Month: November 2023

I loved this book November 23, 2023

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This experience was so awesome that I am still basking in the joy of the read. It’s much like enjoying the most amazing and delicious meal you’ve had in forever. This analogy always come to me, I think, because the emotional joy I’m left with is pretty similar to that of a good meal. This mood has me feeling really good about life in this moment.

So, why was it so good? I think it was the “master chef” with just the right ingredients and a five star recipe.

The framing of the story was interesting and unique. Tons of mystery with small clues in appropriate places. The timing was right on. The clues were enough but not too much. The characters were just right too, well developed with the right degree of tension and interaction between all of them.

Normal routine for me at the end of a book is to immediately start reading another one. Haven’t done that today because the positive upbeat mood would be killed with the tension of the new story. I want to enjoy the glow of a good mood a little while longer.

The Holiday Reunion (Complete Series: Books 1-6) (Pine Lake)

She wasn’t expecting to spend the holidays heartbroken and alone. But thanks to her soon-to-be ex-husband, everything she once had is now gone.

At 46 years old, all Matilda has is a backpack and a one-way ticket to her estranged cousins’ cabin in Washington. Adapting to the small-town lifestyle, Matilda makes a room in the attic, where she discovers a hidden box of odds and ends.

Inside is a picture of her as a child. Next to two other girls, and words that read: “My three beautiful daughters”

But Matilda is an only child. Or at least that’s what she’s always known.

Faced with the possibility that she has more family, Matilda must make a decision. Figure out who she really is or continue living a lie. But a grumpy man, snow storms, and hidden answers all still stand between her and the truth.

Will Matilda find out about her family’s past before the holidays? Or are some secrets buried for a reason?

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

Two new books showed up as I gathered information to review the book above.

The first one is from an author I’ve not read and I find I want to take a chance. The second is an author appearing on my Good Authors list, today’s book is the fourth in the series and we’ve read the first three. Seems only fair to read book 4.

Her Unexpected Cowboy: A Clean & Wholesome Cowboy Romance (Unforgettable Cowboys Book 1)

A cowboy without a memory, a goat rancher in desperate need of help, and neither expect the dangers that follow…

Sydney hides out at her goat ranch, unwilling to ask for the help she desperately needs. She clings to her loneliness as a badge, that is until a cowboy who strangely matches her crazy birthday wish shows up at her door.

She is half-scared, half-intrigued by this handsome but bruised up cowboy with no memory. Does she allow him to stay in her barn and help, or send him on his way and hope he listens?

Jameson wakes up on the side of a country road in the middle of nowhere hurting pretty much everywhere and having no idea of who he is or why he is there. When he walks to the nearest house, he’s both relieved and fearful that a beautiful single woman answers his call for help.

He has to find out who he is, but Sydney has captured his heart and he makes excuses to stay near her, helping at her ranch. A nagging feeling like time closing in keeps tugging at him, until the Sheriff pays Sydney a call and Jameson recognizes his voice—a voice that causes a chill to run down his spine.

When the past catches up in a web of danger, they realize there is more at stake than just their hearts—their lives hang on the thread of his lost memory.

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

Northern Redemption (Heroes of the Tundra Book 4)

Runaway bride Lise Dumont would rather face down polar bears than marry her abusive ex-fiancé. When she returns to Churchill, Manitoba to reclaim her job as a Conservation Officer, the peace of the tundra finally helps soothe her spirit.

Northern Lights Helicopter Tour owner, Rory Gallagher, isn’t looking for a relationship deeper than the one he has with his pet cat; despite his family’s desire for him to settle down and produce grandchildren. Scarred by memories of not being able to save his father from drowning seven years ago, Rory’s fine with being alone.

Until Lise blazes back into town and helps talk him down from a helicopter crash. Just as a blizzard closes in, two hardened escaped convicts take them hostage, and Lise and Rory are forced to rely on each other to survive. They each must confront their own troubled pasts if they want a future worth fighting for.

Can a relationship born out of life-and-death stakes be enough to last for a lifetime?

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

I’m finally ready to move on to a new read. Not sure about this one but going to give it a try and see where it goes.

