Showing posts with label Book Reviews. Show all posts

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Book Review: Blessings of the Lost Girls by J.A. Jance

A Brady and Walker Family Novel

Fans of author Judith (J.A.) Jance love her three popular series, one starring Joanna Brady, another J.P. Beaumont and the series with Ali Reynolds. She also wrote a short series (5 books) about the Walker Family featuring Native Americans from the Tohono O’Odham reservation in Arizona.

In this review of her latest book, Blessings of the Lost Girls, Jance combines members of the Walker Family and characters from the Joanna Brady series in an exciting adventure that includes Joanna's daughter Jenny and Brandon Walker's son-in-law, Dan Pardee.

Synopsis of Blessings of the Lost Girls

The story begins with a background of the serial killer who is the villain in the novel.

Then we are introduced to Danial Pardee, a former member of the Shadow Wolves Border Patrol, who patrol the U.S./Mexico border along the Tohono O’Odham Nation Reservation in Arizona. Now he is a field officer in the newly formed MIP agency (Missing and Murdered Indigenous People), an agency under the Department of Interior. The main purpose of MIP is to investigate and put right how law enforcement agencies all over the country had dealt with both solved and unsolved cases involving the deaths and disappearances of Native American victims.

A body is found in the desert on a ranch near Tucson consisting of nothing but burned bones. It took nearly 3 years, but the bones are finally identified as those of Rosa Rios, a young woman of Apache descent who was a one-time rodeo star. Dan is called to investigate, as the victim was found in his territory. As it turns out, all reports each MIP investigator files are automatically shared with other MIP field agents, which soon leads to other agents contacting Dan with reports of similar cases involving young women of indigenous descent, each of whom had some connection to rodeos. Soon, the agency realizes that Rosa's death is connected to a serial killer.

Dan contacts Joanna Brady, Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona where Rosa's body was found. Later, Joanna's daughter Jenny, currently a criminal justice major at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, becomes involved in the case due to having once met Rosa at a rodeo.

Turns out, Jenny knows another girl who was once attacked at a rodeo by a man who matches the description of the killer they are looking for. And this girl happens to have saved a pair of eyeglasses which were knocked off the man during the attack. The girl never reported the attack at the time because her Morman family would not have approved of the boy she was dating, but finally agrees to turn in the glasses, from which fingerprints are obtained.

Summary

Between Dan, Joanna and Jenny, and Dan's best friend, Brian Fellows, Sheriff of Pina County in Tucson, a case is put together and the serial killer is tracked down.

*Special Note: Throughout the novel, the author weaves in a few fascinating ancient legends from the (Papago) Tohono O’Odham (Desert People) where the basis of the story begins. The legends, plus the excellent writing of J.A. Jance, makes Blessings of the Lost Girls a very special story indeed. I highly recommend it.

Blessings of the Lost Girls, Book 20 of 20 in the Joanna Brady mystery series, is available in several formats on Amazon

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

A Review of the Book Chair Exercises for Seniors

Chair Exercises for Seniors came about after the author, Luke Adams, realized that getting older does not mean that a person's life is over. The latter part of life can instead be a time for exploring new interests and hobbies......like writing a book, as Luke Adams did! It was a fortunate thing for all the people that have been helped by his book, including me!

This book is not a long read, only 206 pages, 11 chapters listed below:

Chapters

1. Stay In Sync With Your Body—The Changes

2. Why Chair Exercises?

3. Get Your Chair

4. Warming up

5. Ankle and Leg Exercises

6. Neck and Shoulder Exercises

7. Upper and Lower Back Exercises

8. Arm, Wrist and Hand Exercises

9. Build Strength From Your Core

10. Cooldown & Recovery

11. Building Your 7-Day Routine

What Does the Book Contain?

The book as a whole is full of useful information, it is far more than just a list of exercises. It also deals with some of the psychology of aging, and the decisions that are made along the way that impact the life we will experience as we get older. The presentation of the material is easy to understand and is formatted in a personal, almost cozy, conversational style that is both interesting and appealing.

