WHISPERS in the READING ROOM by SHELLEY GRAY

Lydia Bancroft loves her work at the library. She is surrounded by masterfully written books that are just waiting to be read. Her job is to work in the Reading Room where she helps patrons select books , issues library cards and sneaks in a bit of reading whenever possible  She is also trying to care for a very demanding mother while trying to pay bills after the death of her father. She definitely has  her hands full. Maybe she needs a little adventure in her life. A patron comes  in one day to the library whose name is  Sebastian Marks. Lydia notices him right away. What has caught her eye,  I wonder? Is it his dashing good looks,  his impeccable attire or maybe what books he has selected to read? Sebastian  is not the typical upstanding gentleman Lydia thinks he is. He runs a place where drinking and gambling take place, much like would be called a saloon . He is quite wealthy and is determined to make his life better then when he was growing up.his past is not pretty and he wants to erase it and move forward.  They say opposites attract and we are about to see what happens when these two people get together.

When Lydia finds out about Sebastian's gambling club , she ignores the seeming overprotective friends and stubbornly chooses to be with him. He is mysterious and that intrigues her. She wants excitement in her life and she gets that and more.  What happens one evening at the club will change Lydia forever. What did she witness? Is she responsible for  a crime?  The book is cleverly written with intrigue and a mystery that is sure to keep you glued to the pages. We get a glimpse of the seedy side of Chicago and it's dark and unsavory characters. The author  describes this time period with superb accuracy and makes the city come to life.


I loved the fact that Lydia was a librarian and I  felt connected to her right away as I worked at a library for fifteen years. You meet all types of people that are intriguing and friendly. Lydia is written with a fierce strength and willingness to support her mom . She does have an issue with trusting people and Sebastian will have her questioning if she can trust him or not. Don't miss this engaging story set in Chicago right after the World's Fair during the late 1890s. The story is fascinating with characters that must rely on faith , friendship and prayer to overcome obstacles. At the end  of the book, is several discussion questions that could be used in a book club or for personal use. They are thought provoking and helps you take a deeper look at the book and it's wonderful message of hope, love, faith and prayer.

I received a  copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review.

ANNA 'S HEALING by VANNETTA CHAPMAN

Anna is the main character in this inspiring story about miracles. She has decided to leave her home in Indiana. She travels to Cody's Creek to stay with her aunt, uncle and grandmother. Anna begins to feel like this is where she is suppose to be and starts helping with the garden and selling at the produce stand.

Jacob is a troubled young man. He can't seem to stay in one place for long. He is a hard worker and finds himself in Cody's Creek . He soon finds work on Anna's uncles' farm. The two become friends and perhaps there is a spark of interest between the two.  On one particular day while they are working outside a tornado touches down on the  farm. Much of their  crop is destroyed and Anna has been critically injured.

When Anna's receives news that she has been paralyzed from the waist down , her heart sinks. She is use to helping out on the farm.The doctors have told her that she will never walk again.  Will her aunt and uncle find her a burden now that she is confined to a wheelchair? Can she find the strength to be happy again?


I won't spoil what the miracle is but I will say that it will have an impact on everyone in the community and sweeps across the country at rapid speed. Have you ever witnessed a miracle? Do you believe in miracles? The story has captured the Amish in beautiful detail. The author is well versed in the Amish and her descriptions are so precise that you can visualize  the community and the people as though you are there. I loved the way the author uses the Amish dialect and has helped me to learn a few words. The characters are warm and caring. They have a strong faith which will be tested later in the book. I was surprised that Amish use tractors now for transportation, but with the authors In-depth knowledge of them, I always learn something new while reading her books. I found the book to be very emotional and so well written that I finished it in a few hours. There are a few surprises in the book, which I wasn't expecting. Thank you for a book that captures the lives of the Amish with a warmth and loving attention to detail. As you read the book, don't overlook the mention of an organization that helps children called , The Linus Project.
Overall the book is captivating, emotional , hopeful and above all filled with love and faith.

EVERGREEN by SUSAN MAY WARREN

This book is very well written as it deals with the empty nest syndrome. Ingrid and John are facing a Christmas alone, since their children can't make it home to spend the holidays with them. It is especially hard on Ingrid as  she feels the emptiness of the house closing in on her. There also seems to be a bit of a misstep in their marriage. Perhaps it is the past that is coming between them. Can they work through their pain and find happiness again?

I loved the story as it showed the struggles an older couple may encounter in their marriage. Can they trust God to help them? When an unexpected guest arrives during the holidays, what impact will it have on the couple? Can John help his wife smile again and embrace the holiday? The characters are well written with a depth of strength and hope. I love  the author's books because they always have a way of bringing you into the story with a calmness and gracefulness. This is one author you don't want to miss reading. She brings a story to life and keeps you mesmerized till the end.

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.