Baker Book House Fiction

Mel Starr

2012-01-25T09:00:00.004-05:00

Dear Readers,

I am writing this review as part of a blog tour for Kregel publishing. They sent me the book and then asked any of us who received the book to write a review and post it.

I read book #1 of Mel Starr's Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon, series, The Unquiet Bones and really really enjoyed it. I meant to read the next couple that came out, but missed them. I may have to go back to read them, but not sure if I will ever have time.

Unhallowed Ground is book four of the series. They are set in 1300 England, which in and of itself is very interesting to read, but then Mel makes them mysteries besides and that really adds that element that make these books fun to read. Hugh de Singleton himself is an interesting man, he is really just trying to do his job to the best of his ability. Because he is the local Bailiff, many people are leery of him. Because he is also a surgeon, many people like him. It is a conflict for them, but because he is a good person he is a very likable character.

When Thomas atte Bridge seems to have taken his own life, the village people are willing to let it go at that and not worry about a murder that did them all a favor. There is probably not one person in the area that has not had dealings with either Thomas or his brother Henry. No one's dealings with Thomas were on purpose as he was just an evil man who was always trying to get ahead by cheating/threatening/blackmailing... I think you get the idea. So Hugh isn't sure he really wants to know who the murderer is.

That all changes when Hugh and his wife seem to be the target for the murderer. He thinks that because he is getting close to the answer the murderer is willing to kill to keep that secret. Is he really getting closer or did he just open a different can of worms?

Maybe because of the time it is set in, maybe because I really like Mel's characters or maybe just because :-), I really like this series. It is well written with very interesting characters. Ones that you almost feel like you could meet walking down the street (of course one of us would be very confused). Even with a time that is very unusual for us all it has the feel that any one of us could just step right into this story. I really just plain and simply like this book and its series.

Happy Reading

New Releases/New Baker (January 16-21)

2012-01-23T09:00:00.007-05:00

Dear Readers,

Starting today Baker Book House will never be the same. We are remodeling the entire store and today the first move has started to happen. Our front offices are in a part of the store that the builders want to start with and so they have to go somewhere. They are joining us on the floor here in the store, sort of. Because they are taking up floor space that department has to move. That is going into music, so music has to condense down.

So 2012 will be the year of dust and excitement. I have lived through 4 other remodels in my working career and am not looking forward to that part of it. I can hardly wait to see what it all looks like when it is done, but the process is never any fun. I can remember when we remodeled our kitchen at home, I would rather move that ever do that again. Well they are not willing to move the store, so I guess I will be living through this whether I want to or not. :-)

For you guys our customers it means putting up with noise, dust and things in new places. The great side of that is we would rather sell something than move them, so watch for sales. Starting already with $2.00 used fiction. There are great titles available for just a couple of bucks. I am going to admit that I have already picked up several of them. So you may want to come check them all out before I take them all home. :-)

Happy Reading

To Love and to Cherish - Kelly Irvin
The Wings of Morning - Murry Pura
An Amish Family Reunion - Mary Ellis
The Hawk and the Dove trilogy - Penelope Wilcock - 3 in 1 - rerelease
The Hour before Dawn - Penelope Wilcock
Promise Me This - Cathy Gohlke
Heart's Safe Passage - Laurie Alice Eakes
Words Spoken True - Ann H. Gabhart
P.S. These books are available at Baker Book House or by request at bakerbookstore.com

Chris Fabry

2012-01-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

First, I love Chris Fabry fiction books. That is also true about Not in the Heart, his newest. With that said, stay with me on this review even though it seems that at certain points I might not have loved it.

I have never had a book that I liked this much but really disliked the main character. I have had bad guys that I don't like, but that is the point right? I have had books were the characters are poorly written, but that is not the case here. This was a main character that I really just struggled to like. If he was a real person, I would not have thought much of him. There were even certain parts of the book where I felt like I was reading this book just to see what bad would finally happen to him.

Truman has followed his dream where ever and whenever it took him. It has brought him fame and fortune, but has also cost him his family. He never said no to doing a story no matter what he would have to miss. Birthdays, holidays, vacations, sports game, writing the next great news story was more important than anything and everything that had to do with his family.

His son Aiden's life depends on the death of someone who has a match for his heart. They finally found one; the problem is that person is still using it. At least until his execution, which is scheduled for 30 days from now. When Truman agrees to write the convicted man's story, he becomes involved in his family's lives in more ways than he was prepared for.

I hate to say it, but that is as much as I am going to share of Truman's story. This book has so many different layers to it that to just doing a short review about it doesn't do it justice. The one question it speaks to is, can a convicted prisoner, whether on death row or not, donate his organs to someone? I know that is a very slippery slope that we as a society have refrained from approaching because of how it can suddenly become a problem.

As I said earlier, I really did like this book, I just had a problem with Truman. It is one of those books that when you get done reading it you still think about it for a while. Every time I went to write this review, I kept thinking of different things I wanted to share, but I also don't want to give the story line away, so I will be saying no more, but this would be a great book for a book club.

Happy Reading

P.S. This book is available in our store or by request from bakerbookstore.com

Bruce Hennigan

2012-01-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

I have never hidden that I don't really care for Christmas novellas. Nothing against the authors, but too short and usually too sappy for me. But this one was a strange book to read over the holidays. The 13th Demon by Bruce Hennigan is not by any stretch of the imagination a Christmas book.

I have also said this before; I am a great big chicken. I don't like horror movies, I don't read Stephen King etc... I am just not into scary books or movies. So reading this book was a bit strange for me. But I liked it, I just read it during the day instead of at night.

Jonathan Steel has no memory past a couple of years ago when he woke up on a beach with no clothes and no idea who he was. He has no idea why he is able to handle a gun so well or why he can fight so quickly. He would just like to know what his history is.

As he searches for his own memories, he is on the trail of the 13th Demon. The story goes that when Jesus chooses his 12 disciples, Satan chooses 12 also, but the 13th one not chosen was uncontrollable and became loose cannon. Jonathan promises a new friend that he will track down this demon and banish him to hell where he belongs.

I found this book very interesting. Bruce mentions several different aspects of demons that are true, but also points out several things that people think they can do, but they can't. Sometimes we forget that they are created beings just like us and cannot take on characteristics that are unique to God only.

This book is not as scary as I thought it would be, but there are disturbing spots in the book. I could tell you what they are, but it is part of the journey of the book. I enjoyed reading and discovering the things that were hidden in the book and I don't want to take that away from you.

I can't recommend this to everyone, but not everyone would enjoy this book. If you are one that likes Frank Peretti or books with a very strong spiritual element to them, this would be an interesting book to read.

Happy Reading

P.S. This video is what got me interested in reading this book. http://www.strangbookgroup.com/index.php/videos/19338-the-thirteenth-demon-altar-of-the-spiral-eye-by-bruce-hennigan

New Releases January 9 -14

2012-01-16T09:00:00.007-05:00

Dear Readers,

A couple weeks ago I started a much anticipated book. I could hardly wait to finish the one I was reading, even though I was enjoying that one also, to start the new one. It had come recommended by someone and they spoke so highly of it I just couldn't wait.

Then I got started and it just wasn't living up to it hype. How very disappointing. In a situation like that I can only hope that the book gets better. I have never been one that doesn't finish a book, no matter how bad. I can probably count on two hands how many books I haven't finished. I just always hope that it gets better, it must as someone paid money to have it published it has to. Right?

Of course I can also tell you about certain books that it is the ending that makes the book. One comes to mind right away. 100 years of Happiness by Nicole Sietz. Without reading all the way to the end you miss out on the wonderful way it is all tied together. I actually told readers that were interested in it, that they couldn't return in until they read all the way to end.

I won't tell you what happen with this book, did it get better or not, as I will probably include that in my blog review. How about you, do you give up on a book? If so when? Right away or do you wait for the story to develop?

Happy Reading

Harbinger: the Ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's Future - Jonathan Cahn
Accused - Janice Cantore
Not in the Heart - Chris Gabry
The Search Committee - Tim Owens
Missing Your Smile - Jerry S. Eicher
Promise Me This - Cathy Gohlke

P.S. These books are available at Baker Book House or by request at bakerbookstore.com

Anne Mateer

2012-01-12T09:00:00.005-05:00

Dear Readers,

When I read a book on my lunch break here at the store it always takes me longer to read it. This is true about Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer. Normally I would not take two months to read any book, but I don't get much time to read and I visit with the other employees I eat with.

Rebekah longs for life outside her small home town. Arthur seems to be the ticket out, but first he needs to answer the call to the Great War. When Rebekah's aunt sends a letter requesting help, she sees it as a chance to be closer to Arthur while he is learning to fly planes.

Things do not happen as Rebekah plans. When she arrives at her aunt's door she finds Aunt Ada deathly ill with the Spanish Flu. Living with her aunt are 4 young children whose mother has just passed away and their father is fighting the war. Rebekah has to grow up very quickly as everyone looks to her to take care of everything.

I found this book interesting because of the time in history that it is written about. Yes it is set during World War I, but it not really about the war. It is about the Spanish Flu that hit the world at that time. It was one of those times in history that I am sure I learned about in history class somewhere at sometime, but I never put the two things together. According to an article that I was reading on-line, over a fifth of the world's population was affected. More people died of the sickness, thought of as a common cold at first, than died in the whole First World War. This information was very interesting to me as it just kind of puts all that in perspective.

I am going to say in some ways I found myself sick of Rebekah's attitude, but then again if I was put in that situation at that age, I would have been a bit whiny also. She is someone who is thrust into a time and place not of her asking, who then rises to the occasion and does what is right. It is a good reminder of what priorities we should have.

This is a lighter read, yet I found it interesting. The characters are well written and you find yourself falling in love with the children that Rebekah is asked to look after.

Happy Reading

P.S. This book is available at Baker Book House or by request at bakerbookstore.com

New Releases Jan 1 - 7

2012-01-09T09:22:00.007-05:00

Dear Readers,

I know most people were looking back on the past year over a week ago, I have never been one that did things like that correctly. :-) I was working on a list of books that I will review for librarians in October. They want to know what books I have read and how good they are. So I have to write them down as I go along or I forget one or two of them and then I feel bad. If it is a good book I want others to know about it so they get a chance to read it.

Ok back to why I started this post, I can't read them all. I hate that. I want to read every book my favorite authors write. But I can't. I will be posting a review soon from a gentleman that is book #4 in the series. I missed book 2 & 3. As I was reading book 4 I really wanted to go back and read the other ones, but because of request by publishers and other readers/librarians I need to move on and read other things. (I am also hard put to read books where I know the ending, which I would in both of those books)

Someday I will have time to read all those books, but I have no idea when that will be and and even though I am ready to retire, I can't yet. :-)

Happy Reading

In Too Deep - Mary Connealy
Sixty Acres and a Bride - Regina Jennings
Song of My Heart - Kim Vogel Sawyer
Blue Moon Bay - Lisa Wingate
When the Smoke Clears - Lynette Eason
Flirting with the Forbidden - Steven James - before you get all excited, this is a none fiction book. But I found the idea behind the book and that he uses first person stories to write about Bible stories so interesting I just thought I would mention it to you as many of you are fans of his.

P.S. These books are available at Baker Book House and by request at bakerbookstore.com

Dale Cramer

2012-01-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer is the much anticipated sequel to Paradise Valley. It has been a long year of waiting to find out what has happened to Rachel, Miriam, Domingo and the others who have come to live in Paradise Valley, Mexico.

I have had many a reader ask me if I knew when this book was coming out and what was taking so long. I can safely say, "It was worth the wait." Ok I will also say I wish it had come out earlier, but I am glad it is here and I hate to say this part, I think there will be a third one. At least I hope so. :-)

I really don't want to give anything away, but all our favorite characters are back. Life is changing in Paradise Valley. There are new families joining them in the valley.

There are old problems but also new ones that must be overcome. When a deadly disease closes the border to America and the promised pastor doesn't arrive, there's more disappointent for the couples who are courting. There is one person, though, who isn't too disappointed the pastor hasn't arrived yet.

Ok I have to stop before I give something away. I don't want to do that as it would take away from the pleasure of reading this story and I can safely say that if you read the first one and were waiting for this one, it won't disappoint you.

Happy Reading

Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter

2012-01-04T09:00:00.003-05:00

Dear Readers,

What do you do if your logging community loses it's source of income? Well, you change the town into a romantic destination, of course.
Four friends think this is a great way to save their little town, even when they are met with some resistance from people. Of course if you are planning on turning your city into the romantic place-to-be, you have to expect romance to occur and each woman experiences it in different and fun ways.
Smitten is written by four friends, Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter. What a joyful process it has been. I have been able to follow the work on this book through Facebook and the various blogs that they write for. Which of course makes this book that much neater to read.
This is just a cute, fun little four-in-one book. Each story focuses on one main character with the other men and women showing up to play supporting roles. It makes for a nice romantic read on those cold winter nights. I enjoyed it for that reason alone, but it was also fun to find each author's voice presented in different ways and characters throughout the book.
So as old man winter closes in around us here in the north, curl up with this delightful book and a cup of hot cocoa.
Happy Reading

P.S. Collen Coble is going to be joining us in May for an Author Encounter weekend. Contact Colleen or I for details

New Releases Dec. 26 - 31

2012-01-02T09:00:00.005-05:00

Dear Readers,

It is snowing here in Michigan as I write this blog. The weather people all were saying it wasn't suppose to snow much. Well it isn't much, but it sure is beautiful to watch. It is the kind of snow that is the large flakes falling almost straight down. I wish I had a chance to go out into it. It is the perfect snow for walking in the woods are down a dirt road. It is the peaceful snow that seems to work magic on one's soul.

Snow and I have a love/hate relationship. I know it is mostly on my side as snow doesn't really seem to care what I think of it at all. I love to see snow falling, I love to go sledding on cold crisp days, I love to walk in the woods when it is gently snowing, I love seeing a field of snow when the sun is shining on it. I hate driving in the snow, I hate shoveling/snowplowing the drive way, I have scrapping my car off. See what I mean, I like all the good stuff but not the bad. :-)

One thing I do love about days like today. It really makes me want to curl up with a good book and just read the winter away. Lately I have been a pretty good run with good books. Not all of them were "can't lay it down" types, but not everyone can be. I have several reviews coming up of several books that I really enjoyed reading and I can't wait for you to hear about them.

Happy New Year and Happy Reading

Guilty by Association - Pat Simmons
Love lifted Me - Sara Evans/Rachel Hauck

P.S. These books are available at Baker Book House or by request at bakerbookstore.com

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T09:00:00.002-05:00

May God bless you and your family through out this coming new year.

Elizabeth Camden

2011-12-29T09:00:00.004-05:00

Dear Readers,

Elizabeth Camden is new to the fiction market. Her first book, The Lady of Bolton Hill released this year in June. It has done very well for a first book of an unknown author. I haven't had a chance to read it, so when I had a chance to read her second book, The Rose of Winslow Street, I quickly took it (they are not a series).

Libby, short for Liberty, and her father recieve notice that someone has moved into their house and claimed the house is theirs, not the Sawyer's. Michael has brought his family all the way from Romania and lays claim to the house because it belonged to his long lost uncle. He needs a safe place to start over, but gives very little reason why, he just plows ahead to provide for his sons and sister. This does not win him any friends.

When an unlikely friendship developes between Libby and Michael, her father feels betrayed, but Libby finds herself accepted and loved by Michael and his whole family. Michael knows that his uncle wanted him to have the house for a reason, but he can't figure out why. When they are kicked out of the house by the courts, Michael begins to wonder if he will ever understand why his uncle left him the house.

I wasn't sure how much I was going to like this book, but I really did enjoy it completely. It is a sweet little romance with a bit of a mystery to it. It is not a complicated mystery and it isn't even the main storyline, but it does make the book more interesting. Elizabeth also adds a couple different things to the book that make this not just a "regular" historical romance. She actually gives Libby the inablility to read. So even though she is a very talented artist, she is looked at as stupid because of her inablility. Which is just an different approach to a character.

This book would be a perfect read for those longer winter nights, when all you want to do is curl up in front of the fire with a warm cup of hot chocolate.

Happy Reading

P.S. Elizabeth's books are available at Baker Book House or by request at bakerbookstore.com

New Releases Dec. 19 - 24th

2011-12-26T09:00:00.007-05:00

Dear Readers,

Christmas has past. Most parties are over and many people are already focused on New Years and what they will be doing that day.

