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Legacy Of Mercy by Lynn Austin

Nov12

Love & Kindness

Legacy Of Mercy by Lynn Austin is a delightful Christian historical novel that I loved. It is the second book in the Waves Of Mercy series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The novel is set in the late nineteenth century America and the chapters alternate between a grandmother and her granddaughter. They are similar but different. The grandmother lives simply in a small country town. The granddaughter lives in a lavish town house with servants, in a sprawling city. Ironically there is far more freedom in the small town where characters can be themselves. There is no show to impress the neighbours.

Both characters love deeply. They have a heart for others and a desire to serve Jesus wherever He leads them. “Other Christians are the only hands and feet Jesus has.” We need to show the world Jesus, by our actions and by the way we live and love.

There are characters who have been hurt and are trying to outrun their past. “God hears you weeping…He longs to comfort you and the only arms He has are mine.” God sees our pain, and He uses others to help to heal us and to show us love.

A character feels useless. “My days feel so meaningless that I can’t help wondering what God’s purpose is for my life.” While we are still breathing, God has a plan for our lives. “God sees the long-range picture.” We see but a small part. God places us where He thinks we will bloom. “God can use even our greatest failures for His glory.” God takes our mess and transforms it into a masterpiece.

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The Last Agent In Paris by Sharon Maas

Nov8

So Brave

The Last Agent In Paris by Sharon Maas is a powerful, historical novel that I read in just two sittings, pausing only to sleep.

This is the story of Noor Inayat Khan. As a historian I knew the bare bones of her story but this book puts flesh on those bones.

Noor Inayat Khan was the first female wireless operator in France in World War II. The average life expectancy for wireless operators in France was just six weeks. She was small in stature but hugely brave and courageous. Her lips were forever sealed as her fate was marked.

We hear of Noor Inayat Khan’s life story from her birth in Russia in 1914 right up to her ending.

Her character was largely shaped by her father, with whom she had a close relationship. “Some people are just mean, you can’t change them… You’re the only person you can really change.” Wise words from her father. Noor Inayat Khan lived by these words as she worked on her own character. She was by nature a pacifist so war did not come easily. As the Nazis spread their lies, she believed “the pen is mightier than the sword… Peace starts in the home with children. We must nourish the minds of children.”

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The Girl With The Red Ribbon by Carly Schabowski

Nov8

Truth? Or Imagination?

The Girl With The Red Ribbon by Carly Schabowski is a compelling historical novel that intrigued me from the start. It drew me in, entertained me, and left me wondering – what was real? And what was imagined?

The novel is set over two time periods – 1969 and looking backwards to the 1940’s in war-torn Poland. Two voices tell the story – an old man and a young girl. Both have been marginalised by society. They band together with others whom they acquire along life’s wartime journey.

We see the child-like faith of characters, as they believe that the wearing of red ribbons will keep them safe.

Nazi-occupied Poland was a horrific place to be. Cruelty and evil were all around. Cunning and knowledge were needed to survive.

Partisans and resistance fighters occupied dense forest, often taking the Nazis by surprise.

Folklore and legend grew up surrounding the events of World War II, even the reader is not sure if it really happened.

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What Will People Think? by Vedashree Khambete-Sharma

Nov7

Perfect For The Pride & Prejudice Fan

What Will People Think? by Vedashree Khambete-Sharma is a most delightful re-telling of Pride And Prejudice that will thoroughly entertain the reader.

What Will People Think? is a charming read even if you have no knowledge of Pride And Prejudice. However, for those readers with even just a vague knowledge of Pride And Prejudice, this is a gem of a book.

Pride And Prejudice is my favourite book. I read it for the first time as a teen nearly fifty years ago. I also studied it for A’level. I know Pride And Prejudice inside out. As such I found What Will People Think? an extremely enjoyable version of a very familiar tale.

What Will People Think? is set in Mumbai, India in 1976. The main difference to the original is that there are only four daughters to marry off. “Four daughters! That is a heavy burden indeed.” Once more, the mother is loud and opinionated with the determination to marry her daughters to rich men.

The odious Mr Collins character is still odious and self-promoting. “Any girl would be lucky to marry us.” He cannot believe why anyone would turn him down!

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