Abraham Lincoln

“The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I ain't read.”

- Abraham Lincoln Dear Readers, What an interesting quote by Abraham Lincoln.  I wonder how often he switched best friends. :-) I could easily agree with him.  There is nothing like exchanging book reading ideas with someone for the first time.  It is a chance to get to know someone as they are at home.  It is a peek behind that mask we all wear in public.  Does that big mean boss like to read romance?  Who would ever have guessed.  That shy secretary - she reads fantasy and has grand adventures every night.  What about that older lady that sits next to you in church?  Well this one is a bit scary, but because she loves to read thrillers, she knows how to get rid of a body with ease.  See isn't fun to find out what others are reading?  "What do you like to read," is my favorite question to ask someone that has wandered into the fiction department, but it is also one of my favorites when I see someone reading a book.  Whether it is one I have read myself or one I have never heard of, I love to ask as sometimes what they are reading is not their favorite genre and the answer can be quite interesting. I have started the neatest conversations with that question.  I have found new books to read or authors to follow because of that question.  I have found people who I now consider my friends even when we don't see each other often because of time or distance. It is easy to fall back into the rhythms of friendship just by sharing a few minutes answering that question.  So I guess yes, some of my best friends are people who have given me books that I haven't read, just like Abraham Lincoln. Happy Reading,

Summer Reading list 2015 part 2

Dear Readers,

Here is the summer reading list part 2. 

Happy Reading,

The Last Heiress – Mary Ellis - Amanda sails to North Carolina from England to restore shipments to the family's textile mills.  The Civil war has interfered with shipments.  Of course meeting with Nathaniel and falling in love were not part of the plans for Amanda.  Will the war interrupt once again?

No Place to Hide – Lynette Eason - #3 Hidden Identity - Jackie is shock to see her childhood friend on TV wanted for a connection to a terrorist plot.  She is ready to help in any way she can, but she maybe in over her head. 

Then Sings My Soul - Amy K. Sorrells - Nel returns home to bury her mother and finds her father in a battle with dementia.  When strange things get delivered to their home, she is drawn to her father's past and what it means to her and her future.

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.

How to Catch a Prince - Rachel Hauck - The Royal Wedding series - Heiress Corina seemed destined to marry a prince, until war kept them apart.  As she emerges from the fog of grief she is ready to move on and pursue her career.  Prince Stephen is confronted by his brother the king about his past and now must come clean about what happened.

The Wood’s Edge – Lori Benton - Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief.  His infant son has died and when he sees an Oneida mother with twins, he decides to leave his dead son for her white baby.  His actions that day will change everything for all those involved.

A Sparrow in Terezin – Kristy Cambron -Sera James feels like she is living a charmed life until a legal battle threatens everything.  She hastily weds her fiancé and as the trial goes on, he is facing years behind bars.  Kaja escapes Germany before the rise of Hitler, but now her family is faced with death and the camps and she must return to help them escape

A Thing of Beauty – Lisa Samson - Fiona walked away from stardom right after she left rehab.  She had plans for her future, but 10 years later all she has is a piece of twine with some buttons on it and a house full of junk. 

5 Brides – Eva Marie Everson – Releases in June – Five very different women, one dress.  None with a serious boyfriend, but they buy the Wedding dress anyways.  What journey will each women take to finally be able to wear that dress?

Jaded - Varina Denman - (from the backcover) "As a child, Ruthie is shunned by the local congregation.  Now, 13 years later, Ruthie's heart begins to stir when an attractive single pastor arrives.  But their relationship is bitterly opposed, and a string of secrets are unearthed."

Not By Sight – Kate Breslin – Releases in August – Set during WWI.  Grace believes she is showing great patriotism when she decides to sneak into a posh party and hand Jack Benningham a white feather.  One to show his cowardice.  But what she doesn’t know is the chain of events she puts in motion once she accomplishes the deed. 

Drawing Fire – Janice Cantore – Releases in August - #1 Cold Case Justice – Abby is anxious to capture the serial killer of elderly women.  Her most reliable witness is an annoying private investigator who may have more ties to her that she planned on.  Will they be able to stop the killer before he strikes again?

A Love like Ours - Becky Wade - (from the backcover) Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars that the ones that mark his face.  He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life and avoids relationships.  That is until childhood friend Lyndie re-enters his life.

As Water Gone By - Cynthia Ruchti - Emmalyn husband is serving a 5 year sentence.  She is struggling to survive a marriage while being alone.  A self-sentenced exile to Madeline Island may provide a roof over her head, but a home needs so much more than a roof and walls.

The Inn at Ocean's Edge - Colleen Coble - A Sunset Cove novel - On her 4th birthday, Claire disappears.  Mysteriously she reappears a year later with no explanation as to where she was or who had her.  Luke's mother disappeared about the same time and it seems the two mysteries are linked.

Hollywood Lost - Ace Collins - Hollywood's Golden Age is tainted by someone who is murdering beautiful women.  Shelby just wanted to have a job, but her job makes her a target for the murderer.  Will she survive with her morals intact or will the Hollywood strangler claim another victim. 

