Three Book Series I Highly Recommend
Let’s Binge-Read! Here’s a big pile of books- all are part of a series (but can stand alone) by some of my favorite authors! Read these and keep on with the series. You’ll never have to leave your comfy couch! Happy reading!
Sheba’s Treasure: A Sam Carter Adventure by K.D. McNiven
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I first learned of the enthralling story of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon in Sunday School. In high school, I read King Solomon’s Mines. Written in 1885 by the English Victorian adventure writer Sir H. Rider Haggard, this story of an ancient civilization in unexplored Africa stirred the world’s imagination.
And now we readers who enjoy the invigorating blend of adventure and timeless mysteries have a more modern and intimate version of this exciting story of Sheba to savor. If you are a fan of King Solomon’s Mines or Raiders of the Lost Ark, then Sheba’s Treasure is a must read.
For those of you who many not know the story of the Queen of Sheba, this fast-paced book will open your eyes to new wonders. In the Hebrew Bible, Sheba came to Jerusalem to visit King Solomon “with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices, and very much gold, and precious stones.” In Author McNivens book, we meet two modern-day characters who have also come to the same part of the world.
Sam came to Africa for solace. Alice came as a World Health Organization worker. They both meet unexpectedly in Ethiopia and their harrowing journey together begins immediately. As one of their friend’s later remarks, “Sounds like a page out of a fiction book! Camels, native, spears…”
Sam and Alice must solve the mystery of a scarab jewel that seems to be connected to the Queen of Sheba. Sam and Alice, and a few of their friends, must outsmart the scheming, evil Nala and find the secret of the scarab and Sheba’s treasures.
In addition to a bold and dramatic story, the author gives readers a beautiful sense of the place and culture of Ethiopia. I smiled when I read that Alice and Sam located a rock and mortar hotel and tied their camels outside. Elephants, camels, scorpions, bats, hyenas and other creatures are also described.
Woven into the story are many aspects of the culture of Ethiopia, the religions and churches, coffee ceremony, food, the strength of family and home, and the language. Isn’t this beautiful- Buno dabo naw- “coffee is our bread.”
Yes, there is plenty of adventure that will make this book hard to put down, but there are also solid, well-developed characters that make this a good piece of writing, and more than just a comic strip story. Some readers will recognize friends from previous books by the author, and a new friend, Abebe. We get to know the old friends better, and Abebe is a true gem. I hope we meet him again.
The main characters, Alice and Sam, are a good contrast. Alice had never participated in a treasure hunt. She is a nurse, a helper, not an adventurer. “Until I met you Sam, I could safely say I’d never done a great many things.” Having a woman in the adventurer role lets us see the real characters, behind the bravado.
Sam is committed to solving the mystery and doing it well. But so much of his life and emotions are buried, in a vault like the hidden tombs he must explore.
So this book ticks all my boxes. It has a fascinating premise- the treasures of the Queen of Sheba. The book features great characters and a fascinating place, Ethiopia. Add to that plenty of breathless excitement, “The hundreds of scorpions were now becoming thousands,” and a taste of romance and here is a solid read.
At the end of the story, Alice reflects that a twist of fate had given her a new perspective. Will we get more adventures with her and Sam? I highly recommend the latest book from K.D. McNivens.
Thanks to the author for an ARC.
Georgy and Jack by Jane O’Brien
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“In all of us there is a hunger, to know our heritage…”
Book 4 in The Unforgettables series by Author Jane O’Brien continues the sweet saga of memorable couples who learn to love themselves and each other under the author’s caring and positive eye.
I settled in my lounge chair, set so I could watch the changing waters of Lake Erie while I read, eager to savor this newest book. I’m always so happy when I have a new book in hand from this Author. If you are looking for well-crafted books that will be your best friend, please read Author O’Brien’s stories.
Her books are set in Western Michigan, and Lake Michigan, with its family-oriented towns and vacation cottages reminds me of my spot on the Great Lakes. Michigan is as much a heritage for the author and her characters as are their family lines.
I loved the start of this book. Author O’Brien is at her best with her “from the heart” word pictures of her characters. We meet a cast of the inhabitants of Muskegon. A young mother preparing her baby’s nursery, a middle-aged woman concerned about her son’s health, a young woman named Georgy who is learning to treat herself with respect. All have secrets and stories small or large.
Jack Gaines is the star of the show. He had been Georgy’s secret crush in high school. Here’s a favorite part of the book that describes him.
“Good looking, quite charming, women were drawn to him and they would stay at his place until… his whole milk had been replaced with almond milk, the iceberg lettuce was now spinach leaves, there were avocados rolling around on the counter, and quinoa in the cupboard.
Georgy is a young woman who has gone through some changes since high school. She teaches a workshop on finding relatives at the local library. Some of the attendees are searching for a now grown baby placed for adoption, or their birth parents. Others search to answer medical problems. And many are searching for respect and understanding. As the book continues and we get to know the characters, their names, connections and relationship create a compelling tale of what it means to be family.
The author treats every situation with love and compassion, along with providing helpful information for readers who may need help like this.
We again meet Ivy and Fox from an earlier book, and even the ruby and diamond necklace makes an appearance.
A bit of Civil War history also wends it ways throughout the story- I hope we learn more about this and Charles Hackley in a future book.
Most of the situations have a happy resolution and Georgy and Jack do turn out to be “unforgettable.”
This book isn’t as dramatic or sweeping in history as others in the series, but it is a warm and comforting read, with a bit of spice and fun. I hope that for many readers, this book opens up and strengthens their family ties. Recommend!
The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club by Holly Tierney-Bedord
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Sorry, I can’t go out tonight…I’m spending time with Holly Tierney-Bedord!”
“Oh, sorry I missed your call. I had my phone turned off. I was at the beach with Holly!”
Yep, that’s me! Everything stops when Author Bedord has a new release. And you’ll want to grab her latest book, too.
Cadence and her career-driven husband are new arrivals to the tony beach town, Port Elspeth. Port Elspeth reminded me of Stepford, and it’s almost as sinister and creepy. Cadence starts a jewelry making club as a way to get involved in the community and meet people.
At the first meeting of the club, we meet some mothers and daughters- Pearl and Margo and Vivienne and Olivia, plus art teacher Audra. They all get to know each other over wine, and Cadence’s charcuterie hors d’oeuvres shaped into shells. They are delighted with the clever name they came up with for their club- “The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club”.
As the book continues, each of the women share their own daily happenings and we learn their back stories, too. And yes, each woman is a marvelously crafted “Holly special”- quirky, comical, even peculiar and eccentric. I highlighted so many hilarious moments. “This was how the Prescotts functioned- keeping unhappily busy until the next scheduled talk that, at best, went nowhere…”
The ladies feel compelled to solve a mystery that has hung over Port Elspeth for five years. But the real point of this book is to enjoy a fun tale filled with hilarious characters and experiences.
One of the characters remarked, “I grew up in Ohio. I need someone with me.” Well, I grew up and still live in Ohio and I’m delighted to have Author Holly Tierney-Bedord and her unique books with me. Highly recommend.
About the Author
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