Dead as a Door Knocker, By Diane Kelly

I love the character development that Diane Kelly gives us, especially of “Sawdust” the cat. Those tiny two page chapters giving us “Sawdust’s” thoughts is absolutely wonderful.

The story is about Whitney Whitaker and her attempt to flip a house and make a little bit of money for herself and her cousin Buck. But what she didn’t expect to find was murder, intrigue, disaster, and maybe bankrupt. 

Whitney purchases a home to flip from a client of her Property Management Company. Little did she know that he would take advantage of her by selling her a home that had some major flaws. As those flaws come to light Whitney gets a tad bit angry.

But when a murder happens her little fits of anger start to make it look as though maybe she murdered someone in an attempt to assuage her anger. How far from the truth could that be, she is a wonderful person, or is she?

Diane Kelly develops a plot line that keeps you guessing throughout the book. You along with Whitney think you know who did the murder, but then you are proven wrong. So, who did it? And why is someone still trying to harm Whitney?

The story is very different from anything I have ever read in that it is about a carpenter, a house flipper, a property manager. How interesting a life could Whitney really have. But then we follow her on this harrowing ride to try and prove her innocence and we realize how easily any of us could be accused of something terrible. How would we respond.

I also love the fact that “Sawdust” plays a major role in the story. I know, I know, creative writing class tells you to never tell a story from an animals point of view. But heck, Sawdust is not just any animal. Sawdust is a hero in disguise.

Enjoy the Book!

Lake of the Dead, by Susan Clayton-Goldner

In this next installment of the Winston Radhauser Series we will find our favorite detective plunging headlong again into a brutal murder that incorporates several social themes that will cause Detective Radhauser some major frustration and pain as he struggles to bring to justice the person who committed this crime.

The murder is of an aspiring author, Parker Collins. He is a college student who has a bright future ahead of him. His Creative Writing Professor thinks he is the most brilliant writer to come around, ever. He is almost done with his first full length novel and already has people waiting in line to read it. They are all sure it will be a blockbuster. But he is murdered before it can be published and much of his work disappears. Why? That is what Detective Radhauser has to discover.

One of the main characters of the novel is Rishima Reynolds who first appeared in the last book of the series. Rishima is a young woman who actually was born male. She was targeted in the last novel by a “hate” group who wanted to rid the community of all homosexual or transgender people. Detective Radhauser caught those people and put their group out of business, but not before they had terrorized Rishima.

Now she is back in Detective Radhauser’s life because, well, Parker Collins is the young man whom she has fallen in love with.

The story is very compelling. The details are amazing. The research is phenomenal. Susan Clayton-Goldner is again at her very best in bringing us a story that makes us stop and contemplate how we would respond to the people in the story. How would be relate to Rishima? Would we be prejudiced against her, or would we be supportive of her?

I must say that as I read I was wondering whether the book was a murder mystery or was a story about hate crimes? Was this an indictment of our culture for the lack of tolerance for people who are sexually confused, or was it a police detective novel of a hard to solve murder case.

While I am not a fan of the concept of, “we must all be tolerant of everyone’s cultural viewpoints,” and do our best to not offend anyone, I am still compassionate and empathetic enough to not want to be prejudice for a “lifestyle” choice that some folks make.

Let me be clear, as a Protestant Pastor I do have my moral convictions regarding sexual issues. I do hold a strong Biblical view of what’s right and what’s wrong. But my Biblical view also drives me to be accepting and loving of people who are different than I am. I embrace compassion and caring. I love a good dialogue. I despise those though who are willing to dismiss someone because of their lifestyle. 

This is not the forum for a debate. But I want my Blog readers to know what they are getting with this book. Frankly I loved the character development. I loved Sully “Sullivan” and his ability to see through social awkwardness and love someone regardless of that. 

This book will provide you with many themes to dialogue about with a book club. It will cause you to stop and ask yourself, “How would I act towards Rishima?” “Would I have compassion and a loving attitude, or would I just be quick to condemn?” 

A Silken Thread, by Kim Vogel Sawyer

At the Atlanta Exposition A young woman seeks employment for two reasons, one is to earn a little spending money, but the bigger reason is to be around lots of wealthy men whom she might come in contact with and maybe win the eye of one for marriage. 

Laurel Millard is the youngest child in her family. At eighteen she is the last child living at home with her widowed mother. Her other siblings expect her to take care of their mother until her passing. This seems difficult and especially cruel in the eyes of an eighteen year old who desires to marry and have a family of her own.

