Tag Archive | book review

Until Leaves Fall In Paris by Sarah Sundin

Dec2

Extraordinary Acts Of Bravery

Until Leaves Fall In Paris by Sarah Sundin is a powerful Christian historical novel that I loved.

The action is set in Nazi occupied Paris as we follow two Americans who are both working against the Nazis in their own individual ways. Both guard their lives as they work in secret.

Factory owner, Paul, appears to be a Nazi collaborator but he holds a secret. His outward appearance earns him hostilities from his Parisienne neighbours. In contrast, God sees his heart and knows that he is working for the greater good. We need to be ware of making judgments on what we can see because it could be far from the truth.

Ballerina, Lucie, fights a very different war. She surrounds herself with books. Her bookshop is the perfect cover for her resistance work.

People have prejudices against others, even within church but “the church needed all the different gifts working together.” If we have not walked a mile in their shoes, we should not criticise the lives of others. We have no idea of the inner battles that are raging.

Four-year-old Josie is shunned as she is judged by her father. This is wicked as she is an innocent in all this. “The poor little thing shouldn’t suffer because her father was a heel.”

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Courting Love by Jodie Wolfe

Dec1

Misunderstandings In Love

Courting Love by Jodie Wolfe is a Christian historical 3 in 1 book that I enjoyed.

The stories are set-in small-town America in 1876-77. They are surrounding three sisters who are all looking for love, without necessarily realising what is under their noses the whole time.

God’s plans for the sisters are so much greater than their plans. “Sometimes God gives us what we don’t expect, but what we need the most.” God knows us better than we know ourselves.

The sisters are close-knit as they have lost both parents. They all look out for each other and they all have different skill sets. Their love for all is plain to see. “We got each other. Why would we need much more than that?” The sisters have the correct priorities. They enjoy each other and the simple things in life. They build their lives on God and each other. In contrast we meet a very selfish young woman who does not go to church or say prayers. Her priorities are on wealth and outward appearances.

Prayer is important. “I pray for you both…that you’ll find godly men.” We need to commit every area of our lives to God. There is nothing that is too big or too small for Him. If it bothers us, it bothers Him. God wants to be involved in our lives.

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The Corpse Bell by Ian McFadyen

Nov28

Highly Entertaining

The Corpse Bell by Ian McFadyen was a gripping contemporary crime novel that consumed me from the start. It is the eleventh book in the Carmichael series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The plotline is extremely well thought out and executed. It is a thinking-mans novel as you needed to be able to join the dots and in order to solve the murders. I failed miserably as I tried to guess the perpetrator.

All the characters were well drawn, believable and likable.

The law enforcement officers all had their individual roles to play, working like a well-oiled machine as they doggedly tried to solve the case.

We see that the past will sooner or later catch up to the present. Characters go to extreme lengths in order to keep their pasts hidden.

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The Tanglewood Bookshop by Lilac Mills

Nov21

Grandad’s Legacy

The Tanglewood Bookshop by Lilac Mills is a perfectly charming contemporary Christmas novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

An unexpected change in circumstances sees the lead character relocating from London to a small Welsh village. Everything has changed for her – her job, her living accommodation, and even her mother moving to Spain. “Kazz felt rudderless and adrift. Stevie and Tanglewood offered an anchor and a safe haven.”

Tanglewood is a place of community and care; love and support; where everyone knows your name – and your business! Personal news spreads like wildfire, thanks to octogenarian, Betty! But her heart is loving. It is the perfect place to heal from the storms of life. Whenever there is a need, it is met by the loving residents.

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