New Release - Christmas at Harmony Hill - Ann H. Gabhart

Dear Readers,

Christmas is in the air.  Time to break out the Christmas books.  It is the only holiday where there are whole books meant to be read only during this time of year.  I know you can read them anytime, but it always seems strange to read them in July.

Christmas at Harmony Hill by Ann H. Gabhart  is the first of the Christmas novellas to arrive in the store.  Set once again in the Shaker village that Ann is known for writing wonderful book about, this is a story about the joy of Christmas and the forgiveness that it brings.


For those of you that have been reading and following Ann's Shaker series this is a must read.  It is a gentle book that sets the mood for a peaceful and quiet Christmas.  It also reminds us of what is really important about this busy season.

Happy Reading

Book of the Year 2013 - The Outcast - Jolina Petersheim

Dear Readers,

 

Goodness I feel like it was only a few short weeks ago that I pick the 2012 book of the year.   I have had several of them once again that have shown the possibility to be the book of the year, but the one I picked was partly because I read it in a day.  I started it on a Sunday morning and finished it by that evening. 

 

The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim was one of those books that made me want to turn pages and not lay it down, but it wasn't a fast paced book, it was one that just told a story that refused to be laid down.  It also made me interested in reading Jolina's next book,  The Midwife that releases in the summer of 2014.

 

As most of you who read my blog off and on know, Amish fiction is not my favorite genre, but that didn't really seem to matter in this book.  Then again, it is not your typical Amish fiction.  The subtitle on the book is "a modern retelling of the Scarlet Letter" and that is more of what this book is about than another Amish book.  Yes the main characters are Amish, but this story could and does happen in various forms around the world. 

 

I guess that is one thing I look for in the book I pick, it has to be something different.  It may tell a familiar story, but it needs to do it in a new and fresh way.  The Outcast was that.  I know originally the cover is what attracted my attention, but what lies between the lovely covers is what makes me pick this book for 2013.

 

Happy Reading.

 

P.S. Runners up include - Though Mountains Move - Julie Cantrell,  Secrets over Sweet Tea - Denise Hildreth Jones, Snow on the Tulips - Liz Tolsma, Burning Sky - Lori Benton, The Hero's Lot - Patrick Carr, Every Waking Moment - Chris Fabry.

New Release - The Prodigal - Brennen Manning/Greg Garrett

Dear Readers,

Brennan Manning passed away in April of 2012.  I have no idea if this book was in the works before or after his death.  I do know by reading the author acknowledgments that Greg and Brennan had meet and talked about this project, but I don't know how far they got.

The Prodigal by Brennan Manning and Greg Garrett is a story of the power of grace and forgiveness. Jack Chisholm is at the top of his career.  He leads a mega church, published several books and has a slogan that works for getting people to do anything, "We have got to do better."   The only problem is, he has no idea what grace and forgiveness is and God is about to show him how that all works. 

After one night of indiscretion he finds out how quickly the top becomes the bottom.  As he looses everything, his job, his royalties to his books and most importantly his family, Jack hit bottom with no where to go.  He tries to drown himself in the bottle and figures he has nothing else to loose, until he gets a visit from his father who tells him, "Come Home."

Anyone who has read anything by Brennan knows that he spoke, wrote and preached on grace and forgiveness all the time.   We must all find grace and forgiveness and must learn how to live it.  Grace very seldom is learn when you have everything, it is usually learned when you have lost everything.

Happy Reading

New Release - An Open Heart - Karry Kraus

Dear Readers,

For those looking for Medical mysteries, this has been you lucky couple of months, first Richard Mabry released a book and now Harry Kraus has released a new one called An Open Heart.  I actually started reading medical mysteries because of Harry.  I enjoy his writing style and the mystery involved are always interesting.

Dr. Jace Rawlings patients are waking up from surgery to accuse him of a murder that is going to happen yet.  They predict the deaths of people around Jace  and point the suspicion at him.  Those that are really guilty of the murders and controversy swirling around Jace will do anything to make sure he isn't able to figure out the truth. 

In the mean time he is trying to get a heart surgery program running in Kenyan and the problems at home seem determined to follow him there.  Will the clinic survive the controversy?

That maybe why I so enjoy Harry's books, he doesn't always follow the 'norm' in writing his fiction.  Who else would think of a mystery that has a murder that hasn't happened yet, but people are accusing you of it.  How very interesting.  Of course the medical element always adds to the storyline, even if I have no idea what they are talking about some of the time.

