Book Review - All Things Bright and Strange by James Markert

Photo Credit - Amazon

A small Southern town of Bellhaven, South Carolina there is a trouble brewing in the mysterious chapel hidden deep in the woods. The town inhabitants are drawn to the chapel and its beautiful surroundings. However, they soon realize that can be evil among even the most beautiful things.

The town start turn against each other and pick sides. They depend on their town hero, Ellsworth Newberry for guidance as he always survives even the toughest situations. However, Ellsworth balances his own self worth and mortality when the town seems to need to him the most. Will Ellsworth be able to save himself and his beloved town? What is hidden in the beautiful chapel in the forbidden forest?

I have read "Angel's Share" by James Markert and enjoyed the novel. So, I was very excited to read this new novel, which seems to have a similar premise. However, this novel was a bit weird and a convoluted plot. I had a hard time following the story when a lot of unnecessary details, characters and slow parts. I had high hopes for this novel and was very disappointed.

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

Davines Lovely Smoothing Shampoo

The soft scented shampoo provides a generous lather that gently cleans frizzy hair. It is enriched with minuta olives, Indian fig extract, and phenethyl benzoate to soften and the hair shiny. Personally, I wasn’t crazy over the scent of the shampoo, but my SO liked the scent better. I also hoped it would smooth out my frizzy hair, but it kept it the same frizzy and unmanageable way it is now

Book Review - Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

Photo Credit - Amazon

Susan Ryeland is the editor of popular bestselling mystery, crime writer, Alan Conway. When she receives his latest novel, she assumes is like his other novels. Conway's famous detective, Atticus Pünd is a fan favorite and Susan has to put up with his odd behavior if she wants to keep her job. His latest novel is about a murder at Pye Hall with an eccentric cast of suspects. However, the more Susan reads the novel, the more she realizes there is an overlap between Alan and Atticus's lives. What is the secret behind the Conway's last novel?

I was intrigued by the cover of this novel and it reminded me of "The Oxford Murders by Guillermo Martínez", which I enjoyed.  (The similarity of having "murders" in the title). The telling of the story is from Susan reading about Atticus and the story about Alan Conway. Both of the stories read like they were written by two different authors and I personally found the Atticus Pünd story more interesting than Susan investigating Alan Conway's death. I found the portion with Susan to be drawn out and tedious to read. The ending was also a bit of a disappointment and one could see happening after all she mentioned it in the beginning before we even began to read the book. 

Lollia Relax Hand Cream - Shea Butter, Lavender and Honey

The sweet scented hand cream is enriched Shea butter and macadamia nut oil. The softly scented lotion has notes of lavender, bee blossom honey, white orchids, violet and Indian Amber. The hand cream absorbed quickly and it left my hands feeling smooth and soft.

Book Review - Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions (Auntie Poldi, #1) by Mario Giordano

Photo credit -Amazon

Aunt Poldi decides to retire to Sicily on her sixtieth birthday after dealing with her fair share of pain and heartbreak. She wanted to relax the day few remaining days by drinking herself into a stupor while enjoying the view of the sea. However, life never goes as one expects it to.

When a friend and handyman goes missing and is eventually discovered murdered; Poldi takes matters in her own hands and try to solve the murder. After asking one too many questions, she finds herself stuck in the middle of the murder investigation. Will Poldi be able to figure out who the real murderer is?

I have read a many books that were written in a different language and then translated into English for US consumption. There a very few books translated books I find enjoyable because you miss maybe of the hidden meanings that are sometimes lost during translations and sometimes the jokes do not make much sense. I also found the amount of details a bit overwhelming and detract from the story. Along with their being a lot of chance coincidences and not any investigation really done from Poldi. I also don't understand why she rushes into things and then screams for "help" or thinks she is dying. It was an interesting novel but not one I would re-read again.

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

Nest Fragances Candles - Wasabi Pear

The fresh scented candle is enriched with of Anjou pear and wasabi. It was an unexpected combo, but it was quite refreshing. I can definitely see this candle to be used for a relaxing weekend with a book or during a "Treat Yo'self" Sunday treatment.

Anjou pear and fresh, ozonic watery notes are infused with the essence of wasabi.

Book Review - A Land of Permanent Goodbyes by Atia Abawi

The heartbreaking novel is narrated by "Destiny" who tells the story of a family who lives in the war torn Syria. Tareq is surrounded by his big close knitted family. He is surrounded by people who love and care about him. Unfortunately, that all changes when a bomb hits his neighborhood causing his family to suffer a few casualties. Tareq and his family that survived must leave Syria, if they hope to remain alive. Their journey to "freedom", is one filled with violence and heartbreak, but also of love and hope. Will Tareq be able to escape with his family? 

The tear provoking novel is so beautifully written that it allowed readers to be transported to the hellish experience Tareq and his fellow refugees endured. It is hard to read this novel and not be sympathetic to the plight refugees face, but also hopeful when they manage to make it. For young readers, this book offers the perfect gateway for having conversations about volunteering, being sympathetic to your fellow humans and also not to lose hope when you feel like all the cards are stacked against you. An emotionally charged novel with an interesting concept with part of the narration being told by "Destiny". I look forward to reading other books by the author!

About the author: An award-winning author and journalist--and a refugee herself--Atia Abawi captures the hope that spurs people forward against all odds and the love that makes that hope grow.

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

Book Review - Last Stop in Brooklyn (A Mary Handley Mystery, #3) by Lawrence H. Levy

Photo Credit - Amazon

It was the summer of 1894, and private investigator Mary Handley is bought at the far corner of Coney Island for what seemingly seems like an open and close infidelity case. While on the case, Mary is contacted by a convicted man's brother to reopen a murder case. A prostitute was killed in the same style as "the Jack the Ripper" in her hotel room with shoddy evidence pointing to the convicted man.

Thomas Byrnes, the head of detectives in NYC is sure he has the correct man. After all, he made proclamation of finding the killer in 36 hours and Detective Byrnes always gets the culprit. The deeper Mary digs the deeper she realizes the web of deception is. Will Mary be able to find the true killer before it is too late?

I was drawn to this book because I live fairly close to Coney Island. I actually have a lot of fun childhood memories of eating cotton candy and greasy pizza while being embraced by the salty air. I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't much interesting facts about Coney Island as there was about the people who were in this book. The author did focus a lot of the racial tension and discrimination that took place during that time period, but if felt like that was more common knowledge and didn't have to keep being repeated. I found Mary and Harper enjoyably at times, but sometimes their barbs and conversations got annoying increasingly faster. However, it was an enjoyable read and I do look forward to reading other novels by the author.

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

Urban Dollkiss Honey Moist Kate Cherishable Mask

Ah, my love and hate relationship with Memebox. Their prices are very affordable but when they have their Memebox boxes, it’s hard to find any product information. I have tried Urban Dollkiss’s products before and wasn’t crazy over them. This mask is enriched with honey extracts to leave skin feeling smooth and soft. The mask fit decently well and the serum was very drippy. My face felt smooth and soft but the results felt a bit underwhelming.