Read and enjoyed, up to July 31, 2022

This first one was a great read. Realistic characters, facing real situations. Women doctors were rare in that day & age and life was not easy or fair for them most of the time. Edie didn’t expect to ever marry either as men generally had rigid ideas about proper conduct for married women – full time mothers and housewives. That would be an unacceptable waste for a woman graduating at the top of her class.

The Way to Healing: A historical Christian romance (The Waymaker series Book 1)

After their first meeting, Edith “Edie” Carmichael would have been content to never lay eyes on Lucas Brown again.

She thinks he’s no more than the grumpy owner of Pine Creek’s lumber company, and he thinks she’s a know-it-all lady doctor intent on putting folks in their place.

The two must quickly form a truce when suspicious accidents and theft at the sawmill threaten both his livelihood and the lives of his men, but can Lucas ever learn to trust a woman after a lifetime of being abandoned by them? Can Edie be content running the clinic in the hometown she thinks she’s outgrown, or will her dreams prove more powerful than her growing feelings? And when the world around them goes up in flames, will Edie and Lucas make it out alive?

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This next one also addresses historical inequalities for women, particularly in the Regency era. Elizabeth is faced with the expectations of a controlling mother with prestige aspirations. It has been declared that she must travel to Great Britain and join the social season looking for a titled husband. Her father is willing to go along with her mother’s decree knowing Elizabeth is adamantly against it. Her heart wants to stay in America. It was fun watching her learn how to stand up for herself.

A Touch of Scarlet (Gilded Promises)

Never was there a more charmed debutante than the impeccable Elizabeth St. James. Her sterling reputation makes her a favored guest in the most exclusive homes in New York City. But behind the gilded curtain of turn-of-the-century society, Elizabeth despises being her mother’s perfect “specimen” and refuses to forgive the woman for her treacherous family betrayal. Now, with only two months before Elizabeth sets sail for London to marry a British lord, she resolves to live a lifetime of adventure—including kissing a man under the moon and stars. And Elizabeth has the perfect candidate in mind: Luke.

Lucian Griffin, the brother of Elizabeth’s dearest friend, intends to protect Elizabeth from letting her adventures forever sully her reputation. He knows too well the regrets that come from taking unnecessary risks. Soon his earnest fondness for the sweet debutante gives way to deep affection. But if either is to have a chance at true love and happiness, they must have the courage to let go of the past—and the grace to embrace forgiveness.

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More to follow.

Bargain books July 30, 2022

I’m back. It’s been great spending the last two weeks camping with my kids and their kids. Good times. Even with the wild thunder storms. I’m sad to see it end, it has been an awesome experience for us all to be together again for the first time since 2018. Six years is a long time in the life of a child. They have all become young adults or are close to it. Camping is done but we still have a few more days before they all head home, and we are making the most of it.

Along with enjoying family, it’s time to get back to book browsing and I am looking forward to it too. The read and enjoyed list has grown too and that will need to be shared soon as well.

This first current suggestion was from 1531 Entertainment, in Regency genre with an author unknown to me. It looks interesting and worth a chance.

Lord of Worth (Ladies of Worth series Book 3)

London 1776: Lord Worth is busying himself restoring his family fortunes and burying any feelings he still harbours for the woman who rejected his proposal.

The fact that the lady in question—Lady Rebecca Fairing—happens to be his sister’s best friend, his niece’s godmother, and present at every Societal gathering of consequence is… unfortunate.

Meanwhile Rebecca fears she made the wrong decision in rejecting James Worth, but when he assures her he won’t be renewing his proposal, she is forced to accept her choice. It doesn’t take long for the eligible Lord Worth to attract other suitors, among them Lady Sophia, daughter to Society’s most notorious gossip, Lady Goring.

Rebecca knows she must step aside and allow James to find happiness, but when she senses all is not as it seems in the Goring family, she can’t help but intervene.

As James and Rebecca work together to unearth Societal secrets, deal with scheming matriarchs, and face villainous highwaymen, they find themselves more in each other’s company than ever before.

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BookBub also has an interesting suggestion. We have seen this author before but not very often. I’m looking forward to experiencing her again.

The Crushing Depths (Coastal Guardians Book #2)

When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker on the first drilling platform off the North Carolina coast, Coast Guard investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are sent to take the case. Tensions surrounding the oil rig are high and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the structure from being completed, while rumors are being whispered about ancient curses surrounding this part of the ocean.

