Free book December 21, 2023

BookBub has a FREE suggestion for us this time. A change of pace with a sweet romance.

The Help of a Cowboy: Inspirational Romance (Crossroads Creek Cowboys Book 2)

Once a cowboy…always a cowboy. But when life delivers Chad a chance to hang up his boots and spurs, he’s all in.

He’s newly single, bored, and ready to move to the city to shake things up. She’s recently divorced, tired of the fast pace, and looking to settle in the country. When their paths cross, the two must work together if they have any hope of following their dreams.

The farm is an albatross around Chad’s neck. Hard work and little time for fun. When his sister gets married and moves into town, the timing is perfect to sell the farm and move on with his life.

Diana is on the road to nowhere, looking to escape her past and find a special place to call home for her and her daughter. When she spots a farm for sale just outside of Crossroads Creek, she knows in her heart it’s perfect. There’s only one problem…she doesn’t know the first thing about dairy farming.

Chad wants nothing more than to refuse her contingency offer on the farm. The idea of teaching Diana everything he knows about dairy farming over the course of the next month while the place goes through the closing process was ludicrous. Except he’s anxious to sell and buyers aren’t lined up knocking on his door. And then there’s the little girl…her blond curls and precocious spirit reminding him of days gone by…when life was simple.

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That’s it for today, one book. Mystery/Suspense has been on my radar for the last two weeks so this will be a nice change.

Cleaning out the read-and-enjoyed pile once again December 11, 2023

New twists and turns make it an excellent read. I think that is what I loved most about this first book, because new and unique always adds to the attraction. Definitely a 5 star experience.

Tone Death (The School of Hard Rocks Mysteries Book 3)

Camryn Paine is all ears when it comes to solving crimes. . .

Annie King, a popular social media personality, is being threatened and requests Camryn’s help. Before Camryn can uncover the truth about what’s going on, Annie nearly dies while filming her show. With Annie in the hospital, Camryn is compelled to do whatever she can to help.

Camryn’s con artist father is released from prison and wants a second chance to make things right between them. However, she suspects there’s more to his sudden appearance than he’s revealing. Is he looking for redemption or does he have yet another con up his sleeve?


Danger escalates, and Camryn turns to the one man she can count on to help her solve the crimes—her former love, popular country singer Weston Turner. He’s there for her now, but she fears he’ll leave again and take her heart along.

With so much on the line, Camryn must hit all the right notes . . . before the outro leaves her at death’s doorstep.

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Another 5 star read that I really enjoyed. Again, it’s the new and fresh twists and turns that make this so good.

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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Now for a whole batch, starting with the best. Actually, they were all good, really.

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Currently I’m enjoying book 2 of this collection.

Rose Mountain Refuge Complete Collection: Three Thrilling Suspense Novels

HOLIDAY HIDEOUT
No matter where she goes, Dr. Abby Sullivan can’t escape her past—or a stalker’s threats.

She flees to Rose Mountain for safety and is forced to rely on officer Cal MacIvers for protection. But when faced with a deadly showdown, Abby will have to choose: flee again or fight for her life.

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This snowy day is a perfect time for reading!

This one was an all-nighter December 11, 2023

I made the mistake of starting this new read close to bedtime, a couple of days ago. Bad move. But really, who knew it wouldn’t let me go before both the end of the book and the night. 6 am is pretty much the end of the night, right?

It was so worth it.

I launched into book 2 first thing the next day but it was like having second helpings of an amazing meal. It was good but didn’t pack quite the same punch. Still another five star read though.

It’s difficult, for me anyway, to pinpoint reasons why it was so good. Reading is always an emotional experience. Good or bad. I love or hate the ride as a package deal. To pick it apart trying to figure out what made it so good would spoil the experience. I know, that’s not the way it is for everyone and it’s a good thing. Who would write awesome reviews if those other people didn’t exist.

Unpleasant reads often have jarring speed bumps along the way. Those bad reasons definitely garner our attention and are easier to identify.

On the other hand, a good read is like a successful run down a challenging ski hill. You get to the bottom with a gigantic fist pump, shouting YES! That was Amazing!

I know, I know. I’ve changed analogies a few times (okay, maybe more than a few) but hopefully you get the picture I’m trying to paint here.

Book 1 was an amazing read.