Laurel decides to apply at the Atlanta Exposition to hopefully find a wealthy husband to marry so that she can have a family and also have someone to provide for her mother. She gets hired to work the loom in the silk exposition. Little does she know that this will be an experience she will never forget.

The story is well written, excellently researched and documents not just this romantic search, but it also touches on the tender issue of race relations. This is after the Civil War, but still close enough to that time that people in the south are still harboring thoughts that African American people are sub-standard and should remain as slaves.

Two young men, one white and one black, who have grown up as childhood friends also get jobs at the exposition. They face criticism and prejudice on many levels because of their friendship and thoughts.

Then there is the wealthy businessman who has an exhibit at the exposition from his father’s company and is attracted to Laurel.

Kim Vogel Sawyer weaves a wonderful storyline along with enough actual historical fact to make for an entertaining and enlightening read. 

Topics you will encounter will be loyalty, friendship, prejudice, brutal business practice, false accusations, difficult family relationships, etc. The story will provide excellent material for any book club.

Enjoy!

All is Fair, by Dee Garrettson

This is an excellent young adult reader novel. It gives a very balanced look at life in England during World War 1 through the eyes of a young teenage girl. Lady Mina Thretheway is at boarding school which should keep her safe from war.

But her father and brother are heavily involved. The brother is declared missing and presumed dead. Mina has grieved over him for months.

One day she receives a telegram from her father. It is written in code, but only she knows that. Her father wants her to come home and help a "family member" with an issue.

Through a completely believable set of circumstances she finds herself aboard a war ship headed to the Continent and into the war. No teenager should be doing such. She goes in naive, but comes out with her eyes opened and understanding the truth about war, it is hell.

I love the character development. I love the story line. I really love the way you come from a state of disbelief and naïveté to a state of complete understanding how hard war can be.

Lady Mina is young, but smart. She is innocent. She is brave. She is completely loyal to her father and her country.

Your young adult reader will love the story and learn some truths about the first World War.

Enjoy!

Wade McClusky is an unsung hero from WWII. He was the commanding officer/Pilot of two squadron's of SBD Dive Bombers who found the Japanese Fleet on June 4, 1942 and pressed a surprise attack that sank three of the four Japanese Aircraft Carriers at Midway.

McClusky received high praise from the Navy and even the President of the United States. He was credited with changing the course of the war in the Pacific with the Japanese. But he hasn't always received the honors that he deserves from historians. Some historians felt he did not have a good sense of Dive Bomber tactics. But how can you argue with a man who lead the attack that sunk three of Japan's major air craft carriers and turned the tide of the battle of Midway?

David Rigby doesn't just give you a blow by blow of a "ten minute battle" that changed the war. Instead he gives you the background of who McClusky was and how he earned his "wings" and the gratitude of a nation, even though they didn't really understand what he did.

I found the book completely captivating. I finished it in two days reading. I couldn't put it down because of the intrigue of not just the Battle of Midway but the documentation of the founding of Naval Air Warfare and air craft carriers. This is a great history book that gives a great background into something that more American's should read and understand.

I hope you enjoy it.

Why I Love The Apostle Paul, by John Piper

John Piper gives us another excellent book. He details out the life of the Apostle Paul and better yet tells us why he loves the hard charging in your face Apostle. 

Many of us love the Epistles from the Apostle Paul and enjoy the story of how he went from condoning the stoning of Stephen to being an Apostle for the Lord Jesus Christ who's main task was to reach out to the Gentile Community. But he was a difficult character to understand.

He kicked the young disciple Mark off the team because Mark deserted him and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. But then later in his letter to Timothy he desires Mark to come to him "because he is useful to me in ministry." Hard charging, in your face confrontation, but then a softer side that makes us fall in love with him.

I can't imagine the thoughts running through Onesimus the run away slave when Paul sends him back to his master. But writes to Philemon that Onesimus is like a son to him and should be considered a beloved brother, not a slave.

Piper gives us a great look into the life of Paul and then tells us why he, Piper, personally loves the Apostle and was and still is challenged by him in how he does ministry.

If nothing else this will give you a glimpse into Piper's mind as well as that of the Apostle Paul.

Enjoy!

Glory Road, by Lauren Denton

Jessie and her daughter Evan move back to Glory Road to be near Jessie’s mom, Gus. She also starts a small garden/nursery shop for the people of their small home town. They are here to escape a bad marriage that Jessie had left and to find healing, friendship, love and a community that is warm and accepting.

