Free and bargain books July 31, 2021

BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us today. This is a long book by an author I’ve not read before. The reviews look good though.

Training Lord Somerset (The Heart of Dorset Series: Book 1) A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance Novel

Amazon quote:

He will see past her scars; she will look past his fear to the brave soul inside…But are their hearts strong enough to seize their one chance at happiness?

A terrible accident left Lydia Stanley in charge of her younger siblings and a Duchy to boot! Two years later, the scar on her face is the only reminder of the day she lost everything: her parents, her innocence, and all marriage prospects

As the new Earl of Somerset, Humphrey Berkeley is expected to know everything about running an estate. But his father’s indifference towards his youngest son has left Humphrey not only emotionally traumatized but also untrained in running an estate…

The late Duke of Dorset’s steward-and daughter- seems like the perfect tutor for the young Earl, but their business arrangement never included falling in love…

Will they find it in them to conquer their inner demons and claim their happiness, or will they succumb to fear and live forever in misery…?

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My current read has just been started so it’s a little early to tell but I’ve enjoyed other books by this author so I’m expecting good things. It’s still on offer at a bargain price.

Fatal Strike

There’s a killer on the loose in Galveston, targeting law enforcement officials and using a fatal injection of snake venom to take them down. Authorities have reasons to believe the Veneno gang is behind the hits, and FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert team up to track down those responsible. Their best lead is an eyewitness who identifies a young man dumping the third body on a church doorstep. But their suspect has gone into hiding, and those closest to him are reluctant to reveal anything that might help investigators find him.

As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.

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Happy reading …

… on this Saturday with weather that can’t decide what it wants to do or be.

Read and enjoyed July 30, 2021

This collection was my favorite recent read and there was even a favorite in the midst of these six. Book 5 Sharp as Steele was, without question, my favorite. I managed to finish the whole thing sooner than expected as books 3 and 6 appeared somewhere else along my reading path and I didn’t feel the need to read them more than once.

Tightrope by Mary Alford and more

Amazon quote for book 5:

SHARP AS STEELE
A too handsome for his own good private investigator.
A stalker who claims she is his.
A new job turns deadly.
A final confrontation could end it all.
Can Lana and Lance out run a man filled with an insane desire to claim Lana as his own?

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What’s next? It’s a tough decision.

Maybe I’ll try the Western cowboy style read this time. I’m looking for a single book rather than a collection for a read or two. It should help things move along a little faster, hopefully. I don’t believe I’ve read this author before either. I’ll try and let you know what it as like.

Cassandra and the Cowboy (Texas Treasures Book 1) 

Cassandra Pickett is one prayer away from giving up on God.

The tragic death of her father and the devastating results of the Great Drought of 1886 have centered the family ranch in the crosshairs of the Goose Neck Ridge Bank of Texas. Desperate to save the Triple P, Cassandra sees only one option: marriage to Phillip Brigham, the local cattle baron, who has promised to repay her father’s loan.

Matt Atkins is a man driven by his mission.
When the enigmatic cowboy shows up looking for a job, he convinces Cassandra that he’ll be an asset to the ranch. As they work side by side, Cassandra’s feelings for Matt deepen, and she envisions the possibility of marrying for love, not for necessity. But her dreams are shattered when she discovers that Matt harbors a hidden agenda for the Triple P. Will Cassandra have to turn to Phillip after all, or will God take the shards of her broken dreams and create something beyond what she dared hope for?

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Happy reading y’all.

Free and bargain books July 30, 2021

BookBub has several bargain book suggestions for us. I’ve read and enjoyed book 1 in this first series and I’m looking forward to this new one even though it’s book 4. They are stand alone and don’t have to be read in order which is very nice.

The Captain’s Quest (The Leeward Islands Series Book 4) 

Amazon quote:

Innocent mistakes can have dire consequences. 

Pricilla Middleton only attended the Lemoore house party to keep her friend out of trouble. Now, her only chance to keep from becoming a gossip column headline is to sneak aboard her brother’s ship and pretend she’d been visiting him instead of taking part in the debacle. Before she can speak to her brother, the ship sets sail, and the man in charge is not at all who she expects.

