William Sirls

Dear Readers,

We have a wonderful opportunity tomorrow to visit with an author in a nice unique way.  William contacted me a couple weeks ago and asked if it would be ok if he came to our store for a visit.  I of course said yes.  So all the way from California, William Sirls will be wandering our book store looking to meet readers and talk to them about his books. 

I have read and reviewed both of his books, The Reason and Sinner's Garden and they are both very interesting reads.  I am looking forward to meeting William here at 3:00p.m until (as he says) the books are gone. :-)  

Happy Reading,


                                                                                

Susan Meissner

Dear Readers,

I could hardly wait to start my vacation not only because of the time in the sun and warmth of Florida, but I was going to start a book that I had been waiting to read since I knew Susan Meissner was working on A Fall of Marigolds.  
 

I hate to say it, the book never made it to Florida, I finished it on the plane ride down.  I started it in the airport waiting for the first flight and could hardly lay it down to get on the flight.  I am glad I did make the plane as it was beautiful weather and I got 4 other books read.  
 

There is a scarf that connects two woman across the years.  Clare is a nurse who has retreated to Ellis Island to recover from a tragedy that she witnessed.  A fire ripped through the building she was working at, but she couldn't help the men and women trapped on the upper floors and had to watch as they started leaping to their deaths.  
 

Taryn's life was saved by a beautiful scarf.  She was on the way to the North Tower to meet her husband and tell him the wonderful news that she was finally pregnant.  She couldn't wait to get there, but a client wanted her to stop and pick up the scarf to see if she could match it.  She survived, but he did not.  

 

There was something about this book that made me not want to put it down.  It made me do something that doesn't happen to me often.  It made me cry. I didn't weep, but it sure did make me tear up.  I got done reading and I wanted to turn to my seat mate to tell them they had to read this book, but I am sure that my husband isn't so interested in reading this book.  

So I will tell you instead, if you haven't read any of Susan's books, this would be a great one to start with.   It shows her at her best, a modern storyline and a historical storyline.  She is so good at showing us how much we are all connected to each other whether in the same decade or not. 

 

Happy Reading,

New Release - Princess ever After - Rachel Hauck

Dear Readers,

What little girl hasn't dreamed that they are really a princess in hiding.  One that was taken from their country to live a 'normal' life to later reclaim their throne.  Rachel Hauck in Princess Ever After takes that thought in hand and writes about Regina who is more at home in the classic restoration shop working on cars than in any dress.   Little does she know that a fairy tale is about to come true for her.

Tanner is trying to find the long lost princess to save the country of Hessenberg.  Once Tanner finds the princess he needs to bring her back even with sever opposition, one that could even be a threat to Regina's life.

 There is something fun about reading fairy tales, there is something wonderful for the soul.  We have all dreamed of a life in the lap of luxury and how perfect it would be.  Once we grew up and realized that it was only childish, those dreams died, but how fun it is to revisit those innocent times for a brief period.

Rachel is good at that and this is the second in the Royal Wedding series.  Take some time away, dust off your tiara and pretend for a bit that you are that long lost princess.

Happy Reading,

New Release - Life Support - Candace Calvert

Dear Readers,

For someone who knows very little about the medical field, Candace Calvert writes a very good book.  Because I have asked, for those who loved the medical field or work in it, Candace Calvert writes a really good book.

Life Support is book #3 in the Grace Medical series and she is still going strong.  Her readers can hardly wait for the next one to come out and the books start moving off the shelves the minute they come in the doors.

Lauren gave up her life to help her sister who seems to be making all the wrong choices.  Of course that means confronting Elijah,

New Releases - February 17 - 22

Dear Readers,

Today finds me back in Michigan.  I have spent the last week in a land of sun and warmth.  I am not sure that has been my best plan, the coming back.  :-D  Thankfully I have lots of good reading material to get me through the last few weeks of winter.

Happy Reading,

Beneath The Navajo Moon - Lisa Carter - Erin search for a long missing woman leads her into more than she ever imagined.  Adam isn't to excited to have this woman digging into his Navajo history, but when their lives are in danger, they find they must rely on each other to survive.

How Sweet the Sound - Vanessa Miller - Shar thinks traveling with a gospel band in the 30's is what she needs to make everything in her life perfect.  When she looses her voice, can the love she left behind help her find it again.

Holding a Tender Heart - Jerry S. Eicher - #1 The Beiler Sisters - How can an Englisha girl prove to her parents she truly wants to be Amish without them thinking she has gone off the deep end?

