Tag Archive | Rachels Random Resources

The Lotus House by Ann Bennett

Dec8

Powerful& Harrowing

The Lotus House by Ann Bennett is a powerful historical novel that I just could not put down.

The story begins in 1941 at Pearl Harbor as we follow a young nurse through that devastating December day, and across the seas to the Philippines.

All too soon, the Philippines are occupied by the Imperial Japanese army. The nursing staff are in retreat once more. Eventually we see that the remainder of their war is within a prison camp. “It was hard to imagine… how a war could be raging in these idyllic… peaceful islands.”

The action alternates between the young nurse and an army captain. We see their wars are similar but different as he, too, ends up in a prisoner of war camp.

There is much bravery, grit and determination needed to survive, as well as luck. Any day your name could be written on a bullet.

We see the camaraderie and support between the nurses, the soldiers and the indigenous population of all ages.

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The Silver-Haired Sisterhood by Judy Leigh

Dec3

Living Life To The Full

The Silver-Haired Sisterhood by Judy Leigh is the most delightful contemporary offering which I just could not put down.

Judy Leigh has done it again! – and produced a wonderfully warm offering showing how to live life to the full, whatever your age. Age is, after all, just a number. It’s how you feel on the inside that counts.

The leading lady is seventy-seven, supported by a cast of friends who are similarly aged, including Rose who is eighty and who doesn’t let age or health scares get her down. It’s all about ones’ outlook on life.

Judy Leigh shows that we are never too old to start a new adventure. When life presents you with opportunities – grab them with both hands!

Getting older may present challenges but it is how we deal with them that counts. We can wallow in self-pity or we can use grit and determination to fire on all cylinders.

Some characters are suffering from grief. One lets her memories warm her. Another is wallowing in grief and ‘what-ifs’, suffering from survivor’s guilt in the form of PTSD. He finds solace in alcohol but it is never the answer – until an epiphany sees a fresh determination to be a new person. “A person isn’t who they used to be. The total sum of their worth isn’t the mistakes they made… It’s about who we are now.” We all make mistakes. We must learn from them and move on. “Out of something bad, there’s always hope.”

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The Revenge Pact by Liz Mistry

Nov22

Heroes & Villains

The Revenge Pact by Liz Mistry is a gripping contemporary crime thriller that totally consumed me. It is the second book in the Solanki & McQueen series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading book one first as there is a background story, begun in the first book, which runs underneath the main story. The ending reminds us that there is unfinished business which will be carried over to the next book.

I have to say the writing is superb. I loved the juxtaposing of opposites within a single sentence. “I’m clinging to life so that I can cause death.”

We follow gang-related crimes in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as decades old feuds continue. Turf wars between rival gangs mean trust is in short supply and memories are long.

A cold case is resurrected and reignites a desire to bring the guilty to justice.

All the characters were well drawn and realistic. They are rough, tough and ready – the criminals and police. There is no honor among thieves. In contrast the Jazz Queens in the force have each other’s backs.

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Sisters Making Mischief by Maddie Please

Nov22

Warmth, Welcome & Wit

Sisters Making Mischief by Maddie Please is the most charming contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I always enjoy novels by Maddie Please as she writes with warmth, welcome and wit. Sisters Making Mischief is like the sun appearing on a grey day, it cheers the reader from the start.

The reader, along with the main character, is transported from a tense Christmas in Britain to a carefree new year in France. The atmosphere and problems in England are in complete opposite to the carefree, fun atmosphere at her sisters in the French countryside. There is a new life, along with new possibilities awaiting.

The lead characters are in their sixties and there is a sprightly mother-in-law who is eighty four. They all show that life is for living whatever your age. It is glorious to see characters not in the first flush of youth enjoying and being invigorated by life.

Maddie Please injects much humor into her tale. With an accident prone lead character, I found myself literally laughing out loud throughout the story. There were some truly hilarious scenes.

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