Year: 2021

Free and Bargain books September 26, 2021

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

Free and bargain books September 25, 2021 part 2

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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!

Free and bargain books September 05, 2021

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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?

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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?

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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.

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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

I love this awesome harmony. September 24, 2021

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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 🙂

Read and enjoyed September 24, 2021

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It’s been awhile since I shared my current read, or my last read and enjoyed.

I finished Jack. Chautona Havig always has interesting and quirky characters. This story was about a cowboy. I don’t recall ever reading any such characters in any of her books. She definitely doesn’t have any one type of story that’s for sure. I like that about her. I will admit though, I enjoy some of her styles better than others. That’s why I keep coming back, you just never know what it will be like this time. It may be a nice surprise, like this one was. I should mention too, it’s not free anymore.

Jack: a lot of hullabaloo on the prairie (Ballads from the Hearth Book 1)

Women are trouble—lying, cheating, untrustworthy bundles of trouble.

Jack Clausen doesn’t need anyone but his horse and a boss who won’t interfere in his personal life—or lack of one.

Sure, he’s a lonely cowboy, but better lonely than brokenhearted.

If only he hadn’t met a girl who made him hope that honest and true women do exist. Maybe he wouldn’t be riding off into a snowstorm with a fresh determination to avoid women—indefinitely.

When Hazel Meissner sees a cowboy risk life, limb, and horse to save a child, she knows he’s someone special. When he finally gives her his heart, she considers herself the most blessed woman alive.

However, when he rides off without a word, she wonders if her heart will survive the loss.

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Currently I’m reading a medical mystery. I haven’t decided how I feel about it. I’m having no trouble putting it down, I always take that as a bad sign. lol I should mention this is no longer a bargain either.

Lethal Intent by Cara C. Putman

If they expected silence, they hired the wrong woman. 

Caroline Bragg’s life has never been better. She and Brandon Lancaster are taking their relationship to the next level, and she has a new dream job as legal counsel for Praecursoria—a research lab that is making waves with its cutting-edge genetic therapies. The company’s leukemia treatments even promise to save desperately sick kids—kids like eleven-year-old Bethany, a critically ill foster child at Brandon’s foster home. 

When Caroline’s enthusiastic boss wants to enroll Bethany in experimental trials prematurely, Caroline objects, putting her at odds with her colleagues. They claim the only goal at Praecursoria is to save lives. But does someone have another agenda? 

Brandon faces his own crisis. As laws governing foster homes shift, he’s on the brink of losing the group home he’s worked so hard to build. When Caroline learns he’s a Praecursoria investor, it becomes legally impossible to confide in him. Will the secrets she keeps become a wedge that separates them forever? And can she save Bethany from the very treatments designed to heal her? 

This latest romantic legal thriller by bestseller Cara Putman shines a light on the shadowy world of scientific secrets and corporate vendettas—and the ethical dilemmas that plague the place where science and commerce meet.

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There were no enticing suggestions today but maybe tomorrow. Actually it’s already tomorrow but since I’m very late with lights out it still feels like today.

I’ll let you know if anything good shows up in a few hours.

Happy Reading

Bargain collections September 22, 2021

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The first one is a pre-order than will be released October 12, 2021. Mine has been ordered since the end of May. It’s almost here.

Dangerous Pursuits : 15 Stories From Today’s Most Popular Mystery and Suspense 

Crisp Days. Cold Nights. Dangerous Pursuits.

The chill of fall brings with it a hint of peril in Dangerous Pursuits, a clean and Christian suspense anthology featuring some of today’s most popular female authors.

Start your fall off right with 15 gripping tales of Clean and Christian suspense from today’s most popular ladies of mystery and suspense. Join Mary Alford, Lisa Harris, Therese Heckenkamp, Cynthia Hickey, Gina Holder, Ronie Kendig, Loree Lough, Dana R Lynn, Ann Malley, Dana Mentink, J. Carol Nemeth, Cara Putman, Sharee Stover, Terri Reed, and Lenora Worth, as we take you on a dangerous journey filled with mystery and suspense that will keep you turning pages until the very. Last. One.

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Dangerous seems to be a theme today. This next collection is Dangerous too but at least it has been released for immediate download. There is no waiting around for this one. I’ve read a number of books from this author but don’t recognize any of these. I’m excited about that.

Dangerous Holidays: Christmas Suspense/Mysteries with Romance

Three fast-paced Christmas romantic suspense novellas with a dash of mystery!

SEASON OF AFFECTION. A celebrity in peril and the small-town boy who crushed her heart years ago. Can a Christmas reunion bring them a second chance at love?

DANGER UNDER THE MISTLETOE. Eager to heal after losing her husband, security consultant Rachel Evans moves to the small Texas town of Rios Azules. When one of her clients is found murdered under the mistletoe and her rental is broken into, the former thief realizes danger has found her once again. Her neighbor’s widowed son volunteers to help her. But as Rachel’s attraction to him grows, can she trust him with her heart-or her secret-before someone takes her life?

NOELLE ON THE RUN. Small-town nurse Noelle Rochester seems to have a target on her back since her elderly neighbor confided her murder suspicions. After the neighbor is killed and somebody starts following Noelle, she flees to her uncle in Christmas Tyme, Colorado. Nearly run off the road, she turns to a former private investigator, Juan Rivera. But is he ready for or capable of a case like hers? After his fiancée’s death, Juan closed himself off to the world. But he can’t refuse help to a scared stranger, especially one who reminds him of the woman he’s grieving. Two dead bodies, one drive-by shooting, and a kidnaped pet later, Juan and Noelle need to solve the mystery before Christmas—or die trying.

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Happy Reading!

Bargain books September 22, 2021

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1531 Entertainment has suggestions for us. This first one was on my read and enjoyed list from last year.

