More read and enjoyed. March 27, 2023

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Just now finished this one. It’s another 5 star read and to my great disappointment it ended much too soon. It could have easily gone on a few more chapters.

There were strong elements of the story that were familiar enough to make me think I had read this before. On the other hand there were also unfamiliar elements. Mostly, I think it was a new story but I’m not one hundred percent sure about that. I loved the story anyway and I’m glad to have read it, either way.

Searching for Anna: (Love in Lansing Book 1)

As the Great War rages in Europe, Anna Gibson struggles to make ends meet as a seamstress in a small dress shop in Lansing, Michigan. She is content with her life. Or, so she thinks. However, a handsome suitor from her former life unexpectedly reappears, and she finds herself questioning her future when he begins to open doors to her past.

Warren Mallory has never taken life too seriously…until now. Suddenly, he is very serious about finding the amber-eyed beauty that has haunted his thoughts since she left him standing alone on that street corner. And once he has, he doesn’t plan to let her vanish again.

But even as fate draws them together, the sparks of chemistry are doused when a mysterious package and a long-hidden secret threaten to drive them apart. Can Anna forgive the past in order to be with Warren, or will pride and misconceptions make her walk away from the only man she has ever loved?

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This next one did not rate as high in my estimation. I gave it four stars. The story was enjoyable, I had no complaints there. It just couldn’t hold my attention as well as the previous book. When I consider the reason for that, it comes down to the writing, or maybe more fairly, it comes down to the editing. Many of the lines shaking my attention were easily fixable and I so wanted to do it. It wasn’t a waste of time though, I did enjoy the story…

Two life changing events have adversely affected Jade’s work performance and her boss insists she take all of her three months accumulated vacation time to grieve and recuperate.

Returning to the scene of happier days and deep regret, Daniel is at the end of his rope, hoping somehow to make things right.

Beach House Promises (Brighton Beach Retreat Series Book 1)

Jade Brighton can’t take much more. Her life has already been upended, leaving her and her daughter in desperate need of recovery time. So they pack their bags and head to the family beach house to recharge and recover.

Daniel Barnhill has spent his life lamenting the one who got away. In a desperate attempt to escape his father, Daniel heads for the small town of Blackstone Cove. Not only is he surprised to find her again, but he also can’t believe she has a child.

Can Jade and Daniel rebuild what they once had or has time and life pushed them too far apart?

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I thought I had my next read picked out but if I did it’s disappeared. Maybe it would be good to try another partially started World War II story. Hopefully it will work for me this time, some stories are just tough to get into. If it doesn’t work, I will at least read the ending, I can do that much.

Shadowed by a Spy (Suspicious Shores Book 2) 

When Lexie Smithfield boards the early morning Long Island train to Manhattan in 1942, she feels safe having left the threat of danger behind her at Jekyll Island. Little does she know, the four men who boarded the train with her are Nazi spies sent to wreak havoc in the United States.

Did the so-called Smithfield family curse follow her to New York?

What will happen to Lexie when she innocently befriends one of the spies and gets involved in the spy ring? And with her fiance Russell overseas, who will protect her?

Books read and enjoyed March 25, 2023

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I wasn’t sure about choosing strictly Romance novels for the most recent downloads but they turned out to be a very good choice. Great characters and well thought out story lines in all of them.

Hooked By Love: The Pattern of Piney Series Book One

This one earned a solid 5 stars for keeping me up reading half the night. I loved the quirky and brokenhearted Reesa. In spite of her pain she had a soft heart that was determined to provide for and protect her fatherless daughter. She couldn’t help herself, she had to be there for anyone else crossing her path too, including the fierce bear of a neighbor. He didn’t know what to do with her spontaneous and tight hugs. His grandmother said Reesa was good for him and set out to dabble in a little matchmaking.

Synopsis.

Determined to provide a wonderful life for her daughter, single mom, Reesa Tate, makes a gutsy move to a cabin in the forests of Piney, Arkansas. Not only is it a short distance away from her estranged parents, but it’s overseen by an odd man that she can’t quite figure out.

Theodore Whitley grew up in Piney. After his dreams of playing college ball were shattered, he found himself sliding into a comfortable life in his hometown. A comfortable and quiet life, at least, until Reesa Tate shows up. Something about the woman gets under his skin, and Theo finds the more he gets to know her, the more he doesn’t mind.

