Tag Archive | Rachels Random Resources

The Last Train From Paris by Juliet Greenwood

Nov10

Love Leads The Way

The Last Train From Paris by Juliet Greenwood is a powerful, heart wrenching historical novel.

The book is set over two time periods – 1964 in Cornwall and also in France from 1939-1945. The war years were a terrible time as the Nazis marched into France in 1940. Life went from gay and carefree to fearful and persecuted.

We follow a family as they flee to the South. Even civilians were at risk of aircraft firing on them. Terrible sights were seen along the way. Kind hearts helped where they could. People were determined to survive. “She would fight to tell their stories.”

Nazi ideology infiltrated lives. It could split families as opinions would be divided. Sometimes previously loving family members were brain washed by Hitler, forcing other members to flee for their lives.

The handicapped were in grave danger. It took much courage to keep a baby with a hare lip safe. Sometimes love means letting go. We witness instances of sacrificial love.

There is a beautiful friendship between a young French girl and a young English girl. Both support each other. Their friendship is tested but comes up trumps.

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The Hotel Room Mix-Up by Kathy Jay

Nov8

Cover Reveal

The Hotel Room Mix-Up

Two weddings, three hotel reservations gone awry…and one weekend in Cornwall they’ll never forget!

When the similarities between Ella Swift and Callum Smith’s last names lead to a hotel room mix-up, they find themselves sharing a cramped cottage in Porthkara rather than the private luxury hotel suites they expected.

Each in town for a different wedding – and carrying more baggage than just the suitcases in their hands – the reluctant roommates are forced to share a shelter from the storm surge that sweeps in off the Atlantic. But as the rain crashes down there’s a shift in more than just the atmosphere, and by the time the sun rises on a new day, Ella and Callum’s futures have already been forever changed…

Pre-order Links

Publication Date – 15th December

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Santa’s Early Christmas by Lily Lawson

Nov5

Delightful

Santa’s Early Christmas by Lily Lawson is a delightful book for the under sevens. It is perfect to read to young children or for early readers to read themselves.

The main body of the book has rhyming couplets to accompany each illustration. These enable the poem to bounce along in a rhythm. After your children have heard it a few times, they will soon be joining in.

At the end of the book are a few longer poems. All equally delightful.

The whole book is simply illustrated by Gustyawan. Each page can be a starting point for a discussion with our children as we see all the traditional food associated with Christmas.

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New York Miracle by Margo Laurie

Nov5

So Delightful

New York Miracle by Margo Laurie is such a delightful timeslip novel that warmed my heart and made me smile.

The reader travels to New York in present day and 1936. We are treated to a winter wonderland with skating in Central Park, the lights and sounds of the festive season in both time periods.

We see that true love never dies no matter how much a family may try to thwart it.

The theatre in 1936 was a sight to behold. It was a decadent era. Margo Laurie has perfectly captured the atmosphere and the razzamatazz.

Staying in a convent in present day, a character finds little has changed over the years as she connects with the past in a surprising way.

All the characters were well drawn, likable and very charming.

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