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Through Water and Stone
by Karen Barnett
In 1948, Zion National Park ranger Henry Eriksson and his wife, Alma, are less than one year removed from their infant son's sudden death in a flash flood, and the weight of the loss hasn't diminished with time. When Henry discovers an abandoned baby in a hatbox on his morning rounds, he's unsure how to react, but Alma is delighted, and she reignites with purpose at what seems to be a miracle from God.
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| The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. WhiteThe Nazis have been banning and burning books for years, and now they’re in 1940 Paris. Sorbonne professor Corrine Bastien works to save what she can, pitting her against Christian Bauer, the German Sonderführer in charge of “relocating” certain books. But he never wanted the job and is a man with his own secrets. For fans of: Sarah Sundin’s Until Leaves Fall in Paris or Renee Ryan’s The Paris Housekeeper. |
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Not Exactly Mr. Darcy
by Carolyn Miller
When history-loving Olivia Bennett's teaching contract isn't renewed, she is considered her family's logical choice to care for her ailing grandmother in a tiny English village. While there, she soon finds additional work at nearby Hartbury Hall—one of England's great houses once used as Pemberley in a filmed production of Pride and Prejudice. The head gardener there, however, proves to be anything but the gentlemanly hero of that famous book. Little does she know that behind Liam Browne's brusque exterior is both a family tragedy and a legacy that demands truth and honor, creating a crisis that only Liv's vivacious determination can resolve.
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The Amish Ballerina
by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Eighteen-year-old Arie Kauffman loves to twirl and leap around the barn in her Amish bonnet and dress, practicing ballet moves her English friend taught her. Her parents would be upset to learn that this longtime interest has progressed to her secretly attending ballet classes. Arie even hides her dance skills from her boyfriend, Edwin Chupp, who often invites her to try new things, knowing she has an artistic heart. Her secrecy, however, is causing damage she may not be able to repair. When offered new opportunities to dance, will Arie break from Amish tradition or hold true to the bonds of her faith and family?
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C Is for Courting
by Shelley Shepard Gray
The second eldest, Beth Schrock always believed herself the most level-headed sibling. After all, in the wake of their parents’ divorce, it was she who emerged as the caretaker and steadying presence. Yet after almost two years in Ohio, Beth’s life remains the most unsettled. Unlike her younger sister and brothers, Beth has yet to become Amish, or fall in love, much less marry.
Still, she is about to take on the biggest responsibility of them all. She is going to be a mother. A single mother. While she’s not proud of her actions, she is excited, and hopeful about the sense of purpose this change will bring.
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Canyon of Deceit
by DiAnn Mills
When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing―and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police.
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Dark design
by Nancy Mehl
"When Erin Delaney learns that a serial killer has mimicked the murder portrayed in her bestselling novel, her career as an author takes a detrimental turn. She joins her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter to help the FBI identify a suspect, but shouldering the weight of a haunted past as the enemy looms closer places Erin's life in the balance"-- Provided by publisher
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A Moment to Love
by Tracie Peterson
Dr. Carrie Vogel's heart is shattered when her groundbreaking medical research is stolen and falsely credited to her ex-fiancé. With years of diligent work lost, she grapples with the disastrous turn of her career and leans on her faith for strength. When she learns that her Pinkerton friend Spencer Duval is on a justice-driven mission to her hometown of Cheyenne, she agrees to an arranged marriage to provide him with a cover story. But merely pretending to be in love with Spencer becomes increasingly difficult the more time she spends with him.
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The second story bookshop
by Denise Hunter
"She inherits the bookshop of her dreams . . . But she has to run it with the ex she vowed never to speak with again"-- Provided by publisher
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Riches beyond measure
by Mary Connealy
"When an earthquake strikes Two Harts Ranch, it shakes the lives of widowed teacher Annie Lane and cowboy Cord Westbrook. But the return of the MacKenzie family encourages them to follow Grandpa MacKenzie's legendary treasure map. Will their perilous adventure of romance and danger lead them to discover that true wealth lies deeper than earthly riches?"
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Out of Time
by Irene Hannon
For historical anthropologist Cara Tucker, the chance to spend a sabbatical semester on a remote country estate--with full access to its vast library and century-old journals--is a dream come true . . . until a series of strange incidents begins to turn her dream into a nightmare. Someone, it seems, does not want anyone diving into the past and unearthing old ghosts.
Book Annotation
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A Hidden Hope
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Supervising two newly minted medical residents might be the toughest challenge Ruth "Dok" Stoltzfus has ever faced. Wren Baker, sharp and ambitious, graduated at the top of medical school with a hidden agenda in tow. Charlie King, at the bottom of the class, is determined to succeed--though Dok isn't convinced he's got what it takes. Then there's traveling nurse Evie Miller, whose quiet love for Charlie doesn't go unnoticed, especially by Wren.
