Author: For the Love of Books

This and that part two July 14, 2021

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I was talking about plants in part one but that isn’t what I’ve spent the most time thinking about today. More than plants I’ve been thinking about a new podcaster someone told me about the other day. He has a number of channels started and has been posting short videos on most of them.

This fellow is personable, interesting, animated, and funny. He knows how to supply great content since he is a Hollywood producer in real life. He has a different focus for each channel. There are four or five of them and I’ve subscribed to them all.

So today he was posting short clips from the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It is beautiful. The coloring in the clip I’ll share with you is amazing.

This first one is the link for the story he promised in the last clip.

This next is the first beautiful clip I promised above. Not sure how they ended up in the wrong order but that’s the way things go sometimes. Enjoy the beautiful view.

His name is Michael, I’m sure he’s mentioned his last name somewhere but I didn’t catch it. If you enjoy him, he does give the links to all of his channels now and then as well.

Enjoy the Grand Canyon

A little of this, a little of that July 14, 2021

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I’ll have to tell you about my momma plant. It is called a Spider plant but it is thought of as a momma plant because it sends out long stems, like a spider’s web and little babies, or pups, grow on the ends. They are cute and when the plant sends out multiple stems they are really cute. So cute that I hate to cut them off.

There were multiple stems and their cute babies had grown so big they were resting on the floor. It all sort of filled in the corner with pretty greenery and I liked it.

Lately I’ve been noticing that mom has been looking a little dry and starting to go brown. It’s summer, it’s warm, she needs more water. Still, even with more water she was dragging and looking a little worn out (I almost said warn there, oops) (maybe she was warning me)

Anyway, it occurred to me today that her babies were bleeding her dry, no wonder she was looking droopy.

She’s feeling much better now that she’s been delivered of four of her 15 lb babies.

They are resting comfortably in a tray of water. Growing roots to be ready to move into their own home, and start sending out their own babies.

Not sure what I am going to do with them all.

In the meantime…

Mom is starting to look perkier already.

She still has three more babies to feed though.

Hmmmm. Maybe I should have delivered all of them. Given her a fighting chance.

Maybe tomorrow.

Anyone looking to own a Spider plant? Anyone?

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The Spider plant isn’t the only one trying to give me babies.

The flowering Crab Apple cut down two years ago is trying hard to survive.

It’s roots keep sending up pretty pink suckers in an ever widening circle in the front lawn.

I have some thoughts on how to deal with this, I’ll let you know how who wins. Hopefully it will be me.

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Now for a less challenging subject… books.

Currently I’ve started….

Faith in the Mountain Valley (Call of the Rockies series Book 5)

This epic journey is the only way to leave her secrets behind.

After eleven years spent looking for the girl who stole his heart, Jean-Jacques Baptiste—better known as French to his friends—is tempted to give up. Until the day he spotted the flaxen-haired stranger traveling the wooded path with Blackfoot Indians. He never imagined he’d find his childhood friend masquerading as a man in this Rocky Mountain wilderness, hundreds of miles from the Canadian town where he last saw her. No matter her reasons, he can’t let her go this time.

Colette Mignon’s life has become a cacophony of lies, including the fact that her Blackfoot Indian companions believe she’s a man. She’s willing to live the taxing life of a trapper in these desolate mountains as long as it keeps her secrets hidden. When her childhood friend and first love discovers her, his determination to help might put everything at risk.

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I haven’t read far enough to form any opinions but I have high hopes.

That cover is refreshing on these warm days of summer.

Happy Reading y’all

Bargain book July 13, 2021

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BookBub has an interesting bargain suggestion for us.

Faith in the Mountain Valley (Call of the Rockies series Book 5)

Amazon quote:

This epic journey is the only way to leave her secrets behind.

After eleven years spent looking for the girl who stole his heart, Jean-Jacques Baptiste—better known as French to his friends—is tempted to give up. Until the day he spotted the flaxen-haired stranger traveling the wooded path with Blackfoot Indians. He never imagined he’d find his childhood friend masquerading as a man in this Rocky Mountain wilderness, hundreds of miles from the Canadian town where he last saw her. No matter her reasons, he can’t let her go this time.

