Tag Archive | Rachels Random Resources

The Freshman Parents by Ko Porteous

Jul18

Coming Home

The Freshman Parents by Ko Porteous is an entertaining contemporary novel that gripped me from the start. It is the first book in the Empty Nesters series.

The main topic is that of being an empty nester. “What’s her point if not to parent?” Having had four children, I found the characters easy to empathise with. The feelings of emptiness and loss are very raw.

We see that attitudes need to change. “This is not the end of an era; it is the beginning of a new phase.” We need to move from a position of loss, to one of opportunity.

An online group for freshman parents is a life-saver as new bonds are formed. There are different styles of parenting. Nothing is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, just ‘different.’

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Mandarin Road by Ann Bennett

Jul8

Heartbreaking

Mandarin Road by Ann Bennett is a powerful dual timeline novel that I read in just one sitting. I could not put it down. It is a heartbreaking read.

The action is set in 1967 and 2015 mainly in Vietnam, but briefly in America too as this is where the novel opens.

We see the futility of war. The Vietnam war was particularly hated in America – it wasn’t their war. There were many protests held. It was a cruel war with atrocities on both sides. The Viet Cong were cruel to their own people. The Americans were cruel too, burning villages and shooting the Vietnamese people. It was a war that no one could win. Mothers lost sons on both sides. “He was aggressive, difficult and demanding, but he was still very young to be fighting a war, and he was somebody’s son,” it was said of a Viet Cong soldier. And of an injured American, we hear; “he was not just an enemy soldier; he was a living, breathing human being who was in trouble.”

We witness the bravery of a young girl to help an injured American. Her heart is full of compassion.

A deathbed scene in 2015 sends a daughter overseas in search of a half sister that she never knew she had.

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Nero The Hero by Samantha Mattocks

Jun25

Helping Others

Nero The Hero by Samantha Mattocks is a delightful children’s book and just perfect for six years and over. It is the first book in a new series which promises to be very charming.

We meet Nero the hero who is a very special dog. He is the latest in a long line of Schnauzers who can communicate with their owners, and who are on high alert for those who are in trouble.

Twelve-year-old Jack meets Nero when he spends the summer holidays with his grandmother. The heroics of Nero rub off on Jack, as he too, wants to rescue others. We see that although Jack does indeed, perform a heroic act, he then needs rescuing!

The novel teaches us the value of kindness and care. We need to look out for others, and help where we can.

Nero The Hero is beautifully illustrated by Gerda Smit. She really brings Nero to life.

It was lovely to meet up with Mister Mishkins, the hero of his own series. The message of the book says that although we may be different – a dog and a cat – we can still be friends.

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Kat The Dog by Jo Allen

Jun5

An Entertaining Tale

Kat The Dog by Jo Allen is an entertaining YA novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the first book in The Seventh Pup series which promises to be fabulous.

The story is seen through the eyes of Kat the dog. We hear about her relationship with other dogs and with her two favourite humans who run the rescue centre.

All the dogs have differing personalities which complement each other. The dialogue is light-hearted and fun as the verbal volleys fly between the characters.

The leading humans are a grandfather and his granddaughter. She lives with him after her parents were killed (before the book opened.) A necklace belonging to her mother has been passed down. This has magic powers, enabling her to see what others cannot.

Unscrupulous relatives try to cheat the grandfather out of his property. The dogs spring to the rescue.

This was an enjoyable read that grabs the reader’s attention from the start. All the characters were well drawn.

We see that life is a battle between good and evil. We recognise the goodness of those who want to do no harm.

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