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The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline (Secrets Book 1) 

Another book I couldn’t bear to put down. It was all because of the awesome characters — and the hazardous lives they lived. Plus, having what it took to meet the challenges only added to their allure. At the beginning Robin Hood is a lady and so are her merry men. As days went on, though, their eyes were opened to the reality of threats on their lives and their property. That’s when things changed.

Fierce warriors were sorely needed . I couldn’t help but hold my breath and cheer them on.

This story wasn’t strictly Romance but it was well loved.

Synopsis

Everyone believes Lady Evangeline is dead…her survival depends on it.

If not for Lady Evangeline’s secret training in weaponry, her corpse would be rotting in a ditch. Instead, she finds refuge in a crumbling abbey—and new purpose. With her child dead and her husband lost to the lies of a devious plotter, Evangeline vows to fight for the starving widows and children in the villages surrounding the abbey. Masquerading as a nun by day, and an armed vigilante by night, she will free these people no matter what it takes.

Lord Henry Stanton still grieves the death of Evangeline. How can he ever shed the weight of guilt over not protecting his beautiful wife? She never even had the chance to know their precious baby girl, now healthy and thriving. Though he failed to keep Evangeline safe, he will stop at nothing to protect their daughter from the intrigue and corruption threatening not just the royal court, but the whole land.

When the worst happens, Henry must join forces with a nun—or is she Evangeline? They must overcome lies, treachery, and a broken marriage to save their innocent daughter—and the country—before it’s too late.

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I’m currently reading another Romance book I can’t put down. I’ll tell about it soon.

Continuing PTSD conversation

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Things are changing.

This is but another small part in my story as an adult survivor of child abuse.

I’m going to jump right in and say that as a child I compartmentalized to survive. My mind took charge and was very careful about what thoughts were allowed to linger. For sure there were never any questions asked. Never any attempts to figure out the why. As an adult this practice continued for decades. The doors securely locked in the vault of my mind. In recent years things have changed and my mind has opened to the possibility of seeing and examining the truth. A very freeing experience, I’m finding.

Many moments of realization and insight are beginning to add up to something that feels huge and life changing.

Recently, I started reading a book that suggests that: the best way to figure out what your future should look like, you need to go back and write your story. The author makes the case that most of us have never looked beyond basic facts to see the heart of who we are and what makes us who we are. He suggests that if we ever did look back in this way we would begin to make different choices for our future. And we would be happier for it. I think he’s right.

I’m beginning to look at my life in this way and there have been some startling revelations.Today, I am thinking about how to write about it, as he suggested. I think it will take the size of a book to fit it all in.

This morning I’ve been basking in gratefulness for the latest clear moment of insight. It’s covers a part of my life I’ve never written about, and now that I see what a treasure it truly is – it needs to be fully explored.

If I could pick a song that expresses the current new stage of my life, this song would be it.

“I can see clearly now, the rain has gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It’s gonna be a bright, bright, sunshiny day …”

“… I can make it now the pain is gone. All of the bad feelings have disappeared…”

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The song of my heart these days.

Bargain books March 23, 2023

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Do you ever feel like hiding from the world? That’s how I’ve been feeling, and behaving lately. Hiding from as much of the world as I can. I’ve even been in the process of letting this blog go. Things have changed and for some reason we don’t have the traffic we once did. I’m feeling like what’s the use? Until tonight, for just a moment or so, I wanted to make an effort.

With one of today’s suggestion emails I was drawn into checking out some bargains and came across a couple of romance type books that will be a light read. There was one catching my eye and I decided to download it but not bother sharing.

I can’t tell if people like the lightweight romance novels or feel they are a waste of time. I’m inclined to assume most people think they are a waste of time and resist bothering with downloading them.

I read through the first chapter or so of this book, looked at a few more suggestions and found another similar book but with a different author. I thought why not? and decided to download both books, just for me.

I intended to just walk away after hitting the buy button but then I remembered. One purpose of the blog was to keep track of the books I buy. If I quit, then what? So here I am sharing my finds with you once again, anyway. I can’t say I’m unhappy with the decision. It actually feels good to do this. My heart feels a little lighter and I want to smile.

