Archive | September 2023

When The Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

Sep7

God’s Plans

When The Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer is a perfectly charming dual timeline novel that I adored. It is the first book in the Timeless series and I cannot wait for more.

The novel is set In Williamsburg in 1774 and also in New York City in 1914 and then Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast. Both time periods are similar but different. In 1774 America teeters on the edge of the War of Independence from Britain, wanting to take back control. In 1914 Britain is braced for World War I. Also, women are fighting as suffragettes for their independence and the right to vote.

In both time periods the leading lady is a strong character, fighting for what she believes is right. Even as a woman she knows that her life counts. “My life was not meaningless. God had an expected end in mind.”

We can trust God has a plan for our lives, even when we think our plan is better! We see just part of the puzzle. God sees the whole picture. “I will choose to trust God.”

Sometimes it feels as if we are imprisoned by our circumstances. “My surroundings were lovely, but I was not free to fly beyond its confines.” A gilded palace can be as much a prison as a jail cell itself, if lives are held captive by another.

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The Pumpkin Pact by Charlie Dean

Sep7

Promo Blitz

The Pumpkin Pact

Welcome to The Pumpkin Patch at Pickle Grove.

Andi is worried that her relationship with Drew has become dull and boring. They never do anything exciting these days, in or out of the bedroom. So when a swoon-worthy stranger appears she is instantly swept off her feet.

When they unexpectedly meet again, they realise they have more in common than they thought possible so draw up a pact to spice up their lives! The plan they conjure up while working together at The Pumpkin Patch, to make their partners jealous, brings them closer than ever.

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One Christmas Eve by Shari Low

Sep3

Joining The Dots

One Christmas Eve by Shari Low is a delightful novel set over twenty four hours in three different time periods – 1968, 1993, 2023.

The years are linked by the female line in a family going down through the grandmother, mother and granddaughter. We follow them alternately in two hour blocks as we drop in on one Christmas Eve.

There is a beautiful bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter, partly created by the mother being a workaholic, even on Christmas Eve. “Her mum was making it clear that her other option was work, yet she was still choosing that instead of spending time with them.” We only have one life and we need to choose wisely. No-one ever said on their deathbed ‘I wish I’d spent more time at the office.’ We need to get our priorities right.

We witness the love to last a lifetime. There may be other loves but that one big love will never die. Love has the ability to send us back to feeling like teenagers – no matter how old we are.

We see the special place in hearts for over fifty years. It is a place that one will return to again and again in order to relive a moment.

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A Christmas Baby At Goodwill House by Fenella J Miller

Sep2

Life Continues

A Christmas Baby At Goodwill House by Fenella J Miller is a marvellous historical novel. It is the seventh book in the Goodwill House series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the previous books first in order to see character progression and development.

The action is set during 1941 as we rejoin the residents of Goodwill House. It is the start of a new era. “I now make my decision on acquaintances based on who they are, not where they come from.” War is a great leveler. The old class system is crumbling. People earn their reputations and not by the circumstances of their birth.

All the residents of Goodwill House have kind hearts, helping where they can. As Christmas approaches, they are determined to ensure all the children of the village receive gifts. They truly do ‘make do and mend’ as they repurpose old toys found in the attic.

We also follow RAF pilots. We see the responsibility and the heartache. Also there are conflicting emotions when one is congratulated for shooting down the enemy. “He was uncomfortable celebrating the death of anyone, even an enemy.” Every pilot will have a mother somewhere.

We learn the value of family. Family is not always blood related but those who love and care for us.

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