New Releases July 23-28

Dear Readers,

On one of the publishing house websites that I follow they asked the question - “would you rather give up books or music for a year?”  I answered almost right away “music.”  No hesitation and almost all the answers where right down the same line.  My answer was – “Music because reading is like breathing to me.”  Even before I got the job I have, reading has always been a very important part of my life.  I love books and can’t even imagine what life would be like without them.

Then I got to thinking about it and I know I would miss music.  Now because I am very tone deaf and couldn’t carry a note in a basket, music is not a huge part of my life.  I can think of several times that certain songs have affected me and my life.  “Blessed by your Name” by Tree 53 came into my life at a very important point.  I can still remember on Christmas morning standing in church while the choir of any one who wanted to join in could, sang the Hallelujah chorus.  

So yes, songs and music are not something I would give up lightly, but it is not even a close contest to books.  They would have to pry the book out of my hand before I would give up reading. 

Twang - Julie L. Cannon - Jennifer believes she was destined to be a country music star, but only after she has everything does she discover the darkside of it all.

River's End - Melody Carlson - #3The Inn at the Shining Waters - Three generations of women return to their roots to discover who they are and who they are meant to be.  Sarah's story.

A Path Toward Love - Cara Lynn James - Katherine came home to forget her past and found her future instead.

Faithful to Laura - Kathleen Fuller - #2 a Middlefield Family - Laura just wants to find out why Mark left her after pledging his love.  Sawyer needs to decide on whether he is going to join the church of return to the Yankee world.

A Man of Honor - Loree Lough - #3 First Responders Series - Dusty Parker has a lot on his plate.  As he and Grace start a life together will all fall apart because of one terrifying night?

Shattered Silence - Margaret Daley - #2 the Men of Texas Rangers - A serial killer is targeting illegal aliensand it is up to Cody and Lilianan to figure who and why.

Hearse and Buggy - Laura Bradford - #1 an Amish Mystery - Claire just wanted to get some relaxing in, but when a murder interfers with those plans she finds herself deep in the middle of  an investigation.

Ginny Yttrup

Dear Readers,

I kept asking myself while reading Lost and Found by Ginny Yttrup, “what took me so long to pick it up?”  I could hardly put it down.  I am kind of glad I didn’t start it on vacation as I am sure I would have lost myself in the book and missed something fun. 

The thing about this book is I cannot put my finger on what it is I like about it, beside everything in it.  The storyline is something that makes the characters come to life.  Each chapter is spoken from a different person’s perspective and it gives you a very three dimensional view of the story.  It gives you a small peek into what each person is thinking and it just adds to the story and it makes the people you like or dislike that much easier to understand.

I found myself so caught up in the story that I would read well into the night when I should have been sleeping as I had to work the next day.  It is something I could do in years past, but working on only 2 hours of sleep now is not a good idea for me.  They would probably find me slumped over my desk sound asleep. J

I fell in love with Jenna.  She is one of those characters that you just want to cheer on and hope that she overcomes everything life keeps throwing at her.  She makes you want to be a better person.  She married a guy who does love her, but is unable to defend her to her overbearing mother.  ( don't get me started on Bridgette)  She lives in their house, plus her mother-in-law is verbally abusive and controlling.  I wanted to help her run away from that situation and yet loved being able to watch her find herself in all that was going on.

Andee on the other hand was one I struggled to like.  Circumstances in her past forced her to put up walls and she still hides behind them.   As Jenna’s brother starts falling in love with her, Jenna warns him that he will get hurt, but he doesn’t seem to care.  I found myself thinking, “I would not be able to hang out with Andee as our lives and lifestyles wouldn’t jive.  Her fun and recreation is her work, me I would rather relax with friends or a good book.  Laughter seems a foreign thing to her and it is a big part of my life."  So as you can see we would be very different from each other.

Ok so I will stop going on and on, but this is a good book.  It is well written and one that I will be sure to recommend to other readers.

