Archive | May 2020

When I Lost My Way by Jennifer Rodewald

May26

Here Is Love Vast As The Ocean

When I Lost My Way by Jennifer Rodewald is a powerful contemporary Christian novel about the vastness of God’s love.

The love within the novel is based on the love in 1 Corinthians: 13 – love is patient, kind and never gives up. Jennifer Rodewald has written about a love that perseveres – as the reader hears about a love between two brothers, a love between couples and the love of God.

The theme of the prodigal son runs throughout as we track the older brother from the tale. We see just how hard he works without realising he needs to surrender to God who longs to do life in a partnership with each and every one of us.

“Do not underestimate the power of the God who hears.” God wants us to want Him. He delights when we build our lives with Him. No matter how hard our lives, God can turn them around. “God takes the bad, and He turns it for good.”

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Toto The Wizard Of Oz as told by the dog by Michael Morpurgo

May25

Home Is Best

Toto The Wizard Of Oz as told by the dog by Michael Morpurgo is a delightful children’s tale about the familiar Wizard Of Oz but as seen by Toto. It is refreshingly unique.

I adore the film with Judy Garland and was very keen to read this novel. The book certainly did not disappoint and was totally charming.

We see that kindness and care will transform the world as we help others, and they in turn help us. Words can build up or tear down. We need to speak life over those we meet along life’s journey.

Dorothy finds herself far from home. She learns a valuable lesson that home is best. No matter how kind our friends are, we cannot beat that feeling that home gives.

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Taking Chances by Melody Carlson

May24

Instruments Of Grace

Taking Chances by Melody Carlson is a perfect contemporary Christian novel for girls aged nine and over. It is the fourth book in the Being Zoey series.

I am considerably older than the target market but am enjoying the series. There are godly lessons for us all to learn, no matter how old we are.

This book focuses on Jesus’ commands to love our enemies, and forgiveness and grace. Eleven year old Zoey faces a girl who bullied her in a previous book and declares “I’m hit with the challenge to love my enemies.” We may find that if we pray for our enemies. It is us who experience a heart change.

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The Garden Of Lost And Found by Harriet Evans

May23

The Nightingale Sings

The Garden Of Lost And Found by Harriet Evans is the most beautiful historical and contemporary epic novel that will ‘speak’ to your heart and soul.

The novel follows the generations of a family from 1880-1918 and then in present day. The bonds between a granddaughter and a grandmother are strong, surviving the grave.

Motherhood and the role of the female are explored. As the novel opens it is pre the suffragette movement, however little changes for females down the generations as the males dominate. The females are inwardly strong and this inner strength is their saving grace.

Our childhood influences the adults we become. Childhood nightmares and curses follow a character down the years.

Being a mother can be hard. I recognised myself in some of the contemporary breakfast scenes! – Trying to please all but ending up pleasing none.

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