New Release - Damascus Countdown

Dear Readers,

After almost a year wait, Joel Rosenberg released the sequel to The Tehran Initiative.  Damascus Countdown follows the storyline of what happens if and when Iran becomes a nuclear power.  Though the book is speculative as to what the future does hold in these situations, it is becoming common place that what Joel writes about, happens.

The story continues where book #2 left off.  Will David be able to find the warheads in time to save the US and Israel from attack?

Happy Reading

Neta Jackson

Dear Readers,

Come to the Table by Neta Jackson is the second in the SoldOut Sisters series.  Once again Neta takes us to Chicago on a journey of hope and promise.  Believe it or not, even though I have never lived in Chicago these books have a way of making me feel like I have come home again.

Kat Davis is still struggling with her desire to share good eating habits with the families of the neighborhood.  Others understand what she is trying to say, but they also feel that Kat has no idea what it is like to live on food stamps, in a single parent home or why the quick and easy isn't the best choice for them.  Edesa tries gently to push her in the right direction with some very interesting results.

I waited until vacation to read this book because it is just so fun to visit with old friends while relaxing.  Avis from Yada Yada prayer group factors in this series and so we have a time to visit with the Yadas again.  Of course you go back to visit the House of Hope and the Manna House also.  That way you can touch base with many of our favorite characters and see how they are all doing.

I am sure there is not anything new I can say about this series or any of the books that are included in any of the series that Neta has written.  They are good gentle reads.  They include a good deal of real life and yet offer answers and hope.  They are just, as I said before, a coming home. 

Happy Reading

Sharon Garlough Brown

Dear Readers,

I wanted to take the time to let you know that Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Brown has just re-released in a beautiful new cover.  The context inside are still the same great story, but Sharon added some book discussion questions. 

I am including my review of the book when it came out a short time ago in case you didn’t catch it the first time. 

Happy Reading

This book was born out of Sharon's desire to take us all on a Sacred Journey. She belongs to a group that meets on Monday and they call themselves the Sensible shoes club (Now you understand the name). In the group they have watched God, through the Holy Spirit, heal and transform lives. Because of that experience Sharon wanted to teach others how to take a spiritual journey. She just didn't feel called to write a teaching book, she felt called to write a fiction book that would help readers learn how to go on a journey themselves.

In this wonderful story we meet 4 interesting women. Each comes with her own baggage that God has been trying to help her get rid of for years, but it takes a special invitation for them each to understand what he has been saying.

Meg - A widow who has never been allowed to grieve the loss of her husband. With her daughter moving to England and her domineer mother passing away, Meg is at loose ends and not sure if her life has meaning. Why would someone who has never been farther than 200 miles from her home need to go on a journey?

Hannah - Her congregation loves her. She is always busy always helping someone and always ... well ... tired. But if she is doing God's work, that doesn't matter. Keep working, or that is what she thinks until her congregation gives her a much unwanted sabbatical. What is she suppose to do for 9 months?

Mara - She has never been good enough. Slightly over weight and not from a good family, she was never wanted by her classmates. She was never really loved by the men she slept with when she was a teen and young woman and she is not really loved by her husband who just doesn't understand why she can't seem to move on. Why would God love her if she has never done anything right in her life?

Clarissa - She is driven to be the best, the brightest, the smartest and always to perfection. She takes no prisoners when she is trying to get something accomplished. No matter if someone gets in the way, whether husband, friends or family members. She has a plan and she is going to stick with it. The only reason she even goes to the first class is she needs it for a requirement in college. What can she be taught about anything, she knows it all already.

These are the woman of the Sensible shoes club. They could be any one of us. They are very human and very fallible. Which is probably what I did like about this book.

Happy Reading

New Titles February 26- March 2

Dear Readers,

That first week back from time off is difficult.  It is hard to adjust back to a schedule.  This time is was harder yet as around here there is cold yucky white stuff on the ground.  When I left Florida is was suppose to be sunny and 80, when I landed here it was 28 and snowing.  I almost stayed on the plane. 

But return I did and back to letting you know about all the wonderful books that came out while I was relaxing.

Happy Reading

The Sky Beneath My Feet - Lisa Samson - Beth's husband is acting funny. Whether he is a prophet or self proclaimed artist, Beth doesn't care.  What is wrong with him? Their boys? Herself?

Home Run - Travis Thrasher - based on the orginal movie - Cory is spraling out of control.  To save his career he heads back home to coach little league.  When he runs head on to memories he isn't ready to face, he wonders if he made the right choice.

Grace Consequences - Lisa T. Bergren - #2 The Grand Tour Series - Cora is on a journey of a lifetime.  As she continues with her new found family, forbidden love puts everyone at risk.

Ring of Secrets - Roseanna M. White - #1 Culper Ring Series - 1779 - Winter is a spy for the Americans.  Bennel is determined to figure out who the spy among the elite is.  But falling in love wasn't in the plans.

Scent of Lilacs - Ann H. Gabhart - release of one of my favorite books.  Summer of 1964 - Jocie and her family look pretty normal on the outside.  It just feels like everyone is hiding something from her.

