Tag Archive | Rachels Random Resources

The Last Bookshop In Prague by Helen Parusel

Sep30

Hold On To Hope

The Last Bookshop In Prague by Helen Parusel is a powerful, heartbreaking historical novel that I read in just one sitting. The story is fictional but grounded in fact as it surrounds the Nazi occupation of Prague from 1942 to the end of the war. The historians will recognize this as the place of Reinhard Heydrich, the butcher of Prague, and of his fate and the fate of the people of Prague. Fast forward to the end of the war, and once more, the people of Prague will go down in history.

The Nazi occupation was horrendous. Fear and cruelty abounded. Everything was designed to wear down the citizens of Prague – but they were made of stern stuff, and far from being worn down, many brave souls rose up.

The Last Bookshop In Prague is an inspiring read as we hear of the extraordinary bravery of the ordinary people who refused to be silenced.

At the heart of the community is the last bookshop in Prague. Here, although outwardly adhering to the Nazi orders to only stock German books and approved authors, inwardly it was the hub of the resistance.

We see the bravery of the young proprietress as she refuses to stand by and do nothing when Jewish children are in need. She and her family, do what they can, when they can, in order to save lives.

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Cut Short by B D Spargo

Sep10

Absolutely Thrilling

Cut Short by B D Spargo is an absolutely thrilling contemporary crime suspense that I just could not put down. It is the first book in the DCI Liam Doyle Thriller series and I cannot wait for the subsequent books.

The action is set in present day, with flashbacks to 1996 and 1999. As the story opens, we hear the cruel voice of the perpetrator. The reader does not know who or why. As the novel progresses, bit by bit a character is revealed, and the who and why are answered.

As we follow a character, we fear for those who cross their paths.

Tension rises, heightened by the isolated, unforgiving landscape. The reader’s heartrate rises and sweaty palms ensue!

All the characters were well drawn and believable. I followed all the action, instantly liking some of the characters but not others. My responses were guided by the author’s marvellous pen.

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Blossoming Of Truth by Susan Gray

Sep10

Love Never Gives Up

Blossoming Of Truth by Susan Gray is a simply marvellous historical novel that I just could not put down.

The story is set in the mid 1920’s in North East England and surrounds the scripture 1 Corinthians 13.

We witness the steadfast love that perseveres and never gives up. A love that began in childhood, a love within a family – both are covered by the novel.

There is the importance of bringing the truth into the light. Lives need the foundation of truth in order to be successful. Lies will only destroy.

We see the fragility of life. How things can change within an instant. Loss consumes. Sometimes loss makes people behave in less than honorable ways.

Forgiveness is important. Forgiveness is a process. Where there has been much hurt, time is needed before forgiveness can be given.

Not everyone is quite who they appear to be. Characters have a mystery to solve. It requires some careful amateur sleuthing.

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Last Christmas by Clare Swatman

Sep1

A Sliding Doors Moment

Last Christmas by Clare Swatman is a beautiful dual timeline novel that I really loved.

The novel takes place during the first decade of the twenty first century. The reader drops in on each Christmas as well as having a bitesize catch up for the previous year.

Last Christmas is a novel with a difference as we experience a sliding doors moment. When faced with a life changing decision would we choose path A? Or path B? Would the final outcome be the same? Or totally different? Both paths take similar but different routes. The novel alternates between ‘Go’ and ‘Stay’.

The choices run parallel. The leading players are the same but the choices provide some very different outcomes.

This is a novel about love and life, family and friendship, and the choices we make.

Dividing time between London and New York, the reader ‘experiences’ two very different Christmases. There is no doubt that snow, lights and Central Park definitely produce the more romantic of the two options to the reader. Weighed against that is the small family Christmases in London. Where would you choose to spend Christmas?

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