May's In The Queue

Find hot new suspenseful thrillers and much more in May's In the Queue!

Fiction
A God In Ruins by Kate Atkinson
The life expectancy of most RAF pilot's during WWII was low. Teddy Todd knew this when he joined the RAF. He is a would-be poet, heroic pilot, husband, father and grandfather. His greatest challenge is living in a future he never expected to have. 

The Scarlet Gospels by Clive Barker
Detective Harry D'Amour, investigator of all supernatural, magical and malevolent crimes faces off against his formidable and intensely evil rival, Pinhead, the priest of hell. This epic visionary tale is bloody, terrifying and brilliantly complex fans and newcomers will love it!

Rock With Wings by Anne Hillerman
Under the guidance of retired Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, Bernie and Chee navigate unexpected obstacles and confront their greatest challenge yet.

I, Ripper: A Novel by Stephen Hunter
This is a vivid reimagining of Jack's personal story entwined with that of an Irish journalist. The two men stalk each other through a city twisted in fear and bring to life the sounds and smells of all the lurid acts that fueled the Ripper headlines.

Never Die Alone by Lisa Jackson
Never drop your guard and never close your eyes of you'll never see him coming. The killer always strikes on the cusp of their 21st birthday. The victims are always twins and they always breathe their last breath together. Can the killer be found before the next twins fall?

The Enemy Inside: A Paul Madriani Novel by Steve Martini
Defense attorney Paul Madriani uncovers a morass of double-dealing and murder that leads him to the very highest levels of American political power.

The Ice Twins by S. K. Tremayne
This gripping psychological debut thriller is filled with secrets and lies. Sarah and Angus Moorcraft's daughter Lydia died. However Kirstie, Lydia's identical twin sister, insists she is Lydia and not Kirstie. Could Sarah have been wrong about which of her children actually died?

New Books by Best Selling Authors
Blueprints: A Novel by Barbara Delinsky
The Melody Lingers On by Mary Higgins Clark
Wicked Charms by Janet Evaovich
All The Single Ladies by Dorothea Benton Frank
Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee
The Rumor: A Novel by Elin Hilderbrand
Finders Keepers: A Novel by Stephen King
The President's Shadow by Brad Meltzer
Truth or Die by James Patterson and Howard Roughan
The English Spy by Daniel Silva
Country: A Novel by Danielle Steel

New Non-Fiction

The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution by Joseph J. Ellis
A gripping and dramatic portrait of one of the most crucial and misconstrued periods in American history.

American Wife  by Taya Kyle
The widow of the late SEAL sniper Chris Kyle describes their shared military service, her husband's murder at the height of his fame and her struggles to persevere.

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
The dramatic story behind the story about the Wright Brothers, sharing insights into the disadvantages that challenged their lives and their mechanical ingenuity.

The Pony Express is 155-years-old--Celebrate with Some Great Western Mysteries!

The Pony Express began delivering mail in April 1860.  Each rider rode between 75 to 100 miles, at an average speed of 10 mph.  The riders switched horses every 10-15 miles and the 1800+ mile trip between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California took about 10 days.  The Pony Express became obsolete in October 1861 with the debut of the telegraph.

According to Stuart Rosebrook of "True West Magazine", "the definition of the Old West is changing and moving further and further into the 20th century.  The three genres that are growing every year in Westerns are Mystery, Romance, and Frontier, all of which are pushing their heroes and heroines well into the 21st century."

Try some of the following award-winning and genre-blending Western novels:

Mysteries

Stone Cold by C. J. Box--latest in the series starring Joe Pickett, Wyoming game warden and government troubleshooter.

Light of the World by James Lee Burke--latest in the Dave Robicheaux series.  Two Louisiana detectives, vacationing in Montana, are stalked by a diabolical killer.

Night of the White Buffalo by Margaret Coel--in the latest Wind River, WY mystery, Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden and Fr. O'Malley confront a ruthless killer.

Half in Love with Artful Death by Bill Crider--Texas Sheriff Dan Rhodes must deal with vandals, meth-cookers, and murder in this 21st series entry.

Frog Music by Emma Donaghue--a murder mystery set in 1876 San Francisco from an award-winning author.

The Old Gray Wolf by James D. Doss--Colorado rancher and tribal investigator Charlie Moon goes up against the mob in this latest in the series.

Blood Sweep by Steven Havill--more adventures of the sheriff's department in Posada County, located in the boot heel of New Mexico.

Spider Woman's Daughter by Anne Hillerman--award-winning author continues her dad's Leaphorn and Chee series in this new Navajo Country mystery.

Remains of Innocence by J. A. Jance--latest in the Sheriff Joanna Brady series set in the desert of Cochise County, Arizona.

