Archives

Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M White

Jan28

God’s Faithfulness

Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M White is a powerful dual timeline novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The action is set during both world wars, and is linked by the generations of a family. The chapters alternate between the two time periods. Much of the action is set on Ocracoke, a small American island.

All the characters were well drawn and believable. I loved the fact that there were cameo appearances of characters from other Roseanna M White’s books. This added to the feeling a familiarity for the reader.

Lies and suspicion happens within a family as well as during times of war. Characters in both time periods are cruelly treated and time with children is snatched away. As is the time with a spouse.

There is the theme of forgiveness. When there is much to forgive, it does not come easy – but forgiveness is a s much for the welfare of the giver, as it is for the receiver.

There are several generations of strong women. They have had to rise above their circumstances. They are overcomers. The reader’s heart breaks for the abused wife who tells her small daughter: “You hear him [her father] coming, and you run, baby girl. You run to Lulu and spend the night with her.”

Many of the women have grown up under the Jim Crow laws, shunned because of their skin colour. The prejudices remain. The women are so much more than the colour of their skin. They are hardworking, and full of goodness, serving others where they can.

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The Invisible Thread by Sue Lamoree

Jan25

Entertaining & Thought Provoking

The Invisible Thread by Sue Lamoree is a beautiful contemporary children’s novel and just perfect for the over tens. It has a powerful message of forgiveness at its’ heart.

Following a dreadful accident, a family is fractured when a young boy ends up wheelchair bound. There are feelings of both guilt and anger within the family, as it falls apart. What the family really need is love and forgiveness. They need to celebrate what they do have, instead of mourning what they don’t.

We witness how life has changed for the young boy. He misses his past life. “He’d been so angry with Dad over the past year that he’d forgotten how much fun their adventures used to be.” Anger has eaten away at him. His eyes need opening to the new world of possibilities around him. This includes new friends and hobbies, such as competitive horse riding for the disabled.

A spirit from heaven, whom only children can see, falls to earth for a special mission. Her ethereal presence wafts through the tale, spreading peace and love. She reveals the heart of God the Father: “He’s got millions of children, but I always feel like I’m special to Him… He says I am.”

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These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Jan21

The Rescuer

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas is a powerful Christian historical novel that consumed me from the start. It has its’ roots in facts and there are actual historical figures in the book.

The novel is set between the wars in the early 1930’s as Hitler is rising to power. Much of the novel is set in America but some is set in Berlin.

During World War I, a young German man in the navy found himself interred in an enemy alien camp in America. He wrote to his fiancée in Germany until the letters just stopped in 1917. His mother and fiancée are still waiting for news of him in 1932. A newspaper cutting means a young woman travels to America to find out what happened to her young man. This reminds the reader that when we are lost, God seeks us out. He will leave the ninety-nine in order to search for the one who is lost.

We learn that there were dodgy goings on in the internment camp. Only now, in 1932 are activities coming to light. A cold case springs to life as the truth is sought.

A life that stagnated in Berlin, buds and blossoms in America. “Her life had gone from the grays… of Germany to this multicoloured happiness… on a fledgling college campus.” America is the land of opportunity. This is in contrast to Germany where lives are being eroded and closed down.

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Tempest At Annabel’s Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright

Jan12

Love Is…

Tempest At Annabel’s Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright is a gripping Christian dual timeline novel that I just could not put down.

The action is set in present day, 1874 and twenty years earlier.

Once more Jaime Jo Wright has presented a dark and brooding novel where the elements mirror the action.

Obsessions dominate lives as they travel down the generations. Greed grips hearts. “Greed… it’s the root of … mankind’s problems.” The love of money is the root of all evil. When pound signs are all one sees, one is in trouble.

Greed and jealousy dominated a life who then inflicted cruelty on an innocent.

There is the difficult topic of domestic abuse. In the nineteenth century characters needed rescuing from their situations. We witness love stepping in. “Love meant giving oneself for another.”

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