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The Children On The Train by Anna Stuart

Aug4

Brave Hearts

The Children On The Train by Anna Stuart is a powerful novel of World War II that grabbed my attention from the start.

The story surrounds the Jewish children and orphans who escaped Nazi Germany via the Kindertransport before the outbreak of war and closed borders in 1939. We witness the bravery of all those involved. Lives were put on hold; sacrifices made, in order to get the children to safety.

Along the way, good friends were made, and lost.

As the grip of the Nazis tightened on society, a gentile husband and his Jewish wife, make a painful decision, designed to keep the whole family safer – but will it? We see the cruelty inflicted by the Nazis via both physical and mental torture.

Huge hearts put the children first, above all else, including personal safety.

As the storm clouds darken over Europe, there are still pockets of goodness. Hope for a better future still lives in hearts.

All the characters were well drawn and believable. With her marvellous pen, the author has evoked the atmosphere of both love, and also terror, as the Nazis raged across Europe.

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The Nile Cruise by Caroline James

Aug3

A Simple Leap Of Faith

The Nile Cruise by Caroline James is a wonderful light-hearted contemporary novel that I adored from the start.

With the leading characters in their sixties, we see that you are never too old to have fun, nor to have a new beginning.

We see characters pretending to be someone else. One needs an escape from daily life. Another is trying to work out who he is, and how to tell his parents. “And what do you want, Ezra” she asked… “I want to be myself… The person I was meant to be.”

When he plucks up the courage, he finds that his parents love him for just who he is, and who he was created to be. Their love is unconditional. “Who you love isn’t as important as how you love.” Love with your whole heart.

We meet characters who have lost the loves of their lives. One has made a terrible rebound marriage but his eyes are opened to the gold-digger beside him.

Love strikes where it will. Characters have a good moral code and a deep friendship blossoms.

The leading lady exudes warmth and kindness. She sees the marginalised. “Hattie was so warm and friendly and turned every mishap into a reminder that life needn’t be taken too seriously.” When a down-trodden character sees her true nature, he describes her as feeling “the aching relief of being with someone who made the world gentle again, unlike the sharp, demanding world he knew now.” We all want someone to love us for who we are.

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Five Go On A Hike Together by Enid Blyton

Jul30

Falling Into An Adventure

Five Go On A Hike Together by Enid Blyton is a marvellous children’s adventure. It is the tenth book in the Famous Five series but can be read as a stand-alone.

A few last days in the autumn sunshine see the famous five set off on a hike and camping across the moors.

There are some shady characters as once more, the five fall into an adventure. The unsavoury couple try to scare off the children who are plucky and not easily scared.

Enid Blyton has created another marvellous tale for those aged ten years and over.

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Avalon Sky by Jill Todd

Jul29

Coming To Light

Avalon Sky by Jill Todd is a contemporary thriller and part of A Kit Pevensey Thriller series.

We see that actions in the past have a far-reaching effect as long held, and buried, secrets come to life.

A true nature has been hidden since before World War II. As a whole different personality emerges, the reader is shocked.

We witness the value of true friendships as opposed to false friends who are focused on hate and hiding.

Evil walks amongst the characters. Evil has been hiding in plain sight. The deeds of the night are being revealed in the light.

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