2020	The Reading Wordsmith	Review
11/10/2020	readingwordsmith	Instagram Post
11/11/2020	Jazzy Book Reviews	Excerpt
11/11/2020	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
11/12/2020	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
11/12/2020	Rajiv's Reviews	Instagram Post
11/13/2020	two points of interest	Review
11/13/2020	IG Reads	Review
11/13/2020	IG Reads	Instagram Post

Thursday, November 12, 2020

November 2020 Empties!

Ahh, I can't believe the holiday season is among us! It just felt like a few weeks ago summer was beginning. I finished a few things this month but, nothing noteworthy enough to be excited over or to get again. Surprisingly, I didn't finish that many sheet masks either.

I tried this new fresh clean coconut and the cleanser was meh. The texture was unappealing. It looked like spoiled milk. However, it did remove most of my makeup including my mascara leaving minimal traces behind. I have ordered from Yves Rocher mostly because their free gifts. I do like their shower gels but, I wasn't a fan of their Lime scent. It reminded me a little too much of floor cleaner. I had bought the C.Booth Milk Bath and Shower Cleanser during a sale at Ulta and it has floral milky scent. I liked that a small amount of cleanser provides a generous amount of bubbles and foam.

I did try a new clay mask - I'm Beet Facial Clay Mask. It was a little messy since I had to mix the mask myself. Hopefully, next month I have more interesting empties!

Here are things I finished -

Avette Fresh Clean Coconut Mild Foam Cleanser

Yves Rocher Jardins Du Monde

C.Booth Milk Bath and Shower Cleanser

Lollia Breathe Peony and White Lily Finest Perfumed Soap

The Medius Heart Eye Patch

Beautiful Nutrition Lemon Rinse

h20+ Beauty Aquadefense Refining Matcha Detox Mask

Chapstick Total Hydration

I'm Beet Facial Clay Mask

Hanalei Lychee Face Mask

Botanic Bouquet Dry Shampoo Scent Stick Rose

Sur.Medic+ Bright Glutathione Mask

Biobelle #Lightup Brighten Skin

Aromafloria Feet's Sake Spa Foot Scrub

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Book Review - Everything I Thought I Knew by Shannon Takaoka + Giveaway

Chloe is a seventeen-year-old who had her entire life planned out. She was going to work hard and get into a good college. However, during a cross-country meet, she passes out and wakes up in the emergency room. She is told that she needs a new heart and all the plans she made goes out of the window. Fast forward eight months after the surgery, everything in Chloe's life has changed. She now has to attend summer school with underachievers. All she wants to do is grab her surfboard and surf which is weird because she had no interest in surfing before. As a bonus, Kai, her instructor is cute and caring.

Chloe keeps having a strange and vivid recurring nightmare of her crashing a motorcycling and dying. She is also seeing people and places that she doesn't know but, recognizes. She also has memories that she doesn't remember experiencing. As she searches for answers, she finds herself drawn to Kai and she starts to question everything she thought she knew.

I thought the novel was an interesting read. I wasn't expecting the novel to have a sci-fi twist. While I enjoyed the story, I wasn't a fan of the characters. I found their behavior annoying and ungrateful. Some parts of the book were a bit slow but, overall it was a good read.

Hardcover : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1536207764
ISBN-13 : 978-1536207767
Publisher : Candlewick (October 13, 2020)
Language: : English

Praise for EVERYTHING I THOUGHT I KNEW

“Everything I Thought I Knew is a page-turning, mind-bending story of hope and healing. The reader will root for Chloe from page one as she navigates her world post–heart transplant and tries to meld her prior reality with her new one. I couldn’t put it down; it is a beautiful debut from a talented new voice in YA.” —Alexandra Ballard, author of What I Lost

The thoughtful balance of self-discovery, humor, and realistic relationships will bring in fans of John Green and Nicola Yoon. Readers looking for a good, cathartic cry will love Chloe’s journey from losing everything she thought she was, to finding the person she was meant to be. —School Library Journal

Romance and quantum physics intertwine in this frothy introduction to multiverse SF. —Kirkus Reviews

This is a satisfying soaper that combines pleasing romance with an enticing touch of the otherworldly. —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

A teenage girl wonders if she’s inherited more than just a heart from her donor in this compulsively readable debut.

