The Courtyard (by Marcia Willett)

I've been reading - and collecting - Marcia Willett's books for over ten years now. And as I don't yet have her two latest ones, I started re-reading them a couple of years ago. I thought I was very organised, first reading the Chadwick trilogy, and then all the rest, which tend to have one or two minor characters who appear in otherwise unrelated novels. I thought I'd read them in the order they were written, and arranged them on my shelves as well as keeping various notes of which ones I'd read.

So I must have been tired when I picked up this one from its shelf, because I had quite forgotten that I re-read 'The Courtyard' only fourteen months ago. I didn't actually realise that until about half-way through, although I was a bit surprised at how much I remembered of the book, thinking I had read it at least eight years ago.

It's a pleasant light read about a group of people who learn to cope together, with financial difficulties. There is some good charactersation; particularly with the quiet, reserved Nell and the similarly reserved elderly Gussie, who strike up an unexpected friendship at the start of the book. I loved Gussie's habit of chatting to God - out loud, usually - which nicely demonstrates the author's Chrisian stance without any hint of pushiness. And I liked the way that good deeds - however small - were shown to be rewarded in the long term in the most natural way.

There are some shocks in this novel, which I found that I remembered quite well. I was a little surprised, thinking I had only read this book once - and that eight or nine years ago. When I realised I actually re-read it in September last year, I was, instead, a little chastened to realise that I'd forgotten everything other than the main dramatic points! I couldn't remember at all what happened to Nell, for instance, until right before I reached the relevant section.

Very enjoyable women's fiction; no need at all to have read other books by Marcia Willett, but I'm glad I have since I like seeing glimpses into the lives of people who previously appeared in other novels. This one features Guy (although not his twin Giles) and also Gemma, with passing mention of their parents.

Still in print; recommended if you like this kind of book.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 18th November 2009

He Loves Me! (by Wayne Jacobsen)

I first came across Wayne Jacobsen as one half of the pseudoym 'Jake Colsen' in the excellent book 'So you don't want to go to church anymore'. It was a while later when I bought his book 'Authentic Relationships', which I enjoyed. So I went ahead and bought this one too, and have been reading it for the past couple of weeks.

'He loves me!' is subtitled 'Learning to live in the Father's affection'. That's exactly what the book is about. It discusses what is meant by God's love, and how we can be absolutely certain that it will never fail. That means, of course, that we don't have to do anything to earn it. Obvious? Certainly. It's the theme of Philip Yancey's excellent and inspiring book 'What's so Amazing about Grace?' and indeed the parable of the Prodigal Son.

But how many Christian believers feel the need to jump through hoops, even though they declare - with their minds - that they are saved by grace alone? How absolutely certain are we of our Father's love? I don't think I've ever doubted that God loves me; I don't, as Jacobsen suggests, imagine that he loves me any less when life happens to be fraught or upsetting in some way. But it's not easy to throw off the structure-orientation of my evangelical teenage years, and truly believe wholeheartedly that God truly, absolutely and unconditionally loves me even more than I love my own sons. That he doesn't make life more difficult if I'm not reading the Bible much, or if I forget to pray in the mornings.

It's a very reassuring, inspiring and thought-provoking book. Each chapter has questions at the end, intended for small group discussions or further personal ponderings; but I found the chapters themselves very full, and read just one each day. It's one of the best books I have ever read.

I have one single complaint. The foreword to the book is terrible. It's condescending, full of assurances about how the book will change my life, and how confident the foreword-writer is about what I will think or do having read the book. It was so bad that it nearly put me off reading altogether. The last time I read such dreadful blurb was on the mediocre book 'Purpose driven life', which I don't recommend at all.

Thankfully I was able to overcome my principles and read the book anyway, despite the foreword. I'm glad I did. But if you do happen to pick it up, or borrow or buy it, I suggest that you go straight to the author's introduction. Or, better still, right into chapter one.

Highly recommended.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 12th November 2009

Love Finds a Home (by Janette Oke)

Having read the others in the 'Love Comes Softly' series by Janette Oke recently - in particular the seventh, 'Love Takes Wing' - I decided to read the eighth and last immediately afterwards.

