Month: December 2022

Bargain Books December 08, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

We have a new book.

1531 Entertainment has today’s suggestion for us. I’ve read and enjoyed a few stories from this author, usually in a collection, and based on that experience I’m looking forward to this new one.

Where Joy Starts

Eleanor and Albert, the youngest Hannigan siblings, together endured the cold indifference and frequent anger of their father.

Growing up, Elinor longed for a relationship that would make everything all right. Now married, her life appears to be heading in the direction she had always hoped.

Until her past collides with her present, threatening to destroy it all.

Albert always chose to do the right thing. He protected Eleanor as best he could and steadfastly believed that their father would change one day. Albert was the first of the siblings to extend forgiveness.

Now a pastor, Albert is weary of the load he has chosen to carry. The effects of those choices are threatening to tear apart his own family.

Will the Hannigan family finally be able to heal and walk together in joy?

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

Christy Barritt’s newest book is out. Awesome.

Fatal Vendetta (Vanishing Ranch Book 7)

Trapped in a deadly game, Addison Barlow has no choice but to play by her tormentor’s rules.

Following a terrifying home invasion, Addison’s life is controlled by fear. As the threats rise, she flees to a friend’s secluded cabin by Lake Tahoe. But when the woman next door disappears, Addie worries she just escaped one bad situation for another.

Vanishing Ranch operative and former Homeland Security agent Hayes Barlow hasn’t given up hope that he and his estranged wife will reconcile. When he receives a frantic phone call from her, he jumps at the opportunity to help. He prays he can not only keep her safe but also win her back.

Addie and Hayes quickly realize that something sinister is lurking beneath the surface of the idyllic setting surrounding the cabin. Disturbing text messages, vandalism, and haunting secrets keep them on edge.

Hayes must not only discover the truth about what’s going on with Addie but also about the deadly incidents happening around them. If he doesn’t . . . he could risk losing Addie forever.

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

That’s it for today. Not bad considering. I’ve been waiting patiently for the release of the second book so now it’s an even better day.

Happy Reading y’all.

Free book December 07, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

It has been a slow few days, book-wise, but we have a suggestion today that looks like it could be interesting. We don’t see stories with this angle very often.

Postmark From the Past 

In November 1989, Emily Patterson receives a red envelope in her mailbox. It’s a letter from Mark who declares his love for her and says he’s coming for her if he makes it home alive. But who is Mark?

There is no return address and the postmark is 1968. The letters continue to turn up in her mailbox and she wonders if someone is playing a cruel joke. It’s Christmas time and her friends say it is the season for miracles. Can she risk her heart to find a miracle in the Postmark from the Past?

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

Nothing else is showing up for us tonight so I will share my last awesome read and my new current read.

This was a keep-me-up-all-night book. It was well written and original, short on guns and killing but long on mystery. The characters were well developed and some were less like-able than others, which is always a good thing. Did I mention this was a keep me up late book? I’m feeling it today, that’s for sure.

Trial and Error

A small-town lawyer has been searching for his daughter for eighteen years. Now a local girl has gone missing, and he’s determined to find them both—no matter the cost.

Buddy Smith built his law practice around tracking down missing children. After all, he knows the agony of being separated from a child. Not long after his daughter’s birth, her mother took her and ran away. Buddy hasn’t seen either since.

Gracie Blaylock has known Buddy her entire life, and now that she is clerk of court for the county, their paths cross frequently. When Gracie hears that a teenager is missing, she knows Buddy is the one for the case.

The missing girl’s parents are desperate for answers. Together with Gracie and Mayleah—the new detective in town—Buddy chases every lead, hoping to reach the missing teen before it’s too late. While he pursues one girl, he uncovers clues that could bring him closer to the daughter he thought he’d lost forever.

Master storyteller Robert Whitlow will keep you guessing in this gripping legal drama while also reminding you of the power of God’s restoration.

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

I’ve just started this new book, barely started, but it’s caught my attention. For the moment anyway, and hopefully for much longer. To the end would be good

. On Sugar Hill (The Georgia Magnolias Book 2)

To make ends meet, the Fitzgerald women must open their home as a boardinghouse, but will the secrets they uncover prove their undoing?

The day Cora Fitzgerald turned sixteen, she fled Sugar Hill for the bright lights of New York City, leaving behind her senator father’s abuse. But just as her career takes off, she’s summoned home.

