New Releases - Sept 5 - 10

Dear Readers.

Sorry I missed last week.  I am really not sure what happened, I must have thought I was on a different week.  :-)  But here is the list from last week and I will try to catch up and try to get this week's list out also.

Happy Reading,

The Occupied - Craig Parshall - #1 A Trevor Black Novel - Trevor had it all, trophy wife, perfect 6 figure job and a winning record as a lawyer.  But choices he made as a youth are about to come back and haunt him.

A Love Transformed - Tracie Peterson - #3 Sapphire brides - When Clara's husband dies she decides to take her two small children back to the only place she was happy.  Her Aunt and Uncle's ranch in Montana. While there she meets again an old flame.  Will love re-ignite?

This Road we Traveled - Jane Kirkpatrick - When Tabitha decides to follow her son west, she had no idea what it is going to cost her.  As the journey continues, not only is her faith tested, her and her families' lives are all at risk.

Catching Heat - Janice Cantore - #3 Cold Case Justice - Detective Abby Hart is desperate to put the person who killed her parents behind bars.  While on a case for a task force investigating cold cases, she finds herself close to where the fire happened.  Will she be able to finally prove who the murder is?

Quote

A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.

–Neil Gaiman

Have you read a Neil Gaiman book?  I really love them because they are a true escape from reality.  I have listened to several of them.  He reads them himself.  He is one of the few authors I know that can and should read his own work.  He has a lovely reading voice and he knows just what each unique character is doing.  

Happy Reading, 

New Release - Mary Chosen of God - Diana Wallis Taylor

Mary Chosen of God - Diana Wallis Taylor

"Blessed are you, Mary, chosen of God."

Mary is ordinary girl from Nazareth. She helps her mother with household chores, she daydreams about a handsome carpenter's son named Joseph, and at night she lies on the roof and contemplates at the stars. 


But one evening, a heavenly visitor comes with unexpected news;and her life is changed forever. 

Experience the life of the Messiah from the perspective of his mother, who must place her trust and obedience in Adonai, the Most High, as he fulfills centuries of anticipation in the middle of her daily life. Walk with Mary as she witnesses Yeshua grow, mature, minister, and even crucified; and then raised again, to the kindling of her new faith.

Mike Nappa

Dear Readers,

The Raven is Mike Nappa's second book in the Coffey & Hill series.  This one takes a bit of a different direction than Annabel Lee, but I do recommend them in order.  Once again the action adventure of the books have loads of tension in them and you continue to turn pages as fast as you can to find out what happens.

Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill are teamed up again, well sort of, to find out about the rumors on the street about "Nevermore."  No one really seems to know what it is, but it is reported to be big, world changing.  The only solid thing they have is a street magician named The Raven who got mixed up in it all by taking the wrong wallet from the wrong man and now owes a debt that he can repay.

I have been looking for authors in the Christian market that write good mysteries.  So when I find one like Mike, I like to recommend them to as many people as possible.  Mike writes with a very interesting style.  Each of his books had a very unique voice and yet you could tell it was Mike's writing.  His mysteries are strong and leave you guessing exactly where he is going with them.

I do have to mention that the body count does get pretty high, but it does make sense for the type of books he is writing.  He also does not describe it in every gross details as some authors do.

I am looking forward to the 3rd book in the series and hopefully not the last fiction Mike is going to write.

Happy Reading,

New Release - Looming Storm - Diane and David Munson

Looming Storm  - Diane and David Munson 

Tomorrow’s headlines leap from the pages of The Looming Storm when Federal Agent Eva Montanna uncovers a menacing threat to harm Eva and her family. 


When daughter Kaley travels to Eastern Europe on a class trip, Eva’s Christian faith is challenged, and their lives are altered in the blink of an eye. Tensions skyrocket as Eva and Griff Topping, her FBI partner, use every trick to infiltrate a band of Florida smugglers. 

The agents are shocked when their undercover charade reveals the criminals have sinister plans for America. Secrets are shredded in the Munson’s tenth ‘stand alone’ thriller, as this spousal duo rips the veil from a labyrinth of covert criminal enterprises.

7 annoyances every reader understands

Dear Readers, 

This post was on the Bethany Fiction blog a couple weeks ago and I stole it right from there.  (Thank you!)  I can relate to all of them and maybe add a few more.  How about you?  

Happy Reading. 

One: Too many books, not enough time.

This is a big one, folks. Of course, you have your favorite authors who are always a must-read. But then friends recommend their top picks, and you see a lovely cover at the bookstore, and really, you should be better at catching up on the classics, and what about nonfiction…and your list of books to be read grows steadily longer, until there just aren’t enough hours in the day.

