Lori Benton

Dear Readers,

One of the best things about fiction books is that you really never know what you will find between the covers until you open the book and start.  When I started The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton I felt I would get a good story as I really enjoyed her first book Burning Sky, but other than that I was unsure.  After having read this book, I can safely say I am really glad I did not live during that time of America’s history.  Too much work, too much danger and not enough running water. 

Tamsen lives with her mother and step-father.  Hezekiah Parrish is not anything like what she remembers her father being like.  Her step-father is cruel and abusive and is looking for a husband for Tamsen who has a large bankroll.  He is not worried about anything else.  So Ambrose Kincaid looks like the perfect fit.  He is a land owner with several other business dealings and will pay a very large dowry.   On the outset he seems like a very nice gentleman, until Tamsen witnesses him interacting with one of his slaves.  Then she knows she cannot live with a man like him, and she flees. 

Jesse Bird helps her to run away from her step-father at a great risk to himself, because he is then accused of kidnapping and even murder.  As Tamsen and Jesse flee farther and farther into the wilderness, she is not sure she will survive out here, but knows she cannot return to her step-father’s household. 

The rest will give away plot-line and I don’t want to do that.   It is always interesting to step between the pages into a past that you know little about.  What was the norm for the people who inhabited that time in history is so foreign to me.  Plucking geese and saving the feathers and down for future use, cooking over the fire in the fireplace, houses with few or no windows, goodness I could go on and on, but not one of those things made me want to live at that time in history.   You also have the danger of not only Natives in the area who are not welcoming to the new settlers, but also wild animals and criminals that work their way west to avoid the law.  So living in colonial America wasn't an easy task and was not for the faint of heart.

With that in mind, Lori actually writes a story that makes you want to live at that time.  The beautiful unspoiled landscapes, the neighbors who help each other – no questions asked, and a freedom to take care of things.  Lori has a gift for writing that makes you settle right into the story, walking alongside her characters and wishing they would stay a bit longer than the few pages that they have to share their story with you.  I really enjoyed this book because of that, the feeling that I wanted to move in next door and be part of the neighborhood.  Well if I could have running water anyway. 

 

Happy Reading,

New Release - Murder at the Mikado - Julianna Deering

Dear Readers,

I decided to move to the next decade for the next new release available.  Murder at the Mikado by Julianna  Deering is set in the 1930's in England.  The series is like a mixture of Downton Abbey and Agatha Christi, which makes for a great fun read. 

Drew and his fiancée Madeline are ready to have life be a little calmer.  No more murders would be high on that list as they start to prepare for their up coming wedding.  Then Drew's old flame is accused of murder and he knows that he can't leave Fleur and her family on their own. 

As their investigation continues things become strained between Drew and Madeline.  Will their relationship be able to survive?

I have read and reviewed the other two books in the series and completely enjoyed them and am looking forward to spending a couple days investigating a murder along side Drew and Madeline again.  The humor is fun to read, but the mystery is what make this series the best. 

Happy Reading,

New Release - The Hatmaker's Heart - Carla Stewart

Dear Readers,

I know I have said it before, one of the best things about reading historical novels is finding out things about the past.  The Hatmaker's Heart by Carla Stewart takes us into the world of fashion during the era of the roaring 20's. 

Nell Marchwold has a talent for making hats.  She loves seeing a very satisfied customer finding the perfect hat for themselves.  One that makes the customer feel beautiful, one that brings out the best qualities in the customer.

In-spite of her boss trying to keep her talents a secret, word gets out and suddenly she is thrust into the spot light by a designer that wants her to become his partner for his 1922 collection.  Nell finds herself in London where she spots a childhood friend and now she has to decide how much and what she will sacrifice for her dream.

I never think of all those hats that were worn in the roaring 20's as being handmade.  Each one being unique and designed.  Here is a fun chance to learn about what it took to make a perfect hat for one of the flappers of the age.

Happy Reading,

New Releases - June 9 - 14

Dear Readers,

June is already half over.  I hate that the warm summer months pass so quickly.  It just is not enough time to be outside and read.  Especially when the reading list just gets longer and longer with each new day.

Happy Reading,


Murder, Simply Stitched - Isabella Alan - #3 An Amish Quilt Shop Mystery - Angie stumbles on a body behind the canning shed.  Wanda had been poisoned by a blueberry fry pie.  Will Angie figure out the who-dun-it before her best friend ends up in jail for murder

Passing Strangers - Angela Hunt - 3 very different strangers form a makeshift family on a train tour through the south.  Each brings their own baggage and each is needed by the others.  Will they find healing from their little family?

The Hatmaker's Heart - Carla Stewart - Nell loves making hats.  Her creations attract the attention of a famous designer, who wishes to have her designed hats to go with his new collection.  After arriving in London, she meets an old friend and suddenly she isn't sure what her dream is and what she will have to sacrifice to make it happen.

Raina's Choice - Gilbert Morris - #3 Western Justice - Raina needs to get out of town.  She needs a hero and Tyler seems to fit the bill.  But is he really the answer to her prayers?