The following outlines what I found to be the most pertinent of what this book offers to the reader:

An informative discussion of the changes the body goes through with age
Concise explanations of what chair exercises are and why they are perfect for seniors; also how they benefit the different part of the body
How to exercise if you are recovering from an injury
Clear, easy to understand instructions with pictures for everything discussed in this book
A 7 day routine designed to help strengthen your most used muscles
Modifications for making the exercises easier for beginners or more difficult as you advance your fitness level as well as ways to modify the routine to fit your personal needs
Low impact exercises that can help you to relax and reduce stress
Exercises for specific parts of your body that you want to work on
Warm up and cool down exercises that help you ease in and out of activities
Advice on the equipment needed and optional equipment for the routine and the best attire to wear (much of which you already own, no expensive accessories needed!)
How to stay safe while exercising, including before and after.
Pertinent information of how exercise helps overall health, plus the improvement in balance and mobility which can help prevent falls
The book ends with a glossary of terms, in case you are unfamiliar with some of the terms used.

Sample Illustration

Seated Knee and Hip Extension Illustration from
Chair Exercises for Seniors

My Thoughts

Reading this book gave me hope about the future for the first time in a long time. It is easy to become down in the dumps when you get older, but as was said in the book's introduction, it is more important to focus on what we can do than what we can no longer do. Getting older does not mean losing the life you love, it only means that you have to work a bit harder to keep it. You can even go on to make it even more fulfilling with the right tools and determination. Keeping upbeat and active helps you to maintain an independent lifestyle, which is what every senior wants. All this can be achieved in just a few minutes a day, starting at any fitness level.

One of the most important things this book taught me is you can control how you age. You can be the older person who spends all their time in a easy chair watching TV, or you can be the one outside planting flowers in the garden or going shopping and out to lunch with family and friends. Which you want to be is up to you. If you want to be the second type, this book can be the start of getting there. Why wait?

Order Chair Exercises for Seniors

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Saturday, October 21, 2023

The Bone Hacker by Kathy Reichs

The Bone Hacker is Kathy Reichs' latest book in her Temperance Brennan Series ~ Number 22 of 22.

Image of an island beach and ocean, with a beach umbrella.

Synopsis of The Bone Hacker

Readers of earlier Temperance Brennan novels will be thrilled with The Bone Hacker, the latest book in the series.

Temperance Brennan is a forensic anthropologist, dividing her time between her headquarters in North Carolina and Montreal.

As the story opens, Tempe is working in Montreal, Canada, where she shares an apartment with her significant other, Andrew Ryan, a lieutenant with the Quebec police working in homicide.

Tempe is called in to examine what is left of a person thought to have been struck by lightning during a storm. As she traces an unusual tattoo on the body, she discovers it is a symbol of a gang operating in the islands of Turks and Caicos. A call to the police department there brings a high-ranking officer to Montreal to meet with Tempe and persuade her to return to the islands to help with two sets of bones recently discovered and possibly connected to three young men – tourists – two of whom have disappeared without a trace in the past seven years.

The case becomes much larger than Tempe expected and tantalizing leads begin to emerge. At first it was thought that the gang violence in the islands was connected to these deaths, but Tempe is not so sure. As she discovers more evidence, it seems to point to something that will have global significance.

Summary

As the story nears its climax, it becomes apparent that new technology may wreak worldwide havoc and Tempe herself becomes a target. A thriller with an exciting and surprising ending.

The Bone Hacker is available here on Amazon

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*Book Review written by Wednesday Elf

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Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Book Review: Lights Out by Elise Hart Kipness

Lights Out by Elise Hart Kipness, a whodunnit novel

I read this book for free as part of the Amazon Prime first read for October. I am so glad I picked this book out of the selection as the characters are well rounded and the whodunnit is an interesting plot without being too complicated.

So imagine you're on suspension from your job and your best friend's husband is killed, it just begs for you to solve the crime really doesn't it? Kate Green is the main character and she's a former professional soccer player who is now a network sports reporter (well she's on forced suspension, but you can find out all about that in the book!). The author, Elise Hart Kipness is a former television sports reporter which may be why the book's scenes seem really authentic.

