Great story, Pat.
By the time we were in fourth grade, my classmates and I thought we’d really arrived on the academic scene. Best of all, we were allowed to use real fountain pens! At the start of the school, new copy books (Ok, we called them scribblers back then, but I liked the new name better!) awaited. […]
Perfectly recorded — patgwriter
BookBub has a FREE suggestion. It looks to me like this young man has some serious bitterness going on. It doesn’t seem like this will be a frivolous read. If you enjoy Romance, check this out, as well as the other unexpected finds.
Finding Joy (Love’s Compass Book 5)
When Chelsea starts working for a stubborn cowboy, what seems like a dead end might really be a new beginning.
A horrific accident changed everything for Parker Wilson. The beautiful new employee his mom hires is the last thing he needs and he’ll do whatever it takes to make the girl quit and regain the peace and quiet he prefers.
Nothing short of desperation would force Chelsea Blake to work on a local cattle ranch. She may not be cut out for ranch life, but her determination to succeed is stronger than her handsome employer’s efforts at forcing her to leave.
Unprepared to discover all they have in common, if they set aside their initial dislike, they might find joy beyond measure.
*****************************
Checking out this author I found another interesting FREE book.
Marrying Mandy (Brides of Clearwater Book 1)
A marriage of convenience might be crazy…or an answer to both of their prayers.
Mandy Hudson swore she’d never marry. Abandoned by her parents and raised by her grandparents, she has a hard time trusting that real love will last. When her grandmother dies, Mandy is shocked to discover a stipulation in the will. Considering marriage to her best friend may be the only way to keep her family’s beloved bed-and-breakfast.
The loss of his job threatens Preston Yarrow’s shaky financial stability. Besides, he can’t watch his best friend give up the only real home she’s ever known. Frustrated by Mandy’s stubborn refusal to let him help, he’s certain they are stronger together than they are apart.
A marriage of convenience sounds like the perfect solution until love enters the equation and complicates everything.
**************************
There are more! The next two I’ve read. Years ago. 4 or 5 at least.
Finding Peace (Love’s Compass Book 1)
Tuck is determined to keep Laurie safe, even if it means risking his own heart in the process.
Police Officer Tuck Chandler works hard to protect the citizens of Kitner, Texas. He’s also good at holding women at arm’s length. Jilted by his fiancée for his dedication to his job, he’s not about to open himself up to hurt like that again.
Laurie Blake is a struggling photographer. After growing up in a wealthy family, she’s determined to make it on her own, even if it means doing it the hard way.
When Tuck is assigned to a puzzling burglary involving Laurie’s fledgling photography business, he goes into it with his usual perseverance. He wants to help her – if she’ll let him. As the case unfolds and the mystery deepens, another question arises.
**************************
Safe In His Arms (Life Unexpected Book 1)
Anna Henderson is guilty of one thing: trusting the wrong man. Now she’s running for her life from an ex-boyfriend who will stop at nothing to find her. The little town of Quintin, Texas seems like the perfect place to lay low, and its quaint little diner may just give her the new start she’s looking for. The more she gets to know the diner’s handsome owner, the more of a connection she feels with him. But she can’t put her heart—or his safety—at risk.
Joel Ash knows all about second chances. After all, he pulled himself out of his rough past and became a successful restaurant owner. So, when a nervous woman walks into his diner looking for a job, he can’t say no—even though he’s convinced she’s hiding something. He soon finds himself falling for the beautiful stranger, and he thinks he may have a real chance at winning her heart. But when Anna’s past catches up with her, both their lives are thrown into turmoil. His only thought is to protect Anna, and their possible future together, at any cost.
***************************
A very good book day.
Happy Reading.
BookBub has a bargain suggestion for us. A collection. The first chapter has me willing to give it a go. I have read two other books by this author but didn’t make a note of my thoughts so I’d remember if I enjoyed the experience. I definitely like the first chapter in this one.
The Main Street Minden Series: A Complete Small-Town Contemporary Christian Romance Series
Falling on Main Street – (Hate to Love)
Charlotte’s world as a high-powered executive recruiter comes crashing down after a classified document under her care is leaked to the press. Taking refuge in a small Indiana town, she is determined to heal before taking back her life.
