Archive | February 2023

Songs For A Sunday by Heather Norman Smith

Feb6

Amazing Grace

Songs For A Sunday by Heather Norman Smith is a most charming Christian dual timeline that I adored.

The novel is the heartbeat of God for His children. His love for us is palpable, and the love of the characters for each other is vast. We belong to our earthly family and we are children of God.

Life can be hard but we do not do life alone. “You don’t have to figure it out alone… I’m here. And the Lord is too.” God walks beside us every step of the way. We do not need to see the whole staircase as God illuminates one step at a time. We can trust Him.

When life is hard – pray. When life is good – pray. When you are at a crossroads – pray. “Pray and do whatever you think He’s [God] telling you to do.” Listen for God’s voice in your heart. He will not let you down.

We see characters who have walked away from God because they felt judged by other Christians. “He [God] didn’t turn His back on you… You can’t let the mistakes of some church folks steal your joy in Him.” Sometimes we make the mistake of placing human characteristics on God. God is not human. God is God and His character is love.

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A Date To Die For by E. V. Hunter

Feb5

Cosy Crime At It’s Best

A Date To Die For by E V Hunter is a contemporary cosy crime that I read in just one sitting.

The characters were all well drawn, likable and realistic. The leading pair made quite a crime-busting duo – the private investigator and the journalist, accompanied by a very savvy cat called Cosmo! Cosmo has a nose that sniffs out the good and the bad. He turns from a purring fluffball to a hissy, bitey machine in an instant. Cosmo’s presence brings warmth and realism to the tale. The human pair also have noses for a crime, knowing just what questions to ask and where to look, and the tenacity to keep going.

Unfortunately, we witness generational patterns of behaviour that seem doomed to repeat. Those in positions of power and responsibility abuse it.

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Looking Out For Love by Sophia Money-Coutts

Feb4

Love In Action

Looking Out For Love by Sophia Money-Coutts is a wonderfully warm contemporary novel about love.

Love comes in many forms. We all need love. Love is what makes the world go round.

In the novel we witness the love between two best friends since childhood. Their friendship is rocked by a cancer diagnosis. Fear of the thought of anything other than a good outcome. They realise what they have and cannot contemplate life without the other. We see the love and care as they both look after each other’s different needs – from emotional to practical.

We meet Harold who lost his wife of many years and who pours his love into his Alsatian called Basil. Harold has a new lease of life after befriending the girls upstairs. He has a huge capacity for love as he volunteers in the hospital where his wife was cared for. He even tries internet dating!

A former police officer, Marjorie, investigates cheating partners. She believes in love not lies. She is a lively character with a big personality.

And finally, we meet Dr Sam who works in paediatrics and has a big heart and a compassionate nature. He always tries to do good wherever he goes.

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All My Love by Miranda Dickinson

Feb2

Always & Forever

All My Love by Miranda Dickinson is the most charming contemporary novel that I never wanted to end.

The tone is wonderfully light-hearted and fun, with much amusing banter.

The book celebrates life and love and friendship. We all need those people around us who believe in us. Too often the world knocks us down and our voices shrink and dry up – but with love and encouragement from others, our voices will turn the volume up once more. Voices are heard again because “They believed in me.” We all need people who believe in us.

Within the story there are those who tear down and belittle others. And there are those who know the value of people. A character has been broken in the past and believes she has no self-worth but “you are important… Don’t ever think you aren’t.” We all need people who will build us up.

Job satisfaction will never be found in bank notes. Our value is not in the amount of money we earn. Some of the happiest people work hard, doing their dream jobs behind the scenes. Often the most important people doing the most important jobs are actually grafting away behind the scenes, invisible to the world – but if they didn’t do their jobs, we would soon notice.

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