Smokin' Seventeen

Smokin’ Seventeen
by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie’s day starts off on the wrong foot when she runs into Joe Morelli’s Grandmother Bella at the bakery. They had an argument and Bella put the “vordo” curse on Stephanie. Another dilemma for Stephanie is she still cannot decide between Joe Morelli, who is Bella’s grandson, and Ranger. To make matters worse, her mother plays matchmaker and invites Dave Brewer, a former classmate of Stephanie’s, for dinner. Big mistake! He likes to cook and uses this as an excuse to hang out at Stephanie’s apartment, uninvited of course, whenever he wants to use her kitchen or cook for her.

Join Stephanie for a bundle of laughs as she bungles her bounty-hunting pursuits, finds out what the vordo curse is, share her dates with Morelli and Ranger, dodges Dave’s attentions, and tries to avoid being run over by one of Cousin Vinnie’s clients.

- Rose

The Soldier's Wife

The Soldier's Wife
by Margaret Leroy

World War II is fast approaching the beautiful landscapes of Guernsey Island. With her estranged husband off fighting, Vivienne de la Mare must keep her two daughters and senile mother-in-law safe during the German occupation. Amidst shortages, curfews, and the evidence of brutality, she has an affair with a German officer. Not knowing when or if this war will end, Vivienne grapples with how to keep those she loves safe, loving someone who is the enemy, and answering the question of what she will do when her basic humanity is in question.

Margaret Leroy has the ability to transport you not only to this beautiful land but to the era as well. You will find yourself wondering what you would do if faced with Vivienne's challenges.

- Kathy R

The Year of Living like Jesus

The Year of Living like Jesus: My Journey of Discovering What Jesus Would Really Do
by Ed Dobson

Rev. Ed Dobson, pastor emeritus of the Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, always thought about the question of what it would mean to be "just a follower of Jesus". What would it look like? Is it even possible? He decided to answer that question one day after listening to an interview with A.J. Jacobs, an unreligious Jew who tried to live a year biblically and wrote a book about his experience called, The Year of Living Biblically. Inspired by Jacob's book, Dobson embarks on his own journey of living like Jesus, that is, eating like Jesus, talking like Jesus, thinking like Jesus, and hanging out with sinners like Jesus for an entire year. Dobson chronicles his day-to-day experience which is often humorous and thought-provoking; bringing up topics and issues modern day Christians rarely, if ever, stop to consider. Through his journey he learned more about himself than he thought he would and came to a new understanding and appreciation for Jesus of Nazareth.

-Rob

Abigail's New Hope

Abigail's New Hope: Wayne County Series #1
by Mary Ellis

Abigail Graber serves her community in Wayne County as an Amish midwife until a difficult delivery takes a devastating turn. Despite her best efforts, the young mother dies, but the baby is saved.

Abigail is sent to jail, and her sister Catherine is sent to take care of Abby's children while Abby's husband, Daniel, struggles to work the farm. Catherine meets Daniel's cousin, Isaiah, who lives in their woods and is deaf.

While Abby searches for forgiveness, Catherine changes, and in return, finds love.

A great start to a new series by a local author!

- Ann

The Mirage Man

The Mirage Man: Bruce Ivins, the Anthrax Attacks, and America's Rush to War
by David Willman


Less than a month following 9-11-2001 the US was a target of an anthrax attack. Letters were sent from a mailbox in New Jersey targeting politicians and members of the media. For years this case went unsolved.

David Willman does a good job of taking you through the events leading up to the attacks, and the following poorly run FBI investigation. For years the FBI focused on the wrong man, never suspecting microbiologist Bruce Ivins to whom they often turned for information about anthrax.

This is a tight and well-written book. You don't have to be a math or chemistry whiz to understand it. It is a quick read and well worth it.

- Kathy S.

Hummingbirds and Butterflies

Hummingbirds and Butterflies
by Bill Thompson III and Connie Toops

An excellent resource explaining the “how to’s” of attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your backyard. Not only does this book list plants to attract different species, but also illustrates garden plans. Plants are important, but nectar, the correct feeder, and feeder placement play a major role as well. The life cycle is described, as well as habitat, behavior, distinctive marks, and sounds that hummingbirds make. For being so small, they sure do make a lot of noise! The photographs and illustrations to help identify different species and their habits are outstanding and colorful. There is also a chapter on troubleshooting, including frequently asked questions. A lot of myths surrounding butterflies and hummingbirds are debunked and the truth explained.

This book is an excellent tool for any gardener, bird watcher, or nature lover, and would be a wonderful addition to any personal library.

- Rose

Clara and Mr. Tiffany

Clara and Mr. Tiffany
by Susan Vreeland

Clara Driscoll worked for Louis Comfort Tiffany as a glass artist in the 1890s through the first decade of the twentieth century. This interesting historical novel is based on this period in her life. Set in New York City, Vreeland deals with many of the social issues of the time. Women in the workplace, women’s rights, immigrant living and working conditions are a few that are examined.

