Mist In The Willows by Lucy Linne

Oct13

Battles In The Darkness

Mist In The Willows by Lucy Linne is a contemporary Gothic horror novel that grabbed my attention from the start. It is the first book in The Spirit Fleet Chronicles which promises to be entertaining.

I do not normally venture into the horror genre but this is ‘gentle’ horror which was both exciting and entertaining. There are all the elements of a traditional Gothic horror tale – with darkness, swirling mists, unexplainable happenings. The reader witnesses that life can be a battle between good and evil, as the powers of darkness try to pull an innocent down.

‘Just doing her job’ is a phrase that has haunted former army captain Jade, along with recent past events that she has tried to block out but keep resurfacing in her dreams. PTSD has seen her tossed aside by the army after loyally serving them. She is now sofa-surfing on her Grandad’s houseboat.

The images from her recent past pursue her. The faster she runs, the more her pursuers amass. She wonders if it is all in her imagination until her dog growls at the darkness, and Jade realises that evil is afoot.

Lucy Linne has constructed a tale that pulls the reader into the action from the start. We invest our emotions into the character of Jade who is extremely likable.

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Postmarked December by Jenny Hale

Oct12

Simply Beautiful

Postmarked December by Jenny Hale is a simply beautiful book about love, loss and life.

As the novel opens a young widow is missing her husband and dreading the approaching first Christmas without him. All she desires is a little piece of him again – and then the letters start to arrive, one after another – it seems as if Toby is communicating from beyond the grave.

This is a novel about second chances. Her one big love is gone – but the memories remain, and she knows that Toby wanted her to be happy again.

Under the kindness and charms of Nick, young widow, Heather, learns how to live and to love again. However, as she learns the truth about the author of the letters, her life is shattered again.

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The Sparkly Waistcoat by Sue Wickstead

Oct9

Very Beautiful

The Sparkly Waistcoat by Sue Wickstead is a most delightful book for preschool children and those in early years.

The action is in the lead up to Christmas but would be a charming book to read any day of the year.

We witness the bonds between a grandmother and her grandson, as well as the bonds formed between her as a teacher and her class.

The sparkly waistcoat is pivotal to the tale. It is worn in December and can be worn by any child in any role in the Christmas play. This gives us all the message that everyone is equal even though they play different parts.

The waistcoat is lost. We see how everyone searches for it. It reminded me of the parables of the lost coin and the lost sheep. There is much rejoicing when it is found.

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Chapter One Again by Keelia Clarkson

Oct5

Welcome Home

Chapter One Again by Keelia Clarkson is a very charming contemporary Christian novel and the first book in Avila Falls series. It is a beautiful debut novel that will leave you smiling.

The lead character, Jane, grew up in a small mountain town and moved to New York City for her dream job. Returning home for a visit, she realises that dreams are not always all you expected them to be.

As she revisits childhood haunts, she reconnects with people who have meant so much to her – like Edith, the owner of the bookshop that was Jane’s sanctuary growing up.

As Jane’s dreams come crashing down, we wonder if God is closing doors, only to open doors to something greater?

Jane feels far from God. “I didn’t feel Him with me tonight… I hadn’t for years. Had I disappointed God too much to expect anything?” God has not moved. “The God I’d heard sermons about growing up ultimately felt unreachable. Aloof. Disinterested in me and my dreams.” Nothing could be further from the truth. God is interested in our lives. He is ever present, whether we ‘feel’ Him or not. “God who’s there long before you even know Him.” While we were still in the womb, God knew us.

Jane’s experience of God was in “Sunday school and dutiful, faithful church attendance were the extent of my relationship with religion.” Jane knows all about religion but that is not the same as a living relationship with God. We find closeness with God as we seek Him out and spend time with Him.

A character has had tough times, having to abandon his dreams after his father’s accident. “There’s no way I would have survived my Dad’s accident if it hadn’t been for God.” When life hits us hard, it is relationship with God that helps us through.

Jane “wanted to ask how he could be thanking God rather than be angry at Him.” She does not yet have a relationship with God or she would not need to ask that question. At times life makes little sense, even with God – but without God, life makes no sense at all.

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