Expired Return: A thrilling fire and rescue romantic suspense (Last Chance Fire and Rescue Book 1)

Fire. Family. Faith.A wounded hero. A woman in danger. Forced proximity protection and a family they both need…But can he keep them safe?

She’ll give everything to protect her family.

Pepper Miller is a veterinary tech living a peaceful life in Last Chance County. However, when her sister becomes involved in a dangerous drug deal and her niece’s safety is at risk, Pepper will stop at nothing to protect the people she loves…even if it costs her most precious secret.

He always knew she was the one.

Fire Department liaison Allen Frees might be in a wheelchair, but he’s putting his life back together…the only thing missing is the woman he loves. When she needs his help, he’s not going to blow this second chance…No matter the sacrifice.

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Book 2 was good too.

Expired Hope: A gripping fire and rescue romantic suspense (Last Chance Fire and Rescue Book 2)

Fire. Family. Faith.
A fire chief, a woman in danger, a forbidden love…can it survive the flames of revenge?


She’s running to a fresh start…


Veteran and therapist Natalie Atkinson just wants to help heroes survive their past. But when she’s rescued from a fire…and falls for the one person she’s supposed to help…she could destroy both their futures.

It’s his last chance to get it right…

Fire Chief Macon James is the right man for the job–he just has to prove it to the counselor who is signing off on his team. What he doesn’t expect is to fall for her.

But danger is stalking her and someone is going to get hurt.

So, he’ll have to protect her, without crossing any lines. And she’ll have to make sure that she doesn’t get him killed.

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So there we have it.

Lastly, 5 more, December 08, 2023 Part 3

OK, I’m am definitely quitting with this batch, it’s time to move on. I’ll start this out with one from Karen Kingsbury, one of my longtime favorite authors. She has a wonderful way of adding depth to every story and I love that about her.

Even Now (Lost Love Series Book 1)

Shane is getting married—but can he forget the girl he loved years ago? Lauren’s dreams of happiness walked out the door with Shane and the daughter she gave up, and now Emily searches for the mother she never met. Can three hurting people find hope in the ashes of yesterday?

Shane Galanter is a man ready to put down roots after years of searching for happiness. But is he making the right choice? Or is there a woman somewhere who even now also remembers those long-ago days . . . and a love that hasn’t faded with time?

Lauren Gibbs is a successful international war correspondent who gave up on happily-ever-after years ago—when it was ripped away from her. Since then, she’s never looked back. So why can’t she put to rest the one question that haunts her: Why is life so empty?

Emily Anderson is a college freshman raised by her grandparents and about to take her first internship as a journalist. But before she can move ahead, she discovers a love story with a tragic ending that came accompanied her birth. As a result, she is compelled to look back and search out the mother she’s never met.

Sometimes hope for the future is found in the darkest moments of the past.

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A nice thing about author Robin Patchen, you get your monies worth. All four books fall close to 400 pages, a little one side or the other. One of them is more than half way to 500. I love it.

It turns out, thankfully, the first book in this series already appears on my read-and-enjoyed list so that is one less temptation.

I think the books have been numbered but I haven’t figured it all out, there is no particular order for them, best I can tell, so we are good.

Wreathed in Disgrace: Page-Turning Christmas Romantic Suspense (Coventry Saga)

A famous actress, a protective bodyguard, a festive Christmas season, and a killer…or two…on the loose.

Everybody believes movie star Denise Masters abandoned her family to pursue her dream, but the truth is much more complex. For years, she’s longed to return to Coventry to repair her relationship with her daughter, but contractual obligations–and fear of being rejected–have kept her away. When a serial killer targets Hollywood actors, Denise decides to spend the Christmas holidays in New Hampshire. She will finally face the disgrace of her past.

Private security agent Jon Donley figures the woman he’s been hired to guard will turn out to be a paranoid, privileged prima donna. Instead, the more he gets to know Denise, the more he likes her. But he’s not being paid to get involved with her. His job is to keep her safe while he figures out what links her to the other victims.

But the serial killer on the west coast isn’t the only danger they face. A second one is closing in fast, threatening not just Denise but the little girl she’ll stop at nothing to protect.

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Vengeance in the Mist (Coventry Saga)

A routine assault conviction gone wrong. A menacing intruder. And a case that’s more twisted—and dangerous—than anyone suspected.

