Month: November 2020

Free and bargain books November 05, 2020

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

I can’t believe how quickly the days are marching by. Nov 5th already, yikes. Christmas will be here next week at this rate.

I think a contributing factor to this sense of speed is books. When you’re lost in a book three hours feels like fifteen minutes. You finally look up, check the clock and realize the afternoon is half over, okay, mostly over, and you missed it all.

I wouldn’t change a thing. Anyway, let’s get on with the search here.

BookBub has a FREE suggestion for us. A collection of five books. Looks interesting.

Books 1-5 Collection : After, New Beginnings & The Excellence Club Christian Inspirational Series (Abundant Hope Book 1)

Amazon quote:

Book 1 – AFTER – Candace had a stunning voice but he plotted her downfall and the loss of her faith. When she falls before thousands, will shame win, or will her newfound faith in Jesus build her a new platform?

Book 2 – JABEZ – Born into a family where support was lacking, will his dreams fall before it began? Or will an encounter with a pastor change the direction of his life and destiny?

Book 3 – AFTER 2 – Blinded by tears, broken by rejection, and caught at her wits end, Blossom mistakenly plunges her car into the Potomac River and isn’t sure whether she will survive. Will she drown or can she be rescued before it’s too late? Will she trust God to carve her a fresh start while sinking to the bottom of the Potomac?

Book 4 – AFTER 3 – Harboring a secret that torpedoed every chance at finding love, can she trust God to lead someone who accepted her…including her challenge? His grief for a tragedy soured his choice to live. After his chance encounter with her, a future filled with sorrow seemed like a choice. Would he accept hope?

Book 5 – HER UNDYING FAITH – Sharon Parsons is no stranger to being different. However, she did not expect to fall in love with a man who not only didn’t share her faith, but any faith at all. When her heart gets deeply in love, and their faith differences more stark and impossible to ignore, what ends – his faithlessness or their marriage?

Dive into this beloved series by USA Today bestselling author Joy Ohagwu, hailed as a top 17 Christian Fiction Author, stories applauded by thousands, and hope-filled adventure and don’t stop until you flip the last page. 

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

On the lighter side, maybe, there is a bargain Christmas Romance collection in the lineup. I think I’ve read some of these authors in other collections but I’m not sure. This will be an adventure.

Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection 

Amazon quote:

Old friends, new loves, and a borrowed tiara.

Always Been Yours by Jaycee Weaver — Hanady’s planning her dream wedding, but her injured best friend Keenan isn’t the groom. If she can’t see she’s marrying the wrong guy soon, his leg won’t be the only thing broken.

All the Moore by Toni Shiloh — Leilah Anderson has been living behind the screen to hide her disability, then she meets Reggie Moore face-to-face. Can their relationship survive the truth and distance between them?

A Holly, Bolly Christmas by Mikal Dawn — A dream wedding venue at Christmas? Sign Chahna Kapoor up. Even if her fiancé doesn’t know it…

Somehow, This Christmas by Teresa Tysinger — When not-so-merry mishaps threaten wedding planner Cate Forsyth’s holiday wedding and reputation, will her own happily ever after with sweetheart Noah Bennett melt away?

A Promise So Sweet by Andrea Boyd — Lydia Osborn hasn’t heard from her ex in ten years, so imagine her surprise when he shows up proposing marriage. Tis the season for love?

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

I’m currently reading, enjoying, and almost finished …

Cape Corral Keeper (Saltwater Cowboys Book 3)

They agreed to marry. But they never agreed to fall in love.

When Cape Corral Fire Chief Dillon McGrath saves a woman wearing a wedding dress from drowning, he knows he’ll have a great story to tell the guys at the station later. He never expected to get personally involved in the woman’s plight to stay alive.

Gracie Loveland had no choice but to run only moments before saying “I do” to her manipulative fiancé. Staying would have ultimately meant her death at the hands of the cruel man. Desperation, along with a dormant feistiness, surfaces as she fights to survive.

Only one plan might keep Gracie safe and help Dillon preserve the island’s wild horses. The idea seems crazy, but Dillon and Gracie can think of no other options. However, a foe from Gracie’s past is closing in, determined to get what he wants regardless of whose life he destroys in the process.

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

This has been a good day for books. I hope you are finding something you like in this new selection.

I think it’s time to go read a little before lights out, find out how it all ends.

Happy Reading to you too.

Free and bargain books November 04, 2020

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Today is one of those days where I haven’t posted in a while and the well is dry. What to do, what to do.

While I was trying to come up with a little of this and a little of that to talk about I opened Amazon and happened upon a FREE book I’d seen mentioned and then forgotten about a few days ago.

So, I guess we will start with a book. A novel idea hey?

I’ve read other books from this author and this one is not a bad place to start.