Happy Reading

New Releases July 16 - 21

Dear Readers,

I love when I get a couple really good books in a row.   You have already seen my review of Ginny’s book Lost and Found and after that one I picked up Garden of Madness by T.L. Higley.  That one is on my Ipad so when I am in the pool reading or sitting in the tub, I have been reading an early release of Be Still My Soul by new author Joanne Bischof.   All three of them have been a pleasure to read and they all have been very very different. 

I often wonder about that, why is it that there seems to be less books that speak to your soul that ones that are just something you read.  What is it about that book that makes it one that book, the one you never want to give away and it will forever sit on you book shelf reminding you of how good you wish other books could be. 

I don’t read books over again, I don’t have time, there are more waiting to be read and I need to get to them.   There are certain books I have said I will read again and those are ones I keep.  I don’t loan them out and to be honest I have not read them again, but they are patiently waiting for me to pick them up and read them again

How about you, any books on your read again list?

Beauty to Die For - Kim Alexis/Mindy Starns Clark - Juliette walked away from her super model career and never looked back.  Enter the man who helped her walk away, but Juliette is to distracted by a murder.

The Choice - Robert Whitlow - This is on my must read list.  Robert never fails to write a good book.  A choice Sandy made in '74 comes back to haunt her.

House of Mercy - Erin Healy -  When Beth's world falls apart, can she ever be whole again?

The Scent of Rain - Kristin BIllerbeck - When perfumer Daphne's sense of smell and fiance' disappear at the sametime, she is sure her life will never be the same.

Remember Me - Penelope Wilcock - #6 the Hawk and the Dove series - A monk has fallen in love, a wise widow knows the truth and now the finances of the abbey are in jeopardy.

Mindy Starns Clark

Dear Readers,

Most of you know that I am not a huge fan of “Anniversary books.”  You know which ones I mean, the Anniversary of the end of the Civil war meant there was suddenly a bunch of books about the civil war, the anniversary of 9-11 meant there was suddenly a bunch of books about 9-11.  So with the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic there has been a number of fiction books out this year. 

Most of you also know that I really like Mindy Starns Clark and the books/mysteries she writes.  So when her book The Echoes of Titanic hit the shelves I was in a bit of a dilemma, do I read it or not.  Well of course I did and I am glad I did.  Of course the boat still sinks and some survive and some don’t, but there was still a good mystery to go with the book and that I really liked.

Kelsey’s beloved Grandmother survived the sinking of the Titanic and started a business, which she has left as a legacy to her family.  Kelsey has been training to take the helm and with her father’s stroke she will need to step in soon.  During the ceremony which is a bit of PR, a distant relative stands up and tells the world, that Adelle was not the one to survive, but her cousin and she pretended to be Adelle just so she could inherit the family money.

With this facing her and a hostile takeover Kelsey needs to race against time to save both her Grandmother’s name and the family business.  Will she be able to find the bonds that could save the company or will everything fall apart before she can even make her mark on the business world? 

To be honest I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book, but I really did.  I shouldn’t have been surprised because it is Mindy writing it and I really like her books.  I guess that taught me something, never doubt a favorite author, they are a favorite for a reason.  J

I read this on vacation and would recommend it as a good summer read.  It kept me interested but was easy to pick up after I had to lay it down.

Happy Reading

New Releases June 29 - July 14 Part II

Dear Readers, 

These are the books the actually rolled in this week.  There are several new titles that are quite exciting, with a couple on my to read list. 

Happy Reading

8 minutes to ... Digital Winter - Mark Hitchcock/Alton Gansky - Colonel Jeremy discovers that a computer worm has destroyed power stations around the country.  He needs to stop it before cities are destoyed.

The Struggle - Wanda Brunstetter - #3 Kentucky Brothers - Can Hannah and Timothy's marriage survive a tragic accident?

Angel of the Cove - Sandra Robbins - #1 Smoky Mountian Dreams - Anna has always wanted to be a nurse, but apprenticing with a midwife in the Smokies may change all her plans.

Veil of Pearls - MaryLu Tyndall - Adalia is able to hid that she is part black and a run away slave.  But will her secret stay hidden or will everything come to light?