Colette Mignon’s life has become a cacophony of lies, including the fact that her Blackfoot Indian companions believe she’s a man. She’s willing to live the taxing life of a trapper in these desolate mountains as long as it keeps her secrets hidden. When her childhood friend and first love discovers her, his determination to help might put everything at risk.

As the worst of her past threatens to catch up with her, the hope for Colette’s new life shatters. But no matter what, she must protect the one good thing that came from all her mistakes. Though French is determined to stay at her side, she can’t let him become entangled in the perilous consequences of her actions. If only it wasn’t so painful to push him away. The danger pressing in may leave her only one choice—leave everything behind…again.

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Currently, I am still reading and hugely enjoying the time travel collection mentioned yesterday. I’ve progressed as far as book five and I am impressed with everything I’ve read so far.

I’m impressed with the story lines they have come up with. Such imaginations these ladies have. And writing abilities. I am going to be sad when I get to the end. It seems like all of them, so far, have ended on a cliff. I expect that means there is more to follow. I would love to read more.

Nevermind Time: A Time Travel romance set 

Love Can Be Found Anywhere

Enjoy these sweet, clean, time travel romances where time has no hold on love.

A TIME TO DIE
Herbert Groat has fixed all sorts of watches, but this? A watch that doesn’t just tell time, it goes back in time. In the nick of time. Evelin Barclay is an associate at Wanamaker’s in Philadelphia. She doesn’t know she’s about to be brutally murdered. Can Herbert set aside fear and disbelief to save her? Or will it be her time to die?

TIME WILL TELL
When one of Clay’s irate customers runs April’s car off the road on the Fourth of July, she’s mysteriously transported back in time to 1970 and given the chance to right a past wrong. Can she thwart a dangerous plot involving Clay’s grandfather that doomed Hackle County’s future and her relationship with Clay?

THE PORTAL
A plain wooden box. A travel through time. Will Tarin choose comfort or true love? Can these two from different times find the love they’re searching for?

A FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES

Was her aunt married? If so, who was that man at the cemetery? After reading the stack of love letters between Claudia and William, Kelly sees that a simple wrong assumption changed everything. If only she could go back and make things right…

CECILIA’S Y2 KEY
When Cecilia finds a key hanging on her Christmas tree, she’s afraid someone has broken in. The truth is much more frightening. When she opens the old oak chest in the attic on New Year’s Eve 1999, she is whisked back to 1900 because of an ancient family curse.

THE VORTEX
What do you do when your world is turned upside down and everything you knew is gone including years of your life and the only realities are an apple orchard and the man who lives there?

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Enjoy these books. I’ve not read today’s new one but I’ve certainly enjoyed 4 1/2 of the current read and highly recommend it.

I have read Misty M Beller, author of the new book, I just can’t remember much about the experience. She’s not on any of my unenjoyed (I’m trying to be diplomatic here) lists so I take that as a good sign.

Happy Reading y’all

Read and enjoyed July 12, 2021

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The outstanding feature of this read-and-enjoyed book was the main character. She was a real-piece-of-work. I think that expression suited her better than it has any other character I’ve met in a very long time. This bizarre aspect of her personality created much chaos and mayhem. It made for a story that was never boring. Frustrating, a head shaker, but never boring.

Changing circumstances and family secrets added to the already high level of drama. The Drama Queen label suited her pretty well too.

Things are not always what they seem though, and people can change, sometimes.

For the most part, I liked the way things turned out. Somethings were expected, some things not. There was one major decision that felt contrived, not entirely a natural out come, but aside from that it ended well.

I would like to read more from this author. This book is still free.

Honey Creek Homecoming (Honey Creek Romance Book 1)

Honey Creek is the one place on earth Olivia Swanson never wants to see again. When her step-grandmother sends for her, Olivia returns with a plan. To marry the town’s wealthiest bachelor, Payton Vance. But things go quickly awry for the self-absorbed, arrogant, and angry woman.

Secrets in her past, the devotion of a woman longing to be her grandmother, a destitute family, and Rusty Baker, the guy she humiliated in high school all push Olivia into an emotional battle only a Savior could help her win.

