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The Last War Orphan by Jenna Ness

Sep19

Gripping

The Last War Orphan by Jenna Ness is a gripping historical read that I just could not put down. It is the second book in the Orphans Of St Agnes series. The books need to be read in order as they follow on immediately from each other.

The series is set in France during World War II. This book sees two of the three orphans returning to Paris in order to be re-united with the third, Lucie, who had fled back to the only home she had ever known – the orphanage. Unfortunately, this is now occupied by a leading figure in the Nazi party. The reader witnesses the snake-like nature of a man who pretends to be-friend Lucie. Lucie has a caring, trusting nature, and this could lead to a downfall.

We learn what makes a family. “She was still my sister, by love if not blood.” Love unites very different characters who become one big family – added to one abandoned baby at a time.

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Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer

Sep18

The Greatest Adventure

Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer is a fabulous dual timeline novel that I adored. It is the fifth book in the Timeless series but can be read as a stand-alone. I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole series but this is my favourite book so far.

The novel is set in London in 1888 and 1938. These dates are instantly recognisable as the period of Jack the Ripper and the year before World War II begins. The lead character, Kathryn, exists in both time periods. In 1938 she is researching Jack the Ripper for an exhibition in London.

As with previous novels, Kathryn is a time-crosser. She wonders “Why God would allow me to know this history if I wasn’t meant to help her?” God works in ways that are different to us. We may not know His purpose but we can trust Him. “God is sovereign… Even when we don’t understand, He allows certain things to happen for His purposes.” God is good even when our situations aren’t.

God is our present help in life. He never leaves us to struggle alone. “God never left your side… He’ll give us strength to endure whatever comes our way.” We can lean on God and trust Him at all times.

We make our plans but God’s plans are always best. “Sometimes, plans need to be flexible to see what God wants for us.”

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The House For Lost Children by Marty Wingate

Sep16

Belonging

The House For Lost Children by Marty Wingate is a powerful historical novel that I enjoyed.

The novel is set during World War II in a large manor house in Suffolk. Following a bomb blast in London, children have been made homeless and are orphans. The kind hearted Lady Louisa Brightman opens her large house to the orphans and their two teachers.

Relationships are strained at first as assumptions and prejudices are made. Characters need to get to know each other in order to be able to work together. First impressions are not always correct. The way that life has treated people affects the way they treat others.

We witness the dreadful effects on one small girl, six-year-old Gracie, of being buried alive for two days, holding onto her dead mother’s hand. This was during the air raid that flattened her London home. She needs love, care and kindness to begin to heal. A beautiful bond is formed with Miss Moffet, the family cat. Giving her a purpose and something to love will help her heal.

Life in the countryside is not without risk as the odd stray German plane threatens to undo months of love and care as old traumas are re-visited.

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The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green

Sep4

The Power Of The Story

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green is a powerful historical novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The action is set on the American home front in Maine in 1942. It is seen through the eyes of four women, each with different life experiences and united by a book club. We see that there is power in stories. They bring people together, provoking discussion, out of which, friendships are formed.

You are never too old to begin to read. We see that whereas some have enjoyed books from childhood, others have been reluctant readers, well into adulthood. Books will open hearts, minds and imaginations, uniting the old and the young.

There is power in our stories too. We ‘hear’ of a character’s backstory from 1918. It helps us to understand why a character behaves as she does. We also see that her nursing skills never leave her.

Part of the book is set out in the form of minutes from the book club. This helps to involve the reader in the story as we feel included.

At times of war there are prejudices against those of foreign descent. “Spaniards, Portuguese, and especially Italians, all tarred with the same racial slur. Marked as something different, distasteful, un-American.” A family of Italian origin has to work hard in order to earn trust and to fit in.

Characters long to trust God. “Martina prayed as she ran, but it had been months since she’d attended Mass. What if no-one was listening?” God hears all our prayers. There is no tally of attendance or non-attendance in heaven.

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