Beverly Lewis

Dear Readers,

There is very little I can say about a Beverly Lewis book that you don't probably know.   The Bridesmaid is the much anticipated second book in the Hickory Hollow series.   Publishers Weekly is quoted as saying “If there’s anything (Beverly) Lewis is better at than writing Amish novels, it’s hooking readers to find out what happens in the rest of the series.”   I agree, you find yourself caught up in the life of an Amish person and/or their community, and Bev makes her characters come to life and you want them to be part of your life also.

Joanna Kurtz seems to be proving the adage “always a bridesmaid, never the bride” true.  At 24 she is rapidly become a spinster in her community.   Her younger sister has suitors to spare, but not Joanna.  But Joanna has a couple of secrets, one being her love of writing.  She hopes to be published someday, but that is not something her Amish community would be pleased with.  Her other secret is her suitor from afar. 

Eben hopes to marry Joanna soon, he just can’t seem to get away long enough for that to happen.  Family issues keep him home and unable to court Joanna as he wishes.   He isn’t sure he will ever be able to and is thinking he will lose her. 

Beverly once again brings you along on a gentle sweet story that you want to continue reading.  She is able to make the reader just slow down, relax and enjoy the time spent in a community that is different than the one most of us live in.

To celebrate the release of her newest, Beverly is doing a book tour.  Baker Book Store is hosting her at LaGrave CRC in Grand Rapids MI on Sept. 21st at 7:00p.m.  The church's address is 107 LaGrave Ave, Grand Rapids MI 49503.  Call the store if you have any questions or need help with directions.  I am looking forward to hearing Bev speak again.  She is a wonderful story teller and is just a pleasure to listen to.   Hope to see you there.

Happy Reading

New Releases Sept. 3 - 8

Dear Readers,

My oh my, after worrying about whether I would have enough reviews to post I have more than enough.  Over the next couple of weeks there will be a couple of reviews a week.  I get a chance to read books early and then wait until their releases to post a review.  I really don't like reading a review for anything, book, movie, music... before they are available to read or see.  I get excited to read a new book, and then find out it isn't out for several weeks, how disappointing.  Besides that I usually forget about it by the time it does release. 

Anyways, that is why I try not to review a book much more than a week early and I really try not to review it until the week it comes to the store.  Now you know.

Happy Reading

The River - Michael Neale - a book with allegory leanings.  Gabriel at 4 sees his father die.  Years later he is led back to the River. 

Trinity - Ronie Kendig - #1 a Breed Apart - Heath Daniels just wants to be back in the field.  He was retired because of a brain injury in Afghanistan.  The Breed Apart organization gives him that chance when they hire him to find Darci.

The Shadow on the Quilt - Stephanie Grace Whitson - #2 The Quilt Chronicles - Juliana's perfect life falls apart when scandel hits her and her husband.  Cass longs to help, but feels that society would frown on that.

The 13:Fall - Robbie Cheuvront/ Erik Reed - Book #1 - Chaos is at America's Doorstep.  Jonathan and Megan are called to the White House to find out about a prophet who is predicting the fall of the USA.

Saving Gideon - Amy Lillard - Gideon never wants to love again, but Avery finds her way into his heart.  As feelings grow can they over come their differences.

Found - Shelley Shepard Gray - #3 The Secrets of Crittenden County - When Deborah's friend is question about her brother's death, she wonders how the only person she trust could be the one who betrayed her the most.

Mesu Andrews

Dear Readers,

How is it that no matter how hard you try, good books fall through the cracks and don’t get read.  Love’s Sacred Song by Mesu Andrews is one of those books.  I meant to read it right after a came out as I was so excited to see it.  Her first book was the one I picked for my favorite last year which made me want to read this one.  Things just kept coming up and I never got a chance to read it.  Thankfully that has changed.

I can remember wondering about what type of woman it would take to make Solomon write such a beautiful love poem to her.  Solomon is rich beyond belief, has more wives than days of the year and is considered by most to be the wisest man to ever live.  So why was that one woman the one he wrote about?

