James Rubart

Dear Readers,

Most of you know that I was a judge for the Inspy awards for Speculative fiction.  One of the authors up for the award was James Rubart with his book Rooms.  You will also notice I didn't do a review for that book.  The concept of the book was good, I just felt like it needed a bit of work to make it a better book

Book of Days is James' second book and I think he is getting better at his craft. The idea behind the novel is that the Book of Days mentioned in the Bible is an actual book that exists on earth. You could use it to know the future, or to control things that are happening and will happen to you or your family, friends and/or enemies. 

When Cameron loses his wife to a tragic accident he is sure he will never forget her, but his memory isn't what it use to be and it seems to be getting worse and worse. He remembers a book that both his father and wife talked about just before they passed. They both said that the book held all his memories and then he would never forget. Cameron decides to go on a hunt for the book to see if it is real and if so he wants to use it to not forget the love of his life. 

Cameron is not the only one looking for this book. Others want to find it to use it for the wrong reasons. Others are wanting to protect the book. They know the problems that would arise if the book fell into the wrong hands. It is a race to see if Cameron can decipher the clues before he is stopped by the book's guardians and keep others from finding it before he does.

Like I said before, this book does need a bit of work, but over all it is an interesting read. It talks a lot about how God does know all of our days and how they are numbered by him, but also remembered and watched by him. We cannot escape from him, no matter how hard we try. 

This is also a book about grief and loss. About keeping the memories and love alive, but being able to move on. Sometimes we are so busy trying not to lose a loved one that has passed on that we forget to live our lives without them. 

Happy Reading

Neta Jackson

Dear Readers, 

Here is a review I almost didn't write and it had nothing to do with whether I liked the book or not.  In fact I loved the book Who is my Shelter by Neta Jackson.  This is where the problem lies.  If you have read my blog at all you know I love Neta's book and have since I started reading the Yada Yada Prayer Group books.  So do I write you another review singing the praises of the book, or not. 

There is the other problem  Those of you that know me and talk to me know that I don't usually write negative reviews and if you know I read a book and don't see a review then I probably didn't like it.  I most certainly didn't want you to think that about this book.

So instead I am just going to say I really really liked this book and if you have read her other books and liked them you will like this one.  All our favorite characters are back and once again living lives that can be very similiar to our own and learning lessons we all need to learn. 

Take time waiting for spring to arrive and enjoy a visit with some dear friends. 

Happy Reading

New Releases Feb. 21 - 26

Dear Readers,

This weeks list has again several exciting books on it.   Couple because of the author and a couple because of the topic.  So once again I will need to take a week and get 6 more books read, the only problem is my boss doesn't agree with me.

Happy Reading

Shrouded in Silence - Robert L. Wise
Lie Down in Green Pastures - Debbie Viguie' - #3 the Psalm 23 Mysteries
No Safe Haven - Kimberley and Kayla R. Woodhouse
Vicious Cycle - Terri Blackstock - #2 Intervention Novel
The Union Quilters - Jennifer Chiaverini -#1 Elm Creek Quilts Novel
Love Amid the Ashes - Mesu Andrews
Bathsheba - Jill Eileen Smith
Heart of Lies - Jill Marie Landis
Springtime of the Spirit - Maureen Lang
The Story Jar - Robin Lee Hatcher & Deborah Bedford
Words - Ginny L. Yttrup
Book of Days - James Rubart
In the Shadow of Evil - Robin CarollLone Star Intrigue - Debra White Smith - 2 in 1
My Father's World - Michael Phillips &Judith Pella - #1 Jouranls of Corrie Belle Hollister - Recover
An Eye for Glory - Karl A. Bacon
Sweet Baklava - Debby Mayne

Mesu Andrews

Dear Readers,

This is one of those books that you need to read all the way to the end before you pass judgement on it.  You must also read the Author's note at the end of the book.  You may read it before you read the book, but it does give away several storylines and I personally wouldn't like that.  I recommend Author's notes all the time as it really gives you a peek into what the author was thinking or why they did the book.

