Colleen Coble

Dear Readers,

The Lightkeeper's Ball is the 3rd in a series set in Mercy Falls, California.  Colleen Coble has taken us on an interesting journey through early 1900's American history.  It is an interesting look at how things were different then and how some things never change.  This book is set during a time when Halley's Comet is going to pass by the earth and shows the citizens' reaction to it.  The was lots of panic that everything living on the earth was going to be wiped out by the gases that were in the tail of the comet.  There were actually pills being sold to keep for being harmed by it.  While it sounds funny and silly, does anyone own a generator that was bought right around the turn of the century?  

 

Olivia learns her sister has died in very unusual circumstances.  She knows that Eleanor was murdered and she sets out to find out who wanted her sister dead.  Her first night in town proves to her that she is right when someone throws her overboard from the ship she arrives on.  When she finds out that the person that saves her is the man Olivia is sure killed her sister, she is confused as to what and who to believe.   No one seems to be who they say they are, including Olivia herself.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  Not only for the interesting mystery that kept me guessing, but also for the different things that were happening in America's history at that time.  Motor cars are just coming onto the scene.  Airplanes are something that no one trusts except those few daredevils that enjoy the new thrill of flying.  Telephones are still rare, but are quickly becoming something that people are using more and more. I also found a quick little tidbit about national income tax amusing.  Two gentleman were discussing how it was or wasn't a good idea, because how else was the government going to pay for all the new roads and keep them safe and without potholes. 

I have said over and over how much I have enjoyed Colleen's books and this one is no exception.  This series in and of itself was so much fun to read because of the historical setting.  Colleen is known for her good mysteries and when she sets it in an interesting time in history, all the better.  If you don't get a chance to read the books at least take the time to notice the covers, they are absolutely beautiful. 

Happy Reading

New Releases March 28- April 2

Dear Readers,

Around here most schools have spring break starting this Friday.  Being an empty nester I don't pay that much attention to that as I use to.  But I remember thinking that I would have a whole week vacation coming and I was going to get to read.  My week here at the store will reflect that and I am always glad I can show people the new books that have just released. 

Of course in Michigan that does not mean that spring weather is just around the corner.  We are barely out of the 20's today. 

Happy Reading

The Dead Saint - Marilyn Brown Oden
People of the Book - Kathi Macias - #4 int he Extreme Devotion series.
Heart of Memory - Alison Strobel
The Lightkeeper's Ball - Colleen Coble - #3 in the Mercy Falls series
Rest in Peace - Frances DeVine
Finally a Bride - Vickie McDonough

Rob Stennett

Dear Readers,

I am a great big chicken.  There I have admitted it for the world to know. I don't read Horror books, as I am sure Stephen King has noticed in the loss of sales of his books.  I don't watch horror movies, Zombieland scared me enough and that was suppose to be a comedy.  As a kid I hated when people would tell ghost stories around the campfire and there was a girl's house I wouldn't go back to because she always wanted to scare everyone at sleepovers.  So don't let everything I say about the following book color whether you read it or not.

Homemade Haunting by Rob Stennett is a very different book.  I love the snarkyness (is that a word?) of it.  I enjoy the perspective on the occult that it presented also.  It made it something that is not to be taken lightly.  It is a very real thing and not something we can control.

Charlie Walker wants to write a book.  He gets his wife to agree to him taking a year off from working as a teacher so he can concentrate on writing.  He just knows he has a best seller idea.  He just needs to do a bit of research.  Little does he know what he is in for.

For Charlie it starts with something as innocent as a Ouija Board, as it does for many.  Charlie doesn't believe in God so there can't be a heaven or a hell or even demons or Angels.  So he isn't setting out to prove anything he just needs ideas for his book.  What Charlie doesn't understand is that they all do exist and none can be controlled by mortal man.

Ok, here is where you don't have to do what I did with this book.  I only read it during the day.  I tried reading it at night, but I couldn't do it because I knew I would never be able to sleep.  I finally just read it on lunches here at work and when the sun was shining.  I don't know if it is actually that scary or if it's just me.  Frank Peretti's books scared me also, but I was able to read them at night, so go figure.

No matter what you decide about the book it is a good message about how easy it is to fall for the innocent look of the occult before you really understand what you are getting into.  For Charlie and his family it happens very quickly. I think for most it is a gradual slide and hopefully this book will help someone understand what can happen and maybe help themselves or someone they know get back out of the trap.

As I mentioned before, but I wanted to mention again, I did enjoy this book.  It is a well written and, believe it or not, funny book.  Rob takes a very serious subject and makes it something that is easier to understand and maybe even a bit less intimitating for most people.

He doesn't want you to think he takes demons lightly, but he did want to approach the subject in a way that would make people aware of what is going on in the world around us, seen and unseen.

Happy Reading

Martha Ockley

Dear Readers,

There are times when I am handed a book by a company and asked to read it, I am just sure that I won't like it.  The Reluctant Detective by Martha Ockley was one of those that I was sure I wasn't going to like.  Well thankfully I was wrong.  I enjoyed it completely.

The book itself is not only set in England, the author lives there and I am sure that was part of the appeal for me.  The culture comes through strongly which does make for a lovely read.