Perfectionistic librarian Jacqui Penn is ripped up by the roots when she’s dumped by her longtime boyfriend. Rootless and on the run, she is drawn two thousand miles west across Canada to the last place she ever thought could offer stability—the old homestead where her father grew up.Renovating the derelict house soon becomes a personal battle as it stubbornly resists her efforts.

While Jacqui struggles to renew the home, she spends time with the family Pops bitterly resented. Her hunger for roots grows stronger as she fights to discover the long-buried reasons her father fled the house as a beleaguered teen. But will she ever find the belonging she craves?

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

It’s been a good day.

What to do? New book? November 20, 2023

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What to do, what to do? Will I read this? Hmmmm. The first book under consideration is an author just getting started by the looks of things. I would like to support an new author and download his book but will I read it and that’s the question. After browsing the first four chapters I’m still waffling. It could turn out to be a triggering experience.

It’s free so it won’t matter if I don’t, maybe. It seems like they can tell if it’s been read and read thoroughly and that might matter. I’ll give it a shot anyway.

The Heart Shed: A Tragic Necessity

A Brand New Type of Mystery Novel! Steve needs a new heart. Three young strangers are too busy making their way in the world to realize one of them is destined to save a life.


A heart transplant is not a miracle, it is the result of one human’s ultimate sacrifice. Behind every undeserved triumph is a heartbreaking tragedy. The Heart Shed blends these two parallel suspense stories into one medical thriller.


Steve is a middle-age high school teacher in Dallas, Texas. A medical crisis interrupts his life when he is diagnosed with heart failure and forces him to face the reality that he has alienated himself from everyone he cares about. He learns the error of his way, but is it too late to change a life of self-absorption?


Ranae and Wayne are madly in love and living out the perfect romance. As they build a life together, they separately strive to establish promising careers. For Ranae, it is a long hard road to becoming a nurse, but she is up for the challenge. Wayne is a seminary student, who has secretly lost his faith. He struggles to come to terms with his hypocrisy while keeping this secret from Ranae.


Kurt has just graduated from high school and is obsessed with his best friend Julie. He’d like romance but is stuck in the friend zone. Can he convince Julie they were meant to have more?


Each of these burgeoning adults are called upon to play an inspirational role in Steve’s miracle. One must take the lead role, who will it be?


By necessity, every heart transplant requires an abrupt and unforeseen tragedy, trading in a bad heart for a good one. One life is saved at the price of another. Grand plans and ambitions are halted to grant each heart transplant recipient the gift of life.


The suspense grows steadily throughout this medical thriller until the heart donor is ultimately revealed.
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This next choice: I’ve downloaded one book from this author but not read it yet. Consequently, I know nothing. Today’s choice is a collection of six books. At least they are each under one hundred pages so that shouldn’t be too time consuming.

The Holiday Reunion (Complete Series: Books 1-6) (Pine Lake)

She wasn’t expecting to spend the holidays heartbroken and alone. But thanks to her soon-to-be ex-husband, everything she once had is now gone.

At 46 years old, all Matilda has is a backpack and a one-way ticket to her estranged cousins’ cabin in Washington. Adapting to the small-town lifestyle, Matilda makes a room in the attic, where she discovers a hidden box of odds and ends.

Inside is a picture of her as a child. Next to two other girls, and words that read: “My three beautiful daughters”

But Matilda is an only child. Or at least that’s what she’s always known.

Faced with the possibility that she has more family, Matilda must make a decision. Figure out who she really is or continue living a lie. But a grumpy man, snow storms, and hidden answers all still stand between her and the truth.

Will Matilda find out about her family’s past before the holidays? Or are some secrets buried for a reason?

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

Two posts today, crazy. The new normal for me is few-and-far-between so two in a row is quite the change. It will not be a new normal, I’m pretty sure.

Read and enjoyed, up to November 20, 2023

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It’s time to clean out and reduce the read pile again. It has been a good time. The most favorite read in this installment was the newest one from Thomas Locke and his co-writer.