Luke Brand chases off any threat to the memory of the wife he lost too soon. When his world is invaded by a city-slicker with stunning green eyes, Luke struggles to follow God’s instruction to help the town’s newest resident. Winter Wishes (Friends to More)
Despite their long friendship and the romantic tension when they are alone together at the holidays, will Chrissy and Todd let their secrets and their insecurities hold them back from happiness? Kissing in the Kitchen
Love after 50 is impossible, isn’t it? Spring Fever (Single Dad)
Dr. Garrett Pike is entirely focused on his career. When tragedy strikes and he becomes a father overnight to his four-year-old niece, Garrett is way out of his depth. He turns to the only person he can think of—the intriguing daycare owner he met exactly one time. Summer to Remember
Danielle Washington is left with no family, no job, no car, and no money to pay rent. An unexpected call leads her across the country to her mother’s home town. Maybe the small town holds her chance to start over—or at least discover the secrets that kept her mother from ever returning.
As a middle-school teacher, Mark Dawson tries to teach students it’s okay to embrace your quirks; a lesson he also finds himself reiterating to the cute new baker in town. When he is accused of the unthinkable and his career and community threaten to crumble; the shame is too much to share.
****************************
That’s all I have for new book suggestions at the moment. Mind you, there are 5 books in this collection maybe it will make up for the lack of other good suggestions.
Today was another 30 C day and it was lovely. I was having trouble staying awake and snoozed for awhile out on the deck. There was a gentle breeze to make the heat enjoyable. What a great way to finish off summer.
Happy Reading
I’m still here. Too many bright shiny things catching my eye on the internet, keeping me glued to my chair. Times a-wasting and I’d best get moving. The plan is to mix up a batch of cookies to bake in the morning. My newly arrived grandsons will be stopping by for a few minutes tomorrow evening and it would be a crying shame to be found cookie-less at such an important time as that.
OK, I’m going.
I have nothing much in my head at the moment but I need to come up with a post to meet my daily goal commitment. Besides the discipline of putting something down on paper is actually good for me.
I guess it’s not really fair to say I have nothing in my head. I’ve been reading, trying to work my way through the burgeoning stack, and it has been disappointing. The just-finished read was a collection by an author I normally like, for the most part. The collection was disappointing because all three books were short on story and long on attraction. Lots and lots of time spent aware of each other. It’s boring listening to the same basic thoughts over and over again. A good story with some meat on it makes me happy. Anyway, I can’t even tell you the name of the collection because it’s been removed. The minute it was over.
Currently I’m reading a romance somewhat similar but at least it has a healthy story line running right through the middle of it. It isn’t a very long book either so there isn’t room for it to be plumped out with over the top attraction angst.
Courting Calla: A Christian Romance (Dixon Brothers Book 1)
CALLA VAUGHN has spent the last three years desperately trying to get her life in order so that she can go back to culinary school. No matter how hard she works, though, she feels like she is just treading water and can’t see any way out of the hole dug for her by a con artist who stole her identity.
When flowers she sends to her best friend with a dinner invitation accidentally get delivered to IAN JONES, she decides to cook him the best meal he’s ever had. By the time she admits that the flowers were never for him, he is as convinced as she is that God orchestrated the mistake in the first place.
All that’s left is to tell him the dark secret about her father’s widow. She waits a little too long, though, and is carted off to jail for questioning on felony charges before she gets a chance.
Will Ian understand her situation, or will the deception surrounding Calla destroy any trust he has in her?
************************
Work has been taking up a lot of my thinking time too. I won’t bore you with the details but a new software program on one of the sites I frequent is still under construction even though it is in full use. Navigation seemed impossible on one task. Today was a good day because the sticky issue has finally been resolved. Another file closed, at least it looks like it from my current point of view. Fingers crossed.
That’s mainly it for my day.
The weather was warm today, in the 30’s C and it should be like that again for several more days. I’m happy for the chance to experience a little more warmth before the bitterness of winter sets in. The illusion of summer is gone though, with darkness quickly falling hours earlier than it did on the longest days. The leaves are turning color and falling faster than I’d like. I’m sad to see the end of summer this year. It’s gone by much too quickly.
There have been bright spots, though, lately. Chatting with friends I haven’t talked to in a while.
There are always things I’m can be grateful for and they over-shadow the sadness whenever I let them. At this moment I’m choosing to see the good things in my life since it looks like I’m digging myself a bit of a hole with all this talk of melancholy over summer’s demise.
