Staff Picks Adult Fiction

Dangerous Games

by Danielle Steel

Alix Phillips, a fearless television correspondent, often listens to her college-aged daughter, Faye, voicing concerns about the risks inherent in her job. Despite navigating perilous situations to deliver acclaimed news coverage, Alix, accompanied by her cameraman Ben Chapman, confronts civil unrest on the global stage and investigates local political crimes. Ben, a former Navy SEAL, keeps a gun under his pillow as a precaution. Ironically, despite Faye’s worries about her mother’s profession, she herself experiences more personal violence.

Alix and Ben’s journey to the Middle East yields significant results when a confidential informant reveals unexpected information about a particular American politician. Impressed by a book penned by Olympia Foster, a refined yet reclusive widow of the once-presidential hopeful Bill Foster, Alix decides to collaborate with her. With insights from various sources, including Alix’s editor Felix, they embark on an investigation into allegations against Vice President Tony Clark. The CIA’s involvement even extends to having Olympia wear a wire.

As Alix delves deeper into her latest assignment, she finds herself confronting unprecedented danger. The stakes rise, unveiling a captivating narrative that intertwines personal and political intrigue and a romance between two long-time coworkers.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook.

Recommended by: Jackie Boyd, Communications Manager

Posted in: Adult Fiction

Grey Bees

by Andrey Kurkov

The book follows Sergey, a Ukrainian beekeeper residing in the tumultuous “grey zone,” where conflict between Ukrainians and Russians rages on. With electricity out for weeks and food supplies dwindling, tea and honey become precious commodities in this stark landscape.

Sergey, a disabled former mine safety inspector forced into retirement at 42, grapples with the ghosts of his past—a failed marriage and the departure of his daughter. Amidst the chaos of war, his bees continue their work, oblivious to borders, gathering pollen from both Ukrainian and Russian flowers.

This juxtaposition hints at the irony of nature’s indifference to human conflict, as Sergey navigates the complexities of life amidst the turmoil of war.

This book is available on Hoopla as an ebook.

Recommended by: Jackie Boyd, Communications Manager

Posted in: Adult Fiction

Fourth Wing

by Rebecca Yarros

On conscription day, Violet Sorrengail, daughter of General Lilith Sorrengail, finds herself thrust into a fate chosen by her mother rather than her own desires. Despite objections from her sister Mira, Violet is compelled by her mother to forgo her dreams of becoming a scribe and instead attends Basgiath War College in Navarre, a society steeped in polytheism and perpetual warfare for centuries. In this mythical realm teeming with dragons, gryphons, and other fantastical creatures, students navigate treacherous terrain both academically and physically, with fatalities not uncommon during training exercises.

Amidst the chaos, Violet grapples with complex relationships. Her childhood friend, Dain Aetos, now her squad leader, harbors doubts about her abilities, while the enigmatic Xaden Riorson, son of rebellion leader Fen Riorson and her wing leader, presents an irresistible allure despite their initial misunderstandings.

Set against a backdrop of quill pens and inkwells, this fantasy-romance transports readers to an alternate universe rich in magic, featuring elements such as time manipulation, dragon-sight, and lightning wielding. As Violet contends with others’ perceptions of her fragility and the challenges posed by her recurring shoulder dislocations, author Yarros weaves a tale of resilience and determination, presenting a disabled heroine poised to defy the odds.

This book is available in the library, on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook, and on Hoopla as an e audiobook.

Recommended by: Jackie Boyd, Communications Manager

Posted in: Adult Fiction

People We Meet on Vacation

by Emily Henry

Poppy and Alex may seem like an odd match at first glance, with little apparent common ground. She’s a carefree spirit adorned with chunky plastic earrings, while he’s the khaki-clad, bookish homebody devoted to his morning workouts. Yet, a serendipitous car ride during their college days, a decade ago, sparks a deep and enduring friendship that transcends the geographical gap between their current residences in New York City and Linfield, Ohio. For ten summers, they’ve shared unforgettable vacations, until a rift tore them apart two years ago, leaving them estranged.

Caught in a seemingly idyllic yet hollow existence of lavish trips devoid of true fulfillment, Poppy reminisces on the last time she felt genuinely content—when they were together. Determined to mend their fractured bond, she persuades Alex to embark on one final journey together in hopes of reconciliation. Reluctantly, he agrees, his attendance at his brother’s wedding in California serving as added incentive.

With just a week to heal old wounds, Poppy confronts the uncomfortable truths simmering beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect friendship. Amidst back spasms, malfunctioning air conditioning, and unexpected setbacks, she grapples with the daunting task of not only repairing her relationship with Alex but also confronting the unspoken truths that have long lingered between them.

