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No Rest for the Dead
by Jeff Abbott
A serial novel featuring contributions by twenty-five masters of suspense follows detective Jon Nunn as he reopens a ten-year-old case to discover if the wrong person was convicted and put to death for the murder of art curator Christopher Thomas.
An all star lineup of authors join to share task of telling an exciting, surprising mystery that remains cohesive given the number of authors. It keeps you guessing and intrigued. I really enjoyed it!
Suggested by Cheryl R
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The Night is Mine
by M. L. Buchman
When elite helicopter pilot Captain Emily Beale is featured in a news story that focuses on her cooking ability instead of her skills as a warrior, she is mortified. Even worse, when the First Lady sees the report, she decides that Emily has the perfect combination of talents to serve as her personal chef and undercover bodyguard. Emily doesn’t want to leave her regiment—or her handsome CO, Major Mark Henderson—but she doesn’t have a choice. Especially not when the President, who was her childhood next-door neighbor and crush, tells her that his wife has been targeted by an assassin and Emily is the only person he trusts to protect her. Emily’s sudden departure from his unit forces Mark to confront his feelings for her, and he follows her to Washington where he also gets involved in her undercover operation.
First in the Night Stalkers series, this book is perfect for fans of romantic suspense who enjoy non-stop action, forbidden love, and strong, competent heroines.
Suggested by Gretchen M
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I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You
by Ally Carter
This book follows fifteen-year-old Cammie Morgan through her sophomore year at the Gallagher Academy, an elite spy school for girls. As the daughter of two spies—her mother is Gallagher’s headmistress—Cammie has never known a normal life. While on a training mission a for class, she meets an ordinary local boy named Josh and falls in love... but she quickly learns how difficult it is to have a relationship when she has to keep so many secrets.
A sweet, funny mix of espionage and light-hearted romance, this novel will make you want to pick up the next one in the series.
Suggested by Gretchen M
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The Devil's Delilah
by Loretta Lynda Chase
Delilah Desmond, the daughter of an infamous rake, knows that she must get married in order to escape destitution later in life. However, the reputation of her parents and her lack of social graces make her not as desirable to the moneyed and socially-minded men that would best help her with her dilemma. Her situation is made even worse by a tell-all book her father has written about his life experiences which could sully her reputation even further. With the help of a quiet bookworm named Jack Langdon, Delilah does what she can to secure her own future.
This romantic, hysterically funny and charming Regency romance is sure please any lover of the genre.
Suggested by Christi H
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Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
by Susanna Clarke
Clarke's novel can best be described as the cross between Harry Potter and Charles Dickens, with a little Jane Austen thrown in. It tells the story of two practical magicians who bring about the return of magic to England. With social commentary, wit, and a gigantic cast of spectacularly drawn characters, this novel is sure to please a variety of readers.
The audio version is particularly excellent, due to the incredible reader, Simon Prebble, and also to the seamless way it integrates the footnotes placed throughout the novel.
Suggested by Christi H
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A Tale for the Time Being
by Ruth L Ozeki
Ruth Ozeki writes and narrates the story of Nao, a 16-year-old girl living in Tokyo after spending most of her childhood in California. Exceedingly unhappy, Nao distracts herself from loneliness and bullying by writing the story of her 100-plus-year-old grandmother in a journal. In parallel stories, we learn of both lives and struggles of Nao, her grandmother (a Buddhist monk), and Ruth, the woman who comes across the journal on a small Canadian Island after the 2011 tsunami in Japan. As each life story develops, the characters face deep feelings and try to resolve their individual life challenges.
History, philosophy, and family are interwoven with the fates of the generations. The book gives a true feeling for the culture and outlook of the Japanese people.
Suggested by Cheryl R
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Obsession
by Karen Robards
Robards’ wrote a classic suspense novel with a lovely hint of romance. Obsession was quite a page turner, keeping the reader guessing from the very beginning, with heart stopping action filling every word. The final plot twists were thought provoking and added an interesting twist to the conclusion of the story. Towards to end of the book when all the puzzle pieces were coming together she also showcased the love of family, and the importance of valuing those closest to you.
While the romance had a rather predictable outcome the backstory of the two characters only intensified the suspense. The romantic elements didn’t occur until more than half way through the book and were a light add on to the suspenseful build of the rest of the story. This was an enjoyable read and a good introduction for suspense readers to begin enjoying romance.
Suggested by Shoshana F
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Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World
by Ann Shen
With one-page profiles of 100 remarkable women, opposite colorful and fun drawings of the woman, this book is perfect for introducing teens and adults to history changers who don't make it into the average history book. Because each vignette is short, it’s also an excellent book to read as time allows. The only thing "bad" about these women is how they defied conventions to change the world. Shen does a wonderful job of pulling women from different countries, nationalities, time periods, economic backgrounds, and triumphs.
This book is perfect for fans of A Mighty Girl or National Women's History Museum.
Suggested by Karen T
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Kitchens of the Great Midwest
by J. Ryan Stradal
Young Eva Thorvald survives a tragic childhood to become one of the country’s hottest new chefs. Her mother, an aspiring sommelier, abandons the family when Eva is a baby. Her doting father, a restaurant chef, prepares only the freshest, locally-sourced, made-from-scratch meals for her, but succumbs to a heart attack early on. Raised by an aunt and uncle accustomed to uninspired Midwestern fare, Eva nevertheless discovers that haute cuisine is in her blood. She grows gourmet chile peppers in her closet and sells them to a local Mexican restaurant, interns at a fine dining restaurant, and graduates to gifted sous chef. Eventually her pop-up dinners in colorful locales command $5,000 a plate and have year long waiting lists. Eva’s development unfolds in interconnected stories told from the point of view of her father, boyfriend, mother, and others.
Full of well-drawn characters, tantalizing food descriptions and recipes, this novel is sure to please.
Suggested by Beth M
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Habibi
by Craig Thompson
Craig Thompson spins an art filled tale of a futuristic society still facing the same trials and turmoils of today. His beautiful artwork serves to enhance the story of two young children who find love for each other in a devastating world. Thompson interwove many teachings from the Quran throughout the story, doing a wonderful job relating the lessons to how the characters were fchallenged. The fast-pacing of the story ensures the reader stays engaged and driven to the conclusion.
While the two main characters spend most of their life enduring hardship, the uplifting ending is filled with hope for the future.
Suggested by Shoshana F
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