One bargain book January 13, 2022

1531 Entertainment has a Mystery suggestion for us with an author new to me and maybe you too.

Sophie’s Search (Search the North Country Book 1)

Sophie Stearns and her search dog, Belle, flee to the mountains that feed her soul and straight into the arms of the one man she could truly love. If only he didn’t hate her.
Widowed and buried in debt, Sophie Stearns is not going to pin her dreams on a man again – even if Patrick O’Brien is the man of her dreams. Making her environmental engineering company a financial success is her only hope for a secure future.

Patrick O’Brien learned the hard way city girls will rip a man’s heart out to get what they want. After his ex-wife’s betrayal, he bolted to the Adirondacks to lick his wounds and forge a new life protecting the fragile mountain ecosystem from development. The best way to stop the newest threat, Shopsmart is to shutdown their environmental engineering contractor, Sophie Stearns.

When a saboteur destroys Sophie’s project and threatens her life, only Patrick’s intervention can save her business. But Patrick must decide which is more important: his principles or his need to protect the Adirondacks. With the project deadline looming, Sophie must choose between using Belle to rescue a special needs child or saving her fledgling business.
Will their choices lead to love or loneliness?

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Amazon has new information available when saving the covers (at least I think it`s new) so I thought I’d try it out to see if it makes life simpler for you. Let me know if you like it.

Happy Reading y’all

A quick note January 13, 2022

Life is a little crazy here.

A week ago or so I mentioned a noise, sounded like something fell over. I searched the house over, couldn’t see anything and decided it must have been the wind outside pushing things around.

Boy was I wrong.

Last night I noticed water on the floor in front of the kitchen sink. It has happened a time or two and I thought it was resolved. Guess not.

This time when I checked it out it was dripping faster than I had ever seen it. Hmmmmmm.

I couldn’t see where the leak was and so by process of elimination turned off every valve available. When that didn’t solve the problem I decided to close the main shut-off in the basement.

Shocker.

At the bottom of the stairs dry wall debris was spread far and wide.

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Down, sitting on the floor

Planning to come down

2022 is getting off to a fabulous start.

I was hoping my son-in-law could bail me out.

Their house is in quarantine with covid.

Life is definitely not boring at this particular moment.

I’m told that if I cut the heavy sheet up into smaller pieces it will be easy to carry out.

I’ll let you know how that goes. 🙂

A Podcast and a book January 12, 2022

Twice, back to back. I couldn’t help but watch it again. Donald Miller has an awesome way of expressing himself. It makes you want to hear more. That’s why I went for the second listen. After that it was time to check out his many popular books.

Books were discussed in the podcast but the overriding theme (I felt) was his current business. He coaches entrepreneurs needing help to improve and grow their business. In the course of the conversation he handed out great tips. It was worth listening just for that.

His latest book is Business Made Simple. His second last book is Hero on a Mission: a Path to a Meaningful Life. They both looked interesting but the book conversation that intrigued me most was a book called Blue Like Jazz. That’s the one I ended up with and I’m excited to read it.

Here are the three books

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This is tonight’s podcast. Donald Miller is a fascinating and relatable man. He is down-to-earth, real, with a gift for clear communication.

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I had to share. I hope you find this as fascinating as I did.

More bargains January 11, 2022

Amazon sent an email today with suggestions, one of them a bargain from a favorite author. I’ve read and enjoyed books 2 and 3 in this series and I look forward to this one.

Collateral Damage (Danger Never Sleeps Book #1)

Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others–but her days of helping military personnel are over. She’s got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she’s not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way–terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn’t there–but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can’t take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he’s not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack–and that her secrets go even deeper than his own–Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

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1531 Entertainment has a suggestion for us. I’ve not encountered this author before.

The Weaver’s Daughter: A Regency Romance Novel

Kate’s loyalties bind her to the past. Henry’s loyalties compel him to strive for a better future. In a landscape torn between tradition and vision, can two souls find the strength to overcome their preconceptions?

