New Release - Eyes Wide Open - Ted Dekker

Dear Readers,

There were a couple of things that drew me to Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker.  First it is the hard copy of a series of books that released online last year under the series title of The Outlaw Chronicles.  I read the first one and really enjoyed it but didn't plop the money down for the other 3.  So I am interested in what they are like.

The second thing was in the actual description of the book on the back cover.  "In a return to the kind of storytelling that made Black, Showdown and Three Unforgettable, Ted Dekker drags (the question Who are you?)  to light... pure escapism packed with inescapable truth. "  That quote covers two of my favorite books by Ted and I would love to read more along that style.

Christy Snow is 17 and about to die.  She seems to be buried in a coffin and no one know where she is.  The back of the book goes on from there and I could quote it all to you, but I think if you are at all interested in this book I will leave it up to you to find out what happens in this book.

Three was the book that really won me as a fan for Ted and Black made me wish her wrote his books faster.  Now I haven't loved every book Ted has written, but watching how his mind works in his fiction has been an interesting journey.  I am looking forward to join him in an adventure once again.

Happy Reading

Patrick Carr

Dear Readers,

 

I know many people say that reading takes you to a different world.  That is probably why I love sci fi/ speculative fiction so much.  It truly takes you to a different world, with new creatures, new civilizations, and a new adventure. 

 

A Draw of Kings by Patrick Carr concludes the Sword and Staff series.  For those reading the series, this series was not long enough and yet we couldn't wait to get to the end to find out what happens to our beloved Errol. 

 

The king has died and the barrier has fallen.  The Merakh are swarming towards the border of the kingdom and evil Duke Weir makes a play for the throne.  With the country on the brink of civil war, will Errol and his band of friends be able to save the kingdom from not only the evil within, but the evil across the border?

 

I know that sounds like a book trailer, but I really don't want to give much away of the plot line, as what fun is an epic ending of a series if you already know what is going to happen and who will survive to be crowned king?

 

Just know that for those reading the series, this is a must pick up. If you haven't started the series, start at the beginning.  One of the nicest things about this series is its appeal to both fantasy and non-fantasy readers.  Young and old are reading it.  Families have picked up the books and parents are racing their teens to see who will get to the end first. 

It is fast paced, exciting and plain and simply a fun read.

 

Happy Reading,

New Release - London Dawn - Murray Pura

Dear Readers,

London Dawn by Murray Pura is the conclusion to the Danforths of Lancashire series.  World War II is looming on the horizon and the Danforth sons join the British military to help fight off the Nazi aggression.

At some point in the war every family member is going to be forced to choose what they will do to help preserve their countries freedom.  There will be choices made that will change the face of the family forever.  Some will never return to walk the grounds of the family estate.

This series has been very popular with book #3 being eagerly awaited by readers.  I had people requesting the book the week before it came out, they just could hardly wait to get their hands on a copy.  Male and female, young and old are reading it.  It makes you wonder why and maybe you should pick up a copy to find out.

Happy Reading,

New Release - Butterfly Palace - Colleen Coble

Dear Readers,

Colleen Coble is on author that is kind of my go to girl, if I am in a funk and not sure what to read next, Colleen is always a good choice for me.  She writes beautiful settings with stories that have an interesting mystery to them and wonderful characters. 

Butterfly Place has a historical setting with a great deal of intrigue to it.  Lily Donaldson is turning her back on her pain, caused by the abandonment of the love of her life and by the loss of her mother.  She starts working for the Marshall family as a kitchen maid.  Her new life isn't perfect but at least it keeps her mind busy and distracted from thinking about her losses.

The path of a serial killer call the Servant Girl Killer has everyone on edge at the Butterfly Palace.  Is the killer stalking Lily?  Will she know who to trust in time to save herself and anyone else?  Maybe coming to Austin was not the right idea.

With a nod to Downton Abbey, Butterfly Palace gives us a glance in the working of the large houses of early America and then you add a killer on the loose, it all makes for the perfect way to pass a cozy winter day. 

