Tag Archive | Avon Books

A Merry Little Christmas by Julia Williams

Dec19

A Year In The Life

A Merry Little Christmas by Julia Williams is a very charming contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the second book in the Hope Christmas series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The novel is set in the Shropshire village of Hope Christmas and the surrounding countryside. There is a bank of leading characters and their families. All of whom are friends and all of whom have various challenges to face during the year.

I loved the inclusion of a character who appears real – but is he? There is an other-worldly feel to him which reminded me of Clarence in the movie It’s A Wonderful Life.

We meet farming families who pull together after a terrible accident injurers one of their own. Lives are altered as we see the strain that having a brain injury puts on a family unit.

There are families with children – step children, toddlers, babies, teens, and a beautiful wheelchair-bound young girl who is bright and funny but non-verbal. We witness the impact of withdrawing funds from a respite centre by the government will have on families. The village pulls together to fight for funds for the charity.

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The Cruise Club by Caroline James

Jul8

Delightfully Fun

The Cruise Club by Caroline James is a delightfully fun contemporary novel that will leave you smiling.

As the title suggests, the action is aboard a cruise ship in the Mediterranean. The atmosphere is light and fun-filled, with blue sky days and relaxing nights.

The reader revels in the trips ashore as we ‘see’ some of the treasures that the local landscape has to offer.

There are a wonderful eclectic mix of characters, all of whom are the other side of sixty. Caroline James shows that you are never too old to have fun. Life is for living.

You are never too old to follow your dreams. “Don’t die wondering what it might have been like to be an author. Make it happen.” If you have a dream, why not fulfil it?

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The Lost Orphan by Pam Weaver

Mar2

Entertaining & Engrossing

The Lost Orphan by Pam Weaver is a powerful historical novel That I thoroughly enjoyed.

The action begins in Worthing in December 1941 and continues throughout the war. We follow two half French sisters who are searching for their younger sister. All three were orphans but unscrupulous lies see them separated.

Within a character, the past has consumed her. Shocking events from her childhood continue to haunt her. Facing her fears and sharing her past, has disastrous consequences, leaving her even more isolated. Love and kindness are needed for her to bud and blossom.

War sees everyone doing their bit. One sister is training to become a nurse. The other joins the S.O.E. and is posted to France, wanting to do her bit to liberate her mother country.

Life leaves scars. War leaves scars. “I have scars too. The only difference between us is that you can’t see mine.” Scars need love as a balm. When love blossoms, scars fade.

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The War Pianist by Mandy Robotham

Jan25

Epic & Educating

The War Pianist by Mandy Robotham is an epic and comprehensive novel that will educate as you read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The novel focuses on 1940 and 1941 in both London and Holland. We see the war through the eyes of two women, one in each country. They are both war pianists which is another name for radio operatives. Both were incredibly brave, outwardly seemingly ordinary women. Both sacrificed in order to fight against evil. Both had strong characters and both loved their families. Their war was across the airwaves – until it wasn’t – then both were part of the resistance, seeking to free Europe from the Nazi grip.

We follow the resistance across Holland. They are brave men, women and children who have to adapt and learn to think on their feet.

All the characters were well drawn, realistic and likable. The landscape of the war – in both countries – was vividly painted by the author.

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