Her best friend's husband is a much-loved elite basketball player and the prime suspect is his wife, Kate's best friend Yvette. Kate knows a lot of Yvette's flaws, but she doesn't believe that she is capable of murder. The fly in the ointment is the lead detective in the case who is always camera-ready and seems determined to jail Yvette without investigating other leads.

Along the way, we meet Yvette and Kurt's (the aforementioned basketball player) daughter and Kate's son and daughter. We also meet Kate's ex-husband and third wife, and we also discover that the pin for his phone is Kate's birthday - does this mean anything.

We also learn a little bit about Kate's life such as her relationship with her mother and stepdad and the fact that her father is an NYPD detective and just like that when assistance is needed from the NYPD it comes in his form! He also makes a cryptic comment towards the end of the book which had me hoping for another book.

Luckily as I looked up the book on Amazon to see if it's available for everyone to purchase yet (it is) I see it is now titled Lights Out (Kate Green Book 1) and there is a the title of a second book in the series which you can preorder. The release date is next year.

One reviewer called this book an entertaining read and summed it up rather aptly with this sentence, 'There is a clever plot, twists and turns and a satisfying ending with a hint of intrigue'. I think that sums it up beautifully and I thoroughly recommend this book.

I enjoyed reading this book with a large fizz and a couple of protein cookies, what will you be enjoying when you read this book?

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Monday, October 16, 2023

Book Review: The Girl Behind the Gates by Brenda Davies

Nora Jennings is a 17 year old in England during the 1930's which is a time of war and a time of mental asylums. While Nora is a privileged young lady, she is also found to be a "moral defective" and as such she is moved to an asylum. Based on a true story The Girl Behind the Gates is a harrowing, moving, and hopeful account of a young lady trying to survive her mental health treatment the best she can and the few people who are kind to her and help her stay alive.

The Girl Behind the Gates

The Girl Behind the Gates by Brenda Davies

The book begins with the Author's note that ensured I would tear through this story in every free moment. The author is a medical practitioner, who came to work in the asylum when Nora had been held for decades.

"Over the years I tried to encourage Nora to tell her story, but she always backed away from doing so. However, several times she asked me if I would write it for her. I always refused. Then following her death in 1995, one of her friends sent me a note and included a letter from Nora reminding me of her request. So, at long last, this is a true yet fictionalised account of Nora's story."

At 17, Nora made two life-changing decisions that began with falling in love. Those decisions were deemed by her parents, The local religious and governmental folks in charge, and by the mental health practitioners of the day as morally defective. A person that needed to be kept out of the public in order to protect society.

Little to no patient records were kept, many who worked in the asylum were abusive, and it was acceptable to slap a patient into line. It was extremely easy to find yourself placed in an asylum and impossible to find your way out while still alive.

Some staff were kind, but those staff had little to no power in the hierarchy. Kind staff were reprimanded and/or did not remain employed at the facility. The treatments of the day included sedation, ice baths, removal of personal belongings, and electric shock therapy. Nora experienced all of those treatments.

The Girl Behind the Gates by Brenda Davies

Forty-two years later, in 1981, Dr. Janet is newly employed at the Hillinghurst Hospital and is working in the acute ward when she is directed to do a review of the patients on the back wards. Dr. Janet begins with reviewing the files before entering the back wards and meeting the staff and patients.

"She's been at it for hours and feels pretty over-whelmed. No real patient notes, just individual sentences, often separated by bald patches where nothing at all was recorded, as though the patient simply stopped existing for months at a time."

It is in those back wards that she meets the woman who has been kept there since age 17. A woman who has learned to survive the abuse, neglect, and psychological trauma. A woman who inspires Dr. Janet to re-examine her own life and eventually write a book to tell the story.

A Personal Note

Having worked in mental health for decades, this story was profoundly meaningful to me. Dr. Janet's thoughts and approaches rang true. So many "patients" (then and now) have exceedingly important stories to be told yet go unheard due to the issues of confidentiality, difficulty with timelines, and hazy details. Yet, they are stories that should be shared.

I am thankful that Brenda Davies found a way to share this story to not only educate about the common treatments used decades ago but also the personal story of a woman who survived it all.