Captain Tobias Prescott, son of an infamous war hero, has been assigned on a critical mission to deploy warships in St. Kitts for battle in New Orleans. Unfortunately, his orders require him to assume command of a friend’s ship, and he must weigh anchor the instant the former captain is escorted down the gangplank. When they reach open waters, the last thing he expects is to find a woman hiding in the captain’s cabin, yet his mission is too urgent to return her to England.

The Middleton name has always brought Tobias trouble, and Pricilla is no exception. As the waters clear and the temperature warms, the danger escalates too. Yet Tobias discovers the intuitive and strong woman who struggles to hide her anxiety is nothing like her disloyal brother. He may lose the opportunity to help his country, but perhaps he can still save the woman who’s rescued his heart.

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Second Chance Love (Pinecrest Book 1)

Amazon quote:

Eight years should have been long enough to overcome the hurt and humiliation of being left at the altar, but when Jillian Rodgers walks back into Sam Lawson’s life he has to grapple with those feelings again. Worse yet, he can’t stop thinking about her.

Jillian Rodgers has returned to her hometown to help care for her mother. Facing Sam again is hard, but Jillian wonders if her return could mean a second chance for them.

In a small town their paths often cross, and despite Sam’s vow not to make the same mistake, he finds himself falling for her all over again. But Jillian hasn’t been completely honest about her life. When that comes to light, can he still forgive and forget? Can they have a second chance at love?

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BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us, from an author I’ve not read before.

Cassandra and the Cowboy (Texas Treasures Book 1) 

Amazon quote:

Cassandra Pickett is one prayer away from giving up on God.

The tragic death of her father and the devastating results of the Great Drought of 1886 have centered the family ranch in the crosshairs of the Goose Neck Ridge Bank of Texas. Desperate to save the Triple P, Cassandra sees only one option: marriage to Phillip Brigham, the local cattle baron, who has promised to repay her father’s loan.

Matt Atkins is a man driven by his mission.
When the enigmatic cowboy shows up looking for a job, he convinces Cassandra that he’ll be an asset to the ranch. As they work side by side, Cassandra’s feelings for Matt deepen, and she envisions the possibility of marrying for love, not for necessity. But her dreams are shattered when she discovers that Matt harbors a hidden agenda for the Triple P. Will Cassandra have to turn to Phillip after all, or will God take the shards of her broken dreams and create something beyond what she dared hope for?

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Happy Reading!

Bargain books July 29, 2021

As promised, today we have the collection mentioned in the last post. And, with a little extra sleuthing two more collections showed up. It turns out, we have a nice variety of authors between the three of them. Cynthia Hickey shows up in all three collections.

To Serve and Protect 

Amazon quote:

THE SCENT OF FEAR
Secrets in Amish Country…

She’d fought her way through eight long years of terror. Now she’s back home amongst her Amish people, yet Rebecca Nissley feels like an outsider. She’s lost so much. Her friends. Time with her Mamm and Daed. The possibility of a future with the man she loves.

Deputy Sheriff Sawyer Beiler thought this day would never come. After two young Amish women were murdered, and Rebecca Nissley disappeared while on Rumspringa years earlier, Sawyer believed he’d lost Rebecca for good. With the pain too much to bear, Sawyer left the Amish faith behind and joined the sheriff’s department, determined to find out what happened that summer day long ago. Now Rebecca is back…

SCHOOLHOUSE JUSTICE
The teacher had apparently walked in on a robbery and been killed in his classroom Resource Officer Lanell Rhodes is determined to see justice for the young man.

Pilot Connor Prescott is shocked to learn of the death of the young teacher his sister has been dating. But when he arrives at the school and seeks information, he is warned by the attractive Resource Officer that he is not to meddle in police business.

AFTER THE STORM
Kayla Denton wants only to make a success of the new up-scale resort her grandfather put in her charge of. Detective Chase Mitchell goes undercover as Kayla’s maintenance man to catch a hired killer after the resorts important guest. A hurricane threatens to ruin both of their plans
.

When Kayla’s life is put in danger, and Chase’s identity revealed, their future together starts to crumble on the sandy beach of Maui. Can these two survive a mad man and a storm to realize what they need is right in front of them?

