February 2015 – Page 2 – Cindy's Love Of Books

Freedom to Read Week February 22nd to 28th

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Cindy

Next week in Canada its Freedom to Read Week and it encourages us Canadians to think about what we read and to reaffirm our rights to what we read. We have the right to read whatever we want and we shouldn’t be told what we aren’t allowed to read.

Next week I am making a commitment to read a few banned books.

Here is a LINK to some of the challenged books in Canada. I am surprised at some of the books and magazines that are on this list. Are you?

Hopefully I will make it to the library to grab a few books but if not I plan on reading The Giver by Lois Lowry and To Kill A Mocking bird by Harper Lee.

Since I have Next Issue on my iPad I plan on catching up on reading MacLean’s magazine.

Do you have any plans on taking part in The Freedom To Read week? Reading any banned books?

Just a reminder that Banned Book Week is happening September 27th to October 3rd 2015 in the US.

Censorship in Canada

Freedom to read can never be taken for granted. Even in Canada, a free country by world standards, books and magazines are banned at the border. Books are removed from the shelves in Canadian libraries, schools and bookstores every day. Free speech on the Internet is under attack. Few of these stories make headlines, but they affect the right of Canadians to decide for themselves what they choose to read.

Meme/Waiting on Wednesday #7

Posted on February 18, 2015January 26, 2015 by Cindy

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine and its spotlights upcoming books that we are eagerly waiting for. I plan on including upcoming releases and books that are already released.

This week I am featuring:

Seventeen-year-old Twylla lives in the castle. But although she’s engaged to the prince, Twylla isn’t exactly a member of the court.

She’s the executioner.

As the Goddess embodied, Twylla instantly kills anyone she touches. Each month, she’s taken to the prison and forced to lay her hands on those accused of treason. No one will ever love a girl with murder in her veins. Even the prince, whose royal blood supposedly makes him immune to Twylla’s fatal touch, avoids her company.

But then a new guard arrives, a boy whose easy smile belies his deadly swordsmanship. And unlike the others, he’s able to look past Twylla’s executioner robes and see the girl, not the Goddess. Yet Twylla’s been promised to the prince, and knows what happens to people who cross the queen.

However, a treasonous secret is the least of Twylla’s problems. The queen has a plan to destroy her enemies, a plan that requires a stomach-churning, unthinkable sacrifice. Will Twylla do what it takes to protect her kingdom? Or will she abandon her duty in favor of a doomed love?

On sale February 24th from Scholastic

Fortune Cookie Soap The Soap Box Spring 2015 Edition

Posted on February 17, 2015February 23, 2015 by Cindy

All subscription boxes will include 8 exclusive FCS products in adorable mini-sizes. You will also receive a $10 FCS gift code with each Soap Box, that can be redeemed online or in our retail store. Price includes shipping.

Cost for the Soap Box is:

United States $19.99 and its billed every 3 months
Canada $28.00 and its billed every 3 months
International $34.00 and its billed every 3 months
Summer box is now open CLICK ON THIS

I probably begin each and every Fortune Cookie Soap unboxing post by saying that this is my favorite quarterly subscription box and honestly it is my absolute favorite subscription box out there. Please note that I am not sponsored by them and these boxes are purchased by me so this is my honest and sincere opinion.

The theme this month is Wonderland. This box smelled so good when I opened it. If this is what Spring is suppose to smell like then bring it on.

“Almost Alice” Fortune Cookie Soap. The soap is a baby blue colored soap and it smells heavenly. Smelling this makes me think of spring and what spring should smell like. Its a fresh green snap peas and juicy pears brighten this bouquest of sweet pea flowers and freesia, sprinkled with ripe berries. Each fortune cookie soap comes with a fortune and mine said “Which luckily I am.”

“Twisted Tea Party” bath tea is a whole new concept to me. I never knew what they were until I started to get beauty box subscriptions. All you have to do is get a bath running and drop it in. This is another scent that when I smell I instantly think of spring. This is a light refreshing green tea with notes of sweet herbs, vanilla bean, cucumber, golden amber and hits of neroli and geranium stirred with a bright sprig of spearmint.

