New Release - Luther and Katharina - Jody Hedlund

Dear Readers,

When you have heard about a historical figure all your life, sometimes it is easy to forget that they are actual people.  You know, people who have families and sometimes other jobs that have nothing to do with what we know them for.

Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund is a great reminder that Martin Luther was not just a guy who happened to rock the church, but he also fell in love with a beautiful woman and struggled to protect her while he was challenging the church.

Katharina von Bora was a nun and she expected nothing more of her life until she reads the writings of Martin Luther.  He awakens those longing she has long held in check because she was told they were not for her and she had no hope of gaining them.

It is hard to go on without just repeating what the backcover has written on it.  But this story is a great way to learn more about a man who could no longer keep quiet about the injustice of the church of his time.  He changed the world for not only all believers then and to come, but also for one little nun.
Reformation day is at the end of this week and it is the perfect time to learn more about the man who made it all possible.

Happy Reading,  

New Release - The Fruitcake Murders - Ace Collins

Dear Readers,

The are several readers that shop at our store that when I mention a new Ace Collins book, are usually here with in a couple of hours.  He has some very loyal fans and that makes it fun to recommend his latest release, The Fruitcake Murders.

In 1946 during the Christmas season, Chicago was in the grip of a serial killer.  He was terrifying people but his murder weapon was leaving more than one person puzzled, twenty year old fruitcake. The victims don't seem to have anything else in common except that, they were all killed with a fruitcake.

Lane Walker is tasked with solving the murders, but this won't be an easy thing to do.  Not only does he struggle to find the connection, political reporter, Betsy Clayton keeps getting in the way.

Ace's books are just plain and simply fun to read.  They have good mysteries to them, quirky character and the historical settings are well described.  He has a way of making you feel like you are in cold, blustery Chicago and if you are not there, you definitely want to walk the streets and see all the sights he talks about.

Pull up a chair and help detective Lane solve a strange string of murders.

Happy Reading,

New Releases - Oct. 12 - 17

Dear Readers,

The middle of the month already.  I know my TBR list should be shorter by now, but it is not, and with these good books continuing to arrive here at the bookstore.   What to do what to do?  I guess I will just keep plodding away at it and maybe someday I will find the bottom.

Happy Reading,

Valley of Decision - Lynne Gentry - #3 the Carthage Chronicles - After her mother made the choice to protect her, Maggie returns to 3rd century Carthage.  She returns to chaos and her grandmother's murder trial.  But Maggie is determined to change history.

A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn - Shelley Shephard Gray - #3 Amish Brides of Pinecraft - Emma's husband past away several years ago and yet her family expects her to stay a widow and honor his memory.  But Jay is a widower with 3 sons and there is something about him that makes Emma wonder if there could be more.

The Fruitcake Murders - Ace Collins - The only connection that homicide detective Lane Walker can find with the three victims is the murder weapon.  Old fruitcake tins.  Will Lane find a connection before the murder strikes again?

Murder, Plainly Read - Isabella Alan - #3 An Amish Quilt Shop Mystery - Angie is surprised she can find the time to organize the annual book sale.  Between her shop and new boyfriend it is hard to believe she can do anything else.  Of course the help of Austina Shaker does help.  But a dead body in Austina's bookmobile may ruin her forever.  Will Angie be able to figure out who-dun-it before someone else ends up dead?

Duplicity - Newt Gingrich/Pete Earley - Ripped from today's headlines, what if the there was someone leading the Islamic terrorist groups.  Organizing them and coordinating their efforts and attacks?  Is America prepared to stop them?

Luther and Katharina - Jody Hedlund - A Novel of Love and Rebellion - Katharina von Bora thought her life at the cloister was all she could hope for.  That is until Martin Luther took on the church and challenged the cloistered life and opened a new world of possibilities to Katharina

Oct. 21, 2015

This made me laugh out loud.  Our childhood is clashing with our adult life.  

