A new-to-me author is first up today. The usual suggestion emails didn’t hold anything worthwhile (from my point of view) but at least they were a good jumping off place. This new book starts off well and I want to see where it all goes from here.

A Deep Divide (Secrets of the Canyon Book #1)

With her past behind her, she has nothing–and everything–to lose.

After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it. When she discovers her father has offered her up as a bargaining chip to expand his empire, she disappears into the night. Determined to stay hidden, even if it means always looking over her shoulder, she finds herself working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel.

When Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel on business, he is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Though his fame-seeking father aims to lure new investors to the Arizona Territory, Ray dreams of one day taking over the family business and doing good with the profits.

Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though an attraction begins to form, she can’t let go of the deep-rooted fear that he’s just like every other wealthy man she’s known. When suspicious activity follows Emma Grace and Ray to the El Tovar, they are pulled into a mystery that stirs up their worst fears. And as shocking revelations come to light, they are left to question all they thought to be true.

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This next one is from a three book series where we downloaded and enjoyed the first books two earlier this year. Happily, all three are at a bargain price today.

Northern Protector (Heroes of the Tundra Book 3)

Constable Ben Koper is still healing from the bear attack that almost killed him. Nine months after it happened, he returns to Churchill, Manitoba, a changed man—scarred more than just physically. PTSD is his new shadow, haunting his every step, and he can’t seem to kick the pain meds he shouldn’t need anymore. He’s determined to prove, to himself and his colleagues, that he’s still up to his job. Failure isn’t an option.

ER nurse Joy Gallagher spent the entire last winter texting with a healing Constable Koper. What started as friendly concern from this single mother has grown into full-fledged romantic feelings, and she’s eager to level up their friendship and introduce him to the idyllic comfort of small-town life. Until a teenager is murdered at a summer party. The crime is strikingly similar to the cold case murder of Joy’s foster sister, stirring old trauma Joy has never fully dealt with.

When another victim is snatched in town, Ben and Joy must confront their own demons, and join forces to track down an elusive killer. The race to rescue the next victim before it’s too late will test Ben and Joy to their limits. Can they survive their encounter with this heinous killer, or will the past destroy them.?

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This looks interesting. It’s another new-to-me author. A short book with an enticing opening chapter. I’m hooked, needing to know some things, although the book description does answer a number of them.

It’s not a stand alone novel so we won’t know the final outcome but at least it will be an introduction to the author, so there is that.

Second Chance Love: A Christian Clean Romance Novel (The Grand Bay Series Book 1)

Second Chance Love is Book 1 where Tracy Moore must endure one of her life’s greatest challenges when participating with her ex-fiancé, Paul, at her sister’s wedding.

Stuck with Paul for several days on a beautiful tropical island, Tracy struggles over old feelings for her ex-fiancé while doubts about her relationship with her current boyfriend Joseph creep to the surface.

But fate puts her present romance to the test when she and Paul are injured in a disastrous car accident, and Paul must abandon Tracy with her critical injuries to find help.

Paul Myers is the best man for his brother Kenneth’s wedding. But when he discovers he must interact with his ex-fiancé on an intimate tropical trip, he’s not sure he can suppress his intense feelings of love for her.

When an unfortunate accident causes them to become stranded on a deserted part of the island, Paul’s love for Tracy is put to the test. Can he find life-saving help for Tracy in time so they can have a second chance at love? Or will Paul fail to find a rescue team and lose the love of his life?

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In the end it has been an interesting book day, punctuated by an interesting YouTube podcast day. It’s so easy to get caught up in spending way too much time to the detriment of other planned activities. Namely focusing on finishing one book and starting another.

Watching YouTube does not, for the most part, contribute to my blog posts.

I’m feeling strongly about an argument happening just now in an interview. I’m dying to say my piece but the comments on that video have been turned off. I can see why, there were probably enough of them to crash the site.

I’m tempted to say my piece here but it is a hot button topic and I don’t want to start something I’m not well prepared for, something that could blow up on us. Maybe tomorrow if I’m still feeling strongly about the topic.

I can see both sides but in my mind each one is viewing the phrase from a different perspective. One is negative and wrong while the other is benevolent and responsible.

At the altar, she is not your’s to become property, a slave to own. She becomes your responsibility to love, cherish, protect, provide. Her father has provided all of that for her (in a perfect world) and, symbolically, he is handing off his responsibility to you, the groom.

That’s the short part of the conversation in my head. There is so much more to be said (that is highly positive.) Maybe it will come together for a future post.

For now. . . ownership and responsibility are two vastly different realities. One is onerous and the other can be heavenly.

Unfortunately some men do consider their bride as property and some don’t but don’t embrace responsibility either. Sadly, taking responsibility in this day and age is not something that comes naturally in many situations. Too bad, because if done for the right reasons it is a tree that will bear much good fruit.

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I feel a little better now but not completely done with the topic.

Back to books anyway. Need to read, that was today’s goal..

Happy Reading to you.