Beautiful places, challenging thoughts, critical reviews
Our Western eyes can hardly believe what Matt Roper and his Canadian friend Dean Brody discover, as they drive along the longest highway in Brazil. An 11-year-old girl is offering her body to the passing lorry drivers for a few Reals.
Continue reading “Rescuing exploited girls”
Benny’s dad, Ola Welander, rejects him. Janet, his mum, pampers him. His sister, Emma, loves her little ‘Pestie’ but finds him exasperating at times. Other kids mock ‘Weedy Welander’, all because he suffers from frequent epileptic seizures. As a result, Benny withdraws to the only place where he feels safe: his mother’s arms. ‘I’m rubbish at everything’ are his favourite words.
Continue reading “Emotional hangups”
This is the second of many in Victoria Twead’s Old Fools series. Having sold up everything in the UK, Vicky and Joe have relocated to a tiny village in the Spanish mountains. We hear of their adventures with colourful residents and furry friends.
Continue reading “Football, fun and furry friends”
Philo, the son of a fisherman in first century Tyre, is traumatised by his sister’s sinister illness. When his father drowns, the family is thrown into poverty. Only little Ione provides a ray of sunshine.
Continue reading “Peek below the surface”
Donna Fletcher Crow’s epic historical masterpiece brings to life the mystical Glass Isle of Glastonbury with its imposing Tor. In each era, the ruling monarch and a key spiritual leader are highlighted. As conflicts rage, we follow the wavering spark of faith in Jesus Christ and the icons that assure its continuity.
Another fascinating tale set among the tensions between the Catholic authorities and the Huguenot recluses in southern France during the seventeenth century reign of the Sun King Louis XIV.
This second book in the The Huguenot Trilogy introduces new aspects: romance and the dangers and vicissitudes of flight to the relative safety of the Protestant neighbour countries.
Continue reading “Will their stars bring them to Eden?”
Verlassen von seinen alkoholkranken Eltern und allein mit seiner Grossmutter in der unerbittlichen Winterlandschaft Kanadas aufgewachsen, erlebt der Ojibwe Junge, Saul Indian Horse, eine Kindheit voller Leid.
Continue reading “Ich musste weinen”
“Call of Freedom” by Paul C. Monk continues the saga of the Huguenot family Delpech. Having fled the oppressive dragonnade in France to find refuge in Ireland, in 1699 the family decides to brave a dangerous sea crossing and seek a new life in New York.
Continue reading “History through the eyes of New World settlers”
Larimore leads us to clandestine religious gatherings in the remote Cevennes hills of the south of France at the tail end of the seventeenth century. Jean BonDurant, a rich aristocrat who is training as an apothecary, joins open-spirited Amelia and her wolf-dog Romulus in ministering to the medical needs of the impoverished victims of persecution.
But other things are happening in secret in these Cevennes hills, revealed as Jean travels between his townhouse in Genoüillac, the family Château de Cougoussac, to the towns and villages of the region, and through bleak and dangerous mountains.
Continue reading “Secrets in the Cevennes”
As a child, Isobel looks on in horror as the Earl, Lord Langton, executes his father’s murderer in the yard of her father’s manor. At least, he reluctantly spares the traitor’s nephew, Thomas Lacey, whom Isobel recognises as her friend and intended husband.
In fifteenth century Yorkshire, landed gentry and their clans vie for power. Which king will they support? For the Earl, as well as Isobel’s father, Sir Geoffrey Fenton, it is clear: Edward, Duke of York, though not a strong character, is the rightful heir to the throne.
Continue reading “Female tenacity facing injustice”