Dating, Dining and Desperation - Melody Carlson - #2 A Dear Daphne Novel - Daphne is finally coming to terms with her Aunt's will - keep up the advice column & find a husband - all in a year.  Yikes, it is happening to fast.  Especially when her neighbor decides that Daphne is a project to be taken care of. 

Tide and Tempest - Elizabeth Ludwig - #3 Edge of Freedom series - Tillie left Ireland with her fiancé to find a better life together.  Two years later she finds out his death may have been murdered and the wrong people think she is able to identify them. 

Life Support - Candace Calvert - #3 Grace Medical - Nurse Lauren puts her life on hold to help her sister.  Elijah is at odds with his father over the are of his disabled brother.  They need each other, but them seem more at odds with each that able to get along.

Runaway Saint - Lisa Samson - Sara seems to have her life completely together, a supportive husband, a hip business, and a house that is the envy of the neighborhood.  That is on the surface.  Underneath she is restless and when a long lost Aunt shows up unexpectedly on her doorstep, everything comes to the forefront.

New Release - Fall of Marigolds - Susan Meissner

Dear Readers,

Susan Meissner does not write books fast enough to suit me.  She really needs to start releasing books at least once a month and that way I will never worry about what I am going to read next, I will always have one of hers on hand. 

I was hooked by her writing in the Rachel Flynn series and have read her books as close to their release dates as I could.  I have taken them on vacation, mission trips or just a weekend at home, but they are must reads for me.  I am so looking forward to reading The Fall of Marigolds while on vacation and then reporting back to you. 

Two women an hundred years apart have their stories connected by a scarf.  One that has it point her to the truth and the second one is forced to confront the powers at work in her life.

In the style that Susan does best, she combines past and present and reminds us that we all effect others, even if sometimes it might be years after we have left the planet. 

Happy Reading,

Julianna Deering

Dear Readers,

I don't know if I am reading more because of the weather or because there are so many good books that have been releasing since the beginning of the year.

Death by the Book by Julianna Deering is book #2 in the Drew Farthering Mystery series.  With a lovely cross between Downton Abbey and Agatha Christi this series has been a joy to read.  With a wicked sense of humor and a bit of murder and mayhem thrown in, it is the perfect read for a snowy Sunday afternoon.  Of course you must include a cup of tea in the equation as they are set in England.

Once again Drew finds himself drawn into a murder mystery, one that thankfully doesn't include any family members this time.  All he wants to do is try to get Madeline to accept his marriage proposal-in spite what her Aunt Ruth thinks of him. 

Working along side Drew and Chief Inspector Birdsong is jolly good fun as they fight, poke fun of each other, and work very hard to solve the mystery before one more body shows up.   I am looking forward to Julianna's next book which is scheduled to release in July of this year.

Happy Reading,

New Release - Friend Me - John Faubion

Dear Readers,

There has been so much on the News about the dangers of the internet and some of the social media sites.  It has worked its way into the fiction books before and once again with Friend Me by John Faubion.  The dangers he writes about are to a marriage already in trouble.

Rachel is a lonely housewife.  Her marriage to Scott is on the edge and because she is desperate for attention, she creates a virtual friend.  She befriends Melissa on line, unknowing that Melissa has also friended Scott, Rachel's husband.

Melissa is searching for the perfect man and figures she has found him in Scott.  As Melissa gets more and more aggressive, Scott and Rachel realize that not only must they save their marriage, but their very lives are at stake.

As the winter drags on, it is time to get out that book that keeps you awake at night.  Friend Me will be one that may also keep you off the net for a couple of days. 

Happy Reading,

New Release - Shaken - Kariss Lynch

Dear Readers,


Shaken by Kariss Lynch is her first book from what I can understand or find.  If it is different someone correct me.  Now that is not where her writing started, it sounds like she feel in love with writing in the 3rd grade and she has been pursuing that dream ever since. 

Kaylan follows her calling to serve in Haiti, where she finds a people she can love and help.  Even with a voodoo priest that tries to stop her work, she know she is doing what God wants her to do.

Nick Carmichael never thought he would love anything or anyone more than he loves his country.  As a Navy SEAL he is use to difficult and dangerous situations, but when Kaylan is trapped in Haiti after the earthquake the devastated the country, he knows she is not prepared for any of it.  Will his love and faith be enough to rescue her?

The Earthquake that shattered Haiti was over 4 years ago already, hard to believe.  I personally was surprised that there hasn't been more fiction books about the tragedy and someone had to lead the way. 