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For a change of pace we will put the romance collection in the middle.

Love Draws Near 

Amazon quote:

Adversity leads to love in these five romantic novellas by best-selling author.

MAUI MAGIC
Join Amanda and Drake as things come to an explosive conclusion in Paradise.

SUDDENLY
Can a shy teacher and a sad widower stand strong in their love when danger threatens?

HILLBILLY CINDERELLA
Can she set aside prejudices from a bygone time and embrace her happily ever after?

I’D RATHER KISS MY HORSE
Danger strikes. The two of them must work together to survive. Will the love they refuse to acknowledge be enough?

SUSPICIOUS MINDS
Can these two set aside their suspicions and regain a tender love?

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And, finally …

Terror at Sea: Three mysteries aboard a cruise ship

Amazon quote:

CABIN FEVER
Ready for some rest and relaxation at the end of the school year, seventh grade teacher Autumn Spencer gets on a cruise ship, hoping it’ll whisk her away to Paradise so she can clear her mind. Instead, she encounters nosy fellow passengers who won’t leave her alone, more drama than she sees in her hormonal students … and a couple of attempted murders. No matter what she does to avoid the crazies, she keeps getting thrown right smack dab into the middle of all the action.

DON’T ROCK THE BOAT
Annie Peterson is supposed to be on vacation. . .not in wedding planning mode and certainly not in mystery solving mode. But when she meets a bride-to-be aboard the Navigator of the Seas cruise liner, Annie can’t help herself. She’s ready, willing and able to help with plans for the big day. And when the bride goes missing just hours before the ceremony, it’s Annie to the rescue! Who’s responsible for spiriting away the elusive bride? The maid of honor? The emotional mother of the bride? An over-the-top best man? The groom-to-be? A total stranger? Someone’s done the deed and it’s up to Annie to locate the MIA bride before the ship returns to port. Surely, with the Lord’s help, she can solve this mystery. Join Annie on this high seas adventure where everyone on-board is a suspect and no good deed goes unpunished.

EXPOSURE AT SEA
THE SEAS GROW ROUGH WHEN A CRUISE PHOTOGRAPHER IS TARGETED FOR MURDER.

After a painful breakup, Molly Nicholson accepts a job as a cruise ship photographer. As she is taking photos of passengers arriving to board the ship, she accidentally snaps a picture of a murder. Her dream job turns into a nightmare as she tries to stay alive amidst the beauty of Hawaii. A handsome detective on medical leave volunteers to be her bodyguard until the killer is caught. Can their blooming romance survive murder on the high seas?

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11 books! We definitely have enough to keep us going for a good long while. It will be interesting to see what else could possibly show up today.

I’ll let you know if there is more.

Happy Reading.

Bargain books July 28, 2021

A fruitful search unearthed some awesome titles. Both of them are mystery/thrillers. I’ve read three books by DiAnn Mills but it’s been a long while and I’m looking forward to meeting her again.

Fatal Strike 

Amazon quote:

There’s a killer on the loose in Galveston, targeting law enforcement officials and using a fatal injection of snake venom to take them down. Authorities have reasons to believe the Veneno gang is behind the hits, and FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert team up to track down those responsible. Their best lead is an eyewitness who identifies a young man dumping the third body on a church doorstep. But their suspect has gone into hiding, and those closest to him are reluctant to reveal anything that might help investigators find him.

As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.

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

I’ve read two books by Dani Pettrey, one of them only last year. Now, after reading the first part of chapter one I’m excited to read this one.

The Killing Tide (Coastal Guardians Book #1)

Amazon quote:

When one Coast Guard officer is found dead and another goes missing, Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker faces his most dangerous crime yet. His only clues are what little evidence remains aboard the dead officer’s boat, and the direction the clues point to will test Finn and the Guard to their limits.

When investigative reporter–and Finn’s boss’s sister–Gabby Rowley arrives, her unrelenting questions complicate an already volatile situation. Now that she’s back, the tug on Finn’s heart is strong, but with the risks she’s taking for her next big story, he fears she might not live through it.

