June Book Round-Up

*book/e-copy gifted for review Here's what I've been reading in June:

*Dead Inside by Noelle Holten - Lucy Sherwood is a Probation Officer who works with domestic abusers on their release from prison. She and others in her team work closely with the police unit DAHU (Domestic Abuse & Homicide Unit). DC Maggie Jamieson is seconded to the team and her first case is three murders which seem to be connected and they are all Lucy's clients. The author has drawn on her own experience, as an ex probation officer and the story is very true to life and gritty (it reminds me of earlier Mel Sherratt books).

Lucy is trying to keep her family together and not let her work find out about the abuse she's suffering under the hand of her husband, Patrick. Siobhan, his daughter spends a lot of time with them and Lucy tries to shield her from the worst of his rages. Rory, his son is tentatively getting to know his dad again too...

Could Lucy be the killer? When the situation takes another turn things look very bleak for her indeed... It's a twisty fast paced read with interesting characters I'm looking forward to meeting again (well some of them!) in book 2.. Would highly recommend.

*Black Summer by M W Craven - I couldn’t wait to read Black Summer which I devoured in a couple of days. It was so good to be back in the world of Washington Poe and Tilly. The book could be read as a standalone but I’d highly recommend The Puppet Show for getting a feel for and getting to know the extraordinarily wonderful characters.

Celebrity Chef Jared Keaton was jailed for the murder of his teenage daughter, Elizabeth whose body has never been found. Unexpectedly and unbelievably she’s turned up alive. Washington Poe can’t understand it as he was so sure. After she’s interviewed and medically examined by the police she disappears…..

The local police want to question Poe and basically put him in the frame but things don’t stack up. Poe calls on friend and colleague, the very brilliant and analytically minded Tilly Bradshaw to come and help him out with the blessing of DCI Stephanie Flynn.

Poe is in a race against time to prove his innocence. He also calls upon the help of Forensic Pathologist, Estelle Doyle, a quirky character whom I enjoyed meeting. It’s often tense with the moment lightened by Tilly and Edgar of course! It seems however that Keaton is playing with Poe and they need to find the connections which prove he should be behind bars still.

An absolute edge of the seat, one more chapter kind of read which I absolutely adored! The opening chapter made me go OMG and I knew what was to come would be more than amazing. Roll on book #3.

Turn the Other Way by Stuart James - this book had me on the edge-of-my-seat without a clue what was going to happen next! Noah and Jess are returning home from visiting her mum when thumps come from the white van in front. Ever curious, Noah jumps out to see if he can assist. When he sees what's inside he knows he must take matters into his own hands and follow them..

What follows is a curiously compelling story involving randomly captured victims by a seriously odd father, who was once a senior surgeon and his two nutter sons. We find out who was in the van and meet Chloe who is searching for her parents...

And that ending...OMG.. I'm still thinking of it now.. Highly recommended read!

*You'll Never See Me Again by Lesley Pearse - Betty Wellows feels she has it all, even though she’s suffered heartache from a very young age. She married the man she loved and they live in her family’s fisherman’s cottage in Hallsands. When Martin returns broken and a different man from the Great War she finds herself persecuted by his mother and longs to escape.

When a storm destroys their home Betty decides to leave all that she’s known and re-invent herself. She becomes Mabel Brook. She’s randomly attacked and loses all her money and is helped by a psychic named Nora Nightingale. Nora looks after her and she believes she may have the power herself.

Things change and she has to flee and begin again. She meets some good people and starts a live in job as a housekeeper. Can things really be this idyllic she wonders…. but she has to go back and face things from the past, whether she likes it or not… A brilliant read which I thoroughly enjoyed with interesting characters and storylines. Would highly recommend.

*Horizontal Collaboration by Navie & Carole Maurel - I took part in the blog tour for this vivid and real story. See my review HERE.

*Child's Play - DI Kim Stone #11 by Angela Marsons - as brilliant as ever! I just love this series. It's not published until early next month so I'll share my review in my July book round-up.

*The Unmaking of Ellie Rook by Sandra Ireland - I'm taking part in the blog tour in early July for this stunning book which I'm still thinking of now. I'll share my review in my July book round-up.

From last month:

*Those who are Loved by Victoria Hislop - I took part in the blog tour and you can see my review HERE.