If you are reading this on Dec. 26th at 9:00 am EST I am at my last Christmas party. My family is opening presents this morning and then having a birthday celebration for my son. He turns 25 this year. My how times flies.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that your New Year will be filled with thousands of blessings.

Happy Reading

The Sound of Red Returning - Sue Duffy
The Mulligans of Mt. Jefferson - Don Reid
Love Blooms in Winter - Lori Copeland

P.S. These books are available at Baker Book House or by request at bakerbookstore.com

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T09:00:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas :-)

Eric Wilson

2011-12-22T09:00:00.010-05:00

Dear Readers,

One Step Away by Eric Wilson is a different perspective on an old story. In the Bible the story of Job is how the Devil goes to God and tells Him he can get Job to sin and turn his back on God. As we all know it kind of backfires on Satan and Job becomes a witness to his family and friends through his faith in God.

Satan has a new idea, "what if I over-bless a family instead of cursing them. What if I take a poor family and give them millions, they will for sure lose their faith then."

Once again God agrees and the test begins.

Brett and Sara Vreeland are struggling to make ends meet. Between their two lower paying jobs and their son's illness, it has not been easy, but they have their faith and their family. The rest God will take care of.

Then one day Sara inherits millions from a client at the clinic she works at. Suddenly money is not an issue. They can afford anything they want, including a trip to Cancun for the entire family. Now that everything seems to be going their direction, will their faith stand firm?

I really found this story line interesting. How often have we thought that if we only had a bit more money than we would be happy. Is that true? Would we still keep our faith? How would it change us (and it would)? Would I actually give more to God? It was something to think about.

I have enjoyed Eric's books in the past. He has written several with supernatural elements to them. This books does not have that part, but it does have a bit of a mystery to it. It is not a thriller or mystery book, it is a quiet story about God providing what we need when we need it.

Happy Reading

P.S. This book is available at our store or by request at bakerbookstore.com

New Releases Dec. 12 - 17th

2011-12-19T09:00:00.022-05:00

Dear Readers,

Some of you already know this, due to a housefire we rebuilt our house a few years ago. One of the things I wanted in the house was plenty of room for family to come visist. So we put in a finished basement (my husband did that work) and a loft and a large kitchen/dining/living area. Plenty of room for all.

Because of all this room we started a tradition with our kids, grown and moved out and grandkids. One night of the holiday season they all come and sleep over night. We open presents that evening if it works out or like last year and again this year we open them in the morning. We watch movies until it is time for the grandkids to head to bed and then the adults play video games until the wee hours of the morning. We eat to much and drink hot coco and wassel. We laugh and joke and just generally have a great time.

The first time I asked about it I wasn't sure the kids would be on board, but they ask every year to do it again. This year we were a bit worried about fitting it in with Christmas being on Sunday and my work schedule and two of the kids having started new jobs. Would we be able to fit it all in? So this year it will be Christmas night we will be staying up until the wee hours and enjoying each other's company, then opening presents the next morning. I can hardly wait.

Thank you for sharing some of my favorite holiday memories and traditions. I pray you have a great and wonderful holiday.

Happy Reading

The Shadow of Your Smile - Susan May Warren
Unhallowed Ground - Mel Starr
A Darkly Hidden Truth - Donna Fletcher Crow

Beth Webb Hart

2011-12-16T09:00:00.001-05:00

Dear Readers,

Sometimes I wonder if I like Beth Webb Hart's book only because they are all set in South Carolina. Of course I start reading them and remember that I like them because they are good.

Sunrise on the Battery is once again set in Beth's beloved Charleston. I have never heard her actually say that, but the way she writes about the city you can tell it is her favorite city in the world. I can't disagree with her as I love Charleston and never get to spend enough time there when we do visit.

On Christmas Eve Mary Lynn prays that her husband will find faith. Little does she know how that will change her life forever. Jackson and her are considered "come-yas" in Charleston, which means they are not old money, but someone who has made their money recently.

Things are looking up for them, they are getting asked to the right parties and to join the right country club. Life is good. Their daughters are doing well in school, they are excelling in many different fields and it looks like they will get into the right college. So why does Mary Lynn think Jackson needs to know Jesus? That is the question Mary Lynn asks herself when things start getting a bit crazy around her house.

I don't often find myself jealous of people in a book, but this book opens with the family celebrating Christmas in Charleston and it is a lovely warm day. Mary Lynn goes out on a run and it is considered chilly because it is in the 50's. Of course here in Michigan it is hanging around freezing and it is cold, windy and rainy/sleeting. Then the day after Christmas they leave on a vacation to England. Sigh.

Oh well as I read more of the book I got less jealous as I read about all the hoops they are jumping through to be one of the crowd. That I didn't and don't envy at all. In fact as I read about it, I came to the conclusion that I would never fit in because I found most of the stuff they were talking about a waste of time. So I guess I will never be one of them.

I guess I will just have to stick to reading good books about it and then I can remember to thank God that he has me just where I should be.

Happy Reading

Book of the Year 2011

2011-12-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers

It is that time of year again. I feel like I just wrote a blog on my favorite book for 2010 and here it is already December and I haven't written the one for this year. I have known for quite a while which book I was going to pick and I bet over half of you already know who the winner is, but I still want to announce it for those who don't know and of course for the prestige that goes with this award. (Haha.)

Love Amid the Ashes by Mesu Andrews is this year's winner. It is the one book that I kept comparing the other books to when I thought about the book of the year. It was the one book this year that just completely caught my attention. There are so many good books that release every year, but I am always looking for that one book that just stands out from the crowd for me.

For those of you who don't remember this is a telling of the story of the book of Job. It is a bit different from some of the traditional thinking of Bible scholars, but that doesn't take away from the story. In fact when I have talked to different people who have read the book it seems to make it even more interesting to them. They had the same experience as I did, it made us want to read the Bible story and to look into the whos and whys and thoughts on Job and his story.

The bookclub that I belong to just read and discussed this book and we as a group really enjoyed the book. It doesn't happen often that we all like a book, which makes for a lively discussion, but we did. What was so interesting is the many different reasons we liked the book. Some because of BIblical content, some just because it is a really good story and some because it made them really dig deeper in to the Bible story. We had a wonderful conversation that actually lead into many different threads and even at one point wandered away from Job into even deeper topics. That was so interesting.

I know that Mesu is working on her next book, Love's Sacred Song, which is about the Song of Solomon and the woman who inspired that book of the Bible. It is due to release in March of next year. I also happen to know she is working on a third book, but for the life of me I can't remember the topic of that one. This means that she is going to be releasing good books for years to come.

Happy Reading

New Releases Dec. 5-10

2011-12-12T09:00:00.002-05:00

Dear Readers,

One of the things we used to do for Christmas is something I missed a lot. When the kids were little the church we belong to had the children's Christmas program on Christmas morning. Now over all it made for a very very busy morning as the kids had to be to church early. ( Now you understand why we did stockings on the Sunday before) But putting that aside, it is a wonderful tradition. Who better to have in the front of church on Christmas morning than children.

They had all the traditional parts of the typical Christmas play. Little ones singing Away in the Manger, Mary and Joseph, and shepherds in bath robes. They ended it with the singing of the Hallelujah chorus with the choir, but anyone in the audience could join in if they wished. Which is how those services should end. It never failed to bring tears to my eyes.

This program led to one of my family's favorite Christmas memory. Stay with me on this, my son who is now 24 was all of 3 or 4 and was one of the young ones singing. The song was Come on Ring those Bells and the kids were suppose to shake their little jingle bells. Well we could see Brian was getting angry and we could not figure out why. Well when he finally made it to our seat we asked him what was wrong and much to our surprise he flings the bells down and says "My stupid bells don't work."

Ok how do you in a church full of people keep from falling out of your pew from laughter. We to this day have a set of bells on the tree that don't work, just because of that little story.

Sorry this is so long
Happy Reading

Smitten by Colleen Coble/Kristin Billerbeck/Diann Hunt/Denise Hunter

The Rose of Winslow Street – Elizabeth Camden

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall – Julie Klassen

Where Wildflowers Bloom – Ann Shorey

Summer of Promise – Amanda Cabot

The Keeper – Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Captive Heart – Dale Cramer

Chasing Mona Lisa – Tricia Goyer/Mike Yorkey

Christmas Ideas for... Her

2011-12-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

For me this list is actually harder to write than the guy list I released earliy. There are so many good books that release every year the trick is to not make the list to long. Any reader no matter the genre they enjoy most should be able to put several books on their list. Which of course makes it so much easier for us shoppers.

Of course there is the problem of having read it already. So that is where I try to make my list fit. These books are newer releases, most with in the last 3 months. There are a couple that may be older than that, but they are books that I feel are worth bringing up again.

Don't forget to check the List for Him for ideas also.

Happy Shopping

Wonderland Creek - Lynn Austin
Love Amid the Ashes - Mesu Andrews
To Die For - Sandra Byrd
A Lasting Impression - Tamera Alexander
Lonestar Angel - Colleen Coble
Tall, Dark, and Determined - Kelly Eileen Hake
Longing - Karen Kingsbury
A Sound Among the Trees - Susan Meissner
Attracted to Fire - DiAnn Mills
The River Queen - Gilbert Morris
Forsaking All Others - Allison Pittman
Valley of Dreams - Lauraine Snelling

Penelope Stoks

2011-12-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

The Blue Bottle Club by Penelope J. Stokes orginally released in 1999. It didn't have a great cover, but hidden inside was a fantastic story. It was one of those books that I kept recommending even after it went out of print.

That is why I am happy to report that Blue Bottle is once again available. I am not sure how long Thomas Nelson will be offering it, but if you haven't read it before, grab it now or put it on your Christmas wish list while you have the chance.

One Christmas day in 1929 four teenage girls wrote down their hopes and dreams for their own futures. They put them all in a unique blue bottle and then hid it in the rafters of the house. The next day life continues and they forget that the bottle is waiting for their return.

Years later, reporter Brenna Delaney is given the bottle and she sets out to find the girls and to see how their lives really turned out.

That was what made this book so very interesting, each girl had some very specific dreams for herself, and yet God had other ideas. Were they better? Sometimes yes, and sometimes it was harder than expected, but isn't that true about real life. It is never what we planned out, but it always gets us to where God plans us to be.

Happy Reading

New Releases November 28- December 3

2011-12-05T09:00:00.005-05:00

Dear Readers,

One of the traditions that we have at our house that is a bit different than anyone elses is when Santa brings the stuff for the stockings. This is a tradition we got from my husbands family so I have no claim to this idea. Santa has so many houses to go to on Christmas eve, he goes to some very special houses on the Sunday before Christmas.

So the Sunday before Christmas is when we opened stockings at our house. Which turned out to be one of the best things we did. It was a lot less pressure on that morning. The kids had a time to enjoy the presents they recieved in the stocking and as parents we didn't have to rush off to Christmas service which as most you experience is quite full.

We still do this tradition with our adutl children and grandkids. It does make it a bit busier as now they come in for the morning and have breakfast with us before headed off to their own churches, but it is such a wonderful time for the family. It is a time that we all take time to just enjoy each others company and laugh. It is actually one of my favorite times during the holiday.

Happy Reading

The Resurrection of Nat Turner - The Witnesses - Sharon Ewell Foster
H2O - Austin Boyd/Brannon Hallingsworth
Love finds you in Annapolis, Maryland - Roseanna M. White
Love finds you in Folly Beach, South Carolina - Loree Lough

Christmas ideas for... Him

2011-12-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

I did a list for you called gift ideas for him/her last year. I had a few people comment that they liked the list and it gave them some ideas. So I thought I would try it again.

Remember these book are not just for men. I have read most of them and enjoyed them completely, I just know (as you all do) that there is a small difference (;-) between what woman like to read and what men like to read. So ladies don't hesitate to put these book on your list.

The Joshua Covenant - David and Diane Munson
Courageous - Randy Alcorn
Pattern of Wounds - J. Mark Bertrand
Book of Dreams - Davis Bunn
The Guardian - Robbie Cheuvront/Erik Reed
Third Starlighter - Byran Davis
Forbidden - Ted Dekker/Tosca Lee
Day of War - Cliff Graham
Targets Down - Bob Hamer
The Queen - Steven James
Wolfsbane - Ronie Kendig
The Bone House - Stephen Lawhead
Night of the Living Dead Christian - Matt Mikaltos
The Tehran Initiative - Joel Rosenberg

David and Diane Munson

2011-11-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

A few short weeks ago, I did a blog about the visit of David and Diane Munson. At the time I had mentioned that I had not yet had a chance to read their newest book, The Joshua Covenant. Well I finished the book and am happy to say, I was right, if you liked their other books, you will like this one.

Bo Rider, a much beloved character from earlier books, is back and he is once again saving the world from itself. Bo is assigned to the embassy in Isreal and in no time he is knee deep in a case that could decide the relationship between Isreal and the USA.

Is there a mole at work in the embassy? Who do you trust when you can't trust anyone? Bo is using his own name for the first time on an assignment and it leaves him feeling uncomfortable. Along with that new feeling he is also able to take his family along, which is a new experience for them all.

The best thing about the Munsons' books is that they are fast paced and yet something you could share with the whole family. Even though they are about espionage, they are very family friendly.

If you ever get a chance to meet the Munsons they are a very interesting couple. They are regular visitors to the bookclub I belong to and are heading up a new adventure that they have graciously included me in, Author Encounter, which will take place in May of 2012. If you are interested in more info, contact me or the Munsons at their website.

Happy Reading

New Releases Nov. 21-26

2011-11-28T09:00:00.004-05:00

Dear Readers,

Let the shopping begin.

Those of you who know me know that I am not a big fan of Chrsitmas Novellas. I usually find them to short or to cheesy. Every year though I do try to read one or two. I will confess I have read one already this year and as you can tell there is no review of one so I didn't like it. Not only was it cheesy, it was a complete rip off of another Christmas favorite. I know that happens all the time, but at least most authors try to hide that they are doing that by changing names etc... This author did not and I found that sad. I really have enjoyed this authors other books and had such high hopes for this one. Oh well, that is how it goes.

Maybe I will have to read a kids Christmas book instead. Those are usually just the right fit for Christmas or maybe I will just watch my favorite version of A Christmas Carol, which is actually a musical. Which when my family watches it we all sing along and have a grand ole time.

What is one of your favorite Christmas traditions? I almost hate to confess this, my families traditions are usually just a bit off center, but they are our traditions and we will stick with them. I hope to be sharing a few of those over the next couple of weeks.

Happy Reading.

The Loom - Shella Gillus
Mind over Madi - Linda Schab
Protection for Hire - Camy Tang

Kathi Macias

2011-11-25T01:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

There are a few authors who will take issues that affect us and our world head on. Kathi Macias started doing it in her Extreme Devotion series. She wrote about Christians from around the world who were standing firm in the faith even in the face of persecution. Each book was a candid look at their lives and what they live with every day.

In Deliver Me from Evil Kathi once again takes on a subject that we all hear about. Many then quickly turn a deaf ear to because it is too difficult to deal with or we just don't believe it happens anywhere, let alone here in America. The subject is human trafficking, with sex slaves being her focus.

Yes it is something that happens around the world. In fact it is easy to say, yes it happens in third world countries, so it is something that I don't really need to worry about. Well whether you and I want to admit it, it happens in our own backyard. Yes in West Michigan.

Mara is sold into slavery by parents just trying to get money for their next hit of drugs. Her uncle brings her to America where she becomes his slave, sold to the highest bidder over and over again.

Chanthra's parents thought they were actually send their daughter to a better life. They are so poor they knew they wouldn't be able to provide properly for her and her sibling, so with the promise that their daughter will be raised by a rich family looking to help someone less fortunate, they take the money and her fate is sealed.

Jonathan is just trying to find purpose in his life. He graduates in a couple of weeks and has no idea why he is headed to college let alone a Christian college. One fatefull night these three lives intersect in one very brief moment, but in that brief moment no one is left the same.

Some of this book is harder to read than other parts. Jonathan and his family are an all American family. There are many things that are perfect and yet not perfect in their lives. But they also are not afraid to take on an issue that is both frightening and larger than most of us are able to understand. Mara and Chanthra's stories are difficult to read at all times. I found myself wanted to skip parts of it because it just wasn't something I wanted to face, but I made myself read them so I could understand better what these girls go through. They face this life chosen for them day after day, with no break and no thought that they are human. They are treated only as an object or worse. This is not a life that any of us would wish on anyone no matter what and that it is happening to young men and woman and children is unbelievable.