In 'Love finds a home', Marty and Clark's youngest daughter Belinda is now well established as nurse/companion to a wealthy woman in Boston. She manages to visit her home town for a few weeks, where she renews old friendships and catches up with her beloved family. She wonders if there is something wrong with her, since she seems to have no desire to marry, even though her two similar aged nieces now have homes and families of their own.

I thought there was very good character development in Belinda. As she goes home, she looks forward to spending time where she belongs, and wonders if she will ever want to return to Boston. But she soon discovers that she is no longer the naive young woman who left home. She realises how pampered she has become, and how much she has got used to fashionable clothes and a life where servants (albeit loved ones) do most of the hard work. She has to make some difficult decisions, which help her as she matures further and discovers where her long-term future lies.

There are some quite moving sections of this book, before the satisfying (if somewhat predictable) conclusion. The strong Christian theme is emphasised perhaps a little more than in the earlier books, but even so I didn't find it too pushy or preachy.
The whole 'Love comes softly' series is very light fiction, based in the early settler days in the USA. It's suitable for adults or teens, or even older children, although it probably wouldn't appeal to many of today's young people who prefer thrilling or shocking novels. But for anyone who enjoys the gentle style of novels such as 'Anne of Green Gables', I'd recommend it in a low-key way. 'Love Finds a Home' makes a good conclusion.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 8th November 2009

Love Takes Wing (by Janette Oke)

There's something oddly appealing about Janette Oke's books. They're not great literature; they aren't very long; they're fairly easy-read style, intended for teenagers as well as adults. Yet the people seem believable; I almost feel as if I might have known them. Their world is a simpler place than today's, although some problems - such as medical ones, or the need for travel - are much more complex in these pioneer days in the USA.

'Love Takes Wing', is the seventh in the 'Love comes softly' series. It's a direct sequel to 'Love's Unfolding Dream', in which Belinda - Marty and Clark's youngest - starts her introduction to nursing, and gets to know her niece Melissa, who is about her age.

In this book, set a couple of years later, Belinda is established as practise nurse at her brother Luke's surgery. As the book opens, Melissa returns briefly to the family after training as a teacher, before returning to the West. Belinda is a bit lonely, but throws herself into her nursing. Tragedy strikes when one of the family is injured, with long-term consequences as a rift appears in what has always been a united and happy family. In addition, two young men start to show an interest in Belinda, and she has to make some difficult decisions about her future.

I'm enjoying reading the continuation of this series which I first came across many years ago. I'm going to continue straight on to the last in the series after this, eager to know what happens to Belinda.

I'm pleased to see that this series is still in print on both side of the Atlantic, twenty years after first publication.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 4th November 2009

Starting Over (by Sue Moorcroft)

I thoroughly enjoyed the first novel I read by Sue Moorcroft, 'Uphill All the Way", so I was delighted when I was offered her latest book to read, by The Bookbag site.

It's an unusual coincidence that it's called 'Starting Over', the same title as the last book I read: 'Staring Over' by Marcia Willetts. Indeed, it's the third book of that title I own now; I also have (and like) 'Starting Over' by Robin Pilcher.

I was a little put off by seeing a remarkably fluffy-looking blue cover with pink flowers and brown birds, that screamed 'chick-lit' - but then again, the publisher is called Choc-Lit. Their claim is that their heroes are as irresistible as chocolate. Still, I hoped there would be some depth to it, and some great characterisation, as there was in Uphill All the Way.

It starts well. A single email is the prologue, sent to Tess by her ex-fiancé Olly, cancelling the wedding. A sharp shock that demonstrates Olly's unpleasantness, and also explains why we next meet Tess on her way to a cottage she has just bought, in a small village, to escape from her past.

When Tess is nearly at her new home, with laden car, she bumps into a breakdown truck, and meets Ratty, who is obviously (due to their instant mutual antipathy) going to be the hero of the book. Unfortunately, from my perspective, Ratty is far from irresistible. I accept that some women like tattoos and grumpiness, but Ratty is aggressive at times, he's extremely promiscuous, and he can be very manipulative. He has a few good features too, but his negative side far outweighed his good points in my view.