Tomorrow’s another day, and it’s looking better already since one dreaded work task has been successfully completed.
If I’m going to squeeze in a bit more reading before lights out I’d better get moving.
Happy Reading to you.
Author Chautona Havig shared several interesting collections on her Facebook page.
The first one is a FREE.
This omnibus edition includes the first THREE books of the beloved Urban Farm Fresh Romance series and is over 500 pages of tears, laughter, and happily-ever-afters!
SECRETS OF SUNBEAMS (Book 1)
Eden Andrusek knows she should have fixed her fence last week. It’s too bad her runaway goat makes a less-than-ideal first impression on her new neighbor, who turns out to be cute, brilliant… and a little uptight.
Solar architect Jacob Riehl is furious when he returns outside to find a goat eating his presentation. As someone who likes everything in its place, he has little sympathy for a farm animal in the city or its tattooed owner, but there’s something about the lovely Eden that captures his attention.
BUTTERFLIES ON BREEZES (Book 2)
Working for her dad’s landscaping business stifles Linnea Ranta. When she’s invited to design and build a community garden with an intriguing master carpenter, she seizes the chance to unfurl her wings, but at what expense to her heart?
Logan Dermott eases back his flirting when he senses Linnea’s fragility, but she has more backbone than he suspected. As they work together, Logan finds he’s falling for her, but it may be too late to win her love.
MEMORIES OF MIST (Book 3)
Single mom Adriana Diaz isn’t about to let the new teacher derail the PTA’s hard work in securing a greenhouse and garden area for Bridgeview Elementary School, but taking matters into her own hands turns awkward when she realizes her attraction to the teacher.
Pro-level conflict-avoider Myles Sheridan finds himself against an entire community with his reluctance to incorporate gardening into his classes. The only thing that could make his situation worse is falling in love with the ringleader, whose child is his most difficult student and whose husband had died a hero.
******************************
The next collection is a bargain pre-order, it will be released the middle of October.
Home for Christmas: The Christmas Lights
★ The Christmas Lights Collection is back, and this year’s collection is better than ever! ★
Full of love, joy, and hope, this year’s collection offers the celebration of freedom, sacrifice, and the greatest Gift ever given.
These novellas feature two veterans and two active servicemen and their stories.
**********************
Happy Reading
Five awesome reads, held back from instant removal so I could share them with you.
A Wish for Christmas had some cool twists to it. A beautiful old family Inn, in danger of being sold for a defaulted mortgage. A unproven legend of hidden treasure and a deranged crook trying to force the owner to marry him for access to imagined wealth. A mix up, unexpectedly has a wealthy family with handsome single sons spending Christmas with Mila and her grandmother. Will they be an answer to Mila and Nora’s desperate prayers?
Written in Ink is full of angst as Renee ends a very long courtship, leaving Cash reeling with shock. He would give his life for her, he loves her that much. With no idea why she’s walked away from him, it’s impossible to fight for their relationship. When he gathers himself together enough to confront her, she blurts out the reason and his heart is completely broken. Determined to stick to her decision they both know it means the absolute end of them, ever. How can he live with that?
The next three were greatly enjoyed and may have been mentioned earlier. At any rate, they are definitely worth seeing again. I would read any of them a second time, gladly.
Some of these are still available as bargains, I think.
Happy Reading…
…on this warm sunshiny day.
BookRunes has a suggestion for us. An author known to me and a book I’ve read and enjoyed.
Sapphire Ice: A Christian Romance (The Jewel Series Book 1)
To Robin Bartlett, men were nothing more than violent users. After a hair-raising childhood, Robin and her two younger half sisters battled simply to survive. Determined to give her sisters a very different life from that of their mother; to never have to rely on a man for anything, she worked two jobs and put them both through college, while accepting help from no one. Her heart had turned to ice and she had no use for men or God.
Antonio “Tony” Viscolli had grown up on the streets, homeless. At seventeen, he entered a downtown church with the intent of casing it, but found himself on his knees at the alter. After being fostered by the youth minister, Tony followed God’s leading and eventually became a very successful and powerful businessman. In a fallen world, he was a gem.
When Tony bought the restaurant where Robin bartended, she immediately resented his intrusion into her well ordered, but exhausting, life. She suspected his offering her special attention and constant kindness was merely his way of expecting something from her in return, something she wasn’t willing to give.
****************************
The suggestion strip has a FREE suggestion from the same author, a book I’ve not read. Excellent news.