Mounting evidence shows the death may not have been an accident at all. Was he killed by one of the activists or, perhaps more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only a plethora of suspects, but also their own past and attraction to each other.

Just as the case seems like it’ll break open, worse news arrives. A tropical storm has turned their way and soon they’re cut off from any rescue–and right where the killer wants them. It’s a race to discover his identity before he eliminates the threat they pose.

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My current read is a delight. I love stories with angels and guardian angels, they add a new dimension with abilities far beyond those of us poor humans. They can appear and disappear at the most unexpected times and say and do things that leave us shaking our heads. Angels add a whole new level of possibility to any story and it’s usually a fun ride. It is definitely fun in this collection. I’m reading number four of seven.

Albert the angel is on assingment!

Because let’s face it, sometimes romance needs a little help …

Albert: Angel Box Collection One

Watching the Wrangler: 

Arabella Simpson’s family lived a nomadic life. Now they were in Creede, Colorado and it was no different than other place they’d stayed and high-tailed it out of. But, she had to admit, the scenery was beautiful and in more ways than one.

If she didn’t stop watching the wrangler at the neighboring ranch, they might have to vamoose for a reason other than her father’s gambling habit. Can two people determined not to fall in love find it? Maybe with a little help from one of Albert’s friend, Hansel, they can …

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The angels are doing a good job, so far they have managed to be successful in all their assignments. It will be fun to see how this one will go.

I will see you again soon.

Happy reading!

Free book, suggestions part two July 22, 2022

BookRunes has another FREE suggestion for us. It appears I have read a number of books from this author over the course of three years ( 2013- 2016) but I don’t remember much about the experience. This one looks like it could be interesting.

Summer Bride: A Sweet Holiday Romance (Holiday Brides Book 2) 

Two octogenarians won’t stop until they make a match. . .

Sage Presley loves her job as the receptionist at Golden Skies Retirement Village in Holiday, Oregon. She enjoys the residents and their wisdom, even if some of them are more than a little quirky. Determined to ignore the matchmaking efforts of two women at the retirement home, Sage’s sole focus is on raising her brother, Shane. In spite of her best efforts, she can’t help but notice the hunky electrician who continually comes to her rescue.

Grateful for the opportunity to open his own electrical business, Justin James moves to Holiday full of plans and dreams. He’s quickly drawn in by the close-knit community, but finds the lack of suitable single women disturbing. Despite himself, his attention is captured by the receptionist at the retirement home where he’s working on a big job. Yet, he can’t begin to understand why two matchmaking octogenarians are intent on forcing him together with the woman he’s convinced is married.

Sprinkled with humor, hope, and the meaning of selfless love, Summer Bride is a heartwarming sweet romance full of small-town charm.

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This is it for any book suggestions I thought we could possibly find interesting. Maybe something more will show up tomorrow. Other than that, we will be back in town in about a week and will catch up again then.

It’s weird having no internet or cell service but I have to admit it is good too.

In the meantime, have a good summer and . . .

Happy Reading.

Bargain books July 22, 2022

Hi everyone. This is catch-up time after most of the week spent camping. We have had a bit of everything from very hot to nearly blown away with severe rain and thunder storms. It has been fun though, a special time with family. Something we don’t get to do very often so we treasure every minute.

There were lots of suggestion emails waiting for me and it will be an adventure to see how many good books come out of them.

This first one is a BookRunes suggestion, It’s an author I’ve never heard of and reading the first two chapters I want to give it a try. Searching to see what this author is all about I found there are three other bargain books all with a supernatural aspect. I’m going for all four.

First Cause : An Amari Johnston Novel, Volume 4 

In 1990, while carefully reviewing data received from NASA’s newly launched Hubble Telescope, Dr. Benjamin Zeller, Science Advisor to President Bush, makes a shocking discovery that will bridge the gap between science and religion.

Just as Dr. Zeller is about to reveal his findings to the world, he goes missing, narrowly avoiding an assassin’s bullet. Evidence leads authorities to believe he has drowned in the Potomac River. In reality, he is in hiding, fearing a government conspiracy to keep his discovery a secret. Rather than contact the FBI, he reaches out to a trusted friend in Tucson, Arizona.

