Archive | December 2022

A Child For The Reich by Andie Newton

Dec9

Heart Breaking

A Child For The Reich by Andie Newton is a heartbreaking historical tale that consumed me from the start.

The story is fiction but based on fact. The Nazis stole upwards of 200,000 children from Nazi occupied territories and assimilated them into Germany as they had them adopted into Nazi families. It is truly heartbreaking.

This is a story of courage, determination and desperation. It is a mother’s search for her daughter. We witness a love that never gives up. It is a love that will do whatever is necessary with no thought to personal safety.

Andie Newton has perfectly captured the fear and desperation of the Czech mothers and grandmothers as the brown sisters descend on a town.

It was a time of pure evil – but not all Germans were Nazis. There were pockets of goodness, kindness and courage.

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A Hope & A Prayer by Julie Lessman

Dec8

Powerful

A Hope And A Prayer by Julie Lessman is a powerful Christian historical novel with lessons for us all.

The action is set towards the end of World War II in Europe and then moves to post war America as we follow lives adjusting to peacetime.

Julie Lessman doesn’t write cosy Christian novels. She writes gritty realistic stories showing struggles and temptations that will resonate with modern audiences.

We witness a character battling alcohol and women addictions. His upbringing has led him to this point. He has tried everything but God. “Get on your knees and pray for Him [God] to get a hold of you now.” When we are down to nothing, God is up to something. Some of His best work is done with broken vessels, if we would just realise our need for Him.

There is a beautiful, kind soul who shines the light of God’s love wherever she goes. She is compassionate, praying where she sees needs. She realises “aside from our love, our prayers are the most important gift we can give.”

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Season Of Memories by Jennifer Rodewald

Dec8

Of Mercy And Grace And Love

Season Of Memories by Jennifer Rodewald is the most charming Christian novel and the nineth book in the Murphy Brothers series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the previous books first for maximum enjoyment.

This book concentrates on the Murphy brothers parents who have been married for forty years and had seven boys. On the surface, life looks ideal but it hasn’t always been that way. The marriage had a rocky start but God was faithful. “One should delight … in the goodness of God.” Sometimes it is not always easy to see God in the middle of the storm. “She wanted to spit out a pray harder because it’s not working.”

Throughout life’s struggles we can see the goodness of God when we look backwards. “Life was uncertain but God was unchanging.” In the tough times we see that “God works in hard places.” When we are in a pit, we can be sure that God is right there with us.

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Hound On A Scrounge by Maria Bucci

Dec8

Absolutely Delightful

Hound On A Scrounge by Maria Bucci  is an absolutely delightful book for the under fives and the young at heart.

We join Buddy, a hound, as he sits under the table waiting for titbits. The book is very cleverly done as Buddy draws the reader into his world. He interacts with the reader telling them what to do in order to act like a dog – And he dishes out gold stars!

We also learn the origins of afternoon tea – proving you are never too old to learn something new.

All the book is beautifully illustrated by Martynas Marchiusm. The drawings are simple but effective and each page is a prompt for further discussions with our children. Buddy is a pure delight with his big eyes and friendly face.

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