Connection with another person, or two or three, has an unexpected positive impact on our emotional well being. I know we don’t have an actual connection but I’m sharing my heart, that’s important, and if you are reading this you are hearing my heart. Hopefully it’s a positive experience for you too. Maybe you feel encouraged and want to smile too. I hope so.

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Anyway, here are my finds for today.

The Loner’s Wife: Small Town Bachelors – Book 2

They said she had burnout, but she had lost so much more…

Gloria Danvers is a planner and a numbers woman. She has a tragedy she can’t reconcile, so she’s decided to walk away from her six-figure job, corporate politics, and finance finagling to be a Yoga instructor. Starting over can be costly and after she just invested in her brother’s new business her funds are low to start her Yoga studio. When she tries to get funding her past comes back demanding to be dealt with.

They thought he was eccentric; he was waiting for someone who saw him

Reid Chance understood that love was a precursor to abandonment and pain. His mom loved someone so much he and his sister landed in foster care. His ex-girlfriend loved his money and left when she found out he wanted a prenup before marriage. He funded startups but he was at home on the land with his horses wallowing in the peace, until a woman with a plan makes him reconsider the love equation.

Neither one of them wanted to deal with the past, but they’ll have to settle old accounts if they want the payout of love.

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Before I get to the second book I found there is a free book from this first author that looks interesting and is new to me. Another good opportunity.

Finding Home: Hidden Treasures Book 1

Everett Stansi had gotten all of his dreams except one. Now that
Ava Pearson was divorced maybe he’d have a chance at that dream too.

A treasure worth having is a treasure worth fighting for.

Nothing moves gossip quicker than a good-looking man taking up with a discarded gem.
That’s what Ava’s friends call her, a true gem. But Ava can’t see how that’s true when
her marriage of twenty years ends. She’s not finding much to shine about these days.
Until she finds friendship with a man who really sees her…Everett.

But as their relationship grows, so do the tales. Gossip is fierce around here.
And their careers and reputations hang on what those gossipers say. Will the tale-tellers
find gold in their story, or trash?

Everett is the only man in Treasure, California, who can see the gem she truly is.

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Last but not least…this is an author new to me. I’m not sure what to expect but I’m hopeful.

Hooked By Love: The Pattern of Piney Series Book One

Determined to provide a wonderful life for her daughter, single mom, Reesa Tate, makes a gutsy move to a cabin in the forests of Piney, Arkansas. Not only is it a short distance away from her estranged parents, but it’s overseen by an odd man that she can’t quite figure out.

Theodore Whitley grew up in Piney. After his dreams of playing college ball were shattered, he found himself sliding into a comfortable life in his hometown. A comfortable and quiet life, at least, until Reesa Tate shows up. Something about the woman gets under his skin, and Theo finds the more he gets to know her, the more he doesn’t mind.

Can Reesa and her daughter find happiness in Piney?

And can Theo open his heart to new possibilities?

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These books will provide a relaxing less intense read for a change and I’ll admit I’m looking forward to it.

This has been a good night. It has turned out to be a pleasant interlude, one I’m happy not to have missed out on.

I hope this will mean Happy Reading for you too.

Bargain books March 17, 2023

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Here we are again. This day didn’t seem too promising, just the way the last few have been, until I stumbled over something that looked intriguing. Medieval is a nice change from our usual Regency fare. As far as I can tell this author is also unknown to me. I think it’s always a welcome gift to meet and experience another author.

The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline (Secrets Book 1)

If not for Lady Evangeline’s secret training in weaponry, her corpse would be rotting in a ditch. Instead, she finds refuge in a crumbling abbey—and new purpose. With her child dead and her husband lost to the lies of a devious plotter, Evangeline vows to fight for the starving widows and children in the villages surrounding the abbey. Masquerading as a nun by day, and an armed vigilante by night, she will free these people no matter what it takes.

Lord Henry Stanton still grieves the death of Evangeline. How can he ever shed the weight of guilt over not protecting his beautiful wife? She never even had the chance to know their precious baby girl, now healthy and thriving. Though he failed to keep Evangeline safe, he will stop at nothing to protect their daughter from the intrigue and corruption threatening not just the royal court, but the whole land.

When the worst happens, Henry must join forces with a nun—or is she Evangeline? They must overcome lies, treachery, and a broken marriage to save their innocent daughter—and the country—before it’s too late.

