Book Review - Going Wild (The Infamous Frankie Lorde) by Brittany Geragotelis + Giveaway

 

Frankie loved using her unique set of skills against a crooked real estate mogul with her friend, Ollie. However, she is getting restless especially when her dad is still stuck in prison. Frankie struggles to come to terms with her being stuck in Connecticut a lot longer than she expected.

While volunteering at a local animal shelter, Frankie and Ollie learn that there is an exotic animal farm supplying the wealthy with illegal animals such as lions, tigers, and snakes. Frankie wants to do something to protect the endangered animals that are being held captive in horrendous conditions. She decides she will find a way to free the animals while capturing the bad guys in a trap of their own.

I like reading books that are targeted towards young readers as they usually filled with interesting story lines sprinkled with humor. I didn't really care for this book as it boring and completely unrealistic. I know a middle school aged child who is an expert thief is a bit unrealistic and should be taken with a grain of salt but, other things was just completely unbelievable and this didn't strike me as a fantasy novel. I felt it hard that a middle school-er could dress up and fool a bunch of adults that they are adults. I also found Frankie's personality confusing, she was acting like an "adult" but, did seriously childish things. Personally, I like books with a bit of humor and found this book just boring and unappealing. I wouldn't be interested in reading other books in this series.

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

 

About The Book:

Title: GOING WILD (The Infamous Frankie Lorde #2)

Author: Brittany Geragotelis

Pub. Date: August 3, 2021

Publisher: Pixel + Ink

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 304

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

In this upper middle grade series, a pre-teen international thief turns over a new leaf (sort of) to right societal wrongs in her snooty new town. For Frankie, using her less-than-legal set of skills to pull a heist against a crooked real estate mogul with the help of her new friend Ollie was super gratifying, but she's getting restless now. In the second book in the series, the potentially reformed thief dives into the dangerous and political world of trafficking exotic animals. Frankie and Ollie hear that there's a dangerous exotic animal farm supplying Greenwich's elite with lions and tigers and bears. Feeling an instant kinship with the endangered creatures locked away in their cages, Frankie makes it her mission to find the perpetrators, free the beautiful beasts, and ensnare the bad guys in a trap of her own.

Reviews:

"Fast and cinematic."—School Library Journal

"A thriller for fans of plot-driven stories."—Kirkus Reviews

 

Grab book 1 Stealing Greenwich now!

 

 

About Brittany Geragotelis: 

Brittany Geragotelis, a former Olympic-bound gymnast and magazine editor, is a self-professed pop culture junkie turned author. Her paranormal action book Life’s a Witch received 18 million reads on the writing site Wattpad.com. What the Spell is the first published book in the series, followed by Life’s a Witch and The Witch Is Back. The Infamous Frankie Lorde is her first series with Pixel+Ink. Brittany lives in Los Angeles with her awesome husband, two clever boys, one scaredy-cat, and a crazy dog.

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of GOING WILD, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/26/2021	Kait Plus Books	Guest Post
7/26/2021	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Guest Post
7/27/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
7/27/2021	BookHounds	Instagram Post
7/28/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
7/28/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Instagram Post
7/29/2021	More Books Please blog	Review
7/29/2021	More Books Please blog	Instagram Post
7/30/2021	The Phantom Paragrapher	Review
7/30/2021	The Phantom Paragrapher	Instagram Post

Week Two:

8/2/2021	Living in a Bookworld	Excerpt
8/2/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
8/3/2021	Books and Zebras	Review
8/3/2021	Midnightbooklover	Instagram Post
8/4/2021	The Momma Spot	Review
8/4/2021	The Momma Spot	Instagram Post
8/5/2021	Two Chicks on Books	Guest Post
8/5/2021	Jaimerockstarbooktours	Instagram Post
8/6/2021	Fire and Ice	Review
8/6/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review

Book Review - The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell

 

The first Mrs. Ford was a beautiful and accomplished socialite that was married to a younger man. She mysteriously died one day and left her wealth to her husband. The second Mrs. Ford is a waitress from a small town who is struggling to ends meet. They met during a summer fling ten years prior and now she is rich beyond her dreams. Connor Ford is a mysterious man who is beloved by two women. Is he a victim or the mastermind behind his first wife's death?