I am not sure what I would have done if a loved one was stuck in a 3rd world country when a natural disaster happened.  Kariss is giving us a chance to explore our own emotions and thoughts of what we may or may not do if that would even happen to us. 

Happy Reading

New Releases - February 10 - 15

Dear Readers,

February can be such a long month in the northern states and this year that is going to be very true.  With over 100 inches of snow on the ground a prediction for more, we are looking towards many more weeks of not being able to do much outside. 

Sometimes the only way to survive the winter months is a bunch of good books, thankfully we have another good long list of new releases.

Happy Reading,

Susanna's Dream - Marta Perry - #2 Lost Sisters of Pleasant Valley - Susanna's life is upside down.  She is mourning the lose of her mother, her business partner is hinting about leaving their gift shop and now she found out her mother is not her birthmother and she has two sisters.

Princess Ever After - Rachel Hauck - #2 the Royal Wedding Series - She is a small town girl who love to restore cars.  He is the Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg who need to find the long-lost princess to save the throne.

Mark of Evil - Tim LaHaye/Craig Parshall - #4 The End Series - As the reign of the Anti-Christ reaches new heights, Josh and the Remnant fight for their survival.

Friend Me - John Faubion - Rachel and Scott's marriage is in trouble.  They both turn to a friend on the internet, but that friend has other plans for them.  Ones that may cost their lives.

Hopeful - Shelley Shepard Gray - #1 Return to Sugarcreek - Miriam puts on a good front.  She appears to be happy, but she really longs for a family of her own.  When the man she longs for starts paying attention, she is thrilled, until she realizes that he is only using her to get the attention of another woman.

Love Redeemed - Kelly Irvin - #2 The New Hope Amish - Phoebe is so excited to head out on a vacation with her family at the lake, but when tragedy strikes, her and Michael need to discover that forgiveness is available.

New Release - Smitten Book Club - Coble/Billerbeck/Hunt/Hunter

Dear Readers,

Smitten Book Club by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter, actually came out a couple of weeks ago, but I thought I would wait until the perfect day to promote it to you.  What better day than the one day of the year the town of Smitten was made for, Valentine's day.

An old leathery tome is found in a dusty cardboard box and as soon as Heather sees it she knows it is coming home with her.  The Gentlewoman's Guide to Love and Romance is not only appealing it is written by a local woman from generations before. 

Little does Heather or her book club know how much this old book will change their lives.  Not only does it change their love lives, but it seems to hold the clues to a buried gold.  How can the group not go on a treasure hunt together.

Laughter, friends, and romance and then throw in a little hidden gold and what more could you ask for in a book.  The Smitten series has been a fun read, with moments of out loud laughter.  You can tell this was written by four friends as each story seamlessly blends with the others.  Each character has their own voice and yet they all belong together. 

I for one hope the Smitten series goes on for a long while yet.

Happy Reading

P.S.  This review is dedicated to the memory of Diann Hunt.  You fought the good fight with great courage.  Thank you for all the wonderful time we have spent reading your novels. 

Janice Thompson

Dear Readers,

 

I was looking for a light romance to review in celebration of Valentine's Day and The Dream Dress by Janice Thompson fit the bill.  Janice has a gift for writing cute stories, with powerful meaning tucked in between the pages.

 

Gabi dreams of being more than a seamstress, she wants to design wedding dresses.  Her sketch book is full of ideas and she is working on a dress for her friend, but she knows that if her boss finds out what she is doing on the side he will fire her and she can't afford that.

 

I could go into more details of what the storyline is about, but those are easy enough to get off the back cover.  Janice does a lovely job of writing a story that is for a variety of ages with an important message to us all. 

I loved the Cinderella sample and the thought that maybe that fairytale wasn't written about a prince and the cinder-girl, but about God's love for us.  Janice weaves that through out the entire story, different themes about God's love for us instead of a person's love for us.  How maybe that is what we are really searching for when we are looking for love in all the wrong people.

 

With the themes of finding a mate and the relationship between fathers and daughters running throughout the entire book, this may seem like a light read, but it is so much more than that.  It is one I would gladly share with any one struggling with those issues in their lives.

 

Happy Reading

New Release - Dare to Love Again - Julie Lessman

Dear Readers,

Julie Lessman loves to write romance novels and not just any type, but ones with an extra dose of romance.  She remembers reading books when she was in her late teens and early 20's that were not appropriate and at that time she thought about writing ones that she would be glad to share with her daughters and granddaughters and so a career was launched. 