Davis Bunn aka Thomas Locke has long been a favorite author for me and many others and I read as much of his work as I can.. Occasionally he writes with other authors and I can’t help but notice it adds a new dimension to the story. The two voices working together create a new sound and I loved it in this book. It was a little jarring at times, though. The new voice says some things in a way that Thomas wouldn’t, or at least hasn’t in the past, and that was a bit of a show stopper, for a moment or so.

Overall though, I loved this book. Not only were the characters great, the quest they were on was filled with unexpected and mind blowing twists and turns.

They call it Roulette because there’s no way of knowing what kind of ecstasy awaits. A rollercoaster ride through any one of seven heavens—or straight to hell.

A new and dangerous substance has suddenly appeared at the rave scene of Gainesville, Florida. When former special agent Eric Bannon comes to investigate, the local sheriff doesn’t know whether to be relieved someone is finally taking the rave issue seriously, or disturbed about who has answered the call. The inquiry must be kept quiet. But why are senior government officials turning a blind eye to such a dangerous drug?

As the county hospital’s senior ER nurse, Carol Steen has seen her share of small-town trouble. Her greatest concern is the snobbish new doctor. Stacie Swann is everything Carol detests: fresh out of med school, too many years her junior, drop-dead gorgeous—and with a bad attitude. Why did Stacie, an upcoming surgical star, leave her prestigious residency at the University of Florida medical center and take up station in their remote clinic?

To Stacie, the nosey nurse is only a bitter reminder of what the medical establishment took from her, landing her in Middle of Nowhere, Florida. But when the night’s emergencies are rushed in, the two ladies begin to bond over a common challenge.

What appears to be a simple case of overdose turns into an ER nightmare. Patients seem to be suffering symptoms from multiple drugs. None are detectable.

Eric arrives at the clinic in time to witness the victims’ transformation from near-coma to bestial strength and ferocity. Eric and the ladies track the drug’s origin to clandestine operations based within the university student body. These young people both finance the production and facilitate the human trials of the world’s most exciting new high.

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

Another five star read is from an author relatively new to me. I loved this book. It was not easy to put down. Well written with a story line that was all it’s own.

Flash Point: Hometown Heroes: Book 2

Directionally-challenged architect Sarah Brockman never thought getting lost on the way to a job site would put her in danger. But she finds it when the man who assists her goes missing. Attempts to help the police thrust her into a series of events that could cost her everything.

Fire Captain Joe Romero has let too many things get in the way of his pursuit of Sarah. And now she is in danger, he’ll stop at nothing to protect her. No matter the price.

With Sarah’s firm and Joe’s career at risk, they must learn to trust each other completely to uncover the guilty. But can they discover his identity in time?

Or will they lose everything, including each other?

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

One more loved book The Christmas Hummingbird (Miramar Bay)

It’s hard to focus today so we will call this done.

It has been interesting going back through everything looking for read books. The unread books are looking fresh and enticing, more so than they do under other circumstances. Isn’t that the way it is often? If I was looking for something to read nothing would be standing out to me.

There are couple of books under consideration for download today. I’m waffling, to be honest, but will let you know if I decide to go with them.

A new-book day November 19, 2023

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It’s a good day when another enticing book shows up. BookBub is responsible for this suggestion and I’m happy to have one work out for a change. Not all suggestions are new to me so I like it when a gem shows up.

Tethered: The Ties That Bind

Perfectionistic librarian Jacqui Penn is ripped up by the roots when she’s dumped by her longtime boyfriend. Rootless and on the run, she is drawn two thousand miles west across Canada to the last place she ever thought could offer stability—the old homestead where her father grew up.Renovating the derelict house soon becomes a personal battle as it stubbornly resists her efforts.

While Jacqui struggles to renew the home, she spends time with the family Pops bitterly resented. Her hunger for roots grows stronger as she fights to discover the long-buried reasons her father fled the house as a beleaguered teen. But will she ever find the belonging she craves?

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

I tried but that’s it for today. At least it’s one.

I want to read this one. November 17, 2023

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BookBub has a suggestion today that I want to read soon. Now would be good because the first chapter has me securely hooked. It’s straight romance too which will be a welcomed change from the intense mystery that is my current enjoyable read.

