Archive | September 2023

The Baby Left Behind by Jen Craven

Sep22

Gripping

The Baby Left Behind by Jen Craven is a totally gripping tale that consumed me from the start. I ‘lived’ through the book as I clung on for an emotional roller coaster read.

The book is about motherhood and the desire for a baby. It seems most unfair that some women get pregnant so easily whilst for others it is a struggle or even impossible. All the carefully laid plans amount to nothing.

In contrast to the full preparation of some, we see a woman thrust unexpectedly into motherhood.

Both women have bonds with a baby. Both women elicit feelings of empathy from the reader. Both women cannot win – there will always be a loser. Where will your sympathies lie?

We see the bonds between mothers and daughters. No matter how old we get, there is nothing a mother will not do for her daughter. There are no regrets just armfuls of love.

Sibling rivalry exists into adulthood. There seems to be the golden girl and the other one. However, when the chips are down, new bonds are formed as a family pulls together.

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In From The Cold by Sarah Bennett

Sep21

A Warm Welcome

In From The Cold by Sarah Bennett is a most charming contemporary novel. It is the second book in the Juniper Meadows series but can be read as a stand-alone.

I thoroughly enjoyed my return visit and meeting up with familiar faces. The love and care shine through the novel.

We see that we are not destined to repeat the sins of the fathers. We can break free from their stronghold. It is never too late to have a fresh start.

It is important to follow our dreams and not live out the life that others thrust upon us.

Everyone has natural talents. We need to develop our talents and nurture our giftings.

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A Child For Sale by Pam Howes

Sep19

Heart Wrenching

A Child For Sale by Pam Howes is a powerful, heart wrenching dual timeline novel that has its roots in fact. This novel will tug on your heart strings. It will make you angry at what happened and was deemed acceptable in the past. And it will make you feel grateful that we treat others with more tolerance today.

The action is set in1964 and 2015 in Cheshire and Manchester as we follow two couples who are celebrating forty nine years of marriage in 2015. One pair are childhood sweethearts, the other couple were thrown together by adversity.

In 1964 we follow the fortunes of the young girls who were unmarried mothers and found themselves admitted (by their heartless and judgmental families) to a home for unmarried mothers, run by Catholic nuns. We witness the daily cruelty and the harsh conditions as babies were whisked away to be adopted or sold. It was an abomination and one in which the girls (even if they had loving partners) were completely powerless.

For fifty years, hearts have remained broken, always searching, never healing. A gruesome discovery in 2015 (when renovations begin on an old house) re-open old wounds and a desire to find lost babies. Significant advances in DNA testing and social media re-ignite hope in long broken hearts.

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Ebony The Cat by Frances Ive

Sep18

Just Purrfect

Ebony The Cat by Frances Ive is a charming tale and just perfect for ages eight and over. This is a cat-lovers delight.

Ebony The Cat is told from the point of view of Ebony. This enables us to see the world as she sees it. We can help our children to understand why cats behave as they do. Often fear is a motivating factor. We hear about her life as a stray cat after her owners dumped her, and her search for a new home.

Life is hard as a stray cat. There are so many dangers to look out for. Life within a house can be confusing too.

Throughout the novel there are fun facts about cats in comparison with humans and dogs. You can be educated as well as entertained.

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