The stock market has crashed. The senator is dead. Her mother is delusional, and her mute Aunt Clara pens novels that expose the town’s secrets. Then there’s Boone Robertson, who never knew she was alive back in high school but now manages to be around whenever she needs help.

And the Fitzgerald women need a lot of help, indeed. They are forced to find a way to make ends meet, whether it’s mining for gold or doing what Southern women have done for generations in times of need—turning their home into a boardinghouse.

But will the people of Cora’s past keep her from returning to a brilliant future?

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

Have a good night, or day depending on where you are in the world.

Happy Reading too.

I really hope I am helping to push you toward a love of reading. Find a book like the one that kept me up all night and you can’t help but fall in love with the experience.

Read & enjoyed, free book December 05, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

I have a couple of books I’m excited to tell you about but first we have one bargain suggestion from LPC Free Books. It’s by an author we’ve seen before and I don’t know about you but I haven’t read them. Well, I did read one of the four but that was three years ago and my memory of it is gone.

This one today sounds interesting, at least the few pages of the sample I read, and I want to take a chance on it. The price is right so why not, it’s the perfect time. I love the cover.

On Sugar Hill (The Georgia Magnolias Book 2) 

To make ends meet, the Fitzgerald women must open their home as a boardinghouse, but will the secrets they uncover prove their undoing?

The day Cora Fitzgerald turned sixteen, she fled Sugar Hill for the bright lights of New York City, leaving behind her senator father’s abuse. But just as her career takes off, she’s summoned home.

The stock market has crashed. The senator is dead. Her mother is delusional, and her mute Aunt Clara pens novels that expose the town’s secrets. Then there’s Boone Robertson, who never knew she was alive back in high school but now manages to be around whenever she needs help.

And the Fitzgerald women need a lot of help, indeed. They are forced to find a way to make ends meet, whether it’s mining for gold or doing what Southern women have done for generations in times of need—turning their home into a boardinghouse.

But will the people of Cora’s past keep her from returning to a brilliant future?

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

So, the books I’m excited about — I’ve read other books in the series and I’ve met and enjoyed these characters before. This time though they are even more engaging. Keep me up all night reading engaging.

The first one was yesterday and the second one is today.

This blind private investigator/retired cop is believable and brilliant. His partner suits him well. She is younger, a smart lawyer turned investigator, and dabbles in high-stakes real estate investments (which definitely adds the opportunity for a few unexpected twists and turns.)

The stories are well written, original, and fun, but with depth. I’m 2/3 of the way through today’s read and can’t wait to get back to it.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells…Rifle Shells?

Blind private investigator Steve Smiley and his partner hear a rifle shot. Hordes of Christmas shoppers scatter. A famous big-game hunter drops to the sidewalk. They grab the beautiful teen who was arguing with the man and flee to safety. Bella, the adopted daughter of the victim and a celebrity in her own right, shows no emotion over the murder. Her one passionate request: find her birth parents.

Smiley and McBlythe’s search intertwines with the murder investigation of Bella’s adopted father again and again—and uncovers a shocking secret. Like it or not, they must first identify the killer in order to discover the truth about Bella’s adoption.

A host of suspects line up like Santa’s reindeer. Can the determined investigators tie a ribbon on the case? Will Bella have the best Christmas ever—or will death and heartache be the only presents under the tree?

You’ll love this page-turning mystery—it has more twists and turns than stripes on a candy cane.

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

Try them out. They lean toward cozy but with more substance, which to my way of thinking is a perfect fit.

Happy Reading

Bargain book December 03, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / 2 Comments

Oh my goodness! Christmas is arriving way too fast. The being-ready panic is starting to close in. Probably because more family than usual will be here this year and that means a different normal. It will be good, we are very excited to be together this Christmas.

When I’m not thinking of Christmas I’m thinking of books and that’s where my mind is now, A change in subject was needed.

So, BookBub has a suggestion that is quite the departure from our regular fare. We’ve not seen this author before either and a quick look leaves us with no idea what to expect. I’m up for giving it a try to see what it is all about.

Reading some of the reviews it seems a trigger warning is in order due to heavy subject matter — abuse, and victimization. They did say it was handled well and in general was a needed conversation but for some readers it was a shock, they would have been better prepared with a warning.

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water: A Novel

The best fiction simply tells the truth.
But the truth is never simple.