Over a short amount of time, Olivia learns she can’t make it alone no matter how independent, ambitious, and stubborn she is. Something spiritual is at play here. Her return to Honey Creek was no random happening. God has chosen this particular time and place to give Olivia a choice. Either trust Him or lose everything.

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Currently, I’m reading a collection about time travel. The first book was interesting the way it all played out. There was the unexpected which was good, there were hard to follow time lines in some places, but overall it was a good read.

There was a cliffhanger at the end and I was hoping to read more but it wasn’t to be. The next book in the collection is from a new series.

I heartily recommend this book too. It’s still a bargain.

Nevermind Time: A Time Travel romance set

A TIME TO DIE
Herbert Groat has fixed all sorts of watches, but this? A watch that doesn’t just tell time, it goes back in time. In the nick of time. Evelin Barclay is an associate at Wanamaker’s in Philadelphia. She doesn’t know she’s about to be brutally murdered. Can Herbert set aside fear and disbelief to save her? Or will it be her time to die?

TIME WILL TELL
When one of Clay’s irate customers runs April’s car off the road on the Fourth of July, she’s mysteriously transported back in time to 1970 and given the chance to right a past wrong. Can she thwart a dangerous plot involving Clay’s grandfather that doomed Hackle County’s future and her relationship with Clay?

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I’ve read A Time To Die, I’m about to read Time Will Tell, and there are four more after that.

Check it out if you haven’t already.

Happy Reading!

Free book July 11, 2021

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How could I possibly say no to a FREE book from a known and appreciated author. I can’t. Even though not adding to the TBR pile would be the smart move to make. BookRunes is the suggester of book three from a series I’ve already started.

Hope for Love (Hope Ranch Book 3)

Amazon quote:

A reformed playboy. A woman who trusts horses more than men. And a road trip gone wrong.


Royal Hewitt never expected to move to Hope Ranch, but his grandparents’ warm welcome makes it too appealing to turn down. All he needs now is to furnish his cabin on the cheap and convince Sophie Ellison to give him just one shot at a date.


If Sophie could figure out how to make teaching horseback riding to kids pay all the bills, she’d drop her day job in a heartbeat. Even if it meant more opportunities for Royal to hit on her. His good looks and easy flirtations leave her weak-kneed, but she knows better than to trust a guy like that.


Sophie’s skill at dodging Royal comes to nothing when she agrees to loan him her truck–and her driving services–to pick up some equipment. Surely she can hold out against his charm for just one day. But when the trip takes a turn for the worst, more than Sophie’s heart is at risk. Does she dare take a chance and hope for love?

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Self control still works. I resisted the urge to browse and this is it for post #2. That should be worth a gold star, at least in my estimation it should be. It’s not easy. Resisting.

I was hoping to finish the current read soon but it’s warm in here and the eyes are having trouble staying open. An afternoon nap would be an excellent idea right about now. Think I will do that.

Happy Reading y’all

Morning chat July 11, 2021

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I took a little break from reading to pour a new cup of tea and while I was at it I felt like saying good morning to someone, since I am in such a good mood. Saying good morning to you seemed like the best choice and so, here I am.

So, why am I in a good mood? Well, I think it’s me picking up on the mood in my current read. Everything is going well for the characters and I’m happy about the way things are playing out. I’m happy about the writing too. Ultimately it is the authors treatment and handling of the story that elicits this type of response from me, the reader.

Hmmmm. It hasn’t ever occurred to me to express it quite like that before. When I stop and think about it, though, it’s true. On the surface I love the story but what I’m truly loving is the writing and the heart of the author.

There is a Bible verse that says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. It is so true. We write from who we are.

Our books and stories are flavored by our hearts. Our hearts are flavored by our thoughts, our outlook on life.

I’d try to explain what’s going on with the story but it’s complicated and convoluted. It would probably take me at least 5000 words and I know we aren’t ready for that. I’ll give you the brief synopsis from Amazon, it says it better than I could at the moment.

It’s talking about book three in the four book collection.

As a side note, I have to say I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read in this collection so far.

Warfare of Love 

HOMETOWN HERO
Fighting through two years without leave and secret feelings, Davis and Muller must go undercover as newlyweds to stop the disaster.