Assistant District Attorney Misty Lake wants nothing more than to ensure Boston lawbreakers face justice, but how can she while dealing with an increasing workload and pressure to offer plea deals? When a criminal she prosecuted is released on a technicality, she doesn’t have time to worry about the threats he once breathed against her.

Tate Steele dreams of rising in the ranks at the DA’s office, but idealistic prosecutor Misty is in his way. When the district attorney asks him to assist her with a few cases, he’s eager to close them quickly to prove his merit. But he and Misty discover her apartment has been broken into, and this is no run-of-the-mill burglar. The intruder escapes and leaves no trace.

Either the vengeful convict Misty put away has upped his skills, or there’s more at play than a defendant seeking revenge.

Every clue opens up a deeper layer of lies and corruption. Though Tate has always been her rival—more concerned with ambition than justice—seeing his protective side makes Misty’s heart vulnerable to his charm…something she can’t risk. Someone is bent on making sure the truth never comes to light—no matter what the cost.

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Betrayal of Genius (Coventry Saga)

Her invention could save thousands of lives…if she can survive long enough to share it.

Jacqui’s research could lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and she’s determined to ensure the technology goes to the company with the best shot at creating life-saving products, not just the highest bidder. When her lab is broken into, she realizes her partner is desperate to get his hands on her research and the money it’ll bring. Jacqui goes into hiding, planning to lie low until she can find a buyer who lives up to her expectations.

Reid’s life is all about protecting his daughter, but when she leaves for a month to visit her mother, he finds himself at loose ends. The pretty new manager at the ice cream shop seems like a good diversion, but he soon realizes there’s more to Jacqui than doling out scoops of rocky road. When he senses danger, he’s tempted to step away—he won’t allow any threat to come near his daughter—but how can he turn his back on a woman in danger, one he’s coming to care for?

Jacqui’s former partner is closing in and getting more desperate by the day. He’ll stop at nothing to get the payout he feels he deserves.

Join Jacqui and Reid as they navigate this pulse-pounding, faith-filled adventure into the high-stakes world of medical research, innovation, and greed.

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Inheritance of Secrets: Page-Turning Christian Romantic Mystery-Suspense (Coventry Saga)

“I didn’t do right by your mother. Find her and do what I never had the courage to do.”

Her father’s deathbed confession changed everything for Aspen Kincaid. The mystery of her mother’s disappearance was unsolvable, or so she’d believed.

Her dad had lied to her all her life.

After inheriting a house in New Hampshire—a house Aspen hadn’t known her father owned—she travels thousands of miles, desperate to fulfill his dying wish. But some residents of Coventry don’t want Jane Kincaid’s daughter digging into things they think should remain hidden forever.

Renovating the secluded old house on the mountain should be the next step in Garrett McCarthy’s contracting career, but Aspen’s arrival stirs up old animosities in Coventry that he’d known nothing about. All he wants is to complete the job, hoping it’ll open doors to new opportunities. But when he’s asked to keep an eye on Aspen’s activities, he feels he can’t refuse. How can he honor his beautiful, vulnerable client and remain loyal to the people who need his help?

Join Aspen and Garrett as they attempt to solve a thirty-year-old mystery–without becoming its latest victims.

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The challenge now will be what to read next. So many good books lining up to be chosen. Good thing life has handed me a stressful time these days and books help keep my sanity intact.

Now another post is needed to clear out the already burgeoning read-pile. Coming soon.

5 more new books, December 08, 2023 Part two

Actually, it will be 8 new books because two are collections! I am not complaining, one bit. Restraint will be sorely needed though because things are clearly getting out of hand and I’m happy about it. I LOVE new books. So hard to resist.

OK, so on to two more mysteries from Lynette Eason. Both are collections.

Rose Mountain Refuge Complete Collection: Three Thrilling Suspense Novels 

AGENT UNDERCOVER
Following the unsolved murder of his sister, Dr. Dylan Seabrook is raising his six-year-old orphaned nephew—and now the killer is after them. Undercover DEA agent Paige Ashworth is on the case, but can she safeguard Dylan and his nephew before the murderer silences them for good?


HOLIDAY HIDEOUT
No matter where she goes, Dr. Abby Sullivan can’t escape her past—or a stalker’s threats. She flees to Rose Mountain for safety and is forced to rely on officer Cal MacIvers for protection. But when faced with a deadly showdown, Abby will have to choose: flee again or fight for her life.


