The Secret Messenger by Mandy Robotham

Jul30

Amazingly Brave Men And Women

The Secret Messenger by Mandy Robotham is a marvellous dual timeline novel that I just could not put down.

It is set in 2017 and 1944 from the point of view of a granddaughter and her grandmother. The former finds an old typewriter and longs to discover her grandmother’s roots and wartime experiences.

The reader is transported to Nazi-occupied Venice. We witness the bravery of ordinary men and women of the resistance. “We are all soldiers in some way.” They led dual lives, lived on their wits and had to always be aware of their surroundings.

Morale was important. It was the simple things that lifted it up.

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The Blood Divide by A.A. Dhand

Jul30

Kismet

The Blood Divide by A.A. Dhand is a thrilling contemporary crime suspense that will have your heart racing as the tension rises.

The novel is set in the back streets of Bradford moving to the hot, dusty, exotic Delhi. With comprehensive descriptions the reader becomes immersed in the locations. We ‘sense’ the heat and ‘see’ the vibrant colours of Delhi which is in sharp contrast to Bradford.

We are a product of our past. A rich heritage should be persevered, not wasted or squandered. The criminal underworld contrasts with a respected Khali bloodline. Preoccupation with money and crime insults a family line.

Secrets from the past need to be unearthed. The truth must be faced.

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The Scarlet Pen by Jennifer Uhlarik

Jul30

Gripping And Horrifying

The Scarlet Pen by Jennifer Uhlarik is a fascinating historical Christian novel based on real life crimes. It is part of the True Colors series.

The action is set in 1876 and follows a rather gruesome killing spree of an actual character who seems to be a real Jekyll and Hyde, turning his personality in an instant.

We follow a young lawman with a traumatic past that still haunts his dreams and his life. His mission is to seek out evil and to protect lives.

Our God is a faithful God and He can be trusted. “I know I should trust Your timing, but … I don’t.” Nothing happens that is not within God’s perfect timing.

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The Girls In The Attic by Marius Gabriel

Jul29

A Monstrous Lie

The Girls In The Attic by Marius Gabriel is a powerful, heart-wrenching historical novel that will remain with you long after the last page is read. It is a tribute to all those who lived and all those who perished in the Holocaust.

The novel is set in 1944 and 1945 as the Nazis are losing the war. Their cruelty is heightened as they wish to leave no witnesses.

We see life through the eyes of two Jewish sisters, hiding with the mother of a twice-decorated with the Iron Cross Nazi war hero.

The reader witnesses his battle with his conscience – to do what is required or to do what is right? Too many have blindly followed Hitler and joined in with the persecution of the Jewish people.

Not all Germans were Nazis. “A few are monsters, the rest look away” and some help. Many were guilty by omission. The reader is reminded that “for evil to flourish, it just needs good men to do nothing.” “While so many others stood back and watched evil happen, they had taken a stand against it.” Some stood up for what is right with no thought to their own safety.

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