Author: For the Love of Books

Bargain books February 16, 2021

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BookBub has a great suggestion for us. This book appeared a year ago and it was a good read, definitely worth looking at again.

Diamond in the Rough (American Heiresses Book #2)

Amazon quote:

To save her family from financial ruin, Miss Poppy Garrison accepts an unusual proposition to participate in the New York social season in exchange for her grandmother settling a family loan that has unexpectedly come due. Ill-equipped to handle the intricacies of mingling within the New York Four Hundred, Poppy becomes embroiled in one hilarious fiasco after another, doomed to suffer a grand societal failure instead of being deemed the diamond of the first water her grandmother longs for her to become.

Reginald Blackburn, second son of a duke, has been forced to travel to America to help his cousin, Charles Wynn, Earl of Lonsdale, find an American heiress to wed in order to shore up his family estate that is in desperate need of funds. Reginald himself has no interest in finding an heiress to marry, but when Poppy’s grandmother asks him to give etiquette lessons to Poppy, he swiftly discovers he may be in for much more than he bargained for.

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An interesting looking bargain showed up.

Love, Lies, & Typewriters: A Christian Historical Western Romance 

Amazon quote:

At the height of WWII, New York reporter Bryce Richard is tapped to promote the concocted romance of a wounded veteran and Wyoming cowgirl Lucy Daniels, all in order to sell war bonds.

But when Bryce falls in love with Lucy, he must stop her impending fake—but very legal—wedding by devising his own rugged proposal. Can this city slicker cowboy-up to the challenge? 

A heartwarming romance worthy of the Hallmark Channel, Love, Lies, & Typewriters is a funny, inspirational story about real love and real courage at a transformational time in America.

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A new book coming soon. Another Christy Barritt book.

Safe and Sound (Lantern Beach Guardians Book 3) 

The thrilling conclusion to the Lantern Beach Guardian series!

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Happy Reading!

It isn’t that I can’t, it’s that I can’t.

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This is one of those just say something kind of days. You know, those days when it’s time to write a post and you have nothing.

So, this title is the thought that’s been rolling around in my head all day. It’s entirely true, and to my mind, it’s hilarious. I love a good play on words.

Probably the reason why this idea is lodged securely in my mind, like a silly song that stays with you all day, is because I lived it over the weekend.

Saturday afternoon was the time for our regular monthly writer’s group. We take turns chairing the meeting and February was supposed to be my turn. It’s bad enough when we meet in person and I can look around the table to see everyone; make it a Zoom meeting and it is confusing and worse. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do a good job and decided to look for a fill-in. I felt the group deserved to have a better experience than I could give them.

Some time after arranging my replacement I read and enjoyed a book featured in a previous blog post here. This added a new element to the meeting as I shared my enjoyment with the rest of the executive. With the help of several of our group members who knew her personally, I was able to contact the author. She would love to read an excerpt for us from her short story. Once this was all settled the agenda came out for the meeting and I was surprised to find I was still on it. In a smaller capacity but still. No one said a word, they just snuck it in there.

It all worked out ok. I was ready with my part mapped out in my head and it went smoothly. Probably because concern for my newly assigned task overshadowed every other worry.

In the end, I had the ability. It wasn’t like I couldn’t do it before but now I could.

The best way to describe why I couldn’t do it would be disability. Something crippling my ability

At this point I can hear one of our best writers saying “when you make statements like that I want to hear details”

I can tell you that I have complex PTSD from ongoing childhood abuse. It started before I was born and ended when I was twelve. I can’t give you details because I don’t have memories. They talk about abuse victims compartmentalizing as a coping mechanism. That’s what my mind did. Ninety-eight percent of my childhood memories are locked in a sealed vault and even though I’ve given myself permission to bring some of them out, for the most part, it’s not happening. I was describing it to my daughter the other day, It’s like watching a room with small windows… every now and then a shadow goes past. That’s the extent of it.

I’ve been in heavy denial about all of this for most of my life. Up until about fifteen years ago when one of my brothers insisted that I own it and admit the truth. This admission was the beginning of a new dimension in my healing journey

One discovery along the way was this: My disability comes not from memories but from triggers rising out of memories buried deep inside me. The deep place that will never forget.

