New Release - Guide Me Home - Kim Vogel Sawyer

Guide Me Home - Kim Vogel Sawyer 

Working in the massive cave might allow
Rebekah the chance to bring joy back to her family.
But will it claim more than it gives?

After tragedy leaves its mark on Rebekah Hardin’s family, she plans to help her parents and six siblings honor her beloved brother’s memory and alleviate their poverty by working as a guide in the dangerous cave system. Kentucky’s renowned Mammoth Cave presents profitable opportunities in for hardworking, capable men. But Rebekah is determined and if it means presenting herself as a himself, then she’s up to the job.
   
Under the wing of experienced guide Tolly Sanford, “Reb” begins to learn the complexities of the cave and the two are joined by an aspiring young cartographer, Devlin Bale.
   
The university student has traveled to the hill country to map tunnels—not to fall for a girl in disguise. Can the God who designed miles of underground astonishment shape Devlin’s ambitious plans and free Reb from the weight from the past?  

New Releases - August 1 - 6

Dear Readers,

The un-offical end of summer is rapidly approaching.  I am not ready for fall yet.  Well at least not the cooler temps and shorter days.  But the fall colors and a walk in the woods, that I love.  But in the meantime I shall continue to enjoy the summer reading list and slowly pass the dog days of summer.

Happy reading,

When Death Draws Near - Carrie Stuart Parks - #3 Gwen Marcey novels - Gwen Marcey takes a job in Kentucky.  She is tracking a serial rapist.  There are witnesses, but they leave town as fast as they can.  No one is talking.  The police think she quickly solves the case but Gwen is not so sure.  When she continues to follow the clues it leads to a snake handling church.

Where Hope Prevails - Janette Oke/Laurel Oke Logan - #3 Return to the Canadian West - Elizabeth's return to Coal Valley is not all happiness.  Her Mountie has not proposed, but Elizabeth is positive she knows what she will answer when he ask.  What about the kids in school, something is different and she is not sure she can adjust.

Guide Me Home - Kim Vogel Sawyer - Rebekah Hardin wants to honor her beloved brother's memory.  She also wants to help her family.  She takes a job as a guide in Kentucky's Mammoth cave.  Because they only hire men, Rebekah has to disguise herself.  Will she be able to keep her identity a secret, even from handsome cartographer Devlin Bale?

The Artisan's Wife - Judith Miller - #3 Refined by Love - Ainslee life is not going the way she planned.  When her sister elopes Ainslee is left to travel with her brother to learn the ropes, while planning to still sell the company as quickly as possible.  What she didn't count on is Levi Judson who is excited to show off his new designs to help keep the tile company open.

Calvin and Hobbes

My favorite comic.  Even Calvin slowed down to read once and awhile.  

New Release - An Elegant Facade - Kristi Ann Hunter

An Elegant Facade - Kristi Ann Hunter

Lady Georgina Hawthorne has always known she must marry well. After years of tirelessly planning every detail of her debut season, she is poised to be a smashing success and have her choice of eligible gentlemen. 

With money and powerful business connections but no title, Colin McCrae is invited everywhere but accepted nowhere. He intends to marry someday, but when he does it will not be to a shallow woman like Lady Georgina, whose only concerns appear to be status and appearance.

But beneath her flawless exterior, Georgina's social aspirations stem from a shameful secret she is desperately trying to keep hidden--and that Colin is too close to discovering. Drawn to each other despite their mutual intent to avoid association, is the realization of their dreams worth the sacrifices they'll be forced to make?

Carrie Stuart Parks

Dear Readers,

Carrie Stuart Parks' newest release, When Death Draws Near has my favorite thing, a really good mystery.  It also has one of my least favorite things. Snakes.  Thankfully the snakes are what make the story a bit more of an edge of your seat mystery. 

When Death Draws Near is the third in the Gwen Marcey series.  I have enjoyed each of them, not only because of the well thought out mystery, but because I have really enjoyed getting to know the characters that Carrie writes.  Gwen herself is a very interesting character because of her back story.  

Gwen is trying to get back on her feet after her husband left her when he found out she had breast cancer.  Yup quite a low life.  She also has an amazing 12 year old daughter, who has found her way into each of the mysteries. This of course does make them a bit more intense because of the mother angle.  

In this story, Gwen finds herself in Tennessee trying to help find the Hillbilly rapist.  He kidnaps, tortures, and then releases his victims.  Each woman then quickly leaves without providing any help to the police.  They have only one picture from a security camera, but they can't make out details.    

When the case suddenly seems to close, Gwen believes she will be sent home in disgrace.  Then one of the locals, who happens to be a state senator, hires her to help identify the people who belong to the illegal snake handling church.  She just needs to infiltrate them, draw the faces and get out.  What she finds instead of a bunch of crazies that she is told about is a group of caring, loving people, who she is drawn to because they are so accepting of her and her daughter.  Who are the real criminals here? 

