Month: September 2022

Free and bargain book September 30, 2022

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1531 Entertainment has a bargain suggestion for us. Reading the synopsis it’s clear the attraction of this story is complex, which increases the allure. We’ve had three enjoyable books from this author recently and remembering that experience tells me the chances of this one being worth our while is high. Many good reviews reinforce this assessment. We will still have to read it for ourselves to decide if we agree.

A Time to Stand

A highly relevant and gripping novel that challenges us to ask what it means to forgive while seeking justice and to pursue reconciliation while loving others as ourselves.

Adisa Johnson is living her dream of practicing law with a prestigious firm in downtown Atlanta. Then a split-second mistake changes the course of her career.

Left with no other options, Adisa returns to her hometown where a few days earlier a white police officer shot an unarmed black teen who is now lying comatose in the hospital.

Adisa is itching to jump into the fight as a special prosecutor but feels pulled to do what she considers unthinkable as a young black woman—defend the officer.

As the court case unfolds, everyone in the small community must confront their own prejudices. Caught in the middle, Adisa also tries to chart her way along a path complicated by her budding relationship with a charismatic young preacher who leads the local movement demanding the police officer answer for his crime.

In a small Georgia town where racial tensions run high and lives are at stake, can one lawyer stand up for justice against the tides of prejudice?

  • A stand-alone legal drama
  • Book length: approximately 120,000 words
  • Includes discussion questions for book clubs

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I’m starting a new book and expect to love it a lot if the first chapter is any indicator. It’s not a fluff piece but it is romance and not as intense as a mystery would be, which is a nice change of pace.

Like a Winter Snow: A Sweet Romance (Port Willis Romance Book 1)

Cozy up with this charming romance all about unexpected love, true friendship, and family loyalty. Set during a Christmas-time wedding among the falling snow, this sweet story will warm your heart.

Women’s counselor Joy Beckman has always been a friend and helper to all. That’s why she’s given up everything to be with her parents as her mother suffers through Alzheimer’s.

Joy may not have a thriving career or a love life at the moment, but she’s doing what she does best—taking care of others. And even though it’s difficult, she knows it’s where she is supposed to be.

But life throws a curveball when she has to leave her parents temporarily to travel to England for the December wedding of her best friend. While there, Joy helps Sophia tackle her last-minute to-do list, and in the process, finally meets a man who turns her head—and her heart.

The only problem? He lives in snowy London, and her life is with her parents back in sunny Florida.

She tries to resist Oliver Lincoln’s charms, but it’s harder than it should be. With her heart torn in two, Joy is forced to choose between a life she knows she’s meant for and the one she didn’t see coming.

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

This last book is still free, and it’s short – only 142 pages. Unlike the first book with a whopping 413 pages. We need one to balance out the other. Can you imagine if every book was 413 pages? I favor long books but sparingly.

That’s it for today.

Enjoy and Happy Reading

Been needing to say that for a while. September 29, 2022

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First, I have to say it’s a bookless day, So sorry about that. And, I probably should have called this a This and That day because it may turn into that, you just never know.

It all started with a knock on the door. For the second day in a row.

Unexpected knocks on the door usually end up with people selling something or other that I don’t want or need and knowing that, I don’t care to answer. Maybe the reluctance is not liking to say no, even though I want to.

That’s what happened on the first day. I’ve never had someone be as persistent as this lady. She obviously knew I was here because she looked in the side window and could see me sitting at the table, typing away. After the fourth knock I went to the door and opened it a crack. She asked me a question. It was not a conversation I wanted to have so I slowly closed and locked the door walking away. I couldn’t believe did it. I still can’t. But I’m glad I did. It was better for both of us, at least from my perspective.

The next day there was a knock again. This is an unusual experience at my house y’all. And when it does happen I try to peek to see if it’s someone I know. I rarely answer the door so to do it two days in a row is unheard of.

This time there was man standing at a respectful distance from the door. He was holding something in his hand that looked suspiciously like election handouts. Sure enough they were. This confident professional man was running for school board and wanted to know if he could leave a brochure.

It’s kind of hard to say how the conversation veered from school board into a broader political conversation but it did. I’m not even sure how I had the audacity half way through to ask him what his political affiliation was, but I did. I couldn’t believe I did it and I don’t think he could either. To his credit he did answer carefully. Maybe he was trying to avoid being trapped in a negative situation.

