New Release - The Peacock Throne - Lisa Karon Richardson

Dear Readers,

I always enjoy finding new authors to read.  With the romantic suspense genre doing so well, it has been interesting to see the different ways that authors wade into those waters.  In fact historical romantic suspense is a growing category, which adds a nice twist to the original category.

Lisa Karon Richardson has joined the fun with The Peacock Throne.  It is a romance that has a very interesting mystery about a throne that was stolen years before.  Two men are murdered on the same night.  Two very different men with no connection to each other one an earl and the other in the seedier side of London. But as Lydia Garrett digs deeper into her guardian's death, she realizes that the two men are connected.

Years earlier they stole the Peacock Throne and it looks like the murderer is trying to find that throne.  Lydia enlists the help of the Earl's son, Anthony, to help her find the Throne and hopefully draw the murderer out.  That is unless they are killed along the way.

With the back drop of not only England in the 1800's but different places around the world, this story has a wonderful setting along with a intriguing storyline.  Not only do you get to solve a mystery, you get to wander around discovering new places along with interesting people.  It makes for a delightful and interesting read.

Happy Reading,

New Releases - February 1 - 6

Dear Readers,

It seems to be feast or famine for new releases.  Right now we have loads of new books and I am anticipating several new titles.  Some I have read already, and others I can hardly wait to start.  I am sure you can find more than one title to put on your TBR list.

Happy Reading,

Hannah's Choice - Jan Drexler - #1 Journey to Pleasant Prairie - Blaming herself for a tragedy that struck her family years earlier, Hannah feels she is is responsible to keep them happy.  Two young men are asking her hand, one who promises her a happy home and one who promises adventure into the west.

Change of Heart - Courtney Walsh - Evelyn's perfect life falls apart when her senator husband is arrested for embezzlement.  To make matters worse, he is not even sorry other than getting caught.  As she withdraws from society, her friends in the Valentine Volunteers group refuse to let her give up. 

Keeper of the Stars - Robin Lee Hatcher - A King's Meadow romance - Two very different people come together at King's Meadow to find relief for the grief they have suffered.  Penny in the loss of her mother followed by her younger brother.  Trevor because of the loss of the drummer in his band. 

The Prophetess: Deborah's Story - Jill Eileen Smith -  Daughters of the Promise Land - As an Israelite women, Deborah plans on marring and raising her family in the way.  But God seems to have other plans for her.  Will she be able to do what God is asking of her? 

The Peacock Throne - Lisa Karon Richardson - When Miss Lydia Garrett's guardian is murdered, and the authorities refuse to investigate the odd circumstances, she vows to catch the culprit. The same night the Earl of Danbury is murdered in his bed. Against all odds it appears that the murders are related - and Anthony Douglas, the new Lord Danbury, is bent on revenge. 

Reality

Hahaha  love this!

Celeste Fletcher McHale

Dear Readers,

I was really interested in getting started on The Secret toHummingbird Cake by Celeste Fletcher McHale.  I had heard a couple different quick reviews of it with mixed comments.  One person loved it and one was surprised by it (not in a good way).  So I really wanted to find out what they had. 

What I found was a book that I can't wait to share with you.  One that seems to be the type of book I have been looking for in the Christian market.  One that seems to start out as a cute little book about friendship and ends up being one that makes you wonder how, at the end of a book, you can be so emotionally attached to the characters. 

Carrington, Laine and Ella Rae have been friends since 1^st grade.  It all started when Laine came to their school and was getting bullied.  Ella Rae took it upon herself to defend her, and the rest is history as they say. 

The trio has been through many ups and downs together. They have always been there for each other, whether they agreed with what the other one was doing or not.  Their personalities are all very different and yet they are closer than sisters.  You do not see one without the other two close behind, even into adulthood.  Husbands know that if you marry one, you have to include the others in many of your get-togethers.  They are family.

Know that when I started to read this book, I thought it was going to be a fun read about the adventures of 3 women and their very special friendship.  I think most women long for a friendship like that, which is why we read about them so much. J  But what I got once I started was so much more than that.  

