Bargain books March 20, 2021

BookBub has an interesting suggestion for us, from an author we’ve seen before.

Out of Hiding

Amazon Quote:

After witnessing the brutal murder of her parents as a child, Sadie Lane was placed into Witness Protection. Now as an adult, she has a thriving business as a private investigator, but her biggest case is yet to come.

Sadie’s on the hunt to find the man who killed her parents—a brutal crime boss running a dangerous and corrupt syndicate.

Her quest for justice collides with FBI Special Agent Kip Moore who is targeting the organized crime network.

Sadie can’t trust anyone with her secrets—even Kip, but she must work with him to get the killer who forever changed her life. Sadie must put her faith in Kip even when it seems impossible to trust anyone. The secrets of her past catch up to her when she stares into the eyes of the murderer.

Can she keep her true identity secret long enough to bring the killer to justice?

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Another interesting book from an author we see often.

Night Fall: (Nighthawk Security Book 1)

Amazon quote:

She faces dangerous situations all the time…

Olympic downhill skier, Harper Young, knows what it’s like to look danger in the face. After all, she does it every time she races down a ski slope. She’s fine with that danger and even excels under the pressure, winning Olympic gold. And as a governor’s daughter, she’s familiar with receiving threats from the general public. But when a stalker turns his sights on Harper, she possesses zero skills to protect herself.

But she has no idea what lurks in the shadows.

Former Navy SEAL and ATF Agent, Aiden Byrd of Nighthawk Security is well versed in protection skills and knows the dangers she faces. Problem is, there’s an instant attraction between Aiden and Harper, and as Aiden and the Nighthawk team contract to protect her, he has to fight to remain professional. When the stalker grows bolder and tries to end Harper’s life, Aiden’s only hope in keeping her safe is to deny his feelings. Something that borders on impossible.

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Currently, I’m reading Tides of Duplicity

Tides of Duplicity (Coventry Saga) 

Amazon quote:

A jewelry heist, a kidnapping, and a choice. When Fitz’s sister disappears, he’ll do anything to get her back, even if it means betraying the woman he’s come to love. 

Private investigator Fitz McCaffrey went to Belize on a case, bringing his teenage sister Shelby along with him. They have no good reason to leave the resort and hurry back to the harsh New England winter. They lost their parents, he lost his job as a cop, and they both need time to heal. Besides, when Fitz meets and spends time with the beautiful and charming Tabitha Eaton, he falls hard.  

But minutes after Tabby’s flight leaves, Fitz is summoned by a mobster who believes Tabby broke into the hotel safe the night before and made off with half a million dollars’ worth of jewels—and he has the video evidence to prove it. As Shelby’s guardian, Fitz has to focus on caring for his sister, whether Tabby is innocent or guilty. He refuses to help the man—until he learns the mobster has abducted his sister.  

The clock is ticking as Fitz scrambles to recover the jewels. If he succeeds, it’ll cost the woman he’s come to care for. If he fails, it’ll cost his sister’s life. 

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Happy Reading!

One bargain book March 17, 2021

One book, that’s all I have.

153 Entertainment is responsible for this worthwhile bargain suggestion.

The Soft Whisper of Roses

Amazon quote:

Every blended family has its problems, but how do you build a future when the past won’t let go?

Rebecca Townsend has only been married six months and already doubts Gary’s promise of “till death do us part.” Betrayed by her first husband, she’s trying her hardest to get it right this time. But when her new husband’s unresolved family issues resurface, she’s afraid she and her son will be abandoned once again.

Just when Gary thought he’d found happiness with a woman who truly understood him, the death of his first wife blindsides him with unanticipated grief and guilt. After years of letting his career get in the way of being the husband and father he should’ve been, he must now live up to his new wife’s expectations while attempting to fit his resentful teenage daughter into the mix.

But high-pressure careers don’t leave much time for stopping to smell the roses, and this family is almost out of time. A radical plan conceived by Gary’s ex-wife before her death risks tearing them all apart…or will it finally bring them together as the family God meant them to be?