We feel your pain. But keep adding to that TBR pile, keep buying that series on sale planning to get it someday, keep turning your “office” into a giant sculpture of book stacks, because those are the actions of hope.

And friends, readers should never, ever give up hope.

And all things considered, it’s a good problem to have, so keep that in mind as you stare valiantly up at your mountains of books.

Two: So. Many. Emotions.

As if real life weren’t stressful enough, we readers also heap on the conflict, intrigue, and impossible choices of dozens of fictional characters. Whether it’s a sobbing-by-the-last-page sort of ending or a story so tense that you felt like you might have a heart attack yourself before it was all over, the emotions of reading can be intense. Some books should come with a warning label.

This is really only an annoyance, though, when a non-reader, observing your vicarious emotional breakdown, says something dangerously flippant like “Those people aren’t real, you know” or the dreaded “Um…it’s just a book.”

“Just a book? Try 400 pages of beautifully written angst and agony as these people I love go through trials of all kinds and I barely hang on to hope for a happy ending.”

Sigh. Normal people just don’t get it.

Three: Interruptions.

In the category of “do not disturb,” focused readers are second only to hungry, sleeping lions. Friends and loved ones of dedicated bookaholics, you have been warned.

Of course, interruptions can be more than just people. They also include, but are not limited to, obligations, laundry, appointments, meal prep, the need for sleep, work schedules, and laws prohibiting you from reading and driving at the same time.

In other words…real life. So annoying.

Four: Book defacers.

Whether it’s those thoughtless readers who fold over corners to mark their place, punks who treat library books with all the care of a battered old sneaker, or toddlers who think they’ve found a entire coloring book or teething ring between the covers of your latest novel, these people need to be taught a lesson. And quickly. Before you react in violence.

Five: Cliffhangers.

Okay, okay, you get why authors love to leave you breathlessly waiting for the next chapter, turning pages so quickly your hands are soon scarred with papercuts. Maybe you even see the point of an unresolved ending that keeps you counting down days until the next release.

But really, writers, that’s just cruel. Don’t you know the agony you’re putting your readers through?

(Answer, yes, they do. I think most of them get a gleeful satisfaction from it.)

Six: Clueless reviewers.

Say you go to leave a review on Goodreads or a retail site for a book you loved. (Which you should do, because it is one of the best ways to help authors.) And, lo and behold, you see a few glaring one-star reviews for that same novel, completely trashing the most brilliant thing ever written since [Insert Favorite Classic Here].

And, despite your best intentions, you click on those reviews, like a literary rubbernecker who can’t turn away from the mangled crash on the side of the Amazon page.

As you read, your sense of outrage grows. “We couldn’t have been reading the same book!” “This person is absolutely crazy if they think that.” “WHERE IS JUSTICE IN THIS WORLD?”

Your rage is valid…but of course, the best thing you can do is counter that opinion by leaving a glowing review of your own. Don’t engage snobby, uninformed, or just plain nasty reviewers; they’re not worth your time.

Seven: Post-book exhaustion.

Sometimes, this is mental tiredness (see number Two above). Other times…well, let’s just say that looming alarm clock deadlines don’t seem nearly as important when the fate of the relationship, the family business, or the entire world hangs in the balance. Maybe your days of smuggling a flashlight under the covers are over, but the “book hangover” you get after a late night reading can still be brutal.

As you trudge through the rest of the day, though, remember: it was worth it. Reading is always worth it.

Okay, readers, what are some of your biggest reader annoyances? I’m sure I missed some.

Summer Reading list for September

Dear Readers,

Okay so it isn't really summer anymore, but I know that September has some great weather for reading.  (Really what month doesn't)  So I thought I would finish the Summer list.

Happy Reading,

Murder Comes by Mail – A. H. Gabhart - #2 A Hidden Springs Mystery - Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane is not thrilled with his new found fame.  Happily it is short lived when pictures of a murdered girl arrive in the mail.  now Michael is busy trying to find a killer.

There will be Stars – Billy Coffey - Bobby Barnes will not live to see old age. Either the drink will rot his insides or he will be killed on one of the many curves on the mountain roads.  He believes that such end is possible.  But after a car wreck he is left in limbo.  A place of secrets and hidden danger.  Will he and the three others trapped with him be able to find their way out?

Missing – Lisa Harris – July Release - #2 Nikki Boyd series - Nikki Boyd isn't usually called in on homicides; her forte is missing persons. But when a case with two murdered and two missing pops up on a quiet suburban street, she's ready to start the investigation and find missing homeowners Mac and Lucy Hudson. When the first clues lead her to the boat of her friend Tyler Grant--and another dead body--Nikki must untangle what ties Tyler to the Hudsons. The clues pull her into a deadly maze of counterfeit drugs and a killer who will stop at nothing to silence anyone who threatens his business--including Nikki.