Happy Reading,

New Releases - January 20 - 25

Dear Readers,

I can't keep up with my reading list.  I always have a hard time choosing which book to read first.  Some of them sit in the TBR pile for a while and yet others make it to the top right away.  I don't know why this is, but there are just certain books that speak louder than others and demand to be read first.  I wonder when these books will make it to the top of the "to be read" list?

Happy Reading,

SnapShot - Lis Wiehl - Lisa doesn't remember being at the event that killed civil rights leader Benjamin Gray, but a picture proves other wise.   Could she and the other little girl be the only witnesses to the murder?

A Road Unknown - Barbara Cameron - Amish Road series - As Elizabeth comes to the end of her Rumschpringe she has to decide whether to return to the family that she misses dearly or to stay in Paradise.

Eyes Wide Open - Ted Dekker - (from the backcover) - My name is Christy Snow.  I'm seventeen. I'm about to die.  So who are you?

Smitten Book Club - Colleen Coble/Kristin Billerbeck/Diann Hunt/Denise Hunter - Heather finds an old book written by former Smitten resident Pearl Chambers, little does she know how that book will change her life.

London Dawn - Murray Pura - #3 the Danforths of London - The Nazis are marching across Europe and the Danforth boys enlist to keep the aggression at bay.  Who will survive this new war that is looming?

Wildwood Creek - Lisa Wingate - A chance to follow in her father's footsteps leads Allie to agree to spending a summer filming a docudrama.  Where it leads her is to everyone having secrets and not knowing who she can trust.

Butterfly Place - Colleen Coble - Lily recognizes the man that abandoned her at a dinner party, her past and present collide.  The Servant Girl Murder is moving closer and she feels trapped in a web that is closing in on her.

Where Courage Calls - Janette Oke & Laurel Oke Logan - When Calls the Heart novel - This series compliments the new series on the Hallmark Channel.  Set in the Canadian frontier it brings us back to Janette's much loved Canadian West series.

New Release - A Promise Kept - Robin Lee Hatcher

Dear Readers,

Robin Lee Hatcher has been a fixture in the Christian Market for more years than either I or Robin would like to admit.  I have been reading her books for as long as I can remember and loving the variety of topics she has covered.

A Promise Kept is a contemporary novel about a marriage in trouble.  Allison believed that Tony was all she is looking for in a husband.  Completely in love, babies and a happy home.  Skip ahead a few years and when Allison gives her husband an ultimatum, he responds by leaving.  Not at all what she expected from him.

She retreats to a cabin in the mountains to lick her wounds and recover.  While there she finds a diary that leads her to explore more about what her Aunt Emma's life was like in the 20 & 30's.  What she finds out about Emma lead Allison to ask herself some very difficult questions.

I found the following quote from the back of the book interesting. "Alluding to a personal history never before revealed, A Promise Kept is Robin Lee Hatcher's most intimate work yet..."  How brave of Robin to reveal so much of her own story to us.   That she is willing to open herself up to us in the hopes that it will help someone else is an amazing gift to us readers.

Happy Reading,

Tracy Groot

Dear Readers,

 

Sometimes you read a book and it is just a wonderful read and you can't wait to read the next one by an author.  Sometimes you read a book and it just kind of gnaws at you.  It doesn't leave you alone until you are finished and then it still sits in the back your mind to be brought  out to be mulled over again and again.

 

Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot is that kind of book.  It is not a comfortable read, but it is good.  There is nothing delicate or gentle about the book even though it is set in the south and you would like to think that all the southern hospitality would invite you in for tea and biscuits.  It doesn't, instead it shows an ugly underside of America's history.  

 

Andersonville is the greatest war tragedy to happen on America's soil.  13,000 Union soldiers died at the prison in 14 months and most of them could have been saved.  Through many different reasons, but mostly hate of the Union army the prisoners never got the proper food or clothing. 

 

I could go on, but most of the information you can find between the covers of this book, but also online.  The pictures that I found online reminded me of the ones you will see of the holocaust.

 

Violet Stiles almost literally stumbles on the conditions of the Andersonville prison one afternoon when she decides to surprise her father with a visit.  Little does she know what she will find.  Her father, a doctor, has tried to shelter his wife and daughters from what is happening  at the prison. While he is trying to shelter them, he has been working to make a difference at great risk to himself and his livelihood.

