Archive | November 2021

The Imperfect Art Of Caring by Jessica Ryn

Nov22

Be More Anne

The Imperfect Art Of Caring by Jessica Ryn is the most delightful contemporary novel that warmed my heart and left me smiling.

The novel is set in a small community where the reader meets the various characters. We witness many experiencing the loneliness and isolation of living alone. Behind closed doors there are many needs.

As a huge hearted character enters the community, hearts, homes and lives expand. Community life is once more ignited and functions as it did in the past, with every one supporting each other.

Jessica Ryn explores the life of the carer and of those being cared for. We witness the difficulties, isolation and the paperwork minefields. As characters come together, those with experience help others behind them on life’s road.

Characters have pulled away from society either through choice or because others believed they were safer alone. As lives begin to bud, beautiful friendships blossom.

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A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale by Karen Schaler

Nov21

The Essence Of Christmas

A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale by Karen Schaler is a most charming contemporary festive offering that really captures Christmas in a book.

The reader is treated to a warm, wonderful atmosphere in contrast to the cold snow outside. Tempting the reader’s tastebuds with gingerbread pancakes for breakfast and hot chocolate, you are in for a real treat. All our senses are awakened under the masterful pen of Karen Schaler.

This is a fairy tale for grown-ups as we experience, princes and princesses, and all the elements that make up Christmas.

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A Class Act by Gervase Phinn

Nov21

Absolutely Charming And Highly Amusing

A Class Act by Gervase Phinn is another wonderful novel and the third book in the Top Of The Dale series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the previous books first to meet the characters and to witness their development.

A return visit to Risingdale is just the ticket to brighten a gloomy autumnal day. The reader is once more delighted to meet up with the teachers, pupils and local residents.

Gervase Phinn writes with insight and humor. His books always have me laughing out loud. Many years working in education have enabled Gervase Phinn to perfectly capture the nature of children. Their honesty is refreshing, and living in a farming community, their knowledge of sheep and other livestock is impressive.

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The Crystal Crypt by Fiona Veitch Smith

Nov20

Newshound And Bloodhound

The Crystal Crypt by Fiona Veitch Smith is a marvellous historical amateur sleuthing novel. It is the sixth book in the Poppy Denby Investigates series but can be read as a stand-alone. For me, I enjoyed catching up with familiar faces as Poppy Denby once more finds herself investigating a murder.

The novel is set in 1925 when the role of women was decidedly below that of men. Women were seen as second-class citizens, good for making the tea and looking pretty. Within the book there are strong women who are breaking out of this role. The reader meets not only Poppy as a reporter but a WPC and some female academics at Oxford. All are breaking the traditional mold of women.

As well as the women, the reader witnesses the attitudes towards disability and men of colour which horrifies the modern reader. One of my favourite scenes was of Poppy Denby forcefully acquiring a hotel room for her male colleague Ike.

The novel is mainly set within the academia of Oxford. It is very much a closed world that discourages the outsider.

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