Knit your own dolls by Fiona Goble

Create your own knitted dolls, full of personality and fun to make.

Everyone loves dolls with character, and Fiona Goble has designed 25 knitted toys with real appeal. As well as boy and girl dolls, there are animal dolls, and a whole wardrobe of clothes and accessories. The dolls are all the same size, so outfits can be swapped between the dolls, and you can change hairstyles and colouring as well to create a personalised gift for a child (or an adult!) As well as the dolls and their clothes, there are more than 10 added extras such as pet cats and dogs, a mini teddy bear, and beach gear, making more than 35 patterns in total. Whether you want to knit Ben the Surfer Dude, Vintage Rosie, Marion the Mermaid, or Superhero Stan, you will find easy-to-follow patterns, and instructions on everything from knitting techniques to creating the all-important finishing touches.

Publisher: Ryland, Peters & Small Ltd
ISBN: 9781782495635 

This is the perfect book for parents or grand parents who have young children who love dolls or who love to participate in imaginary play  or for someone who needs a special friend to take on a journey or scary adventure.

There are 25 individual patterns for dolls and anumals within the book which cover a variety of themes including sportmen/women, scientist, bakers, ballerina, mermaid, gymnast, superhero, pirate, skier and surfer.

The book starts off with a pattern for a basic doll which forms the template for most of the designs in the book. The doll is made in sections: body and  head, arms and legs meaning it is relatively easy to construct in manageable pieces. It is made using stocking stitch. The subsequent patterns include clothes and accessories to be worn by the basic doll for children to swap and change as desired. There are also patterns for a poodle, a unicorn dressing up, a fox, a teddy bear, rabbit and a range of outfits to suit any occasion.

The patterns are written in clear, manageable sections and there is also a very clear, easy to follow techniques section for knitting techniques. My only negative to this book is that although there are detailed written instructions for how to make up clothing and dolls there are no pictorial instructions. However, there are fantastic colour photographs of each finished doll which shows the dolls in all their finery. 

The dolls in this book all look great and would make great characters in a children's picture story book

Thank you to the publishers, Cico Books, for sending me the book in return for an honest review,

Learn to Crochet Granny Squares and Flower Motifs by Nicki Trench

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Granny squares are the perfect crochet project for beginners. They are easy to learn and quick to complete.

With full instructions for all the techniques you will need at the start, followed by 25 lovely patterns to put your newly-learned skills to use, Learn to Crochet Granny Squares and Flower Motifs is the perfect book for beginners, and near-beginners who want to expand their repertoire. The repetition of stitches and patterns within granny squares is perfect for mastering the basics, and the squares can then be made up into all sorts of useful and beautiful things, from scarves and blankets to bags and cushion covers. Once you've got the hang of squares, branch out into hexagons and triangles, and then into flower motifs - the combinations of shape, colour and pattern are almost endless. Best of all, you can use up all sorts of yarn from your stash as you practise until your squares are perfect.

Publisher: Ryland, Peters & Small Ltd
ISBN: 9781782495673 

 I have used a number of Nicki Trench's crochet books and I am always really excited to see what new designs and finishing ideas Nicki has come up with to entice me to pick up my crochet hook and   a suitable yarn and get crocheting. 

Learn to Crochet Granny Squares and Flower Motifs is split into three sections: For the Home; To Wear and To Carry and Cover. There are lots of great ideas for beginners but also for the more advanced there are loads of patterns which can be adapted to suit any project or techniques and projects which can be adapted to use a crocheter's favourite square or design. All projects include a quick introduction to it, a really useful quick overview of the skills needed to complete the project, a suggested yarn (patterns use a wide variety of yarns including double knit, aran, merino and cotton yarn), an equipment list, suggested tension and finished project measurements. There is a colour photograph of the finished project along with a close up photograph of the design used.

This book would be suitable for beginners, intermediates and advanced crocheter's. There is a basic overview of equipment needed, suggested additional equipment which may be useful and a explanatory section on the stitches and techniques used when crocheting. This section is really easy to follow and techniques are explained using text and fantastic pictorial guides. Although I consider myself quite an advanced crocheter I found this section really useful in reminding me of things that I haven't done for a while and new finishing techniques.

This is a book that I will be recommending to all my crochet friends. It will be a great addition to any crocheter's library and will be a go to book for project ideas and scrap buster projects.

I received this  book from the publishers, Cico Books, in return for an honest review.

Blog Blitz - Summer at the Castle Cafe by Donna Ashcroft

IF YOU ONLY READ ONE BOOK THIS SUMMER, MAKE IT SUMMER AT THE CASTLE CAFÉ…

When Alice Appleton escapes to the beautiful seaside town of Castle Cove it’s the change of scenery she didn’t even realise she needed. Taking up a job in the charming Castle Café, Alice finds herself surrounded by cream teas, chocolate cake and quirky characters. Could this be the perfect place for Alice to embrace the summer?

