Monday, February 29, 2016

New Releases - February 22-27

Dear Readers,

Happy Leap Day.  An extra day of reading this year!  How exciting.  New titles!  Even more exciting.

Happy Reading,

Sense and Sensibility - Sarah Price - #4 The Amish Classics series - Henry Detweiler passes leaving a wife and 3 daughters.  His son from his  first marriage takes them in, but not too happily.   The women move to a small to a small cottage and hope to get their lives together.  Mary Ann hopes to marry a young man who should inherit his family farm and Eleanore pines for a young man, but quietly.

The End of Law - Therese Downs - A novel of Hitler's Germany - Berlin 1933 - Two men are picked to lead the T4 euthanasia programme.  SS Officer Walter Gunther is loyal to the Reich and will kill anyone without question.  SS Officer Karl Muller, trainee doctor is told that what he is doing fits in the Hippocratic oath.

Come to the Garden - Jennifer Wilder Morgan - Inspired by true events - Jenn got a surprise on her birthday she didn't expect.  A angel in her garden.  Not a statue, but a real live funny and charming angel.  Jenn had been questioning God recently and Margaret, as the angel calls herself, is there to help Jenn by answering her questions and helping her to understand.

Covered Bridge Charm - Dianne Christner - Carly doesn't fit the mold of a typical Conservative Mennonite, but she loves her life.  When she decides to find a long lost love of one of her charges at the retirement home she works at, she enlists the help of Adam Lapp.



Friday, February 26, 2016

Gilbert Morris

Dear Readers,

I found out about Gilbert Morris' death this past weekend.  I was surprised by the announcement as I had heard he was doing very well, enjoying life and still writing in longhand on a legal pad.

I am sure I am not the only reader who will say this.  Gilbert Morris is part of the reason I started reading Christian fiction.  It was long before I started working for Baker, I stumbled on his Winslow series at the library.  Of course it wasn't 40 books long then, but reading through America's history was fun.

They were the type of read that I could find myself lost in without having to worry about being interrupted by the small children running around the house.  He made his story's interesting and yet they were such gentle reads.

I can remember when I went to my grandparents house to visit and noticed a Gilbert Morris books sitting on an end table.  I asked my grandfather about the book and his answer still makes me smile.  He said he had been reading the book aloud to my grandmother.  Neither one of them had trouble reading at the time, but it was something they would do.  Read books aloud.  They loved to read Gilbert because of his historical content but also the people he included.  They loved finding out about the Winslow family as their legacy continued through America's story.

There is a story that floats around the store every once and awhile.  One afternoon a older gentleman walked in the door and introduced himself as Gil.  Yup it was Gilbert Morris.  He was in town visiting a publishing house, but wanted to visit as many local stores as he could to thank the employees for selling his books.  He did it with little fanfare and no warning as he didn't want it to be about him.  He just wanted to take the time the time to visit and get to know those who were 'doing the work' for him.  That was the kind of guy he was.  You heard that from any and all that had meet him.

We lost a good man this past week, but it has been a privilege to read and sell his books over the years.  I hope he knew how much he has meant to us all.

Rest in Peace Mr. Morris.


Thursday, February 25, 2016

Terri Blackstock

Dear Readers,
If I Run by Terri Blackstock starts a new series for the queen of Christian suspense.  She has been paving the way for other suspense writers for years in the Christian market.  I have been enjoying her books for many years and look forward to many more.

Casey arrives at her boyfriend’s house to find him murdered.  With her DNA all over the crime scene, she goes on the run.  Her past experience with the police has not been positive and she knows this will end badly for her.  But who would have murdered Brent and why do they want Casey found guilty of the crime?

Dylan is hired to find his friend's murderer.  All the evidence points to Casey but as Dylan looks into the crime more and gets to know Casey through her family and friends, he begins to doubt.  The clues are just not adding up.  He begins to wonder if she actually committed the crime.  Who wants to frame her and why?

Once again Terri proves why she is the queen.  Fast paced, with twists and turns that make you really wonder who is who and yet filled with really interesting and in some cases, delightful characters.  I had the chance to read this book while on vacation and was able to finish it in one day.  I have to admit that the closer I got to the end, the less I wanted it to end.  It is book one of a series and it is going to be a series you will have to read in order.  Which of course only makes it more fun as the storyline will continue to develop and we will get to know the people involved better and better.

I am already looking forward to when book #2 releases and I hope it is very soon.

