Sara Donati

This series, beginning with Into the Wilderness, is high on my list of best historical romance/fiction series.  I would call it epic in a way because it reminds me of James Fenimore Cooper novels but on a slightly lighter scale.  What I love about this series is how strong the women are in each novel, each circumstance and each relationship.  The series spans several generations and geographic locations. From England to New York, to Canada and Scotland you will feel, through the prose, the landscape of each location and each life will come alive through the descriptions.  If you like Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, you will LOVE Sara Donati's Into the Wilderness series.  

We carry this series in book and ebook format, audio and downloadable audio.

Barbara Taylor Bradford

I remember my mother reading Barbara Taylor Bradford when I was a teenager and thought, "What an old lady read, how boring."  (Sorry, Mom)  Twenty years later as I reached my mothers' age or surpassed it, I picked up Emma's Secret by Barbara Taylor Bradford.  I pretty much grabbed it because I liked the cover. (Stop yelling!  I know I should know better.)  It was a great book!  Full of secrets, intrigue, romance, regrets and made me long for more.  Emma's Secret happened to be in the middle of the Harte Family Saga beginning with Woman of Substance...the very book my mother was reading twenty years ago.  Like they say, in some instances, you do become your parents at some point.  There was even a miniseries made about the Harte Family Saga that we carry!  So you know someone, other than me just knew this was a set of fantastic books.  See what you think, my mind was changed...definitely not an "old lady read".

Here is a synopsis of Emma's Secret that may just pull you in:

Emma Harte, the heroine of Bradford's novel A Woman of Substance (1979), has been dead for more than 30 years when Emma's Secret opens, but her past factors heavily into the events of the novel. At the bequest of her dying grandmother, young American Evan Hughes arrives at Emma's magnificent English clothing store, Hartes, only to find out that Emma has long since died. She is soon hired as a store assistant to Linnet O'Neill, Emma's great-granddaughter, who can't help but notice the American's resemblance to her own mother, Paula. Evan and Gideon Harte, Paula's cousin, fall in love amid whispers that Evan might be the descendant of one of Emma's husbands. The truth lies in Emma's diary, but Paula is reluctant to read it. Curiosity finally gets the better of her, and the journal takes Paula to Emma's life during World War II, and at least partially answers the family's questions about Evan's heritage. It is up to Paula to figure out the rest. Readers new to the series might have a hard time getting a handle on the large cast of characters and their relationships to each other, but those familiar with Emma Harte and her large family will feel right at home.

-BookList

  

We carry Emma's Secret in large print and regular book format.  Woman of Substance is available in regular book format and the miniseries is available in DVD format.

Wishing Thread

For the life of me, I can not get into the genre of vampires and magic.  I think maybe it just isn't real enough for me...I'm not sure.  I want to understand the draw but as I read I start to roll my eyes and fall asleep.  I hate it because the newest trilogy by Nora Roberts is about magic and I LOVE her but can not even get through the first chapter of the first book.  Someday, maybe.  I picked up the MP3CD of The Wishing Thread by Lisa Van Allen for two reasons, I am a cover shopper (not a quality trait, I know) and it was brand new, just put out on the shelf right when I needed something to listen to.  I grabbed it and ran.  As I listened to it, I was fascinated by the family history and the storytelling weaved into the knitting throughout generations.  The magic part did turn me off a little but as the story went on, I realized the magic could be understood or believed in several ways.  The way I choose to look at it was as a means to help something/someone along.  I am not entirely sure it was magic but the thought of it or the coming together of people for a cause, that bonding was the real magic.  It was an interesting story of love, betrayal, family, traditions and the magic that ties it all together.

We carry this book in print format and MP3CD.

Vintage

I absolutely adored this story by Susan Gloss.  It made me want to go out and find a vintage shop around here and dress like Mad Men.  I loved how the characters, with separate stories, whose lives interweave full circle around each other, love and the vintage clothing shop.  I especially liked that each women, in each generation, were strong in their own way.  It is a book of second chances and happy endings--my favorite!

We carry this in physical book format only.  Enjoy!

Love Overdue

Love Overdue by Pamela Morsi is the quickest of reads.  You may guess by the title that it is library related.  The main character moves to a small town to become in charge of a Carnegie Library that is dreary and needs a lot of work.  This self-imposed prim and proper librarian finds that gossip circulates more than books at this library.  Not used to being under a microscope so closely, she sets out to learn about the town, better the library and unexpectantly finds love...in the stacks.  If you are looking for a total beach read, mark this one on  your list.  We only carry this particular book as an ebook, download your copy today!

Little Miss Lovesick

This quirky, fun, romantic comedy is by Kitty Bucholtz who grew up in this area.  I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good, clean read and is nostalgic about Northern Michigan (bonus!).  I would also recommend this book if you want to co-read with your teenage daughter--it's that clean and amusing.  I thought this book was going to be a little cheesy but I was glad I was wrong.  Anyone who has gone through heartache can relate to Sydney as she tries to overcome getting over Mr. Wrong.  You will find yourself responding to her confusion of attraction, humorous antics and somewhat klutzy attempts in recognizing Mr. Right.  Have fun with this romantic comedy.

We carry this book in print form only.  Oh, did I mention Kitty Bucholtz will be here at TADL May 21st?  She will! I can not wait.

Don't Want To Miss A Thing

I thought this weeks feature by Jill Mansell was going to be a quick read.  It was quirky, good and longer than I expected.  This novel I listened to and I liked the narrator for the most part.  I started out liking Dex, the main character, typical bachelor fun loving, etc.  Then I started not liking him.  The author did a good job of turning my emotions on and off with the characters throughout the book.  Then I liked him again and lastly I just wanted to shake him.  All in all, a pretty good read.  There are a couple stories going on in this book.  My feelings for all the characters pretty much reflected the same views I had with Dex.  As with every book I choose, the ending is how I like it.  All wrapped up and pretty.  Try it, see what you think and if you agree.  I sat in my car lots of times saying to myself (and out loud on many occasions), "Come on already!!!  Get a clue."

We carry this book in print format, MP3CD and downloadable audio.