Happy Reading

New Releases November 18-23

Dear Readers,

In spite of the best efforts by stores everywhere, Thanksgiving is coming and we need to take time to give thanks for our many blessings.  I say that stores are trying to get rid of Thanksgiving because to me retail seems to find Thanksgiving as more of an annoyance instead of something that should be celebrated. 

I love Thanksgiving because there is no pressure to get to 20 parties in 4 days or to make sure you have the perfect gift.  You can just spend the day with family and friends, eating way to much good food, watching (hopefully) good football and not having to hurry off to somewhere else. 

I hope you have a wonderful blessed Thanksgiving and enjoy sometime with family, friends and maybe a good book.

Happy Reading,

Elusive Hope - MaryLu Tyndall - #2 Escape to Paradise - Magnolia never wanted to move to Brazil, she just wants her old life back.  Hayden follows his father to Brazil, vowing to find the man he believes killed his mother. 

An Open Heart - Harry Kraus - Jace Rawling's heart patients are waking up and predicting that he is going to murder the people around him.  How can that be?  How can he stop this for effecting the new clinic he just opened in Kenya?

The Prodigal - Brennan Manning/Greg Garrett - A book that continues Brennan's teaching even though he has passed from this life to glory.  Jack is at the top of his career and when he falls he falls a long ways.  One night cost him everything until he is told to "come home." 

New Release - Heart of the Country - Rene Gutteridge/John Ward

Dear Readers,

So people love to read the book after seeing the movie and some people would rather read the book first.  I am of the second camp.  Of course I am also of the camp that I have never liked the movie better than the book, maybe as well as the book, but never better than. 

Heart of the Country is the novelization of the movie of the same title.  Faith and Luke have it all, he is a raising star in the investment world and she is a singer who is settling beautifully in to married life.  What more could one couple want? 

It all comes crashing down when it is revealed that Luke is involved in a Ponzi scheme.  Faith returns home to a place she turned her back on years ago and Luke must ask for help from his own family.  They are both prodigals returning to a place of love, forgiveness and family.

The DVD for the movie is releasing on December 3 so if you prefer to read the book first you have time, not much, but a few days.  If you are one who likes to read the book after the fact you don't have long to wait. 

Happy Reading

Angela Hunt

Dear Readers,

 

I put off reading The Offering by Angela Hunt as my book club was going to read the book for November.   I have enjoyed many of Angela's books, but the note in the back said she has written 115 books, well I have to say I have not read them all.

 

The Offering is about Amanda and her want of a house and a way to pay for her daughter's music education.  With her husband Gideon being in the military and her only able to work part time that just doesn't seem possible right now.  When she meets an expectant mother and finds out she is a gestational carrier, Amanda believes she has found the answer to their problems.

 

Amanda goes home, does some research and decides that this is a great way to earn money.   She loved being pregnant and here is a chance for her to help her family with no cost to them.  The baby's parents will pay for everything including clothes, doctor visits and even a maid if she needs one.  How hard can this be?

 

Our discussion last night was quite lively and I don't think we ever came to a conclusion on whether we are all for or against, but we did talk about it.  It was fun because we have an interesting mix of ladies.  Because one couple in the group had adopted kids and most of them are related to people who have adopted, it made for an interesting aspect of the story.

 

One lady related how a relative was unable to have children and how hard that was on the wife.  Now when this was happening, science hadn't gotten as far as it has now so IVF wasn't available, but the woman said she had thought about carrying a child for the relative but knew she would never had been able to give the child up at the end.

 

This is a topic where Angela doesn't really give you the answers to your questions, she lets you decide whether you find it morally ok or not.  She does touch on the frozen embryos and what happens to the ones that are not used, which is a whole different topic and could fill another whole book. 

 

One thing I did find interesting, we all struggled with the main character and I am sure Angela wrote her that way on purpose, we didn't like her.  It didn't take away from us liking the book and the topic, but it made for another discussion on why she did what she did. 

 

Happy Reading

New Release - Elusive Hope - MaryLu Tyndall

Dear Readers,

Book #2 in the Escape to Paradise, Elusive Hope continues the story of the colony started in Brazil by those who were loyal to the South during the Civil War.  There really was a colony that was started in Brazil, not quite in the area that MaryLu describes but close.  It is one of those things that you can look up on line and find out more about their story.

