What Fools We Have Been by Hank Williams is a bittersweet contemporary novel that examines a life – what was, and what might have been.
We see that decisions in life ripple down the generations. It is not just physical looks that are passed on, but family traits too.
A life imagines what life is like as he ‘meets’ the living and the dead in his mind. We see that a mother’s love remains, not even death can separate her from her children.
We witness the detrimental affect a father has as he rules his children with a rod of iron. He drives them away, never to return.
Stikki The Squirrel: Tree Spirits by Jane H Wood is a very charming children’s novel and perfect for the over eights.
The reader joins a family of squirrels just before Christmas. With snow on the ground, the daddy squirrel hunts further afield for food. He meets some vicious foxes. His mate is determined to save him. Together the pair are caught up in an unwanted adventure.
The reader sees the kindness of a young girl and her father to the squirrels. And we hear of the chaos caused by the family cat!
All the woodland animals work together to support the young squirrel family. We see that together we are stronger.
Stikki The Squirrel: Tree Spirits is a very delightful novel to be enjoyed all year round.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits.
Join Stikki and his mate Rella on their second exciting adventure—full of mystery, danger, and the wonders of magic found in the most unexpected places.
Winter has arrived in Hazy Hills Wood, covering everything in a blanket of snow. Food is hard to find, and the animals are getting hungry. To make things worse, there is a scary food thief on the prowl.
Stikki heads out into the cold to find his secret stash, but when he doesn’t come home, Rella goes searching for him. A frightening journey looms ahead as Stikki and Rella are forced to confront their enemies and the dreaded longlegs.
Deep in the heart of the ancient wood stands the animals’ sacred ash tree. When Brodboar the badger spots something strange high on the tree’s branches, he is shocked by the discovery and begins to worry. Is it a warning?
With Stikki and Rella still missing—can the woodland animals work together to find their friends before it’s too late?
Jane H. Wood is a multi-award-winning author who enjoys writing stories for children and young adults. Jane’s wonderful animal adventure books have captivated readers of all ages, earning her acclaim for her vivid storytelling and enchanting illustrations that feature in her Stikki the Squirrel books.
Jane lives in the sunny seaside town of Worthing on the south coast of England, with her husband, Peter. She has two grown-up sons and is a proud grandmother as well. Jane enjoys art, photography, hand crafting activities, and writing children’s stories. Jane is an animal rights advocate and environmentalist, and she supports a few animal welfare charities.
The Love Dilemma by Tracy Corbett is a beautiful novel about love and family. I absolutely adored it. It’s a most delightful rom-com, and would make a fabulous movie.
The two main protagonists put their sibling’s happiness above their own. Their lives have been one long train of sacrificial love. Their bonds with their respective siblings are unbreakable and beautiful to witness.
Life has dealt blows to both leading characters, putting them both off dating. “If I don’t let anyone close, then they can’t hurt me… it’s safer that way.” They have both walled up their hearts, and far from keeping themselves safe, they have imprisoned themselves. They need to take a chance on love and begin to fully live life. “Life isn’t always easy, and sometimes you have to find the courage to stand up for yourself.”
The younger siblings look to their older sibling as a role model. They copy their behaviour patterns as they mirror what they are shown. “You’ll never convince Connor to be brave if you don’t lead by example.”
We see characters trying to conquer their fears. Deep seated trauma has paralysed lives. Love and care will help them to heal.
One sister has cystic fibrosis. It is a debilitating illness. It curtails lives but the sister is determined to grab life and live it while she can.
The Orphan’s Mission by Glynis Peters is a compelling historical novel that consumed me from the start.
The action begins in London before moving briefly to the south coast and then over to mainline Europe during World War II. We follow a teenage orphan whose father was French, and mother was British. Now she has nowhere to call home. She answers the personal call to fight the Nazis from inside France.
We witness the bravery required to sail to Holland, walk several miles to a rendez vous point, and then be parachuted into France.
A small cell of resistance fighters occupies a French farm. They live in plain sight as a family unit – until they realise someone has betrayed them.
We see the wits, bravery and cunning needed to survive the most dangerous of times.
