Year: 2020

Bargain books June 09, 2020

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Following an unlikely trail of crumbs, I happened upon clean Regency novels last night. At bargain prices. With unfamiliar authors. They look interesting and definitely worth a try.

The Nobleman’s Governess Bride (The Glass Slipper Chronicles Book 1) $0.99

The Nobelman's Governess Bride

Amazon quote:

In the novella “The Viscount Meets His Match” Sebastian Viscount Benedict knows from bitter experience that marrying a woman of lower rank and fortune brings nothing but heartache. He is determined to prevent his beloved brother from making the same mistake by wedding the local squire’s daughter. Rebecca Beaton disagrees. She is certain her former pupil, Hermione, truly loves the viscount’s brother and will make him a devoted wife. She tries to persuade formidable Lord Benedict to give the young couple his blessing.

In the novel The Baron’s Governess Bride, Rupert Lord Steadwell is determined to hire the dowdiest, most unmarriageable woman he can find to care for his motherless daughters. The girls were heartbroken when their last governess eloped and Rupert does not want to risk a repetition. In her drab clothes, frumpy cap and spectacles, Grace Ellerby look like the ideal person for the job.

Rupert has no idea that clever, caring Miss Ellerby is a beauty in disguise. Alarmed by unwanted advances from men in her previous positions, Grace is desperate to hide her dangerously attractive appearance and her growing feelings for her new employer. But when Lord Steadwell appears in danger of making a loveless marriage and saddling his daughters with a dreaded stepmother, Grace must risk everything to prevent it. Will a midnight kiss at a masked ball lead to scandal and ruin or might two wary hearts find their happily ever after at last?

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The Reclusive Duke $0.99

The Reclusive Duke

Amazon quote:

The Reclusive Duke
When Lydia Sinclair is left to care for the orphaned children of her sister she discovers they are distant relatives of The Duke of Hemingford. With the last few coins she possesses she buys seats on a common stage for all five of them, determined to persuade the duke to assume responsibility for his cousins. The duke has no wish to have these unwanted relatives foisted on him, since his accident he shuns society.
However, Digby, his man of business, has other ideas and installs Lydia and the children in The Dower House.
Will the duke evict them when he discovers this deception or can Lydia get him to change his mind?

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The Duke and the Spinster: Clean Regency Romance (The Nettlefold Chronicles Book 1)  $1.30

The Duke and The Spinster

Amazon quote:

Lady Juliana Willoughby, whose first Season was such a disaster that it was her last, finds herself at a country house party, all for her pretty sister’s benefit. She expects nothing more than to hide away in corners, and avoid socialising, sure that no man would ever want to marry such as her.

Garrett Rutherford, Duke of Kilmerstan, needs to marry, and get an heir. But he has yet to meet a woman he does not flinch from, even though some pursue him relentlessly. Dragged to the house party for his sister’s benefit, he expects nothing but boredom. Then he sees Lady Juliana.

But there are others at the house party who have less than honourable intentions towards both the Duke and Lady Juliana.

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BookBub has a sensitively written bargain suggestion for us. I’ve not read this author yet but browsing through her Acknowledgement page I’m impressed with her tender heart.

The Birthday Portrait (The Family Portrait) $0.99

The Birhday Portrait

Amazon quote:

When overwhelmed with growing up without Mama, will young Kate survive?

As Kate’s eleventh birthday approaches, she fears no one will remember her tradition of dressing up in her mother’s heirloom wedding gown for her birthday portrait. She grieves that their handprints won’t be on the back of the birthday photograph, and there’ll be no special letter from her mother to go in her Book of My Life this year. Precocious Kate gets a few more life’s-not-always-fair lessons as she struggles and finds the courage to ask the hard questions about life.

A divinely-appointed encounter with the mysterious and elusive Mr. Josh aids in her dilemma but requires of her an innocent faith that will satisfy her deepest questions, will raise a few more, and will change her life forever. Kate’s story is the story of a family—a story blending joy and sorrow, death and new life, the joys and hope that children bring, the wisdom elders offer, the value of family traditions, and the mystery of life that remains unanswered.

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I’m currently reading and enjoying the first one in this list. There are two stories, a novella and a full length novel. About to move on to the novel.

The Nobelman's Governess Bride

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Happy Reading

… on this wet and stormy week. A perfect time to read.

I’m sure the sun is shining somewhere today. Maybe it’s at your house. I’m thinking tropical beaches as I’m looking out at our grey skies.

It could be depressing but we need the rain on our parched flower beds and fields of grain. That’s the bright side.

It will be easier to pull weeds when the sun comes out again.  Liking it.

OK enough window gazing. Back to breakfast and my book.

Free and bargain books June 08, 2020

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A good book day. Multiple contributors. No browsing needed. Awesome.

