New Release - The Sentinels of Andersonville - Tracy Groot

Dear Readers,

I am so looking forward to reading this book.  The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot.  I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but after listening to Tracy talk about her research and having read her other books, I know this is going to be a good one.

Andersonville had a prison that housed Union soldiers, but it was known for the horrible conditions.  At the end of the war 13,000 soldiers died in 14 months.  The prison was known for it unsafe conditions and a place where prisoners didn't get out they died.  In fact the commander was tried for war crimes after the civil war.

3 different southerners found out about the conditions and had to make a choice as to whether to make a difference or to continue on as the town was, which was ignore the problem and pretend it didn't exist.  No matter which choice they make, so one will get hurt.

What would you do?  

If this book isn't on your to be read list, it should be.

Happy Reading

William Sirls

Dear Readers,

After reading and being impressed with William Sirls first book the Reason I was very interested in reading his sophomore book, The Sinner's Garden.  He has a way of writing characters that were very rich and enjoyable to read about. 

I was not disappointed.  The Sinner's Garden was a thought provoking book.  When the main characters find a garden in a place where no garden should be, their lives will never be the same.

Andy was tragically scarred when his father threw boiling water at his mother and he happened to be in the way.  It is something he has struggled with all his life, the thought that others judge him completely by what his face looks like.

Uncle Rip has just been released from prison after being arrested for dealing drugs.  While in jail Rip found God, not that everyone believes him, and is trying to turn his life around and mentor Andy.  Neither job is easy because of his past.

To make life even more interesting in town, there is "Summer Santa" breaking into peoples houses and leaving gifts for those in need.

Once again William sets his book is a small town in Michigan right on the shores of Lake Erie this time.  He fills it with interesting characters that all have something to hid.  Whether it is Andy trying to hid his scar or the person running around handing out gifts like a modern day Robin Hood, they all have secrets that they think no one can see, forgetting there is someone who sees everything.

Happy Reading

New Release - Shadowed by Grace - Cara C. Putman

Dear Readers,

I thought I would use the quote on the back of Shadowed by Grace by Cara C. Putman. "Cara Putman is a truly gifted author who offers strong characterization ad quality research in her fiction."  Tracie Peterson. 

I think that is why her books have become so popular, she does the work that is required to make a good read.  She makes sure that the subjects she is writing about is correct and clear in its telling.  She has the gift of making you feel involved and part of the story.

Rachel takes a assignment to Italy close to the front lines in Italy.  Her newpaper is not thrilled with sending a woman so close to the fighting, but Rachel is on a mission of her own.  She is looking for a father she has never meet in the hopes of finding him will save her mother.

While looking for her artist father, she ends up getting involved with the Monument Men.  The men of the allied armies that are trying to save the art work that the Third Reich is hiding and trying to keep hidden. 

There are several books and a movie coming out about a band of men that worked diligently to save these famous works of art for the world.  I think one of the most interesting things about their story is that so few of us even knew they did this work for us.  How can heroes like these go without credit for their work?  

I have found their story fascinating and am looking forward to learning more about them.

Happy Reading

New Releases December 30 - January 4

Dear Readers,

A New Year and more books to read.  Can I interest you in an author you haven't read before?

Happy Reading


Scraps of Evidence - Barbara Cameron - Quilts of Love - Tess is a brisk professional cop by day and a woman who loves to quilt by night.  When the two worlds collide in a quilt, it might all lead to a serial killer and suddenly Tess' life is in danger.

New Release - Beowulf - Ronie Kendig

Dear Readers,

Ronie Kendig fools many a reader who don't know much about her.  Most if they just read her books assume she is a man.  Which is the mistake I made.  There wasn't any bio on the back of the first book of hers I read, Dead Reckoning. 

Beowulf is the 3rd in the Explosives Detection Dog series.  Ronie takes us, in this series, on a journey with combat dogs and their handlers.  How these dogs have saved many lives through their training and actions.  The bond between human and dog is something that is hard to describe and yet Ronie does a great job of picturing it for us.

Timbrel has sworn the only "boy" for her is Beowulf her explosive detection dog.  They head to Afghanistan on a mission where she is reunited with Tony "Candyman" VanAllen.  When the mission heats up and Beowulf hits a false positive, Timbrel defends her dog.  As she seeks to prove him right it brings her face to face with her past.

Ronie's books are enjoyed by any fan of military books, male or female.  They are action packed, fast paced and you become very attached to the characters, human or canine.  She does her research and makes sure she talks to, visits with and writes about what the experience is like, even when what happens leaves the reader with an unhappy ending. 

Happy Reading

Julie Klassen

Dear Readers,

 

Julie Klassen's book The Dancing Master could not have come out at a better time.  It came out just a couple weeks before Christmas, so not only were some people looking for a new book to give as a gift, others were looking for a good read during the winter season.

 

Alex Valcourt, his mother and sister flee London after a scandal ruins their livelihood.  Their dance academy is forced to close because of actions by his father.  They move to little Beaworthy in remote Devonshire, where Alex is hoping to start another academy.

 

Julia's mother has imposed an unwritten rule in Beaworthy, "no dancing."  Julia doesn't know why and finds herself attracted to the new dance master in town.  She knows her mother would never approve of him as a husband, but of course that makes him all the more attractive.

 

Gentle regency romances are Julie's specialty and that is very clear in this book.  She has added a bit of intrigue and mystery to it, which adds to the interest of the story. 

 

The is no fast pace to this story, it is just a pleasant tale that makes you want to start taking dance lessons.

Happy Reading

Happy New Year

Dear Readers,

May the pages of each book you open this new year contain new adventures, new friends and new lands. 

Happy Reading and