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Book Review: ‘Her Part to Play’ by Jenny Erlingsson

July 6, 2024/0 Comments/in Blogging, Fiction, New Releases, Reviews /by Ian Acheson

There is lots to like in this debut! Erlingsson demonstrates her history of writing through her story telling craft and her own experience in being in an interracial relationship. I really enjoyed the fact this story featured such a relationship and Erlingsson presented it in such a way that it felt natural. John Pope is […]

Book Review: Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

February 18, 2024/0 Comments/in Books, Fiction, My Library, New Releases, Reviews /by Ian Acheson

This was such an engaging read. Sundin knows how to pull a reader into the story very quickly and take them on an emotional roller coaster ride using her characters. Aleida’s situation is fraught with all manner of difficulty; having escaped war torn Holland, she lands in London desperately seeking to locate her son who […]

Book Review: ‘Her Part to Play’ by Jenny Erlingsson

July 6, 2024/0 Comments/in Blogging, Fiction, New Releases, Reviews /by Ian Acheson

Book Review: Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

February 18, 2024/0 Comments/in Books, Fiction, My Library, New Releases, Reviews /by Ian Acheson

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Book Review: ‘Her Part to Play’ by Jenny Erlingsson

July 6, 2024/0 Comments/in Blogging, Fiction, New Releases, Reviews /by Ian Acheson

John Pope is an actor, not getting the best roles at present, and now trying to get a leg up by making a movie in small town Hope Springs, Alabama. His usual make-up artist, Doris, is on leave caring for her ailing sister and in steps Adanne Stewart, a gusty local Hope Springs young lady.

The connection between the two feels at times a little forced and I felt for parts of the story that the author was creating something between them so she had a story to tell because not a lot happens in the first two thirds of the book.

But John becomes more engaged and senses something in Adanne and her heart for her town and community centre, established by her deceased parents. The centre is struggling to survive and perhaps one of the reasons is Adanne tries to do it all, her brother, Daniel, caring for his son, who is going through cancer treatment.

The faith element in this story is very good. John’s story of repentance and seeking after God is lovely to read. His preparedness to make significant changes to his life is a strong demonstration of what a life living for Jesus can be about. I also loved Adanne’s extended family’s faith. There is one scene late in the story when her two cousins come around Adanne and the three of them pray in surrender to God. Erlingsson captures the beauty of this sacred moment wonderfully.

The romantic twist at the 80 percent mark really bothered me. I felt it was disingenuous to John after all he’d was doing to impress and give to Adanne. Movie stars receive inappropriate approaches from fans, in this case, from an ex-girlfriend of his, and it bothered me that for the twist he was made out to be the bad guy. I’m not sure how he could have responded differently without insulting his ex. which didn’t fit with his character. It made me wonder whether Adanne would ever be able to deal with the attention John would receive from female admirers.

However, the story does end beautifully and I love how the town got around Adanne to show how appreciative they were of her and her unyielding devotion to the community centre.

I was fortunate to receive an early ebook copy from Revell as part of the readers program via Net Galley. This has had no bearing on my review.

Book Review: Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

February 18, 2024/0 Comments/in Books, Fiction, My Library, New Releases, Reviews /by Ian Acheson

This was such an engaging read. Sundin knows how to pull a reader into the story very quickly and take them on an emotional roller coaster ride using her characters.

Aleida’s situation is fraught with all manner of difficulty; having escaped war torn Holland, she lands in London desperately seeking to locate her son who has been abandoned by his father, and Aleida’s husband. It’s incredible that parents did this during the war, literally passing their children through car windows to escape likely death or imprisonment if they stay.

Aleida gets a job in the Health Ministry helping London parents who have sent their children to the country for safety. It works well for her as she can use it as means of potentially finding her son, Theo.

Hugh Collingwood is a radio broadcaster, much to the disappointment of her wealthy parents. Hugh loves reporting on the war. He figures if he’s unable to be on the frontlines holding a gun, he can serve as well holding a microphone. He does his job very well and is well liked by his BBC audience.

Aleida and Hugh meet accidentally through his work. He’s looking to interview people who have suffered through the war. The attraction is immediate but Aleida is recently widowed and doesn’t want to make a poor decision like she did first time. Aleida hardly meets the profile of the privileged society ladies which his parents would prefer him to meet.

Sundin keeps us turning pages as our characters evade falling bombs, chase scoops, run from murderers, and search for Aleida’s boy in what seems a lost cause from the outset. I loved Aleida’s never-say-die attitude in the pursuit of her son.

It’s clear significant research has gone into the preparation of this story which adds to the authenticity of it and makes one wonder what is indeed fact and what is fiction at some key moments. The descriptions of war-torn London are brilliantly captured for our imaginations and the emotional highs and lows we go on with both Aleida and Hugh’s stories keep our hearts pumping.

I feel very fortunate to have received an early ebook copy from Revell as part of their Revell Readers program via Net Galley. However, this has had no bearing on my review.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Book Review: ‘Her Part to Play’ by Jenny Erlingsson

Book Review: Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

Book Review: ‘Her Part to Play’ by Jenny Erlingsson

Book Review: Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

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Book Review: ‘Her Part to Play’ by Jenny Erlingsson

Book Review: Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

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