Low and behold after they have been there for some time Ben moves back into his parents home just up the road along with his son. He also is there for healing and to repair and sell his parents home after they have moved to Florida. Ben and Jessie had once been close friends and should probably have married each other. But as happens, they left high school, went to separate colleges and met other people. The rest is history, but a history that is harsh and difficult for both of them.

Will they find themselves together again? That is a big question. Will their kids grow up differently in this small community feel? Absolutely.

The like a good Hallmark movie there enters another man to give Jessie someone else to compare Ben to. Sumner is wealthy, he is handsome, he is older. But he takes and interest in Jessie.

The novel does a great job of developing the characters and developing the tensions of relationships between people who are both familiar and comfortable, but also have baggage. Compare that to a new and refreshing relationship and Jessie has to wonder which man is best for her. What will happen is the real point of the story. Where will Jessie find true love and how will it change her.

Enjoy!

Mr. Darcy's Cipher, by Violet King

What a charming diversion. Elizabeth and her father have a common task, they decode secret messages for The Crown. Mr. Bennett started the work and then showed his young daughter, Jane, what he was doing. She tried it for a while but didn't take to it.

But then Lizzy came along and asked to see what he was doing and low and behold she has a skill with numbers, logic and puzzles. Thus she begins helping her father.

As time passes her father's eyesight starts to go dim and Lizzy takes on more and more of the work. She is quite good at what she does.

Then along comes a Prideful young man, Mr. Darcy. He has a letter from his brother (yeah a deviation from the original story, but this is a variation book) Reginald who was in France on business for the Crown, he was a military man. The letter was to Georgiana, but it contained a code and Mr. Darcy wants to have it deciphered so that he doesn't cause undo grief to his sister, because, well, Reginald was murdered in France and she is distraught.

Needless to say Darcy and Lizzy have their differences. Mostly around the fact that young woman shouldn't have this type of job. But Lizzy is good at what she does and she decipher's a code about a plot to kill the Regent.

The story is very well written. The characters keep true to their original character traits. The plot is interesting and brings a whole new twist to the lives of Lizzy and Darcy.

This is the first book in what is to be a series of books. I can't wait for the second book. This series will prove to be a great delight and diversion from my normal Jane Austen reading.

Thank you Violet King for this wonderful variation.

You'd Be Mine, by Erin Hahn

I really enjoyed this read. With Reality TV having so many talent shows such as America's Got Talent or The Voice, this book fit for a glimpse into the lives that Musical Artists face in regards to making a name in the industry and the travails of life on the Concert Circuit.

Annie Mathers and Clay Coolidge are two young artists, both still in their teens, who have made the big time because of their awesome voices. Clay is the headliner and Annie is the cover band. But Annie's star is rising and might just push Clay off the pedestal.

The life on the road is difficult. Underage drinking is real. Clay is slowly becoming an alcoholic before he even gets out of his teens. Drugs are available, but Clay hasn't used them. Annie on the other hand does neither drinking or drugs. She is a church goer. She is conservative and down to earth.

But Annie's parents were famous Country Western Stars whose footsteps she is following in. But they crashed and burned (both dying young) because of the stress of the road and alcohol.

I thought this book was written so well and points out so many of the issues that young artists face. It does not try to cover up the ugliness of the lifestyle of being on the road. It also doesn't cover up how dysfunctional families cause children to grow up with issues.

I loved the book and I'm sure you will also.
Enjoy!

With This Pledge, by Tamera Alexander

The Civil War was a terrible time in U.S. History, but the personal devastation that families and individuals faced is not something we today have much empathy or sympathy for. While the war was terrible it was long ago and somewhat out of sight out of mind.

Tamera Alexander takes a true event from the war and brings it to life in a dramatic fashion through this novel. The characters and setting are correct but the dry characters of history come to life through this expressive detail.

Lizzy Clouston is a nanny for a family living in Carnton when the battle of Franklin Tennessee takes place. Their plantation is taken over by the Confederates as a hospital for their wounded. Lizzy will be confronted with the war up close and personal. She will assist the doctors in their surgeries and then take great pains is nursing the wounded over a period of months.

She will also deal personally with the deaths of several of the men in such a personal way that it will somewhat haunt her until she can bring some resolution to the families of the fallen.

She also will face the reality of her childhood friend being in the army and in harms way. She also has to confront her romantic feelings for one of the wounded when she is 'pledged' to another.

I was riveted by the story and my empathy level rose with the turning of every page. Tamera brought me to a very emotional and insightful awareness of how this war effected those fighting it as well as those on the sidelines and even more so the slaves who's freedom was in question.

Enjoy!

