Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Book Review - Vladimir by Julia May Jonas

 

The narrator mentions in the beginning of the novel that when she was younger, she knew old men loved her and she loved them back. She is a popular English professor who teaches at the same small liberal arts college as her husband. Her husband, John, is a charismatic professor but, he's also under investigation for having affairs with his former students. The couple have a long standing agreement when it comes to their extra-marital pursuits, but with these allegations, it has made life far more uncomfortable for the both of them. Then our narrator becomes obsessed and falls head over heels in love with Vladimir, a new highly celebrated young married novelist who joins the department. 

I thought this was going to be an interesting spin on "Lolita" but, this novel was an absolute bore. The short novel goes on and on about random and meaningless details. For example, on two separate occasion the author decides to write out a ten plus item grocery list or she gives step by step description of items she is cooking. I also don't like how the author switches her train of thought randomly and constantly. I feel like this distracting and makes the dialogue feel disjointed. For example, the narrator starts analyzing her workload and then she starts thinking about her relationship with her husband and then jumps back to her workload all in the same thought. And then her inner self reflections go on and on and add nothing to the story. I was more than 75% done with the novel before I lost interest in the novel as I am yet to see a story emerge. If you like long self reflections with tons of details, then you will enjoy this book.

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Book Review - Amelia Earhart (The First Names Series) by Andrew Prentice

 

This is the first book in the First Name Series. The book allows little readers to learn more about Amelia Earhart's life before she became a world famous pilot. Amelia's love for flying began when she visited an airfield and took a short plane ride. She was a tomboy growing up and had a taste for adventure and that plane ride only fueled her need for adventure more.  As Amelia tries to save up money to fly more often, she explores different career opportunities such as, teaching and becoming a nurse.

I usually like reading biographies that are geared towards younger readers as they are usually fun to read. However, I found the writing style to be dull and it felt like I was reading a textbook. I found it hard to engage and keep my interest. I did learn a few interesting things about Amelia and I would be opened to reading other books from the series. I also like that the author included an index, a glossary, and an aviation timeline.

Friday, April 8, 2022

Book Review - Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman

 

Joey Green returns to Beaufort, South Carolina to visit his ailing father who suffers from dementia. He offers to watch over his father while his stressed mother take a break. Marshall Green's short term memory has been severely affected by dementia but, his long term memory is still strong as ever. At times, Marshall's mind slips back into time and believes that he is still a boy growing up in Beaufort.

At first, Joey feels this father's slipping memory to be benign. But, when a murder occurs near their home Joey is worried about his father when his father's hallucinatory arguments hint to deadly secrets and scandals.

I thought the book was an okay read. There were moments that I felt were a bit ridiculous like when Joey's mother was yelling at him to make the police stop questioning his father. I felt that it was silly since Joey wasn't a lawyer or had any power to make the questioning stop. The scenes where the characters interacted with the police to be a bit farfetched. Towards the middle of the book, the pacing felt a bit off. That the characters discovered things and another character would reveal the same thing again. And then the killer's relationship with Joey seemed to come out of nowhere. That relationship from zero to hundred in a few days and almost with no interaction with each other.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

April 2022 Empties!

 

I finished quite a few things this month! But, I need to hold on to this momentum and not buy anything else...or at least try not to ;)

I finished a few masks this month. I was trying to do a new sheet mask every other day and I think I managed to meet that goal. I like the Let Me Skin mask because it was so hydrating. I am not sure why it was called "ultra bubble" but, it was super hydrating.  I like the Purenskin Natural Effect Real Green Tea Mask but, it was a bit more messy than it needed to be. I also had a hard time to pop the bubble to mix the products. I liked the Super Hyalon G:H8 Super Hyalon Ampoule product. However, I felt like the packaging was a bit wasteful.

I like the creamy Payot Paris Hydra 24+ Creme Glacee. It goes on smoothly and my skin just drinks it up. I wasn't a fan of the Meta~Pora Smile Daily Eye Serum. I didn't really notice any results and felt like it was just regular aloe vera I was rubbing on.

