Monthly Archives: December 2012

Christmas Readings

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Tis’ the season for Manhattan Public Library to be adding lots of new holiday fiction to the collection, just in time for Christmas. Some of the new titles include Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot–Celia Anderson is a widow running a boarding house to provide for her daughter and hoping to find love in her life. When a man comes to town searching for his father, he takes a room for the Wyoming winter, not expecting to find love in the remote town–a heartwarming tale of Christmas miracles. Twelfth Night Secrets by Jane Feather is the story of Lady Harriet Devere, who assisted her brother Nick in spying against the French until his death. In an attempt to uncover the spy responsible for Nick’s death, Harriet is asked to try to discover if  Julius Forsythe, Earl of Marbury, is a double agent for the French. As she observes Julius, she realizes her attraction to him, but can she fall in love with a spy? Other new holiday titles include A Christmas Garland by Anne Perry, The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen, An Amish Gift by Cynthia Keller and  Merry Christmas, Alex Cross by James Patterson. Check at the Information Desk for more holiday titles!

New York Times bestselling author Greg Kincaid will speak about his newest book, A Christmas Home, Saturday December 8 at 12:30 in the library’s auditorium. Greg Kincaid is the author of Christmas with Tucker, and A Dog Named Christmas. The later title was made into a motion picture by Hallmark, and is available on DVD. Mr. Kincaid will give a presentation, answer questions about his work, and sign copies. Claflin Books will be at the event with books available for purchase. His latest book is another heartwarming tale about Todd, his beloved dog Christmas and the threat of the local animal shelter  closing just as Christmas approaches.

Trust Your Eyes by Linwood Barclay

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After his father’s accidental death, Ray Kilbride returns for the funeral and to care for his brother Thomas, mentally ill and with an obsession for maps. Thomas spends all of his time using a map program that allows him to explore the world from his computer. A savant, he is able to memorize each city and its streets, and believes he is working for the CIA to create maps in his memory for use in some future catastrophe. In his exploration of New York City, Thomas sees an image in a window that appears to be a murder. Unwilling to leave home, he asks Ray to investigate the image. Ray and Thomas uncover a deadly conspiracy and must run for their lives.  Trust Your Eyes is a fast-paced thriller with non-stop action, plot twists and turns, likeable and unique main characters and lots of suspense–this is a story that will keep you glued to the pages until the end!

Cold Days by Jim Butcher

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I was turned onto the Dresden Files series about six or seven years ago now. Over the course of the series, Harry Dresden has been battered, burned and nearly killed so many times I’ve lost count. He’s made enemies and friends, and he’s gained knowledge and strength. Jim Butcher now has so many balls in the air with this series that even those of us who have read many of the books multiple times still have trouble recalling everything that’s happened.

In Cold Days, Harry finds himself in yet another predicament. He accepted the position of Winter Knight from the Queen of the Winter Court, Mab, because he needed the strength the position provides in Changes in a confrontation with a court of vampires. For his first task, Mab tells Harry he must kill an immortal. Harry has to gather up all his old friends to figure out why he needs to kill an immortal, how he’s going to accomplish it and where this fits in the bigger picture of everything that’s gone wrong in the world in the past books in the series.

This is not a series where a person can jump in and out. It really needs to be read in order, so if you’re interested, pick up Storm Front the next time you’re in the library.

And if you’re waiting for Cold Days or are finished and now awaiting the next Dresden Files book, try The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne.

The Scent of Rain

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by Kristin Billerbeck

Her life in Paris as a perfume creator, given up, for what?  An embarrassing moment at the altar with no groom.  Daphne Sweeten left Paris for the man she thought she loved.  When he neglected to make their wedding, she was devastated.  Now she must endure life in Dayton, Ohio, where she and her missing fiance were suppose to work together, creating household fragance.  After being jilted at the altar, she soon realizes she has also lost her sense of smell.  How can she keep a job that hired her for her nose, when she has lost it?

Jesse Lightner, soon to be  Daphne’s new boss, didn’t want to add the expense of a “nose” into the budget.  But, he had no choice in the matter.  Now, he not only has to balance the already tight budget, find something for Daphne and her nose to do, but also come to Daphne’s rescue.  The Scent of Rain is a quick engaging read and Billerbeck throws in a few twists to the plot.  Of course Jesse and Daphne get it all worked out and live happily ever after.