BookBub has a FREE YA (13-18)  suggestion for us today.

All the Promises (Deborah Raney) 

All Promises

Amazon quote:

Michelle Penn has dropped out of college to work as a reporter for a tiny weekly newspaper. The boss’s son, Robert Merrick III, is quickly making her forget all about her former sweetheart, Kevin, who has shipped out to Vietnam. Rob loves the newspaper business but feels trapped working for his father. He dreams of having his own newspaper, but now that he’s met Michelle, she is what he wants most of all. Rob is forbidden by office policy to date Michelle, but if he were to quit his job, he’d have nothing to offer her. It seems the thing they most desire–each other–is out of reach. But then, love always makes a way.

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1531 Entertainment has bargain suggestion for us, This selection has appeared fairly often lately but it doesn’t hurt to present it again. $1.32 CDN. It is a good read.

The Demise (A Braxton Mystery Book 1) 

The Demise

Amazon quote.

Tiny Braxton, Tennessee, is a quiet, tight-knit community wrapped around an old town square just a stone’s throw from Nashville. But when the town’s most prominent citizen is found dead at the base of its water tower, news of Peter Lanham’s apparent suicide roars through town like a massive tsunami.

Peter, the handsome, beloved CEO of Lanham’s Fine Foods, had taken a small, family-owned grocery store founded in 1927, and grew it into a successful national chain. With most of Braxton’s residents employed by Lanham’s corporate headquarters, word of Peter’s demise left them searching for answers. What could possibly have made him take a swan dive off that tower?

Julie Parker is convinced he didn’t. As receptionist at Lanham’s executive office suite, she’s determined to find out what really happened to her boss. An aspiring actor who also stars as “The Lanham Girl” in the company’s TV commercials, Julie prides herself on her perceptive observations and people-skills. Who better to find out what happened to Peter up on that water tower?

Matt Bryson, on assignment as a rookie Special Agent for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, isn’t about to let the attractive receptionist intrude on his first case. She may be a hometown insider, but he’s perfectly capable of solving the case without “Miss Marple” screwing up his investigation.

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LPC Books has a FREE suggestion, an author new to me.

Spring Splash 

Spring Splash

Amazon quote:

The heart of a champion may surprise you.

When an injury sidelines college swimmer Anna Callaway, her dreams are crushed. She pours herself into her sports marketing practicum, helping a local special needs organization promote their athletic event. What she doesn’t expect is a swim team ripe for the Special Olympics—and their handsome but stubborn coach.

Craig Holt has dealt with eager and ignorant volunteers before. No matter how determined or persuasive uptight Anna might be about coaching his team to the Special Olympics, he has no intention of allowing her to raise the hopes of his swimmers, his sister, or his guarded heart.

Then Anna herself gets a second chance at becoming a champion. Will she pursue her lifelong goals or make room for a new dream?

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Another LPC Books FREE suggestion. I don’t recall reading this the first time I downloaded it. I must check it out.

Starving Hearts (Triangular Trade Trilogy Book 1)

Starving Hearts

Amazon Quote:

“Not only is this a delightful regency romance but it is also suspense filled mystery of the very best kind.” ~ Amazon review

“The author did a great job, maybe too great a job, describing the slave scenes. Spine tingling and suspenseful. I was biting my nails throughout much of this book.” ~ Amazon review

Plagued by nightmares, Annette yearns to find her anonymous rescuer — the man who saved her life from a near deadly assault. Deep inside she is starving for companionship and a mutually respectful relationship. When Mr. Peter Adsley, an abolitionist pastor dealing with his own emotional baggage, agrees to a clandestine meeting, the event appears providential. But self-doubt, deception, and the schemes of a mutual enemy threaten to keep the pair apart. A phantom adversary will stop at nothing to win Annette’s dowry for himself, even if it means killing Peter.

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One more FREE LPC Books suggestion. I’m do recall reading this downloaded book a year ago.

A Perfect Weakness

A Perfect Weakness

Amazon quote:

The Civil War left its mark on Dr. John Turner. He turns his back on medicine and sees his unexpected inheritance in England as an opportunity to start over. But he never imagines how God intends to use his new role as lord of Ashford Hall — or the beautiful woman he finds there — to ease his troubled soul.

A tragic loss led Penelope Howard to bury her heart and dreams in her work for the Hall and the village of Woodley. But the arrival of the new heir stirs not only her discarded longings but her compassion as well. What burden does he carry that he can’t accept that grace covers the darkest of sins?

A deadly epidemic sweeps through Woodley revealing secrets which threaten everything. The doctor faces a choice: leave or dare to believe what the Lord whispers through the woman John has come to love.