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It’s funny what the brain does. I was looking through my pictures for the cover The Fragrance of Roses, but not seeing it. Going back to check, I found it was actually The Soft Whisper of Roses. Fragrance was the weekly story prompt appearing this morning.

I think my version of the title would make a great book. I’ll have to check to see if it’s been done. If not, someone should write the book.

Guess what…

It’s been done.

The Fragrance of Roses (Regalo Grande Book 3)

Amazon quote:

Their son is dying, and only a miracle can save him.

Crossing racial, economic, and cultural barriers, rising-star attorney Angelica Amante married migrant farm worker Antonio Perez, and soon gave up her career to be a stay-at-home mom to their two children, Manuel and Anica. Manuel, born with Downs Syndrome, was stricken with cancer as a baby, but the little family came through the crisis intact and now considers Manuel their miracle child. God had indeed blessed them.

Or had He? When the deadly disease returns with a vengeance, threatening to rip away all that is precious to them, Antonio is forced to return to Mexico to search among his family members for a compatible donor for Manuel. Angelica must stay behind to watch her young son deteriorate, as he suffers the ravages of chemotherapy and unexplained complications.

With only their faith in God and their love for each other to sustain them, Antonio and Angelica Perez face the greatest battle of their lives. Time is running out for their son. Will Antonio find the one person in all of Mexico who can save his life?

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The day is young, there could still be more things showing up. I’ll be sure to let you know if that happens.

Happy Reading y’all.

Free and bargain books March 16, 2021

BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us, I have read a couple of books from this author but it’s been a half dozen years or more. Glancing at this book, I’m liking what I see so far.

Into the Deep

Amazon quote:

While scuba diving in Mexico, Ben Dearinger finds a flash drive carrying a drug cartel’s deadly secrets. He does the only thing he can think of—he buries it fathoms deep. But the owners of drive want it back. They’ll stop at nothing to retrieve the evidence that could put a halt to their operation and sink the career of a few highly-placed U.S. politicians in the process.

Then the ruthless men sent to recover the drive find the perfect leverage – Ben’s ex-girlfriend. Though it hurts to admit, he has never gotten over Nikki and he’d do just about anything to protect her. But Nikki has secrets of her own, secrets that will put both their lives in jeopardy and send them plunging into the deep.

In Into the Deep Virginia Smith delivers a gripping story full of romance, intrigue, and fast-paced suspense.

Virginia Smith is the bestselling author of almost forty novels and many shorter works. Her passions include riding her motorcycle (a Bonneville T100 named Vicki) and scuba diving in the deep blue waters of the Caribbean. The recipient of numerous awards, Ginny has twice received the prestigious Holt Medallion Award of Merit.

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While checking out this author I noticed another of her books was also free . I’m hooked on this story after reading the first few pages. I meant it to be a glance but it ended up as perusal.

The Zookeeper’s Daughter

Amazon quote:

Attending a stranger’s memorial service wasn’t at the top of Kelli Jackson’s to-do list.

Especially when that stranger was her own mother.

To receive her inheritance Kelli must abide by the conditions of her late mother’s will. She is forced work as a zookeeper for six months with animals that terrify her. Since she needs to money to help support her aging grandmother, she must figure out a way to balance her career as a tax accountant with this new—thankfully temporary—assignment. But the zoo director is the same handsome man who stole her estranged mother’s affections and might just steal everything else too. Because if Kelli fails, Jason Andover inherits everything. How can she possibly get past her animosity when he watches her every move, waiting for her to throw in the towel?

But perhaps there’s another reason Jason focuses such close attention on her. Are the assignments he gives her devised to scare her off, or to help her overcome her fears? Does he really have designs on her mother’s money, or might he have designs on Kelli as well? The only thing she’s sure of is that Jason is hiding a secret past, one that could destroy any chance of a happy future together.

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Currently I’m reading a three book collection that feels like I’ve read it before. Some of the details are unfamiliar though so probably not.