Deception on Sable Hill - Shelley Gray - #2 A Chicago World's Fair Mystery - Eloisa appears have it all.  But she has a dark secret.  She was assaulted months ago and has told no one that is until she meets Detective Sean Ryan.  Now with a person assaulting debutants, Sean makes it his mission to protect Eloisa from the killer.

Conversations with Saint Bernard - Jim Kraus - George Gibson is crossing off the last item on his bucket list.  The trip across America he 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.

Anna's Crossing - Suzanne Woods Fisher - An Amish Begins Novel - Anna sets sail with her fellow Amish believers for the new world.  She goes as a translator only and hopes to return home soon.  Bairn resents the "Peculiars" as the deck hands call them, but there is something about the bonny lass Anna that has caught his attention.

New Release - Five Brides - Eva Marie Everson

Dear Readers,

Imagine it is the 1950's.  Five very independent young women live in downtown Chicago.  They are busy, in fact it is hard to get them all in one place at one time.  But one beautiful Saturday afternoon that all decide to go shopping together.  As women do, they oh and ah over many of the wonderful window displays, but then there is the one that stops them all.  The one with a marvelous wedding dress.

They all fall in love with that dress.  They all want to buy the dress and yet none of them can afford it, in fact none of them even have a boyfriend right now that would justify buying the dress.  But they decide to buy the dress anyways. 

That is the thought behind the book 5 Brides by Eva Marie Everson.  A beautifully covered love story that starts with a wedding dress instead of the man.  But of course that is how it always goes right?  :-)

I have loved Eva's books in the past and am looking forward to reading this one.  I really excited to find out which one of the brides will get to wear the dress first and maybe even who won't get to wear the dress and why. 

Happy Reading,

New Release - The Midwife's Tale - Delia Parr

Dear Readers,

Delia Parr has been part of the Christian Fiction market for as long as I can remember.  In fact I went looking for her titles to see what I have read of hers.  It turns out I have read several of her titles and found a few that I have not.  With her newest release, The Midwife's Tale, I am not sure I will have time to go back and read some of her older titles. 

The Midwife's Tale is the story of Martha the midwife for the little town of Trinity during the 1800's.  Things are beginning to change for Martha.  Not only is her daughter not willing to follow in her footsteps, but Victoria ran away from home.  With no one to take over for her Martha is wondering about her life's work and when a new doctor moves into town, maybe she is not doing what she should be.

With not only her life's work at risk, but also her faith, Martha believes she is still doing God's work.  Now she just has to figure out how that fits in with the town and all that is going on in the community.

A gentle story about a woman who is facing changes in her life that she is not sure she is ready for. One that may make you long for time that have long past, but are so very fun to visit again and again.

Happy Reading,

New Releases May 18 - 23

Dear Readers,

Thank you to all who have served to keep us free.

Happy Reading,

Walking on Water - Richard Paul Evans - #5 of the Walk Series - The Final Book in the series - Alan has finally began to heal from the loss of his beloved wife and his company.  The walk across America has taught him many things.  Now there is one more crisis that threatens to upend his world again.

A Simple Prayer - Amy Clipston - #4 Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel - After being orphaned at the age of 4 Linda is raised by her Uncle Reuben. She longs to be worthy of someone, but old injuries and being bitter have limited her chances.  That is until Hannah Peterson asks her to work at the Paradise Bed and Breakfast.

A Blessing for Miriam - Jerry S. Eicher - #2 Land of Promise - Miriam is settling into her new community while back in Possum Valley her sister is starting to see the Englisher again.  When twin tragedies strike both sisters, lives will never be the same.

A Worthy Pursuit - Karen Witemeyer - When Charlotte became Lily's guardian she promised to keep her away from her grandfather.  Stone is hired to hunt down Lily, who Charlotte is accused of kidnapping. Will they be able to learn to trust each other enough to figure out what is really going on?

Love's Rescue - Christine Johnson - #1 Keys of Promise - Elizabeth returns home to become the perfect Southern belle.  Nothing goes according to plan, not only does her brother resent her, the servants don't listen and her father is not who he seems.  Now she has to decide whether to live a life of privilege or follow her heart.

Centralia - Mike Dellosso - Peter Ryan wakes up to an empty house.  He doesn't remember the car crash that kills his wife and daughter, but when he finds a note from his daughter he begins to question what is real and what isn't.  Soon he is on the run trying to discover what to believe.

Drawing Fire - Janice Cantore - #1 Cold Case Justice - The only lead Abby Hart has on a possible serial killer is a very irritating private investigator.  Will she be able to figure out who is murdering elderly women and why before Luke drives her crazy or before something else develops?

Five Brides - Eva Marie Everson - 5 independent women who live together are out shopping in downtown 1950 Chicago.  They spy a wedding dress and decide to pool their money and buy it, even though none have a steady boyfriend.  What will their future hold and who will get to wear the dress?

Lemony Snicket

Summer Reading List part 1

Dear Readers,

Here is my summer reading list for 2015.  Once again I had a hard time narrowing down the list as there has been so many good reads this past 12 months.  They are not in any particular order and are all available at our store or on bakerbookstore.com. 