Here is everything I finished this month -

Frecipe Peach Jelly Bomb Mask
Nature Republic Acai Berry Mask Sheet
Jant Blanc Honey Essential Sheet Mask
Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack - Rose
Miss Spa Brighten Mask
Innisfree Kiwi Face Mask
Let Me Skin Ultra Bubble Bubble 02 Mask
Bathorium Crush Baslam Fir + Frankincense
Innisfree Green Tea Face Mask
Innisfree Pomegranate Face Mask
Feel Brilliant Bamboo Charcoal Sheet Mask
Purenskin Natural Effect Real Green Tea Mask
Bathorium Crush Vanilla Cream
Purenskin Pear Mask
Skinfactory Aqua Skin-in
Flaunt by Lauren Napier Facial Cleansing Wipes
Super Hyalon G:H8 Super Hyalon Ampoule
Y.N.M. Quick Morning Mask
Bathorium Mistletoe + Holly
Dr. Jart+ Pore Minimalist Black Charcoal Sheet Mask
Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb
Payot Paris Hydra 24+ Creme Glacee
Earth Harbor Tidal Rose Crystal Hydration Mist
Laura Geller Dramalash Maximum Volumizing Mascara
Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo
Meta~Pora Smile Daily Eye Serum
Nuria Defend Skin Shielding Essence
Tsubaki Extra Moist Conditioner
Whish Exfoliating Foot Mask
Earth to Skin Tea Time White Tea Cleanser
Olay Regenerist Regenerating Cream Cleanser

Monday, April 4, 2022

Book Review - Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill + Giveaway

 

Theresa Plane believes she owes it  her grandfather to save the family name after everything he has sacrificed for her. She plans to help clear their debt with creditors before she can marry Edward Greystone. As one of the creditor's threats lands her in a midnight meeting with some questionable people, she realizes that her grandfather is hiding more from her. The secrets that he kept is endangering Theresa's chances to keep their home and her life.

Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove feels that he is about to uncover the identity of the leader of a counterfeiting ring after months of undercover work. He is heartbroken when he realizes that his former fiancée is connected to his case. Broderick feels that she has been unwittingly pulled into joining and he plans on proving her innocence even if he destroys his career.

They decide that they have to trust each other. However, they both are keeping secrets from each other that can cost them their lives. Will they be able to trust each other?

I thought this was going to be an interesting read. However, I felt myself being bored while reading this. Theresa and Broderick seem to have a backstory but, it's never been disclosed to us. Instead we get bits and pieces as the story slowly progresses. I feel like trying to find out more about the characters was like trying to draw blood from stone. I felt like the author should have done another book that explained the characters' backstory otherwise, the readers are left out from any connections and nuances. I stopped reading one third of the way in as there was nothing keeping me tethered to the book.

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


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Saturday, April 2, 2022

Book Review - The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin

 


It's 1914, and twenty-five-year-old Frances Marion is ready for a change. She left her second husband and Northern California for the lure of Los Angeles. She is determined to live independently and follow her own dreams. While trying to decide what she wants to focus on, Marion comes across something called "flickers". Flickers is a new silent movie capturing the hearts and attention of people. 

Frances believes it's her calling to take part of this fledgling industry. She is excited that she is able to write stories for people to view. Marion is besotted when she makes the acquaintance of actress Mary Pickford and befriends her. Mary is known for her signature golden curls and her charm. She is known to people as "America's Sweetheart".

When their ambitions gets challenged by men around them and the limitations imposed on their gender, they realize  success comes at a price. Mary is the world's highest paid actress and she struggles to live the life she wants under the spotlight. She is afraid of losing her fans but, when she finds herself in love with a fellow actor Douglas Fairbanks, she has to decide if she is willing to lose her fame for love. Frances longs to share her life with someone but, she's afraid that she would have to give up her career.