The Amish Bride - Mindy Starns Clark/Leslie Gould - #3 Women of Lancaster County - A long lost painting.... a journal with a secret code... a father's mysterious return...

The Face of Heaven - Murray Pura - #2 in his part of the Snapshots in History series - This novel pits the injustice of wat against the pacifism of the Amish.  Can an Amish man go to War and not lose his faith?  Can an Amish woman become a battlefield nurse and not lose her family?

Abducted - Janice Cantore - #2 Pacific Coast Justice series - Carly is ready to go back to normal.  But things just won't stay that way.

The Last Temple - Hank Hanegraaff/Sigmund Brouwer - Long awaited conclusion to Last Sacrifce & the Last Disciple. 

Cottage by the Sea - Robin Jones Gunn - Erin and Sharlene finally see their wish of starting their own wedding planning business and their "Happiest Day."  Life has a way of derailing all of our plans and Erin finds that out when her father takes ill.

Livng in Harmony - Mary Ellis - #1 The New Beginnings series - A Tragedy, a refusal, a Shunning.  Can Amy and John's love survive through it all.

Hidden in Dreams - Davis Bunn - sequel to the Book of Dreams - Elena has lost it all.  Her stance of dreams cost her job, romance, and credibility in the academic circle.  But she is certian that her dream is predicting a huge financial collapse.

New Releases June 29-July 14 Part I

Dear Readers,

I am covering a couple weeks here to catch the books that I missed while on vacation.  It will make for a longer list this week (will probably release two list this week). 

I want to say, we had a great vacation.  Very little rest, but so much fun and loads of memories.  I took lots of pictures and will get those developed soon.  I can't wait to share those with the kids just so we can relive the time together.

The only thing that wasn't so good is that I didn't get much chance to read.  I finished a couple of books, one that I won't be reviewing here for two reasons.  The first reason is I won't be carring in the store as there was to much content that is not something I want to carry and secondly because it wasn't very good.  Which was a bit disappointing, I was hoping it would be something I could carry and or talk about, but no such luck. 

Thankfully there are several really good books that have arrived here at the store and will make for good reading and reviews.

Happy Reading
Chris

Lethal Legacy - Irene Hannon - #3 Guardians of Justice - Kelly is sure her father's death is murder.  Cole is sure it isn't.  Who is right?

Dying to Read - Lorena McCourtney - Welcome back Lorena.  Cate's life is not going according to plan.  Neither is her new PI job. 

Over the Edge - Mary Connealy -  #3 Kincaid Brides series - Why can' Seth remember getting married?  Callie remembers and is not to happy to find out her husband doesn't remember her.

Tidewater Inn - Colleen Coble - #1 Hope Beach - Libby's dream come true has become a nightmare.  She can only hope to prove her innocence or lose everything.

The Stars Shine Bright - Sibella Giorello - a Raleigh Harmon novel - Raleigh is sent undercover to the race tracks.  Someone is fixing races and now horses are dying. 

Reunion - Lauraine Snelling - When secrets test the bonds of a family, is love strong enough to hold them together?

Whispers in the Winds - Lauraine Snelling - #2 Wild West Wind - Cassie is looking to settle down after the Wild West Show falls apart.  But what about the family living on her land?

To Love and To Cherish -Tracie Peterson/Judith Miller - #2 Bridal Veil Island - Bridal Veil's tourist season is at risk because of a storm that damages most of the island.  Will the island recover and will Melinda and Colson find what they are looking for?

The Haven - Suzanne Woods Fisher - #2 Soney Ridge Seasons - Sadie returns home, Gideon can't wait to court her, and Will finds a reason to stay on the Lapp farm.  Life in Stoney Ridge will never be the same.

Vannetta Chapman

Dear Readers,

Every once in a while I read a book that I would normally just not pick up.  Falling to Pieces by Vannetta Chapman is one of those kind of books.  Honestly I would never have picked it up casually because the cover really didn’t draw my attention.   But that simple cover is wrapped around a cute, cozy little mystery.

