When a Scot Ties the Knot

When a Scot Ties the Knot written by Tessa Dare is both funny and endearing. This sweet story had me laughing out loud, enraptured in the sexual tension and smiling at the attempts not to fall in love all the while cheering for Logan and Maddie to find their happily ever after.

The story is set in the time after the Scot's lost the Highlands to the English, Maddie, a young girl who has no desire to be presented for marriage and doesn't want to marry for anything other than love. So this quiet and shy artist comes up with a way to keep her family from making her marry. She invents the love of her life, a completely fictitious Highlander Captain Logan MacKenzie. *JK*

on the wings of a dove...

The Gracekeepers,by Kirsty Logan. Rising sea waters have turned Earth into a series of islands and its population into two types: landlockers, who control the dwindling resources on land, and damplings, who make their home on boats at sea. Callanish is a so-called gracekeeper, living in solitude on an isolated island, taking payment in food and supplies for providing underwater burial rituals for damplings. North-along with her beloved dancing bear companion-is the star of a ramshackle circus that travels by boat from island to island. Both young women have secrets, and when they meet each other in the wake of a tragedy, they begin to imagine a possibility for a third kind of life, one that might bridge the divide between land and sea. The narration incorporates the voices of North and Callanish, other circus folk, and Callanish's family and acquaintances, building a convincing world. Filled  with classic fairy tale elements such as world trees and selkies,

What is the truth?

In Annie Barrows' new book, The Truth According to Us, family secrets are explored. The main narrator is Willa Romeyn, 12 years old. We also hear from Layla Beck who is boarding with Willa's family while writing a town history in the hot summer of 1938. Layla has been sent by the WPA, unwillingly, and wonders why the Romeyns, who were once a substantial family have fallen so low. We hear Willa's worries about her charming but irresponsible father and what family secrets he holds. As Layla interviews people in town everyone has a version of the truth. We come to care about these characters and feel affection for them. Warm and touching, this is a good summer read. ML

Thumbs Up!

For some fun facts about the “Mitten” state—especially the thumb area, pick up Michigan’s Thumb Drive by Michael J. Thorpe. He takes you on an informative ride around M-25—the Blue Water Highway. You’ll find out about town names, settlers, historic sites and the Great Fire of 1881. Beer, cheeseburgers and sugar beets play a big part in this regional adventure. Happy travels! DB