Vacation Sweethearts Books 1-3: Smile for Me, Reach for Me, Wait for Me (Vacation Sweethearts Bundle Collection Book 1)

Book 1: Smile for Me (The Bahamas) – International Biracial Romance

A deadline-driven workaholic assistant school principal who meticulously plans his schedule months in advance meets easygoing art teacher and studio potter with no sense of time, living her life as the seasons come and go. When they cross paths again at the Summer by the Sea Day Camp sponsored by his church in Nassau, Bahamas, how can they get along if they cannot see eye to eye?

Book 2: Reach for Me (Great Smoky Mountains) – International Romance with a Side of Suspense

He leaves his homeland to protect his family.
She flees her hometown to abandon hers. 

At a remote mountaintop retreat, an optimistic triple amputee veteran of the British Special Forces meets a pessimistic American beauty in the valleys of their lives.

Book 3: Wait for Me (Alaska Cruise) – Second Chance Romance with a Side of Suspense

A divorced single dad with full custody of his son made a promise he now has to keep: invite his ex-wife to enjoy their son’s birthday gift: a seven-day cruise in Alaska. Can two people who have given up on each other put aside their emotions to make their five-year-old son happy for a week? What could possibly go wrong in this Christian romance with a sidearm of suspense?

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Have a good day everyone.

Happy Reading

Free and bargain books March 15, 2021

LPC Books has some FREE suggestions for us. I can tell without looking that both of these authors are new to me.

I peeked in case my memory is a little faulty. For a change I was right. Definitely new to me.

Thicker than Blood by Don Brobst

Amazon quote:

Blood is thicker.
But is blood enough?

The murder of one old friend and the revelation of a secret life by another leads Dr. Bailey Pogue to risk his life by going undercover for the CIA. But when he exposes a plot by an international crime syndicate that threatens to upset the balance of power in the Middle East, the revelation comes at a price: the syndicate has kidnapped his daughter. Now he must stop the trafficking of young girls and rescue his daughter while remaining undercover.

Is saving those you love worth committing treason?

God
Family
Country

Will Pogue’s loyalties prove too high a price to pay?

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This one is YA, and it’s also FREE

One Degree of Freedom by Taryn R. Hutchison

Amazon quote:

Fifteen-year-old Adriana Nicu lives in the sheltered world of Bucharest, Romania, in the year 1987. Under the rule of Communist president Nicolae Ceaușescu, citizens of Bucharest live with the eyes and ears of the government ever present. Adriana’s future, which will involve becoming an engineer, is locked in against her will.

During a visit to her aunt’s apartment, Adriana walks through a wardrobe into a hidden room filled with stacks of forbidden novels. Stories bring light into the darkest of circumstances as her family begins to unravel and her life strangely parallels those of her novels’ heroines. Adriana’s childhood loyalties and her belief that God doesn’t exist are called into question as her circumstances force her to rethink things she once believed were certain.

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This next one I’ve read and it is a FREE suggestion from BookBub

Celebrating Tina: A Sweet Romantic Suspense (Stryker Security Force Book 3)

Amazon quote:

A K-9 handler determined to prove she belongs. A detective with an unwavering plan. Can they overcome their painful pasts and accept the gift of love?

Tina West has spent her life feeling like she stood on the outside, but since taking a job at Stryker Security, life seems to be turning for the better.

Tina never imagined when she took a job as a nanny she’d end up training for search and rescue. Yet, when her boss shows up with a retired military dog and the opportunity to train with him, Tina snatches up the chance to help those who are lost. If she saves enough people, maybe she could find meaning in a life that left her with nothing but a bruised heart and a tarnished picture of family. As holiday festivities loom before her, she wonders if she’ll ever shuck the regrets that haunt her dreams and keep her from connecting with others.

Milo Bishop’s every move has been to take care of his mom and younger brother.

Since his father’s murder, Milo has worked hard to make sure his mom and brother were provided for. He joined the police force straight out of high school, took night classes so he could move up to investigator, and put his life on hold until his brother graduated from college. But when he is rescued on Thanksgiving Day by Tina West, his well-laid plans take a sharp detour.

