Archive | April 2020

The Forgotten Sister by Nicola Cornick

Apr30

Parallel Lives

The Forgotten Sister by Nicola Cornick is a marvellous time-slip novel that has its roots in fact. The story has two time periods – 1550’s and present day. Actual historical figures are within the tale including Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley. They were both familiar to me as a historian.

The novel is an exciting read as both stories run parallel, causing the reader to read with heart racing. As the action flows, we are powerless to prevent the conclusion.

I loved the characters. They were well drawn and realistic. The leading ladies were very likable and easy to empathise with. A couple of characters elicited feelings of dislike as my emotions were guided by the pen of Nicola Cornick.

I was familiar with many of the locations. It gave me a thrill to read of Hales Owen in Worcestershire, as we actually go to Lifecentral, a church in Halesowen.

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Anchored By Death by Catherine Finger

Apr30

Thrilling

Anchored By Death by Catherine Finger is a contemporary Christian suspense thriller and the third book in the Jo Oliver series, which I am loving.

This novel sees Jo Oliver tracking down a serial killer. As the bodies mount up, so do the clues which the police put together.

The book is about the chase, which reminds the reader that God chases after us with a relentless passion so we do not escape His loving arms.

We label people ‘good’ or ‘bad’ but we all are “made in the image of God.” No one is too far from His love and grace. The novel shows that at times it is hard to forgive but we are told “as I forgave you, so forgive him.”

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The Real Beatrix Potter by Nadia Cohen

Apr30

The Peter Rabbit Lady

The Real Beatrix Potter by Nadia Cohen is a fascinating insight into one of the world’s best known and loved children’s author. Beatrix Potter was so much more than just a famous author. She was a woman ahead of her time, caring little for the fashionable drawing rooms of Kensington and preferring the rugged outdoors of her beloved Lake District.

Even as a child Beatrix Potter was curious about nature and animals. She loved drawing them and also experimenting. These were activities which she shared with her younger brother.

The famous Tale Of Peter Rabbit was at first refused by the publishers Warne and co but after the success of a self-published run, they published it in 1902 and sold 200,000 in just a few months. The rest as they say is history.

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Seconds To Live by Susan Sleeman

Apr28

Exciting

Seconds To Live by Susan Sleeman is a fabulous contemporary Christian suspense that will grab the reader’s attention from the start. It is the first book in the Homeland Heroes series and I cannot wait for the rest.

The characters were well drawn, realistic and likable. They are not perfect but realistically flawed with character traits that are easy to empathise with.

Susan Sleeman has created a complex, well thought out plotline. Computer hacking combines with murder and intimidation. Multi agency law enforcements are needed. The reader is consumed from the first page.

There is the question of trust. The reader and characters must view some with suspicion but God can always be trusted. We need to “trust even when you don’t feel like it.” We cannot see the bigger picture but God can. He asks us to trust Him in the dark.

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