Next week will be the second installment.

Happy Reading.

Summer Reading 2015

Until the Harvest – Sarah Loudin Thomas – Henry's plans for his future are derailed by the death of him father.  He no longer can afford college and his mother needs help around the house.  The only things keeping his spirits up are his fiddle and his friendship with Mayfair Hoffma.  Mayfair's older sister on the other hand is more of annoying...

The Covered Deep – Brandy Vallance - Operation First Novel - Biance is looking for a man who can quote Shakespeare and Jesus equally.  But they are hard to find in her little back water hometown.  So when she wins a trip to London and Palestine she may finally find her true love.  

Mercy’s Rain – Cindy K. Sproles - Mercy only knows a faith under her abusive father.  She takes matters into her own hands and runs away from home and learns about true mercy and the faith that is about love and not anger.

The Third Target – Joel Rosenberg – What if ISIS got a weapon of mass destruction?  J.B. Collins hears rumors that has happened and heads to the Middle East to find out if the rumors are true.

Tiffany Girls – Deeanne Gist - The story of Flossie and the "Tiffany Girls" that were hired to finish the Stained Glass Mosaic Chapel for Louis Tiffany in time for the 1893 World's Fair.  Flossie was handpicked to help complete the task and she is excited to become an independent woman.

Lizzy and Jane – Katherine Reay - Lizzy and Jane have had a difficult relationship. Partly because of their age difference and partly because of what happened when their mother died.  Jane now is fighting breast cancer and Elizabeth, as she is now know by, arrives to help.

Shadow of the Mountain – Exodus – Cliff Graham - Caleb awaits with the nation of Israel to attack the city of giants, Hebron.  As the warriors wait for the weather to clear, Caleb shares is story with a younger officer.  The one of how Yahweh had his hand on Caleb even before he believed.

The Art of Losing Yourself – Katie Ganhert - Carmen looks like a woman who has it all together.  On the inside she struggles with doubt and whether she made a mistake marring her husband.  When her 17 year old sister shows up, maybe Carmen will find the answers to her questions.

By Your Side – Candace Calvert - ER Nurse and foster care survivor, Macy has one motto:  Land on your feet and trust no one.  When she finds the one person she loves like a sister, Macy finds herself butting heads with a cop.   

Maggie Bright – Tracy Groot - Across the Channel the British Army is in full retreat.  Caught between the Blitzkrieg and the ocean, they face certain disaster.  When Churchill recruits the civilian brigade to come to their rescue.

Buried Secrets – Irene Hannon - #1 Men of Valor - Things are supposed to be quiet in a small town.  Lisa Grant, recently from Chicago, was hoping that.  A discovery of a human skeleton puts her on the hunt for a killer who will do anything to keep from being found out, including kill again.

The Love Letters – Beverly Lewis – Marlena did not expect to spend the summer taking care of her sister’s baby.  But she is determined to not let that get her life off track.   But will her hopes for her future become completely altered by what happens this summer?

Reservations for Two – Hillary Manton Lodge - #2 Fresh Flavors and New Horizons novel - Juliette and Neil continue their tour of Provence and Tuscany.  With more answers about her grandmother, they return home to difficulties in their long distance relationship.

Secrets of a Charmed Life – Susan Meissner - The story of two sisters during WWII.  Moved to the country to keep them safe, they are separated and how their lives are transformed.  The story of a American scholar who uncovers their story and the burden it places on her heart.

The Secret of Pembrooke Park – Julie Klassen -  Abigail and her father are offered the use of Pembrooke Park.  They accept the offer before finding out that Pembrooke has a secret.  A secret more than one person is looking to find.  Abigail goes seeking the treasure that is hidden, will she find it before the others?

Checkmate – Steven James - The Bowers File - The final installment of the Bowers File, sad to see this series end.  Patrick is racing to stop an attack on US soil.  One that could prove to be even more deadly than 911.

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.

Spy of Richmond – Jocelyn Green - Heroines Behind the Lines - Civil War #4 - With everything at risk and suspicion growing, Sophie Kent has to decide if it is worth it.  A Unionist living Richmond is not an easy life and being a spy makes it twice as dangerous.

Taken – Dee Henderson - Shannon just wants a normal life.  Kidnapped and used by the Jacoby crime family, Shannon just wants out.  But getting out might cost her her life.  Will Private Investigator Matthew Dane be able to help her find her freedom and keep her life?

The Choosing – Rachelle Dekker - A Seer Novel #1 - When Carrington is chosen for the Lints, the lowest level of society, she believes her life is over.  Hints of a rebellion get her attention and then the promise of being chosen offer a greater hope.  Which is reality and which is just an illusion to secure her loyalty.

The Story Keeper – Lisa Wingate - Jen is drawn into a manuscript that was hiding in the slush file on her desk.  As she starts researching where it comes from it starts to bring her back to a place she thought she would never return to.

A.D.30 – Ted Dekker -The Story of an outcast daughter of a Bedouin sheikh, who goes seeking help from the Roman empire and instead finds a different kind of savior.