Loyalty has been at the heart of the Dearborne family for as long as Kate can remember, but a war is brewing in their small village, one that has the power to rip families asunder –including her own. As misguided actions are brought to light, she learns how deep her father’s pride and bitterness run, and she begins to wonder if her loyalty is well-placed.

Henry Stockton, heir to the Stockton fortune, returns home from three years at war hoping to find a refuge from his haunting memories. Determined to bury the past, he embraces his grandfather’s goals to modernize his family’s wool mill, regardless of the grumblings from the local weavers. When tragedy strikes shortly after his arrival, Henry must sort out the truth from suspicion if he is to protect his family’s livelihood and legacy.

Henry has been warned about the Dearborne family. Kate, too, has been advised to stay far away from the Stocktons, but chance meetings continue to bring her to Henry’s side, blurring the jagged lines between loyalty, justice, and truth. Kate ultimately finds herself with the powerful decision that will forever affect her village’s future. As unlikely adversaries, Henry and Kate must come together to find a way to create peace for their families, and their village, and their souls – even if it means risking their hearts in the process.

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Happy Reading y’all

Bargain books January 11, 2022

Another favorite author’s pre-order bargain , Christy Barritt, showed up for me today. One thing lead to another and we have four more of her books, three of them new on pre-order. This is a very good day.

The House on Dagger Point (The Beach House Mystery Series Book 3)

Olivia Beaumont flees from a scandal plaguing her family. But when she arrives in Folly Beach, South Carolina, she discovers even more trouble may be waiting for her there in the House on Dagger Point.

Is the mysterious man next door a friend or a foe?

Is her rental’s history just as deadly as the name suggests?

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And another pre-order!

Tone Death (The School of Hard Rocks Mysteries Book 3)

Camryn Paine never expected life in her forties to take the turns that it has.

But when a famous Mukbang chewing artist is threatened, Camryn and her expert auditory skills are called on to help.

On top of that, Camryn’s father, a world-renown conman, has been released from prison and shown back up in her life.

And love has come knocking . . . if she’s ready to answer.

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One more…

Brandon: Lantern Beach Blackout, Danger Rising (Lantern Beach Blackout: Danger Rising Book 1)

He broke her heart once. It will only happen again over her dead body.

The last person Finley Cooper ever wants to see again is Brandon Hale. Two years ago, he faked a relationship with Finley to get intel from her father, a defense contractor. Now Finley needs protection, and, against her wishes, Brandon has been assigned the job. Even worse, they need to pretend to be a couple in order to not raise suspicions.

Brandon Hale doesn’t blame Finley for hating him. He hadn’t intended to hurt her. He’d only been following orders—though his feelings were anything but pretend. Now, as a new Blackout operative, Brandon’s first assignment places her in his path again. Not only is Finley in danger, but she’s also one of the only people who can help him find answers—answers that will not only keep both of them alive but thousands of others.

In order to carry out his assignment, Brandon must regain Finley’s trust. Can he convince her she means more than a job to him before peril closes in?

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Last but not least…

The Baby Assignment: A Riveting Western Suspense (The Baby Protectors)

Tasked with figuring out who left a baby girl at the Houston FBI office, Special Agent Tanner Wilson has only one hint—his ex-girlfriend’s name written on a scrap of paper. But child psychologist Macy Mills doesn’t recognize little Addie, and someone’s dead set on abducting her…even if it costs Tanner’s and Macy’s lives.

And with Addie and Macy as targets, Tanner’s new mission is to protect them both—at the risk of his own life and heart. Macy will do anything to help him find who’s after Addie, and make amends for her past mistakes.

But for their reunion to become a second chance at love, they must find a way to survive the danger threatening to tear them apart.

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I am very excited about today’s treasures.

I hope you are too.

Happy Reading!

Free and bargain books January 10, 2022

LPC Free Books has FREE suggestions for us. This first one is an author I’ve not read but in 2017 I did download a grammar book she’s written. I found it very helpful. Now I’m looking forward to this book.