********************

Another book popping up for me today looks promising. I’m hearing that distressed young people are searching for meaningful connections with God. Max Lucado has been a popular and well loved author for years and has a way of making God real to us. One of his books is available at a special rate today. It talks about having hope in this turbulent and distressing world we live it. We all need a little of it, or maybe a lot of it, these days and I’m hoping this book will help with that.

Unshakable Hope Devotional: Building Our Lives on the Promises of God

What kind of life are you building?

Do you want to be unshakable in a shaky world?

You can build your life on the enduring promises of God.

If you have a problem, God has a promise. These promises stand the test of time, and they weather life’s biggest storms. In this special companion devotional based on the teaching series, Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado, Max will guide you through the powerful promises found in God’s word and show you how to make them your own. You can go from knowing God’s promises to believing God’s promises.

In this life, we will face trials and storms, but it is in our toughest moments that God’s promises prove themselves true. Because God’s promises are unbreakable, our hope can be unshakable. We have an airtight, holy contract with Him. When the world rages around you, you can stand with Unshakable Hope.

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It has been nice to be back with a few suggestions after yet another of my many breaks from daily blogging. I’ve often been absent from this site but haven’t stopped reading, and will be back soon to share some of the books I’ve finished.

I hope you are still reading as well. There are so many great benefits to be had from this enjoyable activity.

Happy Reading!

Bargain book March 13, 2023

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It has been awhile since we’ve met like this.

It feels like forever since the last time we had a new book to add to our reading list and I’m excited to see one today. Not only is it a new book but it’s a new-to-me author as well. The endorsements look encouraging.

The Dark Guest: A Standalone Christian Romantic Suspense novel (The Cold War Legacy Book 1)

When Violet Lundy isn’t cleaning rooms at Happy Hills Assisted Living Facility, she loves spending her free time with resident Rainer Kopecek. Hearing his stories of the dangerous life he led behind the Iron Curtain in East Berlin makes her own life seem more tolerable. But when Rainer is found dead and his room in disarray, Violet suspects foul play.

Dr. Henry Silverton lives among his books, teaching and writing about the Cold War. A letter about an East German traitor known only as “The Wolf” propels Henry out of academia and into Violet’s life. Together, they embark on a perilous quest to uncover the truth about Rainer’s death and the traitor’s identity.

Can Violet and Henry uncover the secrets of the past before one of them ends up as The Wolf’s next victim?

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There are still slim pickings when it comes to bargain books this morning. It seems they go in cycles and this is the downstroke.

I have several books on the go when it comes to reading. You know how that goes, the cream of the crop has been exhausted and the rest are not as compelling at this moment. Maybe it’s just me and the place I’m at these days. What appeals some days doesn’t appeal today. Whatever it is I’m determined to finish them. I take comfort in knowing I’m probably not alone in this state of affairs.

Here are the three I’m currently bouncing between.

Well that is not working so well for me.

The first one, it turns out, is not available on Kindle any more. I purchased it in 2015 but haven’t read it and now when I search for the picture and descriptive blurb it is unavailable without a deep dive. At least it is still contained in my library of books and there is a blurb available about the paperback. Books come and they go, it looks like. Probably more often than we know.

When trusting others only leads to pain and rejection, and loving ends only in loss, what will it take to restore hope again? Shamed by the uncovered truth about her missing husband’s secret life, Cora Buchanan sets out on a road trip for home to mend her broken relationship with her parents. When her car breaks down, she’s stranded in a small Georgia town. While staying at the struggling Southern Hope Ranch, she meets little Susie O’Reilly, who unexpectedly fills a void in Cora’s heart. But Rex, Susie’s rugged cowboy father who lost his wife a year earlier, seems to go out of his way to either confront or avoid Cora.

It doesn’t help her comfort level that the news continues to report missing and murdered women in the area. Cora has no idea just how close to home the crimes will hit…or how much the sweet sound of the meadowlark’s song at the ranch will impact her future. Plunge into pure romance with a twist of mystery. Set in the charm of contemporary small-town Georgia. By the beloved author of To Dance Once More.

So, it looks like Sherri has written other books and there is still an Intertwined series of three or four books but Song of the Meadowlark is no longer part of it.That’s probably why it has disappeared. Maybe at some point I will run across her again. to check out the series.

I can see why it has been removed, the serial killer aspect is not a strong part of the story. It would take a complete overhaul to make that happen. It was probably less work to leave it start over.

