Late to the Party

Keep Her Quiet by Emma Curtis Published by Black Swan Release date: 17th September 2020 ISBN:  978-1784165253 * Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review. Jenny has just given birth to the baby she's always wanted. She's never been this happy. Her husband Leo, knows the baby can't be his. He's never felt so betrayed. The same night, a vulnerable young woman, Hannah, wakes to find her newborn lifeless beside her. She's crazed with guilt. When chance throws Hannah into Leo's path, they make a plan that will have shattering consequences for all of them. Years later, a sixteen year old girl reads an article in a newspaper, and embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about herself. But what she learns will put everything she has ever known - and her own life - in grave danger. Because some people will go to desperate lengths to protect the secret their lives are built on... Read...

Live in the Light - Soap Sampler Kit £7.50 Contains: Marley's Monsters - Soap Saver Bag Vermont Soap - Wooden Soap Dish Twenty Three Living - The Eastern One Twenty Three Living - The Lavender One Twenty Three Living - The Herbaceous One Twenty Three Living - The Orange One I've recently gone a bit doolally buying sample soaps, so when I saw that Live in the Light were offering this brilliantly-priced and generous soap sampler kit, I didn't see the harm in adding just a few more to my growing stash! As well as the four generously sized sample bars of soaps from Twenty Three Living , there is a soap saver bag from Marley's Monsters  . Made from organic cotton mesh with a cotton drawstring cord, the soap saver bag is the ideal way to safely store soap to keep it lasting for longer. Slip your soap into the bag and rub to make it all lather up. The bag is lightly exfoliating and helps to maximise the lather and scent of your soap. Hang i...

After only recently coming across Earth Basics on Social Media I decided to go and have a little browse at their online store to see what they have to offer. See, here's the thing - I don't actually need anything at the moment, but when has that ever been a reason not to buy?! Earth Basics offer a lovely range of eco-friendly, recyclable,sustainably sourced, biodegradable and zero-plastic products from brands such as Ku.tis, Beauty Kubes, and Heavenly Organics as well as eco toothbrushes, plasters, cotton buds and cleansing cloths. Heavenly Organics - Organic Orange, Rose Geranium & Patchouli Body Butter £4.99 for 100g I wanted to try something from Heavenly Organics and this body butter caught my eye. It's seriously good value for money and you get a generous 100g glass pot with aluminium lid, so completely recyclable (or reusable). I thought the scent combination sounded delicious, and I wasn't wrong! What a stunning scent blen...

Akamuti I recently discovered this brand through Skin Organics Beauty Box and loved the product I tried so much that I had to go back and pick up a couple more items. Akamuti, a Welsh brand headed by Lindsey , hand craft natural skin, body and hair care products using only the best natural butters, oils, herbs, aromatic distillates, barks, resins and flowers. They have a strong environmental policy and ethical policies regarding animals and people . The name Akamuti comes from the Bemba language of Zambia and has two meanings - 'Little Tree' and 'Little bit of medicine' and shows the important connection meaning trees and medicines. Akamuti stress that tree ingredients are vital in their products - essential for our health and also for the health of the planet. Amazonian Murmuru Butter £5.00 for 50g This is the product that I received in the most recent Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. Murmuru Butter is a creamy yellow Brazilian ...

The Sin Eater by Megan Campisi Published by Pan Macmillan Release Date: 23 July 2020 ISBN:  978-1529019063 * Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for sending an ARC in return for an honest review. An old adage says there are really only two stories: a man goes on a voyage, and a stranger arrives in town. This is the third: a woman breaks the rules . . . Can you uncover the truth when you’re forbidden from speaking it? A Sin Eater’s duty is a necessary evil: she hears the confessions of the dying, eats their sins as a funeral rite. Stained by these sins, she is shunned and silenced, doomed to live in exile at the edge of town. Recently orphaned May Owens is just fourteen, only concerned with where her next meal is coming from. When she’s arrested for stealing a loaf of bread, however, and subsequently sentenced to become a Sin Eater, finding food is suddenly the last of her worries. It’s a devastating sentence, but May’s new invisibility opens new doors. And ...

Birch Lea Soaperie I was searching on Etsy for soap scrap samples - several soap maker sellers offer these and I love the idea of them - being able to try out different scented soaps and also because I prefer these smaller bars for use in the bathroom. These soap samples from Birch Lea Soaperie caught my eye, and I was even more delighted when I saw that the seller was from my nearest town, Cromer in North Norfolk. I love to buy from small businesses, and even more so if they're local. A stack of five soap samples , weighing 25g each costs £5.50 and you can even choose which scents you'd like to try. I picked up Cinnamon and Ginger, Rose and Vanilla, Mint and Rosemary, Coconut and Lime and Sweet Birch and Cedarwood. They smell soooo good! I think my favourite is the Cinnamon and Ginger (also available for £4.50 for a 100g bar). All soaps are made with natural butters and oils with no added chemicals. Bergamot and Palmarosa Body Butter £6.50 ...

Key WR   - Will repurchase or have already repurchased MR  - Might repurchase at a later date. WNR  - Will not repurchase. Either it didn't work for me, I didn't like it, it's too expensive or it had ingredients that didn't suit my skin. Skincare * Natura Estonica - Ginseng & Acai Face Tonic ( WR ) This is the second bottle of this toner that I've bought and I'd definitely buy it again if I saw it (found it in T.K Maxx both times). It's a lovely, refreshing toner which is gentle enough to use on the eyes. I often use it as a morning cleanser too. * Meadow Skincare - Hydration Boost Moisturising Balm ( WR ) One of my favourite brand discoveries from last year and this moisturising balm was one of my favourite products. Some balms are just too much for the face, but this one is ideal as a last step in your night time routine. Beautifully silky and melty, I could sometimes wear this on top of a facial oil (depending on which oil) for ...