What have you been reading this month?

June: Lately I've Been Loving

Here's my June loves:

June's Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box contained 3 new to me brands which makes my heart sing! I fell totally head-over-heels for Kurly Sue Organic Shea & Argan Oil Body Butter which has been hand whipped with love! I definitely want to try more from this brand.

I also loved beautiful BUMI and inside was a pot of their Face Polish with Juniperberry, Sage, Hemp & Volcanic Ash which is fabulous!

Getting my hair done always makes me feel good! Lexi at Bruce Masefield Hair gave me a fabulous cut and colour in June.

I spotted The Lefty Scribe in an old YOU magazine my mum had given me and had to have one of Jennie's hand painted and hand lettered pebbles. Isn't it gorgeous!

I just had to have a Portobello scented candle! Picked up at Paper Tiger. Paper Tiger say: 

"Portobello is Edinburgh's seaside resort, an escape from the city and the chance of a promise on the promenade. The sensual aromas of Patchouli and Ylang Ylang essential oils combine to sultry effect in our Portobello candle. The deep musky patchouli oil has long been associated with a sense of the exotic, and ylang ylang is an tropical floral aroma considered by aromatherapists to be soothing and calming. The sweet scent of vanilla hints at the promise of a lick of an ice cream, and the heady, giddy whirl of the fairground waltzer. Take the mood with you in this handy 85g travel tin. Strike a match, and there's a flicker of romance in the air - our Portobello candle is a sensual and evocative fragrance for an evening of adventure, or a romantic night in".

I'm always on the lookout for new and interesting gins and this Cloudy Lemon Gin by Brewdog is delicious and perfect for summer. I picked it up in Waitrose.

I revisited Noble Isle when a 15% off ad popped up on Facebook (and I've had a couple of orders since!) I first tried the brand when it appeared in a beauty box. The Tea Rose Luxury Hand Wash is gorgeous. Deeply rosy! I love that they offer a free mini with purchase too.

I fell totally in love with Blushberry Botanicals in June and their Turkish Delight Lip Balm! See my review HERE.

What have you been loving in June?

June Empties

I'm not going to use anything else up this month so here are my June empties. Items marked with * are product samples.

*Alteya Organics Rose & Mullein Hydrating Flower Toner 120ml - I'm a huge fan of this brand and loved this hydrating rosy toner. See my review HERE. Will buy when my stash reduces.

Byredo Bal D'Afrique Hand Cream 30ml - I really enjoyed this hand cream which deeply nourished the hands and nails and left them delicately scented. I picked this up from a friend who was selling it. I'd maybe buy again.

Clarins Rose Radiance Cream 5ml - which was a Feel Unique pick 'n' mix sample. I loved it's rosy scent and how quickly it absorbed. Would buy.

Sisley Purifying Balancing Lotion 15ml - this came via my subscription with Sisley (which I stopped as the samples were getting quite samey). Nice enough to use but wouldn't buy.

Noble Isle Rhubarb Rhubarb! & Tea Rose Bath & Shower Gel (both 30ml) - I adored both these which came as gift with purchase. Would buy both full size.

Zing Organics Elevate Body Oil with Frankincense & Clementine 80ml - which came in my January Box which I reviewed HERE. I'll re-purchase this when my body oil stash reduces.

Guerlain Abeille Royal Youth Water Oil 0.5ml - which seemed nice but such a teeny sample.

Upcircle Face Scrub x 3 (8g) Herbal (oily/combo), Floral (sensitive) and Citrus (dry). These are new products by Upcircle which I enjoyed using. I'd maybe buy once my stash reduces.  Upcircle Lemongrass Body Scrub 10g which was nice to use. My favourite scent is peppermint. The one I really want to try full size is the Face Serum 2ml which is absolutely fantastic. 

Dafna's Purify Cleanser 1ml - again a small sample, not really enough to get a feel for the product.

John Masters Organics Repair Conditioner 10ml - which seemed quite nice. I only got one use from the sachet so would probably need to try it again before passing judgement.

My final sample this month is Sol Janeiro Coco Cabana Cream 7.5ml - again this was a Feel Unique sample. I prefer the original bum bum cream scent. This one was just a little bit artificial for me so wouldn't buy.

What have you been using up this month?