The rest of the mystery you are going to have to find out for yourself.   I like how Carrie is good at leading you down one path and yet laying the ground work for the correct answer to the puzzle.  I will admit I did not figure this mystery out until Carrie and Gwen practically hit me over the head with a clue or two.  

This has been a wonderful series to read.  One of the most interesting aspect of the storylines has been Gwen dealing with her after cancer life.  How everything hinges on her past treatment and how every time she goes to the doctor or has a health issue, the first thing question she asks herself is "is the cancer back?"  It just adds so much to the series.  Thank you Carrie for adding that to your books because it does remind us all what it is like to be a cancer survivor.  

Happy Reading,  

Summer Reading list for August

Dear Readers,  

I know it is the second, I wasn't sure which to do first the summer list of the new releases.  I went with the new releases.  Hope that didn't throw off your summer reading.  :-)

Happy Reading, 


The Wedding Chapel – Rachel Hauck - Jimmy "Coach" Westbrook built a wedding chapel for his beloved wife.  Taylor Branson takes a photograph assignment to get away from everything, including her own marriage.  When their two stories collide they may discover their own dreams again.

If I Run – Terri Blackstock – Casey goes on the run after finding her boyfriend murdered.  She knows she will not be given a fair deal with the local police.  Dylan is hired to track her down and bring her back.  The problem is for him, the evidence of her guilt doesn’t add up.

The Inheritance – Michael Phillips - #1 Secrets of the Shetland - When Macgregor Tulloch passes away, everyone assumes that his grand-nephew will inherit the estate, but when no will is found it throws not only the estate into turmoil, but also the people that rely on them for jobs.  Will the true heir ever be found?  And who is this stranger from America that shows up suddenly?

Cold Shot - Dani Pettrey- #1 Chesapeake Valor - Four best friend from college, then one goes missing. Years have passed 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.

Messenger by Moonlight – Stephanie Whitson - A novel about the pony express - Annie and her two brothers are looking for a place to settle.  Her brothers see an advertisement for the pony express and take the job and finding her one in a remote outpost.  The cantankerous owner seems to just be waiting for Annie to fail. Will she be able to prove him wrong?  

Playing the Part – Jen Turano - - Lucetta's admirer suddenly takes on a threatening tone.  She is whisked away to Abigail Hart's grandson's estate.  He isn't quite what he seems to be and Lucetta can't ignore what is going on.  But will it turn dangerous also? 

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?

Lead Me Home – Amy Sorrells - Abandoned by his no-good father and forced to grow up too soon, Noble Burden has set his dreams aside to run the family farm. Meanwhile, James Horton, the pastor of the local church, questions his own calling as he prepares to close the doors for good.

As a severe storm rolls through, threatening their community and very livelihood, both men fear losing what they care about most . . . and reconsider where they truly belong.

Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray – Dorothy Love – June Release - A general’s wife and a slave girl forge a friendship that transcends race, culture, and the crucible of Civil War.

Annabel Lee – Mike Nappa - #1 A Coffey and Hill Novel - Annabel Lee's "Uncle" has hidden her in a bunker deep in the Alabama swamp.  Trudi Coffey is hired to find a secret for a Dr. Smith.  She doesn't know that the secret is Annabel Lee.  She just knows she can't trust Dr. Smith and she needs to contact her ex.

A Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder – Rachel McMillan - #1 Herringford & Watts Mysteries - 1910 Toronto.  Merinda and Jem are not your typical young girls.  They are not interested in perfecting their domestic skills and finding a husband.  They would rather track down the murderer of young Irish women.

Code 13 – Don Brown - #2 Navy Jag Series - Caroline is getting use to her new job at Code 13.  When her co-worker is gunned down in cold blood, she vows to find his killer.  As she starts to complete what he was working on, it becomes clear she is the next target.

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.

New Releases - July 25 - 30

Dear Readers,

I don't know about you, but these hot temps we have had this summer makes it easier for me to read instead of doing anything else.  Whether it is inside in the air conditioning or in the shade in my favorite spot in the yard, I really just don't feel like doing anything else.

Happy Reading,

Leaving Independence - Leanne W. Smith - Abigail receives a letter telling her that her husband may not have been killed during the Civil War, he just isn't returning to her.  She joins a wagon train headed along the Oregon Trail to try to find him.  The travel will test her courage and her heart.

The Silver Suitcase - Terrie Todd - It is 1939 and Cornelia makes a choice that will echo through her family for generations.  Benita, Cornelia's granddaughter finds Cornelia's dairy written during that time.  What she finds may provide answers during Benita's time of need.

The Witnesses - Robert Whitlow - Parker is about to get the biggest break of his career, but his grandfather's past may cause it all to derail.  Frank House is haunted by his wartime past.  The secrets threaten not only Parker's career, but the lives of him and his loved ones.

Deadly Encounter - Diann Mills - A peaceful Saturday morning is shattered when Stacy Broussard finds a brutal homicide.  The mystery deepens with what looks like a clear case of terrorism.  Then a string of incidents put Stacy in a tail spin and FBI agent Alex LeBlanc thinking she maybe the target.