Southern Gentleman (Finding Love in the Low Country Book 2)

Amazon quote:

What’s best for the baby? Norah Brown must answer this question when Thornton Winter pushes his way into her life. Baby Camille’s parents, Thornton’s brother and Norah’s sister, were killed in a terrible accident. Now both feel responsible for the baby. But by the time Thornton comes along, Norah has already formed a strong bond with Camille. Will Thornton try to take the baby from her?

To keep her greatest fear from being realized, Norah reluctantly agrees to move with the baby to Thornton’s family home in South Carolina, where she soon finds herself in a battle of wills with his take-charge manner. It certainly doesn’t help that Norah begins to lose her heart to this Southern Gentleman.

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

I tripped over another FREE book mentioned and forgotten about recently, in the busyness of life. I’ve read this one in the last year or so.

Her Deadly Inheritance (Jill Shepherd Suspense Book 1)

Amazon quote:

First a runaway. Now running for her life.

Won’t Jill’s family be surprised when she returns home to end their scheme to have her declared legally dead?

Clay Merrick may seem to be nothing more than a handy-man restoring homes, but when the former Special Forces operative tracks a brutal killer to Jill’s home town, he has most of the evidence he needs to bring the killer to justice … until Jill gets in the way. And when Jill exposes the mastermind behind her family’s murderous scheme, she ends any chance she has of remaining alive.

When the assassin moves in for the kill, it’s not just Clay’s mission on the line, but his heart.

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

Book three in a series I’ve been reading has shown up as a bargain. I loved book one, didn’t enjoy book two as much but it was still good. Now I think I’d better give book three a try.

Cape Corral Keeper (Saltwater Cowboys Book 3)

Amazon quote:

They agreed to marry. But they never agreed to fall in love.

When Cape Corral Fire Chief Dillon McGrath saves a woman wearing a wedding dress from drowning, he knows he’ll have a great story to tell the guys at the station later. He never expected to get personally involved in the woman’s plight to stay alive.

Gracie Loveland had no choice but to run only moments before saying “I do” to her manipulative fiancé. Staying would have ultimately meant her death at the hands of the cruel man. Desperation, along with a dormant feistiness, surfaces as she fights to survive.

Only one plan might keep Gracie safe and help Dillon preserve the island’s wild horses. The idea seems crazy, but Dillon and Gracie can think of no other options. However, a foe from Gracie’s past is closing in, determined to get what he wants regardless of whose life he destroys in the process.

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

Currently I’m reading a WWI historical novel. It’s not really about the war so much as it’s about family left behind to worry and make do as best they can.

Jane: A Fierce Heart (Harvey Girls Book 3)

Jane is determined to make the world a better place even when everything seems so bleak in this clean and wholesome historical western romance story.

Independent, red-haired Jane Harris is twenty years old in 1917 when war breaks out and changes her life. In her hometown of Beaumont, Virginia, she does her best to be a good sister, a good daughter, and to volunteer however she can for the war effort.
But it’s not enough. Her brothers, many of her friends, and the man she loves are gone to France, and Jane needs to do more than knit socks for them. She needs to be busy. She needs to leave home. Luckily, her mother understands, and soon Jane is interviewing to be a Harvey Girl.

The job comes with challenges she has never before experienced. Far away from home, she must stand against her adversaries, and sometimes against her friends. She will have to work hard to achieve things that come easily to those around her, but luckily she will learn that character triumphs over talent, especially when times are hard.

Watching a new world unfold all around her, Jane realizes she is changing too. Will she recognize the difference between childhood devotion and true love? Will she choose the man who can give her the love she deserves? And will he make it home safely?

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

Well, this whole exercise has turned out to be much more productive than I ever expected which is awesome.

I’m going to poke my nose in this current book for awhile. The end is in sight and I’m ready to be done and start something new.

It has been a good book and I’ve enjoyed it but the downside is it has more detail than I have patience for. It’s time to move on.

*********

I have a short attention span when books are calling my name. Almost forgot to finish this off.

Now, I’m outa here!

Happy Reading everyone.

Read and Enjoyed – end of October edition

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

It’s time once again for Read & Enjoyed.

This first one was a five star favorite. It is still available at the bargain price too.

Magnolia Storms (Coastal Hearts Book 1) 

Maggie Marovich couldn’t save her father or her home from Hurricane Katrina, but she’s dedicated her life to meteorology so she can warn others when the monster storms approach. Except…she works three hours inland and rarely risks returning to her childhood hometown of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Both her single-parent sister and the ship pilot Maggie once loved refused to leave the Coast, despite Maggie’s requests. Now a hurricane’s headed toward Mississippi, and Maggie’s sister is seriously injured, leaving Maggie little choice but to head south—into the storm.

The water and tides flow through Josh Bergeron’s veins, and he can’t imagine giving up piloting—even for the love of his life, the infuriating Magnolia Marovich. He tried to move on without her, marrying and having a child. But after his wife abandons him and his little boy, his career choice is threatened by the weight of his parental responsibilities. Moving next door to Maggie’s sister and sharing their child care seems like the perfect set-up. Until Maggie blows back into town.

