Book Review - A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the Jazz Age of glitz and glamorous desires, Mrs. Theresa Marshall of Fifth Avenue has taken up with a young lover, Captain Octavian Rofrano. Octavian was her first affair and most certainly her last as she falls in love with him. While, the two are deeply enthralled with each other, Octavian wants more. He wants to marry her while Theresa has incredible wealth, social standing and influence meaning having a divorce from her husband is out of the question.

Her beloved brother, Ox comes to her for a favor; requesting her to find him a cavalier to propose to his intended, Sophie Fortescue. Theresa asks Octavian to be the cavalier for her brother and to investigate Sophie. However,  Octavian is smitten with Sophie even though he uncovers a dark and deadly secret. When, the two forces collide and Octavian is forced to make a choice. Who will he choose? Who will have to make the greatest sacrifice for love?

The opulent tale reminds me of "A Fine Imitation" and "The Great Gatsby" with elements from "June". It was an interesting tale woven with elements of love, betrayal and sacrificing the welfare oneself for another with an ending one never sees coming. A great read for the beach or a rainy day. I am definitely looking forward to reading other novels from the author.

**Disclosure - I received an uncorrected advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Dastardly Deeds by Ilsa Evans

Photo Credit - Amazon

Nell Forrest is going through a tough time. She decides that taking a cruise around the Mediterranean would be the perfect thing for her. However, in her attempt to "take a break" from her life, her family joins her on the cruise including her ex-husband and his new partner along with a police detective who she isn't quite over. 

As the cruise progress, one unfortunate event after another takes place causing Nell to worry about her safety. With a penchant for solving murder, Nell dives head first into the string of murders. Will Nell be able to solve the case before it is too late? Is the killer among her friends? Is she next?

The cosy mystery is an interesting and fun read packed with interesting characters. It has an interesting plot twists that will keep you guessing until the very end. A fun read for the beach or a long subway ride.

**Disclosure - I received a free uncorrected ebook copy in exchange for an honest review**

Book Review - A Fool and His Monet by Sandra Orchard

Photo Credit - Amazon

Serena Jones works for the FBI Art Crimes Team which recovers lost and stolen pieces of art work. She loves her job but one of the main reason for her interest in art is to uncover the truth behind the murder of her grandfather. She believes that with each one of her cases might someday lead to her killer. Unfortunately, as much as Serena loves her job, her mother doesn't want her daughter to risk her life everyday and continues to pester Serena to settle down and marry.

Serena's good friend works at a local museum and notices one of the priceless Monet art pieces is missing. Each clue Serena collects leads her down a different path. Will Serena be able to sort out the tangled web of lies? Will she be able to find her grandfather's killer?

The story was a fun read and was my first story from this author. However, I was quite annoyed how every single male character was practically in love with Serena and throwing themselves at her. Yet, somehow she doesn't see it and wonders about her dating life. There is also the much used and rather annoying love triangle. I wish the story was less focused on Serena's love life and more focused on the crime solving aspect of the story. While, it was a interesting story, I don't I will read the next book in the series.

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

Mizon Enjoy Vital-Up Time Nourishing Mask Nourishing Your Rough Skin containing Fresh Avocado

You gotta love a product that has it’s entire life story in it’s name. The nourish mask is a part of the new mask line from Mizon. It is packed with avocado extracts, allantoin, trehalose, hyaluronic acid and sc-glucan (which sounds made  up or comes from space). The mask had a generous portion of serum and it left my skin smooth, soft and radiant. It also had a pleasant scent. I can’t wait to try more from this brand.

Julep - Luxe Up Your Lips - Poppy

The Zamac tip provides cool relief, soothe lips and boost microcirculation. The lip treatment is enriched with pumpkin seed oil and vitamin E to enrich, hydrate, sooth and plump lips. I was excited to try it but when I opened the cardboard box, the formula was all clumpy and impossible to come out.  The lip treatment also goes on sheer and leaves my lips smooth and soft. The lip treatment also had unappealing taste and scent. Definitely not one of my favorite lip treatments and a completely waste of money.