Hayden has been trying to track down his scoundrel of a father and he believes he may have finally found him in South America.  He has vowed revenge against the man whom Hayden believes killed hi mother. 

Magnolia did not sign up for the move to Brazil, her father made the choice to escape the turmoil after the Civil War.  She misses everything she believes she deserves - pretty dresses, handsome suitors and slaves to wait on her every whim.  Looking for a way out Magnolia sees Hayden as a chance to get back to the South she loves.

MaryLu is known for writing historical romances about little known subjects in America's history, but she also loves to write about the South.  She gives you an enchanting story of love in spite of the couple best efforts to not fall in love with each other.

Happy Reading,

New Release - The First Phone Call from Heaven - Mitch Albom

Dear Readers,

Around here I am not sure if Mitch Albom is best known for his Detroit new columns or his best selling books or his play he wrote about Ernie Harwell the voice of the Detroit Tigers.  So when his new book The First Phone Call from Heaven hit the shelves there was more than one person looking for it.

What if you received a phone call from a loved one, someone that had past away?  What would your reaction be?  Sully Harding has returned to Coldwater Michigan on the same day as those first phone calls started coming through.  While the world takes notice, Sully is doubtful an sets out to prove that the calls are just a cruel joke from a very sick mind. 

Mitch has a folksy way of telling a story that makes you want to believe it is real.  The characters of his stories make us want to be a better person.  And sooner or later it seems like everyone is reading his books and talking about them.  They are the type of book that seems to draw a wide variety of readers and that is what makes them so interesting, you can have a conversation with your co-worker, a family member or that stranger that rides the bus with you. 

The books raise questions that beg a discussion and sooner or later you need to find someone to talk it through.  But that is what makes the story even better and last longer, the chance to work through the high points.

Happy Reading,

New Releases - Nov. 11 - 16

Dear Readers,

As I start this list for the books that have arrived in the store this week, it is raining/snowing around here.  It just seems early for snow, but I have been reassured that it is very normal for Michigan to get snow in Nov.  I just know that I am not ready for cold, wind and snow.  It just makes me want to curl up with a good book and not poke my nose out again until spring.

Happy Reading

The First Phone Call From Heaven - Mitch Albom - On the same morning that Sully Harding is released from prison is the same day the first phone calls start happening.  Phone calls from people to their loved ones.  Which doesn't sound so unusual except the one that is calling is dead.  Sully sets out to prove it is all faked by some with a sick sense of humor.

Plain Peace - Beth Wiseman - #6 in the Daughters of Promise series - Anna should have the pick of eligible young men in their community, but because her grandfather set in place rules to be followed, no one dares court her.  That is until Jacob comes to town and decides it is worth the risk.

Kiss of Revenge - Debbie Viguie - #3 in the Kiss series - Susan and her friends are preparing for their most important battle with the vampire Richelieu.  (from the backcover)

New Release - Kiss of Revenge - Debbie Viguie

Dear Readers,

I don't know if I have mentioned it, but I am not that into Vampire books.  I have never read the Twilight books and I have only read a couple of Anne Rice's books, as good as those are.  It isn't something I really enjoy reading as most of them are really creepy and I am not really into horror.  Dracula was evil personified and some have taken that to a new level.  There are interesting ones out there, but mostly they are just gory.

That is until I was asked to read book #1 in the Kiss trilogy by Debbie Viguie, Kiss of Night.  I flew through the book and could hardly wait for book #2 Kiss of Death, but then book #3 has been a little wait, but thankfully Kiss of Revenge is finally in our hands and we can fight along side Susan and Wendy and their little band that stands between the Vampires and world domination.

From what I understood, Debbie started this series with the thought, could a vampire be saved.  Can something so evil actually become a believer?  With the answer being yes, Debbie wrote a couple of very interesting characters into her books.  One being a monk who was a vampire and a one who was fighting for humans, Raphael.  It made for some thought-provoking reading. 

Susan and Wendy are ready to fulfill their destiny.  They need to fight Richelieu and his growing band of vampires for supremacy of the world.  The vampires are ready to take over and make humans their slaves and the only thing that stands between them is a little group that stands divided right now.  Can they discover the secret of the cross before it is to late?

These books have been great fun to read.  They are fast paced, with great characters and a story line that leaves you wanting to turn the page as quickly as possible.  I really wish there was more in the series, but thankfully Debbie has loads of other books that are just as good to read.

