Archives

Across The Ages by Gabrielle Meyer

Mar2

Amazing Grace

Across The Ages by Gabrielle Meyer is a wonderful dual timeline Christian historical novel. It is the fourth book in the Timeless series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The action is set in 1727 and 1927. Both periods have their challenges – piracy in the earlier period, and prohibition and bootleggers in the latter date. Some characters and situations are drawn from real life.

We see the theme of the prodigals returning home – physically and spiritually. Earthly characters rejoice. How much greater will the party in heaven be when the prodigal returns?

God is steadfast. “God’s Word is eternal. He doesn’t change just because society changes.” Situations, fashions and circumstances come and go but God is eternal and His character is always love.

Prayer is important. Prayer links us to God. “I… had to believe that He was for me, and I could go to Him in prayer.” God is literally just a prayer away. “I wanted to pray, but I wasn’t sure that God would listen.” God always listens when we pray. Our doubts are not the opposite of faith. Our doubts can be the springboard to believing.

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The House Of Second Chances by Lauren Westwood

Feb24

Coming Home

The House Of Second Chances by Lauren Westwood is a compelling contemporary novel that consumed me from the start.

The action is set is in present day and also dipping into 1952 via notes and letters. Everything comes alive due to the comprehensive descriptions from the author.

An old house, crumbling and decrepit takes centre stage. It needs someone to lovingly restore it, and not a local developer to tear it down. Can anyone rescue it from the developer’s clutches?

Within the walls lie secrets. The past echoes all around. Hearts that have hardened need awakening to new possibilities.

All the characters were well drawn and believable. A young estate agent’s passion for literature and the stories of old houses, was enthusiastic and infectious.

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The House Of Light & Shadows by Lauren Westwood

Feb22

Waiting For Kintsugi

The House Of Light And Shadows by Lauren Westwood is a powerful contemporary novel that consumed me from the start.

The novel is set in two time periods – present day and the late nineteenth century as we ‘hear’ via a voice in the past what has happened.

An old house links the two time periods, as does a character trapped in time and space. The past is gone but lives on in hearts full of guilt and regret.

In both time periods there are estranged sisters. Words spoken in hurt and anger have done irreparable damage. Characters need to put aside their differences and unite in love before it is too late.

A character is re-living the past, preventing her from living in the present. “The past can’t be recovered… But don’t lose any more time. Stop hurting and start living.”

A phone call out of the blue offers a second chance – but is it too little, too late?

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Worthy Of Legend by Roseanna M White

Feb20

Extending The Hand Of Grace

Worthy Of Legend by Roseanna M White is a powerful Christian historical novel. It is the third book in The Secrets Of The Isles series. It can be read as a stand-alone but it is far better to read the books in order as each one starts where the previous one ended.

There is a continuity of characters throughout the series. Each book has it’s focus on different main characters. In this book we have four lead characters to follow.

We drop in on a young woman and her maid. In these changing times of 1906, we see that friendship steps over the class boundaries as the pair form a strong friendship bond.

We cannot choose our family members. We witness the cruelty that has been levied at a daughter by her brother and father. She has felt isolated and an outcast but still has a heart that extends the hand of grace.

The pursuit of wealth and fame is a shocking master. When greed steps in, a downfall is sure to happen. True treasure lies within hearts that love.

1906 is a time when the world was on the brink of change. Young ladies know their own minds and are so much more than the outdated view that society has of them. She was “nothing but a marriage pawn – whose ideas were worthless, whose purpose was to be pretty.”

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