Dare to Love is book #2 in the Heart of San Francisco series.  Allison is determined to be independent, she doesn't need a man to make her life full.  She toys with the idea to go exploring on the Barbary Coast, but finds herself in way over her head. 

Nick thinks teaching a socialite self - defense is a waste of his time.  He isn't given a choice and so an unlikely friendship develops.  Allison wants to trust Nick, but is he a fraud like every other guy she has cared for? Or is he the real deal?

Looking for that romantic book for the season of love?  Julie's books fit that bill perfectly and who doesn't want to settle down in the gilded age of San Francisco and enjoy the show?  Intrigue, danger and loads of love make for the perfect book to read over Valentines Day.

Happy Reading,

New Releases - February 3 - 8

Dear Readers,

Love is in the air.  Next week Valentines day and every where you looking there are hearts.  Which gives us all a chance for all of readers to disappear into a sweet romantic book and make the world go away.  Well of course you could spend the day with a loved one also...

Happy Reading


Sadie's Secret - Kathleen Y'Barbo - The Secret lives of Will Tucker  #3 - Sadie has learned the art of disguise.  She has had years of practice thanks to 5 overprotective brothers.  Will her skills and connections help William Tucker clear his name?

Love Finds Faith - Martha Rogers - The Homeward Journey #2 - Hannah Dyer is a great nurse and a huge help to her brother in his medical practice.  When she is attracted to Micah, she knows he will never she her because of her deformed leg.

Gabriel's Bride - Amy Lillard - A Clover Ridge Novel #3 - Rachel knows that any marriage she makes will be a good match, but who would have thought of Gabriel.  A man who needs help with his farm and 6 children.

A Sky without Stars - Linda S. Clare - Quilts of Love series - Frankie Chasing Bear is trying to raise her son to be proud of his Lakota heritage.  Without a husband's help, it is not easy.  She hopes the Lakota Star pattered quilt that she is making for him will help.

Shaken - Kariss Lynch - Caught in a country she has come to love, Kaylan struggles with her faith after a devastating earthquake hits Haiti.  Nick never thought he would love a woman as much as he loves Kaylan, but he does and he needs to find a way to save her.

Echoes of Mercy - Kim Vogel Sawyer - An accident leads Caroline to go undercover and investigate how the factory treats its child laborers.  Oliver is hiding as a common worker so he can understand all the workings of the company he is posed to inherit soon.

Visibly Struck - Steve Kubicek - (off the back cover) "...a mesmerizing novel based on the true experiences of George Washington and his faith in the invisible hand of God protecting him and fashioning the country." 

The Dream Dress - Janice Thompson - #3 - Weddings by Design - Gabi dreams of designing her own wedding dresses instead of working as a seamstress.  All that could change when Jordan Singer walks through the doors and he seems more interested in her than the article he is writing for the Texas Bride magazine.

A Fall of Marigolds - Susan Meissner - Two women connected over the years by a beautiful scarf.  A scarf that arrives in their lives at a time when they needed reminding that they are loved.

New Release - Pr1me of Life - P.D. Bekendam

Dear Readers,

In the words of a song by the musical group BOB, "and now for something a little different."  Pr1me of Life by R.D Bekendam seems to fit that bill. 

Ben has given up his life as a doctor to work as a janitor for Heritage Gardens retirement home.  Where he meets wonderful quirky characters, some of them lovable and some of them not so much.  He just wants to live his life, clean a few toilets and to be left alone.  But when one of the residents figures out his secret, things look like they are soon to change.

Love books like this one that show how much fun life will be after retirement.  The fun characters and storyline show that no matter your age you do matter to those around you and that you can help someone that is in need. 

Happy reading,

Patricia Bradley

Dear Readers,

 

The Romantic Suspense genre is starting to get crowded, but that is kind of nice as there are just more good reads out there.  Shadows of the Past by Patricia Bradley is the newest title and author to wade into the waters.  With the book listed as #1 in the Logan Point series, we are in for more from this author.

 

There is one crime that Taylor Martin wants to solve, the disappearance of her father.  She prides herself on being able to solve anything but the one involving her father eludes her.  She has been following leads for years and the clues bring her back home for one more search of evidence in the area.

 

Nick Sinclair writes murder mysteries for a living.  He is struggling to get over the death of his wife, he believes her death was his fault.  Now his only remaining family member may be guilty of several crimes including murder.  Nick believes his brother is a troubled person, but he doesn't believe he is capable of murder.