This is not an easy subject to read about or talk about. In fact I have tried to end this review several different ways and I keep finding myself just getting preachy and frustrated. It is not easy mostly because I found myself in the book getting more and more angry at the men and women who ran the places, the men who visit, anyone who would do this to a young child. And I was totally upset at those who know who is doing it and where it is happening and do nothing about it. So the best thing I can tell you is read this book and then be prepared to learn more about this difficult topic in order to do something about it.

Happy Reading

Linda Schab

2011-11-22T09:00:00.002-05:00

Dear Readers,

One of the biggest pleasures I get out of working in a bookstore is the chance to help new authors sell their books and when that new author is a local person, that is even better yet.

Lynda Schab and I connected for the first time on each other's blogs. She started reading mine, which led me to look her's up and now I read her blog, faithfully. So when I heard she was writing a book and it was going to be published I was very excited for her. When she asked if she could do a book signing here at the store I said yes right away.

I am very excited to have Linda here at the store on Friday November 24th from 1-3. Please come into meet her and hear all about her book Mind over Madi.

Happy Reading

New Releases Nov. 14 - 19

2011-11-21T09:00:00.006-05:00

Dear Readers,

I know this is a couple days early, but Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have a chance to spend time with family and friends, relaxing, eating and maybe getting a chance to read. We are having my husband's family over for the day. It is the first time Mom (-in-law) has not hosted the party. I am looking forward to an fun day filled with all the wonderful things that make for great memories.

I don't know about your house, but the football game will be on starting right at the opening kickoff. My in-laws are huge Detroit Lions fans. Which this year means they can actually hope for a good game with a victory. In years past, well let's just say, being a Lion fan has built lots of character in people. Lions fans are long suffering, but very proud of their team. There will be loads of yelling at the TV as the armchair quaterbacks/coaches will think they know better. Ah well that is what makes Thanksgiving day fun.

I was actually thinking of including a list of what I was thankful for and the list got longer and longer, so I will stick to a few. Family, friends, a job I love and books, of course books. What are you thankful for?

Happy Reading.

Tall, Dark, & Determined - Kelly Eileen Hake
The Blue Bottle Club - Penelope J. Stokes - release

Cliff Graham

2011-11-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

Ok, so hang with me on this review. No I am not completely crazy. (Of course my kids would disagree with me on that.) Anyways, I have always thought about the different personalities that books would have if they had them. Romantic comedies would giggle a lot, guy books would grunt and lift weights, historical books would smell like smoke.

Day of War by Cliff Graham would be the confident guy in the room that knows how good he is at something with no need to brag about it. This book makes no apology for what kind of book it is. It is a rough, macho, strong book. It is about war and raids. It is about a time when men protected their families and cities by destroying other towns and families. Living was tough and the people even tougher. But mostly this is the story of David and the men who followed him into exile when he fled from King Saul.

The book opens with one of David's men helping out a village to rid it of a lion that has been terriorizing them. This scene alone will tell you whether or not you will want to continue with the book. It is grusome is spots, it is gritty and sometimes not easy to read, but it is fast paced and I knew right away this was a book I wanted to read.

I am wanting to say so much about this book, but it is one that you need to experience to actually understand it. It has been a little while since I have had a chance to read a "can't lay it down" book. This is one. It kept me completely interested and wanting more. Maybe because it is so fast paced in spots and yet in others it was just about living in 998 BC. This is one of those must-reads that I will recommend to men and women alike, and it makes me want to read the rest of the series.

Happy Reading

Steven James

2011-11-16T09:00:00.004-05:00

Dear Readers,

It is not often that I get to host a New York Bestselling author here in the store. Now that doesn't mean our store hasn't hosted its fair share of them, just that in ficiton they are harder to get here. But this coming Friday night Steven James will be in our store at 7:30 pm.

He is one of my favorite authors because of his fiction books. The Patrick Bower series is one that I recommend over and over again to people who are looking for that really good thriller. There are not many books that keep me up at night out of sheer terror of the bad guys, but Patrick deals with some really ugly characters and I did lose some sleep over them. Of course only until Patrick came along and solved the crime so I could sleep again.

I don't know what struck me most when I met Steven the first time he was here in the store. That he is such a great story teller or that he does not look like someone who would write thrillers. He has such a passion for telling and writing great books that comes through in everything he talks about. It is something he lives everyday. He teaches workshops on it, he leads weekends for new authors wanting to learn the craft of storytelling. He encourages, supports and pushes fellow authors to write better and better. It is no less than what he requires for himself.

If you want to hear the heart of a true storyteller, come join me here at the store on Friday November 17th at 7:30 and meet Steven James.

Happy Reading

New Releases

2011-11-14T09:00:00.018-05:00

Dear Readers,

There is something running on Facebook for the month of November. Everyday you are suppose to write something you are thankful for. I didn't get started with everyone so I haven't been doing it, but everyday I read my different friends responses makes me think about what I am thankful for today. It is interesting to see what others are thankful for.

Depending on age and marital status, kids, jobs etc... there has been a wide variety to things to be thankful for. It is a wonderful reminder to write that out for ourselves once and awhile. The book 1,000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp reminds us to do that daily. Our lives are filled with things we should be thankful for, large and small. Somedays it is harder to remember them, but maybe those are the days we need to work harder to remember them.

Happy Reading

Amish Wedding - Beth Wiseman/Kathleen Fuller/Kelly Long
As the Sparks Fly Upward - Gilbert Morris

Robin Parrish

2011-11-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,
I can't believe I didn't write a review for this book before. I think because I had published Louis' blog about it I kind of forgot to do mine. When I was doing work for the workshop in Chicago a few weeks ago, I realized I hadn't written my own. Oops.

I actually almost didn't read Vigilante by Robin Parrish. I have read all of Robin's other books, and really liked them, until I got to the ends of the books. That is where they fall flat. I am happy to report that this book does not have that problem . I really enjoyed reading this book mostly because, for lack of a better term, this is a book about a Christian Batman.

Billboards are popping up around the country. "There is a better way". This phrase doesn't give much to go on. Media personnel have tried to figure out who is paying for them. No one has an answer. That is until the new ones go up. "I will show you a better way" billboards start appearing with a date in July listed for when it will all be made clear. That releases a firestorm of excitement in the general public and there is a huge influx of tourists to New York City for that special day. Who or what could be behind those billboards and what do they mean?

This book was almost like reading a comic book without the panels. The Hand has all the gadgets which make him almost invinicible. He also has the talent and training to be able to take down criminals single-handedly. There is much to this story that you need to let go of for it to be believable. For instance, two short days after being shot, he is running around saving people. His outfit is made out of a new and very bullet proof material that would be a great material to have invented. Of course it does have a draw back if you get tasered.

One of the threads of the book is the question, can one fight crime and stay above it all. The Hand finds himself struggling with staying above it all when the Crime Boss brings the fight to his front door. It was interesting to watch the struggle of doing the right thing even when emotions become involved. When the Hand was just rescuing unknown people he was able to just judge right and wrong, but once it came into his own life, there is a gray area. So is it right to fight crime by beating up the criminal?

All interesting thoughts which of course makes this a very interesting read.

Happy Reading

David and Diane Munson

2011-11-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

I am going to do something that I don't do very often. I am going to talk about a book I haven't read yet. The Joshua Covenant by David and Diane Munson released this past week here at the store. Which I am excited about anyway, but to make it even more exciting for us, David and Diane are doing their book launch here at Baker this Saturday, November 12th from 1-3.

I meet David and Diane several years ago while I still worked at the Baker store in Holland MI. They were first time authors and very excited to promote their book. Which is what they do very well, they have been the easiest authors to work with as they do most of the work for me. :-)

Anyway, they write what they know and that is intrigue and espionage. They worked for the government in the Federal Prosecuting office and for the Drug Enforcement Administration, with much time spent on undercover assignments. Just listening to the stories they have to tell is just fascinating, which translates into their books.

In The Joshua Covenant they bring back one of the most beloved charaters, Bo Rider and his family. After years of being undercover around the world, Bo is ready to settle in one spot and enjoy his job and his family. Getting sent to Isreal is probably not a good way to have that happen. Soon, not only is Bo caught up in a plot jeopardizing himself, his family also faces danger from a different front.

Like I said before, I haven't had a chance to read this book yet, but hope to before the Munsons come to our store. I do feel comfortable recommending their books to anyone who likes a bit of action adventure and a few spies to keep life interesting.

Come meet the Munsons on Saturday and learn more about them and their story.

Happy Reading

New Releases

2011-11-07T09:00:00.009-05:00

Dear Readers,

I was just looking over all the different author and artist visit we will have in the store before the end of the year. I love author visits. I love meeting with the authors and talking to them and learning about their heart behind the book. I can remember a book a while ago that I wasn't all that interested in reading, but once I meet the author I understood what they were trying to tell in their story and it made all the difference in the world.

This past Saturday we had the parents of Colton the little boy in the center of Heaven is for Real. This coming Saturday, November 5th at 1 - 3 we are having David and Diane Munson in the store for the release of their lastest thriller. The Friday after that on November 18th at 7:30 Steven James will once again be in our store. On Black Friday Local author Lynda Schab will be signing her debut novel for all who come in.

That is when we run out of month, which is probably best, but we also have a few authors or artist signed up to come in December. So you will have many opportunities to come in and hear from the authors about their own books.

Happy Reading

This list will include two weeks of releases because of the Christmas list I did last week.

The River Queen - Gilbert Morris
Wild Horses - Linda Byler
Autumn Song - Martha Rogers
Remembering You - Tricia Goyer
His Steadfast Love - Golden Keyes Parsons
Long Trail Home - Vickie McDonough
Joshua Covenant - David and Diane Munson
Long Trail Home - Vickie Mcdonough
Katie's Way - Marta Perry
A Stranger's Gift - Anna Schmidt
Turnabout's Fair Play - Kaye Dacus
The Wedding Quilt - Jennifer Chiaverini
The Opposite of Art - Athol Dickson

Alice Wisler

2011-11-03T09:00:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers,

I have thought about this review for a while now. I so want to do A Wedding Invitation by Alice Wisler justice, but am having a hard time not just babbling on about the book. I have almost gotten to the point of saying "just read it, it is a really good book." but that does not make a good review. :-)

Samantha has some really fond memories of working in the refugee camp in the Philippines and some not so good memories. The amazing thing is both set of memories involve the same people. Carson was the guy she worked closely with and thought she was in love with, until he broke her heart. Lien was a young Amerasian girl that wanted to be liked and loved, but was a little rough around the edges.

When Sam gets invited to the wedding of a college friend, she is excited to go, but it leads to a very strange weekend. First, the wedding is the wrong person, and second, it leads to an encounter with Carson that she would rather have never had. Now she wonders if she will be able to put the past behind her and move forward in love.

I have really enjoy Alice's books. They don't neatly fit into any one mold. They are romances and yet that is really not the focus of the book. They are contemporaries, but are very much an issue driven book. I also believe that Alice writes with the 20 somethings in mind, but I know that they appeal to many ages. (I am not in the 20 something category and love them) So maybe that is why I like them, they are just a bit different.

They do make a wonderful read and I look forward to Alice's next one, which will be out soon

Happy Reading

New Releases - Christmas 2011

2011-10-31T09:00:00.004-04:00

Dear Readers,

Happy Halloween, 54 shopping days until Christmas. YIKES!!! I am not ready for that and I am not ready for November. Less than 2 months to Christmas. Let the rioting begin.

Ok just kidding about the rioting, but the holidays are just around the corner and I haven't started yet. Good grief. Maybe I will just give everyone on my list a book and call it good. Of course the books would all be used as I would have to read them first.

I wanted to let you all know about the new Christmas fiction for this year. Many beloved authors are back with a Christmas book and there are some new authors wading into the waters of the Christmas novellas. You have many titles to choose from to read and then share to pass on the Christmas spirit.

Happy Holidays er umm. I mean Reading.

Blame it on the Misltetoe - Joyce Magnin
Christmas Memories at Grace Chapel Inn - Tales from Grace Chapel Inn series.
Log Cabin Christmas - Various authors
Naomi's Gift - Amy Clipston
A Lancaster County Christmas - Suzanne Woods Fisher
Remebering Christmas - Dan Walsh
The Christmas Shoppe - Melody Carlson
A Marriage Carol - Chris Fabry/Gary Chapman
The Christmas Singing - Cindy Woodsmall
The Snow Angel - Glenn Beck
Christmas in Sugarcreek - Shelly Shephard Gray
On Christmas Eve - Thomas Kincade/Katherine Spencer

Alton Gansky & Grant Jeffrey

2011-10-29T09:00:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers,

I am not a big fan of 'end times' books & I did go into this book knowing who Grant Jeffrey is and what he studies and writes about. But since I love Alton Gansky I decided to read this book anyways. I am glad of that and for the most part I liked this book, but it is also what I expected.

What if Israel had plans to rebuild the temple? What kind of response would that ignite around the world? What if the only thing holding them back is that they don't have any of the temple artifacts?

This is idea behind The Scroll by Grant Jeffrey and Alton Gansky.

Dr. David Chambers has walked away from the career that made him who he was. In fact it was a career that he loved until he lost his faith in God. So who or what can draw him back into biblical archeology?

Only one person, David's mentor, Abram Ben-Judah and only if he was offering something very very big. When David and Abram meet, David is sure he knows what he will say to Abram about his offer, that is until Abram explains that they believe that they have found the 'map' to the temple artifacts. Is David interested in helping Israel recover their lost treasures?

So begins this archeology book. It has some very good parts. Parts that are fast paced, parts that taught me something about the history of the treasures of the temple, and parts that taught me about different prophecies in the Bible. All which make for a good read. The only problem I really had with the book was the last few chapters and the Epilogue. They feel like they were just stuck on the end for no real reason. They didn't fit with the rest of the story at all. To me it feels like Grant wanted to make sure we knew about the prophecies in the Bible about the rebuilding of the temple. Which is actually too bad, because until that point this is a pretty good book.

Happy Reading.

Lynn Austin

2011-10-26T10:59:00.001-04:00

Dear Readers,

Lynn Austin is one of my go-to authors. When I need just a good story I love picking her books up and reading them. The only problem is I have read all her books now and have to wait for a new one to come out. Wonderland Creek by Lynn just released and it was so nice to be able to read it.

Set towards the end of the depression, it focuses on a need that was created by one of the programs Roosevelt started. He started funding for libraries all over the country in communties that hadn't had them before. The problem was, there wasn't enough funding for more books. Alice hears about the need for books in Kentucky and decides to do a book drive and then bring the books herself.

It all sounds like a great idea except Alice is just a bit obsessed with books and reading. It is the only thing that is important to her. More important than her family, more important than her boyfriend and more important than her friends (I was a bit shocked when she got a book out at a funeral and started reading). So when she loses her job and boyfriend all in one day she decides to head to Kentucky univited to deliver the books she had collected.

This starts an adventure that Alice was not expecting. She is asked to do things she has never done before. She learns to cook over a woodburning stove, she survives without electricty, she learns to ride a horse and she learns that reading is not the only thing that is important in the world.

I really liked this book for several reasons. It was a good read and I learned about a part of the country that I have visited several times and find just beautiful. The book is also set in a time period that, in Kentucky, isn't written about much. It was a difficult place to live anyways and the depression made it even harder. To learn about the people of that area and what they did to survive, but also help each other, is amazing.

Now when I read books like this I know God knew what he was doing setting me in this time in history. I really like running water, indoor bathrooms and electricity. Cars are great and being able to just get any book I want is awesome. So there was nowhere in this book I said, "Boy do I wish I lived there/then." But it was good to read about it.

Happy Reading

New Releases

2011-10-24T10:09:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

We are experiencing some yucky fall weather here in Michigan. It is raining, windy and cold. Now it is not middle of the winter cold, but considering little over a week ago it was 80 out this is cold. All I ever want to do in this type of weather is stay home under the covers or if I do venture out it would be no farther than the couch in the living room by the fireplace with a great big quilt and a hot cup of tea. My boss here at the store never agrees with it other than to say she would be coming over also. I think she misses the point.

No matter what kind of weather you are having there are a couple of titles this week really interest me. Brian Davis and his daughter Amanda were in our store this past Friday. They both write the Spec fiction genre.

