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New Beginnings At The Buckley Hotel by Marianne Crichton

Dec22

A Warm Welcome Awaits

New Beginnings At The Buckley Hotel by Marianne Crichton is a very charming contemporary tale about love, friendship and family.

We meet the main staff members – calling themselves the M & M’s – as they help to organise the newly renovated Buckley Hotel which is set in London. They all come from varying backgrounds but band together to form the hotel family. Family does not have to be blood related. Family is those who love and care for us.

All the leading characters have huge hearts. They are generous with their time and with their gifts as they all look out for each other.

As well as the human characters there are a couple of canines. Both are delightful and it is beautiful to witness the bond that they form with the humans. Hamish is a cute rescue Border Terrier who is full of life and easy to picture.

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God Rest Ye Merry by Scott R Rezer

Dec5

Love Came Down

God Rest Ye Merry by Scott R Rezer is an absolutely charming dual timeline Christmas Christian novel that I loved. I never wanted it to end. It is the sixth book in A Festival Of Carols series but can be read as a stand-alone. I know that whenever I pick up a festive novel by the author, I am going to be delighted and experience a wonderful read.

The action is set in modern-day America and in Dicken’s Victorian London. The link between the two periods is Meg, who is passionate about all things to do with Charles Dickens.

In modern-day America we also meet Pastor Sean who is having a crisis of faith. “I need You [God]… I’m not even sure how or what to pray. I feel so lost.” In his lostness, Sam still recognises his need for a Saviour but says “there was nothing worse than a pastor who had forgotten how to connect with God.” Sean decides on a short sabbatical in order to sort himself out.

We see that guilt weighs heavy. It was a burden that Sean was never meant to carry for he had done nothing wrong but, in his grief, he misremembered events.

In Dickens’ London we see the plight of the poor. They were the subject of many of his stories as he wanted to raise awareness. There were a few philanthropists who believed, “these wee ones shouldn’t suffer on account of their births or low class.”

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Kringle’s Emporium by Jemma Hatt

Nov12

Enchanting

Kringle’s Emporium by Jemma Hatt is an enchanting Christmas tale that is just perfect for ages eight years and over.

Children living ordinary lives are suddenly caught up in an extraordinary situation when they are called to help Kris Kringle in his search for the three missing stars that are needed in order for his sleigh to fly.

Through magical means the children travel to New York City and the Taj Mahal in India. Both settings come to life under Jemma Hatt’s descriptive pen.

There are also bullies to confront. A character has a decision to make – stay safe or befriend the bullies’ victim?

The whole novel is very enchanting. We see that goodness alone is not the only thing that is required. “It’s not enough to not be horrible to other people. To be a good person, you have to try to stop horrible things from happening to people.”

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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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