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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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Fun & Games At Malory Towers by Pamela Cox

Oct1

Rolling Back The Years

Fun & Games At Malory Towers by Pamela Cox is the tenth book in the Malory Towers series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the books in numerical order for character development and timeline progression. Originally penned by Enid Blyton, Pamela Cox continues the stories in the same style. The swap-over is seamlessly achieved.

In this book Felicity Rivers and her friends are in the fifth form (year 11). They have to set an example to the younger girls but June still has a sense of fun.

We drop in on the girls as they are preparing for a tennis tournament and also a music competition. Everyone is working hard. We see the importance of praise. “It wouldn’t be so bad if we got a word of praise now and again… Millicent should take a leaf out of June’s book… she encourages them [the girls playing tennis] with plenty of praise.” People work better when shown the carrot rather than the stick.

It is not all about winning. “I shall do my very best to make sure that we win”… “but even if you don’t, I hope that everyone who takes part will learn something of value from the experience.” It is good to be a part of a team and not a lone wolf.

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