New Release - Conversations with Saint Bernard - Jim Kraus

Dear Readers,

Jim Kraus hit on a hidden gold mine when he wrote is book The Dog Who Talked to God.  He tapped into fiction readers that loved an endearing book and those folks who loved to read books about animals.  He followed that book up with one for cat lovers with The Cat that God Sent.

His newest release continues along those lines with Conversations with Saint Bernard.  George Gibson is taking a trip that he never got to take with his wife.  It was on their bucket list, but she past away before they had a chance to go.  So he is going to take this trip across America and the others plans he doesn't tell anyone else about.

His daughter hears about a beloved Saint Bernard that needs a home and talks George into taking him.  Lewis fits in the side car of George's motorcycle and from their the adventures begin.  Strangely Lewis seems to attract people every where, of course a giant dog sitting in a sidecar will do that.  But George  starts talking to Lewis and the healing begins.

Who doesn't like a book with a huge cuddly dog?  I think that the majority of fiction books I have read have a pet in it somewhere.  Even if it doesn't really add to the story, authors seem to like to include them.  Pets are a gift from God that remind us that no matter how awful we are, someone still loves us.  Thank goodness.

Find your favorite chair call Rover/Spot/Tiger over and enjoy.

Happy Reading,

New Releases - March 23-28

Dear Readers, 

As I write this, it is raining here and I have heard no less than 5 people say today, "it smells like spring today."  They are correct and to celebrate, here are some really good titles for you.

Happy Reading,

The Tomb - Stephanie Landsem - Martha has the reputation of being the holiest woman in Bethany.  When her brother Lazarus falls ill will she send for Jesus at the risk of exposing her secret?

Vinnie's Diner - Jennifer Allee - (from the backcover) When a freak accident leaves Allie stranded in the desert, she needs help.  But little does she know, accepting help means embarking on a harrowing journey of self-discovery...

A Faith of Her Own - Kathleen Fuller - A Middlefield Amish Novel #1 - Anna Mae has long questioned her place in the Amish community.  When a childhood friend suddenly reappears in the community, they are able to rekindle their friendship with a promise of more. 

Conversations with Saint Bernard - Jim Kraus - George Gibson is crossing off the last item on his bucket list.  The trip across America him and his wife could never take.  Along the way his daughter encourages him to adopt a Saint Bernard.  Lewis and George become traveling companions and George is able to start the healing process.

One Last Thing - Rebecca St James/Nancy Rue - Tara and Seth grew up next door to each other.  Their fairy-tale wedding was a foregone conclusion, but when Tara learns Seth's secret her Happily ever after is changed forever.

bookstores in general

Dear Readers,

The past couple of weeks has seen some very dismal stories about bookstores.  Christian bookstores in particular.  I would say in the last month or two I have heard of no less than 10 bookstores closing and that does not include what is happening at Family Christian bookstores. (no comment)

I watch the closing of these stores with a heavy heart.  Yes they were our competition and yet we are all in this together.  Other than the Family Christian, they are all mentioning lost sales to online purchases.  One bookstore came right out and said that they don't think readers quite understand what that does to a local business when people stop shopping there and elect to shop online. 

I don't know if they understand or not, but that is not what saddened me so much.  I have loved bookstores almost as long as I have loved libraries.  There is a special feel to a bookstore.  It is almost as if time slows down and you are reminded to breathe again.  To rest, to take your time and enjoy. Whether you come into a bookstore by yourself or with someone, it doesn't matter, books beg to be browsed not just grabbed and "put in the cart." 

I think we are doing a disservice to our next generations who may never know the pleasure of wandering through aisles and aisles of books.  What about the excitement of taking a book home as a child, a book that is yours alone and you never have to bring that back to the library and wait to borrow again it at a different date.  It is also not the same as getting it in the mail.  It is hard to explain but is just different.  

There is something special about the bookstore around the corner.  I am sure that is why I never liked the movie You Got Mail.  To watch that beautiful little bookstore close just broke my heart.  Even though in that movie, the neighborhood didn't really loose their bookstore, they just got something different, something not as neighborly.  I have to admit, yes books will always be available in many different forms, but the bookstore, that is a special, magical, wonderful place.

I can't imagine America without any bookstores anywhere, but the rate we are going that may end up being our reality in the not to distant future.  And that would be a very dismal future indeed.

Happy Reading and go to the bookstore. :-)

Elizabeth Camden

Dear Readers,

There is something about Elizabeth's writing that makes me love reading her books.  I kind of stumbled on her after hearing her titles recommended at a sales conference I went to.  She sounded like someone I would like to read, and now I have read most of her books.  I think I missed one and when I have time I need to go back and read it. In the meantime, her latest release, Beyond all Dreams, reminded me why I liked reading her in the first place.  Nothing like romance, mystery and history all rolled into one book to make a wonderful Sunday read.