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I’m currently reading a favorite author book that is still a bargain at $0.99

On the Lookout (Lantern Beach P.D. Book 1)

On the Lookout

Amazon quote:

A runaway woman. A dead body. A mysterious compound. 

When Cassidy Chambers accepted the job as police chief on Lantern Beach, she knew the island had its secrets. But a suspicious death with potentially far-reaching implications will test all her skills—and threaten to reveal her true identity. 

Cassidy enlists the help of her husband, former Navy SEAL Ty Chambers. As they dig for answers, both uncover parts of their pasts that are best left buried. Not everything is as it seems, and they must figure out if their John Doe is connected to the secretive group that has moved onto the island.

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It’s Monday. May this be a good week for you.

I’m looking forward to a productive week.

Happy Reading!

Chapter Four Revolt

/ For the Love of Books / 1 Comment

This is week four in the Sunday Scribblings  prompt hosted by Peckapalooza: The Confusing Middle. 

I’ve decided to hook these challenges together to make a chapter story. Might as well make something out of it if I can. Besides it helps with inspiration, having a starting place.

The earlier chapters can be found here to bring you up to speed on the whole story.

Here is this weeks installment and challenge.

Chapter 4

Revolt

Carly sighed. Waking up in a different bed every morning had gotten old. Fast.

They’d moved every single day in the last two weeks. Slept in every imaginable accommodation possible. From rustic campsites and cabins to high-end houses and hotels. It seems the US Marshall’s office has a wide network of contacts and options.

As she prepared to meet the day one more time, Carly wondered what surprises were in store for them. She was sure it would be wishful thinking to hope for a final destination.

Her lack of knowledge about progress toward a safe goal should come as no surprise. No one was talking to her… well, except for necessary communication. “What would you like to eat?” “We will be leaving early tomorrow” “Are you OK back there?”

The whole team was hyper vigilant and closed mouthed. If they knew anything they weren’t sharing with her. Which left her wondering… Are they with holding to protect me? Or. Maybe they don’t know anything yet? That was a scary thought.

Not knowing could be good except she had an active imagination. It was possible her imaginings were worse than the truth. At least she trusted her guardians. That’s got to be worth something.

It’s not just information though, they were withholding themselves too. They were polite and considerate but that’s about it. At the beginning of all this Carly expected she would get to know the team protecting her. Not happening. There were three guys and a young woman trading off on guard duty shifts. John seemed to be team lead. Beyond that she barely even knew their names.

A sudden flurry of activity said it’s time to move out. She’d gotten that much figured out at least. They hadn’t had breakfast yet though. That’s new.

As she entered the closed-in garage for loading, there was no surprise in seeing an unfamiliar van. She’d lost track of the number of different vehicles, never mind modes of transportation, used to keep her safe. They were obviously taking this whole threat on her life seriously.

With the high level of danger they seemed to be expecting, the size of their team could be a little scary. Carly would be worried except she knew they had at least one, if not two, other teams travelling with them. They were very good at what they did. She knew they were there but she’d never seen them.  Hopefully the people out to get her were not seeing them either.

Someone had been thinking ahead. Breakfast was waiting for them on the side of the road. They just had to pull over long enough to grab it.  Her empty stomach was grateful.

After a long and exhausting day and Carly’s stomach was starting to rumble with hunger all over again. Hopefully supper would last her a little longer than this mornings take-out had. It was good and all but not a stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal. She was dreaming of a nice meat and potatoes dish with a side salad and dessert.

The anticipated knock sounded on the door. The designated food procurer was back with meals for the hungry crowd. Noses began to wrinkle. What was that smell?

One of the guys opened his meal and the smell increased ten-fold. What was he eating? Ewww, it looked like something you’d find on the reality TV show Fear Factor. On second thought, maybe it’s better not to know what it is. Her stomach might revolt at the visual a description would bring.

Supper alone in her room was looking better and better all the time. At least her roast beef smelled yummy.

Free and bargain books June 06, 2020

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BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us. This is an author new to me. Awesome.

The One Who Rocked Away: (The Prodigal Ones Book 1)

The One Who Rocked Aawy

Amazon quote:

SERENE
If she loses herself loving him, is it love at all?

Growing up with Nolan, Serene Sinclair stands witness to the rise and fall of his faith. When his talent shoots them both to fame, Serene’s love for him makes her stay. However, as he drifts further from the faith and pulls her along with him, Serene has to ask herself if he is worth losing it all.

NOLAN
He gains it all to lose it all, so he can find his way back to love.

Nolan Stone was born for the stage. Judged and rejected by the church, the only reason he has to keep the faith is Serene. When she abandons him, his faith goes with her. When circumstances intertwine their lives back together, he wrestles with the urge to be someone he’s not just to get her back.

