This spring, on the recommendation of a friend whose taste in books is quite similar to mine, I began to read Rachel Lee’s Conard County series. I immediately became hooked, but was so disappointed to find (or not find) digitized versions of her early Conard County books (1-9, 12-13): Exile’s End, Cherokee Thunder, Miss Emmaline and the Archangel, Iron Heart, Lost Warriors, Point of No Return, Thunder Mountain, A Question of Justice, A Conard County Reckoning, The Catch of Conard County, and Boots & Badges.As both book 10, Nighthawk (see: Nighthawk & The Return of Luke McGuire: Nighthawk\The Return of Luke McGuire) and book 11, Cowboy Comes Home have been reissued digitally, as well as her other later 90s titles, I have hope that these earlier treasures will be given that same white glove treatment by Harlequin.
I wasn’t totally bereft as several of the missing titles were available through (drum roll, please): OpenLibrary.org. Yes, once again this fabulous FREE resource supported by library collections everywhere had scanned and digitized some of the missing titles (they're the ones indicated by the links in above paragraph). Admittedly, they’re not in perfect shape, but certainly offer readers a stopgap and chance to enjoy this fabulous series until they can be officially reissued.
With the success of Conard County: The Next Generation, Lee’s follow-up (really continuation of) the original Conard County series, I doubt I’m the only reader jonesing for these titles in digital format. I hope that soon, another Throwback Thursday entry will find all her titles reissued. That will be a true gift for readers everywhere.
Until then you can order hard copies of the book through Amazon (just click through the images above), borrow them from your local library or digitally through OpenLibrary.org.
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Speaking of OpenLibrary.org, don't forget to support your local library. As an admitted bookaholic, I began finding my second home in a library at a very young age. No wonder my personal library (physical and digital) has to be organized by subject, author, and title!Truly, your library is a resource that provides a way to explore and support authors that is unparalleled. In addition to OpenLibrary.org (that anyone, anywhere can join for free), I know that I've been able to discover authors and books through my library's Overdrive collection that are truly amazing. Also, I search for favorite authors and titles and if they're not represented in the collection, I find them through the handy Overdrive tool and suggest them - and many have been added!
If your library doesn't have access to Overdrive, you might want to check with some libraries in larger cities as they might provide access mostly free of charge (with proof of residence) for state residents. Seattle Library offers fee-based access ($85 fee for all WA residents), while Brooklyn and New York Public Library (NYS residents), Free Library of Philadelphia (PA residents), and Houston Public Library (TX residents) offer access free of charge.
Some libraries also offer non-state-residents a library card for a small fee. These include: Brooklyn Public Library, Fairfax County Library (VA), Houston Public Library (TX), Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (NC), Monroe County Public Library (NY). You don't have to visit these libraries in person to sign up, but can do so either digitally or by post (see individual requirements and fees). With your library membership you will have digital access to the library's catalog, including Overdrive and, of course, if you visit the library in person most of these will honor your card for hard-copy book requests.
In addition to these options through your library, Amazon.com offers some other fabulous ways to find new authors and books. If you're an Amazon Prime member you can borrow one book from the Prime Library per month (this is in addition to Prime's free two-day shipping, videos, and music) and Amazon also has a wonderful Lend-a-Book program designed to let you lend a book to a friend from your personal library (you just can't access it for the two weeks it is lent).
So keep reading and let me know what books your ISO that might not yet have made the transition from print to digital.