Faith has followed her faith and became a priest in the Church of England.  She was a policewoman before that and when a case lands almost literally in her lap, she is forced to confront the ghost of her past.  Her former partner and boyfriend is the detective that is in charge of the case.  Which makes Faith question whether or not she made the right choice.

Faith is going to check out a parish whose priest is thinking of retiring.  While she is there the priest is murderd by poison right in front of everyone while preparing the Lord's Supper.  When rumors start to fly as to who it could be and who was last seen where, Faith knows she is going to be more involved with the parish than she planned on. 

The mystery itself is interesting enough that it kept me guessing and then second guessing the choice I made for the guilty party.  I was right in the end, but it took me a bit to get there.  (In my defense Martha doesn't release all the clues right away.)

The book itself sets up for a series very well.  I don't know if it is going to be or not, but it seems to be headed that way.  I really started to enjoy the fun and quirky town people, and even Faith became someone I was beginning to enjoy getting to know.  I will be interested to see if there will be a book #2.

Happy Reading

New Releases March 21-26

Dear Readers,

With nice weather coming in going in this part of the country, I get more and more ready to be outside as much as possible.  I have a couple really nice corners on my porch so I can quite often sit in the sun and out of the wind.  Of course wrapping a large blanket around me does help, but each new books makes me want to go and enjoy the sun.

Happy Reading

Delivered with Love - Sherry Kyle
Leaving - Karen Kingsbury - #1 in Bailey Flanigan Series
An Ocean Away - Lisa Harris
Sarah's Gift - Marta Perry - #4 Pleasant Valley
Griselda Takes Flight - Joyce Magnin
Diagnosis Death - Richard L. Mabry

Dan Walsh

Dear Readers,

Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh is based on a real shipwreck.  There really was a paddle-wheel steamship that sank in 1857 off the East coast.  All the woman and children were rescued but most of the men were lost.  There are several other parts of the story that Dan included in his work of fiction, but I don't want to include here as it is much more interesting to find them out as you are reading. 

John and Laura decide to take their honeymoon by traveling back to John's home in New York from California by boat.  He wanted to try to reconcile with his family and to introduce them to his new wife.  He just leaves that little part out when he tell Laura he wants her to meet them.  This isn't a problem when he was going to be there to introduce them to each other, but when their ship runs afoul and they are separated, then it becomes a problem.

Laura must now try to reach John's family and they are not expecting John, let alone a wife they didn't know about.  John tells her this in a note he gives her when they know that their ship is going down.  Will John's family accept her?  Will they believe that she is John's wife?  Laura must continue on her journey as she has nowhere else to go.

Over all this was an interesting story because it is based on a true story and I encourage you to read the author notes, but after reading the book as several of the notes should have a spoiler alert on them.  I also found the outreach from the cities and town where the rescued survivors arrive amazing.... okay I hear you, I won't say any more as you can enjoy that for yourself.

Happy Reading 

JIll Eileen Smith

Dear Readers,

I have been looking forward to reading Jill Eileen Smith's Bathsheba since I found out Jill was writing about her.  I have to say that I actually like book 1, Michal, better.  I had a terrible time warming up to Bathsheba's character.  I am not sure what I wanted but I feel like she is a bit of a milktoast kind of person. 

 

She seems to not be able to make up her mind about anything.  She is excited to be invited with her family to the palace and then spends the entire time wishing she hadn't come.  She says she loves Uriah but finds herself looking for and trying to meet the King.

She is held captive by the rules of ancient Isreal and I do understand that.  She can't just go out on her own, she can't just say things or do things that modern times allow me to do.  But she just doesn't seem to have an opinion about anything at all.  Which is a personality I struggle with no matter where and how I meet it.

That said, it is an interesting look at one of the most familiar stories in the Bible.  You can ask just about anyone and they know who Bathsheba is and why she is famous or infamous.   But she is also not presented in the Bible as a person of great importance, she is just a bit character in David's most famous fall.  She isn't given any choice in her part.  She has no words to say and I think that is one of the reasons why she is a woman many people are intrigued with, especially fiction authors.

Bathsheba is married, but has yet to produce a child.  She struggles with her barrenness and blames it on her husband's job.  Uriah is a soldier in David's army and is away at war for months at a time.  He is constantly called to the palace to attend meetings and spends nights away at the barracks.  Bathsheba is frustrated with it all and doesn't understand why he always puts his job before her.  Does that sound familiar to anyone? I have heard that complaint from woman in modern times quite a few times.

David is restless and bored with his new wife.  He has suffered great loss, and he just doesn't feel like going to war with his men, so he stays home.  Which turns out to be a recipe for disaster.  When he spots Bathsheba he knows he wants to make her his wife, the only thing standing in the way is that she is married.  He decides that won't stop him and calls her to the palace anyways.

We all know the end of that story, but Jill's book doesn't end there.  We know that David does make her his wife, but is she happy?  Did she go as a willing partner in crime or does she grieve the loss of her husband?  These are all questions that I asked about this story.  I won't tell you whether or not I got them answered as I am afraid it will give away the story. 

Jill does mention at the end of the book that she hopes that if nothing else this book will remind us that God loves us and is ready to forgive us no matter our sin, when we ask. 

Happy Reading