I like the characters and what they are all about. That’s what has me hooked on this new story I think. That’s book one, the other two will be a pleasant surprise.

Rodeo Romance: Three Sweet Western Holiday Romances (Rodeo Romance Boxed Set Book 1)

This boxed set contains three full-length cowboy romances from the Rodeo Romance Series including The Christmas Cowboy, Wrestlin’ Christmas, and Capturing Christmas. Each book is filled to the brim with sweet cowboy romance, faith and family, humor, and hope all wrapped up with love and heartwarming Christmas blessings.

★ The Christmas Cowboy – Tate Morgan is as tough as they come. He can handle the wildest bronc on the rodeo circuit, but he loses the ability to think straight around the beautiful woman he keeps running into at the airport. Completely captivated by the uptight executive who makes it clear she detests cowboys, Tate will have to work a little holiday magic if he wants to win her heart.

★ Wrestlin’ Christmas – Sidelined with a major injury, steer wrestler Cort McGraw struggles to come to terms with the end of his career. Shanghaied by his sister and best friend, he finds himself on a run-down ranch with a worrisome, albeit gorgeous widow, and her silent, solemn son.

★ Capturing Christmas – Life is hectic on a good day for rodeo stock contractor Kash Kressley. Between dodging flying hooves and babying cranky bulls, he barely has time to sleep. The last thing he needs is the entanglement of a sweet romance, especially with a woman as full of fire and sass as the redheaded photographer he rescues at a rodeo.

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

This next book I found sounds interesting too. I’ve read one book from this author and it turns out it’s part of this collection. It was enjoyable if I remember right, so I’m looking forward to the experience of reading the next two in the collection.

Homeschool and Homicide: Honey Pot Mysteries 1-3

They don’t give a synopsis of the stories in this collection so it will be a surprise to find out what they are all about. Usually I rely on the synopsis in decision making but this time I had to go by the description for the author and what I remember from the first book. I think there were quirky characters and I like quirky so I’m looking forward to enjoying the read.

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

That’s it for now.

I’m almost finished this current read (below). It has been very intense but still good. It is quite different from the usual stories I’ve experienced with this author and it’s nice to see different pop up every now and then. It is intense enough to need a break so to cope I remind myself it’s bad form to kill off the main character.

I am choosing to relax and look forward to them living through the never ending attempts to eliminate them from this life.

Dubiosity

Savannah Harris vowed to leave behind her old life as an intrepid investigative reporter. But when a friend raises suspicions about two migrant workers who’ve gone missing from the sleepy coastal town Savannah calls home, her curiosity spikes.

As ever more eerie incidents begin afflicting the area, each works to draw Savannah out of her seclusion and raise the stakes—for both Savannah and the surrounding community. Even as Savannah’s new boarder, Clive Miller, makes her feel things she thought long forgotten, she suspects he’s hiding something too, and he’s not the only one. Doubts collide in Savannah’s mind: Who can she really trust?

As secrets emerge and danger closes in, Savannah must choose between faith and uncertainty. One wrong decision might spell the end…not just for her, but for everyone around her.

Will she unravel the mystery in time, or will doubt get the best of her?

OK, that’s it for real this time.

Good choices for new books November 16, 2023

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My morning search turned up a new mystery for us. And I was thrilled to find the author appears on my favorites list.

One Wonders: A Silas McKay Suspense (Silas McKay Suspense Series Book 1)

He’s Silas McKay, head of Discreet Corporate Security Services (DCSS) in Dallas, Texas.
She’s Ashley Davenport, the daughter of DCSS’s highest-paying client.

They each have personal issues . . .
Silas is a grieving widower who has difficulty relating to women and wants to be left alone.
Ashley is an independent woman who just got her PI license and wants Silas to mentor her.

They each have family issues . . .
Silas is trying to be both father and mother to his college-age daughter.
Ashley is trying to prove she no longer needs her father.

They each have spiritual issues . . .
Silas is struggling to maintain his faith in God.
Ashley is struggling to believe there is a God.