Thrown together by the heinous crime, Finn and Gabby can’t ignore the sparks or judgments flying between them. But will they be able to see past their preconceptions long enough to track down an elusive killer, or will they become his next mark?

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I came across a small 3 book collection as well but I think I will save it for tomorrow.

Enjoy these two. They are long enough and exciting enough to keep us busy for a nice long while, I’ll bet.

Happy Reading

Read and enjoyed July 28, 2021

Most recently read and enjoyed was a four book series. All of them were good reads but books 1, 2, and 4 stood out as favorites. Of those three, book 4 rose to the top of the podium for me.

Southern Hearts Series: Books 1 – 4

Book 4 Blown Together

When love storms in…Wealth manager Sam Conrad is accustomed to his domineering father ordering him around, especially at the bank where they both work. But when his father demands that Sam manage the inheritance of his bossy ex-fiancée, Sam has finally had enough.

He leaves in search of a new life, and attorney Big Roy Bosarge from Mobile, Alabama, agrees to mentor Sam on his quest for direction. Sam didn’t expect to be thrown together with Roy’s eccentric daughter.

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I liked the well developed characters best in this book. The story moved along at a steady pace, never stalling out with filler details. The plot with it’s twists and turns was full enough all on it’s own to easily spread over the required pages.

Stories are like people, we enjoy some more than others. That’s part of the reason for my enjoyment of the last story. My favorite people lived here.

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Currently, I’m reading a recent mystery download. It is a cozy whodunit. People keep dying and the PR lady is trying to figure out who is responsible. The police aren’t being all that helpful.

The Treble with Murder: a cozy amateur sleuth mystery (The School of Hard Rocks Mysteries Book 1) 

Amazon quote:

Camryn Paine has an ear for music . . . and for trouble.

When public relations expert Camryn Paine’s alma mater requests her help, she agrees to do some image intervention for the music conservatory. She’s thrown into the thick of things her first day on the job when she witnesses a student drop dead during a talent show sound check.

Camryn’s unique auditory abilities lead her to suspect foul play. The more questions she asks, the clearer it becomes that something is amiss at the school. She’s determined to crack the case before any more dead bodies are found.

Unfortunately, her abilities also make Camryn a threat to a killer who doesn’t want anyone to hear the truth. Will she solve this case and redeem the conservatory’s reputation? Or will her body be the next one to take center stage?

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I haven’t seen any interesting bargain suggestions yet today but will share if it happens later.

Happy Reading

Free and bargain books July 27, 2021

LPCBooks has several FREE suggestions for us. Both with authors new to me.

Retribution Road 

Amazon quote:

Gabe Jones—an underwater investigative diver with an unusual gift—has a way of finding trouble. This time though trouble finds him.

Carol Evans helped Gabe Jones survive his last adventure. Now they are a couple and Carol needs his help. Carol’s son, Paul, has made some decisions recently that have led him straight into a deep dark world of trouble. His disappearance has the whole family questioning what this kid has been up to and who exactly is the dead girl in his truck, which was submerged in a watery tomb. As they try and unravel Paul’s disappearance, the answers they uncover lead them on the chase of a lifetime that crosses state lines and national borders.

Carol and Gabe also find themselves needing help and support from Carol’s dad Tom, a retired Texas Ranger, who has a few problems of his own. A plane flown by family friends and the son of a well-known senator has crashed into Texas waters. When Gabe dives on the wreckage, he discovers a Pandora’s box of evidence that links Tom’s friends to Paul’s disappearance into a world filled with crime and violence. Homes and families are destroyed. Every action brings retribution until it appears no one will be left standing. Only total annihilation—or a miracle—will stop the killing. Someone must make the hard choices. Who will it be?

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This next one is from a new YA writer.

Fade to White

Amazon quote:

Thea Fenton’s life looks picture-perfect, but inside, she is falling apart. Wracked by anxiety no one seems to understand or care about, she resorts to self-harm to deflect the pain inside.

When a local teen commits suicide, Thea’s anxiety skyrockets. Unexplainable things happen, leaving her feeling trapped within her own chaotic mind. The lines between reality and another world start to blur, and her previously mundane issues seem more daunting and insurmountable than ever.

