New Releases September 23 - 28

Dear Readers,

Back to work today for me.  I love being able to help people find the perfect book, but I kind of wish someone would figure out how to do that from my house. :-)

Enjoy this list, there have been so many good titles these last few weeks my to-be-read list is not any shorter. 

Happy Reading,

When the Clouds Roll By - Myra Johnson - #1 Until We Meet Again - AnnaMarie's fiance' returns from WWI not as the man she remembers.  They both befriend the chaplin at the local VA hospital who is struggling with demons of his own.

A Bride for Keeps – Melissa Jagears - From the back cover - Everett Cline will never humiliate himself by seeking a mail-order bride. Not again. He's already been jilted by three mail-order brides and figures a wife just isn't in his future. However, a well-meaning neighbor hasn't given up on seeing him settled, so she goes behind his back to bring yet another woman to town for him.

Return to Me – Lynn Austin - #1 The Restoration Chronicles - After years of waiting, the people of Israel are being allowed to return home.  Iddo's grandson Zechariah  is torn about returning as his family is well off in Babylon.

The Path to Piney Meadows – Gail Sattler - Chad has fallen in love with the community he stumbled on.  Anna can wait to leave her Mennonite community to make her way in the world.  But will Chad's love be enough to make her happy?

Critical Pursuit – Janice Cantore - From the back cover -Officer Brinna Caruso has built a reputation at the precinct as the cop to call when a child goes missing. For Brinna, it’s personal because she was once one of them. Brinna and her K-9 search and rescue dog, Hero, will stop at nothing to find a missing child, no matter the stakes 

Mistaken – Karen Barnett - Laurie is sure every man has become a rum runner.  Her brother's new friend seem to be cut of the same cloth.  Daniel wants to prove her wrong.

What Once was Lost - Kim Vogel Sawyer - When a fire forces Christina to find homes for those in her care at the home for the poor, Tommy and the miller in town find a whole new bond. 

Glittering Promises - Lisa T. Bergren - #3 Grand Tour series - From the back cover -Hounded by journalists chasing the beguiling story of the newest American heiress, Cora fights to remain true to her past, reconcile her present, and still embrace her future. But as Will struggles with her newfound wealth, she begins to wonder if their love is strong enough to withstand all that threatens to pull them apart. 

Threads of Change - Jodi Barrows - A quilting story part one - In the politcal unrest of 1856, Lucas Mailey decides to send his granddaughters west.  He hires a handful of men to run the wagon train and keep the women safe. 

New Release - Orchard of Hope - Ann Gabhart

Dear Readers,

When I say this release is new, I am using that term loosely.  It is not a a new book, but the series is getting a fresh new look.  The first book, Scent of Lilacs, re-released a few short months ago.  Orchard of Hope continues the story of Jocie and her not so conventional family.  Things seems to have settled down and even Jocie's aunt is getting easier to get along with, that is until a black family moves into their little community.

Set during the turbulent 60's the Heart of Hollyhill series brings us many of the issues that families were dealing with.  Whether it was the war, women's rights or even the whole hippy scene, they were things all happening in our country at that time.  This series gives us all a chance to be part of what it was like growing up at that time.  It is a unique look at the 60's through the eyes of a 14 year old.

I read this series many years ago when it first was released and was so bummed when it went out of print.  If you have not read this series, take the time it is so well written, but also know if you can't get you hands on a used copy of book three you will have to wait until it releases in 2014.

Happy Reading

Julie Cantrell

Dear Readers,

**If you have not read Into the Free by Julie Cantrell, you will want to read that first.  This review will contain spoilers if you haven't read that one.

I am going to first say when I heard that Julie had continued Millie's story in a second book, I was a bit disappointed as I didn't feel there was a reason to.  I was so very wrong, this was a beautiful continuation of the story.  

When Mountains Move picks up the storyline 6 weeks after the event in the church steeple.  Millie has agreed to marry Bump and that day is what starts this story.  A beautiful day that starts their life together in a wonderful way and with several happy surprises.  

Colorado is waiting and Millie and Bump head to their new ranch with all the hopes and dreams of a new couple ready to take on the world.  Now, Millie has a bit of baggage that is going with her, as we all know, and she has to decide what to do with it, tell Bump or keep it a secret.  She decides he doesn't need to know as she is afraid that he will not love her any more and her dream of a real family will disappear with him. 

Once again you will find yourself cheering for Millie as she deals with what life hands her.  Sometimes it is a wonderful thing, like a new friend, and sometimes it is something not as beautiful. I am not going to share it here as it gives some of the storyline away.  But this is a story of forgiveness, but also one of trust.  Trusting herself, trusting Bump, trusting God.  

Julie's writing style draws you into the story so very quickly.  I can't wait to  read what she comes up with next.  I read this one while on vacation in about 24 hours.  I started late on Saturday night and finished Monday morning.  I didn't want it to end and yet I couldn't lay it down.  If you have read the first one, you will want to read this one and once again disappear into Millie's story.