In the past I refused to even think about the shadowy memories I did have.

It turned out there was a better way. I could stop and examine the shadows. Ask questions. Try to understand family dynamics and recognize what was behind abusive actions. There were many well-that-explains-a-lot moments once I allowed myself to question, to take a honest look.

So, I guess the question is, how does this affect my ability to do or not to do? It’s this way… my survival response is to shut down.

Freeze. Panic attacks.

I’ve had many theories about why this is.

A break through moment tells me it’s all about feeling safe.

Why don’t I feel safe? Honestly, aside from rooted in old memories, I have no idea.

I think it will take more than my lifetime to heal from this.

Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. At least I’m making progress.

Maybe can’t could even turn into can someday.

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One thing I know for sure, I’m not alone on this journey. Many others walk a similar path.

Sharing our stories is an effective way to add support to our fellow travelers.

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I will admit this started with a light heart but didn’t end that way. That’s not a bad thing. Honesty is the good thing.

Story prompt – Valentine

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Today’s story prompt … Valentine

What’s the first thing to pop into your head?

Bah-Humbug!

Just call me Ms Scrooge.

It’s true. I read romance novels, lots of them. I read them, enjoy them, and don’t believe a word they say.

Fairy tales, I tell you.

Ok. So I will admit, there are some people out there who truly do know how to love honestly and well. I will admit there are some but my head says they are few and far between.

I still say – Bah Humbug! And no ghost is going to be changing my mind!

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Story Prompt is hosted by Sunday Scribblings

Read and enjoyed – mid February 2021

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My favorite read this time was a Christmas anthology. The stories were great by themselves but a discovery at the end of the second story turned it all into something more.

The author of the second story, Eleanor Bertin, mentioned her blog link along with the usual information always offered at the end. Between her blog post and her bio, when I checked it out, I learned she lives only a few hundred miles from here and belongs to a writer’s group well known to some of our local group. When I shared what I’d found, a bunch of us couldn’t help getting excited about this. How often do you happen upon a book only to find you have such a close connection with he author.

Our regular monthly Zoom call happened today and Eleanor was able to be with us as our special guest. Not only does she write a good story she does an awesome job of reading it to us. We were blessed to have her.

I’m hoping this is a first of many more such events. It was fun and encouraging, for all of us I think.

A Star Will Rise: A Mosaic Christmas Anthology II

Amazon quote:

Christmas should be a time of wonder and expectation, but what if tragedy, illness, family secrets, or betrayal strip away every belief in what the future holds? And in a good and loving God?

When circumstances beyond their control dramatically alter their lives, can broken, betrayed, and disillusioned people rediscover their faith and come to see that God’s plans are far better for them than the ones they had imagined for themselves?

Brenda S. Anderson | A Christmas Homecoming
Eleanor Bertin | Love and Unexpected Stress Responses
Sara Davison | Sixty Feet to Home
Regina Rudd Merrick | The Twelve Days of Mandy Reno
Angela D. Meyer | Returning to Christmas
Marion Ueckermann | One Christmas Wish
Candace West | A Garland of Grace

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Another favorite this time, books 2 and 3 in the Last Chance County series.

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Then there was a set of three. Books 1 – 3 in the He Calls Me by Name series.

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and last but not least … in no particular order…

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As I was clearing out the read books it was a shock to see how far behind I am. Speed reading is a skill I need to master and use if I expect to have half a chance at winning the race with the TBR pile.

Happy Reading!

More bargains, found on BookBub’s weekly Top Ten list

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Interesting bargains found on BookBub’s weekly Top Ten list. Even better, we don’t have these yet, at least I don’t.

One is from an author we’ve seen often, the other author has never been seen here. We are happy to meet her.

The Way of the Brave (Global Search and Rescue Book #1)

Amazon quote:

Former pararescue jumper Orion Starr is haunted by the memory of a rescue gone wrong. He may be living alone in Alaska now, but the pain of his failure–and his injuries–has followed him there from Afghanistan. He has no desire to join Hamilton Jones’s elite rescue team, but he also can’t shirk his duty when the call comes in to rescue three lost climbers on Denali.