When a shocking mix up with the chaplain makes their undercover roles a reality; Wolf and Angel must unmask a mole, stop a terrorist, protect the President-elect and untangle the events that just made them partners for life.

Can undercover love survive in the midst of trial?

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It’s been nice chatting with you. Gaining a little insight into the way books affect me has been an unexpected added bonus. I love it when that happens.

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I’m not sure if this qualifies as the official post for today. I don’t really think so but time will tell. Maybe I’ll see you again later.

Hopefully after I’ve conquered book 4 in this collection. It’s still a bargain if you are interested.

Later, maybe.

Happy Reading.

Bargain books July 10, 2021 Part two

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Time travel is the theme of the next attractive collection to cross my path today. I enjoy reading time travel, it has all sorts of interesting possibilities. There can be wide differences in treatments, though, and I find myself approaching new experiences with caution, not feeling confidence about liking the experience. When I like it I like it, though.

I haven’t read very far on this to check it out but what I did read has me hooked. I want to know what comes next.

I love the cover too.

Nevermind Time: A Time Travel romance set

Enjoy these sweet, clean, time travel romances where time has no hold on love.

A TIME TO DIE
Herbert Groat has fixed all sorts of watches, but this? A watch that doesn’t just tell time, it goes back in time. In the nick of time. Evelin Barclay is an associate at Wanamaker’s in Philadelphia. She doesn’t know she’s about to be brutally murdered. Can Herbert set aside fear and disbelief to save her? Or will it be her time to die?

TIME WILL TELL
When one of Clay’s irate customers runs April’s car off the road on the Fourth of July, she’s mysteriously transported back in time to 1970 and given the chance to right a past wrong. Can she thwart a dangerous plot involving Clay’s grandfather that doomed Hackle County’s future and her relationship with Clay?

THE PORTAL
A plain wooden box. A travel through time. Will Tarin choose comfort or true love? Can these two from different times find the love they’re searching for?

A FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES

Was her aunt married? If so, who was that man at the cemetery? After reading the stack of love letters between Claudia and William, Kelly sees that a simple wrong assumption changed everything. If only she could go back and make things right…

CECILIA’S Y2 KEY
When Cecilia finds a key hanging on her Christmas tree, she’s afraid someone has broken in. The truth is much more frightening. When she opens the old oak chest in the attic on New Year’s Eve 1999, she is whisked back to 1900 because of an ancient family curse.

THE VORTEX
What do you do when your world is turned upside down and everything you knew is gone including years of your life and the only realities are an apple orchard and the man who lives there?

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It’s a good thing the book is only 513 pages long, with six stories they haven’t been given too much time.

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I see we have one more now too. BookRunes has a FREE suggestion I’m excited about. I have read this author before but it’s been awhile. The first few pages of this new book have me intrigued.

Honey Creek Homecoming (Honey Creek Romance Book 1)

Amazon quote:

Honey Creek is the one place on earth Olivia Swanson never wants to see again. When her step-grandmother sends for her, Olivia returns with a plan. To marry the town’s wealthiest bachelor, Payton Vance. But things go quickly awry for the self-absorbed, arrogant, and angry woman.

Secrets in her past, the devotion of a woman longing to be her grandmother, a destitute family, and Rusty Baker, the guy she humiliated in high school all push Olivia into an emotional battle only a Savior could help her win.

Over a short amount of time, Olivia learns she can’t make it alone no matter how independent, ambitious, and stubborn she is. Something spiritual is at play here. Her return to Honey Creek was no random happening. God has chosen this particular time and place to give Olivia a choice. Either trust Him or lose everything.

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I’m going to have to have a reading marathon this weekend, with all these new books I’m excited to get to.

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This book situation is actually a very good thing right now as I wrestle with sadness. It would be nice if the people we love could live forever, or at least as long as we do, but they can’t. And they wouldn’t want to, when it comes right down to it.

I’m grateful for a basket full of enticing books, they will keep me from digging an impossible sadness pit I’d have trouble climbing out of.

While I don’t want to dig a bottomless hole, I do admit that the presence of sadness is a good thing. It means I love. And in this case deeply. I’m grateful we still have a little time, it’s not over yet.