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Christmas in Wisconsin : An Amish Romance
by Linda Byler
Lydia Beiler loves teaching school in her Amish community in Wisconsin. As a single woman in her fifties, the scent of chalk dust and the feel of a red Bic pen between her fingers is her calling, and she lives it to the full extent. But teaching isn't without its struggles—namely Jesse Stoltzfus, a sixth grade boy who pushes Lydia's patience to the limits. It doesn't matter how many times she makes him stay in from recess; he seems determined to argue everything and distract the other students with his toe tapping and incessant teasing.
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The Christmas ring
by Karen Kingsbury
"While searching for her family's missing Christmas ring, a military widow sparks a friendship with a handsome antiques dealer, who just might have the love and the lost heirloom she's been longing for"-- Provided by publisher
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A Sea View Christmas : An on Devonshire Shores Novella
by Julie Klassen
With a promise to her youngest sister, Sarah Summers declares that this year's Christmas at Sea View will exceed all expectations. But an upcoming trip to Scotland--and the prospect of becoming reacquainted with dashing widower Callum Henshall--blows a flurry of doubts into her mind. Sarah had discouraged his attentions before yet soon finds herself once again torn between attraction and duty as alluring thoughts of a second chance at love weave their way into her practical heart.
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Christine's Library Journal Reviews
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Capture the Moment
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
This review by librarian Christine Barth first appeared in the May 2025 issue of Library Journal.
After a chance encounter with a National Geographic editor, zoo photographer Kate Cunningham takes off for Grand Teton National Park, determined to capture Grizzly 399 on camera and get her photo published in the magazine. The old mama bear, known for protecting her cubs, may not have even survived winter hibernation, but Kate knows a shot of the grizzly emerging from her den could secure her future, even though her sophisticated boyfriend disparages her dream of being a world-class nature photographer.
At Grand Teton, Kate meets seasonal ranger Grant Cooper, who wants nothing more than to unplug in the backcountry after a stressful school year but is forced to babysit risk-taking would-be grizzly photographers and a slovenly teenage intern. Add in a poacher on federal land and suspicious activity from the diminutive chief ranger, and Fisher (The Sweet Life) sets the perfect tableau for an afternoon of reading.
VERDICT Multigenerational characters are well-represented with humor and zest, giving this novel broad appeal. Readers will be eager to travel vicariously in the next installment of Fisher's new series, but Karen Barnett's "Vintage National Parks" novels will satisfy until then.
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The Voice We Find
by Nicole Deese
This review by librarian Christine Barth was first published in the March 2025 issue of Library Journal.
August Tate is in over his head trying to raise his teenage sister after the deaths of their missionary parents in India. With Gabby having lost her hearing in the same accident that killed their parents, medical bills are piling up, and August needs to find a new source of income. Gabby is increasingly interested in the deaf community and begins to leave her hearing aids home in favor of communicating via ASL, but August holds out hope for a miracle cure. Meanwhile,
Sophie Wilder returns to her family's winery in California after a panic attack cut short her Broadway career. Her manipulative brother oversees the winery, and Sophie's welcome is less than warm. When she works with August on an experimental audiobook project, they both are forced to face past trauma to move forward.
VERDICT Deese has penned another riveting novel, a sequel to The Roads We Follow, with swoony romance and anything-but-cookie-cutter Christian families. Audiobook fans will cheer at an insider's glimpse into the industry, as will deaf readers, who get a thoughtful examination of the struggles and blessings of living in the quiet of a loud world.
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The Light on Horn Island
by Valerie Fraser Luesse
This review by librarian Christine Barth was first published in the March 2025 issue of Library Journal.
Grieving the loss of her best friend, Edie Gardner returns home to Mississippi's wild shores, where her grandmother and her eccentric group of elderly friends welcome her with open arms. When the strange proprietor of an antique shop gives Edie a Victorian parlor game called Confessions, she plays it with her grandmother's friends, who begin revealing decades-old secrets and hurts, hoping their resilience will help Edie start to heal.
As a part-time job, Edie begins curating a history exhibit about Hurricane Camille, which devastated Biloxi and the surrounding communities nearly 30 years prior. Between tracking down storm survivors and investigating a mysterious light at her favorite spot on Horn Island, Edie has her share of mysteries—and love stories—to uncover.
VERDICT Based on a verse in the Book of Hebrews about entertaining angels unaware, Luesse's (Letters from My Sister) latest brings the quintessential Southern novel to life with a touch of the supernatural and a ton of spunk. Fans of Rachel Hauck's The Wedding Dress or the TV series Touched by an Angel will love the quirky characters and down-home wisdom in this book.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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