New Release - Where Rivers Part - Kellie Coats Gilbert

Dear Readers,

I am always interested to see an authors sophomore book.  Is it going to be exactly like the first, is it going to be completely different?  Hopefully they remember their fans of the first book and stick with that pattern, but not to much. 

Where the Rivers Part is Kellie Coats Gilbert's sophomore work with Revell and even though she stayed in Texas, she is venturing off in a different direction for her characters.  She knows what her fans like and made sure she uses that in her new story.

Juliet has devoted her life and research to safe drinking water for millions.  She has gained many perks along the way, but one of the best is saving many from life with out water.  She is on the way up and yet has remained estranged from her father because her path in life is not what he would have chosen for her. 

When a disaster sweeps Juliet and her company up in scandal the only one she can turn to is her father.  With his help, she works to expose a conspiracy that is more far-reaching than either one ever planned on. 

Kellie's uses parts of society most of us will never experience.  Whether it is the elite of Texas society or the life a scientific researcher whose discovery has put her in the higher pay grade than most but it sure is fun to take a peek into a different way of life.

Happy Reading,

New Releases - February 2 - 7

Dear Readers,

We are half way through February.  The days are getting longer, hopefully there is a bit more sunshine and there is a small hint of spring in the air.  With spring break just around the corner, it is time to start planning on which books are you taking with you.  Here are a few titles to get that list going.

Happy Reading,

The Promise of Palm Grove - Shelley Shephard Gray - #1 Amish Brides of Pinecraft - (from the back cover) A young Amish woman finds herself torn between the man she's pledged to wed and the man her heart desires in this heartwarming story of chance, duty and choice in the face of love.

An Amish Cradle - Beth Wiseman/Amy Clipston/Kathleen Fuller/Vannetta Chapman - 4 in 1 - (from the back cover) - Tiny fingers, tiny toes, and lives that will never be the same.  Journey with 4 families as their lives are about to change forever.

Meek and Mild - Olivia Newport - #2 Amish Turns of Time - There is tension between the Old Order and the Marylanders of the Amish church in 1917.  Clara and Andrew are caught in the middle as they try to decide what is God's will and what is just man trying to control his congregation.

Where Rivers Part - Kellie Coats Gilbert - #2 Texas Gold Novel - Juliet has devoted her life to provide safe drinking water.  When a disaster brings it all crashing down she teams up with her estranged father to expose a far-reaching conspiracy.

The Crimson Cord - Jill Eileen Smith - The story of Rahab.  Sold into slavery then prostitution, Rahab wonders if she will ever be free again.  A spur of the moment decision to help two spies, gains her her freedom, but will she be able to over come the challenges outside the walls of Jericho?

The Babylon Contingency - Clifford Longley - DCI Robbie Peele is sent to investigate a very strange break in.  The criminals want  ancient clay disks with code written on them.  What secrets do the disks hold and why would a terrorist cell want them?

The Matchmaker - Sarah Price - #2 the Amish Classics - An Amish retelling of Jane Austen's Emma - Emma has found out she likes playing matchmaker with her friends, but when one such matchmaking adventure goes wrong, Emma finds herself in trouble with the community.  Will she be able to repair the damage?

Reading quirks

Dear Readers,

I love hearing about reader's quirks.  You know what I am talking about, those little habits each of us has.  Whether you are willing to admit it, we all have them.  Personally I always need to know how many pages are in a book.  I don't need to know the ending before I start, but by gum I need to know how many pages there are in a book. 

I don't know where or when I started doing this, but even when I try to not do it, I find myself flipping to the end of the book just to peek at the number listed there.  I guess that way I know kind of where the story is going and how quickly it is going to end. 

What is your quirk?  I know of a lady that will read the first chapter or so and if she get invested in the characters lives, will read the end of the book.  She said, "before that I don't really care what happens to them, but once I get to know them, then I got to make sure everything is going to be ok at the end of the story before I continue."  I never asked her what happens if she doesn't like the ending.

We also all know someone who just can't wait for the ending and will flip to the end, just so they know.  I think this is one that mystery readers are known for.  Personally I don't like to know the ending, I would rather guess than know and then still try to read the book.

I know another reader who will not a read a book that is set in a place they are headed on vacation.  She doesn't want anything bad to happen in the book as she is afraid it will effect her vacation.  Yes they know it is unreasonable, but she can't help it. 

How about the reader that once they get to less than a 100 pages left in the book they are reading, they better know what their next book is going to be or they get anxious and stressed about what they will be reading next. 

Are you an end of the story reader?  Do you have any other quirks?  What fun they are.  They remind us that we are all human.

Happy Reading,

Julie Klassen

Dear Readers,

 

Secrets of Pembrooke Park is Julie Klassen’s latest release in a long line of books.  Each one is a regency romance, but each one is very unique.  I am not sure how as an author you don’t end up crossing wires somewhere along the way and forget which characters you are working in or which town.  But however Julie keeps it all straight, we are blessed with many new and exciting titles.

Abigail’s family has lost their fortune and it is all her fault.  She encouraged her father to invest along with her Uncle in a bank and they lost everything and are now forced to move.  A long lost relative offers the use of their family home, but Abigail and her family can’t ask any questions and they must leave the house as is, other than cleaning it.  But the house comes with a dark secret.

