Archives

The Woven Lie by Liz Harris

Feb19

Cosy Crime

The Woven Lie by Liz Harris is a light-hearted historical cosy crime novel that entertained me from the start. It is the third book in The Three Sisters series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The action takes place in a village in Suffolk in 1948 as we join a young woman who has a new job in charge of a local museum.

We witness the passion for the ancient artefacts. We also witness her naivety as she learns on the job and is far too trusting.

Greed is a terrible master. There is sure to be a downfall when greed motivates actions.

The rural setting introduces the reader to a close-knit community where not everyone is quite as they seem.

Times are changing as we move away from the war years. 1948 saw the birth of the NHS. We follow characters who are implementing those changes.

Continue reading →

To Treasure An Heiress by Roseanna M White

Feb16

A Pearl Of Great Price

To Treasure An Heiress by Roseanna M White is an enthralling Christian historical adventure which I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the second book in The Secrets Of The Isles series, and though it can be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend reading book one first.

The novel is set in 1906 on the Scilly Isles and follows on immediately where book one finished

All the familiar characters are in the tale but the focus is on a different lead pair. There is a delightful light-hearted and amusing banter between the two which highly entertains the reader.

We see that first impressions are not always correct. Some are charming at first but turn out to be wolves in sheep’s clothing, and the flock need to beware. Others seem abrasive at first but turn out to be true gentlemen.

Being a gentleman has nothing to do with class and everything to do with character.

God looks after His children. The characters are seeking buried treasure. True treasure is not found in the ground but in the hearts of people. When we sin, we are like buried treasure – we are dirty and need washing with the blood of Jesus. Within the hearts of the children of God is where true treasure is found.

Continue reading →

New Arrivals On West India Dock Road by Renita D’Silva

Feb16

Community Cohesion

New Arrivals On West India Dock Road by Renita D’Silva is a powerful, heartfelt historical novel that I read in just one sitting. I am hoping there will be many more books to follow.

The tale is set just before the outbreak of World War II. We begin the novel in India in 1937, following a young girl who is employed as a nanny to two small boys, whose parents are English. Unrest in India sees the family boarding a ship to England as they make hollow promises to the nanny. Once on the shores of England, she is left to fend for herself.

The vibrancy of India contrasts with the greyness of England. “Everything is coated in a grey mist, a far cry from the ubiquitous orange dust of India.”

England is an inhospitable place for those whose skin colour is not white, and whose accent is not English.

As the streets of London are traversed, we move towards the docklands. Here, the streets are not paved with gold but the hearts are filled with love.

It is a very cosmopolitan area, populated by those whom society has marginalized – the Irish, African, India, Chinese and more. Here, the lost and lonely find a place to call home.

Continue reading →

The Nature Of A Lady by Roseanna M White

Feb15

An Adventurous Spirit

The Nature Of A Lady by Roseanna M White is a fabulous Christian historical adventure suspense that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the first book in The Secrets Of The Isles series which promises to be fantastic.

The action is set in 1906 on the Scilly Isles. It is a wild and rugged landscape full of secrets and mysteries. It is a place where everyone knows your name. We are reminded that God knows our name too, and He calls us to Him.

God will never leave us to face life alone. “You’re never alone… She knew… that he meant God.” God walks beside us, even if we do not acknowledge Him. “She wanted to believe… Is it enough… to believe that He knows you?” A character has been brought up on religion and not relationship. God longs for each one of us to know Him intimately.

We build relationship with God through prayer. “God? It seemed silly to pray for a cat… she finished her silent request.” We need to feel so comfortable with God that we can ask Him anything – big or small. God knows that if it bothers us, it bothers Him because He is our loving Heavenly Father.

God is ever present in times of need. “Help me, Father God. You’re the only one I have to turn to.” God always hears the cries of our hearts and will never leave us.

Within the book we have both science and God. They are not ‘either’/’or’ but both. “Science and faith do not need to be at odds.” We learn that “God was bigger than man’s finite understanding of Him.” We must be careful not to limit God. How big is your God?

Continue reading →