 

Now that she knows, Violet wants to make a change.  She is sure that there are problems only because people in Americus, the local town, just don't know what is going on.  With the help of two soldiers, one Georgia Militia and one regular army,  she decides to enlighten the town.   This brings on more trouble than she ever expected.

 

This book was not a light winter read.  It didn't keep me entertained because it was fun to read, it kept my interest because it made me think about what I would have done.  The enemy who has killed friends and family is living in my home town, they are suffering now, do I help or do I turn a blind eye and ignore their pleas for help?

 

Happy Reading   

 

P.S. Tracy Groot will be here at Baker Book House on February 4th at 7:00 P.M. to talk about her experience writing this book and her research into Andersonville.  Hope you can join us.

New Release - The Headmistress of Rosemere - Sarah E. Ladd

Dear Readers,

I think when they hand out awards for covers, The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd will be in the running for first place. 

Patience Creighton has devoted her life to keeping her father's boarding school for young ladies running.  It has made her a spinster at 25, but it keeps her busy along with keeping her mother happy.  It all may come to ruin because the owner of the land the school rents has financial troubles and the creditors have come calling

William is trying to stay ahead of the creditors, but he is beginning to think the only way to get them off his back is to sell the land that Rosemere sits on.  But if he sells it may cost him the one thing that will give him true happiness.

Regency romances have made a huge comeback in the fiction market in the last few years.  Downton Abbey may have a little to do with that even thought it is two completely different eras.  Whatever it is us American readers love to read about English history and it looks like authors and publishers are happy to make sure there is plenty of good reads out there for us to indulge in.

Happy Reading,

New Release - She Shall be Praised - Ginny Aiken

Dear Readers,

Historical fiction remains a strong genre on the fiction market.  There is something about being able to curl up with a gentle story set in past where things were "better" and "safer."  Which isn't true, they just had different problems and the answers are already written in the history books.

She Shall be Praised by Ginny Aiken is one of those such books.  A story that is set in the Wyoming territory during 1800's.  There are no major historical happens, just the men and women working to tame the wilds and make a go of it in the new lands of America.


When Emma steps off the carriage to give her new puppy exercise, she never expects to be left behind in the middle of no where in the need of rescuing, but that is what happens to her.  Her knight in shining armor is Peter Lowery and he refuses to be her to town while the growing season is happening.  He will house her and feed her until fall, but she must earn her keep.

When you are looking for a quaint get away, Ginny Aiken's books fit the bill perfectly.  It will give you a glimpse into what life was like as the families worked to make a go of life.  It is will make you want to curl up in a rocking chair in front of a crackling fire and rest for a while.

Happy Reading,

New Releases - January 13 - 18

Dear Readers,

I am reading a book right now that I never thought I would read let a lone like.  It was one a couple different libraries asked me to read and give an honest review on.  Right now I am working my way through it, 622 pages of it, and I find it interesting enough to continue on.  So if it ends up being a good read I will be reviewing it soon here. 

None of these books are that title, but there are some good ones here to start the new year with.

Happy Reading

A Miracle of Hope - Ruth Reid - An Amish Wonders Novel - Lindie thinks an arranged marriage is the only way to a future for herself.  Josiah needs some one to care for his 8 year old deaf daughter.  He isn't looking for love, but it might find him anyways.

The Headmistress of Rosemere - Sarah E Ladd - Whispers on the Moors #2 - Patience is busy being the headmistress of Rosemere after her father's death.  She doesn't have time to find love.  William has worked himself into financial trouble and now the creditors want to be paid and the only way to do that maybe to close Rosemere.

Claiming Mariah - Pam Hillman -  Slade Donovan is looking for vengeance.  He claims Mariah's father bought their farm with stolen gold.  He is ready to collect on that debt and throws Mariah and her family on the street. 

She Shall be Praised - Ginny Aiken - A Women of Hope novel - The last thing Emma expects is to be left behind when she steps off the carriage to exercise her puppy, but she find herself standing in the middle of nowhere.  She is rescued by Peter, but he won't be able to bring her back to civilization until fall.  Until then she needs to make herself helpful around the farm.

