Balm Balm: Little Miracle Rosehip Serum

I received Balm Balm's Little Miracle Rosehip Serum in September's Love Lula Beauty Box.  I'm a huge fan of the range having used the products for years. One of my first loves was the Rose Geranium multi-purpose balm.

Products are 100% organic and natural and are Soil Association and BUAV Leaping Bunny approved.  The company founded in 2005 is run by husband and wife team, Glenda and Hayden. Glenda is an Aromatherapist, Perfumer and Natural Formulation Consultant.  

The Little Miracle Rosehip Serum (30ml - £13.25) is a super luxe and a very affordable product.  It contains oils similar to the skin's own make up. Absorbing quickly it is a pleasure to use.  The serum is a rich blend of Rosehip, Jojoba and Borage oils scented with Frankincense, Rose, Geranium, Palmarosa, Juniper and Mandarin - it smells divine!

The serum helps to even skin tone and hydrate leaving the skin radiant, nourished and glowy.

Check out the range of Christmas gifts available here.  I'm liking the look of - Frankincense Organic Facial Collection Gift Set, Love Reed Diffuser, the Facial Cracker and All over Balm Cracker.

Have you used this? What's your favourite Balm Balm product?

Lyonsleaf: New Natural Handmade Soap & Christmas Gift Boxes

I'm a huge fan of Lyonsleaf's gorgeous products having reviewed their Beauty Balm and Body Butter here.  They have brought out a great range of boxed sets for Christmas and have introduced a lovely natural soap* made for them in the UK with Goats Milk, Manuka Honey and Calendula (£4 - 100g).

The soap is unscented and is suitable for dry sensitive skin types. The Manuka Honey gives it a sweet scent. This soap is also great for people with eczema, psoriasis and acne. The soap gently cleanses with a soft lather, soothing and repairing the skin.  Free from chemicals, palm oil and it is 100% natural.  

If you are looking for a Christmas Gift you will find the new soap in all three sets available.

Complete Natural Skincare Gift Set (£27.49) - this lovely set comes in a reusable jute draw string box and contains Lyonsleaf Body Butter 110ml, Lyonsleaf Natural Soap with Goats Milk, Manuka Honey & Calendula 100g and Lyonsleaf Award Winning Beauty Balm 55ml.

Soothing Calendula Skincare Gift Set (£17.99) - this set contains Lyonsleaf Calendula Cream 110ml and Lyonsleaf Natural Soap with Goats Milk, Manuka Honey & Calendula 100g.

Body Butter & Natural Soap Gift Set (£14.99) - containing Lyonsleaf Body Butter 110ml and a 100g bar of Lyonsleaf Natural Soap with Goats Milk, Manuka Honey & Calendula 100g.

Are you a Lyonsleaf fan?  What's your favourite product? Are you tempted by any of the gift sets?

*complimentary

The Body Deli:Creme de la Rose

I received a 10ml mini of The Body Deli's Creme de la Rose in my a beautiful world A/W'14 Sampler Box. This super luxe cream is simply gorgeous!

It is a rich cream which has a slight rose scent (I like adding a drop or two of Bodhi & Birch's Desert Rose Rejuvenating Face Oil at night time to the cream for extra moisture).

It helps to accelerate cellular turnover, feed the skin, restore elasticity and help with fine lines and wrinkles.

Handmade in small batches it takes over a day to make. It is hand blended for over 3 hours to get the smooth texture and created using Bulgarian roses, Goji Berry and Macadamia Nut oil. You can see the full list of ingredients here.  Full size 2oz retails at £65.

See my other The Body Deli reviews - Living Greens Sprouted Mineral Greens Shampoo & Conditioner*, Blueberry Fusion Micro-Scrub* and Coconut Creme & Tahitian Vanilla Hand & Body Wash.

Have you tried Creme de la Rose?

P.S. The a beautiful world Christmas shop is now OPEN! Check it out here.

*PR samples

Mel Millis: Phytonutri Qi Collection

Tracey Foy, the founder and creator of Mel Millis contacted me to see if I'd like to try her new range Phytonutri Qi*. I was expecting to receive one of the items in the fabulous new range to review so you can imagine my delight and surprise when I received the whole range of the latest launches.  Thanks so much once again Tracey.