Follow the Dawn

Anna Emory grew up the invisible, shy younger sister, and she prefers it that way. But when her father attempts to arrange an unsavory marriage, Anna learns that courage is sometimes found in adversity. Then she meets a boy and his father struggling in their relationship, and they tip her quiet world upside down.

Captain Mathieu Tudder has run from responsibility, entrusting his young son’s care to another and devoting his Sea Beggar ship to the Dutch Revolution. After that cause fails, Tudder returns to England for the son he left behind. But his son seems to have given his heart to a unknown and quiet lady—a woman who reminds him of all he’s ever loved and lost.

Will these two hearts—the battle-scarred and the broken—ever find true freedom?

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I’m going to include her grammar book, now that I’ve found it again. It’s one I’ve been suggesting to writer friends but couldn’t find to connect them. It’s a short book, laid out to find things quickly. Just what I like.

Write Well: A Grammar Guide

The writing guide that won’t bore you to tears.

Learn to be a better writer in one sitting.

Do you want to learn how to write better books, blog posts, even emails? Then you’ve stumbled upon the perfect guide.

In Write Well, I outline the tools and techniques you need to truly master grammar–in an un-overwhelming way. That’s right. You won’t be yawning or weeping as you read these writing rules, just rejoicing that you’ve finally found the answer to your prayers.

So, go ahead, become the writer you’ve always dreamed of, and catapult yourself to the career you’ve always wanted. Because once you know how to make your words work for you, the world’s your oyster.

Hi there, I’m Rachelle Rea Cobb. and I have history with words. I’m a grammar geek with a knack for storytelling. I help authors (traditionally and self-published), bloggers, students, and ESL writers polish their pages until their words shine–so that they then can sign their own publishing contracts. Did I mention I signed my own book deal at age 22? And now I’d like to share my expertise with you.

Write Well is a short ebook designed to walk you through what you need to know so you can get back to the real work: actual writing.

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LPC has another FREE book that I have but have not read. I must try again. Maybe I was triggered.

The Queen’s Daughters (Kate Bushnell Series Book 2)

Inspired by a dream, Dr. Kate Bushnell writes to Josephine Butler, famous crusader who frees women from sex slavery in Victorian England. Kate tells Mrs. Butler she is planning to travel to Great Britain. Though she she doesn’t have a cent for the journey from America, miraculously she arrives months later in London.

Once there, Kate and her friend Bess are invited to tea with Mrs. Butler. “When I read of your experiences rescuing girls in the lumber camps in Wisconsin,” Mrs. Butler says, “I thought you might be able to help us in India. We need proof for Parliament that the military entices or buys girls for the brothels on the bases.”

Kate glances at Bess. She sees a streak of fear in her eyes.

Mrs. Butler goes on, “I warn you, you would have to enter as secretly as possible. General Roberts, the commander-in-chief, would make sure you’d never enter another base again.” She pats Kate’s hand as if to soften her words. “I’m afraid this will be one of the hardest assignments you’ve undertaken…”

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Another one I’ve read and enjoyed

To Claim Her Heart 

In 1893, on the eve of the great race for land, Benjamin David prays for God to guide him to his ‘Promised Land. Finding property and preaching to the lost are his only ways of honoring his deceased fiancée. He hasn’t counted on Elmer (Elsie) Smith claiming the same plot and refusing to leave. Not only is she a burr in his side, but she is full of the homesteading know-how he is sadly lacking.

Obtaining a claim in the Cherokee Strip Land Run is Elsie Smith’s only hope for survival, and not just any plot, she has a specific one in mind. The land’s not only a way to honor her pa and his life, but also to provide a livelihood for herself. She’s willing to put in whatever it takes to get that piece of property, and Elsie’s determined to keep it.

Her bitterness is what protects her, and she has no intentions of allowing that preacher to lay claim to her land . . . or her heart.

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This has been good book day. I hope you think so too.

Happy Reading

Mark, Buddy, and the Book of Common Prayer January 10, 2022

Two of my favorite singers are having a deep conversation about today`s scripture reading in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. At least it starts out that way and then it evolves into so much more.

