The Boy Who Made The World Disappear by Ben Miller is an exciting contemporary children’s tale, just perfect for ages eight to adult.
The tale has its grounding in science but don’t be put off. It’s nothing technical, being easy to understand and interesting too.
At first glance it may seem as if the book is aimed at boys as a boy is the main character but its appeal is to both sexes.
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When I Come Home Again by Jennifer Rodewald is a powerful contemporary Christian novel about love, loss and new beginnings.
When loss hits hard, we hurt, we become angry and we withdraw. For a short while, this is an acceptable response but when anger rules our lives, we are in trouble. Something must change. “I don’t want this anger anymore.” We need to own our anger, then leave it at the foot of the cross. If we do not, we will be forever bound by the chains of anger.
Regret often goes hand in hand with anger. Regrets can immobilise and imprison us. “Regrets are bondage… If you don’t deal with them… they own you.” Regret is a burden we were never meant to carry. Jesus died for our freedom, not so we could imprison ourselves with regrets. “Some people live with regret their whole lives, never realising they don’t have to.”
God gives us gifts. He delights in us as we use these gifts. “The joy of the Creator as they exercised the gifts He’s built into them.”
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Abraham by Jennifer Beckstrand is a delightfully light-hearted Amish romance. It is the second book in The Petersheim Brothers series but can be read as a stand-alone. I, however, enjoyed catching up with familiar faces.
Once again Jennifer Beckstrand has created a deliciously amusing novel. One cannot help but smile at the antics of nine year old twin boys as they turn into match-makers. Their attempts are unique but often fall short with hilarious results. Jennifer Beckstrand has captured their boyish mannerisms and I love their malapropisms. “Unanimous benedictor” should be anonymous benefactor.
Bitsey Weaver with her ever changing hair colour puts in an appearance. I love her logic – “You can’t stick your foot in your mouth if it’s shut.” She is an amusing character with a gruff exterior and a heart of gold.
Scruffy mutt, Tintin, captured my heart. You are always on to a winner with the inclusion of pets. They have the ability to turn a house into a home.
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The Dilemma by B.A. Paris is a powerful contemporary novel that will tear your emotions to pieces. It is a departure from B.A. Paris’ usual genre of psychological thrillers but the tension still grips the reader. I think it is her best novel to date, and I have loved all her books.
The novel begins near the end of the action before stepping backwards in time by twenty four hours and then moving forwards hour by hour. This device means the reader is immediately questioning from the start. We want to know what has happened, why and how?
The focus of the novel is a family. The action is told from two alternating points of view of the parents and in the first person. We become intimately acquainted with them both. Surprisingly, as I am female, I resonated more with the father in the story as I ‘shared’ his dilemma.
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