“Who Are You?” Incense Cones. I was curious when I saw the little bag in the box because I had no idea what it was. I instantly thought of my aunt because she use to always burn incense cones. This is a mysterious mixture of crisp, ripe, pear twisted with tart limes, vanilla orchid, and a dash of raw can sugar. I got seven in the bag.

“It’s Only a Dream” Whipped Cream. I love that they give you a generous sample size of their items espeically there whipped creams because you get alot of uses out of them. This is a calming verbena. lemongrass, calla lily and citrus blended with leafy greens, ylang-ylang, rosewood and ozone with hints of soft musk and roses.

It smells spring like and the whipped cream isn’t greasy and it absorbs into the skin quickly leaving a fresh spring like smell on your hands.

“Off With Their Heads” bath bomb. I love bath bombs so I am excited to use this up. Its lemon and orange scented mixed with wild roses, violets and star jasmine perfumed with tones of bergamont and Egyptian musk. I was expecting something else when I smelled this such as a spring scent and its not really that but still smells really nice.

“Futterwacken” body wash. When I saw this I instantly thought I was getting alcohol because its in that kind of packaging but then I realize that hey FCS wouldn’t do that or would they? Its bright orange and I when I smelled it I instantly thought of the orange crush pop (soda). This is a sun warmed lilies brightened with a splash of grapefruit and a breath of fresh air. I have a feeling that this will be used up in one shower oh no!

“Eat Me” Perfume Oil. This is another item that I am getting use to using. A little goes a long way when you wear it. I think this was one that I took forever to try and figure out that scents and I was wrong. Its yellow cake with fresh slathering of rich creamy vanilla frosting topped with fresh white pineapple slices with sprigs of cilantro. Even after I read the card I was still trying to figure it out.

Finally the last item in the box is the “We’re All Mad Here” OCD Hand Sanitizer. Just an FYI don’t use if you have a cut on your hand because it will hurt like he**. I love that we always get these because I love throwing them in a purse to have on hand when we are out and in a pinch. The scent was really nice and not strong. The scent is playful mint waters and natural leafy green notes along with a musky rich cedarwood.

This was another amazing box and I have to say it came at the perfect time. I am in dire need of some spring because I am getting tired of the bitter cold winter we are having. Getting this box makes it feel like spring is just around the corner and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I will always say that this subscription is worth it. This will always be a box that I will keep subscribed to.

The spring box will be launching later this week (February 27th at 6:30pm CST) and you will be able to purchase the above products then.

They have also opened up the signups for the Summer box. I have include the link above.

Review & Blog Tour/ New Uses For Old Boyfriends

Posted on February 16, 2015February 17, 2015 by Cindy

New Uses For Old Boyfriends Series: Black Dog bay #2

by Beth Kendrick
Format: Paperback
Published by Penguin on February 3rd 2015
Pages: 336
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Genres: Contemporary Women, Fiction

After growing up in privilege and marrying into money, Lila Alders has gotten used to the good life. But when her happily-ever-after implodes, Lila must return to Black Dog Bay, the tiny seaside town where she grew up. She’s desperate for a safe haven, but everything has changed over the past ten years. Her family’s fortune is gone—and her mother is in total denial. It’s up to Lila to take care of everything...but she can barely take care of herself.The former golden girl of Black Dog Bay struggles to reinvent herself by opening a vintage clothing boutique. But even as Lila finds new purpose for outdated dresses and tries to reunite with her ex, she realizes that sometimes it’s too late for old dreams. She’s lost everything she thought she needed but found something—someone—she desperately wants. A boy she hardly noticed has grown up into a man she can’t forget...and a second chance has never felt so much like first love.READERS GUIDE INCLUDED

I received this book for free from publisher/pr firm in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This is the second book in the Black Dog Bay series and I have to admit at first I didn’t realize it until I was reading it and a few characters names popped up that I am like I have seen their names before so I quickly had to check it out and yes this is the second book but let me tell you that you don’t really need to read the first one, Cure For The Common breakup to follow along with this book.

