Have You Seen Her? by Lisa Hall

May21

Gripped And Guessing

Have You Seen Her? By Lisa Hall is the most marvellous contemporary psychological thriller that had me hooked from the start. A very cleverly constructed plotline ensured I was drawn into the action and consumed by events until the jaw dropping conclusion.

Written in the first person enabled me to ‘walk’ through the novel. Suspicion lurked around every corner. I was gripped, as were the characters, by “the dark hand of fear.”

The novel is about consuming passions – passions that will dictate actions. The reader is never quite sure who to believe as passions drive people to do ever more desperate things.

Continue reading →

Redemption Bay by RaeAnne Thayne

May17

The Perfect Choice

Redemption Bay by RaeAnne Thayne is the most delightful feel-good contemporary novel. It is about family and community.

Small town living has its advantages. Welcome to Haven Point, the town that lives together and pulls together. A wonderful warm community atmosphere oozes from the pages. The town looks out for everyone from the young to the old.

The novel is full of unique characters exchanging banter. I loved the eighty two and eighty three old sisters who still have a twinkle in their eye. The inclusion of two dogs added to the family feel of the novel. The main characters were delightful. The reader could ‘feel’ their chemistry.

Continue reading →

The Start Of Us by T.K. Chapin

May13

The Power of Love

The Start Of Us by T.K. Chapin is a powerful contemporary Christian novel about love. Love comes in many different forms but we have only one word for it, ‘love.’ The best way to love is to love like Jesus – whether it’s our parents, friends, work colleagues or spouse. We need to see people as Jesus sees them – imperfect human beings in need of love and grace.

Our past may have been hard but we cannot let it define us. If we measure everything by the yardstick of the past, we will miss out on the present.

Continue reading →

Cherish Me by Autumn Macarthur

May9

Delightful

 Cherish Me by Autumn Macarthur is a delightful Christian contemporary romance. It is the third book in the Chapel Cove series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Autumn Macarthur always writes novels that wrap themselves around the reader with their warm and welcoming atmosphere. The community seems to reach out from the pages to encompass the reader. Small town living means everyone pulls together. There are no secrets just warm welcomes.

Words spoken over us remain. “The memory of being called ugly, of feeling ugly, and of wanting so badly not to be ugly.” We believe what others say of us when really we should be listening to what God says. His opinion is the only one that matters. There are times when the reader’s heart breaks. “A familiar chorus of put-me-downs echoed in her head.” No matter how old we are, old hurts remain if we do not deal with them. We need to hand our hurts to God and live loved. “Believe Jesus really does love me, even if my mom doesn’t.”

Continue reading →