At first I was really enjoying the novel and learning more about the two women. However, towards the middle of the book, I felt like the novel became boring and repetitive. I felt like the author tried describing how things might have happened but, failed to talk about how the characters really felt until the very end of the book. I felt like the book would have been better if it was shorter and had character development. I did like reading about their accomplishments and their experience in the industry.

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Book Spotlight - A Darkening of Dragons by S.A. Patrick + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: A DARKENING OF DRAGONS (Songs of Magic #1)

Author: S.A. Patrick

Pub. Date: April 1, 2022

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 400

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Audible, B&NiBooks Audiobook, Kobo AudiobookTBD, Bookshop.org

Three accidental heroes encounter one legendary villain in an epic dragon-filled adventure just right for young fans of Terry Pratchett, J.R.R. Tolkien, and How to Train Your Dragon!

13-year old piper Patch Brightwater is a boy in disgrace. Thrown in jail for playing a forbidden spell, he is no one's idea of a hero. But then he discovers a deadly truth – the evil Piper of Hamelyn is on the loose.

With the help of Wren, a girl cursed to live as a rat, and Barver, a fire-breathing dracogriff, Patch must stop the Piper from sparking the biggest battle of them all.

S.A. Patrick’s debut children’s novel is a vivid retelling of one of the darkest legends of all time – the Piper of Hamelyn. Combining fairy tale lore with the very best of modern storytelling and empowerment, A Darkening of Dragons takes fantasy fans on a journey filled with adventure, magic, and the delight of finding friends in unexpected places. Perfect for fans of The Hobbit, Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching books, and How to Train Your Dragon.

A Carnegie Medal nominee. 


About S.A. Patrick:

S. A. Patrick was born in Belfast. When he was a child, he wanted to write video games, become an author, and have magical powers. The first two came true. If he ever does get magical powers, he hopes people like dragons and griffins because there’ll suddenly be a lot of them around. He lives in England.

 

Twitter | Goodreads

 





Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of A DARKENING OF DRAGONS, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/28/2022

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt/IG Post

3/28/2022

@enjoyingbooksagain

Excerpt

3/29/2022

Books a Plenty Book Reviews

Review

3/29/2022

More Books Please blog

Review/IG Post

3/30/2022

The Bookwyrm's Den

Review

3/30/2022

Log Cabin Library

Review

3/31/2022

Nerdophiles

Review

3/31/2022

Onemused

IG Spotlight

4/1/2022

Nonbinary Knight Reads

Review/IG Post

4/1/2022

Lifestyle of Me

Review

Week Two:

4/4/2022

Ravenz Reviewz

Review/IG Post

4/4/2022

@coffeesipsandreads

Review

4/5/2022

Two Points of Interest

Review

4/5/2022

One More Exclamation

Review/IG Post

4/6/2022

Rajiv's Reviews

Review/IG Post

4/6/2022

BookHounds YA

Review

4/7/2022

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Review/IG Post

4/7/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

4/8/2022

Locks, Hooks and Books

Review

4/8/2022

@lexijava

Review/IG Post


Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Book Spotlight - The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra

 

About The Book:

Title: THE RUMOR GAME

Author: Dhonielle Clayton & Sona Charaipotra

Pub. Date: March 1, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 480

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, AudibleB&NiBooks(audiobook), KoboTBD, Bookshop.org

All it takes is one spark to start a blaze.

At Foxham Prep, a posh private school for the children of DC’s elite, a single rumor has the power to ruin a life.

Nobody knows that better than Bryn. She used to have it all—the perfect boyfriend, a bright future in politics, and even popularity, thanks to her best friend, cheer captain Cora. Then one mistake sparked a scandal that burned it all to the ground.

Now it’s the start of a new school year and the spotlight has shifted: It’s geeky Georgie, newly hot after a summer makeover, whose name is on everyone’s lips. When a rumor ignites, Georgie rockets up the school’s social hierarchy, pitting her and Cora against each other. It grants her Foxham stardom . . . but it also makes her a target.

As the rumors grow and morph, blazing like wildfire through the school’s social media, all three girls’ lives begin to unravel. But one person close to the drama has the power to stop the gossip in its tracks. The question is—do they even want to?

From Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra, authors of the Tiny Pretty Things duology (now a Netflix series), comes the edge-of-your-seat social thriller everyone will be talking about.

Review:

"A juicy, elegant, absolutely flawless thriller with a twist. It's the diverse Gossip Girl we've been waiting for!"―Tiffany D. Jackson, New York Times best-selling author of Grown and White Smoke

 

 

About Dhonielle Clayton:

Dhonielle Clayton is the New York Times best-selling author of the Belles series, The Mirror: Shattered Midnight, and the coauthor of Blackout and the Tiny Pretty Things duology, now a Netflix original series. She hails from the Washington, DC, suburbs on the Maryland side. She taught secondary school for several years, and is a former elementary and middle school librarian. She is COO of the non-profit We Need Diverse Books, and president of Cake Creative, an IP story kitchen dedicated to diverse representation. She’s an avid traveler, and always on the hunt for magic and mischief. Up next: The Marvellers, her middle grade fantasy debut. You can find her on social media @brownbookworm.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

About Sona Charaipotra:

Sona Charaipotra is the author of Symptoms of a Heartbreak and How Maya Got Fierce, and coauthor of the Tiny Pretty Things duology, now a Netflix original series. She earned her master’s in screenwriting from NYU and an MFA in creative writing from the New School. A working journalist, Sona has held editorial roles at People, TeenPeople, ABCNews.com, MSN, and most recently, the Barnes & Noble Teen Blog (RIP), and contributed to publications from the New York Times to TeenVogue. She is a former We Need Diverse Books board member, and co-founder of CAKE Literary, a boutique book packager focused on high-concept diverse titles. Find her on the web talking about books, Bollywood movies, and chai.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Goodreads | BookBub

 

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE RUMOR GAME, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/1/2022

For the Love of KidLit

Excerpt

3/2/2022

The Reading Devil

Excerpt

3/3/2022

Rajiv's Reviews

Review/IG Post

3/4/2022

BookHounds YA

Review/IG Post

3/5/2022

Lifestyle of Me

Review

Week Two:

3/6/2022

The book review crew

Review/IG Post

3/7/2022

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt/IG Post

3/8/2022

@coffeesipsandreads

Review/IG Post

3/9/2022

Excuse Me, I’m Reading

Review

3/10/2022

Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog

Review/IG Post

3/11/2022

YA Book Nerd

Review/IG Post

3/12/2022

onemoreexclamation

Review/IG Post

Week Three:

3/13/2022

@capturedfiction

Review

3/14/2022

Fyrekatz Blog

Review

3/15/2022

Cindy's Love of Books

Review

3/16/2022

Karen Dee's Book Reviews

Review/IG Post

3/17/2022

Confessions of a YA Reader

Excerpt

3/18/2022

Fire and Ice

Review

3/19/2022

Lady Hawkeye

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Four:

3/20/2022

boozybook blog

Review/IG Post

3/21/2022

The Book View

Review/IG Post

3/22/2022

The Girl Who Reads

Review/IG Post

3/23/2022

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

3/24/2022

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt

3/25/2022

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt

3/26/2022

YABooksCentral

Excerpt

Week Five:

3/27/2022

onemused

Review/IG Post

3/28/2022

Nerdophiles

Review

3/29/2022

Two Points of Interest

Review

3/30/2022

@jypsylynn

Review/IG Post

3/31/2022

Momfluenster

Review/IG Post


Sunday, March 27, 2022

March 2022 Haul Part 2!

 

I can't believe March is over already. It felt like it took forever but, also went by pretty quickly some days. I am looking forward to brighter days and warmer weather. I think Spring and Fall have the best weather.

I got tons of great goodies this month that I am excited to use. I love eucalyptus so when I saw the shower steamers from Lujobar, I knew I had to get them. I can't wait to take a shower later and use them. I got two new bars of soap which I am so super excited to try. I got one from Megababe called space bar. I believe it's for underarms but, honestly I might use it for all over. I recently discovered stress sweating is a horrible beast and smells 1,000x worse than regular sweating. I am definitely going to start using these during more stressful weeks.

