Tag Archive | book review

Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure by Caroline James

Sep18

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

Sep18

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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Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer

Sep18

The Greatest Adventure

Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer is a fabulous dual timeline novel that I adored. It is the fifth book in the Timeless series but can be read as a stand-alone. I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole series but this is my favourite book so far.

The novel is set in London in 1888 and 1938. These dates are instantly recognisable as the period of Jack the Ripper and the year before World War II begins. The lead character, Kathryn, exists in both time periods. In 1938 she is researching Jack the Ripper for an exhibition in London.

As with previous novels, Kathryn is a time-crosser. She wonders “Why God would allow me to know this history if I wasn’t meant to help her?” God works in ways that are different to us. We may not know His purpose but we can trust Him. “God is sovereign… Even when we don’t understand, He allows certain things to happen for His purposes.” God is good even when our situations aren’t.

God is our present help in life. He never leaves us to struggle alone. “God never left your side… He’ll give us strength to endure whatever comes our way.” We can lean on God and trust Him at all times.

We make our plans but God’s plans are always best. “Sometimes, plans need to be flexible to see what God wants for us.”

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Daughter Of Genoa by Kat Devereaux

Sep16

Extraordinary Acts Of Bravery

Daughter Of Genoa by Kat Devereaux is a comprehensive tale set in Genoa between April-July 1944.

This is a powerful story that is grounded in facts as the author has taken actual historical figures and re-imagined a fictional tale.

By 1944 Germany was losing the war but the Nazis and the Fascists in Italy were still clinging on to power. Their regime was a cruel one. Kat Devereaux has included back stories of persecution within her tale.

There were brave souls who helped those in need. “Every person we manage to help is a victory. We cannot change our situation, but we can do our best to improve it.” Ordinary men and women worked underground to move people to safety.

The leading lady is one such person. Having been helped, she wants to pay it forward.

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