Charlene Ann Baumbich

Dear Readers,


Some of you will recognize Charlene Ann Baumbich's name from her Dearest Dorothy series. The funny and lovable series about an 80 year old who was always on the go. She even made me tired.

In Stray Affections we meet up with Cassandra and all her friends and family. If what you liked about the Dorothy series is all the quirky characters, then you will like this book also. If you just liked the good story, then no problem again. If you didn't read the Dorothy books, this is a good story for you to enjoy.

Cassandra decides to go to the Collectors Conventions even though her best friend bails on her at the last minute. When she sees a unique snow globe in another customer's hands, she knows she needs to own it. It has a little girl with the same color hair as her own and three dogs in it The only problem is the silly thing has been nothing but trouble since then. Besides getting knocked down and breaking her nose, getting robbed (which proves her mother right again), she has become obsessed over it and everyone is starting to think she is either crazy or maybe hit her head harder than she thought. Cassandra is beginning to think they are right.

Okay to be completely honest I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. I actually started it a couple of times before I read the whole thing. I really did enjoy this book. It was just a lovely, quirky little book that was a good read after reading a very intense thriller. It will be a good fit for those looking for a small escape.

Happy Reading

Colleen Coble

Dear Readers,

Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors. I always enjoy taking the time to disappear into one of her books. This past Saturday, January 23rd, I had a chance to read for almost 4 hours straight. Which gave me enough time to read most of The Lightkeeper's Daughter.

This book is a bit different for Colleen as it is a historical romance. She does include a little note that she really enjoyed writing in this genre. She blends her mystery writing with a historical setting very well.

Addie Sulivan has only known life on a little island off the coast of California, where her parents work as the light-keepers. She has led a very sheltered life, but until her father died she enjoyed it. Her mother doesn't seem to love her and she can't figure out why, no matter what she does, she can't please her mother. Until one day a man ends up on their stairs and after he recovers enough to talk to them, he announces that he is Addie's long lost Uncle and she really is a daughter of a very wealthy man. Addie isn't sure she believes him, but she has always dreamed of a large family.

John is trying to get his son back from a controlling father in law. Even though his wife passed away a year ago, John has been at sea and his in laws were taking care of the child for him. When he hires Addie as Edward's governess, she sees it as a chance to get to know her new family before they find out who she really is.

I really liked this book. It reminded me of books that I read years ago about a young woman who had a claim to a house or heritage and the family didn't want her around. It felt and read a lot like that, but it was a good story. I found myself caught up in it right away. My husband who was reading over my shoulder even asked me "who-done-it" so to speak. I can safely say that this is not his type of book and yet he was enjoying it.

Happy Reading

Deeanne Gist/J. Mark Bertrand

Dear Readers,


A couple of weeks ago I read J. Mark Bertrand's first novel, Back on Murder. I enjoyed the book and will do a better review when that one comes out. In the mean time, he released Beguiled, co-written with Deanne Gist. Now most of you will be familiar with her from her Historical novels. Bride in the Bargain is her latest. This book is a bit out of their normal writing, if you can call one book normal for Mark. This is a contemporary mystery. It is more along the lines of a Dee Henderson with more of a sense of humor.

Rylee is a dog-walker who is just trying to keep her head above water. She is barely making it. Her Grandmother lives in a retirement home and with those payments and rent, there isn't much to spare. But she loves her job and feels like her clients are part of her family. So when her clients are getting robbed by the Robin Hood burglar, she hopes it doesn't reflect badly on her.

Logan Woods is a reporter for the local newspaper. He is the one that named the thief the Robin Hood burglar when he steals high price items and then gives them to charities to auction off. He is actually just following the story in the hopes of selling the story in book form and launching his writing career. When he meets up with Rylee, he finds her attractive but also suspects she maybe the guilty party. How else to explain that all her clients are the ones being robbed?

This is a light mystery. I had a pretty good guess as to who-done-it right off the bat. But it was a fun read. I will be honest I did have a bit of a problem with how the two authors worked together. I just felt like I could tell right away exactly where each one was writing. Not a bad thing, but each has such a different writing style and they really don't write books that are alike, which makes it harder for them to write together and make it flow.

This book is well worth the read, it just isn't going to keep you awake at night.

Happy Reading,
Chris

Julie Klassen

Dear Readers, 

Julie Klassen loves Jane Austin and Regency era writing.  That is reflected in the books that she writes.  Her 4th novel, The Girl in the Gatehouse, is no different than the others.  It is very much a Regency period and even has some of Jane's own story intertwined into the main character's life.  It makes for a bit of a different read.

 

Mariah is banished by her father from her family home.  She has created a scandel and her father wants to make sure it doesn't affect her sister's prospects of making a good marriage. 

 

She moves into the gatehouse at her aunt's estate and resigns herself to a life without the love of a husband.  She needs to make money so she begins writing novels and selling them to a publisher.  She enjoys the work, but uses a pen name because she doesn't want her father to find out. She is afraid of what he would do if he did. 

 

Captian Matthew Bryant is looking to prove himself to the woman he loves.  Her father would not allow them to marry because he wasn't wealthy enough nor did he come from a good family.  So he leases the estate of Windrush Court in the hopes of proving to the world he is worthy of her hand.

 

I can not say it enough, these books were written for those who love Jane Austin books.  Julie says on her website, "If you love romance, English accents, Jane Eyre, or anything by Jane Austen, then you and I are soul sisters..."  She also writes for those of us who are looking for a good read and enjoy a good story. 

 

For January in Michigan this is a perfect read.  A cozy quilt, a cup of hot tea, and a warm fire and you will be ready for a wonderful night of reading. 

 

Happy Reading

 

Good Morning

Dear Readers,

I have had a couple of you ask what I am reading as I haven't had a review in a week.  Yes I am reading, but it has mostly been pre-releases from various authors, which means there just a bunch of review coming later.

They are all must reads.  Ok not all, but several are.  Francine River's, Liz Curtis Higg's, Ted Dekker's.  There were also a couple of new authors like J. Mark Bertrand and Sarah Surdin.  So look for those reviews and I hope to have some good ones coming soon.

Happy Reading

Liz Curtis Higgs

Dear Readers,

Liz Curtis Higgs releases long awaited book, Here Burns my Candle on March 16th.  I was able to read it this past weekend.  I believe this one should be on everyone's to read list this year.  There are a few of those coming this year.  I will do a bit longer review of it closer to it's release date.

Happy Reading

Happy New Year

Dear Readers,

I just wanted to take a moment to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year. One filled with one good book...er I mean...blessing after another.

Happy Reading
Chris