Never Let Go by Anne Carol

Aug16

A Sweet Romance

Never Let Go by Anne Carol is the first book in the Faithfully Yours series, a Christian YA surrounding the topic of first love.

Set in 1979 the leading lady is just a couple of years older than I would have been then. I recognised her patterns of behaviour and emotions from anxiety to euphoria.

The novel explores the theme of trust. It is hard to trust at times when jealousy threatens to take over.

There is a discussion about remaining pure until the marriage bed. Temptation and teenage hormones are a powerful combination, requiring strength of character.

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Two Weeks In Winter by Mike Maranhas

Aug14

Hang On, God’s Got This

Two Weeks In Winter by Mike Maranhas is the true story of his walk with God as his wife Bela lay fighting for her life. Mike Maranhas relied on God. There was nowhere else for him to go but to the cross. Mike Maranhas has a Christ centred life. He clung on to God, trusting that God had got it. “I had nothing on which to rely but God and my puny, underdeveloped faith.”

This is a powerful testimony to the faithfulness of God and the faithfulness of Mike Maranhas to God. Mike Maranhas placed his faith in God, knowing that whatever happened, the God of the universe was in control.

There is power in prayer. “I found tranquillity in praying. I trusted God.” At all stages and at all times, prayer is powerful.

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The Path To Change by Pope Francis

Aug14

Issues Of Today

A Future Of Faith: The Path Of Change In Politics And Society by Pope Francis, Dominique Wolton and Jorge Mario Bergoglio is a comprehensive set of questions and answers with Pope Francis. He addresses the issues of today, urging us to build bridges and not walls between us.

Pope Francis sees money as the greatest threat to peace in society today.

There were speeches of Pope Francis’ included in the book too.

This was a title I was invited to read and not my usual choice of book. I recognise that Pope Francis is wise and educated on today’s world. I must admit, I found the book very intellectual and normally prefer lighter reads, so I only read half of the book as it became too heavy going for me. The fault lies with me. The book is well written and Pope Francis is very likable. It is a great read if you like question and answer sessions on the state of today’s world.

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In Bloom by C.J. Skuse

Aug14

Bridget Jones Meets Charles Bronson

In Bloom by C.J.Skuse is a gripping contemporary psychological thriller that draws the reader in from the start. It is a sequel but I had not read the previous book and I followed the action just fine.

The book follows a pregnant vigilante, very reminiscent of the Charles Bronson character in the 1970’s Death Wish films. The action alternates between the very ordinary and the extraordinary psychotic episodes. Written in the first person, the reader enters the killer’s mind. She is very personable and highly amusing. With contemporary cultural references the reader finds the lead character easy to identify with in some ways… but not others. Her lists of who should be on her death wish were rather amusing and could be seen as tongue in cheek for the reader… but not the character! I am not normally a lover of anything gruesome but In Bloom had me glued and entertained throughout.

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