This is book #1 in the Shipshewana Amish Mysteries, book two, A Perfect Square, is already out with no word yet on when the next one is due out.  I assume sometime in the next few months.

Callie goes to Shipshewana to clean up her aunt’s estate after her aunt passes.  She is the sole heir to Daisy’s shop, etc. and besides, Callie needs a break from her life in Houston.  What a change of pace for her.  Her job as a sales person and big city life is a long way from life in quiet little Shipshe, a town of 600 except on Market day (which if you have ever been there you understand).

What Callie finds is a group of women that are loving, caring and accepting of Callie right from the minute she walks into town.   But will any of them stand by her when she is accused  of murder?  Callie quickly learns that she has to rely on others to help her in her time of need.

Yes this book has Amish people in it.  Yes it is set in a very Amish community, but it is more like a book about a quiet little town that happens to suddenly have big city issues in it.  It is a sweet story that has a mystery to it, but that murder doesn't even have any blood in it either.  I would say that if you are looking for a great vacation read this would be perfect for that.

Happy Reading

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

Must Reads

Dear Readers,

When this releases on July 9th, I will be home from vacation, recovering.  I am sure doing wash is one of the main things I will be doing, but also picking up mail and getting my dog back from my mother.  Other than that, sleeping and a bit of reading I am sure. 

Because I wasn’t in the store to find out what all the new books were that hit the store last week, I decided to write about books that are releasing sometime this summer or fall.  These are just a very few titles that I am looking forward to reading when they become available.

What does your “must read” list look like?

Happy Reading

The Choice – Robert Whitlow – August – I am always glad to see Robert has a new book coming.  His books don’t take me long to read, but they keep me interested from cover to cover.  He writes intriguing mysteries or murder mysteries that don’t always have straight answers.  There tends to be lots and lots of grey area in his stories and he forces you to think about the things you believe.

This one looks like it is a bit different for Robert.   The story starts in 1974 with a choice that Sandy makes at that time.  When we move forward to modern times it seems that Sandy’s choice has come home to roost and it may cost her everything.  Boy I can’t wait to get this one started.

5 miles south of Peculiar – Angela Hunt – Already available. – I have been reading Angela’s books for years now.  Can’t say I have loved all of them, but they have all been very interesting reads.  She is another author that keeps me guessing as to where she is going with the story line.  I can usually count on her not to go the way I think the story should go.

In 5 Miles she writes a story of twin sisters.  Darlene has always stood in her sister, Charlene’s, shadow.   Darlene finally feels she has moved out of the shadow in her little corner of the world.  That is until Charlene shows up just in time to take over the 50th birthday party Darlene had planned. 

The Girl in the Glass – Susan Meissner – September – I fell in love with Susan’s writing when I read her book, Why the Sky is Blue.  It is a very powerful book about a very grey area of living.  It was not a comfortable book to read but it was a good book to read.  I have yet to find one of her books that I didn’t like as they each are very thought provoking. 

The Girl in the Glass takes us to Florence Italy which is probably enough to make me want to read it anyways, but the story line sound just as exciting.  Meg receives an airline ticket in the mail and she is sure it is her long lost father wanting to meet up with her again.  But all she finds is an eccentric old lady who seems to think Meg is there for her.

Full Disclosure – Dee Henderson – October 2 – It has been 5 years since Dee’s last fiction book.  There is a whole genre that is considered “Dee Henderson like.”  It is romantic suspense and lots of readers are looking for something that is just like her books.  I am excited to see how this one reads and if it is as good as her other ones.

Ann and Paul cross paths when a case she was working on relates to one he is working on.  She “dumps” the case on his desk hoping to get it off hers.  The more Paul gets to know her the more he finds her interesting.  But does he really know this very private person?

Opening Moves and Placebo – Steven James – September & November – I love Steven’s books.  All of them.  They have kept me awake at night, they have caused me to put down other books I was reading, they are just that fun to read.  He writes about some very scary people who promise to act badly. 