Now, they’re working together to solve a corporate espionage case . . .
As they investigate whether a research scientist is selling company secrets to an ex-con with a mysterious past, Silas realizes he is as intrigued by Ashley’s vivacious personality as he is by the case itself. Suddenly, when their complicated investigation takes an unexpected turn, his concern for Ashley’s safety threatens to overcome his good judgment.

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This next book has been showing up everywhere for the last week, demanding attention. I guess I had better stop waffling and add it to my library. (side note: Little Women is the famous historical fiction story written by Louisa May Alcott)

Where Grace Appears: Contemporary Inspirational Fiction with a Little Women Twist (The Orchard House Bed and Breakfast Series Book 1)

Ashamed of being duped by her handsome psychology professor, Josie Martin returns to Maine too proud to admit her foolishness to those closest to her. As the one-year anniversary of her father’s death approaches, she seeks solace in an old friend, Tripp Colton, and a new business venture that will prove to herself and her loved ones that she is still capable of success despite her overwhelming failure.

When Josie announces she will not return to school to finish her graduate degree but wishes to remain in Camden to help her mother achieve a lifelong dream, the entire family gets behind her idea to open and run a bed and breakfast inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House. Even Tripp gets excited about restoring Josie’s great-aunt’s Victorian home for the purpose, but when Josie’s unexpected news is revealed, their friendship and the new feelings blooming between them are threatened.

As summer gives way to fall, Josie struggles with decisions regarding her family’s future, dealing with past mistakes she cannot run from, and her feelings for Tripp. When the opportunity for grace comes along, will she take it? Or will she continue to allow her failures to define her worth?

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So, a quick search shows up many choices for Little Women, mentioned above, and I picked one that has the whole series and it is free. It doesn’t look like it has enough pages to cover four books, but maybe.

Little Women: Complete Series 

Louisa May Alcott ended Little Women (1868) with the words “So the curtain falls upon Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Whether it ever rises again, depends upon the reception given the first act of the domestic drama called Little Women.” It was an immediate commercial and critical success, and readers demanded to know more about the characters. Alcott quickly completed a second volume, Good Wives (1869), and later Little Men (1871)and Jo’s Boys (1886). The novels follow the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Beth, Jo and Amy, each with a very different character. It has been argued that within Little Women one finds the first vision of the “All-American girl” and that her multiple aspects are embodied in the differing March sisters. But whatever the reason, generations of readers have loved these novels since they were first published.

A good start to the day … new books

A favorite – read and enjoyed November 12, 2023

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This was an author new to me and I was impressed. So much so that I read all three books in record time. I’ll share a few others recently read and enjoyed too but of all of them this collection was my favorite read.

The main character has a reputation (one she is reluctant to claim) as having a special talent for bringing closure to stone cold murder cases. The secret of her success is an insatiable curiosity and well honed people skills. A strong problem solving ability doesn’t hurt either.

Everyone loves her and she has a committed group of friends and family. Many of them are her partners in crime, tagging along with her as she uses unconventional means to gather information.

There was a downside to the stories for me, as I moved from one book to another. It seemed unrealistic for there to be so many murders in such a small town. I thought it seemed contrived and repetitive. Until the end of the third book when it all made perfect sense. I didn’t see that name being the final answer and in the end, the unexpected was the upside to the whole experience.

I would definitely like to read more from this author.

The Georgia Rae Winston Mysteries Books 1-3 (Georgia Rae Winston Mystery Collections Book 1)

Deadly Harvest

All Georgia Rae Winston wants is to fall in love. Life, of course, has other plans.

Georgia’s biggest challenge in the farming town of Wildcat Springs, Indiana, is figuring out how to win Evan Beckworth’s heart. Until the day she discovers the body of a former student in the woods.

She assumes it was an accident. When she starts to suspect it wasn’t, it stirs memories of her father’s murder nine years earlier. A murder never solved. Georgia refuses to let that happen this time.

Not necessarily the wisest decision.

