Liz Curtis Higgs

Dear Readers,

Over the weekend I finished Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs.  It is the sequel to Here Burns my Candle.   I so enjoy Liz's books and her writing style is so perfect for immersing yourself into.  I had a busy weekend, but I still was able to find the time to finish the book. 

This book picks up right where the other one leaves off.  Bonnie Prince Charles has been defeated and there is an all out hunt for the Jacobites.  As Elizabeth and Marjory flee for their lives, they are hoping to find a welcome in Selkirk, as it might be their only option for a place to live.

With this being based loosely on the Book of Ruth, you can kind of guess what is going to happen, but to be honest with you it doesn't take away from the story at all.  For those that read the "Thorn" series you know Liz's style of intertwining Bible stories with a lovely fiction story.  She doesn't change the Bible story or even present her books as Biblical fiction, but using a story to show that stories in the BIble are relevant to today and also able to happen at any time of history.

If you haven't read book #1 please do and then you can move on to Mine is the Night.  It is a great way to spend the week in the midst of a wonderful story.

Happy Reading

New Releases March 7 - 12

Dear Readers,

We here at the store are all such book nuts it is funny to watch.  When a cart of new product comes out you would think it was Christmas morning.  We all flock around to see what is new and exciting.  Each one of us gets excited about different books, but our excitement isn't much different if it is a new fiction book or childrens book or even a theology book.  I hope there is books on this list that gets you excited.

Happy Reading

Tomorrow's Garden - Amanda Cabot - #3 in the Texas Dream Series
The Dawn of a Dream - Ann Shorey - #3 At Home in Beldon Grove series
The Deepest Waters - Dan Walsh.
A Cowboy's Touch - Denise Hunter
Lilly's Wedding Quilt - Kelly Long
Abigail's New Hope - Mary Ellis
Homemade Haunting - Rob Stennett
The Dashwood Sisters tell all - Beth Pattillo - #3 of A modern day Novel of Jane Austen

Ann H.Gabhart

Dear Readers,

Angel Sister by Ann Gabhart lived up to my expectations.  It is a wonderful story set during the Depression about a 14 year old girl who is trying to keep her family together. Ann has such a rich and pleasent writing style that it is just a great reading experience.  I know that sounds a bit over the top, but I so enjoy reading her.  I looked forward to reading this book from the minute I heard about it.  I first fell in love with her writing when I read her 3 book series set in the 60's.  I hate to say it is out of print now, but you can still pick up the series in our used book department.

Kate's father is slipping away from his family as he becomes more and more dependent on alcohol.  He is fighting nightmares of World War I and the feeling of never measuring up to his family.  Kate herself is trying to do everything in her power, including prayer, to make her father want to come home at the end of the day instead of going out drinking. 

When Kate finds a little girl abandoned on the church steps, she thinks maybe things are turning around.  Lorena believes that Kate is the angel that God sent to take care of her until her mother comes back for her.  Kate knows better, but decides that if God wanted her to take care of Lorena then she will.  There are forces in town that don't think she should though, mostly both of her grandfathers.  How does a 14 year old fight against the two guys who run their little town?  With a lot of grit and gumption.

I found myself rooting for Kate the whole way through out this book.  She is a very likable character and has more spunk than most of us have our entire life.  She sees everything in black and white and doesn't completely understand the adult world yet, but she is learning fast as things in her family and town force her to grow up fast.  She is just one of the kids you wish you had been when you were younger. 

The story itself is very satisfying when you get to the end of it.  Because of being on vacation and my foot in a big boot I read this book in one day.  Which of course is probably the best way to read it, but I also know that it isn't always realistic.  You can take longer to read it, but read it you should, with a wonderful cup of coffee.

Happy Reading

Mike Duran

Dear Readers.

 

I am not a big fan of horror books.  Stephen King has never been a favorite even though he is a very good writer.  To me it just puts bad images in my head and then I don't sleep well.  I like horror movies even less, in fact the few I did watch as a teenager still have certain scences that are completely stuck in my head.

 

So The Resurrection by Mike Duran was not high on my list of books to read.  Frank Peretti's books were hard enough for me to read, so I just wasn't sure.  I am glad I did read it though.  It isn't nearly as scary as Frank's books, but still an interesting read.

 

Ruby accidentally raises a boy from the dead.  She didn't mean to, but she did and now the world knows and someone is responsible.  What will she do? 

 

Ian is ready to give up the ministry.  He is not excited about being a pastor and just doesn't care anymore.  He is sick of the people and politics in the church and he isn't even sure if he believes in God anymore.  That is until Ruby does her little trick.  Then he finds himself in the middle of a spiritual battle for his little town and all the citizens in it. 

 

There were two parts of this book that interested me.  The first being the generational sin parts of the story.  There were people years before that were willing to do anything to make their town safe.  They were so willing to do just about anything even if it meant that they sell their souls and the soul of their town to the Devil, so to speak. 

 

The second was, where do I just let things be because that is the way they are.  Where am I not confronting things because it is easier to just leave things alone and not fight against something I see as evil or wrong.  Now I am not saying that we must join every protest or campaign, but there are times we must take that stand.

 

Like I said before this is not an edge of your seat read, but it does have moments of a bit of a "ghost story" in spots.  It does have its creepy moments but nothing that kept me awake at night.  It was a good read that was a bit different than what I had been reading.

 

Happy Reading

New releases Feb. 28 - March 5

Dear Readers,

It is 40 degrees out here today.  Spring is slowly making it's way into West Michigan.  I am very ready to be outside enjoying sunshine and reading on my front porch.   This week we have several titles that will be great spring break/summer reads.

Happy Reading

Plain Proposal - Beth Wiseman - #5 in the Daughters of Promise Series
The Inn at Angel Island - Thomas Kinkaid & Katherine Spencer - #1in their new series
Rugged and Relentless - Kelly Eileen Hake
The Perfect Match - Jancie Hanna
Surrneder the Night - MaryLu Tyndall
Keeping the Faith - Garce Chapel Inn
Never Give Up - Grace Chapel Inn
Antipas: Martyr - Sharon Dow
Caregiver - Shelly Gray - #1 of Families of Honor

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