Archive | January 2026

Far From Home by Danielle Steel

Jan3

Love Wins

Far From Home by Danielle Steel is a historical novel that consumed me from the start.

The novel is set in France & Germany towards the end of World War II. Hitler is losing the war but is blind to this fact. Some Germans are against him but are afraid to speak out – a few brave souls execute Operation Valkyrie. As history shows, this did not go to plan, and it is against this backdrop that the story is set.

We follow the war as seen through the eyes of a mother and a daughter following their husband/father’s attempt to kill Hitler. Their wars are very different – one is in France, the other is in Berlin.

Danielle Steel capture’s the reader’s attention as her plotline mirrors actual facts from World War II. Her characters are well drawn and easy to empathise with.

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A Wayne In A Manger by Gervase Phinn

Jan2

Very Charming & Very Funny

A Wayne In A Manger by Gervase Phinn is a very charming and amusing account of school nativities as seen through the eyes of small children when Gervase Phinn was school’s inspector for Yorkshire.

Nativities are always a very charming part of school life. Much hilarity is found when small children improvise. “Mary sighed and thrust the large doll representing the Baby Jesus, with a fair bit of force, on to the lap of Joseph with the words, ‘You ‘old Him a bit. ‘E’s gerrin dead ‘eavy.’”

There are wise words coming from young mouths. “Allus speak tha mind. Say what tha’s got to say an’ then shurrup.”

And we hear of the Good News of Christmas. “There’s summat special abaat it [Christmas], isn’t there?… People smile more, they look ‘appier.”

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Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Stars by Gervase Phinn

Jan2

Hilarious

Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars by Gervase Phinn is the most enchanting little book about the hilarious tales the author has come across in his years as school inspector for Yorkshire.

Told in a very down to earth, personable style, the reader sniggers and titters throughout. The children are straight faced as they inject humour into what they say. “Can you tell me how many sheep you can see in that field?” “Aye, I can… I can see all on ‘em.”

As well as being literal, the children sometimes mispronounce words. One young one refers to ‘Old Timers Disease’ instead of Alzheimer’s’. It certainly has a friendlier tone to that.

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Restoring Hope by Philippa Cleall

Jan2

Heaven Is Watching

Restoring Hope by Philippa Cleall is a powerful contemporary Christian novel about love, forgiveness, redemption and new beginnings. It is a beautiful story that warmed my heart and soul.

The setting is Wombat Valley in New South Wales. It is a charming small town where the leading lady flees to after years of domestic abuse. It is where her grandmother lived and where she feels safe to start again. “The dream she’d built from sorrow.” Our dreams are important; they give us a hope for the future.

A café is opened as she follows in her grandmother’s footsteps. It is a place of community. She was “building more than a café.” It is a place where the lost, the hurting and the vulnerable feel drawn to, and feel safe.

The grace that is received, is passed on to others. Words of encouragement that are planted into hearts, bud and blossom.

We meet characters who live out their faith. “She doesn’t push faith on others… she lives it.” People are drawn to those whose lives point to Jesus. They are not just hearers of the Word; they are doers of the Word too.

There is a group of women who have all suffered from domestic abuse. They learn about the power of forgiveness – what it is, and what it is not. They also learn that trust once gone, is not easily restored. It needs to be earnt.

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