When novelist Kendra Brennan moves into her grandfather’s old cabin on Hidden Lake, she has a problem and a plan. The problem? An inflammatory letter from A Very Disappointed Reader. The plan? To confront Tyler, her childhood best friend’s brother–and the man who inspired the antagonist in her first book. If she can prove that she told the truth about what happened during those long-ago summers, perhaps she can put the letter’s claims to rest and meet the swiftly approaching deadline for her next book.

But what she discovers as she delves into the murky past is not what she expected. While facing Tyler isn’t easy, facing the consequences of her failed friendship with his sister, Cami, may be the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.

Plumb the depths of the human heart with this emotional exploration of how a friendship dies, how we can face the unforgivable, and how even those who have been hurt can learn to love with abandon.

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

If you need a complete change of pace at this point, BookBub has another suggestion I wasn’t going to mention, we’ve seen so many like it in the last while.

On the other hand, maybe this will be a welcome change after the heavy tone of the first book.

Marrying a Cowboy Collection 

Curl up and enjoy four full-length novels—over one thousand pages of sweeping Christian historical romance. Fall in love with the cowboys who tamed the west and the brave young women who tamed them.

Wagon Train Baby
Donna Grace needs a husband. The only way for her to travel to Santa Fe is by accepting a marriage of convenience and journeying by wagon train. Will the dangers and joy of the trail soften her heart to the man who was only supposed to be hers until she returned home?

Jake’s Honor
Connie has always been the responsible one. When her sense of duty puts her at odds with rancher Jake Hooper, she’ll do everything in her power to prod the stubborn man into doing right by his daughter. Only spending time with the man ignites soft emotions she’s tried for a long time to do away with…

Loving a Rebel
Flora Kinsley has a rebellious streak a mile wide. When her penchant for trouble leads her to be stranded in a snowstorm with Kade Thomas, she’ll have to step lightly to avoid the parson’s trap—unless Kade can convince her to take a chance on love.

Dillon
Abigail Thompson needs help. And a place to stay. When she’s taken in by a rancher and his wife, she knows she can make a fresh start for herself and her unborn baby. What she didn’t expect was to fall for one of the rancher’s adopted sons…

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

Currently…

I did go for one of yesterday’s books after all. I’m half way through and having trouble staying away from it.

Life Flight (Extreme Measures Book #1)

“An edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller from start to finish.”–Library Journal (so true.)

EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient–and a serial killer on the loose–tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield’s help. But she’s not out of the woods yet.

In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer–before he catches one of them.

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

I’d better do some supper, and some vacuuming while trying to stay away from the book. Well, reading always goes with food.

And vacuuming needs lots of breaks to let my muscles recover. Any excuse works!

Hope your day is more productive than mine.

No I don’t, I hope you are having trouble breaking away from your book too.

Happy Reading!

Bargain books December 02, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Browsing is working out well for me tonight. Good books are showing up all of a sudden. Lynette Eason, one of our regulars has published an interesting new series and I’m anxious to check it out. Book 1 is on at a bargain price.

Life Flight (Extreme Measures Book #1)

“A heart-stopping, breath-stealing masterpiece of romantic suspense!”– Colleen Coble, USA Today bestselling author

EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient–and a serial killer on the loose–tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield’s help. But she’s not out of the woods yet.

In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer–before he catches one of them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason is back with another high-octane tale of close calls, narrow escapes, and the fight to bring a nefarious criminal to justice.

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

I was looking through the books she has on Amazon and going by memory decided I haven’t read many of them. Then I looked through my content manager and discovered I have 19 of her books, all of them read. Better than I thought. Her books are always at the top of my reading list whenever a new batch downloads. Looking forward to this read too.

Well, I’m pretty happy to have found this one book. After a time of intense and deliberate browsing nothing has changed. Sadly, we are still at one.

I will share my current read with you instead.

Desolate Escape: a clean romantic suspense novel (Jeopardized Reunions)

A serial killer is on the loose and it’s just become personal for the medical examiner and the ranger.

It was just a weekend reunion among old friends. How did it turn so deadly?

Dr. Lacey Elrod is the first-ever medical examiner for her hometown, a place that should be safe from serial killers. But when someone murders one of her high school best friends on the morning of the wedding of two other friends, Lacey must trust U.S. Fish and Wildlife Officer Matthew Flick, the man she left fourteen years ago, to keep her safe and help her find the Dunes Killer before he strikes again. After more murders among their friend group, Lacey and Matt suspect one of their old friends of being the Dunes Killer. But when that friend turns up dead too, they must work together to rid their town of the killer.

