Archive | March 2018

Hope For The Holidays by Cathe Swanson

Mar20

For The Glory Of God

Hope For The Holidays by Cathe Swanson is a charming contemporary Christian romance. It is a Great Lakes novella but can be read as a stand-alone.

The main theme is taking care of widows and orphans. We were never meant to do life in isolation. We were made for community living. Some need more help than others. We all need to pull together using our different talents.

In times of war, people see horrendous things that they cannot ‘unsee.’ Their experiences remain down the years. PTSD is recognised now but not during World War II. A common bond can unite young and old veterans who understand about living with the horrors of war.

Continue reading →

The Baptism Song by Dennis E and Bethany Buettner

Mar19

Absolutely Beautiful

The Baptism Song by Dennis E and Bethany Buettner is a most beautiful book that will appeal to the young and old alike.

The books is designed to appeal to young children with simple yet beautiful big and bold illustrations by Mentol. Every page has a few lines on it. This is absolutely ideal for either the new reader or to be read to young children.

There is a simple but effective message told through rhyme and repetition. It is that parents promise to be there every day for their children. I loved the inclusion of “This I promise today” on most pages.

My favourite illustration is where Jesus is holding the baby but all the illustrations are beautiful.

Continue reading →

The Devil’s Dice by Roz Watkins

Mar17

A Marvellous Debut

The Devil’s Dice by Roz Watkins is a fabulous contemporary detective novel set in the Derbyshire Dales. It is the first in the D.I. Meg Dalton series and I cannot wait for the rest.

The Devil’s Dice grips from the start as the reader gets caught up in the action. As the body count rises, so do the suspects in the reader’s mind.

Ancient curses bump into modern crimes. Is the area really cursed or is it just old fashioned bad luck?

Everyone has a past. Sometimes our past haunts us. We cannot escape so we cope the best we can.

We all have fears. Some face them. Others run.

Continue reading →

A Stitch In Time by Penelope Lively

Mar15

A Timeless Classic

A Stitch In Time by Penelope Lively is a children’s classic that can be enjoyed by anyone at any time.

First published in 1976, the action in this timeless classic is in 1975. It is set over the summer holidays in Lyme Regis. Life was simpler then – with picnics, hide and seek, books on rainy afternoons, collecting fossils. No modern technology or disturbance from mobile phones.

The two holidaying families contrast sharply. Maria and her parents are quiet. Martin and his family are loud and gregarious.

Childhood is a carefree time where we make memories. It is also a time of over active imaginations and imaginary friends. Children seem more sensitive to the past whereas adults concentrate on the here and now.

Continue reading →