Tag Archive | Rachels Random Resources

Widows Waive The Rules by Julia Jarman

Jan16

All For One

Widows Waive The Rules by Julia Jarman is a wonderful contemporary novel that I absolutely loved. The book is part of The Widows Wine Club series but can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces.

Once more the widows are off on an adventure, travelling from Britain to New York on the Queen Mary II, arriving in time for Christmas. With comprehensive descriptions from the author, we share the experience of life on board the Queen Mary II – from staterooms to ballrooms, pubs, restaurants and on-board entertainment, there is something for everyone.

Planning for the trip began in the summer sunshine as the friends wanted to bring some life back into their recently widowed for the second time friend. “Grief doesn’t make you immune to grief. It piles it on, so you start to think life isn’t worth living.” Depression has robbed their friend of life as each day she is merely going through the motions.

Everyone needs good friends. Friends who support each other through all the seasons of life and who will go the extra mile.

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The Great Race by Sun Chara & Joe Happy-Light

Jan15

A Message For Us All

The Great Race by Sun Chara & Joe Happy-Light is a delightful children’s novel for ages five to eight years. It is the first book in Return To Fable Land series.

The story is a variation of an Aesop’s fable about the hare and the tortoise. There are important lessons to be learnt as we see the value of persistence and good friends.

No man is an island. We were not built to live in isolation but in the company of others.

The book is simply but beautifully illustrated by Danila Frongia. Each illustration is a starting point for discussions with our children.

The whole story is engaging and entertaining, giving us pointers to chat about with our children.

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One Day & Forever by Shari Low

Jan13

Twenty Four Hours In Connecting Lives

One Day And Forever by Shari Low is a most delightful contemporary novel that is set over just one day.

The story is broken up into two-hour slots as it follows a number of characters throughout the day. Many of them are due to fly out of Glasgow airport but are grounded due to adverse weather conditions.

Readers of previous novels by Shari Low will enjoy meeting up with familiar faces. It was good to catch up and see what happened next. 

We join characters who have previously lived squashed lives. It is good to see them now blossoming and living in freedom and encouraging others who need help.

Old friendships are re-built at a funeral. An old photograph throws up questions as characters long to know the answers.

As we journey through the day with the characters, we become invested in their lives. We care what happens to the eclectic mix of characters who are all likable and believable.

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Murder At Raven’s Hollow by Louise Marley

Jan11

Entertaining

Murder At Raven’s Hollow by Louise Marley is a contemporary cosy crime novel that I enjoyed. It is the third book in An English Village Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The village is a close-knit community with an eclectic mix of characters. They are realistic and provoke a variety of emotional responses from the reader – many are liked, one I decidedly did not (but this was a guided response by the author).

A normal autumnal day soon takes a mysterious turn as human bones are found under a glass house floor. Whose could they be? And how long have they been there? There appears to be three likely candidates from years ago. The police must work out just who it is.

We see that characters are not wholly black or white but a blend of grey. However, one character definitely has a black heart and has been manipulating others for years and without remorse.

A village community throws up some interesting relationships as characters find themselves sharing DNA which they were unaware of!

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