To answer your question, it’s a beloved family member who has been in my life for decades. She holds a special place in my heart. She’s managed more than 90 years and we’ve been blessed to have her.

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It’s ok to be happy and sad all at the same time.

I’m hanging on to happy to keep me afloat.

Happy Reading!

Bargain books July 10, 2021

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I’m having fun this morning checking out the latest offering of books, hoping to find something new and interesting. I came across a collection filled completely with new-to-me authors, it appears to be well written with fresh and new story lines. I couldn’t resist.

Warfare of Love 

Amazon quote:

A delightful mix of contemporary and historical romances.

THE HEART KNOWS
When Lydia remembers her identity and discovers the secret Drew has kept from her, she struggles to make the right choice. Can she respect and trust a man she loves who allowed her to live a lie, or must she leave him and the two children who are as dear to her as life itself?

HIS FRENCH WAR BRIDE
June 1944. Despite her determination to be in Paris to welcome her father home when he escapes from a prison camp, interpreter Christine Arnette must obey when the French Resistance sends her on a secret D-Day mission to Normandy. When her cover story falls apart, the Allies start asking questions. Can she trust them with the truth?

When Lieutenant Harry Dean discovers their beautiful French interpreter lied about her reasons for coming to Carentan, it’s up to him to discover her identity. His gut tells him to trust her, but orders are orders. Is she really a spy? Will his heart allow him to stand by and watch if she’s arrested?

HOMETOWN HERO
Fighting through two years without leave and secret feelings, Davis and Muller must go undercover as newlyweds to stop the disaster. When a shocking mix up with the chaplain makes their uncover roles a reality; Wolf and Angel must unmask a mole, stop a terrorist, protect the President-elect and untangle the events that just made them partners for life.

Can undercover love survive in the midst of trial?

NEW MESSAGES, OLD MEMORIES
As the list of suspects mounts, the intensity of the situation increases, and Blake and Kelly find themselves in a race against time. With the help of Kerrytown’s chief of police and a kid named Leon, they work to identify the perpetrator and bring him or her to justice before things get out of hand and someone doesn’t survive Christmas.

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Nothing else is jumping out for me at the moment but I can always add another post later if things change.

Currently I am reading and enjoying a mystery collection (that I’ll share in a moment) but I think my next read will be today’s new collection. I’m anxious and curious to meet these new authors.

The current read is fraught with suspense, I may switch between the two collections just to survive.

Deadly Chances: Five romantic suspenses where couples outrace danger and take a chance on love 

I’m up to book three and it’s tense.

CALL ME JANE
Since she’s walking on water, why is she still wearing shoes? That was her first question when the fugue cleared. But she has more pressing questions, such as —who is she, where does she live, and how did she end up on Peachtree Street on a cold November night wearing nothing but a nightgown?


With Officer Kyle Rossi’s help, Jane, as she prefers to be called, begins the journey to discover her identity. But the more she learns about the real Aubrey Sutherland, the more she realizes she can’t trust anyone, especially those closest to her.

Jane also learns that a concussion might be the best thing that ever happened to her.

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OK, so I hurried through the last of book three and set up for book four

SUNSHINE IN SPRING
Camden Daye used to love Christmas. Six years ago, tragedy struck his family. Every year since then, he hangs on to the past and his role in the devastation that shook up the world of his loved ones. Can he be free of the self-imposed chains, or will they hold him in bondage?
Sunshine Rogers is being stalked. By whom, she has no idea and can’t understand why anyone would do it. Fear begins to take over her life as she constantly looking over her shoulder.

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I’ll let you know how I feel about Warfare of Love

Happy Reading

Oops, I think I just tripped over another great collection. That means another post. Stay tuned.

Free and bargain books July 09, 2021

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BookRunes Has a FREE suggestion for us.

How Sweet It Is: Opposites Attract Christian Romance 

Amazon quote:

Embrasser means to kiss in French. Delphine D’Arleux, traveling in Belgium for a candy-making class, doesn’t expect to have the word demonstrated to her, especially by a stranger.

Brad Larsen, an avowed chocoholic, knows he behaved badly by kissing the pretty French girl, but he can’t quite regret his actions. Can he show Delphine that a longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul? 