Dr. Kevin Brenner is a brilliant experimental physicist who is about to marry Amari Johnston, a feisty private investigator known for thinking outside the box. Just before the wedding, Kevin receives a coded message on his computer from Dr. Zeller. Kevin and Amari realize the message is a veiled cry for help giving only cryptic clues as to Dr. Zeller’s location. They hastily change their honeymoon plans and travel to Washington, D.C., desperate to locate Dr. Zeller and protect him from the determined assassin.

Will they find Dr. Zeller before it’s too late? And what is this astonishing discovery that some would stop at nothing to keep hidden? Or is Dr. Zeller in danger for an entirely different reason?

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This is the next book I found.

The Near-Death Experience of Justin Parks

This novel, written from a Christian worldview, was inspired byImagine Heaven, The New York Times Best Sellerby Pastor John Burke.

Every year, thousands of people cheat death and come back to life. Many people have near-death experiences that offer a glimpse of Heaven. But none of these can compare to the remarkable near-death experience of Justin Parks.

The past three years haven’t been easy for Justin, causing him to lose faith in a loving, personal God. His fiancée gets killed by a drunk driver a week before their wedding. A year later, after enrolling in the police academy in a misguided effort to avenge his fiancée’s death, he mistakes a Black church pastor for an armed robber, shoots him in the chest, and nearly kills him. In the following months, he struggles with the backlash from the public outrage caused by negative media attention. And just when his life has seemingly returned to normal, a blow to the head sends him to a watery death, only for him to be revived by paramedics a few minutes later.

When Justin awakes from a coma in the hospital, he remembers nothing about the moments leading up to his death or the time between his death and resuscitation. He learns from his doctor that as his traumatic brain injury heals, fragments of memory from the moments before and after his death will eventually return. And return they do, in astonishing ways. Not only does he experience ultra-realistic visions of heavenly realms, but he also remembers portions of a judgment day-style life review that includes not only events from his past but terrifying events in his future.

Fearing he may be losing his mind, he looks for answers by attending a near-death research conference held at a local convention center. During one of the lectures, he meets Lydia Theodoropoulos, a quirky, young freelance reporter with a funny last name—and his life will never be the same.

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Two more. . . both stand-alone novels

Carbon-14: The Shroud of Turin (An Amari Johnston Novel Book 1)

More than 99 percent of the evidence proves the Shroud of Turin is the authentic burial cloth of Jesus Christ. Only one test says otherwise—the carbon date performed in 1988.

A serial killer with a fetish for fire targets the faithful of Tucson, Arizona. Homicide detective, Pete Johnston, works to catch the killer before more clergy are killed, before more churches are burned.

His daughter, Amari, is a criminal justice major at the University of Arizona. When the Shroud is carbon dated at her university, the results reveal that the relic is a medieval forgery. Amari investigates this ancient cold case file for a class project and makes a shocking discovery that could alter the fate of Christianity.

She teams up with Dr. Kevin Brenner, a brilliant young experimental physicist, and together they gather evidence so they can plead their case to the Vatican—unless the killer can stop them first. Her father desperately tries to protect her and catch the killer before she becomes his next victim.

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Sixty-Five Roses: An Amari Johnston Novel, Volume 3

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive disease with no cure. And for one dying little girl with this illness, there is only one hope—an ancient Christian relic with an astonishing power to heal.

Amari Johnston is a feisty private investigator fresh out of college. Her father is a retired homicide detective. Together, they work as a team for a wealthy philanthropist named Ernesto Galliano. While staying at Ernesto’s estate, Amari befriends an endearing four-year-old foster child named Kathleen. But Kathleen isn’t like the other foster children staying at the estate. She has a severe case of cystic fibrosis, and Amari is desperate to find a cure. She researches the latest medical advances, but after learning that effective treatment is decades away, she nearly gives up hope.

Meanwhile, inside the restoration laboratory of the Royal Ontario Museum, a conservator discovers a relic with miraculous healing powers: a woolen scrap of fabric from the cloak of Jesus Christ.

When the museum conservator gets fired, and the miracle cloth goes missing, Ernesto sends Amari and her father to investigate the case. As Kathleen lies dying in the intensive care unit, Amari puts her own life on the line in a desperate attempt to find the miracle cloth before it’s too late.

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These four should keep us going for awhile but I will still check to see if we have any more.

Be back soon.

Happy Reading.