As Georgia works with the sheriff’s department’s newest detective, Cal Perkins, she finds her heart slipping into his hands. But her head is pummeled with conflicting evidence and anonymous threats of severe consequences if she digs any deeper.

In the end, Georgia faces a paralyzing choice. Ignore the dark secrets inside the family and friends who surround her or be willing to risk her own life to uncover the truth.

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These were worth the time too.

A few more read and enjoyed

It’s ironic. A few posts ago I decided it was time for a change of pace and a switch to Romance. It didn’t last long that’s for sure. I did read and enjoyed a couple of stories like that but mystery still won out as favorite in the end.

Although the rest were romantic mystery so maybe it still counts as a change anyway. It worked for me.

Going for the whole series November 10, 2023

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Coming to the end of my current read and trying to figure out confusing information that has me doubting the place this book holds in the series, I find myself downloading the last two to finish the set.

Book 4 was an enjoyable read although at times I found myself bogged down in details. Lots of scientific explanations. I can’t really fault the author for that as I know there are readers who would appreciate and even enjoy having extra information included.

The other thing I noticed on this search was his fairly recent publishing history. Maybe five years or so. Also, his books are all at a low bargain price, to gain more exposure I’m assuming.

I enjoyed book 4 enough to want to promote him too if I could. It’s always great to see new authors reach a broader audience.

The characters in this series add well to plot possibilities. Kevin is a brilliant scientist and Amari is an acclaimed private investigator with strong self protection training and a determined attitude that sometimes has her in trouble.

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.

Book 2 – A cult leader’s suicidal vision. A delusional scheme to gain eternal life.

Amari Johnston is a feisty private investigator fresh out of college. In 1988, she made international news after debunking the carbon dating performed on the Shroud of Turin. Her boyfriend, Dr. Kevin Brenner, is a brilliant young physicist with his own theories as to why the carbon dating is wrong. One year later, they find themselves in a dangerous situation, one that could land them in the headlines again—and the obituary section as well.

Book 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.

Book 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.

Book 5 – Inspired by a true story.

In recent years, new scientific discoveries have cast doubt on the theory of evolution. One of these discoveries proves that unguided evolution is impossible.

After tenured professor Dr. Paul Eisen challenges the status quo by teaching his class on evolution in a way that encourages the notion of Intelligent Design, a lawsuit from the Freedom From Religion Foundation forces him to resign. But when Dr. Eisen makes an astonishing discovery that proves unguided evolution is impossible, he nearly loses his life to someone seemingly determined to keep his discovery secret.

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A Change of Pace November 10, 2023

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A nice change with two new-to-me authors and a detour to the romance side of things after a long stint with mysteries. Both of them, historical fiction set in the American wild west. Add to that a couple of spunky women and it should be a good read times two.

When Love Comes in Disguise: A Historical Western Romance Book

After meeting in an orphanage many years ago, Ellen and Alice promised to stay close and protect each other, no matter what. When Alice attracts the attention of a kind man who wants to marry her, Ellen follows her to Fort Worth without a second thought… not even about where she will stay in this new town. Fearless and determined, she quickly comes up with an outrageous plan; she disguises herself as a man and gets a job at Alice’s husband’s ranch. Yet she never counted on meeting a handsome man there who complicates her thoughts and feelings. Should she risk telling him who she really is? Or should she keep her secret and never even have the chance to be with him?

Ben is happy helping at his best friend’s ranch, learning a lot and guiding the new ranch hands. When his best friend finds a wife from a newspaper ad, Ben thinks he’s quite careless to marry someone he has never met. His thoughts are completely forgotten though the minute he meets a mysterious woman in town and becomes determined to learn more about her. Much to his frustration, she disappears and reappears at the ranch out of nowhere, visiting a friend and always seeming to keep her distance from him. Where did she come from and why doesn’t she allow him to spend more time with her? Can Ben solve this riddle and earn her trust?

Both Ellen and Ben feel a strong pull to each other from the very first moment their eyes meet. Ellen’s heart flutters during their fleeting moments together but sinks as soon as she has to disguise herself again. When everything inevitably comes to light, will it shatter their growing connection forever? Or could their feelings be enough to keep them together?