A fascinating look into the art of Tiffany Studio and a riveting period in America.

- Rochelle

Pastures New

Pastures New
by Ann Purser

After Frank Palmer's job is eliminated due to his company down-sizing, he and his wife Peggy take a leap of faith and purchase a post office in a quiet English village named Round Ringford.

Ringford awaits the Palmers in eager anticipation. Village scourge, Ivy Beasley, lurks behind her lace curtains like an old spider waiting to pounce. Kindly Jean Jenkins, with her brood of children, is helpful and welcoming, and Doreen Price, farmer's wife, becomes Peggy's best friend.

Never a dull moment in this quaint village! Followers of the Miss Read stories will surely enjoy this.

- Ann

The Dirty Life

The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food and Love
by Kristin Kimball

This is an amazing story. A 30-something Manhattan travel writer falls in love with a farmer, moves way upstate in New York (near Lake Champlain) and begins a new-model farm concept: supplying not just vegetables, but a total diet of organically grown food for its paying members. The description of the grueling first year of this never-before-tried plan is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Author Kristin Kimball gamely coped with and analyzed every new procedure and obstacle that came her way. It was hard to put this book down. Ms. Kimball must be an extraordinary woman!

- Linda

The Beach Trees

The Beach Trees
by Karen White

If you have ever visited New Orleans or the Gulf Coast, the vivid imagery in the pages of Karen White's newest book will take you back. The storyline is told by the two female characters, Aimee from the 1950s and Julie from the present, and is the story of their search for the same woman who does not want to be found. With the backdrop of pre-Camille Biloxi and post-Katrina New Orleans, it is a story of a mysterious painting, an orphaned four-year-old boy, a destroyed Biloxi beach house, and people who optimistically rebuild in the face of great tragedy. A good summer read.

- Kathy R

Georgia's Kitchen

Georgia's Kitchen
by Jenny Nelson

Georgia is a chef trying to make her mark in the culinary world of New York City. Her life comes crumbling down around her when she finds herself out of a job and her fiance leaves her. She is suddenly unemployable and alone. Georgia does not fall apart - she picks up the pieces of her life by focusing on her career and her desire to open her own restaurant.

This is a great summer read. It is light, entertaining and charming. The characters are likable and fun, and the author does a wonderful job of drawing you into Georgia's life: her challenges, frustrations and her dreams.

- Kathy S.

License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, & My Life at the Gold & Silver

License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, & My Life at the Gold & Silver
by Rick Harrison

In Las Vegas, there's a family-owned pawn business called the Gold & Silver, run by three generations of the Harrison family. It's featured on the History Channel as well and is one of the most entertaining programs I've watched in a long time.

This book takes readers behind the scenes of Rick; his son, Big Hoss; and Rick's dad, the Old Man. Chumlee, Big Hoss's best friend, adds some flavor to the history of the shop as well. Rick had a rough start in life, due to health problems and later drug problems, but he sobered up, reconnected with his dad, and opened the shop.

There are incredible stories about the history of some of his most interesting that come to the pawn shop, as well as the crazy customers that try to either pawn or sell an item.

- Ann

Chasing Fire

Chasing Fire
by Nora Roberts

This is the first of Nora Roberts' romantic suspense novels that I've tried. I did guess "who done it" early on in the book, which I'm usually terrible at doing . . . so maybe that says something. The reason for the recommendation is the subject: smokejumpers in Montana, the "Zulies" who risk life and limb fighting giant forest fires. The author gives the reader a real feel for the equipment, fire-fighting procedures and life on the base. I liked the heroine, Rowan Tripp. She's tough, fearless and yet compassionate and willing to accept others' opinions. I found this an enjoyable, even if not a terribly suspenseful, read.

- Linda

See You in a Hundred Years: Four Seasons in Forgotten America

See You in a Hundred Years: Four Seasons in Forgotten America
by Logan Ward

Disillusioned by city life in New York City, Logan Ward and his wife Heather pull their young son out of daycare and literally "head for the hills" of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, specifically the farming community of Swoope.

The Wards recreate the year of 1900 on their farm, adopting strict rules that limit them to only the tools that were available at the turn of the century. You will read about their struggles (irritable livestock and a plague of garden pests) in the midst of living without a phone, car, computer, etc. The reader will also see how this couple reclaim their lives from our fast-paced, materialistic society and in the process rebuild their fractured marriage and find what they didn't know they were looking for - community. An excellent read!

- Ann

Angel's Rest

Angel's Rest
by Emily March

Angel's Rest by Emily March (An Eternity Springs Novel) starts a series that Debbie Macomber fans should enjoy.


- Rochelle