Love Amid the Ashes by Mesu Andrews is a very good story.  It does have a storyline that I am a bit uncomforable with.  She wrote the story of Job, but she also included as a main character Dinah, Jacob's daughter.  If you don't know who she is, she is a young lady in the Bible who is raped and then her brothers kill her rapist who had fallen in love with her.

I know that the traditionally held thought on Job is that he was alive before Abraham.  There is also a thought that he might not even be a real person, but just an example to us all.  I have to say that I understood that and I guess I pretty much accepted that.  It was part of this story that I had a problem with and yet I didn't.

Job returns from a visit to his Uncle Jacob and that night his children, wealth and business are wiped out by raiders and storms.   He loses his children to a building collapse.  His wife blames him and his God and quickly so do other people.  There are only a couple who stand by his side to help him through the grief and to tend to the sores that develop over his body.

This is from the Bible story that we know.  He does lose everything.  He does develop sores and he does stand firm in his beliefs in God. That you can find in the Bible, but some of it you can't. 

I talked to a couple of guys here at the store and asked them questions about it.  One is uncomfortable with Biblical fiction all together, they both were not excited to hear that Mesu had put Dinah into the story of Job. They both have studied the Bible or are studing the Bible in college.  So I do trust what they have to say. 

With all that said, I want to say this is a good book.  I did have some issues with things she did, but I also understand where she got her information from.  It makes for an interesting read and once again shows us that God's greater plan is not always what we have planned. 

Happy Reading

New Releases for Feb 14-19

Dear Readers,

Ok so it is Wednesday already.  Sorry about the list taking longer to get here than I expected.  But we did get a couple of interesting books in last week from a couple of authors I enjoy. 

Happy Reading

Blood Covenant - Lisa Harris - #2 Mission Hope Series
False Pretenses - Kathy Herman - #1 in the Serets of Roux River Bayou series
Bound by Guilt - C.J. Carlington
All for One - Melody Carlson - #3 the Four Lindas series
Maximal Reserve - Sam Batterman
His Other Wife - Deborah Bedford

Sorry

Dear Readers,

I am sorry to those of you that usually come by to see the new releases.  I planned on have them up today for you.  I returned from vacation and was planning on being at work today.  The problem is that the Thursday before I left on vacation I dislocated my ankle.  I had a check up today and because of that it was decided it was best I didn't go to work yet today.  Tomorrow the 22 nd I will be at the store in the afternoon as I will have my aircast and will be able to drive. 

Thank you for your understanding

Nicole Seitz

Dear Readers,

There are many different layers in the book The Inheritance of Beauty by Nicole Seitz.  I am sure I have even missed a few of them that someone else will catch.  It is the story of memories, good or bad.  It is the story of love, for family and friends.  It is the story of confession and how that is good for the soul.

You meet Maggie who because she has suffered several strokes is unable to talk, but you learn about her in her thoughts.  She remembers her childhood and the one thing that happen that changed her and her family forever. 

 

You meet George who has loved Maggie since they were children.  He knew he wanted to marry her long before they are of age.

You also meet Ash, Maggie's brother.  He loves his sister more than life itself and is willing to do anything to make sure she will have a good and perfect life.

They all grew up together.  They were never well off, George's family did have their store, but Maggie and Ash's family would sometimes even go hungry.  But overall life was good.  They went fishing and swimming in the local watering hole.  They played hide-n-seek, they did chores and generally made good memories together. 

That all changed one afternoon when a stranger stepped off the train that went through town.  While the kids watched him climb off the train they were intrigued by him, but, as Maggie says, if they had known who he was and what he represented they would have run far far away.

This is a book of secrets that were kept and secrets that weren't. It isn't a gentle read by any means.  There are things that happen in this book that haunt these friends forever.  They blame each other and themselves for the events that rip them apart.  But it is also a story of forgiving each other and it is never too late to do that. 

I know not everyone will enjoy this story and it is not written for everyone, but if you want a story that is a different perspective on things, this is the book for you.

Happy Reading