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Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure by Caroline James

Don’t Let The Old Man In #thetravellinggrandad

Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure by Caroline James is a charming contemporary novel that I absolutely adored.

This is a fun, light-hearted read showing that life is for living whatever your age. The lead character, Atticus Arnot, is seventy and is told “You’re never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.”

For five years, Atticus Arnott’s life has been on hold following the sudden death of his wife, Clara. An unexpected discovery of Winnie the VW camper van in his barn, awakens the adventurer in him. Encouraged and helped by his friend and his grandson, Atticus Arnott decides to live the dream he and his wife had, and he sets off for Spain with only his dog, Ness, for company, in Winnie the camper van. Along the way, he meets a variety of people, all of whom, welcome him with open arms. A closed life becomes a very open life.

New to social media, Atticus Arnott believes he is posting his photos on Instagram and only his friend and grandson can see them. Unknown to him, #thetravellinggrandad soon has a huge following. “You’re showing the world that age isn’t important when it comes to following a dream.” Whilst we are still breathing, we need to grab life with both hands.

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Treasure Atop The Mountain by Tonya L Matthews

Keep Climbing

Treasure Atop The Mountain by Tonya L Matthews is a very charming Christian tale that I read in just one sitting.

This is a tale of hard work, perseverance and a faithful God who never leaves us. We learn about overcoming adversity and the importance of family.

Family is not always blood relations but people who love us and stand by us.

A character has been searching for his siblings. Within his imagination, they were far nicer than in the flesh.

The leading lady has suffered, being the sole survivor of a house fire that took her entire family when she was eleven-years-old. This event naturally haunts her. She has a close and loving bond with her grandfather. She is no stranger to loss and being alone – but God is faithful and is always beside her. “God’s got you… you’ll be fine.”

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The House For Lost Children by Marty Wingate

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 Landlord Of Hummingbird House by Jane Harvey

Happy Book Birthday

The Landlord Of Hummingbird House by Jane Harvey is a positively delightful contemporary novel and the first book in the Hummingbird House series. I cannot wait for the subsequent books.

Hummingbird House is a place where hurting souls go to heal. It is a place of welcome, love and safety. A place where you feel at home and a place where help is just a call away.

The residents are an eclectic mix, all totally realistic and lovable. There is a beautiful bond between the tenants. Many are hiding from life after being hurt previously. All of whom have huge hearts.

As the novel unfolds, the reader glimpses the love and care, and unbreakable bonds formed over misfortune. Sometimes nothing needs to be said, a character just needs to be held, to know that they matter.

Grief and guilt can paralyse. What happened in the past lays no blame in the present but still a character exists with one eye on the past. Help is needed to bring about a fresh start.

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