The products are inspired by the power of natural ingredients and sourced from the Arctic to the Atlantic Ocean.

Products are "cruelty-free and sustainably sourced, with certified organic and natural ingredients handpicked to deliver exceptional and effective results".

I first tried Mel Millis when I received two products in a Souk Souk box - see my review of the Organic Neroli Hydrolate Mist Tonic and the Organic Phytonutri Neroli & Baobab Re-Energising Face Oil here. This face oil received a Janey Lee Grace Platinum Award this year for Best Face Oil and Tracey received a Bronze award from FreeFrom SkinCare Awards 2014 for her Rose & Pomegranate Rebalancing Face Oil.

The products came in a beautiful branded Mel Millis box stuffed full of shredded paper and packed full of goodies!  I so love the packaging with the wild flower seeds embedded in the boxes.  Plant them in your garden or in a windowbox and the honeybees will love you! 

Phytonutri Qi Plankton Skin Remedy (200g - £68)* - this is one of the most unusual products I've ever used! The cleanser comes in powder form and you mix it with water to form a paste before applying it to the skin in circular motions before removing with warm water. You can also use it as a face mask leaving on for 10 minutes before rinsing.  It helps to brighten, increase elasticity, firm and help with the first signs of ageing.  Stuffed full of bioactives, natural enzyme produced hyaluronic acid, Nutmeg, Spriulina, Green Tea extract, Gingseng, Cocoa, Moroccan Laval Clay and infused with Vanilla and Rose Petal Powder.

Phytonutri Qi Energising MM Face Peel (50ml - £48)* - use this re-mineralising honey mask once a week.  It fortifies the skin while Glycolic Acid helps the active ingredients of Hyaluronic Acid penetrate the skin and act on living cells. It helps to increase collagen and help with skin density. Citrus oils refresh.  The skin is left radiant, energised, smooth and soft.  Take a generous scoop and work into a paste with a few drops of water.  Apply to the skin (this takes a bit of practice to smooth it over) and leave for ten minutes. Remove with the warmed organic muslin cloth.

Phytonutri Qi Enriching Sea Plant Jelly (15ml - £48)* - containing Hyaluronic Acid which deeply hydrates the skin along with bio organic oils and plant extracts the jelly regenerates and rejuvenates the skins elasticity.  It also contains Immortelle, Frankincense and Rose to restore and moisturise the skin. Apply a pea sized amount to the skin before moisturising.

Phytronutri Qi Enhancing Arctic Essence (30ml - £85)* - this serum smoothes, freshens, plumps and repairs the skin. It is stuffed full of good things for the skin including Arctic Cranberry and Arctic Blackcurrant extracts, Organic Frankincense, Patchouli and Rose to stimulate cells and repair damage caused by skin ageing.  Apply a few drops to the fingertips massaging into the skin in circular motions.

I can quite honestly say this is one of the nicest and most effective skincare ranges I have ever used.  My favourites are the Enriching Sea Plant Jelly and the Enhancing Arctic Essence.

Have you tried any of these Mel Millis products?

*complimentary

Air Motion Hairbrush

For the last few weeks I've been testing out the fabulous Air Motion Hairbrush* (£11.95) a multi-use hairbrush which has been designed by industry expert, Grange Snell.

It helps to reduce wear, tear and stress on hair gliding along the contours leaving the hair smooth.  Tri Bristle configuration means that there are three different lengths and diameters of bristle so no hair is left untouched. The brush is Air Shock patent pending which helps reduce strain on your hair.

The handle of the brush fits perfectly in my hand (just like it was made for me!) You can use it on wet or dry hair and it can reduce breakage by up to 95%.

Grange Snell says "as a professionally trained hairstylist by trade I wanted to invent and design a brush which incorporated revolutionary design, high quality materials with outstanding performance: the result is a precision engineered, multi-use hairbrush".

My hair has never looked so good! Have you tried this brush?

*PR sample

Love Lula Beauty Box - November

My November Love Lula box arrived on Friday and I'm delighted with it!  So what's inside:

Barefoot Botanicals SOS Face & Body Rescue Cream 25ml (£5.25) - a rich cream which relieves dry and sensitive skin.