Here are the other two I’m working on. One is non-fiction.

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I’ll be back if anything else shows up.

Happy reading.

Read and enjoyed March 02, 2023

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It’s that time again. Time to clear out the big pile of enjoyed books. There is one thing very different about the list this time though.

I found myself giving out an unprecedented number of five stars. I’m not sure what I was thinking except that I couldn’t come up with a good reason not to.

Maybe it has something to do with downloading fewer books. Choosing to be more selective. Whatever it is I’m liking it.

My favorite stories all have something different about them. Not a whiff of familiarity. This first one had that brand new smell. Of course there were elements similar to other stories but the way it was all put together was new. The rest were just as good, each in their own way.

A Castaway in Cornwall 

Set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers, Laura Callaway now lives with her uncle and his disapproving wife in North Cornwall. There she feels like a castaway, always viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong.

While wreckers search for valuables along the windswept Cornwall coast–known for its many shipwrecks but few survivors–Laura searches for clues to the lives lost so she can write letters to next of kin and return keepsakes to rightful owners. When a man is washed ashore after a wreck, Laura acts quickly to protect him from a local smuggler determined to destroy him.

As Laura and a neighbor care for the survivor, they discover he has curious wounds and, although he speaks in careful, educated English, his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Despite the evidence against him, the mysterious man might provide her only chance to discover the truth about her parents’ fate. With danger pursuing them from every side, and an unexpected attraction growing between them, will Laura ever find the answers she seeks?

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The Legacy of Rose Bodeen (Silver Cross Ranch Legacy Series Book 1) 

Imagine opening a long-forgotten trunk to find diaries written by your foremothers. Four generations of thoughts, heartaches, challenges and triumphs. What lessons did they write inside the yellowed pages? What lessons could they gift you now?

THE LEGACY OF ROSE BODEEN – Book One of the Silver Cross Ranch Legacy

Rose Bodeen is a hard-living kind of girl who can out-ride any hand on the ranch. After being jilted, she sets out for adventure and finds it with Bill Cody’s Wild West Extravaganza. Yet the land draws her back like warm sun draws flowers from the ground in spring, just as her sweet Mama said it would the day she rode away. With matter-of-fact conviction and bull-headed determination, she strives to survive during the fast-changing times that follow—The Great War, the fight for a women’s right to vote, the Industrial Revolution, the high-kicking Roaring Twenties followed by the Great Depression and yet another devastating world war. She celebrates thrilling triumphs and endures deep tragedies, along with losses that go hand-in-hand with loving. With hard-won faith, Rose comes to accept what she calls God’s anvil time that hammers and hones her into all she’s meant to be.

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Edgewater Road (The Rumors in Ross County Series Book 1)

The first in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray, Edgewater Road invites us into a world of family mysteries, small-town secrets, and perhaps a little romance along the way.

When Jennifer Smiley’s grandmother, Ginny, leaves her an old farmhouse on Edgewater Road in seemingly quiet Ross County, Ohio, Jennifer can’t pass up the opportunity for a new beginning. Almost immediately she meets a group of men who generously help her move in. When she realizes that they work for Lincoln Bennett, her next-door neighbor, she’s intrigued. Lincoln is gorgeous and has dark, lapis-blue eyes she could get lost in … but he doesn’t seem all that friendly. She’s torn between getting to know him and sticking with the solitude she knows so well. Maybe she could let down some of those walls she’s built around her emotions?

Lincoln Bennett likes to keep his head down and get his work done. He’s been to prison and he knows that a lot of folks don’t take kindly to a man with that kind of history. Plus, he’s busy helping other ex-cons get back on their feet. But when he meets Jennifer, he can’t help but feel an instant attraction. Will she be able to look past his unsavory history? Will she be able to accept the men he’s working so hard to help?

While Jennifer gets to know Lincoln and his friends, she also begins to unravel her grandmother’s story, putting together the pieces from scraps of memories and things she finds in her new home. She soon discovers that Ginny Smiley harbored some dark secrets on Edgewater Road—and that those secrets include both Lincoln and her own absent father. Is learning the truth worth the heartache it could bring?

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The rest , we will run through them quickly. The were all excellent reads though.

It has been a good week or so.

My current read is shaping up nicely.