The Tehran Initiative - Joel Rosenberg
Love's Surprise - Karen Ball
The Scent of Water - Elizabeth Goudge
The Third Starlighter - Bryan Davis
Lost Melody - Lori Copeland/Virginia Smith
Lonestar Angel - Colleen Coble

Susan Meissner

2011-10-21T21:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

What if the walls of your house could talk? Would they remember only the tragedies that happen there? Would they only remember the happy events? Or would they tell of a wonderful tapestry of both that make up our histories.

A Sound among the Trees by Susan Meissner takes on that storyline. Holly Oak is a home that has lots of tragedy but also lots of happiness. Adelaide, the matriarch of the family, is sure the house is holding a gruge on her family because it was not allowed to do what houses do best, which is to offer safety and comfort from the storms outside its walls, namely the Civil War.

Marielle is a new bride brought to the house by her husband, who was made a widower by tragic events. She knows it will be a difficult adjustment for her and the family, but she doesn't expect to meet with resistance from the house.

Now you need to know that this is not a creepy book. It is not a horror story like Amityville horror, but it is the story of how the past can sometime not let you go so you become stuck in that rut.

Holly Oak is set in Virginia near Fredricksburg. Some of the storyline takes place during the Civil War times and tells the tale of a house and its family caught between two armies and trusted by neither. It is also the story of love and forgivesness. It is the story of people trying to do what they think is right and true as the time and circumstances dictate.

Happy Reading

Bryan and Amanda Davis

2011-10-21T09:42:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

I am not sure where the time has gone, but I lost a week in there somewhere. Maybe it was the 80 degree weather we were having in Oct. or maybe it is that I don't really want it to be the end of Oct. already, but I had this post ready to go for next week, oops.

Brian Davis has long been a favorite author at my house. My son and youngest daughter have both read his books and enjoyed them. Brian's Dragons in our Midst series was read as fast as the books hit the shelves and both kids were looking for the next one.

When he started writing books for older teens and adults my daughter was glad to continue reading him. I personally have not read all of his books, but the ones I have read I have enjoyed. They are interesting and are written with a certain intrigue to them that keeps the readers completely involved.

I love supporting youth and teen authors who have a wonderful Christian message woven into a good story. So when I heard that Bryan with his daughter Amanda was coming to visit here at the store I was very excited. I encourage you to come see them and get to know them a bit. I meet Bryan years ago at our Holland store and I was stuck at how passionate he was to writing good fiction for teens. One of his daughters was along and I believe it was Amanda, but I am not 100% positive, and she was in charge of his website at the time. It really was and obviously still is a family affair for him and his writing.

Come meet Bryan and Amanda here tonight at 7:00p.m. and listen to them both share about their writing experience.

Happy Reading

New Releases Oct. 10-15

2011-10-17T09:00:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

This weekend was a year end time for me. Each year for the past 5 or so years I have lead workshops to a group of church librarians from around the midwest. It is loads and loads of fun. I am getting to know many of them that I only get to see once a year, but that is what makes is so fun.

What makes it a year end for me is what I speak on. I do reviews on all the books I have read in the past year. Every year I start my list for next year the day I get back. It helps me see what I am reading and if I am trending to one certian genre and then I can make sure I read from other genres. It also helps me to know if I am reading or not reading enough new authors. So really this has been a great thing for me. It also makes me laugh because of the number of books I read a year is very very evident.

This year I brought a list of 61 books. I never get through them all, but it does make me realize how many books I read a year. This does not include books that I have read but haven't released yet, ones I didn't like or I don't think would be good for most church libriaries. It is stil amazing to me how many I do read and I just don't feel like I am a fast reader. I don't read until 3 in the morning any more - to old, I need my sleep. LOL - but I still seem to find the time to read. I guess it really is like breathing to me.

Happy Reading

Valley of Dreams - Lauraine Snelling
A Lasting Impression - Tamara Alexander

Janice Thompson

2011-10-15T09:52:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson is a book that I was asked to read. Romantic Comedies are great for movies, but for me, not in a book. Not that this is not a fun little book, just not my favorite genre.

Bella wonders what a normal family would be like. You know the kind, one that quietly eats dinner together. One that discusses differences and logically agrees to disagree sometimes. One that is well ... normal.

Her family is far from that. Whether it is the running arguement her Uncle Laz and Aunt Rosa have about who is the better singer, Dino or Old Blue Eyes, a singing bird or just general chaos, her family is not normal.

Throw in a visit from the Food Network, a visiting Hollywood star and a Renaissance wedding, complete with castle and knights in shining armor, and Bella wonders, is anyone going to escape with their sanity intact?

This is book #2 in the Weddings by Bella series and a delight to read. I do recommend starting with Fools Rush In and follow it with #3 It had to be You. It wasn't hard to figure out what was going on in book two, but why miss out on the adventure of those other stories, and I can only imagine the adventures that Bella gets into.

Happy Reading

Bob Hamer

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

The one type of book I get asked about the most is 'guy' books. In the Christian market they were sadly somewhat lacking for many years. If you didn't like history or westerns you were completely out of luck.

That started to change a few years ago. It was a slow change as some of the ones that were coming out were just a bit cheesy, but there have been some really good stories. Steven James, Joel Rosenberg, Ted Dekker, to name a few that have written books that seemed to have the guy reader in mind.

Maybe one of the fastest growing genres in Christian fiction right now is the spy novels. I haven't done any real research on it, but to me it seems that more and more publishing houses are presenting those type of books. It probably started with the end times and how you can tie the end of the world in with the hero racing to stop some evil plot. Those are good, but not exactly what I and most readers were looking for.

Targets Down by Bob Hamer demonstrates the new type of book that is coming out now. Spy novels that have the hero racing to save the world without it having anything to do with the end times. Yes I know this genre has been out for many years, but they seem to be getting better and better at it than before.

Targets Down is actually the second in the Matt Hogan series. Enemy Among Us is book number one. I did not get to read book one, but if I get a chance I would like to.

Matt goes undercover to figure out who is responsible for the shooting of a wife of a fellow agent and the death of a local pastor. His investigation leads him to the dark underside of life in Hollywood and Los Angeles. Drug and human trafficing, Russian mafia and a group of Neo-Nazis make this undercover job harder than any he has been on before.

Matt needs to be able to balance his family life and his job, which he loves. He is one of the best, but is his job the best thing for his relationship with his wife? He may have to decide soon.

I liked this book for its fast pace and how it didn't all always fit neatly into the quick-answer book. Bob does a good job of leading us down paths where we think are going one way, but actually it's just a smoke screen.

Ok that is enough of that, I don't want to give away too many clues or you will be able to figure it all out before you even get into the book. That would be no fun what so ever. So if you are looking for a good 'spy' novel or a good book for that guy in your life, I strongly recommend Targets Down.

Happy Reading

New Releases Oct. 3 - 8

2011-10-10T09:00:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers,

We are in the midst of two wonderful events in West Michigan. The first has arrived in our city and spend 3 weeks exciting and entertaining the locals and many many tourist. Art Prize. It is held the last 2 weekends of Sept - the first weekend of Oct. 1,000 of pieces of art are placed all over the city and people from all over decsend on Grand Rapids to view art they would never go see other wise. It is a fantastic chance to get out and enjoy downtown.

The second thing that we are in the middle of doesn't always come and almost never at the same time of year other than it is fall and that is Indian Summer. It is suppose to be in the 80's this weekend. Which of course requires all of us who live in the north to head outside and try to soak up as much sun and warm temps as we can to save for this winter. In fact I was outside today for about an hour reading and just enjoying the sun.

Enjoy the weather as much as you can and enjoy these new books

Happy Reading

A Sound Among the Trees - Susan Meissner
Book of Dreams - Davis Bunn
Kiss of Night - Debbie Viguie'

Tracie Peterson

2011-10-08T09:35:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson has not been an easy book to review. The story line itself was very interesting to read, but the subject matter is not one that is easy to talk about. Mental illness and the effects it has on all those who are part of the family.

Bailee, Geena and Piper have known a terrible secret about their father and they have finally come to the conclusion that they need to confront him about it. They all meet in a cottage the family owns in Washington and that is where the secrets of their family come to light.

This was an interesting look at a family dealing with a member's illness. How it has gone on to affect them all into adulthood. How it is not a solitary problem, but one that affects any and all that come into contact with the person.

I think the saddest line that kept repeating itself in the story is "I was just trying to protect you." The father says it, the older sisters say it and a couple of people say it that were part of the story when the girls were younger. Secrets can be fun, keeping a secret about a surprise party is always exciting. Not telling someone what Christmas presents you bought them makes for a memorable Christmas morning. But other secrets are just harmful. A child in a dangerous situation needs to tell someone who can help. If a doctor knows that a patient has a terrible disease, they have to tell. If a parent does suffer from mental illness a child needs to know when it is age appropreate. We must also then make ourselves available to become someone who can be trusted with the information and help in anyway we can.

This is not a light read, but a very good one to help us understand what it is like to grow up in this situation.

Happy Reading

Debbie Viguie'

2011-10-06T09:44:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

I have not read the Twilight books. Not interested either. I have read a couple of Ann Rice's books and enjoyed them, but they are pretty dark and creepy. Eric Wilson's Jerusalem's Undead series was action packed and a fun read. But over all Vampire books are not my thing. Too creepy and why fall in love with the "ultimate" bad boy. He is dead for Pete's sake.

Kiss of Night by Debbie Viguie' may have changed my mind, at least a little bit. The description of the book includes the tagline, "What would happen if a vampire truly accepted God?" That question alone made me want to read this book.

Susan travels to Prague with the thought of only burying her beloved Grandmother. There is something about this city that seems comfortable, but Susan doesn't know why, she has never visited there before.

When Susan's cousin's life is endangered by a guy she goes on a date with, Susan has a strange encounter with a man who tells her that she has to save her now.

Raphael has been seeking a relic that was stolen from him during the Crusades. He thinks he knows where it is and he is determined to get it back, but he will need Susan's help. How do you tell someone that you are a 'good' Vampire? How do you get her to trust you?

So if you were to place yourself in the character's shoes during this book, you would find yourself falling for a man that says he is one of the undead. You would also find yourself in a battle for the world and the souls of all who live. You must right away change how you do everything because there are creatures out there that a few short days ago you didn't believe in and they are now trying to kill you. I am not sure I would be able to do that.

That leads back to the question mentioned before. Without giving anything away, can a Vampire become a "good" Vampire and what does that mean? I know that in some other vampire books you do have good and evil vampires, but this approaches it from a bit of a different point of view. What does or doesn't happen when someone who is considered evil becomes a believer. Then also add the thought, can they be forgiven? All interesting discussion questions, but ones I better stay away from a little as I don't actually want to give anything away.

This is book #1 of what I am led to believe is going to be a three book series. I am looking forward to book 2 and I know my daughter is ready to read the next one also.

Happy Reading

P.S. I still don't understand the attraction of falling in love with a vampire

New Releases Sept 26-Oct. 1

2011-10-03T09:00:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers,

Did anyone else noticed that September went by at the speed of light? I am still trying to figure out where summer went. Of course with Oct comes two of my favorite times of the year. Our full day Librarians Day here at the store and I also teach a couple of workshops at a large Librarian's gathering in Chicago. I started doing that a few years ago and so enjoy it every year.

It happens that they are both in the same week this year, so I will be over dosing on fiction books that week, but that is ok. I can't think of a better thing to do to much of. Talking fiction is one of those activites I could do all day long and still want to do it again the next day, which makes my job perfect for me. I can't say which if my favorite, talking or reading fiction. They are both good hobbies of mine. How about you? Do you like to talk about fiction as much as read it?

Happy Reading

The Wonder of Your Love - Beth Wiseman
Highland Sanctuary - Jennifer Hudson Taylor
Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride - Sandra D. Bricker
Lethal Remedy - Richard L. Mabry M.D.
Bandit's Hope - Marcia Gruver
The Lady's Maid - Susan Page Davis
10 Plagues - Mary Nealy
Southern Fried Sushi - Jennifer Rogers Spinola

Matt Mikalatos

2011-10-01T09:00:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

Sometimes reviews write themselves. Sometimes there are books the just beg to have a review written for them. Those are the best, but then there are others books that are more difficult to write. Night of the Living Dead Christians by Matt Mikalatos is on the harder side. It is a fun little read and I encourage you to read it, but it does not lend itself to an easy review.

I am not sure how to discribe this book other than a cross between Monty Python, the Munsters and any 'B" horror movie. It is funny, thought-provoking and snarky all at the same time. It is just not your typical fiction

novel.

Now if you have read Matt's first book, Imaginary Jesus, you kind of know what to expect. If you haven't read that one either, you are in for a nice surprise. One of the complaints that I hear all the time is that Christian fiction is only either historical romance or Amish, well this book is definitely neither of those. It is a horror story without ever being scary.

Matt places himself as his own main character again. I personally feel it is because he doesn't want to insult, um... err... I mean... point fingers at anyone in particular. I have never meet Matt, but if he is anything like the guy he writes in his books... well I find myself praying for his long suffereing wife. :-) He sounds like a wonderful, fun loving, but confused guy. His character Matt is someone who seems to think he knows what is best, but is willing to learn from what is pointed out as his mistakes.

Matt, the character, meets up with a Mad Scientist one night while on neighborhood watch and that leads quickly to his encounter with Zombies, a Werewolf and a Vampire. All of which reside right in his own neighborhood. Matt quickly tries to help his fellow neighbors in need, but how do you cure a monster of being a monster?

Like I said this book is not your average Christian novel, but it sure was loads of fun to read.

Happy Reading

Christian Store Week

2011-09-28T09:00:00.001-04:00

Dear Readers,

Oct. 1-10 is being called Christian store week here in the Christian bookstore market. Baker Book Store along with our local Parable store - Kregal - are celebrating the independent Christian bookstores. We have loads of fun activities all week long, including a silent auciton for 3 orginal art pieces with the proceeds going to World Vision. These artists has donated their pieces for this auction.

Another reason to be excited is Fiction author Jody Hedlund is coming to visit on Tuesday Oct. 4th. She is a Baker Publishing Group author and I am looking foward to meeting her. She writes historical fiction with a story line that revolves around a real life story.

In The Preacher's Bride, Jody takes on the story of John and Elizabeth Bunyan. John's first wife had past away and Elizabeth is helping him with his children as are other woman in the church. This is not a love at first sight love story and even the story afterwards is not a happily ever after story. They face loss and hardships that most of us can only think of and pray it never happens to our family.

There is a monument in Wyoming that honors Narcissa Prentiss Whitman & Eliza Hart Spalding at the first white women to cross the Continental Divide. Jody uses Narcissa's story as the back drop for her newest release The Doctor's Lady. It is the story of two young people who wish to follow God's calling to become missionaries to the Nez Perce natives.

As Narcissa and Marcus perpare for their trip west they find out that the mission board won't let two single people of the opposite sex travel together. They must be married or not go. So instead of not going and not listening to what they both feel is a call from God, they marry and head west.

I can't imagine what that was like. Not only was it a very hard and difficult trip, suddenly you have a spouse that you were not really planning on. Yikes and yet they both moved forward in their call.

I don't know if you have read either or both of these books, but it doesn't matter as now you have the chance to meet Jody and hear her heart in the writing of these books. I have found over the years that that is something that makes books come to life. She will be here in the store October 4th at 7:30 p.m.

We also have other authors visiting all week long and I have included a schedule below. Hope to see you all here.

Happy Reading

Chris

Joel Tanis From TV's Come on Over Oct. 1st 10:30 - Noon

Jody Hedlund - Oct. 4th - 7:30 p.m.

George Moss - rap artist and WAY fm DJ - Oct. 5 - 7:30p.m.

Ed Dobson - Oct. 6th at 7:30

Peter Schriemer - Considered the "animal" guy - Will have live critters with him for the kids to learn about Oct. 8 - 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

New Release Sept. 19-24

2011-09-26T09:00:00.004-04:00

Dear Readers.

The Saturday before this releases I will be running in my first (and maybe last) 1/2 marathon. You know how it is, something sounds like it will be loads of fun and how hard can it be. Right? Well that was my thinking and I was doing fine with the training until the last month or so. The longer distances that were required started eating in to my Saturdays. I had to get up early to beat the heat and the couple of hours it takes us to run those distances it made the morning go quickly. Not to mention the naps I needed after all that running. But now the training is over and I will have completed my task (hopefully) by the time you read this. If not I am sure you will read about the woman who took two days to run 13.1 miles. LOL

I have to say that the best part of the training is I was doing it with my oldest daughter. She has fought off cancer twice and (she hates this;-) is my inspiration for running. I needed something to motivate me and when she suggested we run the longer runs together, that was all it took. When my youngest joined us a couple of Saturdays ago there had to be more than one driver who passed us that thought we were crazy, but it was so much fun running, talking and laughing together. I would run forever if it meant spending times with them.