Former CIA profiler and psychiatrist Jenny Calhoun’s yearly extreme challenge with her best friends is her only escape from the guilt that has sunk its claws into her. As a consultant during a top-secret mission to root out the Taliban, she green-lighted an operation that ended in ambush and lives lost. When her cathartic climb on Denali turns deadly, she’ll be forced to trust her life and the lives of her friends to the most dangerous of heroes–the man she nearly killed.

Her skills and his experience are exactly what’s needed to prevent another tragedy–but in order to truly set Orion free from his painful past, Jenny will have to reveal hers. They’ll have to put their wounds behind them to survive, but at what cost?

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You Belong with Me (Restoring Heritage Book #1) 

Amazon quote:

Realtor Hannah Thornton has many talents. Unfortunately, selling houses in the town where her family name is practically poison isn’t one of them. When a business tycoon determines to raze historic homes in the small town of Heritage, Michigan, and replace them with a strip mall, Hannah resolves to stop him. She sets about helping Heritage win a restoration grant that will put the town back on the map–and hopefully finally repay the financial debt Hannah’s mother caused the town. But at first no one supports her efforts–not even her best friend, Luke.

Luke Johnson may have grown up in Heritage, but as a foster kid he never truly felt as if he belonged. Now he has a chance to score a job as assistant fire chief and earn his place in the town. But when the interview process and Hannah’s restoration project start unearthing things from his past, Luke must decide if belonging is worth the pain of being honest about who he is–and who he was.

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I came across a FREE prequel for the above series. How cool is that?

P.S. Goodbye (Prequel Novella) (Restoring Heritage)

Amazon quote:

What if a woman who’s all about the goals and plans falls in love with man who no longer believes his life has a purpose? A novice life coach needs to cement her reputation with one great success story. When a wounded former Special Forces operator walks back into her life looking for a job, she decides to work with him—a win-win for them both.

​If Caroline Williams had her way, she’d help everyone in town find their purpose in life—unfortunately, no one seems to want her help. But she refuses to give up, and her new status as a certified life coach should provide her with some badly needed credibility. All she needs is her first client. When Grant Quinn walks in looking for a job, Caroline knows he needs more than that—he needs a new plan for his life. But when Grant refuses to be honest about his dreams and his struggles, Caroline’s business might come crashing down before it starts.

Wounded former Special Forces operator Grant Quinn understood the cost when he enlisted and served his country with pride. The scars on his face are reminders of what he lost, but he is moving on—now if he could just convince his family that he’s fine. When Caroline steps back into his life and offers to help find him a job in exchange for being her Guinea pig in her new life coaching business, he agrees. After all, what better way to show his family he’s okay than with a new, stable job? But when the anxiety he’s been running from ruins his one interview, his plans come crashing down. Can he trust Caroline enough to be honest about everything?

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It has turned out to be a good day for books.

Bargain books February 12, 2021

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BookBub has a bargain suggestion for us. It fits in well with Valentine’s Day coming up soon.

Vacation Sweethearts Books 1-3: Smile for Me, Reach for Me, Wait for Me (Vacation Sweethearts Bundle Collection Book 1)

Amazon quote:

Book 1: Smile for Me (The Bahamas) – International Biracial Romance

A deadline-driven workaholic assistant school principal who meticulously plans his schedule months in advance meets easygoing art teacher and studio potter with no sense of time, living her life as the seasons come and go. When they cross paths again at the Summer by the Sea Day Camp sponsored by his church in Nassau, Bahamas, how can they get along if they cannot see eye to eye?

Book 2: Reach for Me (Great Smoky Mountains) – International Romance with a Side of Suspense

He leaves his homeland to protect his family.
She flees her hometown to abandon hers. 

At a remote mountaintop retreat, an optimistic triple amputee veteran of the British Special Forces meets a pessimistic American beauty in the valleys of their lives.

Book 3: Wait for Me (Alaska Cruise) – Second Chance Romance with a Side of Suspense

A divorced single dad with full custody of his son made a promise he now has to keep: invite his ex-wife to enjoy their son’s birthday gift: a seven-day cruise in Alaska. Can two people who have given up on each other put aside their emotions to make their five-year-old son happy for a week? What could possibly go wrong in this Christian romance with a sidearm of suspense?

