Sandra D. Brinker

Dear Readers,

To say this book is sweet is to use a very bad pun. Always the Baker Never the Bride by Sandra Bricker is also funny and cute. It has been a great read for on my lunch hours here at work. I actually read her other book The Big 5-oh on lunch also.

Emma Rae is an award winning baker who has never tasted her own creations. She loves what she does, but being a diabetic has restricted what she can and can't eat.

Jackson just wanted to fulfill his dying wife's last wish. He has bought the hotel she always wanted to own and turn into a wedding destination hotel. He doesn't really know what he is doing, but try he will . Thank goodness for the "hens" as he calls his sisters who are firmly on board to help him. Each with her own wonderful talents.

What happens is a funny, endearing story that is filled with very lovable characters. From Aunt Sophie who keeps showing up at the hotel in her tiara, lime green ballgown and bedroom slippers to Emma's parents who, though divorced, seem to still be interested in each other.

This is plain and simply a feel good story. You know that romance is going to bloom between Jackson and Emma, but not without problems. Not only will you have this wonderful little story to read, Sandra treated us with additons to the book like receipes and how-tos for wedding planning. They are just the perfect little additions to this book.

Happy Reading

                                                                                                  

New Releases Oct. 18-23

Dear Readers,

Couple of big titles this week.  Both Joel Rosenberg and long awaited Jan Karon's newest are on the shelves now.


The 12th Imam - Joel Rosenberg
In the Company of Strangers - Jan Karon
Mystery at the Inn - Grace Chapel Inn - Carolyne Aarsen

      

Joel Rosenberg

Dear Readers,

You will notice this review is a bit different.  I didn't write it.  A friend of mine, Den Slattery, read the book and wrote this review.  I tried very hard to get the book read before it released.  As you can tell I didn't get finished.  The parts of the story I have gotten a chance to read I have completely enjoyed.  I am leaving on a short vacation in a week and a half and plan on finishing it then.  I will have a review up shortly after that.

Until then you can enjoy Den's review.  He is a pastor at a local church and a published author of several books.  He has two biographical books that cover his story in Vietnam and as an Army Chaplin. 

Happy Reading

Joel Rosenberg's newest book, The Twelfth Imam, takes us back to the middleast, this time centered in Iran. It's a story of spies, lies, and world conquest. It is an absorbing look into Islam, using many true to life experiences that have been heard on news broadcasts around the world. Similar to his Last Jihad series, this new book is all about the conflict between Muslims, Jews, Christians, and Americans. However, the real focus of the book is on an Islamic Messiah who is to come into this world on the heels of world war. While this may sound like science fiction, don't tell the current leader of Iran that because he is doing everything in his power to bring the Islamic Messiah into this world as soon as Iran has nuclear capability. In the book, just as it is in real life life, Washington doesn't have a clue how important this is to Muslims. Perhaps the two most important questions we can ask--Is he alive today? Will Iran start a world war to encourage him to come? Read the book and find out.

New Releases Oct. 11 - 16

Dear Readers,
Unlocked - Karen Kingsbury
The Lost Testament - Brian L. Thompson
Love finds you in Silver City Idaho - Janelle Mowery

Peace - Jeff Nesbit

Secrets of Harmony Grove - Mindy Starns Clark

       

Tessa Afshar

Dear Readers,
Biblical fiction is a tough genre to write in. Some people won't read it because you are "changing the Bible." Some people won't read it because "I have already read that story." I struggle with it because it can be so boring as some writers will just rewrite the Bible story with no changes to it and then expect us readers to like it.
The Biblical fiction I do like is because of the face it puts on the characters involved and brings the actually Bible story to life. Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar is that type of book for me. It really made me think more about Rahab and her story. Questions like, why was she a prostitute and what was she really like? came to mind.
The cover is what actually got me curious about this book in the first place but the subject matter is what made me want to read it. Rahab is one of only five women mentioned in Jesus' lineage. What earned her that right? It also made me realise that Jesus was not ashamed to mention her in his lineage.
Rahab was sold into prostitution by her father. It was a time of drought and famine in Jericho and her family was starving. They didn't see any other way to survive. In the years to follow Rahab continued on in the lifestyle that was chosen for her mostly because she figures no one else would want her anyways. That is until she hears about a country and their God who is laying waste to any country that stands against them. Bigger, stronger countries. The scarest thing is Jericho and Canaan are in the sights next.
I have often wondered why Rahab would betray her country. I am sure there was no great love for her country, but treason? Wow. But why? It had to have been a God thing. He knew the plans he had for her long before she even knew that He exsisted.
Once that country had destroyed her homeland why would she want to join them? They had killed off everyone and only saved her and her family because of a promise made to a couple of spies. Why trust them and why did they accept her?
Rahab's story is one of God's pursuit of us no matter what we have done, how he will and does use all of us and mostly it is the story of His forgiveness and love for us.
Happy Reading