Living Nature Nourishing Hand Cream 50ml (£16) - this is a really fab hand cream. So pleased to see this in the box.  See my review here*.

Jason Brightening Apricot Scrubble Facial Wash & Scrub 113g (£5.49) - mild enough to use everyday. A soap free foaming scrub which polishes and cleans the skin.

Giovanni Deep Moisture Shampoo 60ml - huge fan of this haircare brand. This moisturises the hair leaving it shiny and nourished.

Suti Cleanse Balm 4ml sample - great brand and product. Always handy for weekends away/holidays.

A £25 voucher for your first Hello Fresh box (if anyone wants this give me a shout).

Did you get this box? What are your thoughts?

NET-A-PORTER The Holiday Kit

One of my friends on facebook flagged up this amazing beauty box (now sold out) which was available at NET-A-PORTER.COM. Costing only £60 with £5 P&P. I ordered on Wednesday night and it arrived yesterday.

It contains 14 luxury full and travel sizes.  The Earth Tu Face Balm retails for $68 (round about £43). This is a brand I've not heard of before.  So I'm keen to try it out!

The packaging is super luxe, lots of tissue, ribbon and a total joy to open.  I felt like all my Christmasses had come at once!  The box comes with a little tape measure in a branded bag so you can take your measurements before buying clothes online.

Everything comes neatly packed in branded bubble bags (you can also chose to get your goodies in plain brown boxes for easy recycling if you are fed up of the luxe packaging, as if!)

WOW!

Erno Laszlo Phelityl Pre-Cleansing Oil 15ml and Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar mini. I've tried the pre-cleansing oil before and loved it. Keen to try the cleansing bar too.

Renouve Anti-Aging Everyday Defence Hand Sanitiser No.1 - Gold 30ml (£22) - this anti-ageing hand sanitiser is free from alcohol and parabens.

B The Eyebrow Experts Eyebrow Gel - Clear (£15) - great to tame unruly brows. Nourishes and doubles up as a clear mascara.

Verso Day Cream 15ml trial size - rejuvenating day cream which stimulates collagen production and can help to reduce the signs of ageing. Vitamin B3 boosts luminosity.

Tata Harper Rejuventating Serum 15ml (£40) - I've tried a few Tata Harper products but not this serum. It helps to combat signs of ageing, boost elasticity and minimise pores.

Susanne Kaufmann Shower/Shampoo 50ml (£10.50) - a brand I've not heard of before. This washes and conditions your hair and body. Great for rushed mornings and travel.

ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioner - bang bang (£22) - my first Ilia product. This tinted red sheer lippy is gorgeous!  Very happy.

Earth Tu Face Balm 25g (£43) - another brand I've not heard of before. Great for dehydrated or stressed skin. Smells gorgeous too!

Chantecaille Liquid Lumiere Anti-Ageing Face Illuminator - Sheen 23ml (£33) - can be worn alone or under foundation for a youthful glow and even skin tone.

Show Beauty Divine Thickening Lotion 150ml (£40) - a thickening lotion which adds volume and shine without weighing your hair down. This has super luxe packaging.

Malin+Goetz Vitamin b5 Body Moisturizer 29ml trial size - an intense moisturiser which absorbs quickly hydrating the skin.

De Mamiel Salvation Body Oil 30ml trial size - huge de Mamiel fan so can't wait to try this. Scented with Ylang Ylang, Rosewood and Jasmine. edit: tried and loved! I'm a huge fan of the rosey Lip Balm.

This Works Sleep Plus Pillow Spray 5ml - great if you have trouble relaxing and are restless throughout the night (me some nights!). Looking forward to testing this out.

What an amazing box. Did you pick one up? What are your thoughts as to the contents?

My Top Three Hand Care Products: Winter

Around this time of year my hands get so dry they need all the help they can get!  These are my top three hand care products for winter. I've chosen one for every kind of budget from super expensive to budget friendly.

