CAROL BURNSIDE / ANNIE RAYBURN

>Now, for book No. 2.

In my opinion, The Crossroads Café by Deborah Smith is another must read and the fact that I’m showcasing it second is only the result of the fact it hasn’t been released yet. But this book is g-o-o-d!!!

How do I know?

Because Ms. Smith is a genius.

If you hop over to Belle Books, you’ll be treated to not one or two, or even the three chapters normally offered as a teaser. Oh, no. Ms. Smith and Belle Books have granted us access to five –Yes, 5!–chapters of her September, 2006 release.

I first discovered this book when I opened the Belle Books website to look for updates on their submissions page. Well, they say to read their books to get an idea of what they publish, and there it was–Chapter 1 for my reading pleasure.

Ms. Smith had me at the word ‘hello’. Oh, no, wait. That was another story, er, movie–wasn’t it?

Same sentiment relates to this book. Deborah Smith sucks you in with the first line of the prologue and doesn’t let go. Unlike some books, she delivers on the promise of that hook.

Go read the posted chapters of The Crossroads Café by Deborah Smith and join the throng of folks waiting impatiently for the rest of the story.

>Okay, masses, listen up!

I’m going to showcase two books on my blog, mainly because I think you deserve a good read, and in my opinion, these won’t let you down.

Today’s book is Gods In Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson. This book is not my usual read. I’m all about the romance, and this book isn’t, but it has romantic elements and I’m cool with that.

I was standing in a Borders perusing covers and back cover blurbs, when my DH handed GIA to me and said that one sounded good. From the moment I read the blurb, I knew I had to read this book. The writer’s voice and character attitude came through so clearly that I wanted to sit right down in the bookstore and devour it.

Unfortunately, my hubby’s a get-it-and-go type shopper. So, we purchased and left. That was around the first of the year and GIA was in hardback at the time. I couldn’t afford that on my book-addicted habit. Over the next few weeks, I discovered that the paperback wouldn’t be out until June. Ack!

I looked at my TBR pile and realized I could easily find plenty to read until the paperback release. I preordered the book online, posted myself a reminder and waited. June came. No e-mail appeared in my Inbox to tell me the book had arrived. Since a trip to Borders wasn’t in the cards that week, I bought it online and had it within my hands in a few days.

I read it – or rather devoured it – in one sitting. Does that tell you anything? Hey, it’s a 306-page trade paperback. I couldn’t put it down, was almost late for a doctor’s appointment because I HAD to get to The End before leaving the house.

Oh, the twists, the turns, the surprises, and at times the sheer laugh-out-loud humor! Ms. Jackson knows the south and southerners, no doubt. And to her I say a heartfelt, “Wow!” I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in ages. So much so, her newest release, Between, Georgia is now on my “must buy” list.

Find Gods In Alabama. Read it. You won’t be sorry.