When a series of kidnappings threaten to ruin the holidays, can Tina and Milo put aside their doubts and find the abducted children before it’s too late?

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It looks like the titles in this series I’ve been reading keep changing, which is very confusing.

Anyway, I’ve read and enjoyed the first two books and I’m about to start book three.

Still With You (Baxter Boys Book 3) Sweet Contemporary is the way it comes up in Amazon today but the cover on the left below is what it looked like three weeks ago. Before that it had another name. It looks like each change of title and cover could be an update to fit the times.

I double checked by reading the first page and they are definitely the same book. I’d say check it out to see if I’m not right but the cover I have disappeared and won’t be coming up for you anytime soon. No checking possible but if by some fluke it does appear…

Harris Winsted opened the heavy library door, shifted the massive bulk of papers and books in her arms,

Amazon quote:

She doesn’t laugh. He can’t be serious. How will they ever work together?

County librarian Harris Winsted can’t believe she lost her leading man. No. What she really can’t believe is that her friends think Harris’s childhood nemesis, Turbo Baxter, might be able to play the part. Even if it is just a small production to raise money for a hospital library, Turbo’s class-clown personality makes him a disastrous choice.

However opening night is three short weeks away. Left with Turbo as her only option, she can only hope he suddenly develops a brain, decorum and a big boil on his handsome face, because when the guy decides to be charming, he is irresistible. But the attraction stops there. She could never be with a man who professes his hatred of libraries and laughs about never reading a book.

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So far, I did enjoy this current series in spite of the confusion. I’m thinking today’s new selections will be intense by comparison but I’m looking forward to them anyway.

Hopefully, you are experiencing some interesting reads well.

Happy Reading anyway, whatever the case.

Story prompt – Pie

Story Prompt is hosted by Sunday Scribblings – Peckapalooza’s The Confusing Middle

Stanley was close to home and anxious to get there. For once he knew the answer. It was time for the daily Trivia contest on his favorite radio station. Finally, after so many weeks of trying he was the first caller through to know the answer. Yes!

Not only that, but the prize was a large two topping pizza from his favorite restaurant. He paid extra for an up-grade. He wanted this special pizza to include all of his favorite toppings.

It smelled so good. He was drooling and his stomach was already rumbling. He could hardly wait.

Somehow he had to sneak into the house without his little brothers noticing. It’s not often he ever wins anything and he wanted to savor the experience. If they catch even a glimpse there won’t be much left for him.

He was almost in the house when he heard squeals. PIZZA! He was pretty sure there were more than two sets of feet running toward him. Yup. He was surround by not two but four little boys jumping up and down with excited anticipation.

That right there was the whole trouble with winning.

The minute they notice, everyone within a three mile radius wants a piece of the pie.

Read and enjoyed – middle of March

There is a long list of read-and-enjoyed to get through so we’ll jump right in. The first one is just finished and fresh on my mind. It was first rate and I will be reading more from this author, for sure.

Fire Games: A Clean Romance Suspense and Mystery (The Men of Fire Beach Book 1)

Firefighter Cassidy Marcel thought appearing on a reality dating show would solve her relationship problems, but when she returns home to a stalker, she realizes her troubles are just beginning.

She is used to rescuing people, but who will rescue her?

Detective Jordan Graves is racing to save missing children. He doesn’t have time to search for a stalker. That is until Cassidy’s case collides with his own, but when she goes missing, will he be able to save her before it’s too late?

This one is still a bargain if you are interested.

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Anther favorite and it is sill a bargain too. I really enjoyed this one.

Traces by Denise Weimer

When a failed romance and a $500,000 prize lure Kate Carson into participating in the reality TV show, Traces, the least she expects is to pick her partner.

After all, she’s the PR spokeswoman of the company that derived a thirteen-lens, rotating camera from military use and installed it atop Atlanta’s tallest skyscraper. But she never would have chosen to evade techno hunters for twenty days with “G.I. Joe.”