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Browsing has a bargain suggestion. $1.37 This is an author I’ve read and enjoyed.

A Change of Heart: (The Callaghans & McFaddens Book 1) 

A Change of Heart

Amazon quote:

I just want things to stay the same. Bringing new people into our family company will change the dynamic that has worked perfectly fine so far.

When her father announces that he plans to retire from their family company, Makayla McFadden knows that change is coming. While employees have come and gone from C&M Builders, the core of the company has always stayed the same, the main roles all filled by family members. Though she understands the need to hire someone, Makayla is resistant to the idea of having a stranger step into the void created by her father’s retirement.

I’ve looked out for my little sister since she was born, and that’s not going to change even though our dad is moving to another city. I just need to find a job so I can continue to help care for her the way I always have. She’s my world, and I’d do anything for her

Upon learning that his father and step-mother plan to move to a new city with his younger sister, Ethan Collins knows he needs to move there as well. The day he gets a call from his first choice for a job, he figures God has answered his prayers. However, while most of the family is welcoming, Makayla McFadden is reserved, clearly not accepting of his presence there. After they offer him the job on a three-month probationary basis, Ethan knows he not only has to convince them he can do the job, he has to somehow convince Makayla that he’s a good fit for her family’s company.

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Currently reading Book 1 of a 3 book collection and it’s still a bargain at $1.41 

Second Chance at Love

Amazon quote:

Three fun, feel-good, uplifting romances where childhood or teen sweethearts encounter each other and second chances when they least expect it! Be prepared to be swept up by these heartfelt stories into the world where past wounds can heal, humor is abound, and love is found again. This set includes a reunion romance, a single dad and best friends romance (previously published), as well as a never published before fairytale retelling.

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Happy Reading y’all.

Free and bargain books June 05, 2020

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This is a good day for new book suggestions!

BookRunes has a FREE offer for us. Another author new to me.  It’s fun finding new people to enjoy. I’m hoping this will prove to be one more great experience.

The Lost Art of Reverie: (Aveline Book 1)

The Lost Art of Reverie

Amazon quote:

An inheritance. A long-forgotten dream. A new life in a spacious place.

Corporate life has not been treating Katie Grace well. Suffering from extreme anxiety due to a recent incident at work, she learns that she has inherited her late grandmother’s Victorian house in the lake town of Aveline, in the rolling hills of the Los Padres National Forest. Maybe a new start will be exactly what she needs.

Hardware store owner Sam Grant remembers Katie from when they spent summers together, years before. Sam has determined never to get involved in a relationship again, but working on Katie’s house renovations might put that resolve to the test.

In Aveline, Katie allows herself to dream again, finding solace in creating food and a space for her new friends to gather. As members of the town welcome Katie, her heart begins to find safety, but will the events of the past repeat themselves?

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An author appearing here frequently has a book release set for Oct 13th and it’s on pre-order at the bargain price of $1.38.

Marry Me for Real, Cowboy: (Cavanagh Cowboys Romance Book 1)

Marry Me for Real

Amazon quote:

Adam Cavanagh’s rodeo championship tastes like dirt after a competitor’s critical injury, but going home to his family’s Montana ranch isn’t much of an improvement. If not even the coveted trophy earns his stepfather’s respect, what will it take?

Riley Dunning’s quick thinking is all that’s keeping her body, soul, and principles together, but demanding a kiss from a hunky cowboy to deter the weirdo following her might be taking things too far… especially when the cowboy comes up with a risky plan that might offer them both stability. If it doesn’t backfire completely.

Will a fake engagement give Adam and Riley the leg up they each need, or will the cost to their hearts be too high? Because neither believes the other will want to marry them… for real.

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An interesting bargain in the suggestion line-up. I’ve recently downloaded one other book by this author.

The Billionaire’s Commitment: (The Billionaire Club Book 6) $1.39 

The Billionaire's Committment

Amazon quote:

Living in New York was too expensive, so when the medical bills pile up Ensley Morgan lets the dartboard choose where she’s going to live next. When fate chooses Texas she doesn’t look back, until a handsome doctor weasels into her life—and her heart. But falling for her doctor comes with a price she’s not willing to pay.

Peter Bridgeport has dealt with many stubborn patients, but never one so uncompromising as Ensley. Her life hangs on her last treatment option, but she refuses treatment because of the cost. He’s never crossed patient boundaries until the determined redhead came into his life. Now he’s paying for her treatment anonymously and bumping into her out of the clinic.

When he saves her from more than her illness, their chemistry ignites. He realizes it’s time for her to see a new doctor. Only she finds out about his lies and wants nothing to do with him.

Now he needs to convince her to stay before a dart takes her out of his life as quickly as it brought her in it.