Anna O'Brien works as a map librarian at the Library of Congress.  She is happy with her quiet and predictable life.  That all starts to change when she comes across a mystery about a ship that disappeared at sea.  The more she tries to figure out what happened to the ship, the more it becomes clear that someone is hiding something.  

Anna turns to Luke Callahan for help.  He is one of the most powerful congressmen in America, but his career has always contained a hint of scandal so he is eager to take on a cause that might help rid that from his past.  Together they find themselves involved in something that is much bigger than they planned on. 

Even though this is a work of fiction, Elizabeth shares details of what she loosely based her book on.  I don't want to give those details here as it gives away part of the storyline and actually give you clues as to what is happening before you need to know. :-)

I recommend Elizabeth's books to anyone looking for a gentle read that has a bit of a mystery to it.  Nothing too gruesome, but something that engages your mind in a way that a straight historical/romance won't.  They are one of those wonderful reads that when I pick it up on a sunny Sunday afternoon, I can get it read before the day is over and that is a wonderful thing.

Happy Reading,

New Release - The Creole Princess - Beth White

Dear Readers,

There has been a bit of a surge in books set in and around the revolutionary war.  I have seen them before but they were usually a book set during one of the battles.  This new group of books are about the colonists who were trying to make a living in the new land. 


The Creole Princess by Beth White is such a book.  It is set in Mobile Alabama where the war was almost a non-existent thing.  The British held the port of Mobile and there was really not much change in business.  Well except the spies that have been arriving in town to see if they could help the Americans.

Lyse spends most of her time with a British commander's daughter.  When Rafeal Gonzales starts showing interest in Lyse, is it because he is truly interested in her or only interested in seeing how much information he can get from her about the British Army in Mobile.

Intrigue and mystery abound in a city mile away from the battle and yet you can trust no one.  Will Lyse be able to figure out who to trust in time? 

If historical fiction is one of your favorite genres then this series by Beth White is a must read.  The Gulf Coast Chronicles puts a little different slant on the War for independence and makes for a fun guessing who the good guys are.

Happy Reading,

New Release - Mist of Midnight - Sandra Byrd

Dear Readers,

Covers are covers.  Some make you walk right by others, ah the other ones, they make you want to drop everything you are doing and start reading right this minute.  Sandra Byrd's newest novel, Mist of Midnight is one of those drop everything and start reading me this minute books.

When you see the cover you start asking, who is the girl standing in the rain?  What is her back story and why does she look like she belongs but is a bit unsure of where she belongs?  Now that is a cover.

Rebecca is returning from India.  She has lost everything to the uprising, her family, her friends and her home.   She is returning to England to claim her family home in Hampshire.  But when Rebecca returns she finds the locals are surprised and suspicious of her. 

A year ago a young lady arrived in town claiming to be Rebecca, moved into her home and used her family's fortune .  Shortly after arriving the young woman past away.  The servants fled and  the young woman is buried quietly at midnight.  Now no one believe Rebecca is who she claims to be.

Nothing like a mistaken identity to make a good read.  Of course setting it in England in the middle of the 1800's is always a bonus.  I have read many of Sandra's books and loved each one.  She is an author that transports you to a different time and makes you feel like you should live there.  She does her research and it shows in her writing. 

Happy Reading,

New Releases - March 16 - 21

Dear Readers,

Spring inches closer.  Spring break is just around the corner.  Time to open windows enjoy the fresh air.  It is time to re-stock all those books you read this winter. 

Happy Reading,

Together with You - Victoria Bylin - Ryan is trying to re-connect with his kids after the mother remarries and leaves the kids with him.  When his daughter Penny is lost at the mall, he meets Carly.  He sees a connection between Penny and Carly and tries to hire her to be Penny's nanny.  Is Carly the missing piece to his family being whole again?

The Creole Princess - Beth White - #2 Gulf Coast Chronicles - The Revolutionary War is a world away in British controlled Mobile Alabama.  Lyse is drawn to the new Spanish merchant that just arrived in town.  But with spies everywhere, can she trust him or are his words of love just a way to hide while spying for the new country?

Lethal Beauty - Lis Wiehl - #3 Mia Quinn Mystery - What should have been an open and shut murder case turns into a life and death situation for Mia and her family and friends.  A rich young American stabs his Chinese prostitute to death and now family and members of his crime cabal are doing everything to get him set free, including threating Mia.

Mist of Midnight - Sandra Byrd - #1 Daughters of Hampshire - Rebecca is returning to Hampshire after losing her family and friends in the Mutiny in India.  She returns to her family's home ready to claim it, but the locals are suspicious of her as less than a year ago a woman showed up claiming to be Rebecca. 

Do You Believe? - Travis Thrasher - Based on the Major Movie of the same title - This book and movie are the follow up of God is not Dead.  A middle of the night encounter leaves Pastor Mark wonder about the results of that meeting.