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The Wagon Master’s Wife (First Families of Sterling Book 1)

A woman set on escaping her circumstances. A man determined to start a new life, and a past that haunts them both.

Amanda Crumb is determined to have a fresh start. After hearing her brother’s plans to offer her as a prize in a high-stakes poker game, she knows she must leave the only home she’s ever known immediately. When she is rejected by the local wagon master to join his traveling party, she takes matters into her own hands. What she didn’t expect was a man with hard rules and a secret that is closer than she could ever imagine.

Charlie Holstead has rules he lives by. No unmarried women on his wagon train. Never get married…again. He is ready to lead his final wagon train and settle down in the town of Sterling, Co. and he doesn’t want any complications. But when he finds a stowaway in one of his wagons, things just became more complicated.

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I’m ready for a change after the intense mysteries I’ve been reading the last while. I do like mysteries though.

To break things up a little I’ve been re-watching my plentiful music video collection while redoing a ten puzzle box of jigsaw puzzles, puzzles I don’t remember doing in the first place. There’s plenty of evidence to convince me I have though. Lots of fun on a snowy Friday.

A little ADHD kicking in here.

2 authors new to us November 08, 2023

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It’s always a good day when we have a chance to experience an author for the first time. BookBub is bringing this first one to our attention.

The Georgia Rae Winston Mysteries Books 1-3 (Georgia Rae Winston Mystery Collections Book 1)

The introduction to these books is very long so I’m gong to share a shortened version.

Deadly Harvest

All Georgia Rae Winston wants is to fall in love. Life, of course, has other plans.

Georgia’s biggest challenge in the farming town of Wildcat Springs, Indiana, is figuring out how to win Evan Beckworth’s heart. Until the day she discovers the body of a former student in the woods.

She assumes it was an accident. When she starts to suspect it wasn’t, it stirs memories of her father’s murder nine years earlier. A murder never solved. Georgia refuses to let that happen this time.

Deadly Holiday

A new boyfriend. (Maybe.) A Christmas program to run. And a man dying at her feet.
Georgia Winston is now dating Detective Cal Perkins, planning a Christmas program, and navigating her relationship with her twin stepbrothers. Just another day. But then her church’s youth pastor dies of poisoning, and she’s the only one who hears his final word, “Anchor.”

After the youth pastor’s girlfriend disappears, Georgia starts asking questions. Too many. When she’s almost run off the road, she goes on the offensive—with her stepbrothers’ help—and starts putting the pieces of the murder together. But Cal isn’t happy. Because any one of those pieces could get her killed.

Deadly Heritage

Georgia’s life has finally settled down. Or so she thought. She couldn’t be more wrong.

Georgia Rae Winston’s life in the farming community of Wildcat Springs, Indiana, has found a nice, quiet rhythm. She’s dating Detective Cal Perkins, and everyone predicts wedding bells—if only Cal weren’t so consumed with work.

But then Clara Alspaugh, the town prodigal, comes home after thirty-eight years. She just so happens to be the woman who broke Georgia’s dad’s heart back in high school.

The night she returns, Clara’s mother is killed during a break-in gone wrong. The scenario is eerily similar to Georgia’s father’s murder nine and a half years earlier, and Georgia suspects there are lies from the past someone doesn’t want unearthed.

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This next author we have experienced once before. It’s nice to have a second chance.

Flash Point: Hometown Heroes: Book 2

She was the last contact with a missing man…
…He will stop at nothing to protect her.
But will the cost be too high?

Directionally-challenged architect Sarah Brockman never thought getting lost on the way to a job site would put her in danger. But she finds it when the man who assists her goes missing. Attempts to help the police thrust her into a series of events that could cost her everything.

Fire Captain Joe Romero has let too many things get in the way of his pursuit of Sarah. And now she is in danger, he’ll stop at nothing to protect her. No matter the price.

With Sarah’s firm and Joe’s career at risk, they must learn to trust each other completely to uncover the guilty. But can they discover his identity in time?

Or will they lose everything, including each other?

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Coming soon will be another clearing of the growing read and enjoyed pile.