So this letter has gone on long enough and the reason I started it was to say, now that I don't have to train so much I can hopefully get even more reading done. I know that pile of books I want to read never gets any smaller. How about you, does your must read pile of books ever get any smaller?

Happy Reading

Then Two Hearts Meet - Janelle Mowery
When Love gets in the Way - Janelle Mowery
A Marriage for Meghan - Mary Ellis
The Baker's Wife - Erin Healy
Unexpected Dismounts - Nancy Rue
Dangerous Mercy - Kathy Herman
Love on the Line - Deeanna Gist
A Wedding Invitation - Alice Wisler
House of Secerts - Tracie Peterson
Wonderland Creek - Lynn Austin
Reclaiming Lily - Patti Lacy
Falling to Pieces - Vannetta Chapman

Gina Holmes

2011-09-22T09:00:00.001-04:00

Dear Readers,

Dry as Rain by Gina Holmes is her second book. I really liked Crossing Oceans but I enjoyed Dry as Rain even more. Gina has a gift for writing issue driven stories that include wonderful characters. The characters are very human and you like them at times and you dislike them at times. They could be our neighbors, family or even ourselves. Which always makes for an interesting read if not a comfortable one.

Eric and Kyra had something wonderful and they promised each other it was forever. On their way to success they lost each other and the promise they made. When Kyra finds an incriminating email she tells Eric he needs to leave.

When Kyra loses her memory, Eric has to decide if what they had is worth figthing for. With support from a friend and little support from Kyra's sister, he decides it is and goes to work. But when Kyra gets her memory back will she be able to forgive him? Will it still be worth it?

Statictics are showing that the greatest number of divorces are happening in marriages that are 20 - 35 years old. It is happening across the board, in and out of churches. When asked why, infidelity is still listed as number 1, but running a close second is the "we just grew apart" reason. Empty nesters find themselves suddenly having lots of time on their hands and don't know what to do with each other. They have their own lives and nothing in common with their spouse. This can even lead into the first problem.

What makes Dry as Rain so interesting is that it is told from Eric's perspective. He talks a lot about why he did things like earning a living and moving the family into a certain neighborhood and even why he sent and received the email. I thought it was an interesting perspective on the story that usually gets written from the woman's perspective. I am not sure how Gina was able to write this perspective so well, but like I said, it is interesting to get the guy's point of view.

If you haven't had a chance to pick up a book by Gina yet, this is a great place to start.

Happy Reading

New Releases Sept. 12 - 17

2011-09-19T09:00:00.015-04:00

Dear Readers,

The seasons here in Michigan are changing. Fall is coming way to quickly. They are talking about frost warnings and the high in a couple days is predicted to be only in the 50's. Brrr. I am not ready for cold and the awful stuff they call snow, but I do love the changing of the seasons though. The crispness in the air, the colors on the trees and apple picking. Which has become a tradition at our house and so much fun.

I just wish fall could happen while the temps were still in the 70's or 80's. That way I could still sit outside and enjoy my reading on the front porch. Of course sitting inside wrapped in a warm quilt drinking hot tea has it's benifits also.

Happy Reading.

Barcelona Calling -- Jane Kirkpatrick
Forbidden - Ted Dekker/Tosca Lee
Heather Song - Michael Phillips
Forsaking All Others - Allison Pittman
Night of the Living Dead Christians - Matt Mikalatos
Attracted to Fire - Diann Mills
Along Wooded Paths - Tricia Goyer
Ballots and Blood - Ralph Reed

Sandra Byrd

2011-09-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

Ask yourself, how much do you know about Anne Boleyn? So whatever that amount is, I probably knew less. I knew she was one of King Henry the VIII. I knew she didn't have any sons and I knew she was not always viewed in a postive light. Yup that is about it.

To Die For by Sandra Byrd made me want to learn more about her. I found out that she really did refuse to sleep with King Henry before she married him, which led to the divorce between him and his first wife. It also led to the offical break between the church of England and the church of Rome. Now whether or not she was a woman conniving to be queen, or just a young woman caught up in a power play by those who wanted to win the King's favor, we may never know. I think that will be debated forever.

I have to admit that there is a bit of an ironic story as to why I started this book. I got caught waiting unexpectedly and this book was the only one I had with me at that time. I figured I might as well start it even though I was in the middle of one at home already. I am glad I did as it was a very interesting read. I got caught up in the story line right away even though it is not my favorite time in history. Too many people behaving badly and using scripture to justify their actions (Oh wait, that is most of history).

I was very curious about the book as this seemed like a very different type of genre for Sandra. Everything I had seen or read from her had been a light romance, good but this subject matter didn't seem to fit that, and teen books. Those I have not had the pleasure of reading, but I hear are very good.

Sandra has done her research and you can tell. She made a couple of tweaks to make it a little less confusing for the reader (I am glad she did), but by her discriptions of the dress, parties and houses/court you can almost imagine being there.

The story is told through the eyes of Anne's best friend. They grew up next door to each other and have similiar experiences, but Anne's family is better off and so Meg watches her friend recieve many more offers to the royal court. Once Anne is brought to court because she catches Henry's eye, she takes Meg along as one of her ladies.

This is maybe why the story is so compelling, this is a story of someone who loves her friend, but watches her over and over again make bad choices. How do you question a friend who is really, as seen by society, your better? Meg is a loyal friend all the way to the end.

Happy Reading

10 authors you aren't reading, but should be

2011-09-15T12:19:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

Here is a very short list of authors that are good authors but are not getting read like I think they deserve. They are in no particular order. They write in several different genres, the one thing they have in comon is they write really good books.

1.Mesu Andrews
2.J. Mark Bertrand
3.Tosca Lee
4.Tim Downs
5.Meg Moseley
6.Elizabeth Musser
7.Lisa Wingate
8.Karen Young
9.Eric Wilson
10.Gina Holmes

Tosca Lee and Ted Dekker

2011-09-13T09:39:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

What kind of world would it be if none of us had any emotions but fear? Fear that if you didn't live correctly you would not get to Bliss in the afterlife. Fear that if you screw up at work you could be immediately fired. Fear that if you disobey the Order you could disappear, to never be heard from again. You don't love your spouse, you just marry because it is expected of you. You don't love your children, they are just a bi-product of your marriage. Perfection is craved and less than perfect is gotten rid of.

That is the setting for the first book, Forbidden, in the new series, The Book of the Mortals by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee. They are two authors who are among my favorites. I was so excited to hear they were writing together and could hardly wait to see what they came up with. Now I already have my order in for book two.

I think I was worried that I would get a cross between the Circle series and Demon, but that is not the case. Yes it is a fantasy and yes it is a thought provoking book, but it is also very different. I will have a hard time discribing it without giving something away, so I will be very careful not to.

Rom is leading a very normal life. He quietly goes about his job of singing at funerals. He obeys the Order. He is planning on marrying soon to the woman that he has been paired with. He just does what is required of him. Which is easy to do if you have no emotions to mess that up.

That all comes to a screeching hault when an old man chases him into a dark alley one night and thrust a vial into his hands. Shortly after that Rom watches the man get murdered and his life is turned upside down.

The book leaps off at a running pace and does not slow down. I was able to read it in one weekend and that is while being quite busy. So once again Ted shows that he is the master of slight of hand. With Tosca's help they are very good at keeping everyone guessing.

Happy Reading.

New Releases September 5-10

2011-09-12T09:42:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers,

So as short as the list was last week it is longer this week. I always wonder about the timing of books. What I think of as prime times to sell books doesn't not match what the publishers think. I believe December is a great time to release new books. I actually get very few of them. I don't get that. Imagine getting a new book for Christmas, one you haven't read, because your spouse/kids/parents/etc... could safely buy one that had just arrived in the store that week just before Christmas.

What about May/June. Summer is coming. Why are they not stock piling the summer reads. I find I get more books in in August than those months. Which seems silly to me. Yes August is the month most of us go on vacation, but with the wonderful temps in May and June I have more people looking for books then. It seems to be that with school letting out teachers and students not to mention mothers seem to just have more time to read.

Well anyways, whether I agree with publishing houses or not, you do have a good list this week. Enjoy.

Happy Reading,

The Mercy - Beverly Lewis
A Necessary Deception - Laura Alice Eakes
The Measure of Katie Calloway - Serena Miller
A Time for Peace - Barbara Cameron
A Bride's Potrait - Erica Vetsch
A Wedding Blunder - Kim O'Brien
The Scroll - Grant R. Jeffery/Alton L. Gansky
The Crossing - Serita Jakes
Letters from War - Mark Schultz/Travis Thrasher

Serena Miller

2011-09-09T09:35:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

I have found a new author that I really enjoy. She writes under a genre that is not always my favorite, but I truly enjoyed this book. The Measure of Katie Callaway by Serena Miller is listed as historical romance, not my favorites, but she writes them in an interesting manner. I guess I probably liked it because the romance part of it is not the main part of the story, just a part of what happens.

Measure is set in the Bay City area of Michigan and that might be another part of why I liked it. It is set in the time just after the civil war has ended and many men are looking to get back on their feet after fighting and a nation is looking to heal and move forward. One of the things that drove the rebuilding of America was the lumber industry of Michigan.

Katie is trying to hide from her abusive husband. He owned a southern plantation and fought on the side of the South. Once he came home he blamed Katie, a northerner, for all his problems and takes it out on her and her younger brother. When Katie realizes he is trying to kill her so he can remarry a wealthy widow, she runs.

Katie's journey leads her to the wilderness of Michigan. She is sure Harlen will never be able to find her there, especially when she takes a job as cook for a logging company. 9 months out in the wilderness seems like a great way to earn money and remain hidden.

That is what I liked about the book. Learning about what it was like in the logging camps. They weren't always pleasant places and men will be men, but they also were fathers, brothers and husbands trying to earn a living so their families could survive another year.

I don't want to give too much away about the book, but one of the things that I did learn was that Michigan was not highly thought of around the country. It was thought that it was one giant swamp. People figured that it wasn't the pleasant penninsula that we talk about today. It was covered in trees and it was a land where only the strongest survived.

Now I know I complain about the weather here in the winter, but while reading this book I realized we don't get as cold of winters as they used to. At one point when asked how cold it was one of the lumberjacks replies, " It is two feet below freezing." Now that is cold.

Happy Reading

Steven James

2011-09-07T09:45:00.001-04:00

Dear Readers.

It is with a heavy heart that I report that the last Patrick Bower book has been released. The Queen is the end of a wonderful series, at least for now. I am hoping that the public outcry is so large that he will be forced to continue the series.

The Patrick Bower series crashed onto the Christian fiction market with very little warning. It kind of set the suspense/thriller genre on its ear. It also turned non-fiction readers into fiction readers. It filled a niche that I had so been looking for in my store.

The Queen is a bit different than the other 4 in the series. Where they had more creep factor, this one reads closer to a Tom Clancy than a Don Koontz. This is not a bad thing and I don't write it to talk you out of reading it, but it is true. Of course you want to read this one to find out what happens to our favorite character, Raven.

Patrick is called to Wisconsin for a missing ex Navy man. The man's wife and daughter are found killed and he is no where to be found. The local police force assumes that he is guilty of the crime and is now on the run. The problem with that theory is that the evidence doesn't add up.

Patrick needs to figure out where the clues are leading him, while worring about Basque who seems to have followed him to Wisconsin. Will we finally get to meet Basque? I am not telling.

I hate to see Patrick go, he quickly became a favorite character. He is willing to ask the tough questions and he is willing to hear answers he wasn't always sure he wanted to know. He didn't take something as truth just because he was told it, but yet he did trust those he loved. He is just one of those guys that we all wished we had on our side. Like I said earlier, I will just have to wait and see if Steven changes his mind and adds more books to this series, but in the mean time I will have to be content talking about this series and getting new converts to fiction.

Happy Reading

New Releases August 29 - Sept. 3

2011-09-05T09:00:00.014-04:00

Dear Readers,

As I was starting to type up this short little list I was thinking it might not be worth looking at and maybe I should do a different list. Then I noticed that I was putting on book #2 in the Father Tim series. I read the orginal Mitford series many years ago. I have loved everyone one of them and they sit quietly on my shelves at home just waiting to be read again. I have shared them with many people and it is a series i have thought about reading them again. *sigh* Maybe someday.

When I read them the first time I so wanted to go to Mitford and meet Father Tim and Cynthia and the whole gang. I knew that where they lived isn't perfect, but it was just a neat reminder that there are places where people do care about their neighbors and enjoy each other's company even if they don't always agree. I have truely never had a series of books that made me want to sit down and disappear into them completely, so enjoy a joke from Uncle Billy,a Bible verse with Barnabas and enjoy a cup of coffee with the gang at the diner and relax there isn't anything more important to do anyways.

Happy Reading

Against the Gates of Hell - Mylow Young
In the Company of Others - Jan Karon - Paperback
The Queen - Steven James

Francine Rivers

2011-09-01T09:00:00.001-04:00

Dear Readers,
This is an anniversary that we don't celebrate in the Fiction dept. very often. The shelf life of a fiction book is very short and right now it is the shortest it has ever been. I see book #1 of series go out of print within months of the last book of the series being printed. Ebooks have changed that a bit and older books are once again available for reading, good or bad.
For an fiction book to still be in print from 20 years ago is very rare. For it to be a book that isn't even considered a classic is even rarer, but Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is celebrating its 20th straight year in print.

If you have not ever read this book, you need to. In fact if you go to http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/redeeminglove/ you can share your story about the first time you read it and maybe you will win a trip to San Fransico.
I don't have much of a story to tell about the first time I read it, but I will say I didn't really plan on reading it because the orginal cover looked too much like a Harlequin romance and as most of you know that is not my favorite genre. Thankfully there was a fellow employee who finally talked me into reading it. Her exact words were, "Don't let the cover fool you." Boy was she right. That cover did not fit the book. My favorite cover is still the one from a couple of years ago, it was the brown cover that looked more historical. That is the cover that is on the book I have on my shelf, but don't loan out. In fact if anyone wants to borrow it I go buy one instead.
This book is a heart story. It speaks to your heart and echoes the words that God whispers to us everyday of our lives. "You are loved." I have heard many many interesting stories about this book, it is one of the privileges of working in a bookstore. They are each so very beautiful and wonderful. I thank each one of you that have shared your stories.
I remember one more than any others. There was a lady who came into the fiction dept. several times a month. She loved reading and really only wanted to read the best. I had been trying to get her to read Redeeming Love several times and for some reason couldn't talk her into it. I even tried my old trick of if you read it and don't like it bring it back and I will not only buy it back but also buy you another book for free (I have never had to buy anyone a different book). She kept saying no, finally I brought in a copy I had at home and told her that this was my copy along with the spaghetti stains from where I stood at the stove stirring supper while reading.
That was the trick and she took it home with her that night. Like so many others she read it in one night and was back in the store the next morning. With tears in her eyes she shared about the abuse in her past, which she had not shared with anyone else yet (she has since received counseling). WOW, that just blew me away. But that is the kind of book it is.
If you haven't read it please do, if you have read it make sure you share it with someone and then you can both talk and share afterwards.
Happy Reading

New Releases August 22-27

2011-08-29T09:00:00.005-04:00

Dear Readers,

We are having a stretch of weather here is west Michigan that we are known for. Cool at night and warm and very sunny during the day. This kind of weather does not lend itself well to getting yard work done. I really only want to sit and enjoy. I want to walk the beaches and go to the many craft fairs that are in the area. But no I must mow the lawn. (yuck) So I make due with reading about going to interesting places while sitting outside and enjoying weather I wish I could keep all year around.

Happy Reading

P.S. I just finished the Help. I am not going to add to the many reviews out there, but in my humble opinion if you haven't read it, read it.

The Realms There Under - Ross Lawhead
Here's to Friends - Melody Carlson
The Bone House - Stephen Lawhead
The Chair - James Rubert
Pirate of my Heart - Jamie Carie
A Heart Revealed - Julie Lessman
Deadly Pursuit - Irene Hannon
Captive Trail - Susan Page Davis
Lone Star Trail - Darlene Franklin
From this Day Forward - Margaret Daley
The Wedding Kiss - Hannah Alexander

Author Encounter

2011-08-25T12:35:00.001-04:00

Dear Readers,

I just want to talk to you all about a weekend idea some author friends and I and thinking of doing.

