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A Beautiful Disguise by Roseanna M White

Oct9

Exciting, Thrilling & Adventurous

A Beautiful Disguise by Roseanna M White is an exciting Christian Edwardian novel that thrilled me from the start. It is the first book in The Imposters series which promises to be fabulous.

The action is set in 1909 London and moves to Northumberland. Life in London is sweltering and claustrophobic, in contrast to the freedom found up North.

Tensions are beginning to rise world-wide. Anything or anybody with German ties is viewed with suspicion. German roots are definitely suppressed.

We see that the life lead can sometimes be an illusion. People will believe what is put before their eyes with a cursory glance, rather than looking closely. This enables characters to blend in and move stealthily.

The Imposters are determined to seek out the truth. The blend in and move silently, unseen by all – except the one who has found love.

Females have been suppressed for years. We witness a character who breaks out of preconceived ideas. She is free to be her wild, untamed self.

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Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander

Oct6

A Fabulous Debut

Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander is a powerful Christian historical novel that I just could not put down. It is the author’s debut novel, and the good news is … she has written many more.

The action is set during World War II in Britain and Holland. We witness both countries preparing for war. As the novel opens, the leading characters are witnessing a Kindertransport arriving in London. This prepares both their hearts to rescue and hide children throughout the war. God knows that the innocents will be safe in their care.

We witness the greed of the Nazis as they plunder Europe of their paintings and artefacts. “It’s greed that destroys us.” The worth of a painting is not just in monetary terms but in what it means to hearts. Characters bond over paintings – whether it is the drawing of a child or a masterpiece.

Feared reigned in hearts during the war but God asks us to trust Hm despite our circumstances. “You mustn’t let fear rule your life.” A heart is willing to trust God. “She wanted to trust God.” When we stumble in the darkness – literally or figuratively – we must look to the guiding light of God.

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The Secret Diary by Anna Stuart

Oct3

Tell It To The Worms

The Secret Diary by Anna Stuart is a powerful dual timeline novel that I loved.

The book is set in present day and 1945 after the war has ended. The time periods are linked by a family and an old diary.

We see the devastation that loss causes. World War II ripped families apart but in present day, a dreadful accident sees a young widow and her young sons try to make sense of a senseless loss. Everyone processes loss differently. We ‘hear’ the raw pain as a young widow exclaims “Why did you leave me? … I can’t forgive you this because you aren’t … here to forgive.” She feels alone but she has family who walk beside her. “You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here for you.” The reader ‘feels’ the warmth and love of the extended family.

During World War II a friendship and camaraderie were formed amongst four young women who operated the ack ack guns. Their friendship would last a lifetime. They were bound together by love, and a secret that they would keep forever.

War changed the roles of women. “For her ‘freedom’ had been the war years.” As the men were away women stepped into their shoes. This created problems in the post war period as returning men and the older generation wanted to put the women back in their traditional boxes. “You can’t just pack the past away with your gas mask and your ration book and ‘go back to normal’ because normal is different too.” It is perfectly stated by a character, “Society wanted to slot us … back into our kitchen-shaped holes, but we’d grown and we weren’t going to shrink ourselves to fit back inside.” Society expected women to return to their old roles. “I’m not ‘a girl like me’ anymore – I’m a totally different girl. And I really like her!” The war changed lives in all sorts of ways.

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Set In Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse

Oct3

Safe In His Arms

Set In Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse is a simply marvellous Christian historical novel that I read in just two sittings. It is the second book in the Treasures Of The Earth series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Once more, the reader returns to the dinosaur wars of the late nineteenth century. The theme of paleontology is a major one. The debate between science and religion once more appears. The topics complement each other.

Running alongside the main theme is that of murder! We ‘hear’ the perpetrator’s voice and have to guess who it is. We see the dangers of letting wealth and power rule a life.

In contrast we follow a life lived with eyes fixed on Jesus. “He’d tried to … be the light of Jesus.” Jesus asks us to be His eyes and ears, hands and feet to a hurting world.

Having Jesus in our lives means that we can experience a peace despite our circumstances. “God sees your tears … And He hears your cries… Ask Him to help you in your life.” It is important to never lose sight of Jesus. “Even when the Lord feels farthest away, He is as close as the breath in your lungs.”

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