Death in the stocks, by Georgette Heyer

I became familiar with Georgette Heyer as a writer who wrote in the style of Jane Austen. I enjoyed her romance novels very much, especially as they were Regency Period novels and thus had a special flavor to them.

This novel is a crime mystery. It is set in the early 1900’s in England. It has a much different flavor to it than her Regency pieces. The work is well written and developed, but keep in mind that it is not a modern crime novel that uses new exciting forensic science to solve crimes. Instead these are solved the old fashion way through detailed interviews, logic and at times some luck.

Heyer does a great job of developing each of the characters in the story. The family of the deceased is painted at first with some broad brush strokes that gives us a bit of insight into a dysfunctional family. But as the story develops the brush strokes become more refined and detailed and each character takes on in-depth personalities that you will either love or hate. For me I found that I disliked many of the characters and that made for a trying read until I realized that was her intention. You love some characters and you hate some characters.

This was a pleasant novel but it did seem to drag on a bit long and I was surprised at the ending. That is good and bad. Surprised at how it ended, but disappointed that it seemed abrupt.

All in all I enjoy Georgette Heyer’s writings and will continue to work through her 56 novels.

Watcher in the Woods, by Kelly Armstrong

In the Canadian Wilderness there exists a small town called Rockton. This town is miles away from anything, you need a bush plane to get to it, you need to know exactly where it is to find it. But very few people know about it and fewer still about where it is situated.

The whole purpose of the town is to provide a place for people to hide out for two years to allow their troubles to pass them by. The people living there might be hiding from an abusive spouse, an abusive boyfriend, or just society at large. Maybe they are a sociopath, maybe a psychopath, maybe a criminal who has done their time but there are people who want to harm them.

Whatever the situation, they pay good money to come to Rockton and hide. They must commit to a stay of two years minimum. Some have stayed longer, either voluntarily or because they are a risk to society. The Corporation Board who runs the town (from a distance) makes the decision.

But to enforce that decision you need law enforcement. Thus three people have charge of enforcing the rules and sometimes carrying out judgment. It’s not perfectly legal, but then again, those who are there have signed away their rights, they have agreed to the set up.

But sometimes crime happens here. Some times people kill each other. That’s what has happened this time. The law enforcement must root out the killer and deal with them in the best way possible.

The story is very well written. It is very interesting and draws a vivid picture of what life would be like in the wilderness where the summer sun is up 20 hours a day, but the reverse is true, the winter sun only 4 hours a day. Could you survive? Would you want to try and survive there? Would you be desperate enough to sign away your civil rights and move there for two years to let trouble pass you by?

Armstrong has invented a wonderful town with a wonderful story line that combines several plot lines to make it fun and riveting at the same time.

Enjoy!

The Invisible Emperor, Napoleon on Elba from Exile to Escape, by Mark Braude

We follow the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte as he is defeated by the alliance of nations against him and France. They could easily have executed the emperor following his defeat but they are nervous that this would create more turmoil in Europe and they realize that the continent needs a break from war.

So, the alliance agrees to let him live but they want to put him on an Island so that he doesn't have contact with the Continent. So they choose Elba as the place where he can go into exile and still have some feeling of power. So, the book follows the next ten months of Napoleon's exile to the island of Elba. There is so much interesting material as those who are with Napoleon detail what transpires on the trip to Elba and the next season of Napoleon's life.

I have read other books on Napoleon and his reign in France and the wars that he brought about, but this was the first time I read something about what happened after the war. It was highly fascinating to think about what could have been going on in his mind and life while he was in Exile.

Enjoy

Can We Trust The Gospels, by Peter J. Williams

I thoroughly enjoyed this short book on the Gospels of the New Testament. Williams uses very broad brushstrokes to write about a very difficult topic. Thus this book reads like a primer for the lay person who is wanting to delve into whether we can trust the Gospels as they appear in our Bibles.

What is exceptionally good is the fact that while using broad brushstrokes Williams gives us a Bibliography that is filled with heavyweight works. Thus if you find yourself interested in a particular section you can find references to material that will further your study.

Williams talks about the non-Christian historians of the early 1^st century as a platform to add value to the Gospels as being historical in that these non-Christians affirm the early Gospels and affirm the personhood of Jesus of Nazareth.

Further he gives some good evidence for ways to determine if a historical writer truly knows his subject or not by his use of culture, custom, geography, politics, etc. The four Gospels certainly stand up to this litmus test.

All in all the lay-person will find this short book very helpful in giving them an overview of the Gospels veracity and will also give you a good amount of documented works that you can further read through to add to your knowledge and your decision about whether the Gospels can be trusted.

Enjoy!