The Progeny – Tosca Lee - Emily wakes up to find she remembers nothing of her past.  Nothing.  She is quickly on the run as her life is threatened by more than one person.  But she can't remember who taught her to protect herself and who are the good guys and who are the bad guys or why?  Will she find out soon enough?

The Girl From the Train – Irma Joubart - Jakob's job is to blow up a troop train.  When a prison train arrives first, killing all on board except 6 year old Grethl, Jakob takes her in and raises her.  Keeping their secrets together, Jakob sends her to South Africa where the war orphans are promised a better life.

A Worthy Heart – Susan Mason - Courage to Dream #2 - Maggie Montgomery has dreamed of seeing America.  Her dream comes true when she is able to visit her brother.  Now that she is in the land of opportunity she has no plans on returning to Ireland.

Bride From a Distant Isle – Sandra Byrd - #2 Daughters of Hampshire - Annabel Ashton is a teacher at a day school for young women.  She decides to visit her family home for a quick visit.  While there she finds herself at the mercy of her cousin.  To gain quick money he is going to sell the house and force Annabel into a marriage to a sinister man.  But is Annabel the true heir to Highcliffe?

The Bronte Plot – Katherine Reay - Lucy Alling makes her living selling in rare books.  Sometimes she uses questionable ways of getting the titles, and her underhanded dealing catches up with her and she ruins not only her relationship with her boss, but also her boyfriend.  She needs to change, but will she be able to?

Jilted - Varina Denman - #3 Mended Hearts - (backcover copy) ...tells a story of a woman who has lost the joy of living, of a man determined to draw her back toward happiness and of a town that must - once and for all - leave the past where it belongs.

From this Moment – Elizabeth Camden - Stella is the toast of London.  Her artwork has propelled her into the spotlight.  But when her sister dies under mysterious circumstances she returns to Boston to find answers.  No one will help her until she meets Romulus who is will to join forces with her in hopes she will help his magazine but doing the artwork for it.  But sparks fly when the first meet and there maybe more to their relationship than work.

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

Sister Eve and the Blue Nun – Hinton - #3 A Divine Private Detective Agency series - Sister Eve returns to her enclave only to find another murder mystery.  Someone has poisoned the researcher working on the life of the "Blue Nun."  Why would anyone want to kill over the research?  Why would the killer take the manuscripts that haven't even been read yet?

Medical Judgement – Richard Mabry M.D. - Sarah thinks life can't get any worse, but someone wants to see her suffer and is stalking her.  They set a fire in her garage and are sending threats.  As Kyle Andrews and detective Bill Larson race to find out who is after Sarah, she finds herself attracted to both me, but who can she trust?

A Fool and His Monet – Sandra Orchard - #1 Serena Jones Mystery - Serena has two passions, recovering lost and stolen art and finding her grandfather's killer.  She is hoping the first will lead to the second.  When a local museum discovers a Monet missing, she is ready to help, but it will it lead to her being in over her head?

The First Hostage – Joel Rosenberg - What if the Islamic State captured the most valuable hostage in history? The president of the United States . . . is missing. With these words, New York Times journalist J. B. Collins, report-ing from the scene of a devastating attack by ISIS terrorists in Amman, Jordan, puts the entire world on high alert. The leaders of Israel and Palestine are critically injured, Jordan's king is fighting for his life, and the U.S. president is missing and presumed captured.

The Magnolia Duchess – Beth White -#2 Gulf Coast Chronicles - Fiona Lanier is the only woman in the tiny Gulf Coast settlement of Navy Cove. While her shipbuilding family races to fill the demand for American ships brought by the War of 1812, Fiona tries to rescue her brother who was forced into service by the British Navy.

The Painter’s Daughter – Julie Klassen - Captain Stephen Overtree is use to cleaning up after his younger brother Wesley.  When Stephen arrives in Devonshire he finds that his brother has left town after leaving his host's daughter in serious trouble, he offers marriage in name only.  Will Sophie agree to the safety of the marriage or wait and see if Wesley returns to her?

The Stronghold – Lisa Carter - Tribal cop Pilar To-Clanny has seen plenty of danger, drugs, kidnapping, revenge killings, but when innocent teenage girls are disappearing she is way too familiar with.  She is joining team with Alex Torres, another part of her past she would rather forget about.

King's Folly - Jill Williamson - #1 The Kinsman chronicles - The gods are angry and after reports of a town being swallowed by the earth, the king of Armania send his son, Prince Wilek to investigate.  What Wilek finds is something much more cataclysmic that just one missing city.  Will he be able to save his country before the land crumbles around him?