Free book July 15, 2022

BookRunes has a FREE suggestion this morning. The cover looks very familiar but I’m not seeing this book in my library. Could have read this somewhere maybe? It’s free, I’ll read it to find out if it really is familiar.

A Heart of Stone: Clean Mystery Romance (Opposites Attract Book 4)

A baby’s future hangs in the balance, sparking a heart-rending mystery. Why didn’t Cash’s sister leave him guardianship of her daughter?

Instead, she leaves her infant in her friend Jane’s care. Though a lifelong friend, Jane isn’t family. And the baby is the only family Cash has left. He insists on being involved in raising his young niece.

In the midst of this, strange things start happening at Jane’s dress shop. Can the two overcome their differences–and perhaps build a new family together?

Only if his heart of stone can be softened. From a Carol Award-winning author: a faith-filled, second chance romance with a touch of mystery.

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Sadly, that’s all we have for today but, there is always hope for tomorrow.

Happy Reading!

Free book July 14, 2022

BookBub has a FREE suggestion for us, from an author we’ve seen a number of times through the years.

A romance filled with intrigue and family skeletons, I mean secrets. The best kind.

The Way Back Home: (Aspen Valley Homecoming Book 1)

The pain of betrayal by the ones she trusted, stung.

But she can’t stop the love that haunts her still.

Eight years ago, Courtney left Aspen Valley, heartbroken, sure she’d never return. Now with a daughter, a failed marriage, and the loss of her ex-husband, she returns to Aspen Valley and her emotionally distant father.

She does her best to swallow her long-buried feelings about life on the farm and the pain caused by her boyfriend and father. For young Fenna’s sake, she puts on a happy face.

What she doesn’t expect is her father’s interaction with her daughter, the bonds they form. And, even more troubling, the love she still feels for Cole, the man who broke her heart all those years ago.

But the longer she stays, the more hope grows. The more she sees the possibility that she might stay.

And have a future with Cole.

But what seems promising is soon rocked by shocking secrets, stunning revelations, and decisions she thought she’d never have to make.

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That’s it for today as far as new books go.

My current read is awesome. Over half way through and Tenley still hasn’t found a way to open the stuck drawer in the writing desk, it could hold valuable family secrets.

She isn’t trying very hard. Such a disappointment.

Generations apart – two women do have similar stories, but that’s a secret yet to be discovered. Except by us, we know.

The Writing Desk 

Tenley Roth’s first book was a runaway bestseller. Now that her second book is due, she’s locked in fear. Can she repeat her earlier success or is she a fraud who has run out of inspiration?

With pressure mounting from her publisher, Tenley is weighted with writer’s block. But when her estranged mother calls asking Tenley to help her through chemotherapy, she packs up for Florida where she meets handsome furniture designer Jonas Sullivan and discovers the story her heart’s been missing.

A century earlier, another woman wrote at the same desk with hopes and fears of her own. Born during the Gilded Age, Birdie Shehorn is the daughter of the old money Knickerbockers. Under the strict control of her mother, her every move is decided ahead of time, even whom she’ll marry. But Birdie has dreams she doesn’t know how to realize. She wants to tell stories, write novels, make an impact on the world. When she discovers her mother has taken extreme measures to manipulate her future, she must choose between submission and security or forging a brand new way all on her own.

Tenley and Birdie are from two very different worlds, but fate has bound them together in a way time cannot erase.

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Happy Reading y’all

More bargains July 13, 2022

Author Renee Ryan has another bargain book for us, in the series we had earlier. I love the covers.

A Touch of Scarlet (Gilded Promises)

Never was there a more charmed debutante than the impeccable Elizabeth St. James. Her sterling reputation makes her a favored guest in the most exclusive homes in New York City. But behind the gilded curtain of turn-of-the-century society, Elizabeth despises being her mother’s perfect “specimen” and refuses to forgive the woman for her treacherous family betrayal. Now, with only two months before Elizabeth sets sail for London to marry a British lord, she resolves to live a lifetime of adventure—including kissing a man under the moon and stars. And Elizabeth has the perfect candidate in mind: Luke.

Lucian Griffin, the brother of Elizabeth’s dearest friend, intends to protect Elizabeth from letting her adventures forever sully her reputation. He knows too well the regrets that come from taking unnecessary risks. Soon his earnest fondness for the sweet debutante gives way to deep affection. But if either is to have a chance at true love and happiness, they must have the courage to let go of the past—and the grace to embrace forgiveness.