 

I enjoy reading a good mystery, one that keeps me guessing until the end and Patricia does a pretty good job of that.  But she also includes a good many clues so that by the end I had a good guess of who-dun-it, which was fun.  It makes for an enjoyable read and I am curious enough about Patricia's next book to pick it up and see how her writing develops.

 

Happy Reading,

 

 

New Release - Wishing on Buttercups - Miralee Ferrell

Dear Readers,

If you read Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell you will want to follow up that story with Wishing on Buttercups as this second in the Love Blossoms in Oregon series picks up where the first one left off.

We are first introduced to Beth when she arrives at her aunt's bordering house.  She is quiet and does not make much of an impression to those around her.  She is just try to keep her secrets and that is not easy to do in a small town.  She knows that no one will understand if they find out the truth about her and her past.

Jeffery is drawn to Beth, but knows he has no right to ask about her past when he has his own secrets he needs to keep.  He is more and more intrigued by the mystery that seems to surrounds her and when to men arrive in town he wonders if they have anything to do with what she wants to keep hidden. 

According to Miralee's bio she didn't start writing until she was 50.  It is probably a good thing or there would be many more nights that things didn't get done around the house as us readers would disappear into her books and forget about the house work.

Happy reading

New Release - Poison Town - Creston Mapes

Dear Readers,

I have to say that the books I have read of Creston Mapes make me want to read more of them.  They are good mysteries with excitement and always a thrilling ride.  Poison Town, book #2 in the Crittendon Files promises more of the same.

Once again reporter Jack Crittendon finds himself in the middle of a mystery.  He is researching the cause and effect of a manufacturing plant's chemicals on the people of the nearby town.  They seem to have more cases of cancer in the poorer section of town, and yet no one seems to want to do anything about it.

When a good friend falls ill, Jack decides to dig a little deeper and what he finds may cost him his life.   What he finds is setups, greed and scandal and those that are the players in town are willing to keep this silent anyway possible, including killing anyone who finds out about it.

I love a good mystery.  What I love even more is a good mystery that keeps me guessing till the end and Creston has done that with more than one of his books.  He takes you to the steamy underside of society and breaks open secrets kept in the dark.  It is never pretty, but it does make for a good read.

Happy Reading,

New Releases - January 27 - February 1

Dear Readers,

We have finally made it to February.  Around here it is the one month that winter seems the longest.  There really isn't an end in sight yet to the cold weather.  Spring training sometimes helps the thoughts of spring, but those games are played where it is warm, so maybe not as much as we would hope.

The only good solution is to stay inside with a good book.  Here a few new titles to help pass those long winter days.

Happy Reading,


Minding Molly - Leslie Gould - The Courtships of Lancaster County #3 - Molly has to control everything including who falls in love with whom.  When her plans go off track will she ever learn that God is in control?

 

Rachel - Jill Eileen Smith - Wives of the Patriarchs - Rachel wants her older sister Leah to marry and move out.  What happens instead forces them to live together the rest of their lives and to share a husband.

Shadows of the Past - Patricia Bradley - Taylor can solve any crime, except the one surrounding her father's disappearance.  When she gets a lead, she decides to follow it, but someone is willing to do anything to keep her from finding the answers.

Love's Sweet Beginning - Ann Shorey - Sisters at Heart #3 - Cassie was use to a life of luxury until the war between the states ended all of that.  Now she needs to support herself and her mother with no real usable skills.  Will she be able to convince the local grocer she is just what his business needs?

Threads of Home - Jodi Barrows - A Quilting story part 2 - Abby, Liz, and Megan are settling into their new lives without their grandfather.  With each doing their best to help raise money to keep the little family going.

Poison Town - Creston Mapes - The Crittendon Files - Jack Crittendon is in to deep.  He knows to much about the corruption that someone wants to keep hidden.  Will he survive long enough to make sure the right people know before anyone else dies?

Wishing on Buttercups - Miralee Ferrell - Love Blossoms in Oregon #2 - Beth wants to keep her secrets just that, secret.  Jeffery has his own secrets, but still finds himself drawn to Beth.  When  2 men from her past arrive in town, they threaten to unravel the threads of her new life.

Taken for English - Olivia Newport - #3 Valley of Choice - Annie did give up her English life for Amish because of romance, but when Rufus makes some strange choices about his job she wonders if he is interested in her any more.

A Draw of Kings - Patrick Carr - #3 Sword and the Staff - The awaited conclusion to the series.  Can Errol and his band of friends save their country from threats within and outside their borders?