This book is available in the library, on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook, and on Hoopla as a e audiobook.

Recommended by: Jackie Boyd, Communications Manager

Posted in: Adult Fiction

Iron Flame

by Rebecca Yarros

In this sequel to Fourth Wing (2023), twenty-one-year-old Navarrian woman Violet Sorrengail grapples with daunting challenges, her joints threatening to give way with every exertion. Alongside her companions Xaden Riorson and their dragons, internal struggles clash with external conflicts against military and governmental forces.

Despite her physical limitations, Violet embodies resilience and strength as a formidable warrior. Bonded to two dragons, Tairn and Andarna, she stands poised to wield not one, but two powers—an extraordinary feat typically reserved for those bonded to a dragon previously linked to a family member, akin to her lover Xaden’s connection with Sgaeyl.

Expertly crafted chapters conclude with devastation yet offer renewal, mirroring the cycle of destruction and rejuvenation. Through the pages of Violet’s library, glimpses of forthcoming challenges emerge, enhancing the narrative’s suspense. A warrior at heart and a scholar in mind, Violet epitomizes the ideal heroine, disability notwithstanding.

As their yearning for honesty and transparency strains their relationship, an unexpected cliffhanger finale threatens to unravel Violet and Xaden’s bond, culminating in a brutal yet poignant conclusion.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.

Recommended by: Jackie Boyd, Communications Manager

Posted in: Adult Fiction

All Good People Here

by Ashley Flowers

Nestled in the heart of Indiana lies Wakarusa, a quaint enclave where familiarity breeds chatter. Within its close-knit community, two entwined narratives unfold with a rapid and intricate cadence, initially shrouded in ambiguity. The first centers on Margot Davies, a young journalist who returns to her hometown to care for her ailing uncle Luke, grappling with dementia. Concurrently, the tale of January Jacobs emerges, a haunting echo of the JonBenet Ramsey case, a six-year-old beauty queen who vanished in the 90s.

Tragically, January’s fate is swiftly discovered, her lifeless form found in a desolate ditch. Margot, deeply intertwined in the fabric of January’s story as her former neighbor and peer, grapples with relentless ghosts of the past. Yet, as another young girl, Natalie, disappears from a neighboring town, Margot’s relentless pursuit of truth jeopardizes her professional standing as a reporter.

For aficionados of crime narratives, this novel promises intrigue as characters navigate the murky waters of deception to evade the prying eyes of gossip. In Wakarusa, appearances deceive, and discerning readers are urged to unravel the intricate web of clues to uncover the truth concealed within its folds.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrvie/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.

Recommended by: Jackie Boyd, Communications Manager

Posted in: Adult Fiction

The Unchartered Flight of Olivia West

by Sara Ackerman

This riveting novel is inspired by real life events and tells the story of a female aviator who defied the odds and entered a daring race across the Pacific in 1927.   Being a woman, she is unable to enter the race as a pilot and is forced to enter as a navigator for a male pilot where she quickly proves her worth.  The novel then crosses over to 1987 where clues to this piece of aviation history are found in a dilapidated barn by a young woman determined to find out what really happened all those years ago.  Fast paced and exciting to the very end!

This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an e audiobook.

Recommended by: Denise Mitchel, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Adult Fiction

Legends and Lattes

by Travis Baldree

Viv is ready to put her adventuring days behind her. After her last quest to retrieve a mythical stone, she’s ready to take on a new adventure….the food and beverage industry. But what does an orc barbarian know about running a coffee shop? Viv makes friends and discovers her softer side while slinging lattes and pastries to the citizens of her new home. Baldree has created a story for a super niche genre reader which combines the fantasy elements of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign with a cozy relationship story.

This book is available in the library, on OverDrive/Libby as an e audiobook, and on Hoopla as an e audiobook.

Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager

Posted in: Adult Fiction

Lincoln Highway

by Amor Towles

A story of camaraderie and adventure spanning ten days and told from multiple points of view, a multilayered tale of misadventure and self-discovery, populated by an eclectic cast of characters, from drifters who make their home riding the rails and larger-than-life vaudevillians to the aristocrats of the Upper East Side.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook

Recommended by: Chris Schultz, Graphics Information Clerk

Posted in: Adult Fiction

The Women

by Kristin Hannah

An amazing book about the powerful and horrific sacrifices of American Military nurses who served in Vietnam and the many challenges they faced when they returned stateside.  It is a wonderful novel of friendship and the commitment that so many of these women showed to their country. This book brought tears to my eyes and brought back memories of the POW bracelet I wore as a child during the war.  It is truly an overdue tribute to these remarkable women and I would highly recommend it!

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.

Recommended by: Denise Mitchel, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Adult Fiction