Their idea is what if you could spend a weekend hanging out with some of your favorite authors? You could get a chance to have a meal or two with them or even just hang out with them at the end of the day. They would each get a chance to teach a small workshop about the fiction they love to write and you would get a chance to listen to their hearts about why they write what they write.
We are thinking of holding this at the Shack Bed and Breakfast in Fremont MI in 2012 over a Friday to Sunday with a few extra opinions of when you can stay.
Readers if this is something you would be interested in attend let me know we won't be able to get just because of cost and travel expenses, but we will try to get as big a variety as we can.

Authors if this is something you would be interested in please contact me and let me know. I would have a couple extra questions for you, but for now that is the info I have.

If you and a few of you friends want to come, let me know and we can start getting the ball rolling.

Thank you for your help

New Releases August 15 - 20

2011-08-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

It has been a busy couple of weeks at the store. Lots of customers coming through the doors, but also loads of special events and for some reason I think I am involved with them all. It makes for lots of fun, but I feel a bit disjointed. I actually completed something today that I started last week. I am also a bit confused on what color my desk top it. I don't think I have seen it for about 3 weeks now.

The only really nice thing about those kind of weeks is that I can go home at the end of the day and grab a good book. It does make for a few meals that are just straight from the freezer, but no one is complaining and I get a chance to rest. There are a couple of titles from this week that I am planning on reading or have already read. Look for reviews soon

Happy Reading.

Deeply Devoted - Maggie Brendan
Hello Hollywood - Janice Thompson
Dry as Rain - Gina Holmes
To Die For - Snadra Byrd
The Touch - Randall Wallace
Mercy Come Morning - Lisa Tawn Bergren
Ella Finds Love Again - Jerry S. Eicher
City of a Thousand Gods - Jeannie St. John Taylor
Composing Amelia - Alison Strobel

Sally John

2011-08-18T12:10:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

Jack and Jill went up the hill... What if that hill was the hill of success?

To fetch a pail of water.

Jack fell down and broke his crown... What if his fall was that he didn't want to be married to Jill anymore?

and Jill came tumbling after... What would Jill's reaction be if the 'fall' came after 25 years and a career based on being a marriage advisor?

Now I don't know for a fact that these are the questions that Sally John is trying to answer in her book, Desert Gift, but they are ones that sure fit the storyline.

Jack and Jill have been happily married for 25 years. At least Jill thought so, along with her radio audience and now book fans. The morning that she is leaving to go on her first book tour Jack drops the bomb of "I don't want to be married any more."

How do you keep functioning after an anouncement like that? If you are considered a marriage expert who do you turn to for help when your marriage goes sour? Jill is floundering and Jack isn't helping her understand why he wants out. This is not a place she thought she would ever be in, doesn't she always have an answer for everything? Oh wait, is that part of the problem?

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't an easy read and yet it was. The story flows right along, the characters are likable and real. The storyline is something that could happen to any one of us. It is also a reminder that we never know what a day is going to bring.

There was one aspect of the story I was getting annoyed with and that was the "make lemonade" type of answers people kept giving Jill. It was something that she herself used, but I found it so trite and superfical, then reminded myself that I have used some form of that a few times myself. I needed to remind myself to stop that. More often than not the person who is having any sort of trouble doesn't need to be reminded that God can use it for good. They know that, but are not ready to hear it just yet.

Book #3 in the Side Roads series is due out in 2012. Book #1 is Ransomed Dreams.

Happy Reading.

New Releases August 8 - 13

2011-08-15T09:00:00.005-04:00

Dear Readers,

I really admire people that can blog everyday. Now my family and friends might not believe this, but I don't always feel like I have something to say. Ok let me admend that, something important to say. I always seem to have something to say, just ask anyone who knows me. But you guys don't really want to read about the latest cute thing my grandkids or dog did and I do have a strange sense of humor so what I find funny you might not. So I will stick to what you want to know, the new releases from the past week.

Happy Reading
To Have and To Hold - Tracie Peterson/Judith Miller
The Doctor's Lady - Judy Hedlund
A Stand-Up Guy - Michael Synder
The House of Grace - Cindy Woodsmall
The Second Messiah - Glenn Meade
Canary Island Song - Robin Jones Gunn
Kiloton Threat - William G. Boykin/Tom Morrisey
Belonging - Robin Lee Hatcher
Thunder in the Morning Calm - Don Brown
Remember Tuesday Morning - Karen Kingsbury - Formerly - Every Now and Then
Angelina Beacon's Secret - Snady Thrush
Wings of a Dream - Anne Mateer

Christa Allan

2011-08-11T09:33:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

Sometimes a book will slip through the cracks. I always mean to read it and just for some reason or another I don't get to it. Walking on Broken Glass by Christa Allan is one of those books. I had it in the "to read" pile at my house and then it must have fallen out the bottom so to speak and I never got to read it. I am really glad I finally did, I am sorry it took me so long to read it.

It is a topic driven book. The subject is alcholism. Not the bum on the street corner that we are all fond of walking around and ignoring, but this is story of a housewife that becomes a drinker to help her cope with life. I find this one as serious if not more so because this one is easier to deny.

Leah is our main character and refuses to admit that she is an alcoholic. Her best friend finally confronts her on her problem and tells Leah that she needs to enter rehab and soon.

Leah knows she isn't a "terrible" drunk, but she knows she has a problem. She can't remember nights and certain events. She knows that she is really just self medicating, but does that mean she has a problem?

I found this book very interesting because of the problem it looks at. I know about alcholism, not only is the life affected by the effects of alcholism, but also by the problems that it hides. Emotional problems and other issues are hidden because she is able to just pretend that they are not a problem.

I also found myself thinking at different times, "does Leah actually have a problem?" It seemed to me that she didn't have a big problem. Oops, yes she has a problem and what was interesting were the people in her circle of friends and family that thought the same way I did.

There is a difference between having a drink now and then and having a drink or more to just get through the day. That is when the person does have a problem. We as their loved ones have to remember that we should not excuse the issue just because we don't think it is that big of a deal. It is and we need to get them help.

Happy Reading

New Releases August 1-6

2011-08-08T09:41:00.015-04:00

Dear Readers,

This week I had a friend say to me, "I hate seening things that mean it is now moving towards the end of summer." I so agree. Back to School sales are in full swing. The days are getting shorter, if not cooler. People of talking about their vacation before fall. All things that are good things, but yet for us in the northern hemispere means that winter is coming.

Summer is still my favorite time of year to read. I love sitting outside on the porch or by the pool just reading. A glass of some sort of drink, lemonade or iced tea are my favorites, a comfy chair and a great book, that is Heaven for me. These last couple of weeks I have read a couple of really good books and hopefully you will be seeing the reviews for them soon. There are also a couple of books on the list this week that are on my have to reads. I need summer to be a bit longer...

Happy Reading
Lie For Me - Karen Young
Unsaid - Neil Abramson
Sword - #2 the Last Cavaliers - GIlbert Morris
Surrneder the Dawn - MaryLu Tyndall
Something Old - Dianne Christner
A Whisper of Peace - Kim Vogel Sawyer

J. M. Windle

2011-08-06T09:38:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

Freedom's Stand by J.M. Windle is the sequel to Veiled Freedom. Amy is back in Kabul after a short vacation. The changes to New hope are shocking not at all what she had invisioned for the woman's compound. There is now a carpet making business and the children are even working. The dividing walls are gone and the men have the run of the ground level, making the woman have to hide upstairs at all times. No freedom to be in the court yard and relax. What happen?

Steve returns to Kabul to help our a friend. The friend had a family emergency and needed to return to the states, so Steve said he would be glad to help him out. Nothing has changed for him. The is still corruption on every level. With the elections coming soon the dangers to the man they are protecting get worse and worse. Especially since he is the front runner to winning the election.

I have loved both of these books, but they have both frustrated me to no end. I just become very frustrated with people that are saying one thing and acting completely different. How can you say you are someone who supports freedom for the people, but still abuse your family? How can you say you support religous freedom and yet inprision or kill anyone of a different faith from yourself. Being the leader isn't the right to make everyone believe as you do, but it is the command to take care of those under you, whether they believe the same as you or not.

I have a feeling if I would actually go to visit one of the Islamic countries I would be in trouble in about 15 minutes as I could not wear a burka and I have a strange feeling that I also would get in trouble for being to out spoken. Their laws really don't make sense as I feel that most of them blame the victims instead of the person who commits the crimes. Unless the victim is a wealthy land owner, then of course the punishment must be dealt out.

Ok Ok I will get off my soapbox and just review the book, I strongly encourage you to read these books as it will give you an idea of how to pray for the belivers in countries that are run by Sharia law.

Happy Reading

Julie Carobini

2011-08-04T09:32:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

It took me a long time to read this book. Well maybe I should rephrase that, it took me a while to want to read this book, as I had read one of Julie's earlier books and had a hard time getting through it. I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, I am happy to report I really did like A Shore Thing by Julie Carobini.

I don't know if I happened to hit a perfect weekend or if it is a really quick read, but I started on a Friday night and was finished by Sunday night. This is a fun little book (ok not so little, it has 392 pages) to read. It isn't a great suspense novel as I pretty much figured out what was going to happen early on, but it really did keep my attention.

Callie is a crusader. She has always been one that is ready to take up the sword for the underdog. She was trying to save the planet long before it was cool, so when she hears that a local piece of shoreline is going to be developed, she decides she can't quietly stand by and let it happen.

Gage is new in town. He is still recovering from losing his job because he wouldn't over look his boss's unethical dealings. He also has his sister and nephew to support now, and is looking to get his architechural business off the ground. That is why when he is approached to help design the new developement in Otter Bay, he is sure that is a great way to start.

What he doesn't know is that it will put him at odds with the fiesty woman he just met at the beach. But who is right or wrong? Who has all their facts straight? Will either one of them be able to figure out what God's will is for their life?

This book is set on the coast of central California. I haven't been able to visit that part of our country before, but I think after reading this it will be on my "to visit" list. The nice thing about a book like this is that it is a great vacation without ever leaving your house.

Happy Reading

New Releases July 25 - 30

2011-08-01T09:00:00.004-04:00

Dear Readers,

This post releases on my birthday. I am not in the store today as I couldn't think of a better birthday present than being able to sleep in. That is of course relative. When I was a teen sleeping in meant noonish, when I was a mother of young kids, sleeping in meant a couple of extra minutes that the kids slept after a later night. Now it means making it to 8:30 instead of 6, but my body has adjusted to the early mornings that started when my kids where in school. I don't much care for it and I would really like to train myself to sleep into noon again, but am glad for the 8:30 especially after staying up late to read.

Happy Reading

Nobody's Child - Austin Boyd - #1 in the Pandora Files
Heiress - Susan May Warren

Robert Whitlow

2011-07-28T09:56:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

Argh!! This is the third time I have started this review. It is totally me not the book or author. I want to do the book justice, but seem to not be able to get it right.

Robert Whitlow is one of my favorite authors and he is on my to-read list. I don't always pick his books up the day they come out, but will get them read within a few weeks of their release date.

Water's Edge is the story of Tom and all he is trying to do is close his father's law office after dad is killed in a tragic boating accident. Tom is sure it will be an easy thing to do, that is until he uncovers a trust account with 1.75 million dollars in it and no record of where that money came from.

With this being a mystery I am not going to say any more about the story line as I don't want to give anything away. It is actually an easy recommend, as if you like Robert's earlier books you will like this one. Or, if you like John Grishom's novels I recommend Robert's books to you.

The one thing I did want to mention and this doesn't give away the plot at all, but in one part Tom and his friends go white water rafting in the Ocoee River. I personally have white water rafted the Ocoee River in the very spot Robert is talking with the rafting company he mentions. I would recommend that if you are in that part of the Georgia, take the time and white water raft that very excitng part of the river.

Happy Reading

New Releases July 18-23

2011-07-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

As I am writing this over half the country is locked in a heatwave. Temps have sored into the 90's and higher with humidity just about as bad. It is hot muggy and uncomfortable, a great time to sit and do nothing but turn pages.

Sunday when the heat started building that is what I did. I read a new Susan Meissner book. It releases later this fall and is titled A Sound Among the Trees. It is written about a house that survies the Civil War and the battle of Fredericksburg, VA. It was a good one to read in the heat but while sitting by the pool watching the grandgirls swim.

Happy Reading

Under a Desert Sky - Diann Mills
Shadows on the Sand - Gayle Roper
Restless in Carolina - Tamara Leigh
Shadows on the Sand -Gayle Roper
Courageous - Randy Alcorn - Based on the Screenplay for the Courageous Movie releasing Sept. 13
Sweet Sanctuary - Sheila Walsh/Cindy Martinusen Coloma
Healing Hearts - Beth Wiseman - three Amish Novellas

MaryBeth Whalen

2011-07-21T12:17:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

I have been waiting to read MaryBeth Whalen's newest book She Makes it Look Easy. I wanted to wait for a chance to just enjoy the book and relax through it all. This past weekend was that chance. It was worth the wait, but I also wish I had been able to read it earlier.

Ariel Baxter thinks she can become the perfect wife and mother, it just takes a bit of work. When her family moves into the Essex Falls neighborhood, Ariel think she is almost there. Once she meets her "backyard" neighbor she just knows she will be able to get her life on track.

Justine's life looks perfect. She is ultra-organized, her girls are always in cute, clean and pressed dresses. She has a handsome husband who adores her and she never seems to forget anything. Ariel wants to be just like her, in fact she can't wait to learn how to do it herself and Justine is the perfect person to do it. Or so it would seem.

I really want to say more about the plot line, but can't as that would take away from your enjoyment of reading it.

For those that remember you know I wasn't all the excited about reading MaryBeth's first book, The Mailbox, and then quickly fell in love with it. I didn't have the "not wanting to read it" problem this time. I so enjoyed this book that I didn't want it to end. The characters are people that I would want to hang out with and get to know. They are people who live in our own neighborhoods and go to our churches.

This is not a light read. It deals with several major issues, but it is not such a heavy book that makes you feel like MaryBeth is trying to teach you something. It does in fact have several times that you might laugh out loud because it is a 'real' life book. I could almost move into that neighborhood except I am not huge on neighborhood associations.

This is one of those books that would lend itself well to a book club read or just a quiet read at the beach or sitting by the pool.

Happy Reading

New Releases July 11-16

2011-07-18T12:53:00.005-04:00

Dear Readers,

I don't know about you but there is something about opening a new fiction book that is so very exciting to me. I don't know if it is because if the new adventure I might find in the pages or if it is because of the new friends I will meet. Whatever it is it is one of those things that if you say it to a person who is not a fiction readers, you actually do sound a little insane. That is ok with me, I just try to remember and not say things like that when I am amoung people who don't understand.

Happy Reading

Livvie's Song - Sharlene MacLaren - #1 River of Hope series.
River's Song - Melody Carlson - #1 The Inn at Shining Waters
Rally Round Green - Judy Christie - #3 the Green series
Over the Edge - Brandilyn Collins
Pompeii: City on Fire - T.L. Higley
Beside Still Waters - Tricia Goyer
Fade to Blue - Julie Carobini
Target Down - Bob Hamer
From Ashes to Honor - Loree Lough
The Faith of Ashish - Kay Marshall Strom

Ronie Kendig

2011-07-16T14:03:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

One of the genres that I thought the Christian fiction market has long been lacking is a good spy novelist. There have been many good attempts, but the books themselves seem to always bog down in the characters' problems with being a spy and a Christian at the same time. This is not what the fans of Robert Ludlem and Tom Clancy are looking for. We are looking for a fast-paced, keep us interested type book.

Imagine my surprise in finding this type of book from one of the newest publishing houses to enter the fiction market. Abingdon press entered the Christian fiction pool in just the last year or so and they are making quite a ripple. In fact I have been telling readers that if the book is from Abingdon it is probably a good read.

Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig was one of the first fiction books published by Abingdon and I am not exactly sure why I never got it read before this. It could be as simple as the cover was trying too hard to be intriguing or maybe because I didn't get a free copy, who really knows, but whatever it was, I am glad I got a chance read it.

Shiloh Blake is doing exactly what she wants to do. She is on an archaeological dive just off the coast of India. Her best friend Kahlid is one of the dive team and Shiloh has made a couple very interesting discoveries. One of them being a canister that doesn't really make sense to her. That is until the bodies start falling in the water when their ship is attacked.