A Vote of Confidence: Historical Romantic Fiction (Beneath Sweet Western Skies) 

Well, that’s it for now. I haven’t checked my emails yet looking for suggestions. You can be sure I will be back if anything good shows up.

Happy Reading!

Free books February 27, 2023

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We are back. BookBub has an interesting FREE suggestion for us. From another one of our popular authors. A rivalry. This could be exciting.

A Vote of Confidence: Historical Romantic Fiction (Beneath Sweet Western Skies) 

Who says a woman can’t do a man’s job?

Put up or shut up! Complaining about Bethlehem Springs’ dissolute mayoral candidate, Gwen Arlington is challenged to take on the role herself. For seven years, she’s carved out an independent life in the bustling mountain town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, teaching piano and writing for the local newspaper. But now she’s a single woman running for mayor — and in 1915 this decision is bound to stir up trouble.

Morgan McKinley is fed up with the delays that hinder the construction of New Hope Health Spa, a place where both rich and poor can come for rest and healing. New to the area, he’s determined that serving as mayor would help him push through his agenda for progress.

Gwen and Morgan each want to prove they are the most qualified candidate, not only to voters but to each other, and so sparks fly as the two campaign. Although Morgan has learned to guard his heart as fiercely as Gwen guards her independence, could they learn to be allies instead of adversaries?

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BookRunes also has a FREE suggestion, this time with an author I have not heard of. She has a number of other bargain books too I see. Must check them out. Later.

This one sounds intense and intriguing.

After Night Falls: Walking away from everything, she sought shelter on the river…vanished almost completely out of sight & then he found her. (Secrets of the River Book 1)

Tragedy, secrets, and heartache. It’s been the story of her life for years. Abigail knew that she should be afraid of him…but she wasn’t. Not even when he told her who he was…and why he was there.

She’d taken a job on the cruise ship years ago with the thought that if she was never in any one place for very long she would be safe. No one would ever think to look for her here.

At least that’s what she believed.

Gabe had suspected for a couple of days that something wasn’t quite right. He’d taken this particular job thinking it would be a simple deal and tied up quickly and easily. Too bad the client had been less than forthcoming. That never worked well for anyone involved.

Then there was the additional fact that Abigail wasn’t anything like what he’d been led to expect once he found her. But then nothing about this job was turning out the way he expected it would and least of all…Abigail.

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For a minute there it looked like there would be more than two new books for us but nope.

We do have books though, so we won’t complain. Conveniently, I’m between reads, one of these just may be next up.

The read file is becoming crowded again so we will have to be back soon for a clearing out.

These free books have a short time limit, they say, so there is a need to move fast.

Happy reading

Free book February 23, 2023

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That turned out well! An unexpected pleasure. On a whim, I decided to check out one of our regular authors to see if she has anything new coming up. Her pre-order price is always a bargain. Nothing new there but wouldn’t you know someone else has a surprise bargain.

A few days ago I read book 1 in a series by an author new to me. I loved it. Well, today book 2 in the series is not just a bargain but it’s FREE. How exciting is that?

Battered Justice (Tucker and McKenna, FBI Book 2) 

When a fellow agent is shot south of Baltimore, FBI Special Agents Jake Tucker and Cass McKenna lead a team to find the shooter. Soon the agents are targeting a low-level street gang. Jake keeps finding evidence linking the gang and drugs to a nearby casino, one Senator Chase Westfield helped get approved.

Chase is the new husband of Jake’s ex-wife, Tam. Tension builds between the two men as Jake discovers Chase is abusing Tam–and putting Jake’s kids at risk. Soon they’re on a collision course from which only one can emerge.

“Battered Justice” is the sequel to “Bloody Point.”

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Here is book 1 if you’d like to start there. I loved it and gave it a precious and sparingly awarded five stars. The synopsis doesn’t do this book justice, it was way better than I expected.

Bloody Point (Tucker and McKenna, FBI Book 1)

Looking for some peace in her life, FBI Special Agent Cassidy McKenna leaves the Bureau, retreats to a sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay, and struggles with the recent death of her husband and her shaken faith in God. When her former partner, Jake, is assaulted and nearly killed and then her marina is torched, Cass knows she must find out why.

She believes the crimes are connected and unofficially investigates, not knowing that she is both the hunter and the hunted. She must connect the evidence, help Jake deal with his brain injury, and find the perpetrator before she becomes the next victim.