DANGER ON THE MOUNTAIN
After making a new life for herself and her infant daughter, widow Maggie Bennett thought they were safe—until they’re caught in the middle of a bank robbery. Officer Reese Kirkpatrick seems to be just the man she needs to help them stay alive…but a shocking betrayal puts Maggie at risk.

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This next one is a two author collection.

My Deadly Valentine: An Anthology (Love Inspired Suspense) 

Dangerous Admirer by Valerie Hansen

Someone’s stalking Rachel Hollister. With suspects at every turn, it’s deputy Jase Morgan’s job to halt the menace shadowing her steps. As the most romantic holiday of the year approaches, can she trust this charming officer with her life…and her heart?

Dark Obsession by Lynette Eason

Hang-up calls, graffiti, break-ins at her shop right before Valentine’s Day… Someone wants to scare Holly Maddox–and it’s working. Her high school sweetheart, Eli Brody, comes to the rescue, but surely the handsome detective doesn’t really plan to stay. There’s nowhere for Holly to turn as danger–and heartbreak–start closing in.

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Next we have a couple of new books from another author we follow closely. We’ve seen a number of stories in this series but only one from this author so far. Today we have two more.

Desperate Measures (Love Inspired Suspense)

A widow accused of murdering her husband hides on an island in the Chesapeake Bay in this romantic suspense novel of faith and danger.

Accused of murdering her estranged husband, widowed mother Samantha Rogers panics and flees. But the real killer is now after her and her son. She’s desperate to find a safe haven where her past is secret. So when John Wagner offers her room and board in exchange for work on a remote island in the Chesapeake Bay, she moves to Smuggler’s Cove. Samantha longs to tell her handsome boss why she’s always looking over her shoulder. But when danger arrives on shore, the truth may put John in a killer’s crosshairs.

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Dark Harbor (Love Inspired Suspense) 

A reporter gets dangerously close to the truth and to a mysterious detective in this inspirational romantic suspense novel by a USA Today bestseller.

Someone wants reporter Madelyn Sawyer to leave the small coastal town she’s just arrived in—even if it takes hurting her. But she won’t give up her goal of investigating Waterman’s Reach’s new police chief that easily. Madelyn assumes that former big-city detective Zach Davis—who some believe is a murderer involved in a drug-trafficking ring—is behind the threat. Who else would have a motive?

But as bullets fly Madelyn’s way, it’s Zach who keeps saving her life. The closer she gets to the truth, the more she wants to tell the handsome lawman why she’s really in town. But if she does, will she lose his trust . . . and any hope of surviving long enough to bring the real killer to light?

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This last one, before we go on to part three post, is also from a frequently read author. This is book 2 in the series and thankfully we already have book 1.

Stormy Haven (Coldwater Bay Intrigue) 

He’s her undercover bodyguard—but she can’t know—in this “true rollercoaster ride of a suspense story” from the USA Today–bestselling author (Harlequin Junkie).

When someone tries to kill former government agent Jonna Strand, Ian Brady comes to her rescue. Now Ian must keep Jonna safe and catch the would-be killer—without revealing he was sent undercover to protect her. But when Jonna learns the truth, can she look past his secrets and lean on him to ensure they live through the storm-ridden night?

“A high-stake, action-packed, run-for-your-life but at the same time confront-the-danger adventure . . . a well-written suspense novel.” —Inkwell Inspirations

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Looks like there will have to be a part three to this post.

Making up for lost time, it’s been awhile since we had new interesting suggestions.

Be back again soon.

BookBub suggestion plus 3, December 08, 2023

This author has a movie with his name on the script. That’s an awesome accomplishment, a book turned into a movie. Interestingly, we have experienced this aforementioned story as well as several other books from this author over the last decade. I’m looking forward to this new one, hoping it will jog my memory about the past reading experience with Jim Stovall.

A Christmas Snow Jim Stovall

For Kathleen, Christmas has always been an unwelcome reminder of her father’s abandonment almost three tumultuous decades ago. Although she has tried to forget her past, it has not forgotten her, and in the days leading up to Christmas, an unforgiving blizzard traps her in her home with two unlikely roommates who bring her face to face with the hurts of her past-and the hope of a happier future.