Stranger Things - Erin Healy - Serena's career is ruined by a student falsely accusing her of sexual misconduct.  While out walking she stumbles on a house overtaken by criminals where she witnesses the murder of her rescuer.  She life is turned upside down and she is placed in terrible danger.

A Promise Kept - Robin Lee Hatcher - Allison believed her marriage to Tony was a dream come true.  Years later the dream has crumbled and he has left.  Retreating to her cabin in the mountains, Allison tries to come to terms with her lose.  When she discovers her Aunt's wedding dress and diary, Allison knows she needs to surrender her life completely to God.

It Had to be You - Susan May Warren - A Christiansen Family Novel - Eden has taken on the role as her younger brother's cheerleader, but it puts her own career on hold.  Jace is the bad boy of the team and he is not willing to set his reputation aside to mentor the rookie Owen.

Mrs. Lincoln's Rival - Jennifer Chiaverini - (from the jacket leaf) The intertwining public lives of the two woman (Mary Todd Lincoln and Kate Chase Sprague) never failed to inspire headlines, but the true and lasting influence each wrought in private makes for an even more fascinating story.

New Release - Mrs. Lincoln's Rival - Jennifer Chiaverini

Dear Readers,

Jennifer Chiaverini is bringing historical heroines to life in her most recent books.  Mrs. Lincoln's Rival is the second book she has written centered around President Lincoln's wife.  Who in and of herself was/is a very interesting character.

In this book Jennifer brings to light the rivalry between Mary Todd Lincoln and Kate Chase Sprague.  Kate takes over being hostess for her father who has ambitions to the presidency but because he is three times widowed he is at a disadvantage.  Kate sees her chance to help her father climb the ladder takes over the job. 

Because Salmon P. Chase strives for the presidency, Kate and Mary suddenly become opponents on the drive for the white house.  Two women who had much in common and could have been friends find that because of a father and a husband, they can not trust the other. 

Strong females that in-spite of society saying that they are the weaker sex and should be home taking care of families are running the country and changing history, they are the ones who are fun to read about.  I appreciate Jennifer writing about these woman who are part of America's story.

Happy Reading

 

Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

Dear Readers,

 

I have been told and repeated twice that Janette Oke has retired from writing and twice I have been wrong, so I will no longer say that about her.

 

Where Courage Calls by Janette and her daughter Laurel Oke Logan is written as a companion to the Hallmark channel movie When Calls the Heart and the new TV series by the same title. 

 

The new series returns us to the beloved Canadian West series that Janette wrote back in the 90's.   Many of us who read the books were ready to pack up our bags and move to Canada to meet us a handsome Mounty.   Well not all of us, there is a lot of snow and cold in Canada and I was not interested in that at all.

 

Beth Thatcher has taken a teaching job in a small mining community in the wilderness of western Canada.  She is use to a life as one of the more affluent families of Toronto, but she wants more from life and here is her chance to experience life outside of her family's small circle.

 

The experiences she has are not at all like what she knows and what is comfortable.  When all her luggage is stolen as she disembarks from the train, it is the first of many trials that she needs to work through and find answers for that don't include asking her father or mother for help.

 

For many of us, Janette Oke's books were our first experience in the Christian fiction market.   Those that read them when they first hit the market are now sharing them with daughters and granddaughters.   It is a pleasure to introduce a young lady to the joys of reading about the settling of the west.

 

Janette's books are always a gentle story that can put the world back on its axis when it all seems out of tilt.   Sometimes it is good to be reminded that God is in control and that he remains faithful no matter what problems we are facing.

 

Happy Reading,

New Release - Scraps of Evidence - Barbara Cameron

Dear Readers,

The Quilts of Love series that is published by Abingdon Press has proven to be a hit for them.   With several different authors and settings, readers have followed the series while encouraging their friends and fellow readers to give it a try. 

Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron is the first release of the series for 2014.  There were customers in the door the morning of its release to pick it up.  I have phone customers that call within a couple of days to order the book, it is just a series that they can't seem to get enough of.