Happy Reading.

New Release - Dark Justice - Brandilyn Collins

Dear Readers,

Brandilyn Collins was one of the first authors I read in the Christian market who could give me the creeps while reading her books.  For a little while she had not been writing, but a couple years ago she came back on the scene with some great stand alones.  I am enjoying reading her again.

Dark Justice is her newest to release and this one seems to run right along the lines of the other.  If you like thillers this one is a good one for that.  Hannah and her mother stop and help a man that was hurt in a car accident.  While waiting for the police, the man whispers in her ear and suddenly everyone want to kow what he said to her.

Hiding herself is one thing, but hiding her mother who suffers from Dementia is harder.  How do you explain that it is not safe to return home because their is a killer on their trail.

Fast paced, breath taking and one that makes you wonder if you would survive if the same thing happened to you.  I don't know that if I had to go on the run if I would live long enough to survive to get help.

Happy Reading

New Release - Derailed - Neta & Dave Jackson

Dear Readers,

I first read Neta Jackson's work when the Yada Yada Prayer group released many years ago.  (The whole series is getting a facelift the coming year or so)  I loved her style of writing and she was one of the few authors I read that made me want to move to a big city.

Along with her husband Dave, Neta has started a new series earlier this year, Windy City Neighbors.  Each book a story to its self, but familiar characters will have parts of the books and each book highlights a neighborhood in Chicago.  Book #1 is Grounded which released in April of this year and just a few short weeks ago the second book Derailed was also released.

One of the beloved characters from past series Harry Bentley is back.  He is called back to duty and soon finds himself involved in strange case.  That is not the only way his life is changing, now his son wants to move in.  What is God going to ask of him next?

I am somewhat familiar with Chicago, and reading these books is like strolling down the streets of a unique neighborhood.  One that is not well known to those that don't live there, but once you close you covers of the book, will be a place you want to visit and find the hope.

Happy Reading

New Releases Sept. 16 - 21

Dear Readers,

I swear each publishing house waited until Labor Day to send new releases out.  I am not sure why they didn't come for the summer reading season, but here is another long list of new books for you.

Happy Reading

Born of Persuasion - Jessica Dotta - 17 year old Julia Elliston living in 1838 Scotland does not have any rights of her own.  She belongs to her father, husband, or guardian.  When she is left with few choices and a guardian that is threatening to ship her off as a servant, Julia has to find a way to stop that from happening.

The Prayer Box - Lisa Wingate - Tandi is running from her past, but when she is given the tasks of cleaning out lola's Victorian House, she finds that years worth of prayer boxes.  They tell a story of a an unassuming women and her journey of faith.

Derailed – Neta Jackson/Dave Jackson - #2 Windy City Neighbors - (from the copy)-Derailed transports you to Beecham Street—a typical, isolated American neighborhood . . . until hope moves in.

Traces of Mercy – Michael Landon Jr/Cindy Kelley - When a young lady wakes up from an accident not knowing who she is, she takes the name Mercy.  Later a mysterious man shows up with maybe the answers to her past. 

Orchard of Hope – Ann H. Gabhart - #2 Hollyhill Series - Recover of a wonderful series, if you haven't read this series, treat yourself and read them with their fresh new covers.

Dark Justice – Brandilyn Collins - Hannah and her mother, who suffers from Dementia, stop to help an accident victim which changes their lives.  He whispers some words to them and now they are on the run from people who want that secret.

An Untamed Heart – Lauraine Snelling - The long awaited prequel to the Red River of the North Series, need I say more?

A Talent for Trouble – Jen Turano - Felicia decides it is time to spread her wings, Greyson just wants to settle down.  When they meet they find a mutual attraction.

Queen of Sheba – Roberta Kells Dorr - From the back cover -This stirring and epic account of a pagan queen's search for truth and love paints a captivating portrait of a woman struggling with her passions and responsibilities while it brings to life the ancient Middle East 

New Release - Raw Edges - Sandra D. Bricker

Dear Readers,

I don't know if you have been reading the Quilts of Love series, but there have been some really interesting reads in the series.  To call it a series is probably not completely correct as each book is a complete stand along and unique to each author.  They have spanned America's history and how the quilt has played a major part in our history and how it still does.

Raw Edges is Sandra D. Bricker's contribution to the series.  This one is a contemporary tale about a husband, Greyson, grieving the loss of a beloved wife to cancer.  He can't help his 9 year old daughter in her grief because he ca'tn get past his.

Annabelle is a cancer survivior working on the memory quilt for the OVAcome support, she is able to reach out to Sadie to help her overcome the loss of her mother.

Each of these stories has a quilt tied to it and each has a wonderful story line that shows us how we are all connected even when we are all so very different.  Whether the book is a historical story or a contemporary tale, they all have a storyline that will tell you something about this country we live in.

Happy Reading.