Stoic, ex-military Alex Mitchell is the sort of man she always vowed to avoid, while the shadows of Alex’s past cause him to spurn emotional involvement.

When Kate’s insider knowledge makes her a target of someone more threatening than game show hunters, Alex offers her only hope to reveal the dark plans of proponents of The Eye.

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Last but not least in the favorites category is book two in a five book series. I’ve downloaded books three, four, and five as well after liking two so much.

Sooner Dead: Oak Valley Secrets 2

Clean suspense with a touch of romance and faith. Book 2 in the series, but it can be read on its own.


Something terrible happened 100 years ago at Stone Mansion, a dilapidated ruin that looks over the small town of Oak Valley, Oklahoma.

Acting police chief Daniel Minco is driven to learn its secret but he is blocked by oil billionaires, militant archeologists, TV evangelists, rogue OSBI agents, a new state highway, and Lianne Ortega, a young, by the rules cop from the big city.

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We will hurry through the next bunch but I did like them all. Granted, some were more engaging than others but they were all worth the read, for sure.

There will have to be a part two to finish this off.

In the meantime…

Happy Reading

Bargain books March 13, 2021

Yesterday it was free but today it’s not, which is very sad. It was a good book so I’ve decided I needed to download three more in the series while they are still at bargain prices.

There have been no other exciting suggestions today but something could show up as I download these new ones.

Sooner Red: Oak Valley Secrets 3

Amazon quote:

Clean suspense with a touch of romance and faith. Book 3 in the series, but it can be read on its own.
Napa Valley wine consultant Sandy Nelson is on a mission to prove she can take a small vineyard in rural Oklahoma from a family-run business to a profitable branch of Whitworth Brothers, the large company she works for. Perhaps then she can impress Alex Whitworth, her boss – and fiancé.


First, she must overcome her own self-doubt and the opposition of the ranch owner’s stubborn son, Eddie. Not to mention the mysterious catastrophes that plague the operation, which are escalating toward murder.
Along the way, she is helped and hindered by familiar residents of Oak Valley: Reverend Tony and Stephanie Stratton, who face a turning point in their family and career; Daniel Minco and Lianne Ortega, who are learning to work together as police officers while their romance grows; and many others.

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Sooner Led: Oak Valley Secrets 4

Amazon quote:

Clean suspense with a touch of romance and faith. Book 4 in the series, but it can be read on its own.
There is a mysterious stranger in Oak Valley, Oklahoma. He comes from a secret community with powers enhanced by government testing. He is hunted by defense contractors, covert operatives, a TV news station, and Oak Valley police officers Daniel Minco and Lianne Ortega.


He has turned the lives of Tony and Stephanie Stratton upside down as they expect their first child and caused the new minister and doctor in town to collide, discovering their feelings for each other.
He’s 13 years old.
Two communities struggle to protect their ways of life, sweeping all your favorite Oak Valley residents into the struggle.

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Sooner Thread: Oak Valley Secrets 5 

Amazon quote:

Clean suspense with a touch of romance and faith and can be read on its own.


The arrival of Gillian Summer’s Crafting Queen media empire will finally put the small town of Oak Valley, Oklahoma on the map. That’s a good thing, right?


For Stephanie Stratton, it means she has to give up her own dreams to help Gillian, and the town, be successful. But the Crafting Queen has a secret, and it’s getting people killed.


Before it’s over, one resident of Oak Valley will have to find reserves of faith they didn’t know they had, others will try to make their relationships work amidst the upheaval around them, and one will face the ultimate loss.
Mystery, murder, and romance: Oak Valley has it all!

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This one is my read and enjoyed. It was great, difficult to put down.

Sooner Dead: Oak Valley Secrets 2 

Something terrible happened 100 years ago at Stone Mansion, a dilapidated ruin that looks over the small town of Oak Valley, Oklahoma.

Acting police chief Daniel Minco is driven to learn its secret but he is blocked by oil billionaires, militant archeologists, TV evangelists, rogue OSBI agents, a new state highway, and Lianne Ortega, a young, by the rules cop from the big city.