When Israel’s beloved Warrior King dies, his son Solomon inherits a kingdom that is at peace outside its borders, but there is turmoil inside.  The northern tribes feel like they have been insulted and are ready to march on Jerusalem.   Arialah’s father, Jehoshaphat, is sure that he has the solution.  His daughter as a treaty bride, but what does a simple shepherd’s daughter know about living in the royal palace?

I know I have mentioned this before, I love these books that put faces on people from the Bible.  Sometimes we forget those in the Bible had real needs and wants.  They were people who had faults and problems, even when they were a King and very wise.   What was Solomon like as a young man?  What was it like to step into his father’s shoes after he passed away?  What was it like to be king when you knew your brothers wanted you dead?  

I could go on and as with the other Biblical fiction I know this is not a factual story, just one based on the stories the Bible tells us and the speculation based on some historical facts.  But it does help me remember that they are after all human.

Happy Reading

New Releases August 27 - September 1

Dear Readers,

I can hardly believe it but it is Sept. already.  In fact this post will release on Labor Day.  Schools in our area start tomorrow.  I feel like summer went by faster than ever.  I don't know if that is because I was busier than usual or if it was because over half of it was taken up planning and taking vacation.  Whichever it was, but I know personally I am not ready to give up these lovely days we have been having. 

Part of that is because I love the slower pace of summer.  The longer days, the relaxed way everyone seems to enjoy things.  It is all great reasons not to want to give up on summer yet, but I think for me this year it is because I haven't gotten all my summer reading done.  In a couple of days there will be a review of a book that was on my spring reading list and I just got it read a couple days ago.  Ugh, I hate that and yet it is a wonder problem.  So many good books to read and not enough time to read them all.

Happy Reading.

Opening Moves - Steven James - Prequel to the Patrick Bowers series - (Now you know what I was doing all weekend.)  Steven with Patrick has taken us to some of the darkest parts of humanity, now we will see how Patrick got his start. 

A Duke's Promise - Jamie Carie - #3 a Forgotten Castles - Alexandria and Gabriel are on the trail ofher parents.  They were last seen in Italy and the marble caves, but will a powerful duke keep them from discovering where her parents are?

The Sons of Jude - Brandt Dodson - Detectives Frank and Andy have what looks like ordinary case of someone in the wrong place at the wrong time.  That is until they start their investigation and things take a turn.

Unconditional - Eva Marie Everson - Based on the screenplay - Samatha's perfect life comes to an end when her husband is killed.  She loses her faith and the will to live until a chance encounter with an old friend teachers her there is more to life than fairytale endings.

The Reason - William Sirls - Sometimes you just have to believe. 

The Spirit Well - Stephen Lawhead - #3 in a Bright Empires - As the search for the map intesifies, Kit is wondering if the true treasure isn't the map.


P.S. These books are available at Baker Book House or by request at bakerbookstore.com

Michael Neale

Dear Readers,

Sometimes while I read a book I know that the review is going to be difficult to write.  The River by Michael Neale is that type of book.  I completely loved the book.  In fact there was a couple of times I just didn't want to put it down.  The thing is I can't put my finger on why I liked it so much, it wasn't the type of book that makes you want to turn pages and yet it is a book that makes you keep turning those same pages.  This is a quiet unassuming book that you will end up wanting to share with others.

Gabriel is 4 years old when he sees his father die while rescuing a kayaker from the River.  He is sent to live with his mother in Kansas after that and we then watch him struggle with the loss of his father and the fears and sadness that brought on.  He is a quiet boy that has days that fit into two different categories - good days or bad days.  The bad days are when he retreats to his safe place and is unable to find his way out for a bit.  His mother loves him and worries about him, but is unable to help.

When Gabriel goes on a camping trip after high school he has an experience that changes his life and where he was heading.  He goes white water rafting on The River.  He is both terrified to go and yet very drawn to it.  It takes a cute girl to talk him into going and once he does he knows he cannot live without living life on the River.