Any Other Name by Craig Johnson--the newest in the Wyoming Sheriff Walt Longmire series.

Bad Country by C. B. McKenzie--multiple award-winning debut about a former rodeo cowboy turned P.I. in a remote corner of Arizona.

Above by Isla Morley--psychological thriller about a young Kansas girl imprisoned for years to await the apocalypse along with her insane captor.

Next time we will explore some romantic and historical novels of the West.

Great Reads!

Someone asked me what kind of books I read. When I gave them a description of my favorite books, the person interrupted and said, "No. No. What genre do you read the most?" Well, the truth is I do not have one specific genre I read the most. I have characteristics that I look for in a book. When I find them in a book, no matter the genre, I end up reading the book and more times than not I enjoy it.   

To me the book's characteristics are more important than the book's genre or even whether the book is shelved in adult fiction or young adult fiction. I like a story with great characters that are believable. They don't have to be set in modern, futuristic or historical times, but if the character is a tough woman or man--then they need to stay tough throughout the book. Unless the author builds in a fear and it shows up (the same fear) throughout the series.  Think Indiana Jones and snakes.  You know that if you pick up a book about Indiana Jones and there's a snake in it, he is going to be a little freaked out. It is part of his character.

I also like a great plot and I love mystery and suspense novels.  If there's a love interest in the book I'll take that too. I guess what I truly look for is a fast paced book with interesting characters and a touch of suspense or a bit of a thriller.  

Here are a few of my recent reads and a few of my favorites! These are fantastic novels!  Here is my reader beware note....some of these titles are adult fiction and some are young adult. Remember I enjoy both! If you like suspense, mystery or thrillers which may have a hint of romance these are books you are going to enjoy. Give them a try. I dare you.

Recent Reads:
The Alphabet House by Jussie Adler-Olsen 
This is the harrowing odyssey of two British airmen who are shot down behind enemy lines during WWII and subsequently held captive and tortured under assumed German identities.
First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

When a strange, elderly man comes to town and threatens to disrupt the peaceful Waverley existence, the family pulls together to make things right.

Pawn by Aimee Carter
Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, Kitty must decide which path to choose and learn how to be more than a pawn in a twisted game.
Altar of Bones by Phillip Carter
This novel is packed with plenty of action and suspense. It includes the Russian mob, KGB spies, a Presidential assassination, a doomed Hollywood legend, deathbed confessions, corrosive power and shattered families. It will leave you stunned and breathless. 

The Burning Room by Michael Connelly
Detective Harry Bosch and his rookie partner investigate a cold case that gets very hot, very fast.
Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens she is haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin's arrow poisons Sera's mother. Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin's master and prevent a war between the Mer nations.

The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost
In a world of shadows, anything is possible, except escaping your fate. Fast paced, exhilarating with lots of action and a hint of romance.  Don't let the romance hold you back, there is a lot of action, mystery and suspense.
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

Kathleen Grissom brings to life a thriving plantation in Virginia in the decades before the Civil War, where a dark secret threatens to expose the best and worst in everyone tied to the estate. 

Haunted by Kay Hooper 
There have been several unusual murders. The news of the murders has left the town-on edge, especially when there is nothing remotely ordinary about how the men died.
The Fire Wish by Amber Lough 
A jinni, a princess and a wish that changes everything.
The Son by Jo Nesbo 

This excellent standalone novel takes the reader on a chilling ride with many unexpected twists.

Doing Harm by Kelly Parsons
A killer is set on playing a deadly game with a Dr. Steve Mitchell. The killer holds information that could ruin his career and marriage. Now, alone and under a cloud of suspicion, Steve must discover a way to outsmart his opponent and save the killer's next victim before the cycle repeats itself again and again...
The First Wife by Erica Spindler
Has to be one of my favorites. It is a suspenseful thrilling novel, filled with twists you won't see coming.

Old Favorites:
Maze Runner by James Dashner
A dark and gripping tale where teens must fight to survive.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Fast paced, suspenseful novel full of twists and turns.
You Don't Want To Know by Lisa Jackson
A chilling suspenseful thriller
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Gripping debut thriller filled with suspense and intrigue.
Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer
A gripping, fast paced novel filled with hidden secrets and historic detail. Excellent 
Imager Portfolio series by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
1st in the new series filled with action, adventure and growth. 
1st to Die Women's Murder Club Series by James Patterson
This is a fast paced crime thriller.
In Death Series by J.D. Robb
In a world of danger and murder she fights for justice.
Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson
A saga of surprises and martial arts action.
Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson
A chilling and suspenseful thriller. 
I Am The Messenger by Mark Zusak 
Ed is on a mission, but who's behind it?