Being forced to lean on Josh for help washes up the wreckage in Maggie’s faith. Where was God during the destruction of Katrina? Why do some prayers seem to go unanswered? Between the hurricane looming in the Gulf and another gale raging in her heart, can Maggie overcome her past and find the trust to truly live?

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

Ever Caring (Family Promises Book 1)

He lost his wife.

She gave up her baby.

Can these troubled souls find true love beneath their secrets?

Attorney Tate Truscott is ready for a fresh start with his grief-stricken daughter. After the widower and his eight-year-old move to a new town, he hopes creating a commemorative photo album will help ease the girl’s suffering. But when she makes fast friends with the scrapbook shop owner who is helping her with the album, Tate is stunned to find himself attracted to the kind woman.

Renee Albertson is guilt-ridden over the accident that crippled her mother and forced her to give up her newborn for adoption. Desperate to sell everything to finance her mom’s experimental treatment, Renee’s torn when a handsome dad and his melancholy daughter come to her store for help. And as the grieving pair find their way into her heart, she wonders if she’ll ever have the family of her dreams.

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

This was also a favorite. It is called a cozy mystery, and it is, but there is a sober vein running through it adding depth and interest.

The Thing about Mustard Seeds: A Cozy Christian Romance

They watched a man die.

It’s been many years since Gentry and Rosling visited their hometown. It’s been even longer since they spoke to each other. When they were only children, they witnessed a murder. The pain of that day drove a wedge between them and has haunted them ever since.

Now, Gentry is the pastor of the local church—the same church where Rosling has taken over her dying grandmother’s duties. Together again in their small Southern town, the two adults wrestle with their faith. Gentry’s faith is strong, while Rosling struggles to believe at all. As they come face-to-face with the pain of their childhoods, they must learn how to be whole again, even when healing seems impossible.

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

More …

A Wish for Christmas (The Happy Holidays Series Book 3)

Seasoned: A Love Story 

Ruby Jane: The Montana Marshalls 

Flight Risk 

Breakwater Protector (Saltwater Cowboys Book 2)

This Quiet Sky 

Melodies of Christmas Love: A Boxed Set Collection

Mistletoe and Murder: A Christmas Suspense Collection

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

I’m currently reading and enjoying …

Jane: A Fierce Heart (Harvey Girls Book 3) 

Independent, red-haired Jane Harris is twenty years old in 1917 when war breaks out and changes her life. In her hometown of Beaumont, Virginia, she does her best to be a good sister, a good daughter, and to volunteer however she can for the war effort.
But it’s not enough. Her brothers, many of her friends, and the man she loves are gone to France, and Jane needs to do more than knit socks for them. She needs to be busy. She needs to leave home. Luckily, her mother understands, and soon Jane is interviewing to be a Harvey Girl.

The job comes with challenges she has never before experienced. Far away from home, she must stand against her adversaries, and sometimes against her friends. She will have to work hard to achieve things that come easily to those around her, but luckily she will learn that character triumphs over talent, especially when times are hard.

Watching a new world unfold all around her, Jane realizes she is changing too. Will she recognize the difference between childhood devotion and true love? Will she choose the man who can give her the love she deserves? And will he make it home safely?

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

Happy Reading!

Story prompt – Company

/ For the Love of Books / 2 Comments

Sunday Scribblings initiator of these story prompts is hosted by peckapalooza – the Confusing Middle.

Company

Company led to Military and, in my mind, that thought led to one of my favorite movies.

Cadence

It was a terrible hardship but I had to watch this movie again this morning before I could lay pen to paper, just to be sure I had the story straight in my mind.

I was right, this is still one of my favorites even after all these years.

Filmed in 1990, starring Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen, and Laurence Fishburne, the setting is a US Army stockade in W. Germany during the 1960s.

His father’s last ditch effort to help him grow up is the reason Private Bean was in the US Army in the first place.

Now, home on bereavement leave for his father’s death Private Bean is experiencing enough grief filled remorse to do some crazy things. Things like multiple tattoos – on his hands, rip – roaring drunk, starting a major bar fight, punching the arresting MP.

His 90 day sentence lands him in a minimum security stockade living in a tight security barrack.

His bully Sargent placed him with a group of guys he expected Private Bean to hate. The Sargent has an agenda to reform Bean and bring him over to his way of thinking, although it’s unclear exactly what that means.

To tell you what I like about this film I have to take a step back and look at the big picture. The bird’s eye view.

  • Things are not always what they seem.
  • We can survive impossible situations if we find ways to see the good in life.
  • If we let down our walls we can form alliances that will make us stronger.
  • An eclectic group of guys can become a brotherhood.
  • They stood up to the bully and won.
  • Most of all… I liked the song,
  • … and the fact the movie made me, and everyone else, cry.

This trailer sums it all up well, I think

Private Bean was in good company with these guys.