Latest in Beauty: Style Summer Essentials with The Sunday Times

I couldn't resist snapping up a The Sunday Times Style Summer Essentials Box with Latest in Beauty which cost £46 and is worth £229. Up until Sunday there they had been offering monthly subscribers £6 off and non-subscribers free postage making the box even more bargainous! (I'm not currently a member but was happy to receive free p&p).

It's absolutely jam packed! And now for a closer look..

I'm super chuffed with this gorgeous SUQQU Designing Color Eyes Palette (Hikaritouka) which is worth £46 alone! The shades are really beautiful and pigmented and I'm looking forward to trying them.

From MAC there is a full size lipstick (Sultry Move) worth £17.50 which is in a very wearable pink nude. Also full size is a Code 8 Precision Eyeliner in Carbon Black which is worth £28. Yet another full size! OPI Nail Lacquer Don't Cry over Spilled Milkshakes which is worth £13.50. There are two try-me make up items - Laura Mercier's Translucent Loose Setting Powder 3.5g and Smashbox Super Fab Mascara 5ml (which are great try me sizes/for travel). So far, I'm loving it!

Yet another full size! From BareMinerals we have their BarePro Glow Highlighter Drops which are worth £23. There's also a mini Clinique Take the Day Off Make Up Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips (30ml) which is perfect for try me/holidays.

From Elemis is their Peptide4Plumping Pillow Facial 15ml, from Kiehl's their Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream 7ml and from Paula's Choice a luxury trial size (7ml) of their Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum.

bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam Dark 110ml I won't use this as I don't use self-tan. It's worth £9.99 (I'll pass it along!) There's a mini from Bumble & Bumble of their Hairdresser's Invisible Oil/UV Heat Protective Primer 30ml (£10), Aveda Hand Relief Moisturising Creme 40ml (£12) and Living Proof's Perfect Hair Day Body Builder 98ml (£10).

Rounding up the box is a 10ml Narciso Rodriquez Pur Musc for her EdP spray. It's nice to receive a good size bottle rather than a perfume vial. It has a heart of musc with white florals and orange blossom and it would be perfect for summer holidays.

It's all a bit overwhelming (in a good way!) and I'll follow up with reviews for most of the products. Did you pick a box up?

*Blog Tour: Horizontal Collaboration by Navie & Carole Maurel

*book gifted for review Today I'm on the Blog Tour for the incredible Horizontal Collaboration by Navie and Carole Maurel. 

"Horizontal Collaboration" is a term used to describe the sexual and romantic relationships that some French women had with members of the occupying German forces during World War II. In this poignant, female-centered graphic novel created by writer/artist duo Carole Maurel and Mademoiselle Navie, the taboo of "sleeping with the enemy" is explored through the story of a passionate, and forbidden, affair. In June 1942, married Rose (whose husband is a prisoner of war) intervenes in the detainment of her Jewish friend and then accidentally embarks on a secret relationship with the investigating German officer, Mark. There is only one step between heroism and treason, and it's often a dangerous one. Inside an apartment building on Paris’s 11th arrondissement, little escapes the notice of the blind husband of the concierge. Through his sightless but all-knowing eyes, we learn of Rose and Mark’s hidden relationship, and also of the intertwined stories and problems of the other tenants, largely women and children, who face such complex issues as domestic violence, incest, and prostitution. This fascinating graphic novel tackles the still-sensitive topic of who it is acceptable to love, and how, and the story's drama is brought vividly to life by intimate and atmospheric illustrations".

My thoughts?

I found this an atmospheric and vivid read with stunning and very real graphics. It was my first graphical novel and I really enjoyed the story.

Rose and her granddaughter are talking about love and her granddaughter believes she's never been heartbroken but Rose has her own very real love story to tell...

The story follows a group of very different women during WW2 in France. They are neighbours living in the same apartment block. The husband of the concierge, Camille is blind but hears everything... Rose's husband is a prisoner of war and she's bringing up their son Lucien alone. Her husband's friend Leon lives in the block with his wife Judith and she feels he's always checking up on her. 

By chance when he's checking their building for Jewish residents after a tip off Rose meets a German officer, Mark and there's an instant connection between them. They meet up again and begin a very real love affair. They need to keep it secret but grasp moments of time together as often as possible. Although she's careful the other residents are noticing how happy and blooming she is and begin to gossip.

