Archive | October 2023

Chasing Dreams At Wagging Tails’ Dogs Home by Sarah Hope

Oct26

A Time For Miracles

Chasing Dreams At Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home by Sarah Hope is a perfectly charming contemporary novel that I loved.

The novel is set in December in Cornwall. The dogs’ home is a place for homeless dogs, with loving people who are determined to make a difference. The dogs’ home is the dream of the owner who established it thirty five years ago. She will always go the extra mile for the dogs, putting them above her own welfare. She has a huge philanthropic heart who just wants to do the best for the dogs.

A character returns to the dogs’ home of her childhood after a relationship breakdown. Here, she receives a warm welcome from both humans and dogs. As she puts the dogs first, her heart begins to heal.

The dogs know when they are loved. It is beautiful to see a bond develop between an abandoned puppy and an abandoned heart.

Family is important. Sometimes family is blood related and at other times it is people who love us. The dogs’ home functions as a family with the dogs at the heart.

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The American Wife’s Secret by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger

Oct23

So Brave, So Heartbreaking

The American Wife’s Secret by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger is a powerful historical novel that I read in just one sitting. It is the third book in The Diplomat’s Wife series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The action takes place in Europe 1943-1945 as we follow an American lady who does what she can to sabotage the Nazi war effort and to gain intelligence.

All the characters were well drawn and realistic. The bravery, tenacity and loyalty of the leading lady was admirable.

We witness the horrors of war from within Nazi-occupied territories. Trust was in short supply and lips needed to be tightly sealed.

The author created the atmosphere of fear as we ‘see’ the methods used by the Gestapo to extract information.

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The Sisters At The Last House Before The Sea by Liz Eeles

Oct22

Enchanting

The Sisters At The Last House Before The Sea by Liz Eeles is an absolutely beautiful contemporary novel. It is the sixth book in the Heaven’s Cove series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The novel is about family. Family may be blood related or brought together by love. Family love us despite our faults. Family stick by one another. We see two sisters thrown back together by the death of their grandmother. Life is awkward at first but gradually old bonds are rebuilt.

We see the difficult position of a fifteen year old step daughter. She is trying to find her place in life but is troubled. Her life is continually built on shifting sand and she does not know where she belongs. The location of Devon offers her more freedom than her stifling London life.

A character is gaslighted by her partner. She is oblivious to the mental torment he is inflicting. The reader can clearly see what is happening. Our hearts are broken by cruel barbs to the character who is a kind and gentle soul.

There is a mystery to solve from a century ago. Enquiries about a long-dead relative open some exciting new doors.

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The Puppet Maker by Jenny O’Brien

Oct22

Gripping

The Puppet Maker by Jenny O’Brien is a gritty contemporary murder suspense that I just could not put down. It is the first book in the Detective Alana Mack series. I am looking forward to the subsequent books.

The plotline is extremely well thought out and executed. This is not a book for the faint-hearted as there are some gruesome scenes. The author has clearly done her research into police and medical procedure.

All the characters are well drawn and realistic. There are some very unsavory characters. The leading lady is fair, kind to the innocent and tenacious in her pursuit of justice.

The weather mirrors the action. The tale is set in the week before Christmas with snow on the ground and generally very inclement weather.

Dublin is the location as we travel from police headquarters around the city.

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