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Another bargain book showed up in the suggestion strips, I see I have read 5 books by this author, Amanda Cabot, but I can’t remember if I like her, she’s not on any of my lists. Probably because I didn’t think of it and should have. This story looks interesting though so I’m going for it.

Out of the Embers (Mesquite Springs Book #1)

Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents’ murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don’t include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.

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This has been an excellent book day.

Bargain books July 13, 2022

1531 Entertainment has a bargain suggestion for us. I may have read this author as there is one book in my library from 2013 but I don’t think so. Looking forward to this read. Family secrets are always interesting.

Journey’s End (Gilded Promises)

Having grown up on the mean streets of nineteenth-century London, Caroline St. James is used to fighting to survive.

So when her beloved mother—abandoned and ignored by her wealthy family—suddenly dies, the scrappy twenty-two-year-old devises a plan to right this terrible wrong. With nothing to lose, she sails to New York to find the man who turned a cold shoulder to her mother’s suffering: Caroline’s grandfather. To settle the family score, Caroline infiltrates her grandfather’s privileged world, hoping to sabotage his business from the inside.

But as she sets her plot in motion, she meets Jackson Montgomery, a virtuous man who is struggling to recover from a family scandal of his own. As their friendship grows, and Caroline begins to piece together the motives that led her family to turn its back, she is forced to make a decision: Should she risk everything in the name of justice? Or can she look toward the future and let love and forgiveness guide her instead?

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Then they have a nine book bargain collection, Mysteries. I’ve read many of these authors and I’m looking forward to this experience. This is a pre-order and is scheduled to be out in a few weeks.

Winter Deceptions: A Collection of Christian Suspense Novellas 

Nine riveting wintery suspense novellas. Ten-award winning Christian suspense authors.

MURDER ON FLIGHT 91 by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry

When a passenger collapses on an international flight, is it a medical emergency, or attempted murder?

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TWAS THE NIGHT by Dan Walsh

After experiencing an unspeakable tragedy, a young mother relocates from Brooklyn to a small mountain town in North Carolina. Will this be the fresh start she’s hoping for or the beginning of an even greater upheaval to her fragile world?

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ONE WONDERS by Luana Ehrlich

Silas McKay’s worst fears are realized when his investigation takes an unexpected turn.

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THE VOW by D.L. Wood

Kate’s husband left her a year ago, ending their marriage without warning. But when things turn sinister, will she be able to uncover what’s really going on before the danger closes in?

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ZERO TRUST by Jan Thompson

When Mira hires a former soldier to help her assassinate her mother’s killer, she doesn’t expect to target her own father.

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TRIGGERS by Terry Toler

Will Trigger, the loveable German Shepherd with military skills, be able to save a woman running from an abusive husband and a war hero with PTSD?

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AGAINST THE DARKNESS by H.L. Wegley

When Meiling Chen flees to America with vengeful Chinese agents in pursuit, can she find an American medical researcher she can trust?

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TOO LATE by Liz Bradford

Can Chloe Jacobs, a search and rescue K9 handler, overcome her past trauma before it’s too late for her and her partner, Josh Schneider, or will her fears cause a fatal mistake?

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STEALTH GENESIS by Vikki Kestell

East of Dr. Daniel Bickel’s Albuquerque laboratory lies the old Manzano Weapons Storage Facility, a mountain with dangerous secrets that have all but been forgotten . . . or have they?

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It’s a good book day.

Happy Reading!

Free and bargain books July 11, 2022

1531 Entertainment has an attractive collection for us, a series I’ve not seen before although I’ve read this author. An interesting angle to the stories.

The Wranglers and Writers Trilogy: The Complete Collection (Dawson’s Valley) 

Three authors, sure they don’t need love. Three hardworking cowboys, working to make a living. Is the state of Wyoming big enough for the sparks between them?

Madison, Maisey, and Annabelle meet for the first time at a beautiful dude ranch in Wyoming, their only intent is to relax, write, and enjoy some peace and quiet. One simple retreat wasn’t supposed change all of their lives forever.

Madison is quiet and her real life is hidden deep in secrecy. She doesn’t want anyone to know who she is or the fears and worries that follow her in the big city. In the wide-open country – where she’s reminded of home – Randal steps in to show her that cowboys are good at protecting their own.