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A bargain collection by another author frequently seen here. $1.41

Second Chance at Love: (To Love and to Cherish Book 2)

Second Chance at Love

Amazon quote:

Three fun, feel-good, uplifting romances where childhood or teen sweethearts encounter each other and second chances when they least expect it! Be prepared to be swept up by these heartfelt stories into the world where past wounds can heal, humor is abound, and love is found again. This set includes a reunion romance, a single dad and best friends romance (previously published), as well as a never published before fairytale retelling.

SEASON OF JOY. A successful travel reporter returns home for the holidays, and sparks fly between her and her first crush, now a single father. When his youngest son writes a letter to God asking for a Mom for Christmas, she agrees to help him find the right woman. But can this reunion be a second chance for these best friends?

HOLD ME. Can she win the heart she shattered?
Divorcee Aileen McKenzie only wants to have a fresh start in her hometown with her son and their pets and to see her fledgling pastry store thrive. When she nearly drowns in a flood and her house and store are damaged, her first love-and the man she’d left over two decades ago-Roman Vela comes to the rescue. Old feelings resurface.
Over the next days, Aileen and Roman grow close until she might have to leave town-and Roman-again. Will a once-shy, risk-averse girl choose a safe life with guaranteed income or risk it all for love?

NOT YOUR CINDERELLA TYPE. Run away or claim her prince… what will she choose?
Once heartbroken and abandoned, Allie Reyes watches her former childhood sweetheart and the head of the corporation, Rodrigo Garza, from the shadows of cleaning the offices. Blackmailed to go to a masked ball, she meets him incognito and has the best evening of her life… until she leaves in haste. When she is later accused of a theft she didn’t commit, will she have the courage to stay and claim the love she didn’t hope for?

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I’m still reading Alaskan Refuge Christian Suspense Box Set (Books 1-3) but I’ve moved on to book 2. It appeared in another collection somewhere along the line so I’m skimming through as a refresher before I move on to book 3. It’s still a bargain at $0.99 if you are interested.

Alaskan Refuge Box set

A woman hiding from the fatal mistakes of her past. A sister rescuing her autistic little brother from the clutches of danger. A mother confronting the demons in her past to rescue her kidnapped daughter.

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You can tell spring is here. Hammers pounding, noisy equipment working on something I can’t see, things are happening. A welcome sign after the quiet of covid lock-down.

Happy Reading, on this good day for new book selections.

Free and bargain books June 04, 2020

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BookBub has a FREE suggestion for us. I read-and-enjoyed this several years ago.

Homecoming (Sweet Hearts of Sweet Creek Book 1)

Homecoming

Amazon quote:

Sheryl Kyle isn’t the trusting type. After all, her abusive late husband and her disapproving stepfather haven’t given her much reason to feel otherwise. But when a rugged rancher named Mark seeks her out she learns her stepfather is on his deathbed. And his dying wish is for her to return to Sweet Creek for one last chance to reconcile…

Mark can’t help but be fascinated by Sheryl. Despite hearing the worst about her from her stepbrother, he’s drawn to the hauntingly beautiful woman. When his ranching partner suffers an injury at the worst possible time, he’s surprised and delighted that Sheryl agrees to work by his side…

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This popular Classic is FREE. You may have even seen the movie.

Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibilty

Amazon quote:

“Sense and Sensibility” is the story of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, who have contrasting temperaments. On the surface Elinor, the older sister represents sense or reason while Marianne represents sensibility or emotion, however upon closer examination we find that they both exhibit varying aspects of each characteristic. A classic coming of age story “Sense and Sensibility” was Jane Austen’s first published novel.

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The book I’m currently reading is still a bargain at $0.99, a really good deal for this author. Book 1 Identity Theft is a nail-biter.

Alaskan Refuge Christian Suspense Box Set (Books 1-3)

Alaskan Refuge Box set

A woman hiding from the fatal mistakes of her past. A sister rescuing her autistic little brother from the clutches of danger. A mother confronting the demons in her past to rescue her kidnapped daughter.

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Two things I can’t believe… how quickly the days are flying by (it’s June 4th already), and how fast everything is growing in the garden (plants have gone from 0 to 6 inches, and blooming, in no time at all.)

Reading does make the days seem shorter. Tonight I heard the radio break at 8:30 for the news, five minutes went by when I looked up again — they were breaking for the 9:00 news. Shock.

Usually I don’t hear the news every half hour, it’s more like every two hours. 🙂

Actually weeding makes time fly too. It can be as addictive as reading… just a few more weeds and I’ll quit. But then mosquitoes come out at dusk and quitting is not a problem. I managed to stay out for an hour. Should have gone out sooner but first… just one more page…

It’s a good thing mosquitoes stay outside and reading just one more chapter is never a problem.

Searching for good books is addictive and time consuming too. An hour and a half has gone by already, on a short browse night.