Nora Jennings survived. But how? And did she thrive or remain merely the shell of a person? You'll have to read the story to find out.

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Thursday, October 12, 2023

Book Review - Friends Come to Call

Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree-AI generated image

In the fourth book of the "Tow Truck Mysteries", author Karen Whalen delights us with another mystery starring Delaney, a tow truck driver with a love for shoes, and her interesting cast of friends. This mystery takes place in the days leading up to Christmas at a Christkindl Market.

Summary of Storyline

Delaney loves everything about the Christkindl Market. She can spend hours each day wandering through the booths and enjoying all the lights, music, refreshments and decorations.

The book opens with Delaney and her latest boyfriend, Sheriff Ephraim Lopez looking for that perfect Christmas tree at the tree booth at the market. As they wander through the trees they come across a dead body of a woman near the back of the lot.

After her initial shock and concern for the identity of the woman and her family Delaney starts to worry about all of the negative effects this could have on the Christkindl market. Her best friend has a coffee kiosk at the market and Delaney worries about if this will have a negative effect on her sales and that of the other booth operators.

Delaney has a reputation in her town of Spruce Ridge, Colorado of not only being the high heeled tow truck driver but of also being a bit of an amateur detective. When her family and friends are involved, she can't seem to stay away from the investigation. This time is no different and even though she is told to leave this to law enforcement she just can't help herself and proceeds to wander the market questioning people and trying to uncover the guilty party.

Will she discover who is guilty, will the Christkindl Market be saved and will Delaney find the perfect gift for Ephraim? These are all questions you will need to read the book to discover.

Book Release

The book will be released on October 25, 2023. Click on the Amazon link below to order the book.

More Books by Karen Whalen

Here is a link to a review I wrote about the first book in the Tow Truck Mystery Series.

Toes on the Dash

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Friday, October 6, 2023

His Disinclined Bride by Jennie Goutet Reviewed

"His Disinclined Bride" is the 7th book in the Seasons of Change historical romance series.

I have really enjoyed reading this series. I have read books in the past written by several of the contributing authors to this collection. A few of the authors are on my "favorite authors" list and I know when I see their names, that I can look forward to an excellent read before I even start the book.

Over the last year, Jennie Goutet has quickly become one of those trusted authors. Her books are always exceptional and unique. "His Disinclined Bride" is no exception and I admit, I really wanted to read it sooner, but I waited so I could read the books in the series in order.

It is absolutely not necessary to read this series in order, or to even read all of them. Therefore, I recommend that, if you enjoy a historical romance novel, you will want to grab this one immediately.

I have always thought how uncertain and scary it would be to have parents arrange a marriage to a complete stranger based on social status. I have always been grateful that I was not born in an era where women were treated as possessions and "given" to a groom they did not choose or even want.

Jennie Goutet opened another door in this social paradigm for me in "His Disinclined Bride" when the marriage arrangement fell to the oldest brother because their father was deceased. I have read lots of books and seen many movies when the brother was the head of the family and had to give permission to court, but I don't ever remember a plot where the brother made a marriage arrangement for his sister without her knowledge and to a complete stranger. As I read though the book, I couldn't help but consider how a young woman would feel when thrown into this situation without any input or choice. Where she was simply told that she would be getting married within a month and that she should be grateful.

His Disinclined Bride

Katherine "Kitty" Stokes was quite content living in her brother's home with him, his wife, their children and her younger brother. She was quite close to her youngest brother and doted on her niece and nephews. However, her serenity was shattered the day her brother informed her that she would be marrying Lord Hayworth in a month and would move to his estate several hours away.

His Disinclined BrideCheck PriceLord Phineas Hayworth was tired of living under his father's thumb, helping to manage his estates. When it came to choosing a wife, he did not want his parents dictating the choice. Because his maternal grandmother had left him her estate, he wanted to marry, move to that estate, and take control of his own life. He would continue to help his father with the other property, but he needed the distance from his parents that the Giddenhall estate offered. He didn't know anyone he wished to marry so he told his man of business to investigate potential brides and make a business arrangement for him. Phineas needed money to restore and maintain the Giddenhall estate in Castle Combe. A bride's dowry would be the perfect way to obtain a large amount of money quickly.