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The title of this book reminds me of a popular TV show from the 1950s, The Honeymooners with Jackie Gleason. It was pretty funny and Jackie’s face pops in everyone’s mind when they hear how sweet it is. It was on reruns for many years.

This author (Bonnie Blythe) has two bargain books for us. One of them was on my reading list in 2013, the other is new to me. Bonus.

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Rock and A Hard Place: Love in Eastern Oregon (Cascade Brides Series Book 1)

Amazon quote:

The Three Sisters Mountains are part of the Cascade Mountain Range near the town of Sisters, Oregon. The peaks were named Faith, Hope, and Charity by early settlers.

In the Cascade Brides series, three estranged siblings named for the mountains, each in the far-flung reaches of the state, are drawn back to their childhood home in Sisters by men who ultimately help the siblings realize the blessings of family bonds.

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Dearly Loved: Second Chance Christian Romance 

Amazon quote:

The lovesick daydreams of Meredith Ambrose’s teenage years for neighborhood heartthrob David Steller have faded into uncomfortable memories-until he lands in a hospital bed in her unit where she works as an R.N.

David came to the Northwest to look her up-he just didn’t plan on their reunion occurring with him on a gurney.

Can he prove he’s really changed after all these years? 

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That’s it, so far, for today.

I’m enjoying comfortable temperatures in my house at the moment. They say the weather is about to heat back up again.

It’s funny how the weather goes from boiling to freezing (at least needing the furnace and more clothes) in just 24 hours.

I’m not complaining, the cool is a nice respite from too-hot.

It’s Friday, even better, I can sit and read to my heart’s content while sweltering this weekend.

Enjoy your books too.

Happy Reading

A little of this and that July 08, 2021

/ For the Love of Books / 3 Comments

I felt like celebrating! It’s been a long year of work related complex challenges and steep learning curves. That’s what happens when government agencies implement major updates in their departments leaving their users scrambling to deal with it. Today I cleared the last hurdle and I felt like partying. Too bad I was alone and it’s a work day.

I’m still feeling just as pleased and relieved, hours later.

On the other hand though, there was a thread of sadness running through my day. A beloved family member is experiencing declining health and all of us in the family are sad to see it. A very special lady. In her better days she was vibrant and full of energy. Always on the go, a force to be reckoned with. The stories we could tell are endless..

Speaking of stories. I have nothing to offer in the way of new books. No good suggestions from any direction today.

I did finish a book that I liked a lot, though. It’s still a bargain.

Hard Landing (Hope Landing Romantic Suspense Book 1)

Two wary souls get a second chance at love…if a killer doesn’t find them first.
When a stalker turns to murder, pilot Kelli Spencer needs protection. What she doesn’t need is her old love Jack Reese returning to stir things up, but the former Navy SEAL and his team of protection specialists are the best of the best.

Trust him with her life? If she has to. Trust him with her heart? No way.

The last time Jack left, he made it clear married life held no appeal. Ten years later, he wastes no time letting her know he hasn’t changed. Not that she’d be fool enough to hope.

As the commander of Knight Tactical, Jack jumps at the chance to protect Kelli and take down a killer, but as soon as she’s safe, he plans to shake the dust of the small mountain town off his feet again…until he realizes he never should have left the first time.

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I’ve barely started a new book. It starts off with a life threatening situation before it’s hardly even gone two pages. Reminds me of the opening scenes of Criminal Minds TV series. It seemed like a perfect time to work on a blog post.

I guess I need to remind myself they won’t be killing off the main character this close to the beginning.

Deadly Chances: Five romantic suspenses where couples outrace danger and take a chance on love

The one I’m reading:

DANGEROUS VICTORY
Car mechanic Valerie watched her father die in a fiery wreck and she can’t admit to herself that she’s in love with a Nascar race car driver Jackson, especially after he’s also injured in a crash. But when a stranger shows up, terrorizing her about a mysterious delivery from her uncle, Jackson is the only one who can navigate the danger with Valerie. It’s a race for survival, and a high speed adventure in love.

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I guess I’d better go back and see if she survived to see chapter two. This is still a bargain as well. Good deal.

Happy Reading.