While I was listening to them live I added a couple of videos here to introduce you to Buddy and his amazing talent. Who knew he would sing the same song live. Now you get to see him perform in two different settings.

Introduction to Buddy

One of his songs

I love today`s podcast, I hope it blesses you as much as it does me.

They will be doing this again and I plan to share them all.

Current read and two new interesting books January 09, 2022

Last week I mentioned a book written by a psychotherapist interviewed on a podcast I came across. I think I shared it here, I need to check that out to be sure. Anyway, I’m reading her book and it is like taking medicine mixed with delicious honey. The authors aim was to provide help to those of us who might not be inclined (for whatever reason) to visit a therapist but dish it up as a story to make sure we would read it. I have to say she is doing a masterful job. I’m almost finished the first third of the book and it is not easy to put down.

Maybe You Should Talk To Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

Now being developed as a television series with Eva Longoria and ABC!

“Rarely have I read a book that challenged me to see myself in an entirely new light, and was at the same time laugh-out-loud funny and utterly absorbing.”—Katie Couric

“This is a daring, delightful, and transformative book.”—Arianna Huffington, Founder, Huffington Post and Founder & CEO, Thrive Global

“Wise, warm, smart, and funny. You must read this book.”—Susan Cain, New York Times best-selling author of Quiet

From a New York Times best-selling author, psychotherapist, and national advice columnist, a hilarious, thought-provoking, and surprising new book that takes us behind the scenes of a therapist’s world—where her patients are looking for answers (and so is she).

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Last week I shared a new book written by a member of our monthly writer’s group. I’m going to share it again along with the new book of a second member of our group. I do own both books and haven’t gotten to them yet but I’m excited about the prospect. We have been exposed regularly to the excellent writings of these gentlemen and they are well worth reading.

They have different styles, unique imaginations and they leave us wanting more.

Fire and Iron: Stories of Fidelity, Infidelity and Daring Commitment

Broken promises, ulterior motives, revenge and deceit; Ten stories detailing relationships some broken, and some redemptive, all recognizing human frailty.

Short stories for adults with stories for men, women, and youth including short love stories that make you cry.

Each story is followed by book club discussion questions to prompt reflection of the story and personal experiences. This short story collection is both suitable for the Christian book club and general adult book clubs.

Inspirational short stories of relationships.
Excerpts from the stories:
She attempted to grasp his hand, their fingers touched, but then his hand was gone. (Fire and Iron)

Emma reached out to collect her books. She hesitated when she saw Keara crouching in front as if to help. To her dismay, Keara only whispered, “You know you’re not my friend anymore.” (The River)

Rand Gavell’s moral fiber is put to the test. His injured wife lies comatose in a care home while an attractive, single real-estate agent suggests an alternative lifestyle. (A Touch of Salt)

The title, Fire and Iron, suggests the stories are of individuals tempered by the fires of hurt, strengthened by the pain and helped by the kindness of another.

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Stealth by Robert Stermscheg

1944. American bomber pilot, Jack Swaggart, has led his squadron countless times into hostile German territory, hit the assigned target, and returned to base none the worse for wear.

Eventually, Jack’s luck runs out. With his B-26 Marauder heavily damaged by flak, Jack is forced to ditch his crippled airplane in the German countryside.

Separated from his crew, Jack trusts an unlikely ally, Hilde Augsburg, a plucky young woman, a decision with icy catapults them into an adventure neither could have envisioned. Coincidentally, they spot a new type of German warplane in flight–a design unlike anything they’ve ever seen before.

In that moment, Jack realizes that the Nazis have developed a formidable new bomber, one that could dramatically alter the course of the war. In the blink of an eye, Jack’s mission shifts from survival to thwarting the Germans, just when the Allies are on the verge of triumph.

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All three of these authors are well worth the read. I think you will enjoy them as much as I do.

Happy Reading!

PTSD and abuse. How do you know for sure? January 09, 2022

Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com

If you can’t remember how do you know it happened? You could be wrong.