The Cat Ladies Secret - Linda W. Yezak - Emily's greatest joy is helping others.  She has fled back to her hometown from Houston and now is going to great lengths to hide what she does.  But when one of her gifts gets the attention of a journalist, it could all fall apart.

Four Weddings and a Kiss - Margaret Brownley/Debra Clopton/Mary Connealy/Robin Lee Hatcher - At the end of a pastor's revival meeting, a group of minister share stories of some of the most unlikely couples that fall in love and marry.  Quite happily I might add.

The Revealing - Suzanne Woods Fisher - #3 The Inn at Eagle Hill - Naomi King is willing to give up everything to follow her heart.  Tobe is worth it.  Then a young woman arrives with a delivery for Tobe and a nosy guest gets involved.

Murder at the Mikado - Julianna Deering - #3 A Drew Farthering Mystery - Drew and Madeline are ready for a calmer life, one that looks forward to an up and coming marriage - theirs.  But an old flame of Drew's is accused of murder and he knows he can't leave her in a lurch.

A Match of Wits - Jen Turano - The last person Agatha wants to meet up with is her old friend Zayne, but when she does she knows he needs to be sent home.  Zayne on the other hand does not want to return east, instead decides to help Agatha whether she wants it or not.

New Release - Blur - Steven James

Dear Readers,

I fell in love with Steven James' writing when he released Pawn just a few short years ago.  His thrillers can keep you awake all night.  His second series really got you to put on your thinking cap as he delved into the world of neurological research and mind control.  Then there is Blur and he once again he adds a very interesting element to his book.

Daniel Byers has a vision of Emily Jackson.  A very terrifying one, she actually talks to him after her death. 

Emily is found dead in a near by lake and the community is mourning her passing.  As he attends her funeral Emily begs him to find her glasses and tells him that one of his friends was in the car with her.  What does that all mean?  Why would Trevor be in the car also?

Okay Okay so a book where a dead girls sits up in her coffin and talks to you is probably not one I would recommend reading just before bed, but it is one that I have put on my TBR list. 

Happy Reading,

Kellie Coats Gilbert

Dear Readers,

When I first started A Woman of Fortune by Kellie Coats Gilbert I just thought it was going to be a book about a very rich family that happens to run into a problem when the husband is arrested for fraud.  A family that was suddenly going to have to face reality when they are forced to give up “the house staff, the lawn maintenance guys, the stable hands and even my masseuse,” as one of the adult children complains.  At that point I thought yeah that is almost reality, but the book is really more about finding yourself when you are not defined by worldly items, but by your character.

Claire Massey wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but her mother’s second marriage made it readily available and it is what she is used to.  Whether throwing multi - million dollar parties or  calling her personal shopper to find her shoes to match her dress, Claire loves her life.  It all comes crashing down when her husband is arrested for fraud.  He was playing fast and loose with his investors' money and it all has caught up with him.

As Claire struggles to understand how it could all happen to her and her family, she also has to deal with the loss of everything she holds dear.  Not only their family home in Texas, but also the other homes they have, their cars, clothes, everything is being taken to pay back all the investors that loss their money.  For some of the investors not only did they lose their money, but also they were close friends of the family or fellow church members, so they all have to deal with the loss of the friendship.  

I am sure most of us will never have to deal with our spouse being arrested for something minor let alone fraud, but we have all had times in our lives that have rocked our world and knocked it off the axis.  Even though at times when I was reading it I had a hard time not rolling my eyes when Claire or one of her children were talking about having to let the house staff go or their masseuse, I did understand Claire and how at times it feels like God has abandoned you. 

I really did enjoy this book, it was an interesting glimpse into how the 1% lives, but also how far they have to fall when something goes wrong.  I can’t imagine a world where you take a helicopter back to your family house, but I do understand a mother wanting to protect her children and how angry she would be at a husband who threatened that.

Happy Reading,  

New Release - Wish - Jake Smith

Dear Readers,

There will be no doubt in your mind that when you pick up Wish by Jake Smith you better pick up a box of tissues also.  This book has all the ingredients needed to make the waterfall start.  A sick young boy, a father wanting to just have a healthy son and a family struggle.  Throw in a little baseball and this book makes for that perfect read, but one you probably want to read in private for when the tears start.

Aaron has been fighting cancer most of his young life.  His father James will do anything to make his son happy and healthy, but when the cancer returns he know that the battle may be ending.  Aaron has one wish, to see his dad play in a major league game.  James isn't sure he will be able to fulfill that dream for Aaron, but is willing to give it a try, even if it means missing Aaron's last few days on earth.

I am a sucker for a good baseball story.  There is something about the grand old game that just seems to make us all slow down and enjoy.  It reminds us of yesterday, when we had time to spend on a Sunday afternoon, outside enjoying the weather, playing a pick up game or listening to the Tigers play with your grandpa. 

Even though Wish also includes a story of a little boy in the struggle for his life, it is really a story of boys and their dads and America's pastime.

Happy Reading,