My reviews are honest & they contain spoilers. For more, follow me:

Before beginning my review, would like to mention a **trigger warning** here. There is mention of sexual abuse at the beginning of the book. Not graphic mind you, but enough to turn your stomach so it had taken me quite aback. But the whole scene was handled pretty well by the author so kudos to her.

How To Love a Duke In Ten Days is book 1 of the newest series by Kerrigan Byrne titled Devil You Know. TBH, I was waiting for the latest in her other series, Victorian Rebels, which is a series I’ve come to love over the years. So this new venture left me a bit intrigued. Of course, I was going to check it out no matter what and so glad that I did! Just how do two fools fall in love in 10 days? Well, you’ll just have to read to find out. Devil You Know is also based in the Victorian-era England, much like Victorian Rebels, though I didn’t think there’s any connection between the two. Not yet at least.

When the story opens up, we find our heroine, Alexandra, studying in a school for females named de Chardonne. Located in Switzerland, de Chardonne seemed to be a famous educational institution for the young and affluent females, daughters and such, of the peerage. Alexandra came to be here because of the same. Even if her family’s financial situation was quite dire, as it was mired in deep debts, they still wanted her to be ready for the world. This school would educate her to navigate the world of peerage and such, though Alexandra knew that if her family’s secret is out in the world, she would not be welcomed by the Ton.

Mostly an introvert, Alexandra found friends in two other girls who come from somewhat similarly odd family backgrounds. Cecelia, a tall, pleasantly plump girl who could compete with any valkyrie in her stature. She was gorgeous in her own way but had no idea of her appeal; the bookish sort who sported glasses and saw goodness in everyone. She also had sad family secret that made her life miserable while at home. In de Chardonne, she found friends in Alexandra and Francesca, who, on the other hand, was tall, statuesque and undoubtedly striking. Her family background was a little too complicated, and since it played no big part in this story, I’ll refrain from mentioning it too.

by Debby Ware

This is a straightforward knitting pattern book, but with a holiday theme and exclusively for babies.

It's rather whimsical and some of the patterns are a little too 'out there' for most people's tastes, but some are very cute and I expect I will use several of them for gifts for friends.

Some of the more 'specialized' designs include a pumpkin cap for Halloween, a hat with a slice of cake on top and one with a teacup, which could be useful if you were going to an Alice in Wonderland theme party!

Some other holiday specific ones include a cap decorated with holly for Christmas, a top hat with patriotic additions, one with firecrackers and several with items on top including a Menorah, a shamrock and an Arbor Day tree. I have to admit that I liked the style of the Shamrock hat and could imagine making it with a less specific decoration on top.

The Glittery Snow Cap is one that I find potentially appealing for actual use as well as a pretty one with a bouquet of roses for a little girl. The crown and the jester hat are perfect for whimsical gifts for friends having babies!

The Glitter and Glow Beanie would be a good choice for a gift that is more touching and not quite so whimsical. It has a big ribbon to add that touch of something special, but nothing too weird.

The patterns themselves are easy for anyone with basic knitting knowledge and use US size needles, though there are metric conversions in the back of the book. There is also a section for special stitches, which aren't difficult but some knitters might not have come across some of them before.

Altogether a thorough and enjoyable book with some interesting patterns that could make a new parent smile and keep the baby's head warm as well.

It's raining babies. So let the fun begin. There's never a dull moment when it comes to the Bailey clan. Piper Rayne celebrates the love of family and the joys of life with another uproariously funny, heartwarmingly stunning, hard to resist, feel good winner. Operation Bailey Babies is a short, sweet, delicious treat.

by Norah Gaughan and the Berroco Design Team

This is a book of knitting and crochet patterns for those who are experienced at both knitting and crochet, and based specifically on the Berroco line of yarns.

I found the patterns both practical and attractive, and geared mostly towards fashionable ways to keep the baby warm. There is a nice selection of jackets and caps in classic and cabled designs as well as many baby blankets in interesting designs interspersed within the other patterns. I came across one summer dress, but otherwise the patterns were for winter warmth.

The Paddington Coat was especially appealing to me. The classic cable design could be used for a boy or a girl depending on color chosen. I also liked the bomber style jacket for boys, and wondered what effect it might have with the cap with the chin-strap that resembled a motorcycle helmet. The caps include one reminiscent of a baseball cap and a very nice basic cabled design.

Many of the blankets were variations on patchwork design, but there was one called High Fidoodlity Blanket which I found very interesting with its wavy stripes.

The one toy pattern was a slice of citrus, which added a whimsical note to the collection.

There are a couple of lovely patterns for girls like the Bolero jacket which has an almost Victorian sense of elegance, but this would be an excellent pattern book for those looking for boy baby patterns, which can be all too scarce. Abbreviations and special stitches are listed in the back and the book should be easily followed by anyone who already works in knit and crochet.

The coyotes look more like wolves, but this was cute.  I'm not sure why the correct terms for the mothers are not used.