Erasmus Stokes was thrilled with the opportunity to buy an alliance with a future Earl. He was willing to pay a high price for such an arrangement. He knew his association with a high standing member of the peerage would advance his business. His shipping company was already extremely successful and he was admired by other businessmen, but he wanted to be able to claim family ties with Lord Hayworth.

Stokes and Hayworth entered into an agreement before Kitty even knew there was any consideration of such an arrangement that would dictate the rest of her life. When she objected, her brother made it perfectly clear that she would do as he said, and that she should be grateful for such an arrangement. After all, he could have chosen to send her out to be a governess or a companion. As far as he was concerned, this arrangement served all three of them well.

Kitty was considered an inadequate, perhaps unrefined, bride choice by Lord Hayworth's parents and the peerage. Even the servants of Giddenhall did not treat her with the respect due to Lady Hayworth (her new title by marriage). Plus, the stable manager considered himself her equal and pursued her for a romantic relationship.

How would she ever find happiness again? You will have to read the book to find out!

Previously Reviewed from the Seasons of Change Series

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Saturday, September 30, 2023

Book Review of Relentless, a Dean Koontz Novel

Relentless, published in 2009, is a completely compelling suspense thriller that is fearless and funny.

Synopsis of 'Relentless'

Cullen Greenwich, known as “Cubby” is a successful and happy man. He is a bestselling novelist and knows how lucky he is to be making a living doing what he enjoys. The love of his life is his wife, Penny, a children's book author and illustrator. Together, Penny & Cubby have a brilliant six-year-old son, Milo (affectionately called 'Spooky' for his genius abilities in math and science), and an unusual non-collie puppy Milo insisted on naming Lassie.

Life in the Greenwich household is happy and serene until Cubby receives a bad review on his otherwise well-received newest book. The bad review is penned by a much feared and seldom seen critic Shearman Waxx. Cubby knows he should ignore the review, Penny & Milo know this; even Lassie knows. And he plans to do just that. Then he happens to learn where Shearman Waxx is taking his lunch and Cubby wants to just get a look at this mysterious recluse whose mere opinion seems to affect careers, and maybe even a life.

But Waxx isn't what anyone would expect and what seemed to be an innocent encounter turns into an escalating terror. It seems Waxx gives criticism but doesn't take it and he has ways of dealing with those who cross him. Soon Cubby and his family find themselves desperately struggling against a relentless sociopath and on the run for their lives.

Summary

In Relentless, Dean Koontz brings us another unforgettable tale involving evil, fate, and the power of love. You will be cheering for Cubby, Penny, Milo and Lassie and their extended family and friends as they set out to free themselves from the force that is Shearman Waxx.

Relentless, a Dean Koontz Novel Book Cover

Relentless, available on Amazon
in several formats

For Several More Dean Koontz Book Reviews,

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*Book Review of Relentless written by Wednesday Elf

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Friday, September 29, 2023

A Haunting at Havenwood by Sally Britton Reviewed

"A Haunting at Havenwood" is the 6th book in the Seasons of Change series.

I do love it when I find an entertaining series where every book is a unique historical romance adventure. Each of the Seasons of Change books has been quite enjoyable to read, but I have only chosen to review my favorites of this series.

By the title alone, A Haunting at Havenwood promised an unusual plot. Once I started reading, I stayed up all night. I simply could not put the book down! Yes, I paid the price the next day, but it was worth it.

Seeing ghosts in a graveyard is not a rare plot, nor is the idea that the ghosts communicate with someone. However, the idea that they might encourage a descendant to travel to an ancestral home and then continue to accompany him throughout his time there is a rather intriguing concept for a historical romance novel. Because the ghosts spoke to each other as well, the phantom couple was rather endearing as they revealed information about their own relationship and lives. I liked them as well as any of the other characters in the book.

