Broken Promises by Melody Carlson

Jan26

Not Alone

Broken Promises by Melody Carlson is a contemporary Christian novel for young girls aged nine years and above. It is the third book in the Being Zoey series.

In this series Melody Carlson tackles issues that are relevant in today’s society. In Broken Promises she presents the dynamics of female friendships. We have all been to school and suffered at the hands of other’s hate campaigns, Melody Carlson has the power in her words to send you flying back through the years, remembering just how you felt as the victim of others. Melody Carlson presents a realistic portrayal of the hurt and distress caused.

There is a wonderful two-girl friendship where the girls encourage, support and look out for each other.

The reader sees the pull of the secular to tempt us away from church. The reality is that the secular is not as good as it appears, (isn’t that just like sin, all that glitters is not gold?) whereas church is amazing, fun and safe.

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The Hopes And Triumphs Of The Amir Sisters by Nadiya Hussain

Jan26

Finding Her Feet

The Hopes And Triumphs Of The Amir Sisters by Nadiya Hussain is a contemporary novel continuing to follow the relationships between the sisters. This book focuses on Mae, the youngest sister at nineteen years old. It is a confusing time as she teeters on the brink of adulthood but as the youngest sister, everyone still treats her as a child. The reader delights in watching Mae find her way in the world.

Nadiya Hussain has painted a realistic and likable character in Mae. We feel empathy for her as we can remember a time when we were hovering on the edge of adulthood with all the fears, insecurities and frustrations that brings.

The world can be a scary place. There will always be those who try to take advantage and others who will step in with aid. Sometimes it is our own family who will put upon us and then it is more difficult to say ‘no.’

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The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

Jan25

Pinpricks Of Light

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton is both a historical and contemporary novel about love and loss, and the impact through time as the novel covers a span of 150 years.

As with all Kate Morton’s stories, it is beautifully told with a poignancy that leaves the reader feeling serene, knowing we have been in the presence of a great love.

It is this great love that infuses a house and all the intersecting lives down the years. It is a great love that is drawn to certain people at a certain time in their lives. It is a great love that will impact all the lives that it intersects with. This is a love that lives where it has always felt happiest.

The house in the tale almost becomes a character in its own right as it draws the lost and lonely towards its walls. It is a house where hope lives. “He’d lost his way but hope still fluttered in and out.”

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The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock

Jan24

A Voice For The Voiceless

The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock is a powerful Christian historical tale set in 1887. It surrounds the asylum where women could be sent to for no good reason, forgotten and ill-treated. It is horrifying and barbaric. The novel has its roots in fact, around which, Grace Hitchcock has woven her tale.

Money and status are terrible masters, corrupting lives whose hearts lie in riches. There is nothing wrong with money and status if our hearts are aligned with God but when they are the foundations for our lives, we are in for a fall.

The lead character is a very modern, forward thinking young lady and as such, the establishment feels challenged by her.

We see the faithfulness of God who provides a peace in spite of our circumstances. There are times when all we can do is cling on to hope and trust that God is good.

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