After a Fashion

     Sarcasm, wit, arguments, humour, dog attacks, china projectiles, and a great deal of pretending to be someone you're not for the sake of money and reputation. A gem quite unexpected.

     Honestly, I started reading After a Fashion with low expectations. A fluffy romance. Moderate substance. Jen Turano managed to surprise me quite pleasantly. Her sarcastic wit was truly and unexpectedly refreshing.

    Her main character, Harriet Peabody, is a headstrong hat maker with a no-nonsense, very business-like attitude. Losing her job does not bode well for her, which is something that happens no later than two chapters into the book in a very comical situation involving a dog attack and a self-righteous upper-class woman who loses all form of dignity.

     The entire tale is filled with moments quite like these, some more amusing than others, some more embarrassing, but all equally entertaining. Harriet Peabody is paid a large sum of money to be a business partner to one of the wealthiest men in the country. Her job description includes dressing up and providing intelligent conversation in hopes of securing a business opportunity and increasing her employer's already enormous fortune.

     A simple matter of being herself in order to acquire three thousand dollars she never imagined possible becomes suddenly not so simple the more time she spends in the company of her employer. Their inevitable tumble into a winding romance is a wonderfully intriguing and entertaining series of mishaps and events wrapped in an engaging cast of characters.

     I don't often laugh aloud while reading, but this is one of those books where I simply could not help myself. Harriet Peabody is a sarcastic, headstrong young woman, and her employer, Oliver Addleshaw, is a cocky gentleman with a dangerous sense of curiosity and a perpetual need to do business. Together they make an amusing - albeit suited - pair, with a rocky start and a tumultuous plot-line to revolve around them.

     Giggles and jaw-drops galore.

--Elise--

For more information on After a Fashion by Jen Turano, visit our website here.

Sinner's Creed

Sinner's Creed
Scott Stapp

     "I love learning the story behind the story. Whether its a famous writer, musician or business person - what has happened in their life so far? Rock'n'roll biographies are particularly interesting.
     Scott's story seems authentic, honest, real and raw. The stuff he has gone through, the good times and bad - so fascinating and compelling. And all the while making incredible music that has affected the pop scene profoundly.
     I like these words from the last chapter: "I've come to see sin as separation from God. In that respect, I've been a life long sinner, as evidenced by the countless times I've separated myself from Him. Those were acts of willfulness. I call this book Sinner's Creed because I realize that my life as a Christian has always been - and will always be - challenged by these periods of separation."

Also included in this book are the lyrics from the songs that he has written.

I recommend this book as a very worthwhile read."

Lando Klassen
Owner, House of James

For more information on Sinner's Creed visit our website here.

A.D. 30

     Maviah is a woman living in 30 A.D., and as if that alone is not shame enough, she is the illegitimate child of a renowned Bedouin sheikh, Rami bin Malik, cast aside by his pride and born into slavery herself.  To make matters worse, during her exile in Egypt she became the defiled mother to a son. Maviah is the lowest of the low. Defiled. Dirty. Unholy. Slave. If not because of her gender then because of the course of her life and the choices of those around her, not to mention her own. And when she thinks things couldn't possibly get worse for her, her father's kingdom is attacked, her infant son is killed, and she is sent on a perilous errand across the Nafud desert to deliver a ceremonial dagger to the lustful, unpredictable Herod. This dagger is meant to be her people's saving grace and means of deliverance. So in the company of her father's most loyal and trusted servant, Saba, and an odd-mannered Bedu Jew called Judah, she must fulfill this duty.
     What else could she possibly have to live for?

     Dekker brings history and fiction together in a kind of refreshing, intertwining plot of raw emotion and gripping adventure. He offers striking insight into the way women were perceived and treated during the time period, and the emotional struggles that might result from their way of life. Perhaps even more striking is his take on the encounter this particular woman has with Jesus Christ himself - Yeshua, the mystic, stirring uproar and rebellion amongst the Jewish people while teaching love to anyone who would listen.

     It is an encounter with Yeshua that changes the entire course of Maviah's story; the entire course of her life. And she is only one of many forgotten people who may have touched lives with Jesus in person before the date of his crucifixion. Dekker explores the effect that this may have had on the course of history, never failing to electrify the heart with the prospect of what may have been. His depiction of Yeshua is very real, very alive, and breathtakingly true.

--Elise--
  

Available in hardcover and paperback.

     For more information on A.D. 30 by Ted Dekker, visit our website here.

Drawing Fire

Today's recommendation is a treat from the boss; the first book of an eventual trilogy - the Cold Case Justice series:

"One of the best fiction books I've read this year. I highly recommend Drawing Fire by Janice Cantore."

--Lando Klassen,
   Owner

As seen on the back of the book itself:

     "With a possible serial killer stalking elderly women in Long Beach, California, homicide detective Abby Hart's best lead is Luke Murphy, an irritating private investigator who saw a suspect flee the scene of the latest homicide. When Abby discovers that the most recent victim is related to the governor, she's anxious to talk to him about a cold case that's personal to her - one Luke is interested in as well.