Pure & Light Organic Essential Hand Cream - Yarrow with Lavender (£39 - 75ml)* - this is one of the most luxurious hand creams I've ever used (and the most expensive!)  Packed full of Shea butter, Argan Oil, Vitamin E, Calendula, Sweet Almond, Avocado and Apricot Kernal Oils it super moisturises dry and cracked hands leaving them velvety soft and lightly scented (herbal lavender).  I can honestly say this is one of the nicest hand creams I've ever used.  Buy it from Janna Organics or direct - see here.

bodhi & birch Lime Blossom Protecting Hand Serum (£22 - 30ml)* - as you'll know I've got much love for the bodhi & birch brand. This serum is fantastic. See my review here.

My third choice is the very lovely Faith in Nature Coconut Hand Cream (£6.39 - 50ml) - I pick mine up at Earthy Portobello.  A super nourishing hand cream which smells of coconut - what's not to love! 

What's your hand care saviour at the moment?

*PR samples

YOU Beauty Discovery Box - Gift Guide - November

I think this is the best ever Members Box from YOU Beauty Discovery. I've been keen to try something from Skin & Tonic and I'm already a huge fan of Therapie's amazing Himalayan Detox Salts (100g) - see my review here.

Skin & Tonic's Steam Clean (15ml) is quite simply one of the best cleansing balms I've ever used! I was smitten after my first use (last night). You can use it to cleanse, as a moisturiser on dry skin patches, for lips, cuticles and flyaways.  Love it's spearmint scent too. Review up soon!

Our extra treats this month: Aduna Baobab Superfruit Powder which can be blended into smoothies or sprinked on cereal, porridge or yoghurt and two Merumaya sachets - Melting Cleansing Balm (this is lovely) and Iconic Youth Serum.

A brilliant box. What did you pick this month?

Organic Surge Christmas Beauty Bloggers Bundle 2014

After the success of Organic Surge's Christmas Beauty Bloggers Bundle* last Christmas it is back this year.

It includes the Organic Surge products loved by the UK's top beauty bloggers. Priced at £35.50 (worth £38.88). It contains 4 full size products - ideal for splitting it up for Secret Santa gifts or as an extra special gift to self! Buy it here.

Gardener's Hand Cream* 75ml - this is a rich cream which smells gorgeous. See my review here.  Overnight Sensation Night Cream* 50ml is scented with Rose Geranium and sinks easily into the skin leaving it nourished, soft and smooth. See my review here.

I'm also a huge fan of the Extra Care Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser* 150ml which removes all make up and daily grime and makes cleansing into a welcome night time ritual.  See my review here.

The final item in the bundle is one I've not tried before - Spiced Lily Foaming Bath* 250ml - this bath foam creates lots of bubbles and smells lovely and spicy. It contains Patchouli, Clove Bud and Sweet Orange Essential Oils and has quite a Christmassy scent.

What's your favourite Organic Surge product?

*PR samples

Inner Soul Organics: Limited Edition: Nordic Berry Bliss Hand & Body Salve

Inner Soul Organic's Limited Edition Nordic Berry Bliss Hand & Body Salve (250ml - £25.50) launches exclusively at Love Lula today. You can buy it until 1st January 2015.

I was sent a small sample* to test it out and I can confirm that this rich balm melts easily into the skin leaving it deeply nourished and lightly scented. The scent of the salve is really lovely - Pine and High Altitude Lavender is used making for a fresh floral scent.  Emma formulated the salve after spending time in Finland and Norway watching the locals use the plants around them to look after their skin.

The Nordic Berry Bliss Hand & Body Salve is the newest addition to the Nordic Collection and the Organic Botanical extracts used are native to Nordic and Scandinavian countries.

It contains Scandinavian Blueberry, Red Raspberry Seed and Arctic Cranberry extracts with Rosehip, Coconut and Borage which provide Vitamins A, C, E and Omegas 3 and 6.

If you are looking to start your Christmas shopping also available is the Nordic Luxe Deep Moisture Gift Box (£45.50) which contains the Nordic Berry Bliss Hand & Body Salve, Scandinavian Decadence Bath & Body Scrub and Scandinavian Decadence Shower Serum.

Buy from Love Lula with free Worldwide shipping.