Now the back cover does not go into details of the storyline I am speaking of so I am also going to respect that and let you find out for yourself what I am talking about.  Just know I spent many moments laughing out loud at the fun times these women had together, but I also spent some of my time hiding behind the book because I knew nobody else sitting around the pool would understand why I was suddenly crying. 

It is a book about women and the friendships we all crave.  It is a book that will make you want to go out and hug all your friends and it is a book that will stick with you long after you are finished. 

Happy Reading,

New Release - Always Watching - Lynette Eason

Dear Readers,

Lynette Eason is one of the authors that has lead the romantic suspense genre to the top of the fiction lists.    She continues to prove over and over that she deserves all the positive press and reviews.  She has a huge fan following and will continue to add to it with books like Always Watching.  The newest release and the start of a new series.

The Elite Guardians are much sought after by those looking to protect themselves and/or their loved ones.  Wade Savage is a popular psychiatrist and radio personality.  He also has a stalker.  His father hires the Elite Guardians to keep the stalker at bay.  But when the Guardian is attacked and almost killed, agency owner, Olivia is brought in.

Olivia's skills are quickly tested as the stalker gets more and more brazen.  Moving from small innocent gifts to threats to Wade's loved ones.  Olivia must used every ounce of her defenses to keep them both safe.  But who will keep her heart safe?

A delight to read, Lynette is one of those authors I love to be able to recommend because I know that her books are well written and well researched.  That is what makes them so fun to read.

Happy Reading,

New Release - The Confessions of X - Suzanne M. Wolfe

Dear Readers,

There seems to be a huge wave of books about the woman behind, well which ever famous, historical man you want to pick.  Martin Luther, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and now Augustine of Hippo.  The Confessions of X by Suzanne M. Wolfe is the story about Augustine and the woman he loved.  I think the thing I find most interesting here is that we don't know her name.  We know she existed, but do not know her name.  It has become lost to history.

Augustine loved her before he became the father of the Christian church.  They were of different classes and their love was doomed from the beginning.  She became his lover and bore him a son.  She watched as he walked his spiritual journey which would change their relationship forever.

This book represents a chance to get to know a well know figure a little better.  A chance to put a face on the legend so to speak.  A chance to know the man instead of the historical icon.  I really do love when authors take these type of stories on, it gives me a chance to relate to someone I have little or nothing else in common with other than we are both human.

I am looking forward to reading about X and learning more about her and Augustine.

Happy Reading,

New Releases - January 26 - 30

Dear Readers,

I actually only got 5 books read on my week long vacation.  But boy they were some good ones and I can't wait to share them with you.  In the meantime, here are a few titles to keep you busy.

Happy Reading,

The Centurion - Ken Gire - Lucius has always dreamed of Roman glory.  Curious about the "King of the Jews" he keeps hearing about he seeks out his followers.  He falls in love with one, but his military career interrupts and he is sent off to battle.  Years later when he returns to Rome, he must figure out what is really worth dying for.

The Newsmakers - Lis Wiehl/Sebastian Stuart - Erica's news career skyrockets when she records a tragedy accidently, getting the scoop on the other networks.  When it happens a second time she begins to wonder if the tragedies are accidents of if there is something more sinister going on.

Renovating the Richards - Virginia Smith - #2 Tales from Goose Creek - Millie is busy renovating their drafty old house and Al is writing the checks.  But things in Goose Creek don't stay quiet long.  The intra-county softball game is coming and Al is volunteered to coach as team that is sure to be an embarrassment.  And don't get the ladies started about the new business going in downtown!

The Feathered Bone - Julie Cantrell - Amanda Salassi is a chaperone for her daughter's 6th grade class trip to New Orleans.  When on the girls on the trip goes missing, Amanda spirals into depression and guilt.  Will she ever be able to move past the lost or will it cost her everything?

The Confession of X - Suzanne M. Wolfe - (backcover) Before he became the father of the Christian Church, Augustine of Hippo loved a woman whose name has been lost in history.  This is her story.

Always Watching - Lynette Eason - #1 Elite Guardians - Wade Savage has a stalker.  His father hires one of the Elite Guardians to protect him.  When that guardian is almost killed in the line of duty, Olivia steps in.  Not only will her skills be tested in keeping Wade alive, her heart is in danger also.