I’m going back to this book now quick, while there is still time.

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I hope you are having as much fun reading as I am.

Happy Reading!

 

 

 

Free and bargain books June 03, 2020

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BookBub has an awesome bargain suggestion from one of my favorite authors. A three book collection for $0.99.

Alaskan Refuge Christian Suspense Box Set (Books 1-3)

Alaskan Refuge Box set

Amazon quote:

Deep in the heart of Alaska, there’s more to fear than just the cold …

Real faith meets real suspense in these 3 thrilling novels you can’t put down!

A woman hiding from the fatal mistakes of her past. A sister rescuing her autistic little brother from the clutches of danger. A mother confronting the demons in her past to rescue her kidnapped daughter.

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Browsing found this interesting bargain prospect for $1.25

Whispers of Love (Finding Love Medical Romance Series Book 1)

Whispers of Love

Amazon quote:

Two people determined not to fall in love, but life has other plans…

Jordyn Rivers loves being a nurse, it’s almost second nature. When she meets her new client, she knows she has her work cut out for her. But, that isn’t the only problem. Her client’s brother proves a bigger hurdle to overcome.

Ty Warren can’t believe the incompetent woman the agency sent. For starters, she’s always late—at everything. He’d do anything for his sister, even fire her new nurse. But as he watches her tenderness with his sister, he realizes there’s more to nursing than timetables, and maybe his jaded past is to be blamed for his reaction. His efforts change to aiding Jordyn.

As Ty’s animosity begins to ease, Jordyn finds herself falling for him. Can he convince her to overcome her pain and fear, and give them a chance?

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I’ve just finished reading, and very much enjoying, Lacewood. I had reservations initially but it turned out to be a favorite. It is still a bargain at $1.42.

Lacewood: A haunting love story that sweeps across centuries: Romantic Small Town Southern Fiction

Lacewood

Amazon quote:

MOVING TO A SMALL TOWN is a big change for New York socialite Katie McCain. But when she stumbles across Lacewood, an abandoned 200-year-old mansion in small-town Virginia, she’s enthralled by the enduring beauty of the neglected estate—and captivated by the haunting portrait of a woman in mourning she finds there. Katie buys the house on a whim and throws herself into befriending the colorful characters in the southern town of New Hope.

THE PAST AND PRESENT converge when military veteran and hometown hero Will Durham returns and begins his own healing process by helping restore the memory-filled Lacewood house to its former glory.

As Katie delves deeper into the mystery of the beautiful “widow of Lacewood,” her ownership of the acreage around the estate comes into question. When developers begin work to destroy the beautiful rural landscape, the southern charm of New Hope is threatened…and the townsfolk see her as the cause.

But destiny has bigger plans for Lacewood. To fulfill them, Katie and Will need to piece together the previous owner’s heartrending story, uncover secrets the house has held for centuries, and find the faith to accept their own painful pasts.

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Currently, I’m starting on  Call of the Mountain. It’s too early to tell for sure but so far it looks like a winner. It is still FREE

Call of the Mountain (Finding Love in the Blue Ridge Mountains Book 3)

Call of the Mountain

Amazon quote:

When her younger sister offers an ultimatum, Beth’s life spirals into chaos. “Either adopt my baby when it is born, or I’ll get an abortion.” Will the man she is dating accept the responsibility of a son or daughter? How can Beth balance the demands of work and motherhood on her own?

An unplanned visit to the mountains of North Carolina gives Beth an opportunity to clarify her plans. But when the man of her dreams seems to fall for her younger, pregnant, sister, will Beth find the strength to sacrifice her desires so that good can come to those she loves?

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Happy Reading!

Read and enjoyed, end of May edition

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It’s time to clear out the read-and-enjoyed pile again.

This is the most recently read and it was worth the time spent, right to the end.

Saddle Springs Romance 1-3: A Montana Ranches Romance

Saddle Springs Romance

Quote:

Meet the cowboys who ride the ranges, mend fences, and are lassoed by romance on the ranches near Saddle Springs, Montana. This series introduces the wider Montana Ranches Christian Romance series and is chock full of swoonworthy cowboys, deep faith, and your favorite romance tropes such as second chances, friends to more, and opposites attract!

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Another favorite read

If These Walls Could Talk (Joe Boyd Suspense Series Book 1)

If these Walls Could Talk

Quote:

In Book 1 of the new Joe Boyd Suspense Series, Lt. Joe Boyd and his partner Hank Jensen have been tasked with creating a brand new Cold Case Squad for the Culpepper Police Department. Hoping to garner some much-needed positive publicity, their captain asks them to solve a string of unsolved murders from the 1980’s. Before they get far, Joe is interrupted with an alarming request from his good friend, Professor Jack Turner. Jack and Rachel believe they have stumbled upon evidence of a horrific crime dating back to the early 60’s, when their lake front house was built. Now it looks like Joe’s first case—instead of creating good publicity—might expose a terrible scandal involving a prominent Culpepper family’s ugly secret, one they’ve managed to keep hidden for over 50 years.