     As she learns more about the restaurant fire that took her parents' lives years ago, Abby discovers why Luke is so invested in finding the ones responsible. But the more they uncover, the more questions they have. Can Abby find peace without having all the answers?"

     This is a book for the mystery lovers; the detectives and the sleuths; the crime-fighters and the Crime TV Watchers. Take the time for suspense and intrigue, politics and ethics, murder, madness, and haunting backstories lurking in the dark.

     With multiple mysteries intertwining through the pages, it is nigh impossible to avoid the vast number of twists and turns that Cantore applies to her writing. Her background in law enforcement offers an insight to reality that many crime series seem to lack, and the emotional growth and representation of her characters only adds to that realism. With so many questions on so many pages, Drawing Fire is truly a riveting read.

     For more information on Drawing Fire by Janice Cantore, visit our website here.

Doon, Destined for

Book 1

     There are always those moments where escape would be preferable if it meant literally vanishing from this world and entering a life of importance somewhere else - a world not quite like this one. Maybe not at all like this one. A place where you have a clear and defined role that only you can play; where everyone knows it and will either try to help you or try to hinder you.

     Carie Corp and Lorie Langdon take this desire to heart and put it onto the page with a cast of characters ranging from relatable to stereotyped to outlandish to desirable, and back again, all jumping in between present-day reality and the fictional realm of Doon.

Book 2

     Two authors, two main characters: Verronica and Mackenna, setting out to explore the land of Scotland when they tumble upon the Brig O' Doon and the fantastic kingdom that lies beyond. They spiral into a web of adventure, danger, and romance that spins the kingdom of Doon to life.

     For Verronica, Doon is a kind of escape from a life that has left her wanting much. And for Mackenna it is more of a waking nightmare, and a very strange inconvenience. Two best friends, close enough to be sisters, find themselves falling into a story of royalty, world-hopping, spying, and most certainly true love. And while love is a definite focus in the story, it is only one of many, including danger and mystery, action and adventure, a couple of princes, a few disgruntled brigands, and a haunting, deeply intriguing witch-hunt.

     Doon and its subsequent sequals, including Destined for Doon, Shades of Doon (release date September 2015), and a fourth addition expected September of 2016, are the perfect escape from reality. Written for teenage girls, they are certainly a light and fluffy read, but would appeal to anyone looking for a lighthearted escape from the day-to-day; a chance to relax and ponder something out of the ordinary; a little bit of romance as far-fetched and beautiful as it is and some vicarious travel to Scotland and its lush scenery and historic appeal. Scottish accents abound.

--Elise--

 Available in hardcover and paperback.

For more information on Doon by Cary Corp and Lorie Langdon, visit our website here.

Times Two

Words by Sheree Plett, illustrations by Shari-Anne Vis

"However long that it
would take to reach the
highest point in space,
that's how deep my love
is, dear, that's how far
my love would trace."

     This pure work of art is written in form of a lyric poem - defined as emotional and song-like, originally accompanied by a lyre when spoken or sung.  

     "A warm-hearted, lyrical book about the limitlessness of love."

     It is a children's book, but as is often the case, it is enjoyable and applicable for all ages. (We're all only older, taller, ever-so-slightly-more-knowledgeable children, throughout our lives after all, aren't we?)

     The "limitlessness" of love is probably something everyone could use a reminder about every so often, and what better way than through a simple song accompanied by touching, adorable, and colourful art?

     It was released a couple of years ago but I hadn't seen it on the shelf until today, and as soon as I did I had to pick it up. Childish or not, the simplicity of the words and the pure, bare truth in them draws you in and is a warming, comforting reminder that you are loved - fully, truly, warmly, and glamorously - and it is a striking and beautiful thing.

     The perfect book to raise your spirits on a dreary, no good, very bad day, because we all have those, sometimes all too often.

--Elise--

For more information on Sheree Plett's Times Two, visit us at our website here:
http://www.houseofjames.com/store/details/9780981140971

Fearless

     For someone who is far from fearless, this should prove to be an interesting introduction of sorts for me. My name is Elise, and I will be looking after this dear blog for a little while, hopefully conveying my love for blogging, books, and words, through the vast and wavering realm of the web.

     Today we're featuring the book Fearless, by Eric Blehm, reviewed by one of our own. As our latest hire, Michael is still getting a feel for things, but his love for reading is a definite asset, and he's put it to good use with his review of this biography:

Fearless is Adam Brown's story. Starting with the tales of an adventurous three year old jumping from the second story window of his home, a dare devil teenager who jumped from a speeding cars and faced down deathly situations with out breaking a sweat; Adam was a Navy SEAL before he even won his trident. This is an incredible story about redemption, resilience, and family. Witness the unbelievable true story of Adam Brown as he conquerors personal tragedy, drug addiction, and injury. This is an inspirational true story of a man who knows:
"God gave me a gift. I don't feel fear."

-- Michael Peters

For any additional information, you can see the book here on our website:
http://www.houseofjames.com/store/details/9780307730695

     And just for the record, you need have no fear about coming in to see us at our store on Emerson St. Honestly, how intimidating could a bunch of booksellers and book lovers possibly be?

~Elise