Did you know?

A question I get asked a lot by patrons at the circulation desk is whether or not I can tell them if the book they're currently checking out is one they've checked out in the past. In other words, "Have I read this before?" If you're someone who reads a lot, keeping track of what you've already read can pose a real problem! I assure you, I'm not a psychic so I can't tell you what you've read in the past, nor does the library automatically keep a record of the books you've checked out, but there's a very easy way for you to do this yourself that doesn't involve pen and paper. Hop over to the library's web site and log into your account (here). Once you're logged into your account, you'll see a link on the left-hand side labeled Reading History:

Click it and you'll be greeted with this screen:

See that Opt In button circled in red? Click it. That's it, you're done! From this point on, everything you check out (excluding ebooks) will be saved in your online account, and you can access a list of those items anytime you're logged by clicking on the Reading History link. Not only is this great for big readers, it's also handy for movie hounds, too! This is what a typical reading history list looks like: 

This list can be sorted by title, author, or date checked out, and can even be exported and printed.

So there you have it. The next time you wonder if the book you're holding is the same one you checked out last year, you now have an easy way to find out.

Calling Me Home: A Novel

Calling Me Home is an amazing novel that is as beautiful to read as it is to hear. If you enjoy listening to stories, try this one in audio format. You will not be sorry.

Dorrie Curtis is a single mother with a son on the verge of disaster. She owns her own hair salon and has worked on Miss Isabelle McAllister's hair for years. Miss Isabelle is  89 years-old and unable to drive her car anymore. When Miss Isabelle asks Dorrie to drive her to Cincinnati for a funeral, a big favor since they live in Texas, she's surprised to find herself saying yes.  Dorrie knows Miss Isabelle can no longer drive and has no one else to take her. Dorrie has a soft spot for Miss Isabelle and decides taking this journey may give her the time she needs to make decisions about her own life. 

The drive is a journey through time for both women. They review their life stories and the decisions they made which led them to where they are today. What's left to decide: What if they made different choices, would their lives be the same? 

This enchanting story will capture your interest from page 1. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll fall in love with these women. Other characters may leave you feeling completely different. This is a compellingly beautiful story that handles decades of race relations with sensitivity. It's a story of friendship, family, loss, and most of all love. 

Julie Kibler's debut novel was published in 2013. I regret that it took me so long to read it. It is fantastic! 

Great Books About The Great War: World War I Novels and Films

On April 6, 1917, the U. S. officially entered World War I. President Wilson tried to keep the U.S. out of the war, even after the sinking of the Lusitania, until the British intercepted a secret message. Apparently, Germany had promised the U.S. to Mexico if Mexico would support the German cause.

Also known as the Great War, this conflict lasted from 1914-1918 and was the fifth deadliest war in the world’s history.

The war involved most of the world’s countries that eventually formed into two separate alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. 

The underlying cause of the war was the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. The murder set off a diplomatic crisis and within weeks the war began.

On the following international list are some of the best World War I novels of all time:

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque--told from a German soldier's point of view--considered one of the best war novels of all time.

August 1914 by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn--the outbreak of war told from a Russian point of view.

Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernieres--about the changes of a small town when Turkey enters the modern world.

Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks--a realistic and romantic novel about love and war.

The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally--about 2 Australian sisters who volunteer as nurses during the war.

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett--epic story of 5 families through war, revolution, and women's suffrage.

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway--based on the author's experiences in the Italian ambulance service during the war.

Flanders by Patricia Anthony--the powerful memories of one young soldier.

Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo--an anti-war novel about a soldier who loses all his limbs.

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear--first book in a mystery series about a nurse/investigator in post-war London.

One of Ours by Willa Cather--Pulitzer Prize winning novel about the making of an American soldier.

Parade's End by Ford Maddox Ford--follows the English ruling class as the country descends into the chaos of war.

Regeneration by Pat Barker--first in a trilogy about the gritty realism and horror of war.

Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden--follows the journey of two Cree men who become snipers.

Three Soldiers by John Dos Passos--a searing novel exposing the fate of the common soldier.

Here are some of the best WWI films (*=based on a book):

*African Queen

*All Quiet on the Western Front

*Blue Max

*A Farewell To Arms

Gallipoli--about two Australian soldiers during the deadly Gallipoli Campaign.

*Grand Illusion

*In Love and War

*Lawrence of Arabia

*Legends of the Fall

Passchendaele--about the experiences of a Canadian soldier.

Sergeant York--from the diary of Sgt. Alvin York who was one of the most decorated American soldiers of WWI.

*War Horse