Courting Calla: A Christian Romance (Dixon Brothers Book 1)
CALLA VAUGHN has spent the last three years desperately trying to get her life in order so that she can go back to culinary school. No matter how hard she works, though, she feels like she is just treading water and can’t see any way out of the hole dug for her by a con artist who stole her identity.
When flowers she sends to her best friend with a dinner invitation accidentally get delivered to IAN JONES, she decides to cook him the best meal he’s ever had. By the time she admits that the flowers were never for him, he is as convinced as she is that God orchestrated the mistake in the first place.
All that’s left is to tell him the dark secret about her father’s widow. She waits a little too long, though, and is carted off to jail for questioning on felony charges before she gets a chance.
Will Ian understand her situation, or will the deception surrounding Calla destroy any trust he has in her?
***************************
This next book was also in the suggestion strip and this is my second time considering it. I’ve not read this author and this time decided I will take a chance to see what she is all about.
Into the Trenches: A Christian Romance
He’s a combat medic. She’s a headstrong soldier. Can their romance survive a tour of duty in the middle of war-torn Iraq? Is faith enough when combat wounds are more than skin deep?
Annelyse’s life is derailed when she discovers her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Left with a broken heart and desperate to get away, Annelyse does the most drastic thing she can think of: join the Army.
Tragedy strikes during a deployment to Iraq, completely shattering all of Annelyse’s hopes and dreams. PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts are the combat wounds she must endure while struggling to come to grips with the constant loss of fellow soldiers. How can the statement “God is good all the time” be true even during such dire circumstances?
Join Annelyse on this spiritual journey of hope and healing that will leave you uplifted and encouraged.
*****************************
It’s a beautiful warm day here and now that I’ve had a break I will head back out to the flower beds. It’s time to start some fall cleanup.
I’ll join you reading soon, it gets dark earlier these days. Sadly.
Happy Reading.
Author Chautona Havig mentioned a FREE book on Facebook. By one of her author friends, someone that I enjoy too. So excited to see this book.
Between Stairs and Stardust (Blue Ridge Fairytales Book 1)
An illustrator in hiding. A millionaire with a gardening fascination. And the possibility of a perfect fit for a happily-ever-after.
Once Upon a time…A young illustrator, forced from her home in Boston, must return to her Blue Ridge Mountains to escape a scandal. Certain that her dreams are on hold, Stella Emory doesn’t expect to find a prince charming in the form of James Craven, a young man who works in the gardens of the famed Biltmore Estate.
Brought together unexpectedly, the two begin a tender friendship inspired by James’s little sister and the story of Cinderella, but James isn’t all he seems. As their friendship grows into a romance, the truth of James’s millionaire status shakes Stella’s confidence. When her past follows her to Asheville, Stella thinks her chance at romance with James is over, but will a Christmas masquerade and the remnants of a charm bracelet somehow provide the magic Stella needs to clear her name and claim her own happily-ever-after?
***************************
Browsing Amazon suggestion strip showed this interesting bargain with an author new to me. From the little bit I’ve read, I’m excited about this one. I love the cover.
The Cryptographer’s Dilemma (Heroines of WWII Book 1)
A Code Developer Uncovers a Japanese Spy Ring
Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.
FBI cryptographer Eloise Marshall is grieving the death of her brother, who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when she is assigned to investigate a seemingly innocent letter about dolls. Agent Phillip Clayton is ready to enlist and head oversees when asked to work one more FBI job. A case of coded defense coordinates related to dolls should be easy, but not so when the Japanese Consulate gets involved, hearts get entangled, and Phillip goes missing. Can Eloise risk loving and losing again?
**************************
I’ve read and enjoyed a number of books by this next author. Her latest book looks just as interesting as the rest. Love this cover too.
Beauty Among Ruins
In Ciesielski’s latest sweeping romance, an American heiress finds herself in Scotland amid the fallout of the Great War, and a wounded Scottish laird comes face-to-face with his past and a woman he never could have expected.
American socialite Lily Durham is known for enjoying one moment to the next, with little regard for the consequences of her actions. But just as she is banished overseas to England as a “cure” for her frivolous ways, the Great War breaks out and wreaks havoc. She joins her cousin in nursing the wounded at a convalescent home deep in the wilds of Scotland at a crumbling castle where its laird is less than welcoming.
