Archive | April 2021

Merlin At War by Mark Ellis

Apr11

The Thinking Man’s Copper

Merlin At War by Mark Ellis is the third book in the thrilling D.C.I. Frank Merlin series that has gripped me from the start. The books can each be read as a stand-alone but I would recommend reading them in order for maximum enjoyment.

In this book we catch up with Frank Merlin in the summer of 1941 as he continues to investigate crimes against the backdrop of World War II.

Merlin At War sees murder, fraud, spies, double agents and a botched abortion. Good and bad men alike are lost either to crime or war. Merlin At War is a fabulous crime suspense.

Mark Ellis has created a complex interwoven plot that crosses continents – England, France, Argentina –  to name but a few. It is all very intriguing, keeping the reader on their toes and guessing. D.C.I. Frank Merlin is definitely a thinking man’s copper.

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Secondhand Sunsets by Gail Kittleson

Apr10

Restoring The Years

Second Hand Sunsets by Gail Kittleson is a marvellous Christian historical novel set from 1863 during the American Civil War and its aftermath.

The novel is about the loss of family and the grief that follows as one looks back over the memories. An unscrupulous character takes advantage of another’s grief, leading her where she would not normally go. Grief blinds to the present situation.

Cruel words spoken over us may linger. We believe what we are told even if it is a lie. A character believes she is no good and deserves everything she gets as she is manipulated by another.

There is the difficult topic of domestic abuse. “Why’dja make me do it?” It is important to remember that abuse is not our fault, we do not deserve it and we must seek help to escape it.

We need to listen to the life affirming voice of God who says we are loved. A character hears her father’s voice tell her “No matter how dirty you get, I will always find you, dear daughter.” This is a picture of God who always seeks us out, to love us no matter what situations we are in. No one is ever out of reach of His hand.

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Mercy’s Refuge by Rita Gerlach

Apr7

Educated And Entertained

Mercy’s Refuge by Rita Gerlach is a comprehensive historical novel about the journey to the New World by the Separatists in 1620. Fact meets fiction in this glorious new novel.

Rita Gerlach has clearly researched this topic thoroughly as the reader is educated as we read.

These were brave men and women who faced horrendous conditions as storms battered the Mayflower. The people had to put their trust and hope in God that He would safely deliver them.

We journey with the characters from England to the Netherlands, back to England and across to America. Due to colourful descriptions, the reader is able to ‘see’ and ‘experience’ the novel with our senses on full alert. I did find at times I was gritting my teeth as the action was tense!

At times there are tragedies which horrify the reader as we are emotionally invested in the novel. It is based on fact and real life is not always kind.

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The Storm Breaks Forth by Terri Wangard

Apr6

The Sacrifices Of All

The Storm Breaks Forth by Terri Wangard is a marvellous historical novel following the final year of World War I.

Terri Wangard has constructed a powerful tale examining the effects of war on the home-front and at the Front for the German Americans.

Once America entered the war, those of German descent were viewed with suspicion. A witch hunt by some meant that innocent citizens were interred in camps throughout the conflict.

Husbands, brothers and sons were conscripted to fight. The reader witnesses the highs and lows of training before being sent overseas.

France was drowning in mud and stalemate. Battle-lines drawn in 1914 had moved little as young men on both sides were used as cannon fodder. The conditions were awful. The mud, the rats and the lice were easy to visualise due to Terri Wangard’s mighty pen.

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