By Jennifer McClelland-Smith

Do you believe in magic? Summer is the perfect time to escape into a fun read with a magical twist. We’ve got great suggestions no matter what kind of reader you are!

opens in a new windowSouth of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber

opens in a new windowFans of Heather Webber’s book club favorite Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe can tell you, no one does a sweet Southern story with a touch of enchantment like she does. Two women at a crossroads, an abandoned baby girl, and a very special Buttonwood tree that dispenses wisdom make this another heartwarming tale you’ll want to talk about. 

opens in a new windowOther People’s Pets by R.L. Maizes

A family story unlike any you’ve ever read. What to do when you’re an animal empath with an absent mother and criminal father? Rob the houses of pets whose maladies you can sense, naturally! Equal parts quirky and heartwarming, this book explores the very meaning of family and what we choose to hold on to or let go of. 

opens in a new windowEmpire of Lies by Raymond Khoury

opens in a new windowThriller fans will not be able to put down Raymond Khoury’s gripping adventure, which dashes across continents and centuries. It’s Paris in 2017: The Ottoman Empire was never defeated in 1683, and Islamic Europe is on the brink of war with the Christian Republic of America. Does a mysterious stranger who appears on the banks of the Seine have all the answers? An international thriller powered by time travel and alternate history, it’s a book that makes you see the world differently.

opens in a new windowOr What You Will by Jo Walton

opens in a new windowGet ready for a real mind-bender. In this unforgettable novel, the main character is a character–no, really. He’s a character in the mind of Sylvia, an award-winning author who is nearing the end of her life. He’s been a scholar, a warrior, a lover, and a thief…now all he wants to do is survive. Will he convince her to take the ultimate risk and jump into immortality?  

opens in a new windowRemembrance by Rita Woods

opens in a new windowAnother compelling read that challenges the limits of time and space. Sweeping from Haiti in 1791 to New Orleans in 1857 to modern-day Ohio, this haunting novel tells the story of a safe haven on the Underground Railroad, the powerful thread that links generations and the magic women conjure when trying to protect their own. Fans of historical fiction and speculative fiction will not be let down by this utterly unique novel.