Five interesting novels and two delightful children's books have arrived at my desk.
"Fallen Prayer" (Redemptive Press, 222 pages) is a story of intrigue and suspense written by postmaster and author Paul E. Headworth. The tale is set in Clare County and involves a Detroit cop named Charlie who transfers to a small sheriff's department in northern Michigan. Charlie develops a friendship with a young officer named Paul. When Charlie is murdered, Paul must face his own grief and track down the killer of his friend. It's a good vs. evil tale that incorporates Christian scriptures into a fast-paced tale.
Michigan author and architect Tom Grace has written "The Secret Cardinal" (Vanguard Press, 346 pages), another in his series of Nolan Kilkenny adventure novels. Inspired by true events, Grace weaves a provocative tale that links the Vatican, China, the Mafia and the conclave of cardinals who will choose the next pope. It's a page-turner that's packed with interesting details about China, history and the Roman Catholic Church.
Leif Enger, whose debut novel "Peace Like a River" was the first book featured by Traverse City Reads in 2002, offers "So Brave, Young, and Handsome" (Atlantic Monthly Press, 290 pages.) In 1915 Minnesota, Monte Becket has lost his sense of purpose. When he meets up with outlaw Glendon Hale, Monte soon finds himself leaving behind his family to hit the road west with this rogue. This tale blends romance with gritty reality.
"Sand Against the Wind" (Xlibris, 642 pages) is the hefty debut novel of Michigan author Barbara Cueter. It's the 1929 tale of Nettie Blevins, 16, who dreams of one day singing in New York, but meets an irresistible rogue along the way. After a whirlwind wooing, she finds herself living in Appalachia and struggling to make her marriage work. She wants to be a good wife, but also plans to leave as soon as she can scrape together the cash.
Those who toiled in the lumber camps of northern Michigan worked in dangerous anonymity while producing wealth for the lumber barons. "Footprints Under the Pines" (Pleasant Word, 226 pages) by Dawn Batterbee Miller tells the tale of a family that seeks some sort of security in the deep woods. It's a heartwarming story by Miller, who was born and raised in Mancelona.
Michigan sisters Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan have teamed up with illustrator Cyd Moore to produce "Willow" (Sleeping Bear Press, 32 pages), a book that celebrates creativity and illustrates the impact of one little girl. Willow is a determined young student who teaches her stuffy teacher Miss Hawthorn a lesson about the power of imagination.
"Our Walk in the Woods" (Mitten Press, 32 pages) is written by Charity Nebbe and illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler. Nothing is better than a walk in the woods on a sunny day. Abbey and her dog Kirby explore the hills above the river, but they certainly don't see things quite the same. Here's a fun look at just how the same walk in the woods can yield two very different viewpoints.
Al Parker, of Traverse City, is an award-winning writer and lifelong bibliophile.
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