Maisey is a party girl, looking for a good time. When she goes a little too far for an impromptu vacation, she finds herself stranded with a sweet single dad who isn’t willing to let her past define what he feels building between them. Can she let go and be the new woman she wants to be for the man she’s growing to love, or will her past control her forever?

Annabelle is on the run from a fan stalking her. The only place she’s ever felt safe is on a little farm near the Dawson Creek Ranch. When she arrives and literally runs into the owner Luke, he can’t help but take her under his protective care. But will he have to watch her forever, or will her past follow her to Wyoming?

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LPC Free Books has a YA fantasy for us and after the first few pages I want to read it. It’s FREE too. I like fantasy.

Unbetrothed: Clean Young Adult Fantasy with a Latin Twist 

Around Agatha Sea, princesses are poised, magically gifted, and betrothed.

So, when seventeen-year-old Princess Beatriz still fails to secure a betrothal, her parents hold a ball. Forming an alliance could mean the difference between peace and war, but Beatriz doesn’t want just any suitor. She’s in love with her best friend, Prince Lux. Marrying Prince Lux will always be a silly dream as long as she has no magical gift.
Princess Beatriz will do whatever it takes to obtain a touch of magic, including making a deadly oath to go on a quest to Valle de Los Fantasmas. A valley where no one comes out alive.
If she can manage to succeed, Princess Beatriz could have everything she desires and secure peace for her kingdom. If she fails, she’ll lose not only her greatest dream but also her kingdom, and maybe even her own life.

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I’m looking forward to both of these reads. It’s a good day.

Happy Reading!

Interesting! July 10, 2022

What is it? That was the question.

Beautiful Lilac bush

Yesterday was a day for working in the yard, attempting to be rid of as many weeds as possible. I was hoping to spend as much time both days as I possibly could. It turned out to be way less than I hoped. It was hot and that makes it difficult to last very long. And I don’t do well in heat anyway.

Since I am always delighted to be reading it wasn’t much of a hardship taking extended breaks to cool off and recover.

One of the chores I felt pressured to get done was pruning several lilac bushes. They are the type that bloom on old growth and need to be pruned soon after flowering so this years growth will be there for next years blooms. With all the rain and hot weather we’ve had everything in the garden has become overgrown, these bushes were encroaching on the lawn making grass cutting a challenge. And it would be worse rather than better as the summer progresses.

While I was in that spot I needed to trim back some low hanging branches on the nearby Lilac tree (which you can see is much different than the bush,) Already we have to duck to get past it and before long it will be even worse. The blooms on the tree are large and as the season goes on they droop even lower with added weight.

I was trying to remove branches without blooms because they are pretty but not prolific. As I cleaned up the mess on the grass I found I’d cut a small branch with a bloom. Such a shame because it wasn’t finished yet.

Rather than toss it I decided to bring it in the house and put it in water, I could enjoy it a little longer, up close and personal.

After a few hours I noticed there was something funny was going on. The flower seemed to be quivering and tiny petals were beginning to litter the table. What in the world? As I went around it there was a tiny insect eating? the flowers, knocking tiny petals off in the process. My reaction was to get him outside, quickly.

I decided to carry the whole thing out the door to let the insect escape. Of course, rather than waiting for me to do this it flew to the window and stayed there.

I had never seen anything like it. It was tiny like a small ant but it had a body and coloring more like a little bee. Very strange indeed.

This morning it was still on the window. I expect it had had another go at the flower as there were more petals on the table. It was a dilemma. It was so small that it would be squished and die if I tried to pick it up. If it stayed inside it would die for lack of food and water. Finally I put a small plastic cup over it and it moved inside the rim enough that I could move outside with it. With a little coaxing it landed on the deck and then quickly flew away. For some reason it was a bit of a shock seeing that tiny bee take off like that.

I haven’t been able to get that little bee out of my mind and I had to see if I could figure it out. It was a surprise to find there are many versions of little bees. Some look like bees but are actually flies. Very interesting. Out of all of them there was one looking most like my little friend. It was called a sweat bee and is drawn to humans because of the salt on their sweaty skin.

Now the question is: was it the flower or my skin that was the attraction?

We will never know.

This bloom’s tree is making a timid appearance at the top, in the right hand corner, with his friend the Lilac bush.

Life is full of amazing surprises!