Opening Moves is the prequel to the Patrick Bowers series.  I am looking forward to meeting Patrick’s wife and how his relationship with Raven started.  (If you have no idea who these people are start with Pawn) and Placebo is a new series is starting about Jevin Banks.   They both promise to help me lose a bit of sleep. 

Dan Walsh

Dear Readers,

The Discovery is Dan Walsh’s latest book.  It came out in April and I kept meaning to read it and just never got around to it.  You know how that goes.  When I found out I was going to have a chance to meet Dan a couple weeks ago I took that as a great reason to read the book.   I am glad I got the chance; it is my favorite one of his to date.   I will explain why the “to date” later. 

After Michael’s very famous grandfather passes away, he discovers an unpublished manuscript that would be worth millions.  Fans of his grandfather’s writing would love to read one more book by the literary giant, but Michael wants to read it first. 

The story is very different from anything that Grandfather had written before, but Michael finds himself drawn into the story.  As he gets deeper and deeper into the story he begins to wonder what is fiction and what is the truth. 

The book is still very much in the southern genre that Dan is well known for, but this one goes from contemporary to WWII, and I think that is what I find so interesting.  I really did enjoy the novel inside the novel; it would make for a very interesting story on its own.   That Dan included it as part of a story line that included the main character finding out his own family history just added something to the whole story.

Dan has two new books coming out in the next year.  This fall he has The Reunion which is the story of a Vietnam vet who is just struggling with life.  Then next April Dan and Gary Smalley are releasing the first book of a 4 book series on marriage.  In the Dance you will meet Marilyn and Jim who have been married 27 years and yet not everything is perfect.   I am looking forward to both books, but in the mean time the Discovery is a good one to read.

Happy Reading

C.S. Lakin

Dear Readers,

I was asked to read this book months ago and put it off for a bit and then completely enjoyed this cute little book.  The Map Across Time by C.S. Lakin is basically a fairy tale with the allegory mixed in to give out God's message. 

It wasn't hard for me to pick out the 'hidden" message in the story, but I don't think this book was written for the adult reader.  I think anyone around the age of 10 and up will enjoy this book.  Because of that, adults might find some of the book a bit "simple" and yet that added to the appeal of it all.

Twins Aletha and Adin want to find the cure to the curse that has followed their royal family for centuries.  Little do they know what the cost will be.  Adin finds a map that leads him across time to when the curse began.  The only problem is it is also the time when their beautiful city was under attack by an evil army of nomads. 

That really is the gist of the book.  It does take you on a wonderful journey which crosses time.  There are parts that are funny and just when you think the author may have taken her story line too seriously C.S. throws in a funny little comment that makes the reader realize that this is still a fantasy story. 

I plan on sharing this book with my granddaughters and asking what they thought of it once they get it read. I think that is one of the best things to do with this book.  Share it with a young reader, reading out loud together and discussing the true meaning behind the story. 

Happy Reading

New ReleasesJune 25 - 30

Dear Readers,

If you are reading this on July 2 somewhere around 9 AM, then I am probably in line somewhere in Disney.  I hope you have a great week and I will be back next week. 

Happy Reading

The Search - Shelley Shepard Gray - #2 the Secrets of Crittenden County - When the first murder in over 20 years happens, Luke Reynolds is called in to help solve the crime, but is he falling in love with a murderer?

This Scarlet Cord - Joan Wolf - the love story of Rahab - Need I say more?

Through Rushing Waters - Catherine Richmond - Sophia thought he life was all set, that is until the guy she thought was interested in her asked her roommate to marry him.  So she decides mission work is for her.

Wedded to War - Jocelyn Green - Heroines behind the lines - Civil War #1 - Charlotte chose a life of service over privilege when she decides to become an army nurse.

Coming Home - Karen Kingsbury - A Baxter Family Reunion and a chance to catch-up with the whole Baxter family.

Proof - Jordyn Redwood - Lilly is determined to find the serial rapist, but is she helping or hurting the case?

Harmless as Doves - P.L. Gaus - No one really believes that Crist could have murdered Glenn.  Evidence is piling up that shows the truth, but why does Crist confess to something he didn't do?