<— HAPPY MONDAY EARLY BIRDS!!! DID YOU MISS THIS ONE YESTERDAY?? It went live one day early, so I’m carrying it over to be the star of our show today! 😀 Plus, quite a few other early birds that look pretty great.
Three things:
1.) I watched Ford v. Ferrari this weekend and guys… it was a really great movie. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting (it had a ton of heart) and the actors were incredible and made me believe every single moment of it. Wow. At times, I was swearing up a storm in fury, most often I was smiling with delight (Christian Bale was incredible, and moody and funny and the perfect hero!), but most of all, I was on the edge of my seat freaking out the whole way through. I had no idea how this was going to end (I hadn’t read the true story about it). Oh yes and of course Matt Damon was pretty perfect in his role too.
2.) Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid for Face and Eyes – Organic Skin Care <— I found this on Amazon looking up various creams and the reviews were absolutely incredible. I wasn’t looking for a serum, but was looking up even skin tone, and here it was! And SO MANY reviews too. Made here in the USA, mostly organic so I ordered a bottle. Have been using this – for a about a week now – and I must say, I think I love it. I’ve only been using my Olay 7 Effects as a daily/nightly cream after washing my face for years now, but I wanted an extra… oomph to my skin. You know? I now have been using this too (right before my face cream) and I think my skin actually seems smoother. Like… more even? The texture of my skin? I can’t explain it, but it just looks… rosier and glowy? And I have pretty sensitive skin, and so far so good!!
3.) My favorite hot sauce is officially Frank’s Redhot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce. <— This exact one. I’ve tried so many variations (from this brand AND from different brands ex: Texas Pete and all sorts of ’em) but this is always the one I go back to for my buffalo wings. It’s exactly the right kick and vinegaryness to it, and I’m hooked. YAY! A random food thought. 😉
LOOK WHAT JUST WENT LIVE 
!!!
- Just One Year by Penelope Ward <— AFTERNOON BREAKING NEWS UPDATE!!! HOLY MOLY LOOKIT WHAT JUST WENT LIVE!!!!!! Penelope Ward’s latest!! She had an altercation with an infuriating British dude on campus… “…I got home later that night and realized that the foreign student we were expecting to rent a room in my parents’ house was allergic to our cat. So, the spare room went to someone else: Caleb—the British guy from the men’s room. And so it began…my love-hate story with Caleb Yates. Or was it hate-love in that order? The guy knew how to push every one of my buttons…”
- The Laws of Entanglement: A True Love Story by Maya Preisler
- RING ME: A Fake Fiancé Romance by Nora Flite
Knot a Chance: Doms of The Covenant Book 3 by Samantha A. Cole <— UNREQUITED LOVE WITH HER DOM ALERT!! “…Cassandra Myers knows each of the D/s contracts she signs with Master Stefan are for exactly one month, with an option to renew, but when she realizes she’s fallen in love with him and that love is one-sided, she requests he remove her collar. Despite her broken heart, she tries to move forward with her life. Working as a cardiac rehabilitation technician is something she loves to do but going back to school to become a registered nurse is now her goal. When Cassandra discovers her new patient is none other than the Dom she can’t stop thinking about, she’s determined to help him recover...”- Ride Dirty, Cowboy (Dirty Cowboy Book 2) by Elle Thorpe
- Brian (Montana Bounty Hunters Book 9) by Delilah Devlin
Rebel: Wolfes of Manhattan One by Helen Hardt <— BAD-ASS BIKER TURNED BILLIONAIRE ALERT! “…Rock is returning to New York for the reading of the billionaire’s will. No way did Derek Wolfe leave anything to his oldest son, but according to Rock’s brother, his presence is required. Estate attorney Lacey Ward isn’t looking forward to the reading. None of Derek Wolfe’s children will be happy, least of all his oldest. When Rock enters the conference room, Lacey is stunned. He’s a rebel–a biker all muscled and gorgeous in black leather. This won’t be easy, especially since she can’t stop staring at him. Rock pays no attention to the reading….”- Tough and Tamed (Moon Ranch Book 1) by Em Petrova