Will she let go of the past and grad hold of a future full of love and forgiveness? Or will she continue to be haunted by her pain as the snow storm of the century brings with it the hope of lasting joy?

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Browsing the Amazon suggestion strips I was excited to see there was a new read from one of our favorite authors. It’s already added to my cache of books just in case. Don’t want to be distracted and forget. Oh, wait, Book 2 is also available as a good deal, too. I can’t pass this up.

Expired Return: A thrilling fire and rescue romantic suspense (Last Chance Fire and Rescue Book 1

This looks like a quote from the book.

Pepper stood up. “How dare you.” She could spit fire at him right now. She’d loved and supported Victory since the day she was born. “You know nothing about me.”

“What’s this?”

Pepper whirled around at that voice. Heart. Breaking. She loved that gruff, commanding voice more than anything else in the world.

He wore a look a lot like Aiden’s. Blank, which she knew—or hoped—had to do with protecting his heart because he still cared for her. Except he probably hated her.

Donaldson sat back in his chair. “Allen.”

Former police officer Allen Frees had both hands on the wheels of his chair. He wore a fire department uniform of slacks and a white shirt. Emblems. A badge. His life of service hadn’t ended when he landed in that chair after a building blew up over his head.

As far as she’d been able to tell, it barely slowed him down.

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Expired Hope: A gripping fire and rescue romantic suspense (Last Chance Fire and Rescue Book 2)

She’s running to a fresh start…

Veteran and therapist Natalie Atkinson just wants to help heroes survive their past. But when she’s rescued from a fire…and falls for the one person she’s supposed to help…she could destroy both their futures.

It’s his last chance to get it right…

Fire Chief Macon James is the right man for the job–he just has to prove it to the counselor who is signing off on his team. What he doesn’t expect is to fall for her.

But danger is stalking her and someone is going to get hurt.

So, he’ll have to protect her, without crossing any lines. And she’ll have to make sure that she doesn’t get him killed.

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This has been a very good day! I see Lynette Eason, another favorite author, has a few more books I don’t have but need to while the chance is here.

It is such a good day that there will need to be both part 1 and part 2 to this post. We will add one more to this batch first though or, heaven forbid, we might have to go to part 3. Restraint is clearly needed soon.

I haven’t read anything in this series that is next on today’s list of new books. I have read all 27 of her other downloads though. She has a lot of books to chose from and we will see more than this one before we are done today. I can hardly wait.

Christmas Cover-Up (Family Reunions Book 2)

A detective must find her missing sister with the help of a former agent from her troubled past in this wholesome holiday romantic thriller.

Seven-year-old Lucy Randall was kidnapped in broad daylight fourteen years ago. With little information to go on, the investigation went cold. Now Lucy’s sister, Detective Katie Randall, is determined to find the truth. But solving the case will require facing another demon from her past . . .

Former FBI Agent Jordan Grey knows that Katie isn’t to blame for his brother’s death—but the rest of his family still holds her responsible. When Katie comes to him for help, he agrees to help her find Lucy—even as he promises himself not to fall for the beautiful detective. As the holiday season approaches, Katie and Jordan get close to the truth. And Jordan will do anything to protect her from a deadly kidnapper . . .

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Okay, on to part two. See you soon.

Twas the Night, December 01 2023

Twas The Night, but I don’t think it was before Christmas. Maybe close to it, a couple of years before. I need to read more to find the truth of it. Good job I’m between books at this moment. Dan Walsh is the author and I enjoy and look forward to his books. BookBub gets the credit for making this suggestion.

Twas The Night (The Long Way Home Book 1)

In 1960 just days before Christmas, Theresa Dempsey, a young mother from Brooklyn, experiences an unspeakable tragedy. Two years later, she relocates to Black Rock, a small mountain town in North Carolina, hoping to make a fresh start.

About that time, in a little cabin deep in the mountainous woods, young Ransom is trying to survive a day at a time, caring for his sister Emma, and an ailing father as a snowstorm approaches.

Back in Black Rock, Deputy Bud Ellison is scrambling to catch a serial burglar, the first real crime this town has seen in years—during the holidays no less. On one remarkable cold, snowy night, the paths of all three of these lives will collide, and change them all forever.

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That’s it for this time. I did look a little without any luck.