Happy Reading,

Shawn Hoffman

Dear Readers,

 

Samson by Shawn Hoffman was one of the toughest books I have read in a long time.  It wasn't because of the writing, it was the subject matter.  Shawn takes the stories of several different Jews who were sentenced to Auschwitz during World War II and compiles them into one man's story. 

 

Now there really was an Olympic Boxer who, because he was a Jew, was sent to Auschwitz where he was noticed by not only the commandant of Auschwitz but also Doctor Mengele.  As really happened, in this story he and his family are threatened with death if he loses his weekly fights, but they will receive extra rations and maybe even freedom if he continues to win.

 

I will tell you right now this book is not for the faint of heart.  I have had to lay it aside a couple of times and read something lighter because of man's inhumanity to man.  The stories that are shared makes this a book that can haunt your dreams and you sometimes have to step away from it to remember that God is still in control.

 

Because Samson's story is more than one person's story it sometimes gets a bit overwhelming.  It makes it unbearable sometimes, but that people actually survived these horrors is amazing to me.  How did they not just lay down and die of a broken heart when they understood what was happening to their loved ones in the gas chambers and other places in the camp. 

 

Stories like these have often made me wonder about the men and women that were in charge of the camp and how they dealt with the awfulness they were doing to the people inside their prison walls.  Samson gives a brief glimpse of things the soldiers that guarded the prisoners went through themselves and what they did to dis-associate themselves from what they did.  Now I don't think they are any more right, but sometimes for the guards it was do what was commanded or end up in the gas chambers yourself.

 

This is not an easy read, this is not a book to read if you are struggling with depression yourself, but it is a good read to get a small picture of what life was like in a death camp.  

 

Happy Reading 

New Release - Rest Not in Peace - Mel Starr

Dear Readers,

I have read the other 5 books in the Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon series.  They are an interesting read about life and crime in medieval England.  Because of the very different perspective on both of those it has made the series very interesting.  Book #6 Rest Not in Peace by Mel Starr just hit our shelves and I am going to have to add it to the 'to be read' list.

Hugh de Singleton practices medicine in a time when there was very little to go on.  They didn't know a lot about the human body and the best way to put someone to sleep for surgery was a stiff drink.  After reading about some of the things they did to try to make some one healthy again, I had decided I will stay in the is century, of course the living conditions are also something I would not like.  I like electricity and running water. 

Master Hugh finds himself asked once again to solve a mystery for Lord Gilbert.  Sir Henry Burley needs help sleeping and Hugh is asked to mix him a sleeping potion.  When Sir Henry heads to bed he seems perfectly healthy, but the next morning he is dead.  So not only does Hugh have to find the real killer, he needs to prove his is innocent.

Once again Hugh needs to solve a crime without using any modern tools.  No finger prints, no incriminating emails or phone calls, no way of telling who is telling the truth or lying.  He needs to just go on instinct and hopefully before he is thrown in jail for a crime he didn't commit.

I love walking along side Hugh as he tries to figure out the clues.  Mel makes sure we get the clues with Hugh to see if we can solve the puzzle before Hugh does.  It is the 'old fashion' way of doing things, but it is a refreshing way to solve crimes.  Well at least in between the covers of a good book.

Happy Reading.

New Release - Sweet Olive - Judy Christie

Dear Readers,

Sweet Olive is the newest release of Judy Christie.  She live in Louisiana and that comes through in her fiction books as she sets many of her stories there.  Which of course gives her books a good southern flair.

In Sweet Olive Camille agrees to one last assignment from her uncle for his natural gas company.  All she has to do is get the population of the area to agree to give up their mineral rights and the use of their water to drill for natural gas.  Sound simple?  It is not something that Camille likes to do, but she feels obligated to her Uncle. 

The only problem is the town she needs to go to is Samford, Louisiana, the one place on earth she hoped to never return to.  A place where she has spent the worse month of her life.  But one she gets the meetings behind her she can move on to the art gallery job that is waiting for her.

Reading about the south and their warm weather is the perfect way to make those raw fall days that we are experiencing in Michigan right now, go by much faster.  Reading a lovely story to go along with it helps matters even more. 

So pull up a chair, pour some sweet tea and relax, let the winds howl it doesn't matter you are going to be in Louisiana.

Happy reading,

New Releases - November 4 - 9

Dear Readers,

Goodness we are half was through November and the holidays are lurking in the back ground.  I am not ready for them yet and still there are so many titles that I would love to share as gifts with people.  There are a few more titles to make that list even longer.

