Must reads of 2014

Dear Readers,

What a year 2014 has been.  We started off the year here in West Michigan with the winter that never seemed to end.  We have seen our share of disasters this year with two missing air planes and the rise of a new terrorist group with ISIS.  We watched nervously as Ebola made its march to our shores, but were quickly calmed when it ended just as quickly.  

We watched in awe as scientist hit a tiny little rock spinning through space with their robot and received messages back.  We mourned the loss of many great people.  It was a year to remember. 

It was also a great year in the fiction market.  I can’t think of one real run away book, but many who at one point or another topped my have to read list.  I wish I could say I have read them all, but there just isn’t enough time in the day or year to get them all read.  Below is some of that list of books of note that you may or may not have read but should have if you didn’t.

Happy Reading,

(In no particular order)

1. Lizzy and Jane – Katherine Reay – Two estranged sister walk through one sister’s battle with breast cancer.

2. Playing Saint – Zachary Bartels – Edge of your seat mystery.  A fresh new author I am looking forward to seeing what else he will do.

3. Somewhere Safe with Someone Good – Jan Karon – Welcome back to Mitford

4. The Butterfly and the Violin – Kristy Cambron – What was it like to have to play in the orchestra at Auschwitz as millions marched to their deaths.

5. A.D. 30 – Ted Dekker – This story will remind you how good a story teller Ted is.

6. A Table by the Window – Hillary Manton Lodge – How annoying a big family can be and why we love them.

7. How Sweet the Sound – Amy Sorrels – The re-telling of the story of Tamar through the eyes of a 12 year old.

8. Checkmate – Steven James – The ending to a wonderful series.  Thriller to the end.

9. To See the Moon Again – Jamie Langston Turner – Welcome back Jamie you were missed

10. The Story Keeper – Lisa Wingate – What happens when the family you swore to never see again lives in the area you have to visit for your job. 

11. A Cry from the Dust – Carrie Stuart Parks – A new fresh face to add to the mystery genre

12. Bridge to Haven – Francine Rivers – With a new book every 4 to 5 years, each is to be savored

13. For Such a Time – Kate Breslin – a new author that the reading world has high hopes for after her debut novel was so fantastic.

14. The Secret of Pembrook Park – Julie Klassen – Julie continues to turn out wonderful Regency Romances.   

New Release - Hidden Agenda - Lisa Harris

Dear Readers,

The week between Christmas and New Years is an odd week.  Lots of places of business are closed or down to a small staff.  We have always have an interesting week as most publishing houses are closed and it makes getting orders tricky, but not impossible.   Returns are happening, but mostly people are coming in to spend those wonderful gift cards they received as presents.  The wonderful thing is I got loads of new fiction in and it is ready to go home with you.

Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris is book #3 in the Southern Crimes series.  Lisa is one of the many romantic suspense authors that Baker Publishing has added to their author list over the last couple of years.  The romantic suspense genre has been a growing field and one that looks like many readers love.

Michael Hunt is very much alive, but for how much longer.  His family and friends presumed him, he was just under cover, but that cover is blown.  He is on the run from both the cops and the cartel with his only hope being Olivia, the daughter of the man who called the hit on him. 

Fast-paced, Hidden Agenda will keep you reading till the end and make you want to read books 1 and 2 if you haven't already.

Happy Reading,

New Releases - Dec 22 - 27

Dear Readers,

The Monday after a holiday weekend is always feels like everyone is working a bit groggy.  It is almost like we all have a holiday hangover.  After running around franticly party to party we all seem confused with all this time on our hands.  Personally I find these few days between Christmas and New Years to be some of my favorite.  A time for quiet, reflection and of course reading.

Happy Reading,

Beyond all Dreams - Elizabeth Camden - Anna is willing to lead a very quiet life until a mystery catches her attention.  Joining forces with Congressman Luke Callahan to solve the mystery might end up costing both of them their dreams and maybe more.

At Home in Last Chance - Cathleen Armstrong - #3 a Place to Call Home - Kaitlyn and Steven are cut from the same cloth.  When the going gets tough - they get out of town and away from the problem.  But they are both back in Last Chance trying to straighten out their lives and put the past behind them.

Hidden Agenda - Lisa Harris - #3 Southern Crimes - Everyone thought him dead, but once his cover is blown, now the Drug Cartel wants him dead.  The only one who can save him is the daughter of the man who put out a hit on him. 

