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Reading Recommendations: Eve, A Novel of the First Woman; Elissa Elliott

It is the world's oldest tale: the story of Eve, her husband Adam, and the tragedy that would overcome her sons. In this luminous debut novel, Elissa Elliott puts a powerful twist on biblical narrative, boldly re-imagining Eve's journey. At once intimate and universal, timely and timeless, this unique work of fiction blends biblical tradition with recorded history and dazzling storytelling. And as it does, Eve comes to life in a way religion myth have never allowed, in a novel that explores the very essence of love, motherhood, faith, and humanity.

In their world they are alone, a family haunted by banishment struggling for survival in a harsh new land. A woman who has borne and buried children, Eve sees danger shadowing those she loves, while her husband drifts further and further from the man he was in the Garden, blinded by his need to rebuild a life outside of Eden. One daughter, alluring, self absorbed Naava, turns away from their beliefs. Another, crippled, ever faithful Aya, harbors a fateful secret while brothers Cain and Abel become adversaries and Dara, the youngest, is chosen for a fate of her own.

One hot, violent summer, by the shores of the muddy Euphrates, strangers arrive on their land.

New gods challenge their own. And for Eve, a time of reckoning is at hand. The woman who once trusted the forbidden fruit of paradise sees her family unraveling, a brother turns on brother; culminating in a confrontation that will have far-reaching consequences for them all.

Thank you, Vickie Stevenson. This book is unlike any I've ever read. I couldn't put it down!

And, Drenched in Light, Lisa Wingate

We find Julia Costell landing with a third in an unglamorous job as a guidance counselor at a performing arts high school. Living back home with her parents and feeling lost, she is afraid she'll never soar again until the day young Dell Jordan is sent to her office, carrying an essay.

In Dell's writing, Julia sees luminous sparks of hope. But as she fights to forge a brighter future for one disadvantaged student, she is drawn into startling undercurrents of conflict and denial within the academy. Only when she is tested in ways she never could have imagined does she begin to discover where real meaning and fulfillment lie, and realize that even though her life has seemed off course, she's been on the right path all along.

And, Talk of the Town, Lisa Wingate

"Can Anything Go Right in the Tumbleweed Town?"

Her show, American Megastar, is TV's hottest program, but life couldn't be worse for associate producer Mandalay Florentino. She's just arrived in the hayseed town of Daily, Texas to arrange a surprise "reunion concert" for hometown finalist Amber Anderson, only everyone seems to know the secret already.

Plus she keeps crossing paths with a gorgeous cowboy with blue eyes who may not be the country boy he appears to be.

And the paparazzi are swarming.

And her boss is demanding perfection-or else.

With the faith and future of a young singer on the line, Mandalay and the town of Daily must find the courage, and the creativity, to make sure the reunion concert is unforgettable.

The above two are only two Lisa Wingate books on our shelves. I am happy to announce Lisa Wingate will be with us in person, November 16th at 2 p.m. Put this date on your calender. We will talk about this exciting date as time goes on.

See you at Rylander!