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My current read is one I’m having trouble getting into. So many characters. Friends since high school, gathering in support of their teen years mentor in the death of her husband. Five friends with husbands, kids, and other friends, sliding in and out of the story. Mind boggling, trying to keep everyone straight.

I’m 1/4 of the way through book 1 and still have books 2 and 3. I will have to persevere. It does have some interesting bits going on, though. Lots of secrets to be uncovered.

The Lighthouse (Five Island Cove Book 1) 

After the death of a childhood loved one, 5 best friends reunite in the small coastal town of Five Island Cove.

One doesn’t expect to find love with a high school crush.

Another isn’t prepared to find the strength she needs to take control of her life.

And none of them are ready for the secrets they’ll uncover at the lighthouse...

As the truth comes to light, these five best friends will learn what really matters: friendship, family, and faith.

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Happy Reading …

… on this chilly day. It seems the current extreme cold snap just does not want to leave us.

The good news is, it can’t last forever. This late in the season we are on the downhill slide toward spring.

At least the blue sky and sunshine is to be treasured.

Free and bargain books February 10, 2021

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1531 Entertainment has a bargain suggestion for us with an author new to us.

The Grace Legacy (The Legacy Book 1) 

Amazon quote:

What do you do when the man you’re falling for is tasked with bringing your family to justice?

The daughter of one of the most notorious outlaws in the country, Karissa Jones has spent the last two years running from her past. With her sister Beth, she’s begun a new life for herself in Pine Creek, Texas.

US Marshal Matthew Carmichael is a man on a mission. For the last five years, he’s chased the Jones gang clear across the country.

As Matthew rides into town, Karissa’s as struck by his green eyes and steady manner as she is his marshal star. She’s spent much of her life hiding from men – and even more hiding from the law – but something about him makes her feel safe for the first time in her life.

When Karissa’s past catches up to her, and she finds herself kidnapped and brought straight into a den of outlaws, trusting herself and Matthew might be her only way out alive.

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BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us. We’ve been seeing this author fairly regularly.

Aloha Hideaway Inn: A Sweet Beach Read (Getaway Bay Resort Romance Book 1)

Amazon quote:

She’s got big plans for her tropical bed and breakfast, but the new high-rise resort in the bay is throwing a wrench into everything. So Stacey Stapleton does what any savvy businesswoman would do—she goes to spy on the resort stealing her business and ruining the beautiful Getaway Bay skyline.

Her undercover operation doesn’t do more than show her how flawless the Sweet Breeze Resort is—and that the owner is as handsome as he is smart.

Though annoyed by the new resort, Stacey focuses on Aloha Hideaway Inn, more determined than ever to give tourists the vacation of their lives. But when a tropical storm hits the bay, she and her guests have to take refuge in the high-rise hotel she hates.

Not only that, but the more time she spends with Fisher DuPont, the owner of Sweet Breeze, the more she has to admit that he’s not a monster.

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And then there is another FREE book from the same author.

The Island House (Brides & Beaches Romance Book 1) 

Amazon quote:

Charlotte Madsen’s whole world came crashing down six months ago with the words, “I met someone else.”

Thirty-seven, recently divorced, and childless. That’s Charlotte when she disembarks from the plane in Getaway Bay. She wants to get away, that’s for sure. She thought the best way to do that was to buy a run-down house overlooking the bay, knowing she’ll need all her fixer-upper skills to get it in shape. Which is just fine. She’s hoping as she overhauls the house, she’ll get a life makeover too.

She was not expecting a tall, handsome man to be under the kitchen sink when she arrives at the supposedly abandoned house. She wasn’t expecting to get drenched when the non-plumber twists something the wrong way. And she certainly wasn’t expecting her heart to be well enough to feel anything for anyone.

But former Air Force pilot, Dawson Dane, has a charming devil-may-care personality, and Charlotte could use some carefree laughter in her life. But everything with Dawson isn’t sunshine and unicorns. He’s estranged from his family, though he does speak to one of his brothers. And he’s never committed to anything except his career, even choosing flying over an engagement years ago.