I guess you could call this book an Allegory without really calling it that.  'It is a storyline that has allegory leanings' might be a better way to put it.   I should also say that there are parts of this book that are very obviously first time author mistakes, but they are also easy to overlook.   I thought it would bother me more as that is a pet-peeve of mine because I think editors should take care of it, but probably because I was enjoying the book so much I just kind of ignored it. 

I was interested in reading the book because of the White Water Rafting part of the story.  I went for the first time a couple of years ago and I am thinking I may have to do it again.  There is nothing like it, with it both being scary beyond belief and yet so much fun.  It is kind of like the Christian life.

Happy Reading

New Releases August 20 - 25

Dear Readers,

I am so excited.  I just found a book online that I have been looking for to give to my mother.  Many years ago, I was about 15 or so when she recommended the book to me.  She said it was one of her favorites and thought I might like it, that was pretty much all she said about it. 

I have to admit when I asked for Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson at the local library I wasn't overly impressed with the cover.  It was just a plain green cover and didn't have anything about the story line on it, but I do remember the librarian was excited that I was going to read it.  She said "not many people check that book out much anymore."  At the time I thought that didn't sound good for the book.

I was wrong, this is a good book and it has stuck with me over the years.   I have wanted to share it with my daughters and yet could never seem to find a copy when I was thinking of it.  I was reading different reviews on line about it and it talks about being as important as Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Othello.  I didn’t know anything about it back when I read it the first time, but it is one I recommend that if you haven’t had a chance to read it, pick it up.   Don’t let an ugly cover discourage you.   It is worth the read.

Happy Reading

A Heartbeat Away - Harry Kraus - Tori Taylor is a surgeon who needs a new heart.  What she receives is a heart with a memory of a murder.  Is it a real murder or is it just a hallucinating?

Sandwich with a Side of Romance - Krista Phillips - from the back cover - She moved to Sandwich IL, in search of a new life, but ended up in a giant pickle.  I thought that was cute.

The Road to Mercy - Kathy Harris - Josh and his wife Bethany need to make a life and death choice for her and the baby she carrys.  The choice they make will test both their faith and their marriage.

To Write a Wrong - Robin Caroll - #1 A Justice Seekers - Riley Baxter is eager to write a wrong and the man sitting in the State Penitentiary looks like the perfect person to help.  Especially when Riley feels a real connection to his daughter.

October Baby - Eric Wilson- Based on the screen play of the movie - Hannah finds out she is adopted and a survior of a failed abortion.   She sets out on a journey to discover who she is.

Mother of Pearl - Kellie Coates Gilbert - Barrie has wonderful life, great kids, wonderful husband and a respected job.  It all falls apart when her daughter starts to lash out. 

Randy Singer

Dear Readers,

If you are looking for a good lawyer mystery, I recommend Randy Singer.  He has several really good books out on the market.  But I wanted to mention to you today one that is back on the market and is causing a bit of confusion. 

The Judge by Randy released in my bookstore just over a week ago and has gotten me in hot water almost from the start.  I didn’t list it on my new releases as it isn’t a new release, but a re-release, with a new title and cover, of a book Randy did about 6 years ago.  That book was titled The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney.  It had a companion non-fiction book titled The Cross Examination of Jesus of Christ.  They were an interesting combo of books.  I would recommend at the time to read both of them, the problem now is the non-fiction one is still out of print. 

But The Judge, as it is now known, is worth the read.  I wish I had a copy of my original review, but I can’t seem to find it.  I guess somewhere in the move from Holland to this store I must have thought I wouldn’t need it any more.  Sorry, but I will try to give you a feel for the book

Judge Oliver Finney is “invited” to defend his faith on a strange reality show.  A billionaire has decided he wants to put the world's biggest faiths on trial.  When things take an ugly twist, the Judge knows he needs to get word out that he needs help.

This was not only an interesting book for the mystery of it, but also for the information on the different faiths and how they compare to each other.   Because of how one of the main characters was written, Randy asked lots of the questions that people seemed to ask when they are wrestling with their faith.  Of course one of the main ones being how do you know which one is right or not?

If you didn’t read it the first time around, now is a great time to do that.  If you did read it, you can recommend it to others again, now that it is back in print.

Happy Reading