Then she meets Khi, a mysterious new boy from the coffee shop who seems to know her better than she knows herself—and doesn’t think she’s crazy. His quiet confidence and unfounded familiarity draw her into an unconventional friendship.

Khi journeys with her through grief, fear, and confusion to arrive at compassion for the one person Thea never thought she could love.

A deeply transformational novel from an authentic new voice in Christian young adult fiction.

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1531 Entertainment has a bargain suggestion for us.

Melody of Love: Story of Hope, Redemption, and Second Chances (The Potter’s House Books (Three) Book 4) 

Amazon quote:

She’s fleeing an abusive relationship, he’s grieving his wife’s death…

When Melody Grayson escapes a verbally and emotionally abusive relationship, she flees with her four-year-old son to her brother’s home in the seaside town of Windmaroo.

Broken and scarred, she starts rebuilding her life amongst the tightly knit Christian community.

And with the help of her brother’s best friend, Tim Rogers.

Tim lost his wife and unborn child in a car accident four years earlier. He finds solace in surfing, and in his band, Heaven Bound. He’s still grieving his loss, but he knows that God has a plan for his life. When he meets Melody, he wonders if she might be part of it.

When an awful accident occurs, Melody and Tim are thrust together, but can she learn to trust God and open her heart to love?

Melody of Love is Book 4 in The Potter’s House Books Series Three. Stories of ‘hope, redemption and second chances.’ Read this Contemporary Christian Romance today and be blessed.

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Not a bad day for books.

Happy Reading!

This and that July 27, 2021

Why bother. I’m the biggest basket case ever.

It’s been an interesting morning.

So, I woke up the first time convinced that I might as well quit writing this blog. I have to work at having things to say and, really, what do I have to say that anyone wants to hear anyway. Or, maybe, instead of trying to make sure I post everyday, maybe I should go back to skipping a few times a week.

I fell back to sleep thinking hard about that whole idea and more. I must have only been dreaming I was thinking because when I looked at the clock the next time it was two and a half hours later. This time I was convinced I was the biggest basket case ever. It didn’t take long to be slammed with the wake up question. What makes you think you’re so special that you are the biggest basket case ever? (this is not the first time I’ve heard this question, by the way) You are just dealing with all the same kinds of things other people face through the course of life. Get over yourself.

Alrighty then!

So, back to the original question of write or not to write?

I’ve been reading a book called The Power of Writing it Down by Allison Fallon. One of the points she makes centers around research showing positive side effects. Writing daily for 20 minutes or more has positive results both physical and emotional. It has also been shown that the changes are long lasting. Writing for two weeks in a row, say, would have a difference lasting months.

I haven’t been writing because of what I’ve read in this book, I’ve just been rising to the challenge of unbroken posting days. Today will make 45 in a row, with this post.

I’ve noticed my outlook on life has been more positive lately and I’ve wondered why. Maybe writing everyday has been responsible. If that’s the case I’d better not quit posting. I need all the emotional help I can get.

Honestly, I can see that the lack of inspiration I’m feeling these days is pretty much what every other writer out there faces at one time or another. I’m not all that special that I am the only one.

The basket case question, however, could go either way. It’s all a matter of opinion. The jury is still out on that.

**********

I see there are four emails from the usual suggestion sources. I’ll take a look and if there is anything good, I’ll get back to you.

Here is the book mentioned above. It is well worth the read. Personally, I’ve found writing, even before I found this book, has helped me figure things out in a way nothing else has. It seems to be a bit like organizing a drawer, suddenly things make sense.

Discover the power of (finally) getting unstuck, claiming your clarity, and becoming the person whose life you want to live–all through a simple self-care practice you can build into your daily routine. 

For anyone who’s trying to make sense of their life, who wants to get unstuck from the patterns that hold them back, hear this incredible news: everything you need for the freedom you want is entirely within reach. This practice and pathway is free, it’s readily available every day of your life, it takes just minutes of your time, and anyone can do it. 