Benton Snail Bee High Content Mask Pack

The  face mask is enriched with snail slime filtrate and bee venom to promote skin’s immune system. It’s free of parabens, synthetic colorants, artificial fragrances and formaldehyde. Unlike other masks, this one wasn’t super saturated with serum, However, it left my skin soft and smooth. It wasn’t my favorite mask but I would get it on sale again if it was for $1.

Memebox Ariul Moisture Box

My latest Memebox splurge - the Ariul Moisture box. I always loved sheet mask and the Ariul brand was new to me. The box came with 14 sheet masks, a cleanser and a lotion. Reviews will be up soon!

Book Review - Sister Eve and the Blue Nun by Lynne Hinton

Photo Credit - Amazon

While visiting her old monastery for a speaking convention on the Blue Nun, Sister Eve comes across a murder at the monastery. Sister Eve is a private detective with the uncanny ability to solve murder and she takes on the case when the victim is the sister of her friend. She must prove that the young monk isn't the killer when all the evidence points to him and he disappears. On her journey, Sister Eve is debating whether or not she should continue the life of the cloth or become a private detective with her dad.

The book was an interesting read but I can't say I am a big fan of it. The main character's father seemed sexist and the nun herself  has questionable values. The characters don't really seem believable and most of the book was a bit of fluff. Only towards the end you really find any of the excitement but it wasn't enough to redeem the book. Also, she can't really claim herself a detective since she had no clues to actually point to anything related to the murder other than one thing a person had said.

**Disclosure - I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review**

Scinic All Day Fine Pore Clay Mask

The airy Amazon clay mask has a slight spongy consistency due being infused with carbonic acid. It supposedly helps the mask be applied evenly however when I applied it, it was clumpy. When I first opened the jar, it was a bit dry the edges and the entire clay mask was giant ball in the middle not touching the side of the jar. The mask was spread unevenly no matter how I tried but in the thin areas it hardens when it dries. And God oh Almighty, it takes forever to clean off my face! Even with a wash clothing but it was worth the effort. My face did feel a bit tight even with lotion on but it my skin was smooth and soft afterwards.

Book Review - Still Here by Lara Vapnyar

Photo  Source - Amazon

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

Four immigrant Russian friends are bought together by an act of betrayal. They wade through their complicated relationships with each other and dealing with the drudgery of everyday complications.  Each of the four friends leave their homeland for a better life but they are haunted by death, love, happiness, forgiveness and finding themselves in a digital age.  Vica and Sergey are a couple who are struggle as Sergey loses one job after another. Regina who was once a famous translator is married to a rich tech startup owner, Bob and is dealing with losing a loved one. While, Sergey's best friend is a programmer who is unsuccessfully searching for love and his true self.

Sergey develops an app called "Virtual Grave", which preserves a person's online presence. While, each one of the friends are dealing with loss, they view his app as a waste of time. However, it sparks a debate within the group on how someone's death should affect their virtual selves. When a person dies who should take over their online persona? How does our virtual lives define us? Will the friends be torn apart while trying to figure out what they want? 

The book was an interesting read. As a person who lives in NY and used to live in Staten Island and Brooklyn, it was fun to hear familiar places. However, the book was a bit boring and tedious at times. I fell like there was no story or real purpose to the novel. It  was like a cross between a "Friends" and "Seinfeld" episode. The title of the book "Still Here", is basically asking readers -- "Are You Still There"?

Patchology FlashPatch Eye Gel

I got a sample of this in one of many many subscription boxes. I have used eye masks before and know of the Patchology brand. The gel is packed with caffeine, sodium hyaluronate, centella asiatica, hydrolyzed collagen and portulaca oleracea extract to enrich and nourish skin. The gels stayed put for a good portion of the application. My skin felt smooth and soft --- I am sure with dedicated usage I might notice my crow’s feet less though.

Julep Kaolin Clay Konjac Sponge

The exfoliator is made from the fibrous root of the Konjac plant. It is enriched with detoxifying kaolin clay. The sponge is also biodegradable and compostable.  It is recommended for all skin types. The soft sponge can be used by itself or with a cleanser to leave skin feeling smooth and soft. My skin felt great after  the sponge.  It removed my mascara without much effort although I did lose a couple of eyelashes.