Archive | October 2020

The Resistance Girl by Jina Bacarr

Oct26

She Walked Among Them

The Resistance Girl by Jina Bacarr is a marvellous dual timeline novel. Present day is linked to Paris from the 1920’s to Nazi occupation during World War II in the form of a dairy and recording.

Following her mother’s death, a daughter wants to know the truth of her heritage. Her mother’s beginnings have always been a closely guarded secret, now it is time to seek the truth about a grandmother she never knew. As she delves deeper, more questions are asked. Rumour points to collaboration, wanting to discover the truth, the granddaughter travels from modern day America to France in search of anyone who may have known her grandmother.

Occupied Paris was a dangerous place to be. Trust was in short supply as people collaborated with the Nazis to improve their lot. Others bravely helped the resistance to sabotage Nazi plans and to help Jewish people escape. It was a time where suspicion lurked. Dering do often went unnoticed except by a few trusted folks. Sometimes what you witnessed with your eyes was merely an illusion, the bravery of ordinary people was cloaked for fear of being reported. Bonds were made that would be unbreakable.

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Virgin River by Robyn Carr

Oct24

New Beginnings

Virgin River by Robyn Carr is a contemporary novel about community, grief and new beginnings. It is the first book in the Virgin River series which promises to be heart-warming.

The area of Virgin River represents a complete change of life as a character tries to overcome a devastating loss. From big city and a busy ER to a sleepy mountain town with just one doctor, the contrast could not be greater. However there are still similar problems with unsavoury situations and not always as safe as it may at first seem. There are still challenges to face and situations to overcome.

There are some huge hearts within the novel – hearts that look for the best in others as they try to improve and save lives.

The sense of community runs through out. Most people offer a warm welcome to strangers. Needs are met as a town pulls together.

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The Art Fiasco by Fiona Veitch Smith

Oct23

Nostalgia At Its Finest

The Art Fiasco by Fiona Veitch Smith is a marvellous historical novel and the fifth book in the Poppy Denby Investigates series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading all the books in the series, they are fabulous.

This Poppy Denby series is nostalgic amateur sleuthing of the very best. I find it reminiscent of Agatha Christie and also the television series Death In Paradise as the ending wraps up all loose ends in a perfect summary.

The Art Fiasco is set in Northumberland in 1924 with links to a cold case in 1897. Fiona Veitch Smith has perfectly captured the atmosphere and the landscape as she paints the scene with her words.

The cast of characters are all unique and work well together. The camaraderie and the close bonds are tangible as the characters all play to their strengths.

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Meet Me In London by Georgia Toffolo

Oct20

Believe In Me

Meet Me In London by Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo is a delightful contemporary debut novel that will warm your heart and leave you smiling.

The novel has the themes of family, friendship and dreams. We all have dreams. Sometimes we pursue them. Sometimes we have to pursue the dreams of others at the expense of our own. We all need people to encourage us to follow our dreams and to fly.

There will always be those ready to squash us. We must not listen to the negative voices – whether they belong to others or our own inner voice. We need people to speak life-affirming words into our lives.

Guilt weighs heavy. Sometimes it is not our burden to pick up. We are our own worst critic. We need to learn to be as kind to ourselves as we are to others.

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