Happy Reading,

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

New Release - The Calling - Rachel Dekker

Remko Brant had never been so sure of anything as escaping the Authority City with Carrington Hale.  But bravado comes easy when you have nothing to lose.  Now a husband, father and the tactical leader of the Seers, Remko has never had so much at risk.

The+CallingAs he and his team execute increasingly dangerous rescue missions inside the city, they face growing peril from a new enemy.  Recently appointed Authority President Damien Gold claims to be guiding a city shaken by rebellion into a peaceful, harmonious future.  But appearances can be deceiving.  In order to achieve his dangerous ambitions, Gold knows he must do more than catch the rebels -  he must destroy the hope their message represents... from the inside out.

With dissension in his own camp - and the CityWatch soldiers closing in - Remko feels control slipping through his fingers.  To protect those he loves, he must conquer his fears and defeat Gold... before one of them becomes his undoing.

Happy Reading.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

New Release - Burning Proof - Janice Cantore

Burning+ProofAfter months of investigating the brutal homicide of a young girl, Detective Abby Hart finally has the evidence she needs. But when the arrest goes terribly wrong, Abby begins to doubt her future as a police officer. As she wrestles with conflicting emotions, old questions about the fire that took her parents’ lives come back to haunt her.

“There is proof.” PI Luke Murphy can’t stop thinking about what Abby’s former partner, Asa Foster, mumbled just before he died. When he uncovers a clue to the murder of Abby’s parents and his uncle, he’s reluctant to tell Abby, despite his growing feelings for the beautiful detective.

A decade-old abduction case brings Luke and Abby together, but will his secret tear them apart?

Monday, February 22, 2016

New Releases - February 15 - 20

Dear Readers,

I can't believe that we are almost to March already.  That means summer reading is just around the corner.  I can't wait!  Hopefully a few of these titles will make it onto your summer reading list.

Happy Reading,

The Restoration - Wanda Brunstetter - #3 Prairie State Friends - Priscilla and Elam have been courting for a long time and yet a marriage proposal seems to be a ways away yet.  When David comes to visit his grandfather and not only expresses an interest in the Amish faith, but also Priscilla, Elam begins to wonder if he waited to long.

Cold Shot - Dani Pettrey - #1 Chesapeake Valor - Four best friend from college, then one goes missing. Years have past and Griffin is now a park ranger.  He is hiding from his dark past, but when a body is found in the Civil War park he works at, his past and present collide.

The Calling - Rachel Dekker - #2 A Seer Novel - A series that started with The Calling, continues.  Remko and Carrington launch an all out assault of the City and all they hold dear.  Spreading the word of hope.  But as they grow stronger the Authority works harder to destroy them.

God's Not Dead 2 - Travis Thrasher - Based on the movie - Grace Wesley is in the hot seat.  She answered a question about faith in her class room and now finds herself in the middle of a court battle.  Tom is the lawyer hired by the teacher's union to defend her.  He finds himself having to research something he doesn't believe in.

Burning Proof - Janice Cantore - #2 Cold Case Justice - While botching an arrest that has taken months to put together, Abby begins to wonder if she is meant to be a police officer.  PI Luke Murphy finds evidence that Abby's parents and his Uncle were murdered, but hesitates to share it.  

Friday, February 19, 2016

What books am I excited about this year?

Dear Readers,

I was asked that question this weekend.  What books that are coming out am I looking forward to promoting and/or reading.  For a minute I paused because I wasn't sure how to answer that one.  But once I started thinking about it I knew the answer.  I also know that it is a fluid answer as things change, I find out about new books or get one in question read and then that becomes one on the list.

That just happened with Secret of Hummingbird Cake by Celeste Fletcher McHale.  I wasn't sure about the book until I had a chance to read it and then knew I had to share it with everyone I could.  So anyways here are a few titles I am looking forward to sharing with you all when they finally release.

Happy Reading,

Annabel Lee - Mike Nappa - A special little girl, a secret years old and a man obsessed about obtaining the secret.  - March

The Red Door Inn - Liz Johnson - Marie is looking to get away from a father who finds business more important than his own daughter.  Set on Prince Edward Island. - March

When Death Draws Near - Carrie Stuart Parks - #3 Gwen Marcey Series - Forensic artist is back and between jobs.  She takes a job in Kentucky where rape victims are vanishing after they report the crime.  She also goes undercover in a serpent-handling church to find out about their illegal activities.  - August

The Wedding Shop - Rachel Hauck - It’s the 1930s, and Cora is taking the reins at her family’s wedding shop in Heart’s Bend, Tennessee. Brides come from far away to be doted on by Cora and her family while they find the perfect wedding dress. - August