The Lost Story Of Sofia Castello by Siobhan Curham

Apr25

Capturing Your Heart

The Lost Story Of Sofia Castello by Siobhan Curham is a totally gripping dual timeline novel that I adored. It is set in 2000 and during the war years, mainly in Portugal.

We see that secrets that have been kept for over fifty years now need to come to light. Fact is stranger than fiction, and I confess to reading with dropped jaw as the book sped towards its conclusion.

The war years were a time of fear and suspicion. There were agents and double agents, and the Gestapo, all lunching in plain sight. As Siobhan Curham sets the scene, my heart rate and pulse rate rose.

We see that friends are born in adversity as a young singer puts aside all thoughts of personal safety in order to rescue a young Jewish girl from the clutches of the Gestapo.

There are all the wasted years as we ponder on what might have been.

Portugal is a vibrant place, even in times of war. The golden sands and the heat contrast sharply with the grey London skies.

Characters maintain their joi d’vivre even into their eighties, persuading others to abandon their straight way of thinking, throw caution to the wind, and dive into life.

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The Cornish Witch by Elena Collins

Apr20

Marvellous Dual Timeline

The Cornish Witch by Elena Collins is a marvellous dual timeline novel that consumed me from the start.

The action is set in 1625 and present day in a Cornish fishing village. A modern-day inn is at the centre of the action.

Tragic events in 1625 means that there are lost souls unable to rest. These spirits cause havoc in present day as they want everyone to suffer as they did. Present day owners of the inn are losing trade due to the restless spirits.

In 1625 there are women accused of being witches. They are in fact midwives with knowledge of herbs and plants. Locals believe they are causing mischief.

In present day there are a mother and daughter who run a new age shop in Minehead who also believe in the healing power of plants.

A shipwreck on the sea bed has lain there undiscovered for four centuries until a pair of divers come along. The Cornish coast is littered with wrecks as smugglers used to lure ships to their doom.

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Cloaked In Beauty by Karen Witemeyer

Apr19

Wherever The Road Leads

Cloaked In Beauty by Karen Witemeyer is a powerful Christian historical romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the third book in Texas Ever After series but can be read as a stand-alone.

This is a book about love and riches. We see the steadfast love of three generations of women who will fiercely protect those whom they love. This even extends to Rusty, a pet wolf. He, too, loves and protects. Likewise, his owner also loves and protects him. It is a beautiful bond showing the loyalty of animals to their owners.

True riches are found in the hearts of others and in the love of God for His children.

We witness how the love of money and power totally corrupts as there are some black hearts within the novel. “He couldn’t imagine living a life where a person’s worth was judged by one’s finances, social connections and fashion sense.” We see the contrast between those who love riches and those who love others. “She preferred a cosy cottage surrounded by God’s creation over a society that judged women by their beauty, connections and ability to converse about the weather.” Slightly tongue-in-cheek and wonderfully written.

There is nothing wrong with having money. It is what you do with it that counts.

Within the tale we see references to fairytales, particularly Little Red Riding Hood. There are also Biblical illustrations as we witness two young boys being rescued and there is a widow who offers hospitality. She gives what little she has, after being faithful to the call of God on her heart.

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The Premonition At Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright

Apr17

Engrossing & Entertaining

The Premonition At Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright is a powerful Christian dual timeline novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is a compelling murder mystery suspense too.

The action is set in 1910 and present day. The two periods are linked by buildings and ancestors. In 1910 there were two murders and an attack. Present day saw another murder, and in 1982 a young woman went missing. Seemingly isolated events but is there a link? There seems to be no peace and rest until answers are found.

God speaks through dreams. Can it be that He also gives us visions whilst we are awake?

A character is drowning in grief following several miscarriages. “The daily task of surviving when she felt the overwhelming cloud of death surrounding her.” Death seems to attach itself to her, as there are even old gravestones in the basement of her new house. We learn that “grief is a shadow man that follows us into our futures and swallows it up if we let him.” Our grief will always be with us. We need to learn how to live with it.

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