Alec MacGregor has given his entire life to preserving his home of Kinclavoch Castle, but mounting debts force him to sell off his family history bit by bit. Labeled a coward for not joining his countrymen in the trenches due to an old injury, he opens his home to the Tommies to make recompense while he keeps to the shadows. But his preference for the shadows is shattered when a new American nurse comes streaming into the castle on a burst of light.
Lily and Alec are thrown together when a series of mysterious events threatens to ruin the future of Kinclavoch. Can they put aside their differences to find the culprit before it’s too late, or will their greatest distraction be falling in love?
****************************
I am more than pleased with this line-up of new reads. It will be tough to decide which one to tackle next. A very nice problem to have, I must say.
I’m hoping these appeal to you just as much.
Happy Reading!
BookBub has a bargain suggestion. Researching this book I found I’ve read the series collection books 1-5 already. Looking into it further I found books 1 and 2 are either free or bargain as well as book 3. With that in mind I’ll list all three. It’s too bad the box set is full price now but these three are a good deal. Although 5 books for $10.00 is not bad either.
Wisdom to Know (Grant Us Grace Book 1)
A rebellious pastor’s daughter.A best friend who loves her faithfully from the sidelines.But is there sin that love can’t cover?
Kevin McGregor heard God tell him that Lydia Brown was the woman he would marry. But that was ten years ago. And watching her take every turn down the road away from him and her faith is slow torture.
Lydia Brown has taken just about every wrong turn she could find. When an abortion leaves her overwhelmed by guilt, she turns to drugs to escape her pain. Landing at rock bottom, Lydia is forced to reevaluate her choices.
In the depth of her downward spiral, Kevin desperately tries to convince himself – and God – that loving Lydia is a mistake. Will Lydia embrace a new start, including feelings for Kevin she’d never acknowledged until now? Or will the sins of her past keep them apart?
***************************
Courage to Change (Grant Us Grace Book 2)
He’s a lawyer who’s determined never to love again. But his coworker refuses to get the memo.
When Phil Reid became a Christian and stopped drinking, his hard-partying wife Brandi divorced him. Reeling and betrayed, he becomes convinced Christians should never remarry, and resolves to guard his heart.
Allison Vasak has everything in her life under control, except for one thing. Her heart is irresistibly drawn to fellow attorney and coworker, Phil. Though she knows his history and believes that women should not initiate relationships, she longs to make her feelings known.
As Phil and Allison work closely together to help a pregnant teen, both must reevaluate their convictions. But when Brandi discovers Phil’s new relationship, she decides that though she doesn’t want him, no one else can have him either. Can Phil and Allison’s love weather the chaos Brandi brings into their lives?
***************************
Serenity to Accept (Grant Us Grace Book 3)
An emotionally scarred nurse falls for the handsome new doctor. But his deep love for Jesus is a bigger roadblock to love than either of them anticipated.
Karin Reid has never had much use for God. There’s been too much pain in her life for her to accept that God is anything other than, at best, disinterested or, at worst, sadistic. Until she meets Jason Garcia.
After his own mistakes of the past, Jason is committed to dating only Christians. He decides to bend his rule for Karin, as long as she comes to church with him.
As their friendship grows, both will have to decide if they’ll accept the path God has for them, even if it means losing each other. Serenity to Accept is the third book in the 5-book contemporary Christian romance Grant Us Grace series. Set in the greater Washington D.C. area, the Grant Us Grace books provide thought-provoking spiritual threads wrapped up in swoonworthy romance.
**************************
After a bit of a refresher I can remember reading this series.
There is another suggestion I’m checking out. If it turns out to be something interesting I’ll share it in another post.
In the meantime…
Happy Reading
Mark Lowry is the author of Mary Did You Know , has had a long and popular singing career. He has an off-the-cuff let’s-sing show from his home “studio”, it’s on his YouTube channel and many other platforms. Tonight his special guests have just released a new project. The group’s name is SouthBound and the album is SouthBound.Live.
This in an impromptu concert and many people, including me, are loving it.
I enjoy this so much I must share. These energetic guys are singing many of the songs off their new project. I have to have this.
Mark has just hit a million subscribers on Facebook and he loves reminding us. Everyone of them love him too.
The upbeat songs in this concert touch hurting hearts in the most amazing way.
Enjoy.
I am enjoying for the second time tonight 🙂
For the Love of Books 