Archive | November 2019

Mince Pies And Mistletoe At The Christmas Market by Heidi Swain

Nov16

The Joy Of December

Mince Pies And Mistletoe At The Christmas Market by Heidi Swain is the perfect contemporary book to get you into the festive spirit. Christmas markets, Christmas tree auctions, festive fayre and frosts all add to the atmosphere as the reader sinks into the book.

This is my third trip to Wynbridge where a warm welcome is always guaranteed. As I open the book, it feels like I am coming home to Wynbridge along with the main character. New faces mingle with old as the reader is cocooned within the fold.

Community life is all encompassing as people come together to save their market. The good of the whole, memories and traditions must be fought for as the small traders take on the big corporations.

There is the Romeo and Juliet effect simmering in the background as two families have an age old feud to settle.

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A Rumor Of Roses by Sally Klein O’Connor

Nov14

The Power Of Love

A Rumor Of Roses by Sally Klein O’Connor is a powerful book about God’s love that heals the hurt and the power of forgiveness.

Sally Klein O’Connor is a Jewish lady who loves Jesus. She wants to help heal the nations that are torn apart. She undertakes “a tour of roses” in places of conflict – the concentration camps of Europe, Ireland on Orange Day and Palestine. She gives out roses in the name of God’s love.

The author’s first visit to the concentration camps was in 2007. She wondered “How can You [God] be in this place? I Am. I Was. And I will be.” God is always to be found with us in the dark places of life, shining His light into our hearts. For many, there is no distinction between Germans and Nazis. Sally Klein O’Connor seeks to heal this thought process. She “may not have the answers but desires healing.”

The memorial at Dachau reads “Never Again” but still wars and genocide happens. The Nazis were seen as monsters, doing despicable things. The author urges us to look at life “through the lens of God’s mercy.” She comments “No human being was ever created to be a monster… God’s love… can turn monsters back into men.”

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Her Perfect Lies by Lana Newton

Nov12

Where Does The Truth Lie?

Her Perfect Lies by Lana Newton is a marvellous contemporary psychological thriller that draws the reader into a dark world of truth and lies, reality and illusions. Everyone appears plausible but some manipulate the truth for their own ends.

The lead character has suppressed memories. She searches to rebuild her past, to separate the dreams from the nightmares. Everywhere she turns, people tell her contradicting tales of her past. “Everyone’s truth was different.”  Who can be trusted? Whose face is it that looms in her nightmares?

Finding a diary and old photos from childhood may bring answers or just more questions as the search for the truth continues.

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It Happened At Christmas by Christen Krumm

Nov10

Totally Charming

It Happened At Christmas by Christen Krumm is the most delightful contemporary tale that will have you believing that wishes really do come true.

The novel was reminiscent of Cinderella, A Little Princess and While You Were Sleeping all wrapped up into one charming story. The lead characters were wonderfully drawn and totally realistic and lovable. Being down-trodden but bouncing back takes much courage.

There is the search to belong and an orphan longing for a home. She is a breath of fresh air, breathing life wherever she goes.

Being set during the Christmas holidays adds to the nostalgia and festive atmosphere. With delicious descriptions from Christen Krumm, I ‘floated’ through the novel, savouring every minute.

True friends are worth their weight in gold. We all need friends who will love us for who we are and not for the size of our bank account.

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