Rose's son sees something he shouldn't and lets the cat out the bag and angry and brutish Leon goes to investigate. Rose blocks his way being quick to retrieve her spare key from their safekeeping. She realises they must be even more careful or even stop seeing each other altogether.

Simone visits flighty and beautiful cabaret star, Josephine who also works as an escort and bears her soul to her but Josephine doesn't take it well and is unable to go on.

Mark passes a letter to Madame Flament, to give to Rose. She's an elderly resident who is not what she seems.. 

Attacks happen by the Free French group and officers are killed. Rose is shunned by her neighbours and feels like she's walking about in a dream. Those who believe certain women collaborated with the enemy are gathered up and punished for what they have done. All Rose can think of is her deep love for her handsome soldier which was never to be but she wouldn't have missed it for the world and tells her granddaughter true love is worth everything even heartbreak.

I absolutely loved the story and would recommend.

*Live in the Light: Pure Anada Ltd Edition Wild Raspberry

*productsamples This week at Live in the Light they have a fab offer of Buy One Get One Free on Pure Anada Body Products. I can highly recommend the delectable Limited Edition Wild Raspberry Hand & Body Wash (300ml - £11.50) and the matching Hand & Body Lotion (300ml - £12.50).

The scent's absolutely mouthwatering - fresh and juicy raspberries and it's the perfect summer scent. The products are huge 300ml and come in pump action bottles making the hand & body wash perfect to use in the shower or beside the sink. 

The Wild Raspberry range is Limited Edition so pick it up while you can! The hand & body wash is formulated with Biodegradable surfactants derived from sugar and coconut oil create a foamy lather while sunflower and coconut oil seals in moisture. The hand & body lotion absorbs instantly leaving the hands and body nourished and smelling of raspberries. Pick yours up HERE. 

I also fell head-over-heels for the range's Mellow Hydrator Mango & Tea* and Wild Raspberry Delectable Cleanser*. See my review HERE.

What's your favourite products from the range?

Shopping my Stash #107

*my post contains some products I received as part of the Love Lula Accredited Blogger Program plus a product sample from Weleda. My post contains two affiliate links

I've absolutely adored every product I've tried from Natura Siberica and simply love their Oblepikha Mask which is suited to severely damaged hair. My dry coloured hair just loves it and it's perfect for summertime use. See my review HERE.

I was a fan of lovely Flaya before they landed at Love Lula having picked up a bottle of their exquisite Rose perfume in March this year, see my review HERE. See the full range available at Love Lula HERE.

I had been doing a Spring Cleanse with Weleda (posts HERE and HERE) and totally fell head-over-heels for their Birch Cellulite Oil which has a delicious lemony scent. It firms and helps tone up the skin.

The final item is from NEW IN: Nature's Kitchen Butter Clay Melting Milk Cleansing Balm (£18.99 - 100ml). You can check it out HERE. This sumptuous balm makes light work of make up and daily grime. Clay is whipped with oils to create a melting balm and it has a sweet floral/citrus scent. Massage a small amount over the face and neck before adding a touch of water to make it milky before rinsing or removing with a warmed damp muslin cloth.

What have you been reaching for lately?

Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box: June: Luminosity

It's always an exciting day when my Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box lands! This month there are 3 new to me brands (squeals). The theme this month is Luminosity.

And let's have a peek inside...

WOW!

New to me brand gorgeous BUMI Naturals isn't it just exquisite! Inside June's box is a pot of their Face Polish with Juniper, Sage, Hemp & Volcanic Ash (30ml - £13). The polish smells incredible earthy, herbal and sweet (and mouthwatering!) It'll gently exfoliate and soften. Cannot wait to try this out!

I've also fallen head-over-heels for Kurlysue's sumptuous Organic Shea & Argan Oil Body Butter (40ml - £8) which is a lush and creamy natural butter which has been lovingly hand-whipped using the very best organic ingredients. Love!

And yes, yet another new to me brand (new to me brands make my heart sing!) From 34.4 Skincare is a mini pot of their Honey Balm (£5), which is an absolute delight! Use it as a moisturiser, primer, lip balm, hair pomade and make up remover - you know I adore a multi-use product. 