Happy Reading

Stones for Bread - Christa Parrish - Liesl's world is all about bread.  Her heritage, her job, her life.  That is until those who surround her start interfering.  The troubled teen her head baker brings in, the waitress who summits her recipe to a cooking show, and the flour guys who thinks he can win her affection.

Amanda Weds a Good Man - Naomi King = #1 One Big Happy Family - Amanda is ready to marry Wyman after being a widow for 4 years.  The problem comes when they try to blend their two families together in a house that is just to small.

Autumn Grace - Marianne Ellis - #2 Amish Seasons - Ruth loves her church and community, but struggles with the rules  When give a chance to teach in a community nearby, she jumps at the chance, but who would have guessed she would find love there.

Rest Not in Peace - Mel Starr - #6 Chronicles of Hugh De Singleton Surgeon - Master Hugh is once again mixed up in the middle of murder, but this time his is one of the suspects.

New Release - Aloha Rose - Lisa Carter

Dear Readers,

The Quilt has been a major presence in America's history.  It was something that immigrants carried over with them, sometimes being the only thing they escaped their homeland with.  It has helped slaves escape their owners, it has told stories in its stitching and it is a treasure possession in many families.

Because of this Abingdon Press decided to do a series based on the quilt in America and the many different stories that are attached to it.  Quilts of Love series has meet with great success.  There are many readers that are always waiting for the next one to come out.  So far I believe there are 12 of them in print with many more to come.  They are each written by a different author and they cover America almost from when we were first discovered to modern times.  Each of them tell a beautiful story of us as a country.

Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter is the November release and takes on a journey with Laney as she tries to figure out who her birth family is.  The only clue she has is the quilt she was wrapped in when found as an infant.  It is a Hawai'ian quilt - red rose snowflake on a white back ground.  It leads her to start her search on the main island when she runs into Kai.  He has figured her for a gold digger and fights her every move.  He is determined to not let her succeed.

I am amazed at how many different stories that can be written with a quilt as the center and no two are alike.  They also release a new Christmas story for a special holiday read.  As popular as quilting itself is right now I believe this series will continue to do well for quite awhile.

Happy Reading

Katherine Reay

Dear Readers,

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay is a book that I didn't know what I was getting into when I first started.  When I realized the book was written completely in letter form, I thought it was going to be tough slugging through it.  I have read other books in this form or diary form and I don't usually enjoy them because they don't always flow well.  This one is well worth the read, I enjoyed it and really related to the character even though her life and age are completely different from mine (while I was on vacation I read it in one day).

Samantha (Sam) is an orphan who has been in and out of the system for years.  She has learned to deflect everyone from her life and from knowing her better.  She makes her friends in the books she reads.  Austin, Dickens, the Bronte sisters to name a few.  She thinks it is working for her until she is forced once again back to the home because she loses her job because she does not relate well to others.  So true and it is a harsh realty for her to learn.  

Sam accepts a scholarship from a foundation that is willing to pay her tuition to a grad school, even if the degree isn't quite what she thought she would be doing, journalism.  But while learning how to write she has to learn more about herself and to trust people with her story.  

Sam is a real 3D character.  She has flaws, she has beautiful gifts to give others and she longs to be loved by a true family.  A forever love.  What she learns along the way is something we can all relate to.  She hides behind masks and refuses to let anyone in.  She figures if she hurts someone first then she is safe, but of course that means she never is open enough to trust anyone either. 

I really could go on and on about this book, but I might give some of the storyline away and it is something you need to discover for yourself.  I will say though that with her first novel, Kathleen does a great job of making you want to meet her characters and love them just for who they are.  I am excited to see what she does with her next book.

Happy Reading.

New Release - Samson - Shawn Hoffman

Dear Readers,

Books come across my desk almost everyday that I think to myself, 'I want to read that.'  Some of them do get read and others fall through the cracks.  I hate admit that I don't get them all read, but I sure do try hard. Of course that is half the fun, trying to read them all.

Samson by Shawn Hoffman is one that as soon as I heard about it, it went on my 'to be read' list.  The storyline caught my attention right away.  It is the story of Samson Abrams who along with his family are sent to Auschwitz.  While he is there he is recognized as a former boxing champ and is then forced to box for the entertainment of the officers.  If he wins, his family gets extra rations, if he looses they go to the gas chambers. 

