Tag Archive | Rachels Random Resources

The Little Cottage By The Cornish Sea by Nancy Barone

Jul17

Coastal Aunts

The Little Cottage By The Cornish Sea by Nancy Barone is the most delightful contemporary novel that I absolutely loved and never wanted it to end.

The main theme is that of friendship. The lead character is fleeing her life in London. It was an isolated life with just one best friend. Her life was closed and lonely in London. In contrast with a small Cornish fishing village which offers friendship, care, compassion and so much more. It is a place where strangers are welcomed as family. Love and support abound.

A dilapidated cottage is in need of a make-over. Likewise, this echoes the life of the leading lady who also needs a make-over of her life.

There are huge hearts within the novel. Their love and care reach beyond the pages to envelop the reader. We feel better at the end of the book than we did at the beginning.

Lives need help in order to heal. In the village kind hearts provide the groundwork for healing.

There are some misunderstandings but the truth is always the truth, and will come out one day.

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A Scottish Teashop In Napoli by Jane Lambert

Jul11

Insieme Per Sempre (Together Forever)

A Scottish Teashop In Napoli by Jane Lambert is the most delightful contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

All the characters were wonderfully warm and welcoming. They wrapped around the reader as we received a virtual hug in a book.

The novel opens in Scotland but we soon travel to Naples as a character has a complete change of life following a public jilting.

Scotland represents the past. Naples equals a new beginning. The scenery was bright and sunny. The characters opened their homes and their hearts to a young Scottish woman.

Throughout the novel, the reader’s taste buds are tempted to delicious sounding food fayre. I was pleased to find the inclusion of recipes at the back of the book.

Characters bond over food. The food ‘speaks’ of love. “Whenever Lucy baked, she could feel her grandmother beside her.” Her Grandmother introduced Lucy to her love of baking which became her passion.

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The Cruise Club by Caroline James

Jul8

Delightfully Fun

The Cruise Club by Caroline James is a delightfully fun contemporary novel that will leave you smiling.

As the title suggests, the action is aboard a cruise ship in the Mediterranean. The atmosphere is light and fun-filled, with blue sky days and relaxing nights.

The reader revels in the trips ashore as we ‘see’ some of the treasures that the local landscape has to offer.

There are a wonderful eclectic mix of characters, all of whom are the other side of sixty. Caroline James shows that you are never too old to have fun. Life is for living.

You are never too old to follow your dreams. “Don’t die wondering what it might have been like to be an author. Make it happen.” If you have a dream, why not fulfil it?

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Deadly Reckoning by Liz Mistry

Jul4

Glued & Guessing

Deadly Reckoning by Liz Mistry is a gripping contemporary crime novel. It is the third book in the Solanki & McQueen series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in order as there is a storyline running throughout the three books.

I enjoyed meeting up with familiar characters including the police team D headed up by the two leading ladies.

Once more the team sets out to solve fresh murders that have links to the past. The crime busting quartet are all different, with different skill sets but they all work well together.

Past crimes are having an effect on present day as the team once more are on the hunt for a murderous character.

Nature versus nurture rules its head as a theme. We cannot choose our family. Are some genes just pure evil?

Families are complicated affairs as we see, as we follow the families of some of the officers. Even upstanding members of the community can have troubled offspring.

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