Like I mentioned in my review for Cure For The Common Breakup, I have never read anything by Beth Kendrick before this and I am really interested in reading more because I really enjoy her writing. So I will be checking out her other books very soon.

Lila is the main character in New Uses For Old Boyfriends and she is living the dream life. She is married and is one of the host of a shopping channel. She thinks things are good until her husband divorces her and leaves her with barely anything. She decides to move back home and help her mother out since she recently lost her father.

Lila things that things are good for her mother and that there is enough money to take care of herself and possibly Lila but she quickly realizes thats not the case. Not only is Lila in financial trouble but so is her mother. Lila always thought that her father had everything in control but realizes things weren’t as they seemed and it seems like her mother, Daphne who was once a model in her younger days has a shopping problem and it leaves them no choice but to have to sell the house in order to get out of the red.

Daphne wants nothing to do with that and fights every step of the way and its only when Lila discovers that the situation is more serious then expected. When Lila discovers all the vintage gowns and clothes hidden away she encourages her mother to sell them and once they realize there is a demand they thing that this could be the answer to their financial problems.

Now no book would be complete without a little romance and Lila has her share of it. Her mother has her sights set on Ben an old high school boyfriend that would be the perfect man for Lila. Lila at first thinks she could rekindle that romance but so discovers that Ben has his sights on someone else that he is hoping will work out and will it?

The second man, Malcolm, who she discovers by accident and who I have to say that I actually liked from the moment he was introduced. Back in high school Lila had snubbed him and he remembered it like it was yesterday he slowly chips away at her but will be win her heart?

I really enjoyed reading this book and it was a fun and quick read. The third book is called Put A Ring On It and its out November 2015 and you know I will be reading this when it comes out.

Meme/Waiting on Wednesday #6

Posted on February 11, 2015January 26, 2015 by Cindy

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine and its spotlights upcoming books that we are eagerly waiting for. I plan on including upcoming releases and books that are already released.

This week I am featuring:

From the Back Cover

A spinning wheel.
A prick of a finger.
A Terrible curse.

One hundred years after falling asleep, Princess Aurora wakes up to the kiss of a handsome prince and a broken kingdom that has been dreaming of her return. All the books say that she should be living happily ever after. But as Aurora understands all too well, the truth is nothing like the fairy tale.

Her family is long dead. Her “true love” is a kind stranger. And her whole life has been planned out by political foes while she slept. Everyone expects Aurora to marry her betrothed and restore magic and peace to the kingdom before revolution tears it apart. But after a lifetime spent locked in a tower for her own safety, Aurora longs for the freedom to make her own choices. When she meets a handsome rebel, she is tempted to abandon everything for a different kind of life.

As Aurora struggles to make sense of her new world, she begins to fear that the curse has left its mark on her, a fiery and dangerous thing that might be as wicked as the witch who once ensnared her. With her wedding day drawing near, Aurora must make the ultimate decision on how to save her kingdom: marry the prince or run.

A Wicked Thing is a surprising, spellbinding reimagining of what happens after happily ever after.

On sale February 24th from HarperTeen.

Review/ After

Posted on February 10, 2015February 11, 2015 by Cindy

After Series: After Series #1

by Anna Todd
Format: Paperback
Published by Simon and Schuster on October 21st 2014
Pages: 592
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Genres: Contemporary, Contemporary Women, Fiction, General, New Adult, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Suspense, Thrillers