I got a few things from UMM skincare and this brand looks so luxurious. Their "The Bar" smells amazing and it has so many delicious and good for you ingredients. Their hand and body butter has scents of jasmine, sandalwood, and rose. It looks so creamy I can't wait to rub this in. The body oil is so amazing and it has bits of 24kt gold and saffron. Everything I have gotten smells amazing and I can't wait to try them.

I got this $249 cream from Lancome called Absolute Rich Cream. You have to be rich to afford this cream. I am hoping that it both works and it doesn't so I don't get stuck buying more. I got a new facial oil from Herbivore that I am exciting to try. I love facial oils and this one has a cool name!

Is there any you got this month that you are excited to try?

Friday, March 25, 2022

Book Spotlight - It's The End of the World and I'm In My Bathing Suit by Justin A. Reynolds + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD AND I’M IN MY BATHING SUIT

Author: Justin A. Reynolds

Pub. Date: April 5, 2022

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 304

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, Kindle, Audible, B&NiBooks, KoboTBD, Bookshop.org

Twelve-year-old Eddie Gordon Holloway has concocted his most genius plan ever to avoid chores... especially the dreaded L-A-U-N-D-R-Y. If he can wear all the clothes he owns, he'll only have to do the laundry once during his school break.

On the day of the highly anticipated Beach Bash, Eddie's monstrous pile of dirty laundry is found by his mom. And Eddie's day has just taken a turn for the worst. Now he's stuck at home by himself, missing the bash, and doing his whole pile of laundry. But mid-cycle, the power goes out!

With his first load of laundry wet and the rest of his stuff still filthy, he sets out to explore the seemingly empty neighborhood in his glow-in-the-dark swim trunks, flip-flops, and a beach towel. He soon meets up with other neighborhood kids: newcomer Xavier (who was mid-haircut and has half his head shaved), Eddie's former friend Sonia (who has spent her entire break trying to beat a video game and was mid-battle with the final boss), and siblings Trey and Sage (who are dealing with major sibling drama).

As they group up to cover more ground and find out what happened, they realize that their families aren't coming back anytime soon. And as night falls, the crew realizes that they aren't just the only people left in the neighborhood, they might be the only people left... anywhere.

Book Trailer:


Justin talks about IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD AND I’M IN MY BATHING SUIT



 

About Justin A. Reynolds:

JUSTIN A. REYNOLDS has always wanted to be a writer. Opposite of Always, his debut novel, was an Indies Introduce selection, a School Library Journal Best Book, has been translated in 17 languages, and is being developed for film with Paramount Players. He hangs out in northeast Ohio with his family and likes it, and is probably somewhere, right now, dancing terribly. His second novel, Early Departures, published September 2020. In spring 2021, he teamed up with Marvel and Graphix to release his debut graphic novel, Miles Morales: Shock Waves. You can find him at justinareynolds.com.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD AND I’M IN MY BATHING SUIT, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/21/2022

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt

3/21/2022

For the Love of KidLit

Excerpt

3/22/2022

BookHounds YA

Excerpt

3/22/2022

@jael_and_jenessa_reads

Review

3/23/2022

Rajiv's Reviews

Review

3/23/2022

Lifestyle of Me

Review

3/24/2022

Nerdophiles

Review

3/24/2022

Cindy's Love of Books

Review

3/25/2022

Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog

Review

3/25/2022

The Reading Wordsmith

Review

Week Two:

3/28/2022

The Bookwyrm's Den

Review

3/28/2022

Two Points of Interest

Review

3/29/2022

Nonbinary Knight Reads

Review

3/29/2022

One More Exclamation

Review

3/30/2022

@drewsim12

Review

3/30/2022

Ravenz Reviewz

Review

3/31/2022

More Books Please blog

Review

3/31/2022

@coffeesipsandreads

Review

4/1/2022

The Momma Spot

Review

4/1/2022

fictionologyst

Review