Can Matt move past his hurt with Lacey for how she handled their unwanted teenaged pregnancy and how it ruined his plans to go into the ministry? Will Lacey be able to forgive herself? Both struggle with their faith and with each other as they track the Dunes Killer before he succeeds at killing them.

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

I was reading a bit of the story to remind myself where it’s going. I shouldn’t do that. Every time I do I get hooked and forget I’m supposed to be writing and posting not reading. At least it’s not midnight yet.

It’s Friday and we have a good book to read for the weekend. What could be better than that?

I’m sure we could think of something. Dinner with a friend. Hang out with family. And that’s just for starters.

Put on your thinking caps and have a good weekend.

Read and enjoyed December 01, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

This has been a good reading month. Great in fact, once I took a closer look at how many finished books there were. The worst thing looking back through all of the covers, few of them were ringing any memory bells for me. If they weren’t flagged as read I would never have believed I read them.

I definitely did remember my favorites though.

*********

I know I enjoyed these because they hadn’t already been removed from my device, I was saving them to share with you..

Just for fun I counted up the books purchased in November and then looked to see how many were read.

Thirty-Three new books. Twenty-five of them read. No wonder I don’t remember them all. Flying through them that quickly.

It has been fun, I must say.

It’s actually not that big a deal when you think about it. Most of the books give an estimated read time and it is usually 4 – 6 hours, give or take a few. If there is not much else going on (which is usually the case for me) it’s relatively easy to read a book a day.

Some months I don’t manage to do as well working my way through the month’s books so I’m thrilled with the way November turned out.

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

There was one suggestion today that looked enticing. 1531 Entertainment brought it to our attention. We have been enjoying this author.

Trial and Error 

A small-town lawyer has been searching for his daughter for eighteen years. Now a local girl has gone missing, and he’s determined to find them both—no matter the cost.

Buddy Smith built his law practice around tracking down missing children. After all, he knows the agony of being separated from a child. Not long after his daughter’s birth, her mother took her and ran away. Buddy hasn’t seen either since.

Gracie Blaylock has known Buddy her entire life, and now that she is clerk of court for the county, their paths cross frequently. When Gracie hears that a teenager is missing, she knows Buddy is the one for the case.

The missing girl’s parents are desperate for answers. Together with Gracie and Mayleah—the new detective in town—Buddy chases every lead, hoping to reach the missing teen before it’s too late. While he pursues one girl, he uncovers clues that could bring him closer to the daughter he thought he’d lost forever.

Master storyteller Robert Whitlow will keep you guessing in this gripping legal drama while also reminding you of the power of God’s restoration.

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

That’s it for new books. maybe tomorrow will be better.

Current read.

Fractured Diamond

Happy Reading!

Busy day, current read. November 30, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

It has been a busy day, but at least I can share my current fun read.

This lady keeps having dead bodies show up around her. Why? It’s Not fun. Especially when they keep accusing her. She’s starting to get a complex.

Why would someone kill Nathan King?

The peace of a perfect November afternoon is shattered when Agatha hears the frantic bleating of goats across the river from her B&B. Agatha kayaks over with retired detective Tony and two guests–Bishop Henry and his wife Emma. They find the goats huddled together in a terrified group and Nathan lying face up beneath the Live Oak trees, lifeless eyes staring at the Texas sky.

Then one of Agatha’s guests goes missing. She delves into Joey’s past and learns he was Dead Broke, so what was he doing vacationing at her B&B? And why was he pretending to be Amish when in fact his permanent address was Dallas, Texas? Most importantly, did Joey have anything to do with Nathan’s death? Agatha and Tony are at a dead end before the investigation has properly begun, but this time they receive help from unexpected places.

Bishop Henry has a gift, and he’s no longer afraid to use it, even if doing so may put them all in danger as they work together to catch a killer.

Dead Broke is a story about family secrets, rare gifts, and the joy of unexpected friendships.

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

It must be colder outside tonight, the heat keeps coming on.

I’m going to turn it down and head for bed and my comfy pillow. Tomorrow will be another busy day.

I wonder if the snow storm they are having in Western Canada is planning on showing up here in middle Canada? Oh well.

Night y’all.

Happy Reading!