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Currently, I’ve just barely started one with an author new to me. It is still FREE

Beyond I Do: A Contemporary Romance Novel

Amazon quote:

Marriage . . . it’s more than a happily ever after. Eternally more. 

Ainsley Meadows, raised by a hedonistic mother who cycles through jobs and relationships like wrapping paper on Christmas morning, falls into a predictable and safe relationship with Richard, a self-absorbed, socialite psychiatrist.

But as Ainsley’s wedding nears, a battered woman and her child spark a long-forgotten dream, a hidden passion. One that threatens to change everything, including her fiancé.

If she wants to embrace God’s best and find lasting love, this security-seeking bride must follow God with reckless abandon and realize that marriage goes Beyond I Do.

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Today’s downloads are all about romance. We are getting closer to Valentines day.

Happy Reading y’all

Free and bargain books February 09, 2021

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BookBub has a bargain suggestion for us. Melissa Storm is one of the enjoyable authors we’ve been following lately.

The Lonesome Librarian: A Heartwarming Journey of Faith, Hope & Love (First Street Church Romances Book 5)

Amazon quote:

Small-town librarian Sally Scott’s life is made up of a series of tremendous heartbreaks.

Her parents died when she was young, the love of her life just married somebody else, and looking after her agoraphobic aunt means she can’t leave town despite having no true friends to confide in.

Only her beloved books provide any true escape, until a town outsider returns and causes her to question everything she once thought she knew about herself.

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BookBub had another suggestion, books 1 – 3 in a series by Jessie Newton. I didn’t recognize the name but the picture looked familiar. I had no idea how prolific this lady is. In checking things out I discovered she writes as three people and I have read two of them.

Jessie Newton writes as herself and is also published under Elana Johnson and Liz Isaacson.

Jessie is all about feel-good, heart warming women’s fiction, Elana specializes in clean romance, and Liz writes Christian romance. So far Elana Johnson is my favorite but then I haven’t experienced Jessie. I plan to remedy this. A number of her books are offered at bargain prices today, this is a perfect time to do a little research.

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The Lighthouse (Five Island Cove Book 1) 

Amazon quote:

After the death of a childhood loved one, 5 best friends reunite in the small coastal town of Five Island Cove. One doesn’t expect to find love with a high school crush. Another isn’t prepared to find the strength she needs to take control of her life. And none of them are ready for the secrets they’ll uncover at the lighthouse…

As the truth comes to light, these five best friends will learn what really matters: friendship, family, and faith.

Now a USA Today bestseller!

When Joel Shields dies, Robin Grover’s only goal is to get her four best friends back to Five Island Cove to celebrate the life of Kristen’s husband. She alone has stayed in the cove while everyone else couldn’t wait to get away. 

Alice Keller comes instantly, because her mansion in the Hamptons and her husband’s infidelity is smothering her. Not only that, but Kristen has always been like a mother to her, and she wants to support her.

Eloise Hall comes quickly too, because she’s not teaching at the university this summer, and she might as well visit her mother—and the house she secretly bought years ago. Her first night on the island, she runs into an old high school crush, and a flame ignites that hasn’t been there before.

But Kelli Thompson and AJ Proctor are more resistant, and as Robin, Alice, and Eloise uncover secret after secret in the books, journals, and files in Joel’s office, Robin becomes more determined to reunite them all. 

When Kelli and AJ finally arrive in the cove, the women are embroiled in secrets the lighthouse has hidden for decades. Robin tries to hold them all together, but she too breaks down and admits that her perfect-on-the-outside life isn’t so perfect.

As these 5 best friends work together to find the truth, they must learn to let go of what doesn’t matter and cling to what does: faith, family, and most of all, friendship.

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The Summer Sand Pact: Women’s Fiction with Heart (Five Island Cove Book 2)

Amazon quote:

Alice Kelton’s marriage is in shambles, and while she’s always thought she’d stay with her husband, after her last visit to the cove, she went back to the Hamptons and filed for divorce. She and her twins are moving to Rocky Ridge in Five Island Cove permanently, but she’s not telling anyone.