New Releases Oct. 4-9

Dear Readers,
Not a large list this week.  It gives me a chance to catch up on my other reading.  We did receive a large number of Christmas books and I will do a list of those at the beginning of Nov.  That way you will have time to pick out a couple of stories to make your holiday season.
Happy Reading
Love is Grand - Annalisa Daughety
Wrangler in Petticoats - Mary Connealy
Nipped in the Bud - Susan Sleeman

Alice J. Wisler

Dear Readers,

Sometimes you go on a vacation and you just want to go back to visit all the time. The Outer Banks in North Carolina are like that for me. I have only been there once and yet I want to go back again. It is just one of those places where even though there are lots of houses and people it seems just a bit wild. The ocean was never still while we were there and there were many places that were made for walking and just wandering around in.

Hatteras Girls by Alice J. Wisler is set on the Outer Banks and that in and of itself made for a good read for me. Jackie has two dreams, one is to find a good man and the other is to become the owner of a beloved bed and breakfast that she and her sister used to visit when they were younger.

The Bailey Place is a local landmark, but since the owners moved and then passed away the house has fallen into disrepair. When Jackie meets the grandson and current owner of the Bailey Place she is sure God has started to answer her prayers as the grandson is also single. Maybe both prayers will be answered by one person.
I have liked all of Alice's books that I have read. This is her third one and she is finding her niche in the fiction world. She writes delightful stories that are just nice to read. She is very good about making you want to visit the places she writes about. You will want to meet the characters and become friends. They make for great summer reads all year around.
Happy Reading

New Releases Sept 25-Oct. 2

Dear Readers,
Saints Among us - Tales from Grace Chapel Inn - Anne Marie Rodgers
I shall Not Want - Debbie Viguie
Emily's Chance - Sharon Gillenwater
The Waiting - Suzanne Woods Fisher
The Lightkeeper's Bride - Colleen Coble
The Reluctant Prophet - Nancy Rue
One Lane Bridge - Don Reed
When the Devil Whistles - Rick Acker
The Voyage of Promise - Kay Marshall Strom

The Blood of the Prodigal - P.L. Gaus

The God Hater - Bill Myers

Seek Me with All Your Heart - Beth Wiseman

Lynn Austin

Dear Readers,
There is always a bit of excitement when a new Lynn Austin book is due in. There are many people that look forward to her new book and start asking for it weeks in advance. While We're Far Apart is Lynn's newest and she once again doesn't disappoint her loyal fans.
I am not sure who I would call the main character of this book. You have Esther, who is trying to figure out how her life fell apart. Her mother has been gone a little over a year and her father just announced he is leaving for the army to help fight the Nazis. There is Penny, who has been in love with Eddie for as long as she can remember. When he announces he is leaving for the army and needs help with his children while he is gone, Penny is sure this is a way for her to get noticed by him. There is also Jacob who, besides trying to recover from the loss of his wife, is worried about his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter who are in Hungary. They all have such an important part to play in the story. There are also background characters that are just as important and yet don't have as big of parts.
Young Peter who has been unable to speak since the day his father left. Penny's parents and the secret they have kept and even Roy the young man on the bus. They are all part of the rich tapestry that is this story. I can't imagine the story without them. They all start out with their own tale, but as the story continues on they all become wrapped together and become part of each other's lives.
For me one of the most interesting storylines was Jacob's. How he waited to hear from his son in Hungary. How he worked behind the scenes to send money to different charities to get money over to Europe and save as many of the Jews as possible. Sometimes we forget that not only did Hitler affect families over in Europe, there were many families over here waiting for years to hear word of missing family members.
It is interesting to read a story like this in that it is a reminder that there are numerous families right now in America with family members overseas. They are all making new memories without that loved one there to share it with them. It is a great calling to defend our country, but it costs the families much.
Happy Reading