It was good, we covered a wide range of subjects relating to politics in Canada and other places. I’m sure we don’t see eye to eye on everything but it was a positive experience. Several times before he left he commented on enjoying the experience. I did too. It isn’t often I get to have a conversation with someone that invested in the topic.

The coolest thing of all though, as I thought about it later, was that I got to say, spontaneously, things I’ve wanted to say to a politician for a very long time. I realize he is at the school board level but our city isn’t that big and I’m sure he has opportunities to meet up with our federal member of parliament now and then. He may even remember some of our conversation and things I was hoping he would pass on. Like be brave and stand up to people with crazy ideas. Say no when no needs to be said.

This was one time I was glad I answered the door.

I am learning to say no more often too. This usually generates even more I can’t believe I just said that moments. Love it.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Current read September 28, 2022

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Before we get into the current read I have to tell you that I was wrong. Last night I shared my guess, it was the doctor behind the unexplained murder attempts. Well, the book is finished, the mystery is solved and I couldn’t have been more wrong. I would love to tell you who it was but that would spoil it for you when you decide to read the story.

On the other hand by the time you may get around to reading it you will have forgotten this conversation and it will still be a surprise. Maybe, if I remember, I will mention who it was as I say good bye.

This book was so much fun. Yesterday’s post had the synopsis, if you would like it I’ll leave the link here.

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Moving on . . .

I was excited with the thought of reading this next book when we downloaded it but sometimes the excitement fades when a little time goes by. I was worried that’s what would happen. Something that would make me sad because I wanted to love it.

It was a needless worry. I’m only 1/4 of the way in but I’m hooked. I was doing my usual walk/read laps around the long dining room table when I woke up to the fact that I was still walking, perfectly. Auto pilot kicked in. It’s crazy how that can happen. It does prove I was off in another world.

So here’s the current read. It’s set in medieval times, it isn’t dark but it leans in that direction, compared to the lightness of my last read.

The Healer’s Apprentice (Fairy Tale Romance Series Book 1)

A realistic, fast-paced reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale full of royalty, romance, and danger. This masterful combination of love and heartbreak—combined with the novel’s surprise ending—is everything fans of fantasy, historical, and medieval fiction yearn for.

Rose has been appointed as a healer’s apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter’s daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her—a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.

When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she’s never felt before and wonders if he feels the same.

But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose’s life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

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

I hope you like these two too.

Happy Reading.

( shhhhhh, it was the butler. Seriously!) laugh

Frost? It’s a bit early isn’t it? September 27, 2022

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Frost. We’ve had the first one of the season and it’s only September 27, 2022. I wonder when the first snow will fly. I’m sad to see summer leave but… winter has it’s own charm.

Everything is still green although with the change in weather it probably won’t be for too much longer. It’s hard to tell though. Every year seems to have a different timetable.

So, I’m just popping in for a short while. My current book is a page turner and it’s not easy to break away long enough to write anything of any consequence. I’m loving the story. I love the characters, the setting, the story line, but most of all I love that it makes me laugh out loud. And long sometimes. A good laugh is good for the soul and this book does it for me. I’m going to be sad when it ends. That said, the joy of the read will soon win out over the sadness.

This is the kind of story where you forget you are reading a book and find yourself living life along with the characters. The last week or so we’ve been staying at the country estate having a house party, but the guests have all suddenly departed, a sign it’s time to go back to the city. We have a murderer to flush out and catch. Well, a potential murderer. He or she, (we haven’t ruled anyone out yet,) has made several attempts on Herman’s life but so far hasn’t succeeded. We don’t want them too either.

Personally, I think it is the grandmother’s friend. He is a doctor and some of the coddling he does to his patient/friend seems a bit manipulative. He may have a reason to want the grandson out of the picture. We’ll see if I’m right about him, or if I’ll change my mind before the end.

To Write a Wrong (The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency Book #2)

Miss Daphne Beekman is a mystery writer by day, inquiry agent by night. Known for her ability to puzzle out plots, she prefers working behind the scenes for the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, staying well away from danger. However, Daphne soon finds herself in the thick of an attempted murder case she’s determined to solve.

