Archive | May 2025

Kindred Spirits At Harling Hall by Sharon Booth

May31

All You Need Is Love

Kindred Spirits At Harling Hall by Sharon Booth is a most delightful contemporary fantasy novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the first book in the Ghosts Of Rowan Vale series which promises to be fabulous.

The whole novel is highly entertaining with alight-hearted tone. It warms the reader’s heart as we enter the make-believe world of Rowan Vale.

 There is a unique plotline where ghosts of past times interact with the few who can see them in the village. There are the usual spats and disagreements, as well as a lot of love and care.

We witness how events have been misconceived. Characters need to know the truth. Sometimes it has been with-held in order to protect, but the reality was that it has harmed those involved.

We witness the importance of love. When we have love, we will bloom. Some have shied away from love for fear of getting hurt – but it is always worth facing one’s fear and taking a chance on love.

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The Woman Who Met Herself by Laura Pearson

May30

Decisions & Consequences

The Woman Who Met Herself by Laura Pearson is a most charming contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This is a novel about families and life. Families can be complicated affairs. We meet a mother who has given her whole life to raising her twin boys but now they are in their thirties she is struggling to discover her own identity.

A chance doorstep encounter opens up a whole new life but also a can of worms as there are more questions than answers.

The other lead character is childless but struggling with the sudden loss of her husband. Now she needs to discover who she is as a newly single mother.

We see that some lives just attract others to them. Brief meetings can soon turn into new friendships.

The theme of motherhood is a major one. We see that motherhood is very different in the 1960’s. A young mother struggling with her mental health gets little support. “Back then [1960’s], mental illness was a shameful secret.” She makes a monumental decision that will still be impacting lives in present day. A secret in 1962 is finally unlocked in present day, to the shock of all concerned.

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The Many Futures Of Maddy Hart by Laura Pearson

May29

Dilemma’s, Emotions & Truths

The Many Futures Of Maddy Hart by Laura Pearson is a powerful contemporary novel that I read in just one sitting. As with all Laura Pearson’s novels, it totally consumed me from the start.

This was an emotional read on so many levels. The lead character, Maddy Hart, has a dilemma as she glimpses into the future. It begs the question – has she forced the hand of the future? Or was it always going to happen that way?

We see the value of good friends – friends who can quite literally tell each other anything.

There are generous hearts within the novel. Even an elderly neighbour provides a listening ear and wise advice.

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Under A Fire-Red Sky by Geraldine McCaughrean

May28

Friendship & Futility

Under A Fire Red Sky by Geraldine McCaughrean is a powerful historical novel for ages ten years and over.

This is a novel that explores a diverse friendship as a small group of teens decide not to get evacuated from London during the phoney war.

It is a coming-of-age novel as the teens have to grow up very quickly. They go from the classroom to the Blitz in fairly quick succession, making new friends along the way.

As London burns, there are some horrific sights. “The sight would never leave her. She could no more forget it than forget her name.” Some things once seen, cannot be unseen.

There are conflicting emotions. “My Bible tells me to love my enemies. I didn’t realise until now how annoyingly difficult that is.” But when the teens come face to face with a German who is shot down, they realise that he looks just like them, and that somewhere in Germany, a mother is praying for her son’s safe return.

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