Nonetheless, the story proceeds as per Mills and Boon formula, with far too many bedroom scenes (or remembrances of them), albeit, thankfully, not too explicit. There are some good moments, and some enjoyable interludes with Tess's new friend Angel and her children. Unfortunately all the male characters are rather flat, and some of the plotting seems a bit forced.

Perhaps I'm being unfair because I didn't think it was nearly as good as Uphill All the Way, and was thus a bit disappointed. If I'd picked it up expecting standard chick-lit, I'd have been impressed at the good writing and the depth of characterisation in Tess and one or two others. I read it in a few days - it was a good story, if I skipped the bedroom parts, and suspended reality once or twice - and the ending was satisfying, albeit predictable.

Recommended in a low-key way if you enjoy light women's fiction.

My longer review of Starting Over can be found at the Bookbag site.

Starting Over (by Marcia Willett)

I'm very much enjoying re-reading Marcia Willett's novels. Mostly I space them out, interspersing with at least five or six other books. But this time, I decided to read one straight after another.

Part of the reason for doing so, is that the same characters often appear, albeit in minor roles, in the different books. If I leave it too long between books, I forget who they are. I always remember the young men Guy and Giles, who are twins, but lose track of their various friends and relatives. So, having just finished 'Second Time Around', which featured Giles, I thought I'd re-read the one published after it, 'Starting Over', which I first read in 2000.

To my surprise, and somewhat to my confusion, I quickly realised that this book is set some years earlier. It should probably have been read directly after Willett's first novel, 'Those who Serve', which cover the events leading up to the death of the teenage Charlotte, since it takes place about a year after the events at the end of that book.

There are several sub-plots involved. Pippa, in an unhappy marriage. Hugh, feeling a lot of unecessary guilt over Charlotte's death. Annie, recently widowed but still relying on words of wisdom from her dead husband. Frances, desperately worried that her husband is being unfaithful. And Max, who has a dream of building an outdoor centre for children. I'd totally forgotten what happened in the book, in which Guy and Giles are about 17, and enjoyed it afresh.

It's probably best to read after 'Those who serve' to understand better who is whom, and to get greater depth of empathy with Hugh and some of the other characters. But it does stand alone; events are explained without being too repetitive, although the sheer number of people mentioned might seem excessive. Thought-provoking in places, considering questions about middle-class mentality (like Pilcher, Willett seems to assume that the wealthy middle classes send their children to boarding schools and then university - not my understanding of middle classes, but apparently so in some circles), and also looking at what marriage means. A few Christian references here and there, but nothing preachy.

All in all, a good book. Recommended.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 28th October 2009

Second Time Around (by Marcia Willett)

I've been reading Marcia Willett novels for about eleven years now. They're character-driven, comforting books which I find very relaxing and enjoyable. She tends to use a few minor characters from previous books, which gives a sense of familiarity, and yet each book stands alone.

I first read 'Second Time Around' some time in 1998, before I began writing book reviews. Eleven years later, I'd pretty much forgotten everything other than the main premise, which is described in the blurb on the back: three diverse people inherit a house.

It's actually about four distinct main characters. Firstly we meet Isobel, recently separated from her husband and estranged from her daughter. She is companion and housekeeper to the elderly Mathilda Rainbird. Then there are three distant relations, to whom Mathilda bequeathes her coastal house. None of them know her, or each other, and all are lonely in their different ways. There's Will, a recently widowed man who has lived in Switzerland; Bea, the just-retired matron of a boys' school, and Tess, a young woman who is slowly carving out a career for herself in dog-minding.

These people, each with his or her own background and some painful circumstances, come together and find a surprising rapport. There are one or two slightly shocking incidents, some sadness, some enjoyment, and a general feeling of being amongst relaxing, likeable people.

Definitely recommended.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 24th October 2009

Jesus Rediscovered (by Malcolm Muggeridge)

I only vaguely remember Malcolm Muggeridge, as a TV personality in the 1980s. I was impressed with the first book of his that I read - Christ and the Media - so when I saw another of his books on a second-hand stall, I snapped it up.