Mr. Herman Henderson is also a mystery writer, but unlike the dashing heroes he pens, he lives a quiet life, determined to avoid the fate of his adventurous parents, who perished on an expedition when he was a child. But when he experiences numerous attempts on his life, he seeks out the services of the eccentric Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency to uncover the culprit. All too soon, Herman finds himself stepping out of the safe haven of his world and into an adventure he never imagined.

As the list of suspects grows and sinister plots are directed Daphne’s way as well, Herman and Daphne must determine who they can trust and if they can risk the greatest adventure of all: love.

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This is definitely a favorite read. Five stars, for sure.

It’s still a bargain too if you are tempted. I hope you are because you will love it.

Happy Reading!

Free and bargain books September 26, 2022

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We have free books. 1531 Entertainment has an interesting bargain and a FREE one for us.

The Healer’s Apprentice (Fairy Tale Romance Series Book 1)

A realistic, fast-paced reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale full of royalty, romance, and danger. This masterful combination of love and heartbreak—combined with the novel’s surprise ending—is everything fans of fantasy, historical, and medieval fiction yearn for.

Rose has been appointed as a healer’s apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter’s daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her—a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.

When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she’s never felt before and wonders if he feels the same.

But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose’s life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

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

Like a Winter Snow: A Sweet Romance (Port Willis Romance Book 1)

Cozy up with this charming romance all about unexpected love, true friendship, and family loyalty. Set during a Christmas-time wedding among the falling snow, this sweet story will warm your heart.

Women’s counselor Joy Beckman has always been a friend and helper to all. That’s why she’s given up everything to be with her parents as her mother suffers through Alzheimer’s.

Joy may not have a thriving career or a love life at the moment, but she’s doing what she does best—taking care of others. And even though it’s difficult, she knows it’s where she is supposed to be.

But life throws a curveball when she has to leave her parents temporarily to travel to England for the December wedding of her best friend. While there, Joy helps Sophia tackle her last-minute to-do list, and in the process, finally meets a man who turns her head—and her heart.

The only problem? He lives in snowy London, and her life is with her parents back in sunny Florida.

She tries to resist Oliver Lincoln’s charms, but it’s harder than it should be. With her heart torn in two, Joy is forced to choose between a life she knows she’s meant for and the one she didn’t see coming.

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

LPC Free Books has a FREE suggestion too. This is one we downloaded a year and a half ago. It looks interesting but I have to admit I haven’t read it yet. It’s back on page one so we will see if it is selected this time around.

One Degree of Freedom 

Fifteen-year-old Adriana Nicu lives in the sheltered world of Bucharest, Romania, in the year 1987. Under the rule of Communist president Nicolae Ceaușescu, citizens of Bucharest live with the eyes and ears of the government ever present. Adriana’s future, which will involve becoming an engineer, is locked in against her will.

During a visit to her aunt’s apartment, Adriana walks through a wardrobe into a hidden room filled with stacks of forbidden novels. Stories bring light into the darkest of circumstances as her family begins to unravel and her life strangely parallels those of her novels’ heroines. Adriana’s childhood loyalties and her belief that God doesn’t exist are called into question as her circumstances force her to rethink things she once believed were certain.

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It has turned out to be a good book day. They all look attractive but I think my next read will be the first one here.

No until after I’m finished with my current read, though. I’m not in any hurry, I’m enjoying it too much.

In the meantime,

Happy Reading!

A little this and that September 25, 2022

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This has been a slow book day and we only have one suggestion, and it’s free. Several years ago this was on my read and enjoyed list. A good book.

Bitter Autumn: Clean Romance Mystery (Northern Shore Intrigue)

“an edge of your seat-do not expect to put it down adventure!”

When Grey returns to his small Wisconsin hometown on the shore of Lake Superior to care for his beloved great-aunt, he’s determined to seek forgiveness for his past. But as he falls into an unlikely romance, danger looms on the horizon…

But one truth many don’t realize until it’s too late—vengeance can be dangerous. A suspenseful love story of redemption and second chances from a Carol Award–winning author, you don’t want to miss.

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My new read is one of our recent downloads. I’m quite enjoying the experience. Sometimes there is a sameness in stories that leave you feeling like you’ve read it before. That is missing this time. The story feels fresh to me in so many ways

Western Hearts: A Sweet Cowboy Romance (Cowboys of Aspen Valley Book 1)

Two promises.
Two tests of faith and love.

Kip made a promise to his dying brother, but cowboy life didn’t prepare him to run a ranch, deal with a rebellious kid sister, and raise twin boys.