- Demon’s Delight (Bewitching Bedlam Book 6) by Yasmine Galenorn
- Wrath of the Gods (Magic Blessed Academy Book 3) by Eva Ashwood
Delinquent Demons (Paranormal Prison) by K Webster <— K. WEBSTER ALERT REVERSE HAREM ALERT!! OH OH… “…They sent me to the deepest, most awful catacombs of Nightmare Penitentiary. It’s where they put all their secrets they don’t want anyone in the world—both human and paranormal—to know about. I’m left to be forgotten and waste away until the day I die. And I’m not alone. I’m there with others. Others who are worse than me. Terrifying. Horrible. Monsters. Four demons in particular who seem to wake from their evil slumber the moment I enter their presence. They want me. All four of them…“- You Will Bow (Rules of Bennett Book 2) by Ember Michaels
- King’s Crown (Oil Kings Book 1) by Marie Johnston
- If We Were Young: A Second Chance Romance by Anna Bloom
Bad Liar (The Reed Rivers Trilogy Book 1) by Lauren Rowe <— OLDER MAN/YOUNGER WOMAN ALERT!! SHE HAS HIM FOOLED!! “...Reed assumes he’s running this game of seduction. He thinks he’s a thirty-four-year-old big cat on the prowl, and I’m nothing but a blushing twenty-one-year old field mouse with stars in my eyes. Yeah… no. As Reed is about to find out, he’s not the only cat on the hunt in this game of cat-and-mouse…“- The Winter Sacrifice (Rise of the Dark Fae Book 1) by Marisa Claire
- A Rebel Witch: A Supernatural Spy Academy Series (Spellcasters Spy Academy Book 2) by Ashley McLeo
- Beauty’s Wolves: A Dark Beauty & The Beast Everafter Academy Standalone by Scarlett Snow and Tiegan Clyne
Slow Dancing by Style Fantome <— STYLO FANTOME ALERT!! “…A rising pop star who can’t let go of her emotional baggage, and a cocky dance partner who doesn’t know what monogamy is. She’s inhibited. He’s free-spirited. She doesn’t want a relationship. He doesn’t believe in them…”- Ruin Me Tonight by Elaina Jadin
- Tag You’re Mine by Catherine Charles
- My Brother’s Wife: A BWWM Dark Romance by Nicole Houston
- Alien Fiancé: Alien Bride Series by Luna Kingsley
- Midnight Fae Academy: Book One: A Dark Paranormal Reverse Harem Bully Romance by Lexi C. Foss
Awful Curse: A High School Enemies-to-Lovers Romance (The Celestial Bodies Series Book 1) by Elena Monroe <— BULLY ROMANCE ALERT!! THE NEW GIRL DIDN’T FAZE HIM UNTIL HE REALIZED WHAT SHE WAS AFTER… “…I was stuck – the essence of a God in some kind of limbo of high school. I was meant for more than this. Being king here meant nothing. Arcadia Prep wasn’t for the weak. The expectations, the pressure, the standards, the success and privilege smug on everyone’s face wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I thrived in chaos. I’m fearless. I’m ruthless. The new girl was not my cup of tea. She stomped her doc martins all over my tradition, rules and my reign…”
PREORDERS (going live soon!!! 😀 )
- Disavow (The Dumonts Book 3) by Karina Halle – February 25th 2020
- Imaginary Numbers (InCryptid Book 9) by Seanan McGuire – February 25th 2020
Great And Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros – February 25th 2020- Love And Other Things (A Crystal Lake Novel Book 4) by Juliana Stone – February 25th 2020
- Finding Him (Covet Book 2) by Rachel Van Dyken – February 25th 2020
- Crazy Heifer (The Valentine Boys Book 2) by Lani Lynn Vale – February 25th 2020
- Apeirogon: A Novel by Colum McCann – February 25th 2020
- Once a Myth by Pepper Winters – February 25th 2020
- The Secrets We Held (Secrets and Truths Duet Book 1) by E.K. Blair – February 26th 2020
- Crowne of Lies: A Marriage of Convenience Romance by C.D. Reiss – February 28th 2020
➔➔➔ Get Maryse’s Book Blog updates delivered by email (you’ll get one daily email that will have each post from that day consolidated on it).