Now newly revised and expanded, Anna Todd’s After fanfiction racked up 1 billion reads online and captivated readers across the globe. Experience the Internet’s most talked-about book for yourself!There was the time before Tessa met Hardin, and then there’s everything AFTER... Life will never be the same. #HessaTessa is a good girl with a sweet, reliable boyfriend back home. She’s got direction, ambition, and a mother who’s intent on keeping her that way. But she’s barely moved into her freshman dorm when she runs into Hardin. With his tousled brown hair, cocky British accent, tattoos, and lip ring, Hardin is cute and different from what she’s used to. But he’s also rude—to the point of cruelty, even. For all his attitude, Tessa should hate Hardin. And she does—until she finds herself alone with him in his room. Something about his dark mood grabs her, and when they kiss it ignites within her a passion she’s never known before. He’ll call her beautiful, then insist he isn’t the one for her and disappear again and again. Despite the reckless way he treats her, Tessa is compelled to dig deeper and find the real Hardin beneath all his lies. He pushes her away again and again, yet every time she pushes back, he only pulls her in deeper. Tessa already has the perfect boyfriend. So why is she trying so hard to overcome her own hurt pride and Hardin’s prejudice about nice girls like her? Unless…could this be love?

I just recently heard about After by Anna Todd and her series of books and I have to admit I was curious about them so thankfully Chapters had a promotion that I took advantage off and bought three books in the series.

The books in the series are: After We Collided, After We Fell and After Ever Happy (available Feruary 24th)

I honestly had no idea what to expect when I started them and I am going to say that I was pleasantly surprised. In case you didn’t know, Anna had originally wrote this on Wattpad and its fan fiction which I have to admit that this is something new to me. Its inspired by One Directions bad boy Harry Styles. I am not on One Direction fan and have no idea who is in the bad and what they do but I figured why not give it a try. I have been looking for something a little different to read and this was it. I just wonder is the Wattpad version the same thing or is it different? I will need to check that out.

I read this over a course of about a week (582 pages) and I was hooked after a few chapters and thankfully I have book two sitting here waiting to go because I am curious to what happens next in this wild and crazy relationship that Tessa and Hardin have.

The main character Tessa actually rubbed in the wrong way in the first few chapters because she comes off as this goodie two shoes, who is the perfect girl, has the perfect house, has the perfect mother, boyfriend etc…you name it that is what she is. I honestly didn’t think I was going to like her but as the story progresses you realize that she is the way she is because of the way she is brought up.

Now the other main character is Hardin and I am going to admit I had a love/hate/love relationship with him. One minute he is this jerk that you just want to punch in the face and then the next you love him until he opens is mouth again and then I wanted to punch him. I really don’t think I could have stayed with this ticking time bomb because he would have drove me crazy.

Their relationship is like watching a train wreck happening and that makes you want to read the book more to find out because it was always them fighting over something. I do have to admit at times it was just a little much and way Tessa stayed is beyond me.

Tessa is clearly head over heels in love and has given up her family to be with him. Is he worth it? Now is Hardin in love with her? That was going through my mind the whole time because he would be sweet and loving one minute then crazy jealous and flipping out the next. He had to control Tessa and for me I loved when she stood up to him.

Throughout the book I kept saying something is up because this can’t be love for him and then slowly Tessa breaks down the walls and he starts revealing things about his past which make a bit of sense but I still was leary of him and boys was I surprised at the end of the book. I was not expecting that to happen. How will Tessa react? Could that be the straw that breaks the camels back?

Probably not since there are three other books in the series which I am dying to read now.

Have you read the book or heard about it? What did you think?

Meme/Waiting on Wednesday….#5

Posted on February 4, 2015November 26, 2014 by Cindy

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine and its spotlights upcoming books that we are eagerly waiting for. I plan on including upcoming releases and books that are already released.

This week I am featuring:

Pub Date: March 31, 2015

In this sequel to the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die, who is good—and who is actually Wicked?

My name is Amy Gumm—and I’m the other girl from Kansas.

After a tornado swept through my trailer park, I ended up in Oz.

But it wasn’t like the Oz I knew from books and movies. Dorothy had returned, but she was now a ruthless dictator. Glinda could no longer be called the Good Witch. And the Wicked Witches who were left? They’d joined forces as the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, and they wanted to recruit me.

My mission?

Kill Dorothy.

Except my job as assassin didn’t work out as planned. Dorothy is still alive. The Order has vanished. And the home I couldn’t wait to leave behind might be in danger.

Somehow, across a twisted and divided land, I have to find the Order, protect the true ruler of Oz, take Dorothy and her henchmen down—and try to figure out what I’m really doing here.