New Releases March 14-19

Dear Readers,

This list includes one of my favorite authors.  She was actually a favorite before she started writing fiction.  Liz Curtis Higgs is someone if you haven't read her books, ficton or non-fiction, I strongly recommend them.  If you get a chance to hear her speak, go.  You will love ever minute.

Happy Reading

Mine is the Night - Liz Curtis Higgs
Faith's Reward - Tammy Barley
A Penny for Your Thoughts - Mindy Starns Clark - Releease of a wonderful series.
Don't take any Wooden Nickels - Mindy Starns  Clark - Releease of a wonderful series.
The Alarmists - Don Hoesel
Wolves Among Us - Ginger Garrett

Mindy Starns Clark

Dear Readers,

Those of you that have followed my reviews for years know this series well.  The Million Dollar Mysteries is where I first fell in love with Mindy Starns Clark.  The series went out of print a few years ago, much to my sorrow. 



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I am happy to report that they are coming back with wonderful new covers.  I can honestly say if you like Mindy's other books, you will like these also.  The unique thing with this series is, not only does each book have its own mystery, they are all answers to a mystery that runs through the whole series.

Callie is an investigator for an non-profit group that gives out grants to people and organizations that are deserving of them.  Her job is to go and check out the organizations to see if they are on the up and up or if there is a problem. 

Of course this is what leads to her adventures.  Most of the time things are what they seem, but sometimes they aren't and that is usually where the trouble begins. 



old cover

I remember it took me a little bit to warm up to Callie and I believe that Mindy wrote her that way on purpose, then you can listen to her and get to understand who she really is.  I know by the end I felt like she was an old friend and I hated to see the series end. 

The 5 book series startes with A Penny for Your Thoughs, #2 is Don't take any Wooden Nickels, #3 is A Dime a Dozen, #4 is A Quarter for a Kiss and #5 is The Buck stops here.  They are not all out yet, but over the next few months they should all be on the shelf again. 

Happy Reading

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