I can see how, lacking memories, skeptics might question my claims of child abuse.

I’ve been thinking about this more intensely this weekend. It’s not that I haven’t spent time with it before. I have… decades in fact. Just not intensely.

This is the first time I’ve managed to lay it all out in order.

Just because my mind has refused to remember extreme pain, that doesn’t mean I have no memories of the rest of my life.

As a child, I remember poverty, insecurity and instability with a self-employed father full of brilliant ideas that didn’t always pan out. Highly sociable parents who loved to party and run with the fast crowd. An alcoholic father who was not always a nice, or faithful man. Dad was never alone much either.

Once the line has been crossed from inactive to active it can never be uncrossed. My conscious mind may refuse to remember the painful violations but my body remembers. Going forward, my unconscious thought patterns, reactions, and expectations were shaped by childhood experiences. As a teen, looking back, I recognize thought patterns that could only come from experience. With nothing to compare to, how could I know an inexperienced teen wouldn’t know what I knew. My naivete was in thinking I went in to marriage as a novice.

The most compelling indicator of abuse, though, was triggers.

For many decades, involuntarily, I refused to question anything. Thought patterns, reactions, hints, not even consideration of the to-question-or-not-to question dilemma, none of it. Subconsciously I knew I wouldn’t like the answers inspection would bring and my mind steadfastly refused to go there.

It was many decades before I gave triggers much thought. They were just a normal part of life. That is how it often is for the abused. Only when we see how others live do we recognize that what we live with is abnormal.

In the beginning most triggers seemed to be related to men. They range from a quick shut down, to knee-jerk reactions, to panic attacks. After years of examining root causes and then dealing with them, there were changes. Or, maybe it was whatever was next-in-line showing up.

The most recent episodes have taken me by surprise. With dysfunctional family dynamics there were multiple levels of abuse, much of it emotional. These lessor? triggers are taking their turn at gaining attention.

Reactions provide compelling evidence of abuse but the final nail in solidifying the idea was my brother insisting I admit it happened.

If there is any lingering doubt acesaware.org (Adverse Childhood Experiences) has extensive questionnaires offering insight. They name the minimum number of boxes it takes to assess probability. I passed the exam with flying colors. More than the required number of boxes checked off.

One of their areas of discussion is health issues. Aggravated by unaddressed abuse trauma. Two areas show up for me. Digestive and autoimmune. They have become more pronounced with each passing year.

A selfie standing on the kitchen floor.

This has been going on for more than ten years. I have a specialist appointment in a few weeks but it doesn’t look like there is any cure. This doesn’t surprise me. I’ve had skin issues most of my life, if it leaves one area it pops up in another. Why fight it?

There is no room left for doubt about what happened to me.

One more note: the As a child, .. paragraph above provided ample reasons for the checked off boxes on one of the questionnaire pages.

If you suspect you may be a victim check out acesaware.org , it is sponsored by California health and has a wealth of information and helpful tools available to everyone.

I hope this made sense.

A watched and enjoyed podcast January 08, 2022

This man may not be your cup of tea but I loved this interview and want to watch it again soon. Rick Warren has been the founding pastor of a mega church in southern California for forty-two years. He is an author of many books but probably his most well known book is The Purpose Driven Church.

The reason this interview struck a chord with me was his heart. He acknowledges his accomplishments with a humble spirit. He has his head on straight about many things and has a high quotient in emotional maturity. There are so many positive things to be said about his leadership and the interview demonstrates many of those characteristics for us.

If you are interested in someone like this I know you will enjoy this interview. The other cool thing about it is the very beginning where we are introduced to an amazing library museum. He is an avid collector and has made it into Guinness World Book of Records several times. His museum is amazing and worth the look even if you don’t watch the rest of the interview.

Rick Warren has tendered his resignation at Saddleback Church, he plans to retire and pass leadership off to someone else. The retirement discussion is part of the interview. It will be interesting to see what he tackles next.

Carey Nieuwhof has a gift for asking good questions and drawing interesting relatable content out of his guests.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.