And there's more.... a full size Bio-Gel Skin Brightener from PHB Ethical Beauty which is 50ml and worth £25! It'll boost radiance and regenerate the skin, brightening dark spots and even the skin tone. 

From Award Winning Bramley (they just won a Mama & Baby Award with The Beauty Shortlist for their Little B Hair & Body Wash with Clementine, Lavender & Sweet Orange) we have their Energising Body Wash with Grapefruit, Lavender & Sweet Orange (50ml - £4). I've used this gorgeous brand before as The Pig Chain use them as bathroom amenities. I'll be popping this one in my holiday bag!

What are your thoughts as to the contents this month? July will be the last monthly box. Going forward the subscription will be bi-monthly.

Blushberry Botanicals: Calming & Balancing Bath Soak & Turkish Delight Vegan Lip Butter

I came across Blushberry Botanicals on Instagram, had a quick look at the site and knew I must buy something! 

My order was small so fitted into a letterbox friendly re-useable box. I love the attention to detail and cute packaging as well as a personalised note and free tea bag.

The products are handcrafted with love and attention to detail by founder, Lorraine Tait, who studied botany and chemistry at University. She's also a qualified nurse. Where possible ingredients are organic and created in small batches in the north east of Scotland.

I chose two items (with an addiction to rosy Turkish Delight) I had to pick the Luxury Organic Vegan Lip Butter of that name! It's just like chocolate covered rose Turkish Delight - yum! (£4.50 - 10ml slide tin).  Deeply nourishing and creamy lips are left soft and moisturised and delicately scented. I love this! (it's one of my top products of '19).

My second pick is a try-me bag of their Aromatherapy Bath Soak in Calming & Balancing (100g - £4) which is enough for one or two baths. My pick is a blend of sea salts, rose geranium, patchouli, lavender and ylang ylang and is simply stunning - uplifting and calming all in one! Simply run a bath, add the salts, stir and jump in!

I'm so impressed with these lovely products (can't you tell?) and can't wait to buy more. So far my to-try list contains - Luxury Vegan Organic Hand Cream in Pink Grapefruit & Neroli, bigger sizes from the Aromatherapy Bath Soak range and the Facial Skin Care. What's your favourites?

Guest Post: Packing Tips with Magi

Today I've got a guest post for you from a friend, Magi, who worked for John Lewis & Partners all her working life - she's got some great tips for holidays - do read on!

Hi, I’m Magi (Spratt) and I've been a friend of Sandra’s for a number of years. I worked in John Lewis as a selling Partner all my working life and loved it.  Now retired I bake, cook, container garden, read and pander to 4 cats.

I’ve always been able to pack, frequently packing for friends and family. Only problem is I’m not there for the homeward voyage. I gave a talk at work once on holiday packing and had to repeat it to other departments so it must have worked!

Before you go Photocopy all passports, travel documents, insurance, phone numbers along with home address, copy of any meds taken, keep in case in case... Have it all copied on your phone too. Mark outside of your case, obvious I know, both sides, great idea I once saw was wheelie bin sticky numbers. Get ziplock bags, one for earphones, chargers etc, your meds and copy of prescription, mini first aid kit, plasters, wipes, diarrhoea pills (saves doing the embarrassing actions in a foreign pharmacy). You’ll know exactly where everything is and no loose objects to hide in the bottom of the case.

Use things like shampoo, shower gel and skincare for a fortnight or so before you go, you’ll not feel so bad about leaving them nearer empty and more space for coming home cause you always bring more back! You know you do! (I love this idea of taking half full bottles and either finishing them or leaving them behind nearly empty!)

Here's Alfie helping out

Packing: Line cases with towels leaving 3/4 over the edges, when packed fold in and should your case open in transit at least everything will stay in. Mix contents of case, a little of everyone’s in each case, heaven forbid a case goes missing but at least all your butts are covered. Pop socks, underwear, make up into shoes and trainers, in a food bag is good as you can then reuse them bring wet swimwear from the beach. Pop in some empty carriers to separate dirty clothes from clean on way home. Disposable shower caps make great covers for shoes, protecting clothes from marking, pick them up on hotel visits.