Robin’s husband is in Alaska for the summer, and she’s pretending she’s okay. Eloise comes back to the cove every couple of weeks so she can see her new boyfriend, though she’s growing tired of the distance between them. AJ broke up with her non-committal boyfriend, and she’s happier, freer, and open to another relationship, even though she lives in Atlanta.

Kelli brings her son to the cove this time, knowing her relationship with her husband is on the rocks and desperate to fix it. She plans to get some help from her sisterhood during the two weeks in the cove. When she’s followed to the beach house where the other women and their children have gathered, Kelli learns a dangerous secret thirty years in the making that could completely undo all the progress she’s made…

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The Cliffside Inn (Five Island Cove Book 3) 

Amazon quote:

With their different personalities and in their different states of mind, none of these best friends are prepared for the secret contained within the walls of The Cliffside Inn. They’ve survived tough situations before, but this might be the thing that tears them apart for good…

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This should keep us busy for awhile.

Happy Reading …

… on this, another chilly but very beautiful day.

Free books February 08, 2021

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BookBub has a light but clean suggestion for us, FREE.

Make-Believe Fiancé: An inspirational romance (Make-Believe Series Book 1)

Amazon quote:

A billionaire cowboy, a divorced teacher with nowhere left to turn, and a fake engagement they thought would solve all their problems. They never meant to fall in love.

Gwen Alder is starting over — divorced and broke, she’s come to Billings, Montana for a new beginning. But waitressing in a roadside diner for the summer isn’t paying the bills, and she finds herself in over her head with no hope of catching up.

Heath Montgomery has it all — fame, fortune and a mega-watt smile, but one thing he doesn’t have is a date for his cousin’s wedding.

When they cross paths, Heath has an idea — what if he paid her to be his date? No strings, no complications, just a simple business transaction — a way to finally win his father’s trust, and get his parents off his back about settling down once and for all.

She’s poor and plain. He’s wealthy and arrogant.

They didn’t want anything more than a simple arrangement. They never planned to fall in love. But sometimes cupid has a mind of his own.

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LPC Books has several FREE suggestions too.

Beyond I Do: A Contemporary Romance Novel

Amazon quote:

Marriage . . . it’s more than a happily ever after. Eternally more. 

Ainsley Meadows, raised by a hedonistic mother who cycles through jobs and relationships like wrapping paper on Christmas morning, falls into a predictable and safe relationship with Richard, a self-absorbed, socialite psychiatrist.

But as Ainsley’s wedding nears, a battered woman and her child spark a long-forgotten dream, a hidden passion. One that threatens to change everything, including her fiancé.

If she wants to embrace God’s best and find lasting love, this security-seeking bride must follow God with reckless abandon and realize that marriage goes Beyond I Do.

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Deliver Me from Evil

Amazon quote:

One of the earliest novel series on human trafficking. A compelling read that will challenge and inspire you. 

Deliver Me from Evil introduces readers to Mara, an eighteen-year-old girl who has been enslaved for nearly ten years, having been sold by her parents in Mexico and then smuggled across the border into San Diego where she was forced into sexual slavery.

Readers will also meet 18-year-old, Bible-college-bound Jonathan and his 16-year-old sister, Leah, whose paths cross Mara’s and who become involved in her dramatic rescue.

Interwoven between the stories of Mara, Jonathan, and Leah is the heartbreaking story of another young woman in captivity in the Golden Triangle of Thailand, whose past life mysteriously connects to the young people in San Diego.

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We have the full spectrum here, from light to full-on serious. I was hoping to end on a lighter note but nothing presented itself in time. Maybe it’s better this way anyway. Some ideas need to be camped on for while. They deserve it.

Until tomorrow.

Happy Reading

The Prussian Lieutenant — Robert Stermscheg Author

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Montmartre – Paris This caption sets the stage for what is to come: intrigue, suspense, and plots, all shrouded in mystery.I am pleased to announce that the new version of The Prussian Lieutenant is complete and will soon be available on Amazon. This new abridged version has a smoother flow, yet retains all the flavor of the original, speckled […]

The Prussian Lieutenant — Robert Stermscheg Author