Storm Ransome by Steve Orme

Nov8

A Force To Be Reckoned With

Storm Ransome by Steve Orme is a marvellous contemporary crime suspense. It is the third book in the Miles Davies Crime series but can be read as a stand-alone. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces and places.

The novel takes place in the East Midlands around the Derby/Nottingham area. This is a familiar location to me as only last week we drove down Brian Clough Way, the A52. Having knowledge of the area helped bring the book to life for me.

Central to the story are the football teams of Derby County and Nottingham Forest. There is easy banter between two of the players. “But you play for Derby. Don’t get much excitement, do you? You do a lap of honour when you win a corner!” There is also the Storms basketball team. Blasts from the past thrown in, such as Emlyn Hughes, gave an air of familiarity to the novel.

We join the East Midlands police force as they try to locate two kidnapped footballers. The reader hears not only about their working relationships but also the back stories of some of the team. Steve Orme has created fully rounded characters who are believable.

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Secrets Of A Winter Escape by Sue Moorcroft

Nov8

Christmas In A Book

Secrets Of A Winter Escape by Sue Moorcroft is a very charming festive offering. It really does feel like Christmas in a book – with snow falling, festive stalls and good food and drink, plus the company of family who love.

The setting is an Italian village on the shores of the sea. There is everything and more to make the reader want to jump inside the pages and experience a winter wonderland.

Various characters within the book face job loss. “Losing my job… Then I was rudderless.” We are more than our jobs. They do not have to define us. Though devastating, our identities are in our characters and the love and kindness that we spread.

We witness the power of the media to either build up or tear down. A character has been unfairly portrayed by bad publicity from his ex – but with the correct handling, social media can correctly, and fairly represent his true nature.

There is a physical injury within the novel, as well as those who are mentally scarred. Good, caring hearts help with the healing of those who fear letting others in. People can be trusted.

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A Chance For Kallie Mae by Ann H Gabhart

Nov1

Romeo & Juliet In The American South

A Chance For Kallie Mae by Ann H Gabhart is the most charming Christian historical novel that I absolutely loved. I savoured it, never wanting it to end.

The story is grounded in facts as there is an under-lying theme of education, with the moonlight schools system set up in 1911, so that adults who had missed out on schooling, could take evening classes. “Funny, us wanting school so bad and them having it and not wanting anything to do with it.” Children often long to get out of school, whereas, adults know the value of education. The moonlight schools changed lives, opening pathways to further education.

Within the novel, there is a motherless family, as she died giving birth to Emmie, six years before the book opens. There is a beautiful bond between Emmie and her older sister, Kallie, who has nursed her since she was born.

Emmie has a large red birthmark on her face. In their ignorance, both adults and children shun her, fearing she has the mark of the devil. When life starts falling apart, Emmie believes the lies she has been told, and she labels herself as a ‘bad girl.’ It takes a cleansing fire to fix hearts, turning enemies to friends.

There is a Romeo & Juliet theme, as an age-old feud has kept a couple apart. Their love has never died. Their family loyalties are tested as they pray for love to find a way. “We need to pray for a way to make peace.” When there seems no way, the Lord can make a way. “The Lord ain’t limited like us. He can do anything.”

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Death On All Hallows Eve by Rita Mistry

Oct30

Amusing & Entertaining

Death On All Hallows Eve by Rita Mistry is an absolutely splendid debut novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the first book in The Four Tragedies Series and I cannot wait for the subsequent books.

Rita Mistry has constructed a unique plotline, and has well executed it. The reader is drawn in and engaged from the start.

The lead characters are friends who love nothing more than a chat – but one of them is dead and the other is ‘dreaming’!

Other departed people pop up in Bridget’s dreams, one with an unusual request.

The novel is light-hearted, amusing and fun. It could be classed as a comedy of errors.

All the characters were well drawn and believable – even the dead ones!

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