The Silver Suitcase

It’s 1939, and Canada is on the cusp of entering World War II. Seventeen-year-old farm girl Cornelia has been heartbroken since the day her mother died five years ago. As a new tragedy provides Cornelia still more reason to reject her parent’s faith, a mysterious visitor appears in her hour of desperation. Alone and carrying a heavy secret, she makes a desperate choice that will haunt her for years to come. Never telling a soul, Cornelia pours out the painful events of the war in her diary.

Many decades later, Cornelia’s granddaughter, Benita, is in the midst of her own crisis, experiencing several losses in the same week, including the grandmother she adored. The resulting emotional and financial stress takes its toll on her and her husband, Ken, who is unemployed. On the brink of divorce, she discovers Cornelia’s diary. Now the secrets of her grandmother’s past will lead Benita on an unexpected journey of healing, reunion, and faith.

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This next one was also on my read and enjoyed list from several years ago.

A Promise Forged: A WWII Homefront Romance (Buckeye Promises Book 1)

Kat Miller has dreamed of playing baseball her entire life. When she earns a spot on a team in the All-American Girls Professional Softball League, she finds that things aren’t as glamorous as she imagined. She struggles with long road trips, grueling practices, and older teammates who are jealous of her success. And to top it all off, an irritating reporter is constantly getting under Kat’s skin.

Events in Jack Raymond’s career have left him cynical and distanced from God. He never wanted to write at a small paper, and he certainly didn’t want to be assigned to something as inconsequential as a women’s softball team. Then Kat walks into his life. The fiery, young softball player somehow climbs the walls around his heart and makes him want to hope again.

When lies fly and the league appears to fail, will Kat and Jack’s new love survive?

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Maybe there will be more later.

Happy Reading

Free and bargain books September 21, 2021

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1531 Entertainment has several suggestions for us, This first one is FREE from an author I enjoy.

Dead Wrong: A Cozy Mystery (Agatha’s Amish B&B Book 1) 

Who killed Russell Dixon?

When Agatha Lapp’s brother and sister-in-law are tragically killed in a buggy accident, Agatha relocates to the new Amish community in Hunt Texas, nestled in the Texas Hill Country. She’s there to make a success of her brother’s dream–an Amish B&B. Agatha is friendly, efficient, and capable. She’s also a fifty-five year old widow who has learned to be independent. When she discovers Russell Dixon’s lifeless body in Cabin 3, she runs next door where retired detective Tony Vargas lives. The police determine that her guest died of natural causes, but as Agatha and Tony put together the events of the previous two days they become convinced that the police are Dead Wrong.

Dead Wrong is a story of discovering new friendships and embracing a different path in the midst of tragedy. Above all else, it’s a story of God’s grace and provision.

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I’ve noticed this author as a contributor in several collections I’ve read, I’m trying to remember what I thought of her. This book have to serve as a refresher.

The Inn at Cranberry Cove (Cranberry Cove Series Book 1)

After her boss fires her on unfounded grounds, twenty-nine-year-old Ashton Price leaves Denver for Cranberry Cove, Washington. She’s inherited her aunt’s B&B and is determined to carry on her legacy. Upon preparing for guests, she learns of a century-old tale of treasure within the inn. Many have searched for the illusive gems but to no avail. She discovers a man working on the inn’s grounds, but is he the gardener Gina Price hired? Perhaps he’s searching for the hidden treasure.

James Atwood, corporate executive, works in the Atwood’s thriving cranberry business. Tragedy strikes, and he’s numb and riddled with guilt. Befriended by Gina Price, he finds solace working evening and weekends in the fresh earth, fescue grass, and aromatic blossoms of the inn’s gardens, helping to divert his mind from his dishonest cousin Robert, bent on destroying the Atwood business. He continues tending the grounds after Gina passes, and the new owner believes he’s a gardener. After she calls late one night upon hearing a prowler, James races to her rescue and discovers his feelings are more than protective.

Ashton’s first guests, the Claxton’s, appear out of nowhere saying they’ve had reservations for a year though she finds no record of a deposit. She chalks the failure up to faulty accounting before she arrived. When an elusive intruder continues to make frightening midnight visits, Ashton fears for her own safety and that of the Claxtons. But then, their odd comings and goings cause Ashton to wonder. Are they really vacationing visitors from California, or do they have other motives for staying at the inn?

Can two people allow the majestic northwest and fragrant coastal air heal their wounded hearts? Will they discover the secret of The Inn at Cranberry Cove?

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Happy Reading …

… on this sunny but chilly day. I was hoping the warm weather we enjoyed on Sunday would last a little longer.

At least it’s cheerfully sunny today. And the furnace works.

Free from Chautona Havig Sept 20, 2021

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Chautona Havig has a FREE book and it’s only on until tomorrow. She forgot to let us know.

Jack: a lot of hullabaloo on the prairie (Ballads from the Hearth Book 1)

Women are trouble—lying, cheating, untrustworthy bundles of trouble.

Jack Clausen doesn’t need anyone but his horse and a boss who won’t interfere in his personal life—or lack of one.

Sure, he’s a lonely cowboy, but better lonely than brokenhearted.

If only he hadn’t met a girl who made him hope that honest and true women do exist. Maybe he wouldn’t be riding off into a snowstorm with a fresh determination to avoid women—indefinitely.

When Hazel Meissner sees a cowboy risk life, limb, and horse to save a child, she knows he’s someone special. When he finally gives her his heart, she considers herself the most blessed woman alive.

However, when he rides off without a word, she wonders if her heart will survive the loss.

One broken man. One trusting woman. One orchestrated misunderstanding that tears them apart. What’ll it take to bring Jack home again?

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This looks like it could be fun