 The book was interesting a few pages in but, towards the middle it felt like it was dragging. The ending came as a one-two punch with a few twists but, those were seen miles away. I can't say that I cared for the main character of the book as she is one of the dumbest person I ever read. There was one scene someone alluded to a murderer being in the house and she got evidence for her case but, she leaves it barely hidden and goes to confront the person. I am not sure about you but, if there is someone wishing to do me harm I don't go directly to them to make myself and easy target. However, I would still be opened to reading other books by the author.

August 2021 Haul!

 

Yay, it's August that means only a few more months until my beloved Fall arrives. I am 100% done with this hot weather and can't wait for some cool evenings. This month I went completely overboard and bought tons of stuff. And as per usual, I finished 4 things :D

I got some generic looking Korean hand cream that looked fun and they were only $5 a tube. They came in vanilla, shea butter, honey matcha, lavender, and  sweet citrus. They seemed like a cheap way to brighten up a day. I like Margot Elena's products because of their pretty packaging and unique scents. I love their willow & water line and bought another shower gel from them. I love Rituals shower gel and bought their new (to me) Express Your Soul shower gel. I like using shower gels during the warmer months because of their scents and it feels refreshing.

I got a bunch of new MAC lipsticks that I am really excited to use. I got Give Me Fever, Sweetie and E for Effortless. I love Tarte Sugar Rush collection so, I decided to try their Strawberry lip glaze. I love Charlotte Tilbury's packaging and the name of this lipstick - Bond Girl. I am going to save it for most daring and sultry sweat pants wearing days. I heard so many good things about this IG popular brand - Dragun Beauty, that I got two lip products. I got Dragun blood and a really dark red which I can't make out the color name, I got this beautiful Huda Matte lipstick in Bawse. I am not sure why I keep buying so many lip products and I haven't finished a single color lip product other than one lip balm this year. I guess some people go to therapy, I buy lipstick. 

I been reading a lot lately and slouching which has been leading to back pains. I am so excited to try this CBD rub with Kopari. I have tried other CBD rubs and loved them. I got this new facial oil from Farmacy that I am excited to try. I got this weird but cool salmon cream (!!) by Byroe. I got a bunch of things I can't wait to try.

Is there anything you got recently that you love?

Book Review - Cold Hearted (Villains, #8) by Serena Valentino + Giveaway

 

The tale is familiar as time. A young beautiful maiden is grieving for the loss of her mother. Her doting father is desperate to give his daughter a new mother. However, the girl's new stepmother is cold, cruel and selfish and when her husband dies, she makes the girl a servant in her own home.

But who is the stepmother really? What is the true story behind her life and what lead to her being so closed off? Before the glass slipper and the prince, there was another love story being told. There was a widow who thought she lost the love of her life and would never find love again. Then she finds herself falling in love with someone else. Only after she gives her heart and money does she realize that she doesn't get her own happily ever after.

I love books that retell classic story with a twist. However, I was quite disappointed in this novel and found it to be boring. There was no special twist or an interesting moment in the entire story. I am not sure if its because I didn't read the other books in the series but, after reading this novel I don't think I would ever pick up the other books.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion**

 

 

About the Book

Title: COLD HEARTED (Villains #8)

Author: Serena Valentino

Pub. Date: July 6, 2021

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 304

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

This was supposed to be her happily ever after...

It’s a familiar tale: A kind and beautiful young girl, reeling from loss. A doting father, frantic to bring a mother’s love back into his daughter’s life. And the selfish, cruel woman who insinuates herself into that family―a woman so unfeeling, so cold hearted, that when her new husband dies, she makes the girl a servant in her own home.

But who is that evil stepmother, that icy lady of the house? How did she become so closed off that, in the face of a child’s grief, she thought only to seek wealth and power for herself and her abhorrent daughters? Before that fateful ball, before the glass slipper and the prince, there was another story―a story of love and grief, of hope and of dreams dashed. It is the story of Lady Tremaine.

Even the coldest of villains are sometimes wives and mothers, women who loved and lost and hoped for something grander for their lives . . . once upon a dream.

The latest novel in Serena Valentino’s deliciously devious Villains series introduces the most famed and hated wicked stepmother of them all―but turns everything you know about her on its head.

 

GRAB ALL THE VILLAINS BOOKS NOW!