Tess is trying to balance her career and the caring of her Aunt.  Her partner Logan finds it hard to believe that Tess loves quilts and quilting, it is something she shares with her aunt.  But after Aunt Susan offers some strange comments about her beloved quilt, Tess' curiosity is takes over.  The quilt and where it came from leads to killer, a killer who is willing to kill again to protect their secret.

With no two book alike in this series, it has been fun to see how the quilt has been so involved in America's story.  Whether it was hung on a line to point runaway slaves in the right direction or was used as a way to tell a families story, the quilt is a part of America as baseball and apple pie.

Happy Reading

New Release Songs of Shenandoah - Michael K. Reynolds

Dear Readers,

It is always interesting to read about how many different countries/cultures help to build our country.  How each family that came brought their countries traditions and beliefs and yet set right to work to help make this country great.

Michael K. Reynolds series Heirs of Ireland has followed the Hanley family through out many trials and failures.  Songs of Shenandoah is the #3 of the series and promises to be a great ending to the series.

Seamus bows to his wife's wishes and returns her to the family farm in the south where he takes a job as a chaplain.  His sister Claire has become a powerful voice for the freeing of the slaves and Davin is busy getting rich during the gold rush in California. 

Each family member is a part of our history with each a different story to tell.  They are still family even if they don't agree with each other or even end up on different sides of the war. 

The first two books were stories that made you just want to keep reading and finding out what happens to the family and with this book being the last one, more than one reader will be sad that the series is done.

Happy Reading

New Releases - January 6 - 11

Dear Readers,

I just spent the first to days of this week snowed in.  White outs and frigged temps made that decision easy.  Of course it does lend itself to lots of time to read.  I just wished I had a couple of these titles at home to get started on.

Happy Reading

The Calling - Suzanne Woods Fisher - The Inn at Eagle Hill - Bethany's life has gone off track.  She is spending the summer sorting the belongings of 5 Amish sisters.  She isn't sure what she wants but she knows Stoney Ridge doesn't offer it and it isn't Jimmy Fisher.

The Sentinels of Andersonville - Tracy Groot - (from the dust jacket)  "Near the end of the Civil War, inhumane conditions at Andersonville Prison caused the deaths of 13,000 Union soldiers in 14 months.:"  This is the story of 3 Confederates and their fight to improve what was happening in their town.

For the Love of Pete - Debby Mayne - a Bloomfield novel - Bethany is a recent widow and trying to fill her empty life and nest.  She ends up filling her house to the brim until a friend encourages her to fill her to let go of the past and fill her life with friends not stuff.

Songs of the Shenandoah - Michael K. Reynolds - An Heirs of Ireland Novel - (from the back cover) In this dramatic conclusion to the Heirs of Ireland series... the clash of loyalties and beliefs threatens an entire family. 

New Release - The Sentinels of Andersonville - Tracy Groot

Dear Readers,

I am so looking forward to reading this book.  The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot.  I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but after listening to Tracy talk about her research and having read her other books, I know this is going to be a good one.

Andersonville had a prison that housed Union soldiers, but it was known for the horrible conditions.  At the end of the war 13,000 soldiers died in 14 months.  The prison was known for it unsafe conditions and a place where prisoners didn't get out they died.  In fact the commander was tried for war crimes after the civil war.

3 different southerners found out about the conditions and had to make a choice as to whether to make a difference or to continue on as the town was, which was ignore the problem and pretend it didn't exist.  No matter which choice they make, so one will get hurt.

What would you do?  

If this book isn't on your to be read list, it should be.

Happy Reading

William Sirls

Dear Readers,

After reading and being impressed with William Sirls first book the Reason I was very interested in reading his sophomore book, The Sinner's Garden.  He has a way of writing characters that were very rich and enjoyable to read about. 

I was not disappointed.  The Sinner's Garden was a thought provoking book.  When the main characters find a garden in a place where no garden should be, their lives will never be the same.

Andy was tragically scarred when his father threw boiling water at his mother and he happened to be in the way.  It is something he has struggled with all his life, the thought that others judge him completely by what his face looks like.

Uncle Rip has just been released from prison after being arrested for dealing drugs.  While in jail Rip found God, not that everyone believes him, and is trying to turn his life around and mentor Andy.  Neither job is easy because of his past.