Whether Shiloh wants to be or not, she is thrust into the middle of an international nuclear clash. She knows that she is in danger and she needs to run for her life, but who can she trust? Those that seem to want the best for her may actually be the ones putting her in the most danger.

This is a fast paced book. All (nearly) 500 pages kept my interest. I am going to say there was a couple different times that something did make me roll my eyes, but over all it was a very good read. Even though Ronie is a woman author I feel like men will enjoy this very good spy novel.

Happy Reading

David Housholder

2011-07-13T11:47:00.001-04:00

Dear Readers,

The only thng that drew me to this unassuming little book was the cover. It is a bit darker as you can see by the picture. I guess it made me want to know why they would choose such a dark cover for the story.

I have found sometimes the cover fits the book so well that I don't have to wonder where they came up with the idea of it. Then at other times I am not sure the cover designer had any idea what the book was about. This cover fits.

The Blackberry Bush by David Housholder is an interesting little read. Yes it is not a long book, 172 pages of story and then questions and author discussion actually flesh the book out to a whopping 205 pages. It is well worth the time to read.

The Blackberry Bush is the story of Josh and Katie. Two very different kids who happen to have a lot in common besides their birthdays, which happens to be the day the Berlin Wall fell. This may be their story but is also about their back-story, their family history.

Josh is smart, artistic, and very athletic. Katie is awkward, shy and likes spending time with her grandfather. They live on opposite sides of the world, she is in Germany and he is in California. They later switch sides of the world, but yet still haven't met. How do their stories connect?

The reason this story so intrigued me was that it was a story of seemingly unimportant events affecting our lives in ways we may never really understand. It is also how the actions we make today can and will affect the generations to follow. I found that, in and of itself, very thought provoking.

The other tales that make up Josh and Katie's background are just as interesting as Josh and Katie's story. In fact I thought a whole book could be written about the back-story in and of itself. I guess that would be the only complaint I have, this story is not long enough.

Happy Reading

New Releases July 4 - 9

2011-07-11T10:05:00.006-04:00

Dear Readers,

For being a holiday shortened week it has been a long week. The sad part of it is I am actually writing this on Tuesday. :-) Which makes me laugh, but the 3 day weekend was so busy and filled with fun stuff I believe I came back to work to rest. LOL

It might have been busy but it was a good busy and I still got a couple books read or at least mostly read. There will be reviews of each coming soon. One is on the shelves already and the other releaseses in Sept. I know a couple of the books that released this week are on my to read list. How about yours?

Happy Reading

Forever After - Deborah Raney - #2 of the Hanover Falls novels.
Ransome's Quest - Kaye Dacus - #3 The Ransome Trilogy
The Mountian Between Us - Charles Martin - Paperback
Unbridled Hope - Loree Lough - #3in Lonestar Legends series
The One Who waits for Me - Lori Copeland
The First Gardener - Denise Hildreth Jones
Love Finds a Home - Wanda Brunstetter - 3 in 1
The 12th Imam - Joel Rosenberg - paperback
Dancing on Glass - Pamela Binnings Ewen
A River to Cross - Yvonne Harris
Out of Control - Mary Connealy - - #1 the Kincaid Brides
Wings of Promise - Bonnie Leon - #2 Alaskan Skies
The Colonel's Lady - Laura Frantz
Blue Skies Tomorrow - Sarah Sundin
A Most Unsuitable Match - Stephanie Grace Whitson

Vickie McDonough

2011-07-07T12:30:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

Luke's welcome home to Lookout, Texas is not what he expects. He hoped to ride in quietly and settle into the Marshall postion with little fuss. He instead is greeted by 3 hooligans who throw rocks at him and his horse. When he catches up with one, it turns out the "boy" is really the daughter of the one person he wanted to avoid most.

So starts Anonymous Bride by Vickie McDonough. It is the first book in the Texas Boardinghouse Brides series. It is a one of those books and series that will make a wonderful summer reads. It is a light fun romance that is always perfect for reading on vacation or sitting by the pool somewhere.

It didn't take me long to read it, but I did enjoy it. It has cowboys, the rugged west and lots of funny little things that go wrong, what else could you need.

Book #2 is Second Chance Bride and #3 is Finally the Bride.

Happy Reading

New Releases June 27 - July 2

2011-07-04T12:29:00.006-04:00

Dear Readers,

Happy Independence Day at least here in America. Can you believe our country is already 235 years old. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating our bicentennial. Actually I do remember the bicentennial as I was in elementary school at the time and there were parades and activities in our little town all year long.

This year my big activity is to get my daughter and her girls out of town so my husband and a friend can surprise them with steps off their deck. My daughter is my editor (not this post or it would give it all away) and this is just a way for us to say thank you. I can hardly wait to see her reaction. The fun thing about getting her and the girls out of town is I am taking them to the beach and that means I will get lots of reading done. I love those days, spending time with the grandkids and reading. Life is good.

Happy Reading

Thunder of Heaven - Tim LaHaye/Craig Parshall - #2 in Joshua Jordan series
Dandelion Summer - Lisa Wingate - #4 in Blue Sky Hill series
Water's Edge - Robert Whitlow
Wolfsbane - Ronie Kendig - #3 in the Discarded Heroes series

Taking Chance

2011-07-02T14:56:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,
I am not sure you will ever see a review like this on this site again. Of course I can't say for sure because one never knows, but right now there isn't another like it. At least on this blog.
Taking Chance is actually a DVD not a book. I know, shocking, I actually do other things besides read. :-D It isn't one I expected to like, but it is one I recommend all the time here at the store and one day I thought I should write a review of it.
Our brave young men and woman have for hundreds of years have been willing to sacrifice themselves for our freedom. In recent years this has become something that is constantly on the news. Whether because a local person was killed or because there are people out there that believe they can capitalize from someone else's sadness, the news has made sure we always know what is going on. I hate to admit it, maybe am even ashamed to admit it, but in some ways it makes me not appreciate it as much as I should. This movie changed that.
Chance is a young PFC (private first class) fighting in Iraq when he is killed in a fire fight. Lt. Colonel Michael Strobl, played by Kevin Bacon, hears about it and volunteers to escort Chance home. This is the story of that trip home. It is the story of how Chance's story affects Michael, but also how the different people he meets along the way show respect and gratitude towards a fallen hero.
This movie is a wonderful look at the heart of America and the people who live there. It is a moving story of one man's rediscovery of why he loves his country.
There are no big secrets in this movie so I am not worried about giving anything away by talking about this scene. There is a scene filmed at one of the airports on the way home. Chance's body is being off loaded from the plane. Michael is standing by getting ready to salute and the men and women working in that area of the airport realize what is going on and stop what they are doing to stand quietly by the airplane while the body is being moved. They don't say anything they just stand there very respectfully watching. It was an very very amazing scene. There are several others like it in the film, but I don't want to mention them all as I want you to be able get the full impact of the movie.
I will admit I didn't think that a movie could move me everytime I watch it, and I have seen this one here at the store several times now, and every time I almost come to tears at certain parts. In fact there is one scene I still refuse to watch because I would be sitting in the middle of the store crying and I don't really want to do that.
Yes I did time this review to release on 4th of July weekend. It would be the perfect time to watch this movie, of course anytime would be a great time to watch this movie. If you are not proud of your country once you get done watching it, then maybe you should watch it again.
Happy (watching)

Robin Parrish

2011-06-28T11:04:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

Today I took advantage of fellow employee Louis McBride's review of a new fiction title. Louis is our academic buyer and usually I find him with his nose in a book that has little on nothing ot do with fiction. There are certian types of fiction books he does like and I try to encourage him to write reviews for them. He doesn't like to review fiction books, but I think he did a great job and it does really help me as I just can't seem to get them all read. :-)

I did include a link to his website at the end of the review, that way you can check out Louis' other reviews.

Happy Reading

“Vigilante” by Robin Parrish – A Review

28 Jun

I started reading Robin Parrish’s book, Vigilante, to kill some time one day and before you knew it I was hooked. I’ve read some of Parrish’s books in the past and enjoyed them. In particular, I enjoyed his Dominion Trilogy (Relentless, Fearless, and Merciless), now regrettably out of print.

Vigilante is very much a guy’s book. The hero of the book, who the media has dubbed “The Hand,” is like a modern day Batman and Rambo all rolled into one with his custom-made body armor and a conglomerate of great gadgets that every super hero should have. As he nears his debut as a crime fighter he’s plastered the country with bill boards announcing a “I will show you a better way.” He realizes his fight must be fought on two fronts: directly confronting criminal activity and secondly, by inspiring people with hope that there is a better way. “The Hand” will be that symbol of hope. Along the way “The Hand” finds himself not only battling a major crime lord (ironically created and empowered largely due to “The Hand’s” crime fighting efforts) but also the President of the United States who is unsure of our hero’s motives and his questionable methods.

Vigilante is full of intense fight scenes and a couple of graphic images of executions. “The Hand” struggles throughout the book with the issues that are raised by someone who’s attempting to do the impossible: change the world. As a previous POW he carries buried deep within him the pain of that experience and he only allows people in to his world when necessary. While the character development is thin you get to know them well enough that by the end of the book you can genuinely feel for them.

To be perfectly honest the way Parrish has ended his books has sometimes left me less than satisfied. The same cannot be said of Vigilante. I was very happy with the ending. There were a number of twists which kept me guessing and while I wouldn’t describe the ending as a happy one I would say it is raw and real. Reality forces idealism to face its limitations.

http://bbhchurchconnection.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/vigilante-by-robin-parrish-a-review/

New Releases June 20 - 25

2011-06-27T10:26:00.004-04:00

Dear Readers,

I am almost done with the books that have been picked for me instead of my deciding which book I am going to read next. It is a funny feeling, having someone else pick your books for you. I am not sure I like it. What was available to read next wasn't always what I was in the mood for. I even found there were a couple books on the list were authors I hadn't enjoyed in the past. That made it very difficult not to go into the book with a preconceived notion.

So now that I can choose for myself again I don't even know where to start. I have a huge pile of books waiting to be read and so many good titles. I am still not sure where to start, but I will have to decide soon. I hope to be finished with the last book by Wednesday or Thursday of this week. I maybe reading one of these titles listed first.

Happy Reading
Chris

Learning - Karen Kingbury - #2 in the Bailey Flanigan series
The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck - Kathleen Y'Barbo
Canary List - Sigmund Brower
The Muir House - Mary DeMuth
Jefferson Burke and the Secret of the Lost Scroll - Ace Collins
Hostage in Havana - Noel Hynd

J. Mark Bertrand

2011-06-23T09:23:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,
I am a big fan of the old fashion who-dun-it books. Don't get me wrong, I love the CSI type mysteries that keep me awake at night, but a good mystery where you hit the pavement, ask questions and follow your instincts is great. J. Mark Bertrand has quickly become a favorite for that genre.

Pattern of Wounds is book 2 in Mark's Roland March mysteries. You first meet Roland in Back on Murder. I actually found myself not liking him, but yet cheering for him as he struggled his way through the book. In Pattern, you will actually learm more of Roland's background and his story, which of course makes for an interesting read, but also sheds some light on things that happen in book #1.

When a young woman is found brutally murdered, Roland finds similarities between this murder and one that he had solved many years ago. How can it be the same killer, as he is serving a life sentence? Is it a copy cat? Or is it possible that Roland was wrong the first time?
As the bodies begin to mount, Roland is racing to figure out which are real clues and which ones are not. Will he be able to find the killer or killers before they strike again... and closer to home this time?

Once again Mark leaves a trail of clues and you are left to figure them out yourself. He doesn't give much away and yet I found myself putting clues together alongside of Roland and enjoying every minute of it. The characters are well written and whether they are good or evil doesn't matter, they are all part of the a very interesting mystery.

Happy Reading

New Releases June 13- 18

2011-06-20T09:52:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

Some weeks I get lots and lots of reading done and then other weeks I find I hardly get anywhere on the books I am trying to read. It usually has little to do with the book that I am reading, life just doesn't allow for it. I can find myself to tired or busy, but what ever the reason, I just don't like weeks where I don't get to read much.

I just had a week where it took me all week to read a 300 page book. Part of it was I tired. I have joined my two daughters in training for a 1/2 marathon and the training seems to have tired me out a get deal. Part of it is with the weather in West Michigan finally acting lke spring/summer, I am just outside more. But with all these great titles rolling in, I really really need to find more hours in the day to read.

Happy Reading

Look to the East - Maureen Lang - #3 The Great War Series
Inside Threat - Jason Elam/Steve Yohn - #3 Riley Covington Thriller
Summer Dream - Martha Rogers

Diana Wallis Taylor

2011-06-16T10:11:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

There are a few people in history that we all know by one name only. Madonna, Cher, Bono, Oprah and for those with even just a small knowledge of the Bible, Martha.

I have always wondered about Martha. Most people view her in a negative way because Jesus actually corrects her after she makes a complaint to him. So we mostly think of her as a work-a-holic who also happens to be a whiner.

Martha by Diana Wallis Taylor got me thinking more and more about her. Ok I can already hear the Bible scholars out there having a fit, just stay with me on this.

I have always wondered what Martha's story really is. Why is she single? How old is she really? Is it a bad thing she is single or was she only 15 or 16 and so far hadn't had been betrothed? How did she really feel about what Jesus said to her in front of everyone?

I will say this is a fictional book, but it did make me think more about this. Martha would not be considered a heroine by any standards, but maybe she should. She was doing what she did best, taking care of her family and guests. She maybe even would have said she was doing God's work, but Jesus still told her that Mary was doing what was right. To me that means it becomes more of a message of balance. Yes we must be about the jobs he gives us to do, but we must also spend time with him. Life is busy but time with HIm alone is way more important than anything else.

So without telling you much about this book, I am going to say that it is a good read. I enjoyed it even though I kind of knew what was coming (we all know the story). It is a quiet little story that really makes you look at the Bible story with new eyes. There is something (for me anyways) that really puts a face on someone who is so familiar and yet I know so little about.

Happy Reading

New Releases June 6 - 11

2011-06-13T11:22:00.007-04:00

Dear Readers,

I am always interested in what Hollywoods considers Summer Blockbusters. I do love a good movie, but I very seldom go see one in the theater. Especially in the summer, why waste the great days of summer sitting in a dark theather.

I have already published my summer blockbuster ideas a couple of weeks ago and a couple of the books on that list came out this past week. So it is time to get busy doing your summer reading.

Happy Readin

The Blessed - Ann H. Gabhart - #4 in her series on the Shakers
Vigilante - Robin Parrish
Pattern of Wounds - J. Mark Bertrand
Falls like Lightning - Shawn Grady
Lion of Judah - Davis Bunn
Fallen Angel - Jeff Struecker & Alton Gansky
Love Letters in the Sand - Diann Hunt
The Blackberry Bush - David Housholder
The Amish Nanny - Mindy Starns Clark/Leslie Gould
A Baby for Hannah - Jerry Eicher

Booker T. Mattison

2011-06-09T09:41:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

I always enjoying finding authors who write outside the "normal" box. You all know that I love a good book no matter what genre it is in. I have found some really good authors that way.

Booker T. Mattison is one of those authors and his newest book is Snitch. He does not write about the quiet neighborhoods in Zeeland, but about the gritty neighborhoods in Jersey City. Which for me is not anything I know about. I am going to say here, even though I know nothing about life in the 'hood' I still need the book to be believable and interesting.

Life on the streets has a very simple code: you don't talk to the cops. No matter what. No matter what you saw or think you saw. Andre is trying to turn his life around, he is trying to show his ex that he can support her and their son and do it honestly. That is until late one night he witnesses a murder. What do you do? If you don't do the right thing it could cost you your job, but if you do the right thing it could cost your life or the lives of your family?

I will honestly say I am not sure what I would do. I would like to say I would tell the cops what I saw, but that is without someone holding a "gun" to my family's heads. I have never had the experience of having to try so hard to get my life straighten out and then having it yanked out from under me. But lots of people have and walking through this with Andre was an interesting experience.

This is a bit of a gritty book, but it is a good look at something I will probably never experience. Booker's first novel, Unsigned Hype, was a teen fiction and I would be very comfortable recommending this book to the older teens that have read the first one. (they are not a series) I love being able to recommend books I like to many different types of readers.