*complimentary sample

Amphora Aromatics: Organic Originals Christmas Gift Box & Giveaway

Amphora Aromatics was set up by Christine and Peter Caroll in 1984 and is one of the UK's largest suppliers of Pure Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Products. I was sent one of their great value Christmas Gift Boxes* to review and they very kindly offered one as a giveaway prize for one of my readers (UK only).

The gift boxes are presented in a great (re-usable) brown corrugated box and are tied with a ivory ribbon.

Organic Originals Gift Box* costs £27.95 (including P&P) and it contains 5 full size products.  The Rose & Pomegranate range is Soil Association approved and products are free from SLS, Parabens and artificial fragrances.

The scent is floral and slightly fruity. Pomegranate extract is one of the best source of antioxidants and it helps to repair the skin.  Rose Otto flower oil smells gorgeous and gives the range a rosey scent.

Rose & Pomegranate Hand Wash (250ml) - presented in a pump bottle this hand wash gently cleanses the hands leaving them clean and sweet smelling.

Rose & Pomegranate Body Lotion (100ml) - a light and easily absorbed lotion which nourishes the skin leaving it delicately scented.

Rose & Pomegranate Shower Gel (250ml) - with a flip top cap this shower gel cleanses the skin leaving it clean and refreshed.

Rose & Pomegranate Lip Balm (15ml) - this is a rich and moisturising balm. It smells great too! Packed full of nourishing Organic Shea Butter, Beeswax and Sunflower Oil.  Leaves the lips nourished and protected.

Rose & Pomegranate Face Cream (60ml) - a luxurious cream which is easily absorbed and leaves the skin feeling nourished and protected.

A great box and an ideal Christmas present. See the whole Christmas range here.  Last date for ordering for Christmas is 5pm on Friday 19 December.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Little Treats #5

Skinlix Ylang Ylang & Bergamot Organic Body Scrub sample* - this is a gorgeous sugar scrub for the body which smells simply beautiful. It leave the skin soft, smooth and nourished. Full size will be mine and soon!

Skinlix Ylang Ylang & Bergamot 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil sample* - a teeny tiny sample but this oil is wonderful. Super moisturising and nurturing. Again the scent is amazing and full size is on the wishlist. I've been using it to nourish my hands after gardening.

Skinlix have offered my readers a fab 10% off with code BLOG - I know I'll be making use of this to buy full size of the above!

SW Basics Cleanser mini* - this came in October's Petit Vour Beauty Box. I'm a huge fan of the brand and this cleanser is just brilliant. Containing just 3 ingredients it cleanses and removes make up. I like to use this on non-make up days or as a pre-cleanse.

KYPRIS Antioxidant Dew 3ml and Beauty Elixir I - 1,000 Roses 3ml - these came in the F/W 14 Petit Vour box and I love them especially the elixir.  The Antioxidant Dew is deeply hydrating. It helps to restore vitality and make the skin look radiant.  It can be used morning and night and before applying an Elixir.  The Beauty Elixir 1 - 1,000 Roses is the star of the duo.  Smelling deeply of roses it repairs and pampers the skin.  Use alone or with the Antioxidant Dew.

Ann Gerard Parfum Rose Cut sample - this sample came from Bloom Perfumery (I chose a selection of samples). This is a beautiful rose floral with aldehydes, rum and pepper, patchouli, peony, benzoin, oak and vanilla and is quite unlike any other perfume in my collection. Pick your samples here.

What products have been delighting you lately?

Cult Beauty Christmas Wishlist

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This simply stunning Aromatherapy Associates gift is firmly on my wishlist! It looks really cute too (I spotted it in Harvey Nics yesterday). The mini drawers hold 10 x 7.5ml bath & shower oils and could be used afterwards for storing samples or hair bands.  Costs £55.

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I'm a huge fan of Aesop's Rind Concentrate Body Balm and would love to try some more products from the range. This "A certain radiance" gift set is fantastic. Costing £75 it contains: Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash (500ml), Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm (75ml), A Rose by Any Other Name Body Cleanser (200ml) and Rind Concentrate Body Balm (120ml).

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I'm a huge fan of the Laboratory Perfumes Gorse scent - see my review here. I know I'd love the candle too. Retailing at £35 for 248g.