Don’t miss Serena’s live stream on July 6^th on Creepy Kingdom’s YouTube Channel!

 

About Serena:

Serena Valentino has been weaving tales that combine mythos and guile for the past decade. She has earned critical acclaim in both the comic and horror domains, where she is known for her unique style of storytelling, bringing her readers into exquisitely frightening worlds filled with terror, beauty, and extraordinary protagonists. The books in her best-selling Villains series are best enjoyed when read in the following order: Fairest of All, The Beast Within, Poor Unfortunate Soul, Mistress of All Evil, Mother Knows Best, Odd Sisters, Evil Thing, and Cold Hearted.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of COLD HEARTED, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/1/2021	YABooksCentral	Excerpt
7/2/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
7/3/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review

Week Two:

7/4/2021	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
7/5/2021	She Just Loves Books	Review
7/6/2021	@curlygrannylovestoread	Review
7/7/2021	History from a Woman’s Perspective	Review
7/8/2021	@autumn.booked	Review
7/9/2021	@kristens.reading.nook	Review
7/10/2021	Fyrekatz Blog	Review

Week Three:

7/11/2021	The Reading Wordsmith	Review
7/12/2021	Lilly's Book World	Review
7/13/2021	BRITTREADSALATTEBOOKS	Review
7/14/2021	Phannie the ginger bookworm	Review
7/15/2021	@pagesofyellow	Review
7/16/2021	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review
7/17/2021	Don't Judge, Read	Review

Week Four:

7/18/2021	@under_the_aurora.borealis	Review
7/19/2021	A Fictional Bookworm	Review
7/20/2021	@minnesota_mailer	Review
7/21/2021	Books Are Magic Too	Review
7/22/2021	@lostinbookverse	Review
7/23/2021	hauntedbybooks	Review
7/24/2021	The Momma Spot	Review

Week Five:

7/25/2021	Books and Zebras @jypsylynn	Review
7/26/2021	Bookish Rantings	Review
7/27/2021	Book-Keeping	Review
7/28/2021	Popthebutterfly	Review
7/29/2021	Momfluenster	Review
7/30/2021	@fictitious.fox	Review
7/31/2021	two points of interest	Review

Book Review - Swimming Home by Mary-Rose MacColl

 

Catherine Quick is a young fifteen-year-old that loves to swim. She arrives in London from her native Australia after her beloved father passes away. She feels connected with her father when she swims. However, living in London with her aunt Louisa, Catherine feels everything she holds dearly to her has been taken away.

Louisa is a surgeon in London and is well known for her fight for equality for women. She has strict opinions and views on the appropriate behavior for her young niece. Louisa wants Catherine to focus on getting her education as she did. However, Catherine is rebellious and she is trying to find a way to fit into her new life. Louisa can't help to worry about Catherine's choices as she deals with her own past trauma.  During a chance meeting with American banker, Manfred Lear Black, Louisa decides to bring Catherine to NY to train to swim the English Channel. Louisa is hesitant at first but, then she tries to listen to her heart.

I thought the novel was a rather boring and drawn-out read. I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters. I didn't care for Louisa as a person because she claims she wants equality for women but, makes choices for other women without their knowledge or consent. However, she was upset when someone did the same thing to her.

Book Review - The House of Whispers by Laura Purcell

 

 

Louise Pinecroft has lost most of her family to consumption. Only she and her father were left unscathed but, they are incredibly lonely and heartbroken. Here father, Dr. Pinecroft, decides that he will run an experiment to prove that he can cure the disease that killed his family. He believes that the sea air can cure consumption. He arranges for a group of prisoners who have been ravished by consumption to stay in the caves under his new Cornish home. While he devotes himself to the experiment, Louise finds herself surrounded by a maid who is convinced that fairies will take people from their homes.

Forty years later, Hester arrives at Morvoren House to become a nurse for the partially paralyzed and mute Miss Pinecroft. Hester takes the position because she is running from her past. However, she finds herself surrounded by superstitious staff who conducts weird rituals and mysterious events occur during the night. Will Hester's past come back to haunt her?

I have read a few books by the author so, I was excited to read this book. However, I was disappointed how boring this novel was. I felt like the author built up the story line but, the ending was very unsatisfying as it didn't really answer anything. The story is told across three different timelines and each add a bit to the story but, the author failed to make them into a cohesive and enjoyable story.