Based on true stories that have come out of Auschwitz, it is a story that makes you wonder about human nature and how we can be so cruel to each other.  Reading books about WWII is hard enough because you know what happens, but reading about the families as they arrived at Hell on Earth makes my heart hurt.  They had no idea what they were facing and yet hoped against hope that they would be treated humanly. 

I will say here that I am reading it, I just got it started the other day at work, and there will be a review soon, but so far I am having a hard time reading it because of how awful things are.  I have to come up for breath once and a while to remember that things are o.k. here.  Not an easy read, but one that reminds you how evil people can be.

Happy Reading.

New Release -15 Minutes - Karen Kingsbury

Dear Readers,

Many many years ago, ok not that many, I read my first Karen Kingsbury book.  I loved that she took on a relevant issue and showed that we could survive what the world hands us, whether we think we can or not.

15 Minutes is her newest and she once again takes on an issue that well to put it bluntly will never deal with in this scale, but yet we all will have to deal with sooner or later. 

Zack is an overnight success.  He tried out for and won a place on the reality show, 15 minutes.  He becomes a darling on the show because of he good looks and Elvis like sound.  He vowed to not let the fame compromise his beliefs or his relationship with Reese, whom he plans on marring.  But little bit by little bit his choices are leading him down a bad path.

Reese, Zack's high school sweetheart, wonders if she can  trust Zack and their relationship.  She sees him slipping away and when a job offer comes in she thinks of taking it, even though it would take her half way around the world.

Everyday choices that will effect the rest of your life.  Now most of us will never be on the national stage, but everyday we are asked to stand by our beliefs or to change them just a bit to fit in with what others ask us to do.  It is easy to look at a star and think they should behave better, when we are really not acting any better ourselves.

Happy Reading

New Releases - Oct. 28 - Nov. 2

Dear Readers,

It is November already, which means the holiday season is just around the corner.  We have a radio station which is already playing 24 hours of Christmas music.  I am not ready for any of that.  In fact the view from my desk includes a lovely view of Christmas boxed cards. *Sigh*

As snow starts to fly, it is just wonderful to sit down and relax with a great book.

Happy Reading

Sweet Olive - Judy Christie - Camille has one finally job to finish for the oil company that her family owns.  She is ready to move on to her real passion of running an art gallery, but first she has to return to the town that was the scene of the worst week of her life.

The Bargain - Stephanie Reed - #1 Plain City Peace - The 70's in an Amish community was very different from the rest of America.  But the Englisher world crashes into Betsie's life in more ways than one.  She just wants to return to Plain City and marry Charlie Yoder.

Samson - Shawn Hoffman - Based on actual events that happened during WWII at the Auschwitz death camp.  When Samson Abrams reaches Auschwitz he is recognized as a former  boxer.  He is then forced to box for the officers entertainment.  Win and you get more rations, lose and you go to the gas chambers.

Fifteen Minutes - Karen Kingsbury - Zack is on the edge of having it all.  But will it cost him everything to have it.  His sweetheart back home is not sure about their relationship anymore and then an offer comes from half way around the world.  Chandra has experience with what Zack is dealing with and wants to help him find his way.  

Dear Mr. Knightley - Katherine Reay - Sam hides in her books, she only friends lie between the pages of the classics like Austen, Dickens and Shakespeare.  The problem is she lives in the real world.  When a mentor offers a free passage to college she finds out what it means to really be loved and how to be a friend.

New Release - Heart Failure - Richard L. Mabry M.D.

Dear Readers,

When it comes to medical suspense Richard Mabry is one of the best.  His medical background as a Physician helps him write accurate and true cases into his stories.  He is busy helping other writers now while president of the American Christian Fiction Writers.  It all comes through in the books he writes for us to enjoy and to keep us on the edge of out seats.

You can look in any of his books and read the quick one sentence reviews by readers and they all give the same idea.  Richard knows what his is writing about and he writes it to keep us flipping pages as quickly as we can.  Heart Failure is Richard latest release to keep you up at night.

Carrie was heartbroken by her husband's death, but her medical practice is finally taking off and she is soon going to marry Adam, a paralegal who seems almost to good to be true.  When a drive by shooting leaves Adam no choice but to confess that he is on the run from the witness protection program. 

It forces Carrie to decide whether to follow her heart and stay with Adam or leave him to keep herself safe.

Fast paced, full of action and story lines that make you wonder if we are ever safe any where, that is the type of book that Richard writes for his fans. 

Happy Reading