Happy Reading

New Releases May 30 - June 4

2011-06-06T09:37:00.005-04:00

Dear Readers,

I don't kmow how the spring weather has been where you are, but here in West Michigan it can be described in one word. WET, and we are very sick of it. You can tell because when the weather is nice the sound of lawn mowers is almost deafening. Everyone is out walking, biking, running, and reading. It is amazing and if we string a few nice days together we actually feel brave enough to make plans to do stuff outside.

I hope this list of new books encourages to go outside and "play' not just do yard work.

Happy Reading

Sons of Encouragement - Francine Rivers - A compilation of the 5 books she did on the men of the Bible.
The Constantine Codex - Paul Maier - 3rd in the Skeleton series and yes it is the Paul from West Michigan
Freedom's Stand - J. M. Windle - sequel to Veiled Freedom
My Foolish Heart - Susan May Warren
Twelth Prophecy - Brock and Brodie Thoene - the last one in the A. D. Chronicles
Day of War - Cliff Graham
Simple Choices - Nancy Mehl

Gilbert Morris

2011-06-02T12:05:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

Today's Christian fiction writers owe a big debt to Gilbert Morris and other authors that led the way to what we now know as the Christian fiction market. Gilbert Morris was one of the leaders in the market long before the Left Behind books brought the market into the spotlight. The earliest I could find was a book published in 1984 - Delaney . I could find little or no information on this book, but it actually looks like it might be an earlier addition of his Dani Ross Mysteries. I can't tell for sure, but the cover reminds me of that, so I am going to make that conclusion (if you know differently let me know).

GIlbert is writing about what he does best. History. He sets The Crossing, book one of the The Last Cavaliers, during the Civil War. He does an interesting job of mixing fictional characters and real historical figures throughout the story. He uses Stonewall Jackson as one of his main characters and it is a different look at this bigger than life Civil War hero.

Yancy is the other main character that he uses. Yancy is a young man who is brought back to the world of the Amish when his father decides to return home after Yancy's mother passes. Yancy is just not cut out to be in the Amish order. He has trouble with all the rules and one of his biggest problems with the Amish is the "girly" straw hat the men are asked to wear. He decides for the sake of his family to take a job elsewhere and ends up workng for Andrew Jackson. Andrew sees that Yancy is fine military material and asks him is he would like to join the Virginia Military Academy. The rest is, as they say, history (no pun intended).

I have read many different series by Gilbert. Historical, contemporary, mystery, etc... and have liked them all. I will admit that I did not read all 40 of the Winslow series. I think I made it all the way up to the Civil War in that series, but I never finished it. I loved the Dani Ross series and think that ended too quickly and the Cat's Pajama's series was loads of fun to read. I enjoyed this book and I learned about what it was like during a part of America's history that has always interested me. I think what I like the most about Gilbert's historical series is you can see and feel Gilbert's great love for his country and how he loves to tell everyone about how unique our story is.

For you history buffs this is a good read, but for anyone looking for an interesting story, this will fit that bill very easily.

Happy Reading

New Releases May 16- 28

2011-05-30T09:52:00.008-04:00

Dear Readers,

I know I missed last week for new releases. I wanted to get you my summer reading ideas to you before Memorial Day weekend. With that being the unoffical start of summer and of course who would want to go on vacation with out a good book.

I pray you are having a good holiday weekend. My son and his girlfriend are in town. It is always nice to spend time with family. I would like to say it has been a relaxing weekend, but we had lots of plans including going to our small town parade, lots of tractors, firetrucks and children. I love that kind of parade, it is just so fun to watch as I know about half the people in the parade, including three little girls that are the cutest in the parade. :-)

Happy Reading

Kaydie - Penny Zeller - #2 in Mountian Skies series
The Ambition - Lee Strobel
She Makes it look Easy - MaryBeth Whalen
Bridge to a Distant Star - Carolyn Williford
Thief - Linda Windsor - sequel to Healer
A Vision of Lucy - Margaret Brownley
Havaiian Crossroads - Linda Lee Chaikin
Broken Wings - Carla Stewart
Spring for Susannah - Catherine Richmond
A Reluctant Queen - Joan Wolf

Lee Strobel

2011-05-26T14:06:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

I am always interested when an best selling non-fiction author decides to write fiction. Some of them are pretty good at it and some are, well, not. Lee Strobel in the latest non-fiction author to venture into the fiction market. I am sure some of it has to do with his daughter writing and having success in the fiction market.

Most of you are probably most familiar with Lee's books A Case for Christ, A Case for Faith and several more. He wrote them to show what he discovered when he set out to prove that his wife's new found faith was just a crutch for her and he wanted her to go back to the life he had enjoyed with her before that. That part of his story is somewhat in this book, but it is not a huge part that distracts from the storyline itself. He actually weaves it into the story quite well.

The Ambition by Lee is set in Chicago and dives into the steamier side of politics and the justice system. Lee is a former editor for the Chicago Tribune so he does know what he is writing about. He writes a story about the corruption that is a problem in the justice system of Chicago. He writes how the Mob still is able to get whatever they want to happen in the courts. Bribery, threats, and blackmail are all part of the normal everyday activities in the court system. Throw in a soon to be vacant seat for the Senate and it actually sounds like something that we just heard about on the nightly news.

Garry Strider is trying to do his job for the Chicago Examiner. He is an investigative reporter and he can't wait to find out what Eric Snow and his mega church is hiding. To sweeten the deal, Eric Snow is in the running for the Senate seat soon to vacated by a guy who was caught in tax evasion and several other crimes. No one can be that clean without some sort of skeleton in the closet. But is there anything to find? Is there something else going on behind the scenes that no one else knows is connected?.

Over all I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't a big secret as to what was going to happen. Which in a crime book is not that fun for me to read. I love to see if I can figure out the who-dun-it before all is revealed. It does fit with the style of book Lee wrote and he actually happens to avoid a couple big pit falls for new authors and I liked that.

If you have been looking for a book about cops and the mob or if you are a huge fan of Lee's then this book is for you. I do recommend it, but I might wait until he has had a chance to perfect his craft a little bit.

Happy reading

Summer Reading ideas - 2011

2011-05-23T10:24:00.032-04:00

Dear Readers,

Memorial Day is next week Monday. It is the unoffical start of the summer reading season. It means long warm nights of being able to sit on the porch and read to my hearts content. Those long hot summer afternoons of sitting by the pool or at the beach losing myself in a wonderful story that makes me never want to leave and go back to reality.

So stock up on the lemonade and iced tea, grab a comfy chair and enjoy.

Happy reading

Vicious Cycle – Terri Blackstock - #2 in the Intervention series – Who doesn’t need a good mystery to read on those warm summer nights. Terri is a good author for that. #1 Intervention

The Amish Midwife – Mindy Starns Clark – Secrets of the past are coming back to haunt a community that swore they would never tell

Bound by Guilt – C.J. Darlington – Roxi takes up the one craft that has earned her a family. Even if it is against the law. Mystery and old books, what can be better.

The Priest’s Graveyard – Ted Dekker – With long summer days that is the best time to read a Ted Dekker book. Less darkness to keep you scared.

Almost Heaven – Chris Fabry - #3 in the Dogwood series. A wonderful tale of a young man just trying to do God’s will without worrying about whether it was going to bring him fame or fortune. (I suggest reading at least June Bug first, but Dogwood is a good read also)

False Pretense – Kathy Herman – Book #1 in Secrets of Roux River Bayou series. Zoe has a secret that no one else knows, until that first letter arrives telling her differently.

Digitalis – Ronie Kendig - #3 in the Discarded Heroes series - Colton Neeley is trying to adjust to civilian life. #1 - Nightshade & #2 Wolfbane

Heart of Lies – Jill Marie Landis – #2 in Irish Angel series - Girls separated after their parents die struggle through life and trying to find each other back. #1 Heart of Stone

Sweet Baklava – Debby Mayne – If Mama Mia could be a book, this would be it. Wonderful recipes included in the back

The Acts of Faith Series – Janette Oke/Davis Bunn – All three of these books are interesting to read. They are about the church at its start in Jerusalem. The Centurian's Way, The Hidden Way & The Damascus Way.

Angel Harp – Michael Phillips – Just a wonderful story of how we can help each other, whether we have known each other for ever or are not.

Book of Days – James Rubart – what if God’s book of day was an actual book and you knew where it was.

The Inheritance of Beauty – Nicole Seitz – A story of how no matter how old we are, our memories are important

Bathsheba – Jill Eileen Smith – David’s most well-known wife is brought to life. Jill’s series has been very interesting to read. #3 in the Wives of David series. #1 Michal & #2 is Abigail

Promises to Keep – Ann Tatlock – What’s a 14 year old to do to keep her family together. Set in the Depression and with Ann’s usual style just a wonderful read.

Mine is the Night – Liz Curtis Higgs – Book #2 of the series by Liz about Ruth and Naomi. Set in 1700 Scotland. I recommended book 1 last summer and thought this is a great recommendation for this summer. #1 - Here Burns my Candle

Lightkeeper’s Ball – Collen Coble – Wonderful conclusion to this series. I enjoyed them all, but this might be my favorite. #1 Lightkeeper's Daugther & #2Lightkeeper's Bride.

The Reluctant Detective – Martha Ockley – Faith has her old job and her new calling cross in a murder of a local parish priest. Set in England.

Springtime of the Spirit – Maureen Lang - #2 The Great War Series – Interesting series on WWI. Each is a stand along and can be read separately from each other. #1 Whisper on the Wind & #3 Look to the East - releases Summer 2011.

Havah – Tosca Lee – Yes it is an older book, but one I keep suggesting. The story of Eve and the wonderful word pictures it presents.

All for One - #3 in the 4 Linda’s series. – Those hopes and dreams for high school get farther away every year. #1 - As Young as We Feel, #2 Hometown Ties, & #4 Here's to Friends - releases Sept. 2011.

Anonymous Bride – Vickie McDonough - #1 in the Texas Boardinghouse Brides series. Wonderful fun vacation read. Cowboys and romance what a fun way to spend a summer day. #2 Second Chance Bride & #3 Finally a Bride

Pattern of Wounds – Mark J. Bertrand - #2 in his Roland March Mysteries. – Is there really a serial killer loose in Texas? – July release #1 - Back on Murder

Muir House – Nancy DeMuth – Willa Muir is looking for her story. Will returning ‘home’ help her find it?

The Final Note – Kevin Milne – This book seems to be a cross between Mr. Holland’s Opus and any Nicholas Sparks book.

The Sweetest Thing – Elizabeth Musser - two remarkable young women--opposites in every way--fighting for the same goal: surviving tumultuous change.

Hostage in Havana – Noel Hynd – Fast paced spy novel. Intrigue and danger in Cuba. Will Alex be able to figure out who the good guys really are?

TIm Downs

2011-05-20T19:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

The Nick of Time by Tim Downs is the 6th Bug Man book. I remember when I read Shoofly Pie right after it came out. I kept thinking "This is something I have been looking for in the Christian Fiction market." They are a good fun read with a mystery mixed in.

Nick Polchak is a know-it-all when it comes to bugs. Ask him, he will tell you, but when it comes to humans he is very confused by us all. Then when it comes to females he is completely lost. Maybe that explains the way he is acting the week before his wedding.

When a friend calls and asks Nick to come and help him with a mystery, Nick, of course, says yes. Alena, his fiancée', is confused by him thinking this is a good idea. She is not happy, but in typical Nick fashion, he doesn't understand the problem.

Ok anything else I would say would actually take away from the book and I most certainly don't want to do that, so you will have to read it if you want to know what happens.

If you have been reading the Bug Man series this is a great next edition, but if you haven't make sure you start at Shoofly Pie and treat yourself to a wonderful series.

I think besides the great humor and interesting mysteries the thing I like the most about this series is "watching" Nick become more and more human. It is not a journey he has been making willingly, but it is happening and yes it has been funny. He still isn't sure he is human, but he is actually able to act like one once in a while. In his own strange way I am sure he loves Alena, but of course then why would he run off the week before his wedding?

Happy Reading.

Tracie Peterson Visit

2011-05-17T13:00:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers,

I wanted to mention the very exciting visit we have here at the story next week. Tracie Peterson is visiting here at Baker. I can not remember the last time Tracie has done a book-signing or visit here in Michigan.

I know some of you noticed that I have not done any reviews of Tracie's books. That is not because they are not good, in fact just the opposite is true. They are so good and so consistent that they are easy to recommend all the time.

Tracie has been one of my favorite authors to recommend when someone is looking for a good historical fiction. Personally any of her series that have been set in Alaska are still some of my favorites. I wish I could tell you that I have read them all, but that would be a lie, but I can recommend them to you as I have yet to find one I haven't liked.

Tracie's contemporary titles are still on my list of must reads. Whether they are out of print or not, they are well worth getting your hands on.

Well I could go on and on, but I will keep it short. If you haven't had a chance to meet Tracie, come on Friday May 20th at 7:00p.m. and meet one of the leading ladies of Christian Fiction.

Happy Reading.

New Releases May 9-14

2011-05-16T11:21:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

Spring is finally arriving here in Michigan. It was 70 this past weekend and you can tell. Everywhere you look people are outside. Walking, biking, and sitting on porches enjoying the wonderful weather. It is weeks like this we in Michigan are almost ready to forgive Mother Nature for the past 4 or 5 months. Not quite yet, but close. It will take a couple more weeks of this before there is forgiveness, but we will get over the past winter and truly enjoy our months of summer.

There are several authors on the list week that I can hardly wait till I get a chance to read. They are on my list and I just need a couple nights where I can just sit and read.

Happy Reading

Chasing Sunsets - Eva Marie Everson
Martha - Diana Wallis Taylor
Sweetest Thing - Elizabeth Musser
Hope Rekindled - Tracie Peterson - #3 in the Striking a Match series
The Lady of Bolton Hill - Elizabeth Camden
The Fisherman -Larry Huntsperger - Re-cover
The Seraph Seal - Leonard Sweet/Lori Wagner
The Soldier's Cross - Abigail J. Hartman

MIndy Starns Clark

2011-05-13T13:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,

Mindy Starns Clark has been one of my favorite authors since I read her Million Dollar Mysteries. (See earlier review) The Amish Midwife is her latest.

It has a bit of mystery to it, but also an interesting tale of family and pasts that people would like to stay hidden. Lexi Jaeger (yes I notice that is my last name;-) was adopted. She has always known that, but she wants to learn her story.

Just before her father passes he shares a box that they recieved with her from Lexi's birth family. It doesn't offer many clues as to where she is from or why they gave her up. The only other clues she has is a family friend that tells her she came from Pennsylvania.

With very little information, but a want to find her "kin," Lexi sets off to Lancaster county to see if she can find her birth family. There are many road blocks, with the family involved being the biggest.

Lexi isn't sure she will ever figure it out, but she is determed to find out as much as she can. When help comes from an unexpected sorce, Lexi starts getting answers to long unanswered questions.

As most of us know that the Amish live by using the "forgive and forget" belief. We all got to experience this as we watched the horrible murders of the Amish girls a couple of years ago. I have often wondered about that and how it works in different circumstances. Does that mean they don't believe in jail or pressing charges?

In this book Mindy approaches the issue a bit. There are people that know the answers to the questions that Lexi keeps asking, but they are not telling. They seem to have only a couple of answers to her questions. Either " It is not my place to tell." or "Forgive and Forget." Neither answer helps Lexi in her very real need to know who her parents are. Is either answer a good one in this case? I found myself thinking it wasn't. You can read the story and let me know what you thought. If I go any farther with this thinking I will giving half the story away and that is no fun.

So instead let me just say...

Happy Reading

New Releases May 2 -7

2011-05-09T11:28:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

I hope you were able to enjoy Mother's Day yesterday. Whether you are a mom or not, we all have a Mom. I don't know what your relationship is like with your mom, but I have a very goood relationship with my mom. It wasn't always true, but she knew it was that "this to shall pass." She waited lovingly on the sidelines, always praying and knowing that God would take care of me. I am thankful for her and the many ways she has blessed me.

Several really good titles for you to enjoy. Couple new authors who I am excited about. Hope you get a chance to read them all

Happy Reading
The Art of Romance - Kaye Dacus
Deep Trouble - Mary Connealy
Indelible - Kristen Heitzmann
The Fine Art of Insincerity - Angela Hunt
Died in the Wool - Elizabeth Ludwig & Janelle Mowery - Hometown Mysteries
When Sparrows Fall - Meg Moseley
Too Rich for a Bride - Mona Hodgson