Mary E. DeMuth

Dear Readers,

Mary's long awaited third book, Daisy Chain, is finally here. Her two book series, Watching the Tree Limbs and Wishing on Dandelions touched so many hearts and they wanted more.

Daisy Chain is the beginning of the Defiance Texas trilogy. I don't know much about the series other than that it is off to a great start.
Daisy and Jed are about as different as two people can be and yet they have a lot in common. They are best of friends and share so much together. So when Daisy goes missing, Jed knows for sure it is his fault. He told her he would take care of her and yet she gets in trouble. He heads for home without her instead of walking her home. The next morning she is reported gone. No sign or clue of where she has gone.

This is not a gentle read, but it is a good one. I really did like it. It made me mad at times, very sad at others, but I also laughed about the growing up ordeal that we all must go through to become a normal functioning adult. It is never easy, but sometimes it is harder for others than anyone else.

Defiance, Texas looks like a perfect little town to live in, until you see the other side. Such as Jed's dad, who is thought of as a wonderful preacher. His congregation loves him. On the other hand his family lives in fear of him. Muriel is not someone you would think of to be a great help to a teenage boy who has lost his best friend, but she is. Nothing is what it seems on the outside.

I can say that if you were someone waiting for her next novel, you will like this one. If you hadn't read her yet, put her on your must read. She will take you on a ride that you might not be quite ready for, but is one that you will remember.

Happy Reading

Dear Readers,

Here are a few new releases that several of you have asked about.

Wanda Brunstetter - A Cousin's Promise - Book 1 in The Indiana Cousins series

Nicole Seitz - A 100 years of Happiness - Book for April at the Zeeland Book Club
Lisa Sampson - The Passion of Mary-Margaret

T.L. Higley - City of the Dead - A Seven Wonders Novel (#2)

Paul Robertson

Dear Readers,
Ok this one was a bit tougher to write. I know not many people have read Paul Robertson, but I have enjoyed his other books. They are just a bit different that what I normally read. It is a lot of reading. I know that sounds weird as that is what a book is all about, but in Paul's books there isn't always that much action and it is mostly "thoughts" and conversations. It is "reading" instead of "interaction."

According to Their Deeds is not any different, but it is well worth the read. It is centered around an antique book store. Our main character is a book dealer. He handles rare and old books. He loves books and treats books like friends instead of just something that sits on the shelf.

Charles goes to an auction to buy back books that he sold a close friend that has past away. The problem is he buys more trouble than he bargained for. What he finds hiding in the books can change the course of history. Ok maybe not that drastic, but it could change the course of someone's life.

I really enjoyed this book because of the information on books. I love going into stores that just smell like old books should smell like. I love our used book section here at Baker's for that reason alone. I have always loved the thought of being the first one to open a book, but I also love to hold those old books that have a history to them. Ones with writing in them from the readers own thoughts are so interesting. Those that have a family history to them because they have been passed down from family member to family member, and who doesn't love to find that old book that was much loved story from your childhood.

Well there I go off on one of those rabbit trails... So back to the book. One thing I must mention, if you don't like puns, don't read this book. It is one of Charles' favorite things to do. It is great word play and Paul pulls it off well, but if you are like me it did get a bit old. (I will admit a couple made me giggle though.) It adds to the story and actually a couple of them are hints as to what is going on and with who. Just a neat addition to the story.

This isn't a guns blazing,shoot 'em up mystery, but it is a good story.

Happy Reading

Don Hoesel

Dear Readers,

Elisha's Bones is Don Hoesel's first novel even though he has been writing short fiction in Relief Journal.

Second Kings, chapter 13:20-21 is a short story of a man whose burial is interrupted and the party burying him throw his body in with Elisha's body. He comes back to life when his body touches Elisha's bones.

It is this short story that this novel is based on. There is a group that has been guarding the bones through out time. They have kept them hidden and only use them for certain people under certain circumstances. Interesting thought.

Jack Hawkins is a very laid back professor. He use to do Archeological digs, but since losing his brother on a dig, he no longer goes. He doesn't really care about much. Life, teaching, living. He is a skeptic about everything and everyone, until Gordon Reese calls him and makes him and offer he can't refuse.

This is a book for those who like to follow hints and have exciting escapes. It turns out that Gordon is not the only one trying to get their hands on the bones. It makes for several close calls and some interesting twists and turns.

I am going to be blunt, I did struggle a bit with some of the book which seemed to get drawn out in places and a bit unbelievable in others. But over all I found this an interesting read and actually learned a few things.

Happy Reading

Beth Pattillo

Dear Readers,

If any of you are following along on my daily updates on my blog, you know I have been reading this book with some ups and downs. Jane Austen ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo. I have and will freely admit that I do not have a great love affair with Jane Austen books. I have found them a bit predictable and somewhat dry. I don't much care for her characters and even struggle with the movies made about the books. So to say the least I wasn't all that excited about this book, except...

I do like Beth Pattillo. I have read several of her books and have her second of the Knit Lit Society books in my to read pile. So there is the dilemma, am I going to like this book or not? Well I am happy to report I did enjoy it. It was a fun little read. One of those sweet stories that you are sure is going to turn out one way and doesn't. Nice.

Emma Douglas has decided that Jane Austen is to blame for all the trouble in her life. She was promised a happily ever after if she married the right guy and did all the right things. The problem is no one told her about the part of the story that has her finding her husband with another woman. Jane never says anything about that at the end of her stories. Now what? Her marriage, her career and her life in general in ruins.

Emma decides to follow up on the possibilities that the destroyed letters of Jane's do exist. She has been corresponding with a widow from England who claims to have all of Jane's missing letters. Emma is determined to find these letters and publish them for the world to know, gaining back her career and getting a bit of revenge on Jane.

Of course you all know that things don't go as planned and the widow seems a bit more formidable than Emma planned on. It just makes for a fun little read. It isn't really a love story, more of a story of recovery and finding yourself. It is one that is just a story you read and cheer on the "heroine" to find what she is actually looking for.

Like I said this is just a good story and you don't need to be a big fan of Jane Austen to like it. In fact it might help if you don't like her a bit.

Happy Reading

Neta Jackson and Linda Nichols

Dear Readers,

The first new release I want to mention today is Harry Bentley's Second Chance by Dave Jackson. Neta, from the Yada Yada fame, and her husband Dave are trying something new. They are writing a side by side series. Only they are each writing a seperate book. Neta's as you remember is Where do I go? with Gabby being the main character. In that book you meet Gabby's doorman Harry. Dave takes that character and runs with it.

Harry is now one of the Yada Yada Brothers. This is his story and it is happening at the same time as Neta's. It is a bit different, but an interesting twist on the storyline. How many times have you read a book and thought I would really like to know that "background" character better. Well now you can.

Harry is a retired cop, that is working hiding out as a doorman. He is waiting for the trial to come up that he will blow the whistle on fellow police officers that have turned bad. He isn't real thrilled with life right now, but he is about to get a second chance at life, not just with work.

Dave has written several kids historical biographies with Neta and is taking on a new chapter in his life. I think this series has good potentil. I hope they both are able to keep up with each other.

One other book I wanted to mention is At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols. This is a rerelease of a very good book. It was really not on the shelves very long when it was out the first time. Which is to bad as it is a very good book. I have loved Linda Nichols from the first book of her's I read, Not a Sparrow shall fall. I just wanted to point this one out if you didn't get a chance to read it the first time. Enjoy it this time around

Happy Reading