The Nile Cruise by Caroline James

Aug3

A Simple Leap Of Faith

The Nile Cruise by Caroline James is a wonderful light-hearted contemporary novel that I adored from the start.

With the leading characters in their sixties, we see that you are never too old to have fun, nor to have a new beginning.

We see characters pretending to be someone else. One needs an escape from daily life. Another is trying to work out who he is, and how to tell his parents. “And what do you want, Ezra” she asked… “I want to be myself… The person I was meant to be.”

When he plucks up the courage, he finds that his parents love him for just who he is, and who he was created to be. Their love is unconditional. “Who you love isn’t as important as how you love.” Love with your whole heart.

We meet characters who have lost the loves of their lives. One has made a terrible rebound marriage but his eyes are opened to the gold-digger beside him.

Love strikes where it will. Characters have a good moral code and a deep friendship blossoms.

The leading lady exudes warmth and kindness. She sees the marginalised. “Hattie was so warm and friendly and turned every mishap into a reminder that life needn’t be taken too seriously.” When a down-trodden character sees her true nature, he describes her as feeling “the aching relief of being with someone who made the world gentle again, unlike the sharp, demanding world he knew now.” We all want someone to love us for who we are.

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Five Go On A Hike Together by Enid Blyton

Jul30

Falling Into An Adventure

Five Go On A Hike Together by Enid Blyton is a marvellous children’s adventure. It is the tenth book in the Famous Five series but can be read as a stand-alone.

A few last days in the autumn sunshine see the famous five set off on a hike and camping across the moors.

There are some shady characters as once more, the five fall into an adventure. The unsavoury couple try to scare off the children who are plucky and not easily scared.

Enid Blyton has created another marvellous tale for those aged ten years and over.

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Avalon Sky by Jill Todd

Jul29

Coming To Light

Avalon Sky by Jill Todd is a contemporary thriller and part of A Kit Pevensey Thriller series.

We see that actions in the past have a far-reaching effect as long held, and buried, secrets come to life.

A true nature has been hidden since before World War II. As a whole different personality emerges, the reader is shocked.

We witness the value of true friendships as opposed to false friends who are focused on hate and hiding.

Evil walks amongst the characters. Evil has been hiding in plain sight. The deeds of the night are being revealed in the light.

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Trains & Tulips by Savannah Jane McCrary

Jul28

The Light Breaks Through The Darkness

Trains & Tulips by Savannah Jane McCrary is a powerful Christian historical Young Adult book that I loved from the start. I read it in just two sittings.

This is a book that will educate you as you read. The action is set in Holland during World War II. The author has clearly and concisely constructed her tale about the war, around the Dutch people. The cast of characters are from all walks of life. Savannah Jane McCrary’s ability to weave a tale brings history to life for the reader.

As the book progresses, the light over Holland is being extinguished but “the darkness will not last forever.” One day peace will come.

The Resistance had their own version of the 10 commandments. Number 9 stood out for me. “Thou shalt pursue light even in the darkness, for light remains light.”

The Resistance in Holland was strong. The members came from all walks of life, united in wanting to disrupt the Nazi war machine. “Some bullies can’t just be ignored. They need to be stood up to.”

As the noose tightened around the Jewish people, there would be those who would help. “At the end of my life, when I stand before God, I don’t want to say ‘I did nothing in the face of such evil.’ I just keep thinking ‘I have to do something.’”

We know that “we always have a choice… Sometimes it costs us.” – Could we have stood by and done nothing? Or would we have been moved to act? I would like to think it was the latter.

Characters did what they could. Some took photos. “Someone has to document this. Someone has to make sure justice is done.” Others hid babies. Others were more active and paid the ultimate sacrifice. “Soon, Heaven would no longer be a future hope but a present reality… A deep sense of peace filled him.”

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