1. I’m getting a new router installed today. I hope it goes smoothly, cuz all things internet/computer and such are possessed here.
2. I’m still stuck in the plantiverse. I ordered a dwarf tree and it’s not in yet, but I think the same one is at the hardware now and I’ve been twice this week to gawk at it. I won’t do it (yet) cuz I’m loyal, but it’s right there! *grabby hands* Also, someone told me after I mentioned succulents and cacti were my fave, but they hate me, to check out lithops and I can’t stop laughing, but I’m totally ordering some. Not all of my plants are doing so hot, but I can’t seem to help myself.
3. I did a lot of running all weekend and need to clean and do up some crockpot meals this week. Hoping I stay on task, cuz I’d like next weekend to feel freer. Also, struggling to read my book that I actually have to get through, so must finish that.
Oh jeez, Tasha, and we’re in Mercury Retrograde right now which is notorious for creating electronics gremlins and issues.
Ohhhh and how I remember when I had more time to play gardening and soil, and I would grow things from seed (like seeds I found in my fruits!!). I have avocado trees, and mango plants and citrus trees all from those seeds. Such fun and I was obsessed. So proud of my sproutlings and now some of those sproutlings are taller than me! Anxious to see if they actually bear fruit and if they do… what will it look like? LOL!!!
I believe you have a true green thumb. I’m just scrambling and crossing my fingers. Truthfully, I should probably be looking at the realistic looking fake ones at Marshall’s, but I’m stubborn. 😝
The only things I’ve grown from seed are grass. LOL! I’m thinking about putting sunflowers out front this year. I know nothing about them except they get huge. Normally, I would plop a seed in the dirt outside and let nature take its course (that’s my kind of gardening, outdoors), but I’m thinking of putting some effort into it. 😂😂
I finally found out the name of that other plant that I have that’s been around so long and must be easy to care for cuz it’s survived. It’s a Sansevieria trifasciata “hahnii”. I’ve tried to water once a week and it’s always been planted in moisture control or regular potting soil. Apparently, it should be in cactus soil and watered less. No wonder its leaves curled up on me. 🤦🏼♀️ But, it’s a fighter, that one. Years, he’s been living his way.
Tasha–sunflowers are easy. You should plant them! When our boys were little, we stuck some seeds in the ground on the side of our house and after the initial watering, we did pretty much nothing and they did great.
I have three sunflowers that I received for Christmas (to plant). When should I do it, do you think, Nay? It’s Florida but it still gets pretty cold right now (near freezing).
Oh, gosh. That was probably 15 years ago, but I have a rule that I don’t plant anything before my birthday (4/30) because I’ve been burned too many times over the years with springtime frost and even snow in Tennessee in April. That was back when I religiously planted tons of flowers in my yard as soon as I could, so we would have put them out the first or second weekend of May. I’m sure you could do it sooner, without the threat of frost.
We went to Lowe’s and got all 3 of our boys their own kiddie gardening sets and watering cans and let them plant and water them, so we did pay closer attention to the watering at first. But once they took off, we didn’t worry too much about it anymore unless we noticed they were wilting. Hubs or I would also give them a hit with the hose if we were watering the other flowers or the tomato plants. They were the easiest thing I’ve ever grown and the boys were amazed.
Thanks for these tips- I’ll try it in May. Let’s hope this weather acts as it should around that time. It’ll definitely stand out on this street, lol.
I had to google Mercury Retrograde and when I told my brother (my installer) he said he wasn’t as superstitious as me. 😂 I fully believe this is why I’ve had such bad luck this last week now. 😉 It went ok, just 1 bump, way easier than usual. There was a moment I shouted, “I told you so! And, maybe it’s me?” But, after I left of course, it was an easy solution.
I’ve had bumps for the last few days.. annoying ones that I can only attribute to that.
Good morning! Happy Monday! ☀️
Although I’m still going strong on my audio books, I’ve been in the biggest ebook slump in the history of man the past couple of months and I’m ready to claw my way out of it. It’s almost like I haven’t been able to find time to read, and I can’t push myself to actually do it when I do find time. But I started reading The Wives, and I’m loving it, so I’m hoping that will do the trick.