Seventeen-year-old Chloe had a plan: work hard, get good grades, and attend a top-tier college. But after she collapses during cross-country practice and is told that she needs a new heart, all her careful preparations are laid to waste.

Eight months after her transplant, everything is different. Stuck in summer school with the underachievers, all she wants to do now is grab her surfboard and hit the waves—which is strange, because she wasn’t interested in surfing before her transplant. (It doesn’t hurt that her instructor, Kai, is seriously good-looking.)

And that’s not all that’s strange. There’s also the vivid recurring nightmare about crashing a motorcycle in a tunnel and memories of people and places she doesn’t recognize.

Is there something wrong with her head now, too, or is there another explanation for what she’s experiencing?

As she searches for answers, and as her attraction to Kai intensifies, what she learns will lead her to question everything she thought she knew—about life, death, love, identity, and the true nature of reality.

You can purchase Everything I Thought I Knew at the following Retailers:

Photo Content from Shannon Takaoka

Shannon Takaoka is a young adult fiction author who wrote her first book at age 12, when she blatantly ripped off C.S. Lewis with an epic fantasy inspired by THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. (Well, maybe it wasn’t that epic — do 10 pages count?) Madeline L’Engle, Charlotte Brontë, Neil Gaiman and a host of other authors inspired her lifelong love of reading, and she’s especially into all things gothic, weird and nerdy. If a story involves time travel, strange science-y stuff or alternate realities, she’s in.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Shannon now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two children and one very needy dog, who is probably leaning on her right now as she’s pecking away on her keyboard. Her debut novel, EVERYTHING I THOUGHT I KNEW, about a 17-year-old girl questioning everything about who she is and who she wants to be following a heart transplant, will be published by Candlewick Press on 10/13/2020 and Walker UK in 2021. She promises that it’s a little weird — but in a good way.

WEEK ONE - REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS

NOVEMBER 9th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 10th TUESDAY Book Hounds YA REVIEW & INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 10th TUESDAY Twirling Book Princess EXCERPT

NOVEMBER 11th WEDNESDAY Two Points n Interest REVIEW

NOVEMBER 11th WEDNESDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

NOVEMBER 12th THURSDAY Movies, Shows, & Books GUEST POST

NOVEMBER 12th THURSDAY We Live and Breathe Books REVIEW

NOVEMBER 13th FRIDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

NOVEMBER 13th FRIDAY Kalisbookishrambles REVIEW

WEEK TWO - REVIEWS

NOVEMBER 16th MONDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW

NOVEMBER 17th TUESDAY A Court of Coffee and Books REVIEW

NOVEMBER 17th TUESDAY Pages and Pugs REVIEW

NOVEMBER 18th WEDNESDAY Emelie's Books REVIEW

NOVEMBER 18th WEDNESDAY Welcome to MLM Opinion's Reviews REVIEW

NOVEMBER 19th THURSDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW

NOVEMBER 19th THURSDAY Author Kelly Risser REVIEW

NOVEMBER 20th FRIDAY My Fictional Oasis REVIEW

NOVEMBER 20th FRIDAY Reading Adventures of a Book Dragon REVIEW

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, November 8, 2020

Book Review - The Haunting of Rookward House by Darcy Coates

Guy is going through a tough time and had to move back home with his mother. He decides to thank his mother for taking him back in by cleaning up her attic. While cleaning her attic, he finds a deed for a house. He decides that he will clean and update the house and he will be able to sell it for a profit. He figured it would be a great opportunity for him and his mother.