A Haunting at Havenwood

Erasmus "Ras" Grey is a wealthy, single gentleman who provides for his mother and sisters. He enjoys writing Gothic novels under a nom de plume, which he uses to protect his family from criticism or gossip. Ras doesn't like social gatherings because he tends to stutter if he gets nervous, which often happens around women. When he recently started hearing voices that told him to go to Havenwood, an ancestral home that he still owns, he decided time alone would be just what he needed. He had not visited the "hunting lodge" in quite some time, but he had always loved it and the seclusion it offered.

Upon arrival at Havenwood, located next to the village of Harbottle, Ras settled in for a quiet stay. He didn't want anyone in town to know he was there because he had no desire to entertain or to accept visitors. Havenwood had a small staff that lived there and cared for the lodge year-round and he let them know he needed them to keep his visit a secret.

A Haunting at Havenwood
(Seasons of Change Book 6)Check Price He continued to hear the voices, but it wasn't until he responded to them that the ghosts of his great-grandparents appeared to him. After that, he became accustomed to having them pop in and out when they desired, giving him tidbits of information, but encouraging him to find the treasure that awaited his discovery.

Ras enjoyed taking his notebook and walking around the woods that surrounded the lodge. He had not expected to encounter anyone in the woods, but when he happened upon a young woman in the cemetery, he stood a good distance away, under the shade of the tree. When she spoke to him, he answered with as few words as possible because he didn't want her to hear his stutter. When she turned to leave, he moved back behind a tree where she could no longer see or talk to him.

__________

After Louisa Banner's father died, her mother ran through their remaining money quickly. Mrs. Banner decided to visit an old friend for a while, but Louisa was not invited. She was sent to live with an aunt she had never met, in a village she had never visited.

Far from society or anything familiar, she was uncertain what was expected of her; who would be her friends; what were her prospects for the future; what if her aunt didn't want her either. So many concerns filled her mind as she arrived in Harbottle with only her maid and a few pieces of luggage.

When the door to the Manse opened, Louisa was welcomed with a warm embrace from the aunt she had never met, into a house that actually felt like a home. Perhaps, everything would be okay after all.

Louisa was captivated by the tales of the old castles in the area and the stories of hidden treasure. When she was encouraged to walk around the area, she felt a sense of freedom that she had never experienced before. She wandered aimlessly until she came upon a graveyard and that is where she met a new friend, "her ghost".

As the days went by, Louisa returned to the cemetery to met with "her ghost". She started investigating the history of the area and asks lots of questions. Like everyone else in Harbottle, she hoped to discover the hidden treasure.

______

The grandparent ghosts continued to talk to Ras throughout the book. Even though they did not send him to Ravenwood to meet Louisa, they did encourage the romance between them. The conversations between the two ghosts were rather comical. They were like an old bickering couple, but it was clear they loved each other deeply.

My Opinion of "A Haunting at Havenwood"

I loved this combination of romance and mystery. As I mentioned earlier, it is rare to have ghosts in a romance novel, but the concept worked perfectly. The author did an excellent job of weaving a connecting thread through every layer of the plot. I felt I had a few new friends in the end, including the ghosts.

Previously Reviewed from the Seasons of Change Series

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Saturday, September 23, 2023

Review of the Zoomigurumi Crochet Craft Books Series

As we crochet crafters know, Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures. Zoomigurumi takes it one step further and concentrates on animals found in the wild or domesticated ones we have as pets.

A collage of the 12 craft books in the Zoomigurumi book series

This series of twelve craft books features patterns for a wide variety of very cute and clever animals to crochet as huggable soft handmade toys. Each book in the series features from 12 to 15 animal patterns, each one by a different designer. The patterns range from beginner to advanced, so every crochet crafter can find one or more to fit their abilities. The series was produced by AmigurumiPatterns.net, a popular handicraft website.

The List of the Zoomigurumi Craft Books

Book 1 of 12. Zoomigurumi. 12 designers have teamed up in this first Zoomigurumi craft book to give you patterns for a Baby Bear, a Pig, a Toucan, a Tiger and a Pony, a Monkey and Lil Quack the Duck, a Lemur, a Fox, Dakota the Dog and Eduardo the Donkey, a Moose, a cute Mouse and a Bunny.