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Nothing else exciting is showing up on the radar so we’ll call it a day.

Happy Reading all

Free and bargain books March 12, 2021

BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us. I have not read this author but I think it will be an adventure. The other four books in this series are at bargain prices, if this book goes down well for me I plan to check out a few more of them.

Sooner Dead: Oak Valley Secrets 2

Amazon quote:

Clean suspense with a touch of romance and faith. Book 2 in the series, but it can be read on its own.


Something terrible happened 100 years ago at Stone Mansion, a dilapidated ruin that looks over the small town of Oak Valley, Oklahoma.

Acting police chief Daniel Minco is driven to learn its secret but he is blocked by oil billionaires, militant archeologists, TV evangelists, rogue OSBI agents, a new state highway, and Lianne Ortega, a young, by the rules cop from the big city.

Mystery, murder, and romance. Oak Valley has it all!

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A bargain from an author I’ve been reading lately.

Fire Games: A Clean, Christian Romance Suspense and Mystery (The Men of Fire Beach Book 1)

Amazon quote:

Where do you turn when you don’t know who to trust…

Firefighter Cassidy Marcel thought appearing on a reality dating show would solve her relationship problems, but when she returns home to a stalker, she realizes her troubles are just beginning. She is used to rescuing people, but who will rescue her?

Detective Jordan Graves is racing to save missing children. He doesn’t have time to search for a stalker. That is until Cassidy’s case collides with his own, but when she goes missing, will he be able to save her before it’s too late?

Fans of Alana Terry, Margaret Daly, and Christy Barritt will love this gripping romantic suspense from USA Today best-selling author Lorana Hoopes. A story guaranteed to keep the pages turning, you won’t want to put it down until you’re finished. Includes book group discussion questions.

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Another author I’ve not read although I did download one of her books in 2020. This current book looks interesting enough that I can’t just leave and pass it up.

Traces 

Amazon quote:

Even if she evades The Eye, someone wants her silenced.

When a failed romance and a $500,000 prize lure Kate Carson into participating in the reality TV show, Traces, the least she expects is to pick her partner. After all, she’s the PR spokeswoman of the company that derived a thirteen-lens, rotating camera from military use and installed it atop Atlanta’s tallest skyscraper. But she never would have chosen to evade techno hunters for twenty days with “G.I. Joe.”

Stoic, ex-military Alex Mitchell is the sort of man she always vowed to avoid, while the shadows of Alex’s past cause him to spurn emotional involvement. When Kate’s insider knowledge makes her a target of someone more threatening than game show hunters, Alex offers her only hope to reveal the dark plans of proponents of The Eye.

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Currently I’m between books. I think the draw of these new books may be strong enough to have some of them solidly at the top of the to-be-read pile. I’ll let you know how that goes.

Unless more books come flying down the pike to derail my plans, tomorrow will be a read-and-enjoyed sharing kind of day. They are piling up again.

Happy Reading, folks

3 Traps That Subvert Our Ability to Accept Feedback — Jane Friedman

Thought provoking. The last point hits close to home. — For the Love of Books

Photo credit: ostensiblyclear on VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-NDToday’s guest post is by writer, coach and editor Lisa Cooper Ellison (@lisaellisonspen). Join us on March 24 for the online class Get Better Critiques Now. When soliciting feedback on their creative work, many writers focus on hiring the best editor or finding a trusted critique partner or group. With…

3 Traps That Subvert Our Ability to Accept Feedback — Jane Friedman

A TV Writer Finds His Happy Place by James Ponti — Nerdy Book Club

An inspiring read worth sharing — For the Love of Books

My path to becoming an author began not in a library or bookstore, but at the Royal Palm movie theater in Atlantic Beach, Florida. I could walk there without crossing any major roads, which is how it became the first “grown up” place I was allowed to go by myself. (1970s parenting at its finest.) […]

A TV Writer Finds His Happy Place by James Ponti — Nerdy Book Club