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I've eyed this Oskia Rose De Mai Massage Candle up like forever! This heavenly scented candle melts to a rich body oil for massaging into dry skin areas or for massage. It's priced at £34.50 and I think it would be a decadent and luxurious treat.

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I'm a huge fan of kai's perfume oil but it is so pricey! £40 for 3.6ml. It is one of my all time favourite scents. It is summer in a bottle all year round. A blend of gardenia, with white flowers and green notes. Love!

What's on your Cult Beauty wishlist?

p.s. I picked up the Grown Alchemist Travel Kit I was lusting over on Thursday night with Cult Beauty's 15% off for Halloween!

Laboratory Perfumes: No.002 Gorse EDT

I first tried No. 002 Gorse EDT from Laboratory Perfumes via samples from Roullier White (see what I bought here). When Cult Beauty recently had a GWP offer I jumped right in!  See my purchases here.

I just love the packaging (which is all recyclable) and the simple clear glass "lab flask" type bottles. Costing £55 for a huge 100ml spray bottle.

The creator of this amazing scent is Christopher Perry, a British Perfumer who loves the landscape and natural history of the British Isles.  His product are on the shelves of some of London's most prestigious fragrance retailers. He creates unisex perfumes and candles (you've guessed it Gorse Candle is now on my wishlist!).

The perfumes are formulated to smell differently on each wearer. Gorse is made using gorse flowers, lemon balm and cardamon. On me it smells slightly coco-nutty with lemon and spicy notes but with a fresh feel. Not every wearer will get the same notes on their skin.  

I know I'll always have a bottle of this magical perfume in my collection.  Have you tried it?

October Books

Here's what I've been reading in October - 

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Stealing Power by Bo Brennan - a fab first novel!  Detective Chief Inspector AJ Colt is star of New Scotland Yard and everyone loves him..well apart from a serial rapist who for the last few years has been sending him DVDs of his crimes as well as to his victims who have no recollection of the rape due to being drugged.  All goes quiet and a year later Colt receives a new one which takes him back to this hometown of Winchester.

Detective India Kane, a private person with a temper is unhappy when DCI Colt appears on the scene to take over her investigation.  It is interesting watching the relationship which develops between India and Colt. Fast moving story with lots of twists and turns. I didn't see the ending coming! Great read.

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Baby Snatchers by Bo Brennan - this is the second novel in the Colt/Kane trilogy.

School Teacher Terri is unhappy to find out that her star pupil has been left home alone. She enlists the help of India to find out what has happened to her mum.  They find out that she's been sectioned and her new baby has disappeared.  This is quite a disturbing novel as it features a predatory paedophile ring, missing girls, the family court system and corrupt social services.  Again, Colt as Head of the Met's Paedophile Unit and Kane's cases become embroiled...

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The Wedding Speech by Isabelle Broom - this teeny tiny book is only 22 pages long!  Ed has been best friends with Billy for years. He knew he'd ask him to be his best man when he married Amelia.  There is a twist in the tale I didn't see coming.

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Just what kind of mother are you? by Paula Daly - Kate's 13 year old daughter Lucinda is meant to be having a sleepover at her friend Sally's house. Lisa, a working mum with too many things on her plate takes the eye off the ball and forgets to let Kate know the sleepover has been cancelled.  Lucinda is missing and Lisa gets the blame...

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Hunted (Dividing Line #7) by Heather Atkinson - Ryan and Rachel have to put moving back to their home off when a body is discovered in the garden. With the police taking too long to come to any conclusions Ryan, Battler and Bruiser do a bit of detective work themselves and discover some secrets. Someone is kidnapped and Mikey, Jez and Jules arrive.  Jules has some secrets of her own she doesn't want to be uncovered.  Katia is hoping for her own revenge. Great characters and scary plot.  Can't wait for book #8.

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Hush Little Baby (Jefferson Winter Chronicles) by James Carol - FBI profiler Yoko Tanaka is going to help out at a case in Tampa, Florida and takes Jefferson Winter along for the ride.  Three mothers and daughters have been murdered in their homes and they are looking for the Sandman but of course there is a twist which Jefferson solves. In this book we learn more about Winter, how he feels about having a serial killer for a father, his emotions and get to see a bit more of his character.  I found this an enjoyable read.

What have you been reading this month?