Into a Cornish Wind by Kate Ryder
A gentle, slow-burn romance which I was reading at a very hectic time of my life, so it helped to soothe my senses. A hero, Mac, with a painful past, a heroine, Kat, who doubts love and men, interwoven with an otherworldly insight and a strong sense of place. I do not always like present tense written books, but with Kate Ryder this enables the chapters to be absorbed effortlessly. I am now left with a desire for a sequel and the need for a holiday in Cornwall.
The Secret Keeper by Amanda James
I loved this story. As with Amanda James’ other recent titles, this has a touch of otherworldliness, a poignancy and lots of positivity and hope.
Rosa Fernley is keen to fulfil her grandmother, Jocelyn’s dying wish and that is what she sets out to do on her visit to Tintagel in Cornwall, but along the way she not only discovers more about the past, but also a lot about herself.
I had a fascination with Tintagel as a child and enjoyed revisiting the location of so many myths and legends. The story carried me along and was thought provoking and well written.
The Second Chance Holiday Club by Kate Galley
When I started this book, I wasn’t too sure about the age of the main characters, but this was soon dismissed as I got carried away with the story and the reveal about more detail of Evelyn, Joy and Cynthia’s lives. The revelations really make you think about your own life and in particular “seizing the day”. Sad, funny and uplifting. I really think we need a sequel to this one!
An Invitation to Seashell Bay: Part 1 by Bella Osborne
A classic Bella Osborne story with hot heroes, quirky heroines, misunderstandings, almost impossible strange situations and real life stuff. I finished Part One of An Invitation to Seashell Bay with a big outburst of laughter. Fun stuff. Can’t wait for Part Two.
The Collaborator’s Daughter by Eva Glyn
This book is one of my favourite reads this year! I related to the feelings and thoughts of Fran the main character so much that I could be her. Having visited Dubrovnik in my teens, I could easily imagine walking in the streets and well remember oranges and lemons growing on the trees and the bullet holes in the buildings. Fascinating, intriguing, well researched, poignant, heart-breaking and a great read. Another triumph from Eva Glyn – more please.
An Introduction to Needle Felting by Linda Calver
What a beautiful cover this book has with the delightful, felted animals on the front. It immediately makes you want to pick up the book and open it…
Needle felting involves tangling wool fleece using a needle to make 3D sculptures by adding layers of the wool. The process of working the wool initially feels strange, but it is surprising how quickly you can see a project taking shape and how easy it is to change the size and character of what you are trying to make.
I realised very quickly that I would need to practice to achieve the lovely animals in the book, as mine tended to come out a little lopsided with funny faces to begin with, but the craft is very addictive and I will persevere to achieve the standard I would like.
This book is a great introduction to felting and I think if you only work through the projects contained in its pages you will be more than happy, although probably by then, firmly addicted and wanting to make more.