Currency of the Heart - Loree Lough - #1 Secrets on Sterling Street - Shaina Sterling is trying to keep up appearances after her husband's death.  She is secretly selling off valuable pieces to protect his reputation.  Sloan is trying to help her without telling her because of a promise to her dying husband.

Steven James

Dear Readers,

Steven James burst on to the Christian fiction market a few short years ago with the Pawn.  He wrote a thriller with a character who wrestled with moral issues because of the job he held.  Patrick Bower rapidly became a favorite of many readers and we all eagerly waited for the next release, racing each other to get a copy so we could read it and then talk about all that was included in the book.

I sadly report that the Patrick Bower series has come to a conclusion with Checkmate.  But that didn’t make me wait at all to read it, I wanted to find out how it was all going to conclude.  I was not disappointed either.  Once again Steven gives us a book that asks the question over and over – ‘How could it be worse?’  The story lines of Steven’s books always seem to be things of nightmares.  People are left in caves and tunnels.  Bad guys hide under cars so they can slash your Achilles tendon so you can’t run away.  People get snakes put in their shirts, which if you don’t sit still will bite you and kill you.  AHH! All of those things still haunt my dreams after reading about them.

Patrick is not the intended target of the bombing at a secret FBI facility, but he is the one the bombing is for, the bomber is trying to get Patrick's attention.  A criminal from Patrick’s past resurfaces and has put a story into action and Patrick must follow the story to figure out what is happening and why.   

That is the story in a nutshell, but it is so much more.  Of course Tessa and Lien-hua are back, Patrick’s nemesis Margaret has also returned to remind Patrick that he does need to follow some rules, and a whole cast of favorites along with new characters fill the pages once again with thought provoking clues but also discussion on a variety of topics.   I have to admit that is what I love the most about these books.  The mysteries, which are great, almost become secondary to the discussion the characters end up having.  Like when Patrick and his partner Ralph have a talk about how do you balance work and family life.  That is something we all can relate to and to put that in a book just makes those characters come to life. 

I will miss Patrick, but I have read that there is a possibility that we will hear from Patrick again and Steven asked the question on his Facebook page asking if we would be interested in a book with Tessa as the lead character.  I said “Yes, please,”  and am looking forward to where that series would lead.

Happy Reading,

Merry Christmas

Merry
Christmas

 

 

Wishing you a wonderful beautiful day. 

New Release - Steadfast Heart - Tracie Peterson

Dear Readers,

Your shopping is hopefully done and you are now relaxing at home with your feet up waiting for a Christmas Eve service to start or are soon headed to a Christmas party.  Which ever it is or if you are still struggling to find that last minute gift, I have a suggestion for you.

Tracie Peterson's Steadfast Heart starts a new series called Brides of Seattle and would make a wonderful gift for the reader on your list or even for yourself if you are looking to just quietly enjoy Christmas eve.

Lenore Fulcher believes a marriage should be based on love, not on who is available like her father believes.  He is trying to marry her off to his business partner, a man  who is 17 years her senior!  That is out of the question for Lenore.

Kolbein arrives in Seattle looking for his sister who answered an ad for a mail order bride.  He storms into storms into the Madison Bridal School demanding to know where she is.  He is sure she has been tricked into going to Seattle and marring someone quite horrible.  He doesn't find his sister, but he does find Lenore and she captures his attention.

Once again Tracie transports us to another time and treats us to a delightful story.  She is a favorite of many readers and her fans can hardly wait for a new one to arrive.  Thankfully she is very good at keeping them all happy.

Happy Reading,

New Release - The Wishing Season - Denise Hunter

Dear Readers,

The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter has the perfect cover to read at this time of year.  As you can see from the picture it just looks like a cozy little romance that makes you want to curl up with a warm quilt and some hot chocolate and let the hours pass. 


PJ has always dreamed of opening a restaurant of her own.  When she is giving the opportunity to receive a house for free, she enters the contest thinking she has the best idea for the old house and will win.  The problem is Cole is also confident his idea is best, he wants to open a home for foster kids in transition is the best idea.

The owner decides both ideas are wonderful and decides to let them share the space for a year.  One upstairs and the other downstairs.  At the end of the year she will make her decision as to who wins and gets ownership of the house. 

A cute light romance is a great way to pass the busy holiday season.  It is also a wonderful gift for that reader on your list that you just don't know what else to get.  Maybe even wrap a couple of envelopes of hot chocolate.

Happy Reading,