Book 2 of 12. Zoomigurumi 2. This volume has 15 cute and cuddly amigurumi animal patterns for a Turtle, a Cow, a Raccoon, a Beaver, a Kitten and a Dog, a Fox, an Elephant, a Bunny, a cute Skunk, two lovable Lambs, a Lion and a Tiger, Manfred the Mouse and Penny the Piglet.

Book #3 in the Book 3 in the Zoomigurumi Craft Book Series - book cover

Book 3 of 12. Zoomigurumi 3. This volume has 15 new Amigurumi animal patterns from 12 top designers. The patterns include Henry the Hippo, a darling Fawn, a Penguin, a Husky dog, a Duckling, a Giant Panda, a Cow, a Hedgehog, a Fox, a cuddly Lamb, a Turtle, a pair of Kangaroos, a Red Panda, a Bird and a Reindeer.

Book 4 of 12. Zoomigurumi 4. This book has 15 new animal patterns created by 13 talented designers from all over the world. Create your very own kitten, dolphin. elephant, giraffe, orangutan, deer, seahorse, and an adorable bumblebee wearing sunglasses. The craft book also contains seven more animal patterns.

Book 5 of 12. Zoomigurumi 5. Here we have 15 more cute Amigurumi animal patterns. My favorite is the Walrus. And the beautiful peacock on the cover is a darling pattern. There is also a camel to crochet, a flamingo, a rhino, a trout, and a teddy wearing a hoodie.

Book 6 of 12. Zoomigurumi 6. From the red panda on the cover to the owl in a sweater, to a sweet shark, a sloth and a swan, this book of 15 patterns will keep your crochet hook busy! Don't forget to check out the hummingbird, a panda, two dachshunds and Mortimer the Mammoth.

Book 7 of 12. Zoomigurumi 7. The mallard duck and babies on the cover will entice you to their patterns, plus some unusual ones such as a seagull, a Llama, a moose, a zebra, a stork, a pony and a chicken on a nest.

Book 8 of 12. Zoomigurumi 8. Come and crochet a parrot, a baby seal, a goat, a giraffe and a caterpiller. Don't forget the meerkat, the beaver and the raccoon. Such darling patterns from so many talented designers.

Book 9 of 12. Zoomigurumi 9. Fifteen more adorable patterns from the friendly horse on the cover to an anglerfish, an otter with his seashell, a sheep, and even a Gecko. From patterns that are beginner-friendly to some suitable for advanced crocheters, they are all accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions and clear illustrations.

Book 10 of 12. Zoomigurumi 10. The kangaroo and her 'joey' on the cover will keep you from resting that crochet hook. The 'zoomies' in book 10 include a feisty crab, a bouncy kangaroo, a lively squirrel, and a dainty bunny, along with a gorilla, a badger, a koala and Andy Ant!

Zoomigurumi Endangered Animals Book Cover

Book 11 of 12. Zoomigurumi Endangered Animals. This is a special edition of the Zoomigurumi series featuring 15 of the wild animals on our planet that are threatened. Crochet a collection of these special animals, including a lovable giant panda, a precious monk seal, a gorgeous blue whale and a darling pangolin! There is also a mountain gorilla and her baby, a polar bear, and Cleo the Yellow-Crested Cockatoo

Book 12 of 12. Zoomigurumi Favorites. This crochet pattern book completes the Zoomigurumi series with 30 of the best-loved patterns from the other books. With Zoomigurumi Favorites. your house may transform into an entire amigurumi zoo!

The Zoomigurumi series of crochet craft pattern books are all available on Amazon.

My Zoomis!

My handmade crocheted 'Zoomies' from the craft patterns in the Zoomigurumi Craft Book Series

A few of my crocheted 'Zoomies'

Here are a few of the cute zoomigurumi animals I have crocheted from this Zoomigurumi series of crochet pattern books. My favorites, to date, are the wonderful walrus and the Giant Panda Bear. They are currently available in my Etsy Store Coastal Crochet Crafts. I DO so love to crochet and finding these darling patterns was a true delight.