When Abigail arrives she is not warmly welcomed by the steward who has guarded the house ever since it has stood empty.  When he learn she is family come to reopen the house and is not one of the treasure seekers, he begins to warm up and Abigail starts to set the house to straights.  But the stories of ghost and treasure hunters make it difficult to settle into the house.  She finds herself drawn into the mystery and wonders if she can restore her family’s fortune by finding the treasure.

Secret treasure, a handsome parson, and a wonderful huge estate.  What else do you need for a fun read.  Regency isn’t my thing, but Julie writes such delightful books, they are a great break from an intense thriller.  I love her writing style and how she can make you kind of wish you lived in one of those wonderful old houses even though you know that they are drafty, hard to heat and probably not all that fun to live in. J  She has a gentle way of writing and yet the mystery of her books is always interesting. 

If you haven’t had a chance to pick up one of her books, let me recommend that you get started soon as she is still writing and it will take a bit of time to catch up. 

Happy Reading,

New Release - Remember the Lilies - Liz Tolsma

Dear Readers,

Liz Tolsma zip to the top of many readers in the area with her first book, Snow on the Tulips.   Many of the families in the West Michigan have ties to the Dutch Resistance of WWII and that book gave many a chance to talk about their relatives who were part of the Resistance.  I know of several book clubs that read the book and then spent their time together just exchanging stories instead of discussing her book.

Her third release is Remember the Lilies and is set in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation.  The main character are American's that lived there at the time and what happen to them, but it also touches on how cruel the invaders were to the natives of that country.

Rand lived and worked in Manila.  He owed several clubs and was counted among the wealthy.  The attack on Pearl Harbor changed all that and now he is just another prisoner in the Santo Thomas Internment Camp.

Irene is a missionary who is now employed by the Japanese delivering censored letters to the prisoners.  Her mistake stops Rand's escape attempt and lands him in the torture chambers.  When he returns to camp Irene hopes to help in someway, but this unlikely couple are not sure they can survive let alone profess their love for each other.

We sometimes forget about the Pacific theater of the war.  Liz reminds us once again that we fought on two fronts and our men and women suffered along side the natives of those countries.  I think there are stories to share that we have never heard about those times.  Thankfully authors are discovering those stories and sharing them with us.

Happy Reading,

New Release - Twisted Innocence - Terri Blackstock

Dear Readers,

I am sorry for the first release of this post.  I don't know why only part of it released.  Here is all of it this time... I hope.

Terri Blackstock has been writing fiction as long as I have worked for Baker Book House.  She has been a favorite of readers as long.  She was the first writing romantic suspense, leading the way for what we now know as the genre. 


Her newest Twisted Innocence is the 3rd in the Moonlighters series and this time Holly is in the forefront of the story.  As she has tried to turn her life around from a party girl to a mother with a way to support her daughter and herself, she has put the old life behind her, including her daughter's father.  At least she thought she had.

When the police come looking for Creed, Holly tells them she has no idea where he is.  But she decides to looking for him to turn him over to the police.  Instead he kidnaps her and her daughter professing his innocence.  Is it true?  Is he being set up?  Holly isn't sure who to believe or trust. 

Terri always has a twist or two in her storylines that make for a very interesting reading.  I have enjoyed reading her books for years now and hope to continue to do so for a long time to come.

Happy Reading,

New Releases January 26 - 31

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the month of love.  Everywhere you turn you see the colors of red, pink and white.  Romance is in the air and there are even a few hints of spring.  Soon we might even make to above 50 degrees. 

To help you get in the mood for Valentine's day, here are some romances for you to enjoy.

Happy Reading,

Miriam's Secret - Jerry S. Eicher - #1 Land of Promise - Miriam inherits $2,000,000 dollars and a wonderful farm from the man she has compassionately taken care of for years.  She tells no one about the money and yet she can't trust Ivan, a young man who use to court her.

The Amish Clockmaker - Mindy Starns Clark/Susan Meissner - #3 Men of Lancaster County - Matthew Zook just wanted to expand his business, but until he can track down the clockmaker who used to own the building he will not be able to.

Love Gently Falling - Melody Carlson - Rita heads back to Chicago to help her mother recover from a stroke.  While there she reconnects with a couple of old friends.  When did Johnny become so good looking?  Why is he suddenly so helpful?

The Trouble with Patience - Maggie Brendan - #1 Virtues and Vices of the Old West - Patience gives up her hope of being married when the man she has pinned her hopes on dies.  Jedediah  has other ideas and makes himself a presence in her life.

The Boy Who loved Rain - Gerard Kelly - Colom has the perfect childhood, that is why the nightmares are hard to explain.  His father refuses help other than the church, but his mother is willing to find help any way possible.

Twisted Innocence - Terri Blackstock - #3 Moonlighters series - Holly has turned her party girl life around.  When the police wonder if she knows the whereabouts of her ex, she decides to try to track him down first.  The tables are turned when Creed takes her and her daughter kidnapped. 

Remember the Lilies - Liz Tolsma - Set in the Philippines during WWII, an very unlikely couple struggles to stay alive.  Irene is working for the Japanese while trying to help smuggle letters into the prison where Rand Sterling is just another prisoner.