The Icecutter's Daughter - Tracie Peterson - #1 Land of the Shining Waters - Merrill is the only female in a house hold of men and she promised her mother she would take care of them and the family business.

So Shines the Night - Tracy Higley - Daria is serving as a tutor to a wealthy merchant in Ephesus.  When followers of a strange group called the way threaten the peace in the city.

Dale Cramer

Dear Readers,

The much anticipated conclusion to The Daughters of Caleb Bender Though Mountains Fall by Dale Cramer is now available.  This is one of those series that once you started it, you couldn’t find out fast enough what happens.  The only problem with that is Dale tells a gentle story that will not be hurried.  It's part of what makes this such a good read.

I recommend this series in order as each book follows right on the heels of the one before and book 3 is no different.  It isn’t hard to pick up the storyline as Dale does a great job reminding you so you won’t be lost long if you forgot what has happened.

Caleb and his family have survived the attacks by bandits, their farms are thriving, and families are growing.  The only thing they need is a bishop to come and make them a community.  The Amish are wondering when that will happen, but it should be soon.

That is all I can say as I could give parts of the story line away very easily and I hate when people do that.  So I won’t.   Just know that you will want to sit down and read the whole book to find what happens to Rachel, Miriam, Domingo and the rest of the Amish settlement.  Remember to enjoy and savor it also. 

Happy Reading

New Releases February 18 - 23

Dear Readers,

I am technically on vacation yet today.   I had the day off to recover from last week.  I was gone all week and thought I would take the Monday after to do wash and catch up on things.  Well those plans changed because of the author who will be in our store tonight.  Lynn Austin is coming for a visit and I am very excited to listen to her again. 

She is one of my favorite authors and she always has an interesting story or two to share.  She loves to talk about how she gets ideas for her books or how she even uses stories from her family history to create her books around. 

If you haven’t heard her before now is your chance, if you have heard her you don’t need me to tell you to come.  She will be speaking at 7:00 pm and then signing books.  I am sure she will be talking about her next book that will be coming out sometime this year.   I can’t wait to find out all about it.

Happy Reading


Love in the Balance - Regina Jennings - Whom will Molly choose?  Handsome cowboy or debonair Tycoon?

Unrivaled - Siri Mitchell - Lucy returns home with ideas of how to save her father's company.  The problem is the rivial hired a manager that keeps getting under her skin.

Moonlight Masquerade - Ruth Axel - Does Lady Celine's loyalities lie with the English or her home land - France?  Rees is determined to find out, but then things are not so clear the longer he knows her.

The Icecutter's Daughter - Tracie Peterson - #1 Land of the Shining Waters - Merrill is just one of the guys.  She takes care of her father's business and wonders if there is a guy out there that will notice her and not be afraid of her brothers.

Daybreak - Shelley Shepherd Gray - #1 The Days of Redemption - Viola is sure she knows what Edward is like, after all he abandoned his father while he went on the mission field.  Of course that is until she meets him.

Catherine's Pursuit - Lena Nelson Dooley - #3 McKenna's Daughters Series - Catherine finds out on her 18th birthday that she has two sisters.  When she sets out to find them, Collin is sent along to protect her.

Grace Given - Beth Shriver - #2 Touch of Grace - Elsie can't seem to forgive her sister for leaving the Amish.  Gideon longs to help her and he has a special place in his heart for her.  

Dani Pettrey

Dear Readers,

For a long time Dee Henderson was a unique writer in that she was the only one writing romantic suspense.  There were and are many writers that were writing one or the other, but Dee kind of had the corner on the market of romantic suspense.  That started to change just a few short years ago and now there are several good authors writing in the same genre.  (Funny side note, it is often called “Dee Henderson like.”)

Dani Pettrey is one of those authors.  Her first book Submerged released in 2012 and was almost an instant hit with readers.  Personally here in the store I was getting asked about book #2 within a couple of weeks of that one releasing.  I am happy to say book #2, Shattered by Dani is on the shelves and readers are eating it up as fast as book one. 

Now let me say this first, I do recommend book one first as it sets up the family and lets you know who is who.  Book 2 starts on the thought that you already know this and doesn’t really cover it again.  Not a bad thing, just know it so you are prepared.

Long lost brother Reef is back in town.  He stopped by his brother’s engagement party and to take part in a skiing competition.  When he is declared the suspect in a murder of one of his fellow skiers, his sister Piper is determined to prove his innocence.  One of the major obstacles in her investigation is Landon, someone that is like an older brother.

Landon is torn between doing his job correctly and falling on the side of the family and letting Reef go.   He determines to follow the evidence to the right conclusion no matter whether it proves Reef innocent or guilty.  The only obstacle standing in his way is Piper as she continues to put herself in danger, because if Reef isn’t the killer, than whoever is, is still out there and they won’t take kindly to someone trying to find them. 

This is an easy book to recommend.  If you liked book one you will like this one.  If you like Dee Henderson style books this is definitely the series for you.  Throw in an Alaskan backdrop and it makes for a wonderful little read.

Happy Reading