Archive | October 2019

Traces Of Her by Amanda Brittany

Oct26

Hunting For The Conclusion

Traces Of Her by Amanda Brittany is a fabulous heart racing contemporary psychological suspense. I was intrigued and glued from the start.

The novel is very cleverly constructed drawing the reader in immediately. It is set in 2001 and present day, from alternating points of view in the first person. As we ‘hear’ different voices, we know who they all are except one. I was gripped and guessing as to who this was, but failed in my attempts.

A cold case murder comes alive as a daughter searches to solve who killed her mum when she was young. She travels to Cornwall and unleashes a can of worms.

Family is important. Love binds members together. Twisted love blows relationships apart. A mother’s love is fiercely protective.

There is the theme of control. Control may be exercised in a number of ways but it is never good.

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The Hope Of Christmas Past by Stephenia H McGee

Oct21

A Time Of Miracles

The Hope Of Christmas Past by Stephenia H McGee is a delightful Christian timeslip novella that will warm your heart.

There are all the elements to make a perfect Christmas wrapped up in tantalising descriptions. A warm welcome awaits the reader.

Themes of taking care of widows and orphans, and the all encompassing love of God swell the reader’s heart. God loves us forever and always, even when we think we have messed up. His love is unconditional.

Christmas is the time for snow and miracles and love. The Hope Of Christmas Past is a most charming tale that will entertain you and leave you feeling good.

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Where I Was Planted by Heather Norman Smith

Oct21

Simply Beautiful

Where I Was Planted by Heather Norman Smith is a beautiful historical novel about finding faith, love and purpose in life.

The novel focuses on ten year old Nate and is written in the first person. I ‘lived’ the book through Nate’s eyes. He is a gentle soul, wise beyond his years and brought out the mothering side of me. Nate is a misfit searching to be loved and belong. He watches other fathers and wishes his father would notice him. The reader is reminded that we are all misfits searching for the love of Our Father. The good news is… God already loves us and we do not need to work our way into His affections because He will always love us.

As Nate goes on his journey of discovery, the reader tags along. There is a literal journey and a spiritual one. We all have a God-shaped hole that only He can fill. In coming to God, Nate has to be vulnerable and learn to trust. Even when we cannot see the road ahead, we can trust God because He is already there. “I knew His plan was good, even if I didn’t understand it.”

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The Lost Ones by Anita Frank

Oct20

Secrets And Lies

The Lost Ones by Anita Frank is a chilling, compulsive historical read that had me gripped from the start.

The novel is set in 1917 at the height of World War I. Already there had been terrible losses in the bloodbath at the Front. A generation of young men lost forever. Lives were devastated as loss consumed. “You learn to live with it. We all learn to carry on in the end.”

Females are seen as having weak constitutions when in reality they were suffering from grief or pregnancy. Their ‘weak’ constitutions meant men tried to dominate and exert their wills. It took strong females to resist them.

Families are complicated affairs. Some have strong bonds, other members dictate. A warped sense of loyalty prompts an unthinkable course of action.

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