Archive | August 2017

The Power Of Prayer by Lorana Hoopes

Aug14

The Ripple Effect

The Power Of Prayer by Lorana Hoopes is a powerful contemporary tale about the incredible power of prayer.

When we pray, God listens and answers. Prayer is the most powerful thing we can do. Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray. We are to pray at all times and need to remember “Never to assume something was too big for God.”

In times of crisis, we need to mobilise prayer teams. Prayer gives us something we can control in an uncertain world. Prayer can bring peace.

The novel is also about God’s plans. He has a plan for each and every one of us. Whether we choose to draw near to Him and accept His plan for our lives, is up to us.

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The Ruby Float by Rick Nau

Aug13

Beautiful… A Timeless Classic

The Ruby Float by Rick Nau is a most beautiful Christian allegory. As with Rick Nau’s other book, Theodora’s Children, this story is timeless and relevant yesterday, today and forever.

The Ruby Float is a story within a story. As the children sit at the feet of their great grandfather, the reader is reminded that Jesus told stories and people sat at His feet to listen. Within His stories were great truths, and so it is with The Ruby Float. Jesus asked that we come to Him as children. The Ruby Float demands to be read through the eyes of a child – wide eyed, full of wonder and open to the truths of the Alpha and the Omega.

The reader is drawn into the story from the start, with delicious descriptions of a picnic, reminiscent of the Famous Five picnics of Enid Blyton.

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The Art Of Hiding by Amanda Prowse

Aug11

Foundations

The Art Of Hiding by Amanda Prowse – wow it’s a book that will blow your socks off! It will cause you to re-evaluate your life. It is a powerful contemporary read about grief and the resilience of the human spirit. I just could not put it down.

Lead character Nina was realistically drawn. Her emotions, following her loss, were spot on – grief brings tears, anger, a crushed spirit and shows you what you are really made of. I empathised with her character, recognising the conflict of tears versus anger. Her interactions with other characters were a joy to behold. She was the perfect mix of shy and vulnerable, and tough and gutsy. I loved her.

Grief hurts. It crushes spirits. Every day is a struggle. “Carrying on was what was required for all those who got left behind.” Grief brings our true spirit to the surface – do we crumble or survive?

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The Scandal by Fredrik Backman

Aug9

United And Divided

The Scandal by Fredrik Backman (translated by Neil Smith) is a contemporary novel about small town living in Sweden. It is a town both united and divided by ice hockey. Ice hockey dominates everything. It is the be-all and end-all.

The town revolves around ice hockey. You are either in the ‘in’ crowd or you are outside looking in. The novel shows this obsession can blur and warp people’s thinking.

There is the theme of family. Family sticks together. The ice hockey family demand loyalty. There is a high price to pay if you do not give it.

Friendships are important. Some have been forged in childhood.

Ice hockey makes heroes. Once placed on the pedestal, there is only one way to fall.

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