Short Takes: Fiction

If action-packed reads are right up your alley, Double Cross: A Novel is one you’ll want to consider. Author James David Jordan continues the story of Taylor Pasbury, a former Secret Service agent turned private security specialist. Taylor’s latest mystery to unravel brings her back to her estranged mother and uncovers the truth behind her father’s death.

Firefighter Aidan O’Neill’s reckless confidence has resulted in his suspension, just as an arsonist is wreaking havoc throughout Reno. Aidan teams up with a beautiful fire investigator to solve put the arsonist behind bars, and learns to trust someone other than himself in Through the Fire.

If historical fiction is your genre of preference, author Jill Eileen Smith offers a series on the wives of King David, beginning with Michal: A Novel. Follow Michal on her journey from a young girl captivated by her father’s harpist, David, to the first of the King’s wives.

Finally, for those of us who love chick-lit, Leanna Ellis brings us Ruby’s Slippers, a modern day telling of the Wizard of Oz. Dottie Meyers’ father has left her a pair of ruby slippers. She and three friends leave Kansas and travel to Seattle to find answers, and find that only One can help her find the healing she’s been longing for.

Stray Affections is a dog lover’s novel. I don’t mean it’s a book about the care, feeding and general affection for those of the canine persuasion; I mean it’s a book that dog lovers will appreciate—but it’s also far more than that. Author Charlene Ann Baumbich weaves a tale of a mysterious snow globe, long forgotten memories, a frazzled mom of four sons, a strained relationship, and, yes, a dog. Full of quirky characters and an unmistakably redemptive storyline, Stray Affections is a sweet novel of second chances.

Late last year Carrie reviewed the book Hallie’s Heart and the sequel, Morningsong has just recently been released. Hallie’s Heart ends on something of a cliff hanger note and this book picks up three months after Mona, the main character in this book, awakes from her coma. Hallie’s Heart won a Christy Award and assure you that Morningsong is just as engaging and a good follow up to the first story. If you enjoyed the first book, get excited because the story continues!