Author, writing coach, and speaker Allison Fallon’s life transformed when she discovered the power of a daily writing practice. As it turns out, using your words is one of the most powerful means you have for unlocking your life. The Power of Writing It Down is your guide to this transformative tool available to us all. In as little as five to twenty minutes a day, scientific research shows this daily practice can help you: 

  • Identify your ruts and create new neurological grooves toward better habits
  • Find fresh motivation and take ownership of your life
  • Heal from past pain and trauma
  • Relieve anxiety and depression
  • Contextualize life’s setbacks and minor frustrations
  • Live a more confident, balanced, and healthy life
  • …and so much more 

Bargain book July 26, 2021

Favorite author, Christy Barritt, has another new book out and I’m looking forward to it with great anticipation.

The Treble with Murder: a cozy amateur sleuth mystery (The School of Hard Rocks Mysteries Book 1)

Amazon quote:

Camryn Paine has an ear for music . . . and for trouble.

When public relations expert Camryn Paine’s alma mater requests her help, she agrees to do some image intervention for the music conservatory. She’s thrown into the thick of things her first day on the job when she witnesses a student drop dead during a talent show sound check.

Camryn’s unique auditory abilities lead her to suspect foul play. The more questions she asks, the clearer it becomes that something is amiss at the school. She’s determined to crack the case before any more dead bodies are found.

Unfortunately, her abilities also make Camryn a threat to a killer who doesn’t want anyone to hear the truth. Will she solve this case and redeem the conservatory’s reputation? Or will her body be the next one to take center stage?

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

This is the only one coming up for me at the moment and it’s OK, I’m more than happy with it. I can promise you, it will definitely be a soon read.

Happy Reading!

Good morning. July 26, 2021

It is a good morning … even though we have had no new interesting bargain suggestions yet today. Who knows, something may show up later. If it does I’ll be sure to share with you.

It has been a good weekend for reading. It’s been much too hot to spend time working outside, this meant even more time for reading. Very good news for reducing my over full TBR pile. I’ve lost track of how many books were conquered but there were at least three or four. Some were shorter than others.

One stood out above the rest and I wouldn’t mind reading the sequel. I found this story difficult to put down, which was a good thing given my goal to make it through as many books as possible before the weekend was over.

The Accidental Guardian (High Sierra Sweethearts Book #1)

When Trace Riley finds the smoldering ruins of a small wagon train, he recognizes the hand behind the attack as the same group who left him as sole survivor years ago. Living off the wilderness since then, he’d finally carved out a home and started a herd–while serving as a self-appointed guardian of the trail, driving off dangerous men. He’d
hoped those days were over, but the latest attack shows he was wrong
.

Deborah Harkness saved her younger sister and two toddlers during the attack, and now finds herself at the mercy of her rescuer. Trace offers the only shelter for miles around, and agrees to take them in until she can safely continue. His simple bachelor existence never anticipated kids and women in the picture and their arrival is unsettling–yet enticing.
Working to survive the winter and finally bring justice to the trail, Trace and Deborah find themselves drawn together–yet every day approaches the moment she’ll leave forever.

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Two more read recently, but prior to the weekend. I’ve enjoyed both of these and don’t think I’ve shared them yet.

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Currently, I’m reading a four book collection. I finished book 1 this morning and have moved on to book 2. In some collections each book will have new characters, in this one it’s a continuation of the group story. Same people doing life with a different focus in the leading roles.

Southern Hearts Series: Books 1 – 4 

Book 2 Going Up South

No one told him he had a son. Actor Dylan Conner is furious. Not only has he been left out of his child’s life, the baby boy has been given another man’s last name. Determined to be a better father than the sorry guy who’d left him and his mother, Dylan fights to ensure a significant place in his son’s life. Unfortunately, his bad-boy reputation overshadows his good intentions.

Only one woman in this small town sees beyond his Hollywood image. And he’s falling for her. Too bad she’s the custody mediator.

After her scandalous divorce in the small town of Oxford, Mississippi, attorney Cassie Brooks has no intentions of practicing law again. The humiliating experience left a bitter taste for love, marriage, and her profession. Now friends need Cassie’s help in a custody negotiation, and her role demands she remain objective. 

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There will be a part two post if anything else shows up.

In the meantime…

Happy Reading