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The Dressmaker’s War by Michelle Vernal

May17

The Links From The Past

The Dressmaker’s War by Michelle Vernal is a timeslip novel that entertained me from the start. It is the third book in the Brides Of Bold Street but can be read as a stand-alone.

The action is set in 1982 and during World War II, particularly pivotal is 1945. We learn that for certain characters, Bold Street is a time portal, over which they have no control. For one young mother and her small daughter in 1963, there were life-changing consequences, resulting in a search that has never left hearts.

We see the value of good parents. Sometimes we are not brought up by our biological parents, but by others who love us and treat us with love. There are varying reasons as to why our biological parents have not brought us up, including social stigma on unmarried mothers in the past.

Young children are evacuated at the start of the phony war in September 1939. The young of Liverpool were sent to the countryside. Some were well treated but not all. Bonds were formed in adversity.

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The Girls Who Dared To Love by Diney Costeloe

May12

Engaging

The Girls Who Dared To Love by Diney Costeloe is a powerful historical novel that I loved. It is the second book in the Girls Who Dared series but can be read as a stand-alone. I, however, recommend reading book one first as this book continues where the first book finished.

Now the first World War is beginning. There is a focus on the women folk as some of the men have gone to war.

We see that the leading ladies are very much modern misses as they take control of their lives. They know what they want and who they want, and are not afraid to pursue their desires. They grab life with both hands.

Love arrows fall where they will. Parents do not always agree with their off-spring’s choice of marriage partner. They can either accept it or reject their children. The heart wants what the heart wants.

As the years are passing, old traditions are breaking down. The hierarchy of the classes is breaking down. Women too, are stepping out of traditional roles in order to make their own paths in life.

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Tandem Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels

May4

So Beautiful

Tandem Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a most charming contemporary Christian novel that I adored. It is the third book in the Mackinac Cottages series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Carrie Fancett Pagels always writes fabulous stories that are close to the heart of God. We see that life can be hard but God is always good and God is always faithful. We can lean on Him and trust Him through all the seasons of life. “She might not be able, but God was.”

God gives us opportunities. “There are no coincidences just God incidents.” Nothing in life surprises God. Whatever we are going through, He is already there. He provides instances where we can lean on Him and trust His leading. When life is hard and makes no sense, press into God, recognise His hand on our lives. “Choices… God was providing.” God provides choices to help us. We can choose whether to accept or not.

We learn about the importance of music. “Good praise music…that’s something that helps get me through… life.” Music can lift us above our circumstances and draw us close to the heart of God.

Within the tale, a character is suffering from grief. “Grief… You could be laughing one moment and crying the next.” Grief brings a mixture of emotions. Guilt and grief go hand in hand. God wants us to live free. He wants to take our grief and guilt and pain, and exchange them for His care and love. “None of us is perfect. But God extends grace.” Grace. We don’t deserve it. We cannot earn it. Grace is a gift from God, paid in full by the blood of Jesus on the cross.

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The Girl Who Dared To Dream by Diney Costeloe

May3

Going Against The Grain

The Girl Who Dared To Dream by Diney Costeloe is a marvellous historical novel and the first book in a fabulous new series entitled Girls Who Dared. I cannot wait for subsequent books.

The setting is London in 1912. The world is teetering on the edge between the old and new order. Girls have always been seen as the weaker sex but leading lady, Mabel Oakley is all set to prove her critics wrong! She knows her own mind and is able to break out of the traditional mould, not being afraid to speak up. She has her dreams too.

We see that in order to beat the system; one has to stand against it. Nothing will stand in Mabel Oakley’s way of her desire to have more education than was usual for a girl – until one fateful day when dreams must be laid aside.

The upper classes still flaunt their wealth and their opinions. The reader glimpses a life below stairs where not only do the upper classes rule, but the servants have a pecking order too. We witness the awful conditions for the young female servants, who are taken advantage of.

There is no welfare state. Following an accident to the breadwinner, all family members must get a job including the youngest, a thirteen-year-old boy.

There may not be much money, but there is a lot of love.

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