Mysterious and handsome Jay O’Donnell has lived in picturesque Castle Cove since he was a child. As a volunteer on the lifeboats, his days by the sea are far from predictable. Haunted by a tragedy from his past, he’s on a mission to save as many people as possible. But when Alice Appleton walks into his life - and turns his world upside down - he begins to realise that perhaps it might just be his turn to be rescued…

As Alice and Jay find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other, will they learn the importance of letting go to make way for second chances? And will Alice find the life she’s always dreamed of in Castle Cove?

Heart-warming, hilarious and utterly romantic, Summer at the Castle Café is perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson, Lucy Diamond and Phillipa Ashley.

The perfect book to relax with over the summer months - a love story which unfolds over the duration of the book as if in real time. I am sure that many people can relate to Alice and Jay's relationship within the book, many will have friends who have been through the same and I am sure, as I was, there were times during the book when I wanted to intercept and give them both a good talking to and make them see what is happening.

The front cover is a great advert for the book - I would love to visit Castle Cove and take in the scenery. Donna's book is the perfect summer read while relaxing in the summer sun.

Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me to take part in the blog blitz in return for an honest review

A Family Recipe by Veronica Henry

Today I am very pleased to be a stop on Veronica Henry's blog tour to celebrate the publication of A Family Recipe in paperback.

The brand-new feel-good story from bestseller Veronica Henry - a perfect mix of family, friends and delicious food.

What's the secret ingredient to your happiness?

Laura Griffin is preparing for an empty nest. The thought of Number 11 Lark Hill falling silent - a home usually bustling with noise, people and the fragrant smells of something cooking on the Aga - seems impossible. Laura hopes it will mean more time for herself, and more time with her husband, Dom.

But when an exposed secret shakes their marriage, Laura suddenly feels as though her family is shrinking around her. Feeling lost, she turns to her greatest comfort: her grandmother's recipe box, a treasured collection dating back to the Second World War.

Everyone has always adored Laura's jams and chutneys, piled their sandwiches high with her pickles . . . Inspired by a bit of the old Blitz spirit, Laura has an idea that gives her a fresh sense of purpose.

Full of fierce determination, Laura starts carving her own path. But even the bravest woman needs the people who love her. And now, they need her in return...

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
ISBN: 9781409166627

I really enjoy Veronica's books, they are always a great read with strong women at their heart and a really strong family in the background of the stories. A Family Recipe is another such book and has been cleverly told in two timelines. Veronica writes in such a great way, her stories are easy to read but always have a clear message. Veronica has written for a number of television series and whenever I pick up her latest title I can see the characters and the story unfolding before my eyes - I really hope that this (or any of her back list) are taken up by a production company. 

Jill is the  main character of the book and we meet her in 1942, in wartime England, where she has lost love ones and again in the modern day, along with her grand daughter Laura, who is suffering from empty nest syndrome as her children leave home to go to university. Both ladies turn to cooking and the story is told alongside their family recipe books which are stored in a box and come out in times of need.

A Family Recipe is a great story, with strong characters and a believable story. The recipes and foods that are described in the book all sound gorgeous and I will be investigating some of them further. This is a great book to read over the summer months, and I am sure there will be lots of family recipe chutneys and jams at the many summer fayres over the summer months to enjoy while reading it.

Another great read from Veronica - can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to the publishers, Orion Books, for sending me this book to review. 

Blog Blitz - Finders Keepers by K T Finch

A split-second decision throws ordinary family man Noah’s life into chaos in this utterly gripping thriller that will have you hooked from the first page to the last. If you love James Patterson, Harlan Coben and Gregg Hurwitz, you’ll love Finders Keepers.
What if you could change your life with one little lie?

Noah Kendall loves his family, but hates his teaching job. Mortgage, bills and mouths to be fed: he’s stuck in a rut. And with more debts piling up each day, he knows that something has to change.

As he opens yet another red letter, he has to get out and clear his head, despite the heavy Alaskan snow outside. His legs ache as he runs deeper into the forest, until he notices something in the distance – a crashed car, sitting dead still. Inside, a girl sits slumped in the driver’s seat, eyes closed, mouth open, skin grey beneath the winter frost.

And then beside her he sees it: a bag of money. And lots of it. Enough to pay off his debt and start a whole new life. And it’s just sitting there, waiting for him to take it...

What would you do?

This book was previously published as The Dead Girl.

'An unputdownable mystery thriller that will have you on the edge of your seats' says Amazon and I must agree! I was up late into the evening finishing this book as I just couldn't put it down. K T Finch has a fantastic writing style and I love to pick up the new thriller and get lost in it, living the twists and turns as they unfold and I am always left shocked by the ending.

I felt that K T Finch started the fast impact of pace from the first chapter. I loved the cast of characters - they each had their own mysteries and personal characteristics and I really liked Noah as a main character, he had his flaws but I found him really interesting.

I will definitely be seeking out some more of K T Finch's back catalogue and am looking forward to the next release.

Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me to be a part of this blog blitz.