Now a contentious one. It does make sense. We all like new clothes for our holidays but ...... take old underwear, teeshirt, night wear, towels, things the kids have almost grown out of and leave them. Less washing on return, more space. Roll all the clothes, roll them round the toiletries that are wrapped in a food bag, less chance of leakage. Pack shoes round edge and work from one end to other.

Hand luggage: Change of underwear, wipes, toothbrush and paste just in case. Wee snacks that won’t melt or mush. A days worth of any meds you may take. Card game for the kids at the Airport.

Self Catering: Have a coffee and stock up on salt, pepper, sugar sachets. Cheeky but useful. Keep passports and travel documents in one place. No getting to desk and having a panic. 

Resort: At last Keep all Sun products in the fridge. Cold after sun is just amazing, trust me. Empty lip balm tube could be used for rolled up money as an empty wipe tube would hide valuables, wee bit extra security. Have a fab-u-lous holiday and don’t be good!

Huge thanks to Magi for all her helpful hints and tips! 

Jo by Jo Loves

My friend Julie gave me Jo by Jo Loves for part of my birthday. It was such a lovely and generous surprise and I absolutely love it!

Housed in a red glass bottle it epitomizes things that Jo holds dear - the colour red and the scent of grapefruit.  This is the perfume Jo created for herself (and thankfully decided to share it with us!)

With notes of Grapefruit, Lime, Bitter Orange, Spearmint, Cedarwood, Guaiac Wood, Vetiver, Hedione and Black Pepper.  It's absolutely stunning. It opens with a fresh citrus and zingy freshness, with a touch of mint and mellows with aromatic woody and spicy notes with still a touch of citrus. 

I also love Smoked Plum & Leather, Pomelo and White Rose & Lemon Leaves (click the links to see my reviews).

What's your favourite perfume(s) from Jo Loves?

Zing Organics Monthly Hamper Club: June: Peace & Love Hamper

It's always an exciting day when my Zing Organics monthly hamper club box arrives! This month the theme is Peace & Love "we're transporting you to mellow afternoons meditating with friends, under the canopy of the trees with a soft balmy summer breeze blowing".

So what's inside:

Nestling inside a Zing Branded re-useable box is:

Two x the new travel size body oils - The Happy Hippy Organic Body Oil which is a brand new product! With essential oils of Cannabis (Hemp), Patchouli, Geranium and May Chang 25ml and Ah There! Organic Body Oil in Hemp, Bergamot and Rose Geranium 25ml (see my review HERE). These retail at £15 each.

One x Le Boudoir Candle in Cannabis (Hemp), Palmarosa and Patchouli it's smoky, rosy and earthy. 20 hours burn time.

A beautiful heart shaped stone found and selected by founder, Kirsty on the beach near her home. They've been placed in a pottery bowl filled with sea water and cleansed by the Sun and Moon for that lovely Yin Yan effect on the banks of a fast flowing waterfall. 

It's one of my favourite monthly subscription boxes which bring me great joy. There's lots of other goodies for subscribers too! Sign up HERE.

*New In: Ermana Natural Skincare

*productsamples Claire, founder and formulator at Ermana Natural Skincare got in touch with me to see if I'd like to try and review some of the latest launches. As you'll know I'm a huge fan of the brand having first tried it way back in 2015.

REFINE Cleansing Oil with Grapefruit & Galbanum (£24 - 100ml) is absolutely fantastic and one of my favourite products this year! The cleansing oil will deeply cleanse the skin of make up and impurities (it also smells fantastic). It's formulated with a blend of skin loving oils and scented with Grapefruit & Galbanum essential oils.

To use: apply a few drops to hands and massage over the face, neck and eyes before removing with warmed muslin cloth.

HYDRATE Organic Rose Mist (£18 - 100ml) is a rich hydrating toner which refreshes, soothes and regenerates the skin. Use it as a skin tonic to refresh, a toner after cleansing, to soothe sunburn and spray on your pillow to ease you into gentle sleep.

To use: spritz onto the skin after cleansing or throughout the day to refresh.

I'm also loving the new and innovative Bamboo Cleansing Pads (£12 - 10 pads) which are re-usable and eco-friendly. They are a great alternative to cotton wool as you can wash them and use them again and again (80% bamboo/20% organic cotton).

To use: use with eye make up remover or cleanser. Can be used dry or wet.

What are your favourite products from Ermana Natural Skincare?