Book Review - Come Back to Me (Waters of Time, #1) by Jody Hedlund

 

Marian Creighton doesn't believe there is an ultimate cure that could cure any disease. She doesn't believe in her father's quest to find the cure for the disease that killed their mother and has affected her sister. However, Marian's father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water that is believe to contain trace residue from the Tree of Life. Marian begins to question everything she thought she knew. Marian tries to study the clues that her father left behind to see if he crossed back in time. She didn't think it was possible until she found herself back in time during the Middle Ages.

William Durham is a knight for the king and comes to Marian rescue. He is willing to offer protection if she becomes his wife. As Marian stays longer in the Middle Age, she begins to care for William. Will she find a way to return to the present?

I thought the book had an interesting premise but, I didn't quite care for the book. I was more than one third of the way done before I lost interest in the novel. I felt like it was boring and moved very slowly. If you like time traveling romance novels with hints of medical drama, then this would be a good read for you.

 

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

July 2021 Empties Part 2!

 

I feel like today is the first day of July and not that the month is almost over. But, I am not going to lie I am very excited for Fall weather. I didn't finish too much this round but, I did make a dent in my full size items.

I loved the BBW shower gel, it had a nice relaxing scent. I used it before leaving my apartment and it leaves me in a calm mindset. I did notice that I had to be generous with the product otherwise, I didn't have enough to lather up for the entire shower. It did leave my skin delicately scented and it lasted through the day. I would buy this again if its on sale.

I heard of this clean brand called Meta~Pora so, I was excited to try it. I heard that turmeric is good for skin but, I was quite disappointed by this mask. It left my feeling tight and it cause tingly feeling that was uncomfortable. I didn't really notice a difference between the mask and other masks I have used in the past. I doubt I would repurchase again.

I have tried Perricone MD in the past and had mixed results before. I really liked this moisturizer and felt like that it showed noticeable results after the first use. My skin felt softer and moisturized especially after using a facial sheet. When I used this with moisturizer and the Skin Inc. serum, my skin looked flawless. 

I saw that Tower 28 lip gloss got glowing reviews and I know why. This lip gloss felt like heaven on my lips. After the sticky part wore off my lips were still hydrated through the day. I would definitely buy this again.

Here is everything I finished -

BBW Aromatherapy Sleep Lavender + Vanilla Body Wash

Tula Skincare Keep it Clear Acne Foam Cleanser

Goodal Waterest First Essence

SkinInc Collagen Serum

Tower 28 Lip Jelly - Chill

Meta ~ Pora Exfoliating Mask Yellow Clay & Turmeric

Perricone MD Essential Fx Acyl - Glutathione Rejuvenating Moisturizer

Bliss Rose Gold Rescue Gentle Moisture Cream

Boudoir Peony Scented Soap

Facetory Everyday Pearl Face Sheet

Logically, Skin Aquatide Soothing & Lifting Mask

Frudia Natural Hydration Maintains Moisture

Nooni Snowflake Whipping Cleanser

Book Review - The New Girl by Harriet Walker

 

Margot Jones is the fashion editor at a famous fashion magazine. She is pregnant with her first child. Margot's life is the envy of other women. She has a successful career, a beautiful home, gorgeous clothes, and a doting husband.

Maggie is a freelance journalist and is envious of Margot. She wishes that she can have Margot's life. When Margot offers Maggie the temp job of covering Margot's maternity leave, Maggie is excited. She knows the job is only for a few months but, she can't help but want more.

When Margot gives birth, her oldest friend decides to end their friendship. This causes her to feel insecure and suspicious of everyone. Margot eyes everything with paranoia especially, when an online troll starts a vicious attack on her. Margot's perfect facade starts to break and it might expose a dark secret she spent years keeping.

I thought this book was going to be a thriller and it turned out to be a completely pointless book. I honestly don't think this book needed to be published. There was nothing that made this book a thriller because the story line line was two women complaining and comparing each other to themselves. The story kept dragging on to the point where I wanted to throw the book into the trash. The ending was far fetched and seemed silly. The mastermind behind "everything" needed help and to face the consequences of their actions but, it was like they brushed it under the rug.