When Guy visits Rookward House, he feels like he is being watched. However, Rookward House doesn't have any neighbors within its vicinity. The locals claim that the house is haunted but, Guy doesn't believe in ghost stories. He decides to spend a week at the crumbling estate to do repairs. He figured nothing can go wrong during his weeklong stay. However, there is a reason why the mansion has stayed empty for years. There is something buried deep within the walls that's yearning to be free. Almost forty years ago, a woman tormented the family that lived in Rookward house. Her ghost clings to the house and now that Guy moved into her house, she has no intention of letting him go.

I enjoyed reading this story but, I felt like the ghost story was very predictable. This book along with her other works follows the same basic format. I didn't feel like there was a lot of spookiness to this book but, maybe shock/creepy factor. I did feel like the novel was a bit lackluster compared to the other books I read from her. Overall, I am still a fan of her novels and look forward to reading her other books.

Friday, November 6, 2020

November 2020 Haul!

My first haul for November 2020! As usual, I got more skincare and lip products. Even though I am not using any lip products.

I got two new hair product because my scalp usually gets dry and itchy. I am excited to try the Vitabrid scalp shampoo. I am hoping this is the year my scalp and it has menthol and biotin. I am excited about getting new soaps from L'Occitane. I have used the Verbena before but, I got their new limited edition Rose soap. I also got a detox soap from V76 that has mineral clay and oats to clear up skin and keep it nourished. I can't wait to use it because I get super itchy skin during the winter.

I got a new Erno Laszlo pore cleansing clay mask. My face has been breaking a lot more because wearing a mask daily. I got a few products from Facetory. I got a new Aloe Gel, a blueberry hand cream, a new face serum, and facial mist. I am hoping to keep my skin clear and moisturize this winter instead of my normal dry and scaly skin.

Have you tried any of the products above? Let me know your thoughts.

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Book Review - The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox

Ivy Rose returns home after she receives news of her grandmother passing. She organizes an estate sale for her grandmother's things but, she realizes her grandmother left her a key to unlocking Ivy's adoption. Ivy tries to find the truth about her past but, she realizes she is missing an important piece of the mystery.

Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James is out scavenging the highway for abandoned things he can use. He stumbles upon an abandoned newborn who gives him a sense of human connection that he has never had. He wants to take care of the child because of his own past abandonment. However, he struggles with taking care of the child because he is homeless. Two people see Harvey struggling and are trying to help Harvey find his way. Harvey is afraid of letting them in before he ends up losing the baby.

I enjoyed reading the emotional read. I actually found myself drawn to Harvey's storyline than the Ivy in the present day. I thought it was a change of pace that a male character found a child and went to extreme lengths to care for and protect her. I found it enjoyable on finding out the thread that connected all the characters. The book showed readers that not all family bonds are made by blood.

Monday, November 2, 2020

Book Review - The Forgotten Daughter by Joanna Goodman

In 1992, some of the French-Canadian people are fighting for Quebec's independence. Véronique Fortin is the daughter of a famous radical separatist who was convicted of kidnapping and murdering a politician in 1970. She believes in her father's cause of Quebec being separate from Canada. It is surprising when she falls for James Phénix, a journalist of French-Canadian descent who opposes Quebec separatism. Their relationship is turbulent and passionate as they try to navigate their relationship.

Elodie Phénix is James's older sister and one of the Duplessis Orphans. She becomes involved in a lawsuit against the church, government, and the medical officials who branded her mentally incapable as an orphan. During the 1950s, Quebec's orphanages were converted to mental hospitals to get more money for the government. This led to children being misdiagnosed.

Elodie relies on Véronique as Elodie struggles to get recognition for the childhood trauma she faced. During the lawsuit ordeal, Elodie is forced to come to terms with her feelings. Will Elodie and Véronique be able to move on from their past?

I thought the book was an interesting read. I felt like it was a bit slow for some parts of the novel. The story showed characters learning to forgive and love each other. This wasn't a book I would normally pick to read but, I am glad that I did read it. I am looking forward to reading other books by the author.