New Release - My Brother's Crown - Mindy Starns Clark/Leslie Gould

Dear Readers,

Fresh off winning a Christy Award Mindy Starns Clark starts a new series with Leslie Gould.  My Brother's Crown is book #1 in their Cousins of the Dove series.  It will be a wonderful series with a blend of modern and historical.

In book #1 we meet Catherine Gillet. She lives in France in 1685.  It is a time of great persecution for anyone who is a Huguenots.  The Catholic King has decreed, become Catholic or lose everything, including your life.  Catherine's brother is involved in something, she doesn't know what, but it may put her entire family at risk.

Modern day - Renee is a direct descendant of Catherine's and has always found a document that has been part of her family since Catherine, fascinating.  The pages hold a secret and she is on the edge of figuring out what that secret is.  But searching rekindles a childhood trauma and now needs to work to put that behind her also. Will she be able to find the truth before the past catches up with her?

Mindy and Leslie are like a dream team of writers.  They are both very good at what they do and it makes for a very fun read for us.  I look forward to getting started on this series and learning more about the Huguenots.

Happy Reading,

Librarians Day

Dear Readers,

Today is a big day at our store.  If you have read this blog for a few years now, you know all about our Librarian's days that we host in the Fall and Spring.

We have anywhere from 80-90 librarians in the store to purchase new books for the libraries.  Yes it is a good day for our store, but the best thing?  To have so many people in the store that are so excited about books.  I can say how many times during the day I hear, "I wish that I could buy them all."

I know that feeling, it is similar to the feeling, "I wish that I could read them all."  But to be part of the process of making sure all the newest and best books get into the hands of readers - that is an honor that is hard to describe.  I know for non - readers it makes no sense, but to readers what a fun time.

All day long that is all I do find, recommend, and talk about books.  It is pretty much a prefect day.  Of course the next day Wednesday, I sleep most of the day as working 12 hours is a lot harder to do that it use to be.  The funny thing about that?  I only really feel it once I leave the building and start to relax.  The ride home is the hardest part of the day.

Now that the day is upon me, I can just enjoy.  The work for the next one starts tomorrow, well maybe Thursday. :-)

Happy Reading,

New Releases - Oct. 5 - 10

Dear Readers,

I hate to admit it, but inside reading is becoming necessary around here.  It is just too cold to sit outside in my favorite rocking chair and read.  Even on the bright sunny days.  Of course it does mean I get to curl up in my big rocker inside, with a warm quilt and a cup of tea.  I guess that is okay also.  Mostly because I get to read, not because of the weather is colder, that is never okay.

Happy Reading,

The Bird House - Laura V. Hilton - The Amish of Jamesport - Greta needs to work to help ends meet.  She is asked to work at the local farmers market selling jams and jellies.  When she meets her friend Josh.  He walked away from his faith and her 3 years ago and she wants nothing to do with him.

The Bishop's Son - Kelly Irvin - #2 The Amish of Bee County - Leila has been in love with Jesse since the first time she saw him.  But he is struggling with his faith and feels he can't declare his love if he is unsure if he will stay in the Amish faith.

Miriam and the Stranger - #3  Land of Promise - After tragedy destroys Miriam's hope for a family she returns to school teaching.  But a freelance reporter enters her world and Miriam finds herself attracted to him, but he is an Englisher.

My Brother's Crown - Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould - #1 Cousins of the Dove - France 1685 - Catherine's brother is just trying to protect her from treats to the crown.  But he is involved in a deadly enterprise.  Modern day - Renee has always been interested in her descendent Catherine.  When she makes a shocking discovery it may force her to face her deepest fears.

The Abbess of Whitby - Jill Dallaby - A Novel of Hild of Northumbria - Hild is tossed between the goddess Eostre and the callous king and her crass husband.  Then she meets the Christian priests of Iona and finds a home for her bruised spirit.  That meeting not only changes her life, it changes a nation.

A.D. 33 - Ted Dekker - Sequel to AD 30 - Continue the story of Maviah and her kingdom of outcast.  As her power threatens those rulers around her, she must find a way to rule and protect without putting her people at risk.