Upon first meeting, Kip mistakes Nicole for the new housekeeper hired so his kid sister can avoid her work, then he realizes her true purpose is taking the boys away.

Nicole has a will from her sister – the boys’ mother – giving custody of the twins to her father. Not willing to tear the kids away from everything familiar, she agrees to stay for a getting-to-know-you period.

But the boys aren’t the only ones she’s getting to know, and Nicole finds herself falling for the ruggedly handsome cowboy.

Can something beautiful grow between them or will cross-purposes kill what could be before it truly begins?

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What do you know. I didn’t expect to talk about books today and look what happened anyway. Probably because my nose has been in a book more today than it has in weeks and that’s where my thoughts are.

Winter is coming soon and I was out pruning one of the smaller trees. It was overtaking the flower bed and was it a heavy job, at least it was for me. Now I’m relaxing with a book giving my muscles a chance to recover, I’m feeling very pleased to have that chore done, we could have snow in another four weeks and it would be too late.

Thinking back, it seems like the leaves were already falling by this time last year. We have had so much rain this summer that the grass is still green and the trees are not letting go of their leaves. When they do come down there will be a massive pile. Although, the tree pruned today lost all it’s branches including leaves so that will be one small pile that won’t need to be raked.

It was a sunny, warm day to be out in the yard and it was a mood lifter.

I have to specify it was sunny and warm because around here it can very easily be sunny and cold. There could be another warm day yet this year but we can’t count on it. Make the most of what you have sounds like a good idea to me. Not that I always do but at least my intentions are good.

Have a good week.

Happy Reading!

Read and enjoyed September 24, 2022

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This first one was my favorite. It’s book 1 in the series and I liked it so well that I’m now reading and loving book 2. Book 2 is a continuation of their story although Marian’s sister Ellen is the main character this time. I’m halfway through and the sisters are currently together in a castle back in 1382.

We don’t know yet whether Ellen will be left there too or will be drawn back to present day. We don’t know if the crooked scientist forcing her to travel to an earlier time to find more of the healing water will be able to harm Ellen and her beloved friend if she fails or if he will be caught and charged with his crimes. I know what I expect to happen but so far nothing as gone as expected. Which is awesome.

Here they are.

Book 1

That’s exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father’s quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister Ellen from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He’s left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he’s crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight comes to Marian’s rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

Book 2

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, but as a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, he’s never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship. However, he’s desperately trying to save her by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease.

When he locates two flasks, Ellen refuses to drink one of them because she believes the holy water killed her sister and father. In an effort to convince her to take it, Harrison ingests the contents first, and when Ellen witnesses the effects, she can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles. Dangerous criminals are also seeking the holy water, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug–including sending her back into the past to find it for them.

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

And now for the rest.

It has been a pleasant run on good books this week.

Now back to see what will happen next in my story.

Danger abounds.

Happy Reading y’all.

A little bit of nothing September 23, 2022

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A bookless day. I’m sad, kind of. It’s exciting to have more books but I don’t need more today, it’s all good.

I have nothing exciting in mind to share either but I feel like posting. I guess I’ll just talk and see what happens.

I like to watch newsy videos on YouTube. The suggestion strip down the side is great but it changes whenever I pick something to watch and then try to come back for the next one which has, of course, disappeared . This is frustrating. Today I decided to use the watch-later flag and went through the list picking out a whole bunch. I’ve done this before, thinking I needed to go back to the list to see the next one. This decision didn’t work all that well. Everything seemed to be messed up somehow and nothing worked the way I thought it would.

Today I decided to let it do it’s own thing and, surprise, surprise, it played through the whole list of flagged clips, automatically. The irony is I would have discovered this feature last time if I had been paying attention instead of insisting on doing things my own way. I like it their way, much more efficient. And less frustrating.

I enjoy watching a bunch of different people but picking one causes the algorithm to change the suggestion strip based on what it decides I want to see. More clips from whatever source I picked first. It will be fun flagging a bunch of different sites all at the same time throwing a wrench in his algorithmic brain cogs. Is that even possible?

I’ll end with my current read. I’m liking it but will admit to skimming rather than read every word. Not a bad thing as I can get through the book and on to the next one faster that way.

