Traces of Guilt (An Evie Blackwell Cold Case) by Dee Henderson

Let me say that I love Dee Henderson’s books! Suspense, crime, drama, and a little bit of romance makes for a great read. To be honest, life with two littles 2 and under makes reading time for Mama a bit hard to come by. I didn’t even know Dee had another book coming out until my hubby bought it for me for Mother’s Day. Well, I carved out some time to read it and I am glad I did. This looks like it is going to be a series of books (and I really hope it is!) and one that will find a home on my bookshelves.

One thing I like about Dee’s books is that the characters from other books make appearances.

Evie Blackwell is a woman who is working her way up in the Illinois State Police system as a detective.  She is very good at what she does and is chosen to head up a new task force involving cold cases. For a trial run, she spends her two-week vacation in Carin County working on two of the counties toughest cold cases. She works closely with the sheriff’s office and crosses paths with Gabriel Thane.

Gabriel Thane has grown up in Carin County and followed his father’s footsteps in becoming the sheriff. He loves his county and the people in it. He has been troubled by the cold cases as on in particular has puzzled the county for years.

I really appreciate that I am unable to predict what will happen next. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I did not want to put it down, hence the mombie look most of the week at work. 

Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist

It was a few years ago I accidentally came across one of Deeanne Gist's books (A Bride in the Bargain) and I became a fan. So, I was anxious to read Tiffany Girl. Let me say, this book did not disappoint. Being part of the launch team, I had the opportunity to read the first five chapters a couple weeks ago and did a preview post about the book. I had some ideas about where the characters where headed, but there were a few loops that threw me. I like that in a book.

Flossie is an extremely independent young lady at a time in history that wasn't so kind to such a girl, especially when she takes a job that is considered "mannish." She is very naive when it comes to the ways of the world. She is a little too trusting at times. She feels she is on top of the world working as a Tiffany Girl. She soon finds out that she is not all she thinks she is. She really goes through some serious ups and downs, both in relationships and circumstances.

Reeve. At the beginning of the book, he comes off as standoffish and a loner with very rigid views. By the end of the book, he has softened in his views and has become quite a man. He too goes through some serious ups and downs just as Flossie does.

Life is always full of transitions and changes. It's important how we deal with them.

I feel like Deeanne writes with such creativity and purpose. Even though this book has historical facts throughout, it 's not an information dump. Facts are laced in with creativity and flow and well researched. I enjoyed hearing about how the Tiffany Girls worked and put the windows together. The descriptions Deeanne uses takes me to the place and time of the setting. I really felt I was in the Chapel with Flossie.

By the way, this book is historical fiction, not Christian fiction. The "racier" scenes are done with tact. Deeanne has shifted some to the mainstream fiction realm rather than keep it "Christian."

I don't want to give anything away for this book. It is worth the read. When this book comes out, I highly recommend getting it! Also, help a out by getting the book for a friend or even requesting your library get a copy.

Pre-order on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/147673853X/ref=tmm_hrd_new_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=new&sr=&qid=

Preview of Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist

I am so excited about having the opportunity to be on the Launch Team for the upcoming release of Tiffany Girl. After reading a few preview chapters (not nearly enough for me!), I can't wait to read the rest of this book. 

Flossie is a young women who has a very determined and independent spirit. She loves taking painting classes and is very upset to find out her father will not be paying for another term. During one of her last classes,  Louis Comfort Tiffany visits to take a look at some of the work. Men in his factory have gone on strike and now he needs to do something to continue the factory work, so he hires a few ladies to work for him. He finds some common ground with Flossie and hires her as well. Telling her parents this was not easy as they felt a woman's place was in her home. Flossie had already determined to go against her parents' wish to take the job and move out.

Flossie is settling in with her roommate at a boardinghouse while  journalist Reeve Wilder is in the next room. He is of the same mindset of Flossie's parents when it comes to what women should do.

And that, folks is where the preview ended. I have my thoughts and predictions, but for now I shall keep them to myself. How about you? Are you anxious about the release of Tiffany Girl?

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

One thing I enjoy reading about is a strong, independent woman and Julie Klassen does not disappoint! Miss Mariah Aubrey has to leave home following a scandal. She is sent to live in the gatehouse of her aunt's estate, tucked away from society and further shame. Her aunt passes away, leaving the estate to the  As money starts to run out, Mariah decides to enlist the help of her brother (if he's willing to associate with her) to get some of her writing  out, anonymously, of course.

Captain Matthew Bryant has returned to the  mainland in hopes of leaving behind the sea-faring life and settling down with a certain young lady that once burned him. He leases the estate from the money-troubled son, who is rummaging around the estate for something.

Can the gatehouse continue holding its secrets or will they be found out? 

When Grace Sings: A Novel (The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy) Kim Vogel Sawyer

Grace, according to Webster's Dictionary:

1

a  :unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification 

b  :a virtue coming from God 

c  :a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace 

2

a  :approval, favor <stayed in his good graces>

b  archaic  :mercy, pardon

c  :a special favor :privilege <each in his place, by right, not grace, shall rule his heritage — Rudyard Kipling>

d  :disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency 

e  :a temporary exemption :reprieve

These definitions certainly ring true for Kim Vogel Sawyer's new book Whe Grace Sings. Alexa Zimmerman is doing her best to try to fit in with those she feels she does not belong. She has worked hard to get the bed-and-breakfast going. One of her first guests is an obnoxious reporter from Chicago. What she does not know is that the reporter has other motives for staying at the bed-and-breakfast.

Alexa later hosts her cousin, Anna-Grace, at the bed-and-breakfast while Anna-Grace and her fiancé, Steven, work on the house given to them. During this time, some of the hidden secrets of the lives of of those in the family as well as those close to them come to the surface. 

So, who receives this unmerited favor or grace? You will need to read the book to find out. 

The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

I found the upstairs/downstairs aspect of this book interesting. Emma is a transparent, learned, and witty young women looking to improve her father's spirit after the loss of her mother two years ago and the final student leaving their academy. The receive a letter that invites them out to the Weston's home to teach the two younger of four boys. They accept and are soon on their way. When they arrive, it seemed more of a shock and inconvenience. Lady Weston has a very cold, indifferent attitude toward Emma and her father. They are shown their living quarters but told to stay away from a certain area.

Lessons begin, but there are some odd things happening, specifically to Emma. Lady Weston is hiding something.

The older two brothers had already spent time at the Smallwood's academy years ago. Emma is reacquainted with them.

Trouble mounts and Emma is taught what it means to trust God.

Adventures in Odyssey: Imagination Station # 1

The first in a great series! This series is brought to you by Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey both well beloved in the Christian community. The series of early readers for roughly ages seven and up not only teaches history but also a biblical lesson in each book. 

  These books, starting with this one, take your two main characters of Patrick and Beth, who are characters created solely for the series and not found within the Odyssey canon, but readers are taken on a journey with them as if they have been with us all these 28+ years. However as of this writing, the only character to come over from the audio adventures is John Avery Whittaker, the patriarch of the series and lovable soda jerk and ice cream aficionado extraordinaire. 

   The really fun thing for the children who read these books is a free audio adventure from Odyssey for the ones who can solve the secret puzzle in the back of each book. As of this writing, there are 16 books in the series with more to come and there will be more reviews of the others in the series soon. 

In this first adventure, the two cousins learn about the Vikings and the country of Norway.

Pick up a copy and hop in the Imagination Station for a world of fun and educational enjoyment.

- Cameron, The Hubs