Tree Swing Reading

Catching Up: New in July-- Other Genre Releases

Since I have the whole month of July to catch up on, I'm going to break it down a bit by genre.

Here's the new and notable Contemporary/Amish Fiction

The Living Room by Robert Whitlow

Genre: Contemporary

In a Series? No

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Description:

What would you do if the dream you had last night came true today?

Legal secretary Amy Clarke is a budding romance novelist with an active imagination. However, unlike other writers, the inspiration for her books doesn’t come when she’s awake; it happens while she sleeps. Amy knows that the interpretation of dreams plays a significant role in the Bible. Could God be trying to tell her something?

Amy's mother made her promise never to talk about her dreams back when she was a young girl. Now that she's a wife and mother of two teens, the images are more disturbing. And instead of receiving them in dreams, the visions come when she's wide awake. Staying quiet is no longer an option.

As her involvement in a high-stakes case at work exposes Amy to threats from unexpected places, her fourteen-year-old daughter, Megan, gets tangled up in rumors. Then Megan seeks solace in what only seems like a safe place.

Dreams, writing, and visions converge in unfolding events that threaten her career, but more importantly, the safety of her family. Faith and courage are the tools Amy must use to triumph in the end.

 

Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

Genre: Contemporary

In a Series? yes, book 1 in "A Place to Call Home" series

Publisher: Revell

Description:

The red warning light on her car dashboard drove Lainie Davis to seek help in the tiny town of Last Chance, New Mexico. But as she encounters the people who make Last Chance their home, it's her heart that is flashing bright red warning lights. These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and too interested in her personal life for Lainie's comfort-especially since she's on the run and hoping to slip away unnoticed.

Yet in spite of herself, Lainie finds that she is increasingly drawn in to the dramas of small town life. An old church lady who always has room for a stranger. A handsome bartender with a secret life. A single mom running her diner and worrying over her teenage son. Could Lainie actually make a life in this little hick town? Or will the past catch up to her even here in the middle of nowhere?

 

The Amish Seamstress by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould

Genre: Amish

Part of a series? Yes, book 4 of Women of Lancaster County Series

Publisher: Harvest House

Description:

Bestselling authors Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould provide an unexpected surprise in The Amish Seamstress, Book 4 in the Women of Lancaster County series, which tells the stories of young Amish women as they explore their roots, connect with family, and discover true love.

Izzy Mueller is an exceptional listener and gifted caregiver. She's also a talented seamstress. As the young woman sits with her elderly patients, she quietly sews as they share their stories. She's content with her life until circumstances reconnect her with someone she once loved. Zed Bayer, a Mennonite, is not what her family is hoping for in a spouse, and his creative interest in filmmaking is definitely at odds with her Amish upbringing.

As Izzy is swept up again in Zed and renews her friendship with his sister, Ella, she begins to ask questions about her own life--her creative longings and historical interests, her relationships and desire for romance, and most importantly, her faith. What is the path God has for her? Can she learn from the past of both her family's and Zed's--or must she forge a completely different future of her own?

The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Amish

In a Series? yes, book 1 of Inn at Eagle Hill Series

Publisher: Revell

Description:

Rose Schrock is a plain woman with a simple plan. Determined to find a way to support her family and pay off her late husband's debts, she sets to work to convert the basement of her Amish farmhouse into an inn. While her family, especially her cranky mother-in-law, is unhappy with Rose's big idea, her friend and neighbor, Galen King, supports the decision and he helps with the conversion. As Rose finalizes preparations for visitors, she prays. She asks God to bless each guest who stays at the Inn at Eagle Hill. As the first guest arrives and settles in, Rose is surprised to discover that her entire family is the one who receives the blessings, in the most unexpected ways. And she's even more surprised when that guest decides to play matchmaker for Galen King.

With her signature plot twists combined with gentle Amish romance, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites readers back to Stoney Ridge for fresh stories of simple pleasures despite the complexity of life. Fisher's tale of God's providence and provision will delight her fans and create many new ones. Welcome to the Inn at Eagle Hill.

Frightfully Fantastic Fiction Giveaway: "Beauty to Die For" by Kim Alexis and Mindy Starns Clark

It's time to get excited about frightfully fantastic fiction books!  You know, the kind that leave you on the end of your seat, turning the pages faster and faster, forgetting about all your other responsibilities because you just want to read!  Love those!

Join me for a giveaway of a suspense book each day between now and October 31....if you dare!

Here's the rules to enter:

1. Post a comment to those posts with the books that grab your attention. 

2. In the post include an answer to the "daily scare" question.

Today's question: Have you ever been in a natural disaster of somekind?  Earth quake? Tornado?  Huricane?

My Answer: I haven't been in anything too severe.  Some tornado warnings where I go in my basement and pray it goes a different direction, but nothing else really.  I was kind of close to Mt. St. Helen's when it errupted, but the ash fall went east and south instead of north by us.

3. Be sure to leave some way for me to reach you should you win (an email preferably).

4. Closing date to enter for this book is: Nov. 3. Winner will be announced on Nov. 4.

5. Come back tomorrow for another book to win!

Today's book is: Beauty to Die For by Kim Alexis and Mindy Starns Clark

Description:

Juliette Taylor walked away from her career as a supermodel twenty-five years ago. Now approaching fifty - an emotionally complex milestone -- she co-owns a beauty supply company that makes skincare products for salons and spas. Her niche is pampering Christian women who usually spend more time caring for others than for themselves under the slogan:"Isn't it time someone took care of YOU for a change?"

When Juliette arrives at the Palm Grotto Spa to host a spiritual retreat, she runs into an old modeling colleague, Raven, who had always been disliked in the industry for many reasons. She isn't there for the retreat; in fact, her presence at the spa is somewhat mysterious.

Not long after Raven makes a cryptic threat to Juliette, the unsympatheticback-then beauty is found dead, poisoned by something in the green clayof a chai soy wrap. The following morning, a banner for the retreat hasbeen unceremoniously altered:

It's your turn to be nurtured, to be restored . . . to be murdered.

Suspicion is directed at Juliette who has history with Raven and certainlyknows how to use beauty products. But for murder?! Now she must findthe real killer before the police really take care of her.

My Thoughts:

Since we are heading to the UW Badger football game today, I haven't finished reading this one yet; however, so far it is excellent!  I always like Clark's books and have found this one to go back to that "cozy mystery" feeling of her "Trouble with Tulip" sereis that I loved so much.  The pace is good and the characters are interesting.  I know it will turn out to have lots of twists and turns to keep me guessing. 

Book Bullets:

My rating: need to finish reading it first

Genre: Suspense Fiction

Part of a Series: yes, Spa Mystery Series

Publication year: 2012

Publisher: B&H Books