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Liked this one too.

The Missing Bride: Christian Brides Historical Series

The Missing Bride

Quote:

Lily would rather marry a stranger than be forced to marry Edgar Carrington, a cruel ruthless man that fooled everyone but her. She prays God will help her escape and His answer comes in the form of a mail order bride ad. It takes careful planning, but Lily escapes Edgar and travels to Colorado, leaving her life behind – or so she hopes.

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and more …..

 

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Expired RefugeLove's Healing PowerChristmas in Crystal CreekNever say goodbyeThe Forgiving Hour

The Last SummerI am My BelovedLighten up

 

Baxter Family BakeryMail Order Bride 4 boook Box SetHoney Suckle Cove collection

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Happy Reading!

Free books June 01, 2020

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BookBub has a FREE collection suggestion for us. I’ve read the first two of the three books and look forward to reading the third one.

The Texas Women of Spirit Trilogy

Texas Women of Spirit

Amazon quote:

Ride along with three unforgettable women on adventures of faith and courage in the wild lands of 1800’s Texas. History, faith and romance.

Book 1: The River Girl’s Song
Zillia Bright never dreamed she’d be orphaned at sixteen and left to care for her baby brother and Papa’s farm. With only a mule and a hundred year old shotgun , she must fight to protect what’s hers. Countless dangers lurk on the Bastrop, Texas riverside. Zillia must rely on the help of her best friends, Soonie and Wylder, to hold her world together. With Zillia’s struggles come unexpected miracles, and proof that God might just listen to the prayers of a river girl.

Book 2: The Comanche Girl’s Prayer
Nineteen-year-old Soonie Eckhart follows God’s call on her heart, traveling to an illegal Comanche and Kiowa settlement in North Texas to become a teacher for the children in hiding.
Despite her Comanche roots, she finds many in the group, including a volatile young man named Lone Warrior, refuse to accept her.
After a chance encounter in the hills with a band of dangerous men, Soonie must draw on the deepest parts of her faith and courage to survive.

Book 3: The Saloon Girl’s Journey
Weary of the saloon girl life—and tired of being slapped around—Darla North decides to start over and let her new-found faith lead her. A friend sends her to Downs House, a place for ‘unfortunate women.’ Darla is offered a home—if she can behave herself.
Old habits are hard to break, but Darla is desperate to prove to everyone that she’s changed, especially Ethan Downs, the owner’s sensitive and sweet son. But when Darla’s past threatens to catch up with her, she must decide to face the truth . . . or run away again.

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LPC Books has some Free suggestions for us.

Murder in the Family by Ramona Richards is one I well remember reading last year.

Murder in the Family

Amazon quote:

Storm chaser Molly McClelland must return to her small Alabama hometown when she unexpectedly inherits her hoarder aunt’s house . . . and all of its contents. Despite her suspicions that her aunt was murdered, Molly wants nothing more than to sell everything and get back to the life she loves. Especially once her homecoming reignites the decades-old family conflict that drove her away in the first place. But when Molly uncovers caches of cash, journals revealing secrets-and a body-amongst the stockpiles, she finds herself locked in a cat-and-mouse dance with a deadly endgame.

Molly teams with local sheriff, Greg Olson, to find the truth. But will her determination and his skills be enough, or will the killer-or killers-put an end to their efforts once and for all?

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Falling for Chloe D Stearman, this one is new to me.

Falling for Chloe

Amazon quote:

Jake Marley always dreamed of making it big as a singer / songwriter, and when a chance meeting in his hometown ends with an invite to Nashville, he’s sure fame and fortune are just around the corner. After Jake jumps on the fast track to success, his notoriety grows—but so do his addictions.

Jake expected fame to take its toll. He just didn’t realize how much he’d have to give up in the pursuit of stardom. But the hardest thing? Losing Chloe, his small-town girlfriend and the only person who knows the real Jake.

Can Jake and Chloe find their way back to each other? Or will the price of fame remove any chance he has to prove his love for Chloe?

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A Reluctant Melody , I recall reading this one a year ago too.

A Reluctant Melody

Amazon quote:

Kit Barnes’ drinking ruined more lives than his own. Now sober, he wants to make amends by opening a mission for drunkards. The most suitable location belongs to Joanna Cranston Stewart, a love from his sordid past and the one person he hurt the most.

