Archives

Specters In The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

Oct29

Arising From The Ashes

Specters In The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright is a powerful dual timeline Christian novel that consumed me from the start.

The tale is set in 1921 and present day as we view the action through alternating chapters with the two lead characters.

The leading ladies have parallel lives – both are alone as their parents have died. Both had mothers who struggled in life – one through addiction, the other with a genetic mental illness. And both leading ladies have good hearts, despite their upbringing.

Mental illness is an ongoing theme in both time periods. Today there is a lot of help. Back in 1921 characters were shut away from the world if there was any glimpse of mental illness.

We also meet a character who is physically disabled, having lost a leg during a battle in World War I. He fears that others may see him as ‘less than’ he was but he is still the same kind-hearted person. “I’m no less a man now than I was when I went to France.”

There is much to fear in the novel. We learn that “It is alright to be afraid… It’s what we do with that fear that’s important.” Fear may still exist even though we have faith. “I choose faith… even though I’m still… afraid.” When we have faith, we can look to God and our fears will diminish.

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Her Husband’s Return by Suzanne Goldring

Oct20

If Walls Could Speak

Her Husband’s Return by Suzanne Goldring is a powerful dual timeline novel that consumed me from the start.

The action is set in London during World War II and in present day. Chapters alternate between ‘then’ and ‘now.’ The time periods are linked by a large family home that is being renovated in present day.

If walls could speak, the house would reveal the secrets – but until then, they remain hidden.

Life during World War II was fragile. First Londoners faced the Blitz, and then there were the silent but deadly V1 and V2 rockets. Lives could be snuffed out in an instant. The landscape of London changed as many buildings were demolished.

Large family homes were called upon to house the homeless. The house within the tale echoes with warmth, love and laughter. Friendships are formed that will remain.

Opportunities for women opened up with war. The leading lady, Frankie, becomes an ambulance driver. War, surprisingly, brings freedom for her, and for many. Frankie is no longer shackled to the home and a verbally abusive husband. However, so deep-rooted is the abuse, that in her head, she still hears the words spoken over her by her, now MIA, husband. She is forever ruled by him until the day she finds the courage to live for someone else.

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Only I Can Save Them by Imogen Matthews

Oct10

Unravelling The Truth

Only I Can Save Them by Imogen Matthews is a powerful dual timeline novel that has its’ roots in facts as we follow photographer Rudolf Breslauer from Leipzig in 1936 and onwards. The second period is in present day and seen through the eyes of Rudolf Breslauer’s great granddaughter.

The novel spans the Second World War years as we follow Rudolf Breslauer and his family from their home in Amsterdam (where they located to avoid the persecution) to the camp of Westerbork, which was a holding camp for Dutch Jews before continuing on to Auschwitz, Birkenau or Theresienstadt.

In present day, a great granddaughter finds a photo of her grandmother aged thirteen in a book. She wants to seek the truth about her grandmother’s family and their wartime experiences.

For all of her life, the grandmother has kept quiet but as she approaches the end of her life, is it now time for the truth to come out?

Rudolf Breslauer did what he could in order to protect his family. He was chosen as the official photographer of Westerbork – but there were only so many photos that the commandant wanted before it would be a one-way ticket to Auschwitz.

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The Silver Tide by J H Mann

Oct6

Exciting & Entertaining

The Silver Tide by J H Mann is a historical adventure. It is part of A Wild Cornwall series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The story is set in a Cornish fishing village in 1863. Facts are blended with fiction to create this marvellous tale.

We see that life is precarious. The sea is a dreadful master. It is rich in pilchards but the unpredictability of the sea means that it takes lives where it will.

1863 saw the beginnings of life boats. Following a terrible tragedy, a Cornish village campaigns for a life boat.

We see the role of religion as a vicar walks amongst his flock, quoting Bible verses. He also practices the gift of hospitality.

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