To make life even more interesting in town, there is "Summer Santa" breaking into peoples houses and leaving gifts for those in need.

Once again William sets his book is a small town in Michigan right on the shores of Lake Erie this time.  He fills it with interesting characters that all have something to hid.  Whether it is Andy trying to hid his scar or the person running around handing out gifts like a modern day Robin Hood, they all have secrets that they think no one can see, forgetting there is someone who sees everything.

Happy Reading

New Release - Shadowed by Grace - Cara C. Putman

Dear Readers,

I thought I would use the quote on the back of Shadowed by Grace by Cara C. Putman. "Cara Putman is a truly gifted author who offers strong characterization ad quality research in her fiction."  Tracie Peterson. 

I think that is why her books have become so popular, she does the work that is required to make a good read.  She makes sure that the subjects she is writing about is correct and clear in its telling.  She has the gift of making you feel involved and part of the story.

Rachel takes a assignment to Italy close to the front lines in Italy.  Her newpaper is not thrilled with sending a woman so close to the fighting, but Rachel is on a mission of her own.  She is looking for a father she has never meet in the hopes of finding him will save her mother.

While looking for her artist father, she ends up getting involved with the Monument Men.  The men of the allied armies that are trying to save the art work that the Third Reich is hiding and trying to keep hidden. 

There are several books and a movie coming out about a band of men that worked diligently to save these famous works of art for the world.  I think one of the most interesting things about their story is that so few of us even knew they did this work for us.  How can heroes like these go without credit for their work?  

I have found their story fascinating and am looking forward to learning more about them.

Happy Reading

New Releases December 30 - January 4

Dear Readers,

A New Year and more books to read.  Can I interest you in an author you haven't read before?

Happy Reading


Scraps of Evidence - Barbara Cameron - Quilts of Love - Tess is a brisk professional cop by day and a woman who loves to quilt by night.  When the two worlds collide in a quilt, it might all lead to a serial killer and suddenly Tess' life is in danger.

New Release - Beowulf - Ronie Kendig

Dear Readers,

Ronie Kendig fools many a reader who don't know much about her.  Most if they just read her books assume she is a man.  Which is the mistake I made.  There wasn't any bio on the back of the first book of hers I read, Dead Reckoning. 

Beowulf is the 3rd in the Explosives Detection Dog series.  Ronie takes us, in this series, on a journey with combat dogs and their handlers.  How these dogs have saved many lives through their training and actions.  The bond between human and dog is something that is hard to describe and yet Ronie does a great job of picturing it for us.

Timbrel has sworn the only "boy" for her is Beowulf her explosive detection dog.  They head to Afghanistan on a mission where she is reunited with Tony "Candyman" VanAllen.  When the mission heats up and Beowulf hits a false positive, Timbrel defends her dog.  As she seeks to prove him right it brings her face to face with her past.

Ronie's books are enjoyed by any fan of military books, male or female.  They are action packed, fast paced and you become very attached to the characters, human or canine.  She does her research and makes sure she talks to, visits with and writes about what the experience is like, even when what happens leaves the reader with an unhappy ending. 

Happy Reading

Julie Klassen

Dear Readers,

 

Julie Klassen's book The Dancing Master could not have come out at a better time.  It came out just a couple weeks before Christmas, so not only were some people looking for a new book to give as a gift, others were looking for a good read during the winter season.

 

Alex Valcourt, his mother and sister flee London after a scandal ruins their livelihood.  Their dance academy is forced to close because of actions by his father.  They move to little Beaworthy in remote Devonshire, where Alex is hoping to start another academy.

 

Julia's mother has imposed an unwritten rule in Beaworthy, "no dancing."  Julia doesn't know why and finds herself attracted to the new dance master in town.  She knows her mother would never approve of him as a husband, but of course that makes him all the more attractive.

 

Gentle regency romances are Julie's specialty and that is very clear in this book.  She has added a bit of intrigue and mystery to it, which adds to the interest of the story. 

 

The is no fast pace to this story, it is just a pleasant tale that makes you want to start taking dance lessons.

Happy Reading

Happy New Year

Dear Readers,

May the pages of each book you open this new year contain new adventures, new friends and new lands. 

Happy Reading and