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This has been a slow book day but I will keep my eyes open in case anything else shows up.

Maybe I should mention the most recent Christy Barritt book that showed up in my mailbox in the middle of the night. Release day.

Desperate Rescue (Vanishing Ranch Book 10)

Vanishing Ranch founder Charlie Soldier is closer than ever to discovering who orchestrated the hotel bombing that killed hundreds of people and ultimately led to her father’s death. But as she and her team tighten the noose, the culprit threatens to expose secrets that could destroy Charlie.

Monroe Davis, Charlie’s right-hand man, has been sidelined with life-threatening injuries. His extended hospital stay has made his future feel uncertain, and he knows he needs to make some changes. But first, he needs to recover so he can protect the woman he loves.

As everything Charlie cares about comes under attack, she desperately tries to hold her world together. But the entire Vanishing Ranch team will need to intensify their efforts to ensure their operation isn’t ruined—as well as their lives and the lives of those they help.

**********************

Happy Reading y’all

Free book February 22, 2023

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Don’t you love it when you read the first pages of a book and fall in love with the writing? The picture being painted draws you in even though the real story hasn’t yet appeared. Now you are hoping the story lives up to the expectations birthed in you with the picture. That’s what I’m hoping.

I love the beginning of this new book suggestion. The author is new to me so I don’t know what to expect. I hope the story is every bit as good as the letter setting the scene.

A determined woman leaving a will with stipulations that will infuriate controlling men and maybe even the strong women who are recipients of the inheritance. From the tone of the letter accompanying the will, we get the impression there are good reasons for what would seem like unreasonable demands.

There are journals and the series follows the lives of at least four generations of lady ranchers. Strong women, all of them.

This suggestion was courtesy of BookRunes.

The Legacy of Rose Bodeen (Silver Cross Ranch Legacy Series Book 1)

Imagine opening a long-forgotten trunk to find diaries written by your foremothers. Four generations of thoughts, heartaches, challenges and triumphs. What lessons did they write inside the yellowed pages? What lessons could they gift you now?

Rose Bodeen is a hard-living kind of girl who can out-ride any hand on the ranch. After being jilted, she sets out for adventure and finds it with Bill Cody’s Wild West Extravaganza. Yet the land draws her back like warm sun draws flowers from the ground in spring, just as her sweet Mama said it would the day she rode away. With matter-of-fact conviction and bull-headed determination, she strives to survive during the fast-changing times that follow—The Great War, the fight for a women’s right to vote, the Industrial Revolution, the high-kicking Roaring Twenties followed by the Great Depression and yet another devastating world war. She celebrates thrilling triumphs and endures deep tragedies, along with losses that go hand-in-hand with loving. With hard-won faith, Rose comes to accept what she calls God’s anvil time that hammers and hones her into all she’s meant to be.

The Silver Cross Ranch Legacy weaves the lessons of history into the lives of four mothers and daughters who fight the odds, and sometimes each other, to defend their way of life. With stubborn tenacity and hard-won faith, the women learn the beauty in their differences, the power of forgiveness, and create hope for the future with the reassurance that each step taken during life’s sometimes rugged journey leads to a bright coming home.

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That’s all we have at the moment, for interesting book suggestions, but I will be back if anything else shows up.

My current read definitely has my attention at the moment.

Three Missing Days (The Pelican Harbor Series Book 3)

Police Chief Jane Hardy’s teenage son has been accused of a horrific crime—and three days of Jane’s memories have been stolen from her. In the gripping third installment of the Pelican Harbor series, the truth is finally coming out.

Chief of Police Jane Hardy plunges into the investigation of a house fire that claimed the life of a local woman as well as one of the firefighters. It’s clear the woman was murdered. But why? The unraveling of Jane’s personal life makes answers for the case even more difficult to find.

Then Jane’s fifteen-year-old son is accused of a terrible crime, and she has to decide if she can trust her ex, Reid, to help her prove Will’s innocence—and if she can trust Reid with her heart.

Three days of Jane’s past are missing from her memory, and that’s not all that’s been stolen from her. As she struggles to find the murderer and clear her son’s name, finding out what happened in those three days could change everything.

It all started with one little lie . . . but the truth is finally coming out.

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Happy Reading!