I haven’t posted lately about the audio books I’ve enjoyed, so I have to mention that I finally listened to “You” by Caroline Kepnes, and I highly recommend it! The narrator was super creepy and fit the part perfectly. I’ve started watching the Netflix series, and it’s good, but SO much is left out that I have to wonder how it makes complete sense to anyone who hasn’t read the book. I feel like it skips from one pertinent point to the next and leaves out some of the in between stuff that also seems important.
I’m wondering if anyone has read (or listened to) the follow-up, Hidden Bodies? The reviews seem to be all over the place, and I don’t want to waste an audible credit if it’s not truly worth it.
Tasha–I see that you gave it four stars. Was there something in particular about it that made it not as great as “You”?
I loved reading Hidden Bodies even more. Quite a few surprises in that one that I didn’t see coming AT ALL… and it changes Joe… somewhat. 😉 I don’t want to say anything more but you’ll definitely see a shift. Though I LOVED that.
Also I really enjoyed the season Netflix too. I’d even re-watch it.
Okay, that’s all I need to hear! The library has it, but there’s a 4 month wait–geesh! But if they get more copies, that’ll go down significantly. I think I’ll put it on hold and if it ends up seeming like it’s taking forever, I’ll just use a credit. I’m only on episode #3 or 4 of the Netflix series. I didn’t get to watch any over the weekend while hubs was off work, so I’ll get back to it tonight. Son #3, who’s 18, watched both seasons and he LOVED it. He watched season 2 in one day, I think.
I can’t remember, exactly. That’s why this year I’ve managed to accomplish (so far) my goal of writing at least a few sentences on GR after each book I’ve read. I find it difficult to remember everything at the end of the year when it comes to talking about them bc I never wrote it down. I do know it started off really strong for me and tapered off more somewhere in the book. I had put it down for awhile bc I got a bit bored, and sidetracked.
Happy Monday!
1. We fly out for our vacay tomorrow night and trying to cut 10 lbs from the suitcase today! Ugh. I really want to take my riding boots dang it!
2. My poodle is ticked off. She knows we’re leaving. She sensed it before I even got out the suitcase. She’s snubbing both of us today!
3. Maryse, I need to try that serum. My face is all of a sudden super dry. So much so I can’t even wear foundation anymore. I have to mix a tiny bit with moisturizer just to get *some* coverage, and even then it still looks like I’m sunburned and peeling. I know it happens with age, but I had a heater in my office for months and I’m pretty sure that’s what started it. 🙁
I swear, R… you know when you walk by a mirror make-up-less or catch yourself on FaceTime before the other person answers so you’re still full screen and not prepared?
I did that on the FaceTime issue, and I wasn’t angry at my face!!! I saw it and yes, I wasn’t made up or cute, but my skin just looked… nice. Not tired or sallow.
Could that happen in one week? Already? I use it religiously (every day) so I think something is happening.
And it’s not because I’m suddenly taking care of my skin more either. I wash my face daily and scrub with my exfoliant two times a week at least, and moisturize every single time after I wash my makeup off. My skin was good I guess.
I just wanted… wow. This might just be doing that.
Also that’s my biggest difficulty in going away anywhere. I miss my dogs so much. When my mom or my sister stay at my house, I know they are being well loved and cuddled, so then… it’s not so bad. 😉
I’ll definitely order some when I get back and try it. I’ve always had great skin too! Not dry or oily and I never break out.
We have to take her to the puppy sitter which is great for us because she lets her “live” in her house as if she were her own. I couldn’t bear to kennel her. But she still hates going.
My skin loves Vit C but some people have to build up on using it every day. I like using it in the morning as it is an antioxidant but use sunscreen over as light breaks it down. So once you open your vit c use it. As time goes by it will oxidize (???)slowly turning a darker orange color. As it does that it looses its potency.
I dont have really dry skin but hyaluronic acid can be nice and helps plump up my skin a bit. I like the Dear Klairs toners. Just a pat or two all over my face after my vit c. If really dy some like to layer it several times.
https://youtu.be/-wTGzrBqsIk
So far I’m one week in and I’m loving it. I feel like it plumps my face too, and now that you say hyaluronic acid I bet it’s that!!