Tag Archive | Miranda Dickinson

And Then There Was You by Miranda Dickinson

Aug28

Hope Lives Here

And Then There Was You by Miranda Dickinson is a very charming contemporary novel that I enjoyed.

The novel is set in St Ives, Cornwall. In the back streets there is a café that offers love, hope and care to all who pass by. Characters unite over food and music.

We see the power of music to awaken souls and memories. Music takes us back down the years. For the leading lady, a song transports her back to being seven years old again, the only time in her life when she really felt loved for two short years. She was given hope by a man who was the closest thing she ever had to a father. Whenever she hears a certain song, it is her heart’s cry to see him again. “I still have my memories, and they don’t require living space.”

When dreams are shattered, characters are broken, losing their sense of purpose. “I just want to feel like me again.” They need to re-connect with what they once loved, but in a new, different way.

The power of the sea draws people in. For some it is the surf; for others it is an early morning stroll. “The sea is a pull to people who need reassurance [and] hope.”

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Things We Do For Love by Miranda Dickinson

Aug15

A Wonderful Light Hearted Read

Things We Do For Love by Miranda Dickinson is a delightful, contemporary novel that will warm your heart and leave you smiling.

The novel is set over a summer in Stratford Upon Avon and celebrates all things Shakespeare. We follow the Garden Players as they bring the works of the bard to life.

We see how hard it is to break into acting. As well as sheer hard work, a little bit of luck is needed.

Shakespeare brings out the passion in his followers. To have his works performed in his home town is the icing on the cake for them.

We witness the uglier side of theatre as a jealous director has the power to thwart a talented career.

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All My Love by Miranda Dickinson

Feb2

Always & Forever

All My Love by Miranda Dickinson is the most charming contemporary novel that I never wanted to end.

The tone is wonderfully light-hearted and fun, with much amusing banter.

The book celebrates life and love and friendship. We all need those people around us who believe in us. Too often the world knocks us down and our voices shrink and dry up – but with love and encouragement from others, our voices will turn the volume up once more. Voices are heard again because “They believed in me.” We all need people who believe in us.

Within the story there are those who tear down and belittle others. And there are those who know the value of people. A character has been broken in the past and believes she has no self-worth but “you are important… Don’t ever think you aren’t.” We all need people who will build us up.

Job satisfaction will never be found in bank notes. Our value is not in the amount of money we earn. Some of the happiest people work hard, doing their dream jobs behind the scenes. Often the most important people doing the most important jobs are actually grafting away behind the scenes, invisible to the world – but if they didn’t do their jobs, we would soon notice.

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The Silent Child by M.J. White

Nov8

Horrifying, Heartbreaking & Powerful

The Silent Child by M.J White is a powerful and horrifying contemporary crime suspense that had me gripped from the start. It is the second book in the Cora Lael series but can be read as a stand-alone.

M.J. White has created an eclectic mix of characters from police to perpetrators to victims. As the novel progresses, we ‘hear’ the different voices as we ‘see’ events through alternating eyes.

The plotline is extremely well crafted and executed. We witness the damage that those who should protect, inflict on others. Actions have far-reaching consequences, both mental and physical.

There are characters who are physically weak but mentally strong.

A character is carrying a huge burden and wants to release it but there is the question of who to trust? Having been manipulated, events were not actually as the character believed. The line between truth and lies has been blurred.

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