Archive | August 2016

Fetching Sweetness by Dana Mentink

Aug8

Duct Tape And Memories

SweetnessFetching Sweetness by Dana Mentink is a totally delightful Christian romance and I absolutely loved it. I love Dana Mentink’s writings that focus around adorable dogs and have God at the centre. Dana Mentink’s novels will make you laugh and they will make you think, and if you let them, her writings will help you abandon yourself to God’s plans.

A major theme in the novel is plans and dreams. Rhett has a dream. Stephanie has a dream. God has a plan, an individual plan for both their lives. Are they able to see His plans? And are they willing to be led by Him? Or are they both too focused on their own plans? God’s plan for our lives is always so much greater than our own. How often do we “make God fit into my plans instead of the other way round?”

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When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks

Aug5

Trust No-One

DeathWhen Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks is a contemporary Christian thriller. It is the third book in the Gwen Marcey series but can be read as a stand-alone. I had not read the previous novels.

When Death Draws Near’s style is reminiscent of the 1950’s film noir and I loved it. The novel is written in the first person from the point of view of Gwen. As the novel progressed, in my head, it felt like the voice over in the old black and white Philip Marlowe films. I found it a very clever and effective technique employed by Carrie Stuart Parks.

I must admit at times I found the number of different characters confusing, maybe this is because I had not read the earlier novels. However I soon got completely caught up in the action and found my heart racing as I sped to the conclusion of the novel.

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Marie And Mr Bee by Margaret Welwood

Aug4

Delightful

Mr BeeMarie And Mr Bee by Margaret Welwood and illustrated by Coralie Rycroft is an absolutely perfect book for little ones. It is based on Proverbs 12:14b. It is delightful.

The storyline is a simple one encouraging children to work before doing their chores. It is also one of supporting others. The pages are repetitive encouraging children to learn not only the message but also helping them to read and recognise words.

The simple story is beautifully illustrated. The animal characters are delightfully drawn. The main character Marie is in a wheelchair. I loved this as it shows children that people with disabilities are perfectly able to participate in life. The reader does not know why Marie is in a chair so this can open up a conversation about differences and why children may be in a chair.

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The Girls by Lisa Jewell

Aug4

A Mystery In Suburbia

GirlsThe Girls by Lisa Jewell is a contemporary mystery thriller. It is set in suburbia and follows the fortunes of the residents who share a communal garden.

The novel is about secrets. Everyone seems to have secrets. And everyone has a past. What will happen if the secrets ever come to light?

It is a story of bonds – there are sisterly bonds and there are friendship bonds. Bonds can create security. Bonds can also be a breeding ground for jealousy. Broken bonds can form explosive situations.

There is the theme of family. Families come in all different forms. Gone are the days of everyone having the traditional make up of Mum, Dad and children. There are extended families, single parent families and fractured families.

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