A pariah among her peers, Joanna is all too eager to sell her property and flee the rumors that she sent her late husband to an early grave. But she will let the gossips talk and the walls of her rundown property crumble around her before she’ll allow Kit back into her life.

When a blackmailer threatens to reveal her long-held secret, she must choose between trusting Kit or seeing her best friend trapped in an abusive marriage.

Will Joanna risk another betrayal? Or will she find a way through the pain of the past to love and trust again?

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This is book three but I’ve read book four in this series. Several others by this author as well.

Call of the Mountain (Finding Love in the Blue Ridge Mountains Book 3)

Call of the Mountain

Amazon quote:

When her younger sister offers an ultimatum, Beth’s life spirals into chaos. “Either adopt my baby when it is born, or I’ll get an abortion.” Will the man she is dating accept the responsibility of a son or daughter? How can Beth balance the demands of work and motherhood on her own?

An unplanned visit to the mountains of North Carolina gives Beth an opportunity to clarify her plans. But when the man of her dreams seems to fall for her younger, pregnant, sister, will Beth find the strength to sacrifice her desires so that good can come to those she loves?

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Happy Reading!

 

Chapter Three Wrinkle

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This is week three in the Sunday Scribblings  prompt hosted by Peckapalooza: The Confusing Middle. 

I’ve decided to hook these challenges together to make a chapter story. Might as well make something out of it if I can. Besides it helps with inspiration, having a starting place.

Chapter one can be found here and chapter two here.  Reading them first will help today’s installment make more sense but isn’t totally necessary.

I’m enjoying this new adventure, writing fiction, it may even prove to be addictive. If it wasn’t for The Confusing Middle and his challenges I may never have made the first attempt. Thanks!

Here is this weeks installment.

Chapter 3

Wrinkle

 

Carly stood in the doorway of her new room and looked around with a profound sense of relief. She was safe and exhausted. Someone had the foresight to provide the necessities she’d had to leave behind in the mad life saving flight for her life. She was unprepared for the depth of gratitude rising up at the sight of a toothbrush and tooth paste.

They were successful. The promised signal came through and she was able to leave the office as if on an errand. A request for her participation in the company dilemma was never made so it wasn’t as though she was leaving in the middle of a task. It could even be a while before any eyebrows were raised over her absence.

John’s tech support group was awesome. They identified an above ground connection with the next building over. The hallway emptied into a large and crowded food court area where they were able to access an elevator to an underground parking garage. A motorcade of SUVs was waiting for them and after loading, with practiced stealth, they slipped out into traffic.

The SWAT team and local police officers, mobilized as backup, were unable to discover any snipers or other threatening individuals. They had no way to know if the enemy was not yet present or the backup teams were noticed and scared them off.

First things first though. Carly had not eaten since breakfast, many hours ago, and someone had promised food would be arriving shortly. Back in the living room Carly found she was not alone.

Everyone was starved after such a nerve-racking day. Thankfully, John let them eat their fill before announcing debrief.

Carly watched the team interact together. They appeared to be professional and well trained. They seemed to like and respect each other. A cohesive group was a comfort in the face of dangerous situations.

She hasn’t had a chance to get to know anyone but John and even that contact has been slight in recent years. She knew this would change in the days ahead as they took turns protecting her. She was also sure there would be many weeks, maybe even months, before she could be settled into a new secure life. Unless they could figure out who was after her. Sooner rather than later, hopefully.

The first order on John’s debrief agenda was to announce this stay would be short. They would move out first thing in the morning so please be ready.

The touch-downs would be brief in the days ahead. Without the knowledge of who or how, they would need to keep moving to avoid detection. Various modes of transportation would be used and, at times, unconventional places of refuge. Don’t be surprised at anything.

The support team back in the office was working feverishly to figure out who was behind this threat. A separate group was planning an escape route and another was building a new identity.

Once the office involvement was covered everyone wanted to talk about the excitement of the day’s events. Action was not an everyday experience and needed to be relived. A few times. They all added their bit to the conversation.

After a thorough rehashing – they were no further ahead than they were when they started. The day started, and finished, with two pictures and an unsigned threat.

Carly was surprised she slept as well as she did. It was a little rough having to wear the same clothes another day but somehow gratefulness to be alive changed her perspective. Clean could wait awhile.

The team was ready and waiting to move out. It was early, they could travel several hours before stopping for a meal. At least they had hot coffee and doughnuts left from last night to tide them over until then.

They were about to leave when John felt the text notification on his pocket cell phone.

“Hold up a minute guys.”

Well, this adds a new wrinkle to the situation.

John asked for a volunteer. Someone would need to go out and bring back breakfast for the crew. There would be no leaving until they re-evaluated and maybe changed the escape plan.

It was too early to share details of the new information with the team. He needed time first to figure out what it all meant.

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Hope you had fun.