To save a woman from being kidnapped, Officer Chris Fuller and his K-9 partner, Teddy, have no choice but to let the fugitive they’re tracking get away. But when the escaped murderer returns to hunt tour pilot Lexie McDaniels again, Chris knows the attempted kidnapping wasn’t a chance encounter.

Lexie won’t be safe until he catches the criminal…but are her secrets what is endangering them all?

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I’m a third of the way through this and should be on to another book tomorrow. Maybe we will even have new book suggestions tomorrow too. We just never know.

Happy Reading y’all

Read and enjoyed. September 22, 2022

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Finished, finally. This book seemed to go on for a long time. It could be blamed on being filled with an impressive number of details. This situation can be chalked up to changes in writing styles through the years.

Mary Stewart, one of the 20th century’s best selling authors, would be over 100 if she were alive today. Imagine the differences in writing over that space of time. The pace was slower, dialogue different, actions and locations described with enough information to paint a picture in the reader’s mind.

Way back in the day, Ms Stewart was one of my favorite authors but the last couple of decades have brought an abundance of changes in the writing world and while I enjoyed today’s experience it didn’t meet the highs of my early reads. She is a good writer though and tells an engaging story. I’ll admit to skipping over large chunks (chapters, mostly) but it was still worth the read.

I joked in an earlier post about suspecting the butler of these murders. The hotel didn’t have one so that let him off the hook. There were plenty of red herrings thrown to keep us off the track so the ending was a surprise. But not a total surprise.

Anyway, it was a good read. It was set in Scotland, in treacherous mountains. There were colorful characters of all stripes, grating against each other for the most part. On reflection, I can’t think of anyone qualifying as mild mannered. Mind you, mild mannered doesn’t make for much of an interesting story. We need to see a few fireworks every now and then and see them we did.

Wildfire at Midnight

The tense, twisty murder mystery which will have you on the edge of your seat, from the author of Madam, Will You Talk?/font size>

‘Mary Stewart is magic’ New York Times

Following a heart-breaking divorce, Gianetta retreats to the Isle of Skye hoping to find tranquillity in the island’s savage beauty.

But shortly before her arrival a girl’s body is found on the craggy slopes of the looming Blue Mountain, and with the murderer still on the loose, there’s nothing to stop him from setting his sights on Gianetta next . 

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For the next read I think a complete change of pace would be an excellent choice.

Hiding in Montana (Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit Book 3) 

A fugitive at large…

This K-9 is on his trail.

To save a woman from being kidnapped, Officer Chris Fuller and his K-9 partner, Teddy, have no choice but to let the fugitive they’re tracking get away. But when the escaped murderer returns to hunt tour pilot Lexie McDaniels again, Chris knows the attempted kidnapping wasn’t a chance encounter. Lexie won’t be safe until he catches the criminal…but are her secrets what is endangering them all?

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

Laura Scott is a new favorite, I’ve enjoyed her offerings over the last couple of years and look forward to this one too. It’s a mystery, but with a modern treatment this time.

Check it out, it’s still a bargain. Both books are, if you are interested.

Happy Reading.

Wake up to a song. September 21, 2022

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Do you ever wake up to a song running through your mind? And like with a dream, you try to figure out what it means to you.

That was me this morning.

The last few mornings, in fact, it’s been happening. I’d wake up with a song on repeat and it stayed with me most of the day. The first few times the daily songs resonated with me and it seemed like it was something I needed to hear at that moment.

A week or so ago I spent a few hours listening to songs from some of my favorite artists and the recent morning songs were all on that play list. I credited the listening experience as the music source but felt there was added purpose and the lyrics were there as encouragement for the day. I loved it.

This morning I woke up to a song that makes me shake my head and laugh. I have a feeling it was also a product of last week’s playlist but the message? . . . . mystifying.

I felt inspired to examine my emotional condition to see if I could relate to the song and whatever encouraging message it could possibly have for me today. Nope, not seeing it.

What was the song you ask? I’m So Lonesome I could Cry.

Is there a message here for me?

I mean I could be lonely, I do live like a hermit most of the time, but if it’s true I’m not feeling it.

I smile thinking about it, and that has to mean something good, right?

I’ll share this week’s version.

Hank Williams made it popular back in 1949 and it has been a classic forever. You probably know the one I mean. The version I heard the other week was not quite as plaintive as the early Hank Williams but still.

Happy listening (big smile)