'Jesus Rediscovered' is the kind of book that was probably fairly radical in its day. However, reading it forty years after publication, it seems not only severely dated, but long-winded and - in places - somewhat tedious. It's mainly transcripts of talks he gave in various church or college settings in the 1960s, and while none of them is long, I didn't find any of them particularly interesting either.

In Muggeridge's talks, he attempts to find the real Jesus, without the trappings of the church. This is something which many people are doing in the 21st century; yet his attempts seem very out-of-date, and his description of the church of the era bears little relation to the problems of churches today. Some of his theology is rather dubious, too; he seems to assume that nobody believes in the Virgin Birth, for instance, and discounts many of Christ's miracles.

There are a few gems, so I'm glad I did eventually finish it. The interview with the author in the final section is quite revealing and makes good reading - but I found I couldn't manage more than a few pages at a time, and frequently didn't feel like picking it up at all.

Long out of print, but may well be available second-hand.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 22nd October 2009

Arabella (by Georgette Heyer)

I do like Georgette Heyer! I keep writing this, I know. I am at least consistent. I first started reading her books in my teens, and loved them then; I've re-read most of them at least two or three times, often more, and enjoy them just as much thirty years later.

The last time I read 'Arabella' was in 2002, so it was more than time for a re-read. I knew it was one of my favourites, so took it slowly.

It's the story of an attractive girl of seventeen called Arabella. She lives in Yorkshire, the eldest daughter of a kind, if somewhat naive vicar. She has a couple of older brothers and several younger siblings, and knows that it's her duty to marry well. Her parents are not wealthy, and the education of her brothers (far more important, in Regency times, than the education of girls!) is proving expensive.

Arabella has a rich, albeit somewhat shallow godmother in London, thanks to the forethought of her mother. This lady has no daughters, and is delighted at the idea of bringing Arabella 'out' as a debutante in a London season. Arabella is a young lady of strong principle, with a good sense of humour, and a tendency to react impetuously when she is angered in any way. Unfortunately this latter tendency means that she starts her season under false pretences, having made a claim to be someone much wealthier than in fact she is...

The hero of the story, Robert Beaumaris, is one of Heyer's best heroes. Elegant, rather bored, and excessively wealthy, he finds himself first determined to make Arabella a big hit, and then - rather to his surprise - he becomes very fond of her. He has many faults, but they're all vindicated by both his sense of humour, and his sense of honour.

The overall plot is, of course, a low-key romance with predictable (and most satisfactory) ending. But along the way there are many unexpected twists and turns; even on the fifth or sixth re-reading, I found myself amused, surprised, and very taken with the whole story yet again.

I look forward to re-reading it once more in another six or seven years.

Highly recommended.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 19th October 2009

Thanks for the Memories (by Cecelia Ahern)

Although I wasn't very keen on Cecelia Ahern's first novel, I'm glad that I didn't judge her based on that; I've very much enjoyed her more recent works. They're slightly surreal, but the people are believable and the stories well written.

'Thank you for the memories' is a somewhat quirky novel about two people who, at the beginning of the book, have nothing in common at all. Justin is an art history expert who lives in London. He's recently divorced, and has been invited to give guest lectures at a university in Dublin. While he's there, he is persuaded to donate some blood, rather against his wishes.

We meet Joyce as she's getting over the loss of her unborn baby, after a nasty accident. She is naturally grieving, and is not helped by the break-up of her marriage. And she's very confused to find that she suddenly has some memories, some of which appear as dreams, which don't seem to belong to her at all.

The novel follows Justin and Joyce in turn, as they happen to meet or come in contact; I found it very odd at first but it unfolds nicely and realisation came to me before it did to Joyce. There are some very amusing moments, and some which are poignant; the ending is inevitable (and rather a relief - I did worry that it might be left open, or with Justin none the wiser) but many of the events during the main part of the book are far from predictable.

Cecelia Ahern has a remarkable gift for creating unusual scenarios and making them seem believable, at least while reading the book. Recommended, if you don't mind suspending reality for a while.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 15th October 2009