abuse

This resonates with me

/ For the Love of Books / 3 Comments

A short interview on a timely topic, for me anyway. It feels to me like this should be shared.

Coffee break is awesome today. This video is part of an interview series I’ve been following and this man is very wise. The series is based on a book he’s written, so there you go, we still have books to think about.

This resonates with me because past buried, horrendous, memories still plague me in the form of triggers. I’ve come a long way in the last decade but there is still more to be done and I appreciate any resource crossing my path.

I share because it touches me but also because someone else may need to hear this as well.

Wishing you the very best in your healing journey.

Free and bargain books February 20, 2021

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Wow, do we have a bunch this time, lots of reading material for the weekend. First up is a BookBub suggested thriller and it sounds pretty intense. We will start out with heavy and quickly slide into lighter. A good way to finish for a change.

SAVING SARA: A JAMIE AUSTEN THRILLER (THE SPY STORIES Book 3)

Amazon quote:

Sara is missing in the Cayman Islands.

No one knows it. Except her abductors, of course.

Beloved CIA heroine, Jamie Austen, is sent to Tampico, Mexico, to rescue four girls, abducted on their senior class trips. 

Are the cases related?

All of Jamie’s skills are tested as she must overcome the powerful drug war lord, El Mata, his ruthless band of heavily armed killers, and a hurricane that’s bearing down on the Caribbean islands. 

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Next up is a BookRunes FREE suggestion. More, intense with suspense.

FIRE: Contemporary Christian Romantic Suspense (Spiritual Warfare Series Book 3)

Amazon quote:

When a violent gang re-organizes, an undercover cop could lose everything…including the woman he loves.

Following a gang war, the undercover cop known as Patriot is forced to flee his hometown and assume a new identity. When the gang re-organizes and threatens a friend, Patriot—now a firefighter—returns to face them.

Chloe Swearingen confines herself to the fast pace of the ER and away from interpersonal relationships—for a reason she keeps to herself. But when she helps save a gangster’s life, she’s thrown into a cauldron of relationships from which she can’t escape.

Then a series of fires target Chloe, her church and her friends, and she and Patriot must risk their lives to bring an end to the forces of darkness arraigned against them.

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A change of pace after intense suspense with the last author, Linda K Rodante. Romance will lighten things up a bit for us.

Second Chance Homecoming: A Sweet Christian Christmas Romance

Amazon quote:

After her divorce and all that led up to it, Sarah Emerson’s life consists of her son, her job, and the secret she carries. Maybe if she’d married the boy who proposed after Homecoming, things would be different now…

Philip Devereaux has had similar curveballs thrown his way, but he’s picked himself up and continued on. Occasionally, he remembers his first crush and the girl that made him laugh.

When a thrill ride at Disney World brings a surprise meeting, they both wonder about that special Homecoming. But with the distance between them and the hurt in both their lives, will a second chance be enough to awaken the dreams they once had? Or will it take the miracle of Christmas?

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This looks good too.

A (kinda) Country Christmas: A Christian Holiday Romance (A Romance(ish) Novella Book 1)

Amazon quote:

Sadie Jenkins lives and breathes Christmas every, single day of the year. Owner of Bethlehem’s Boutique in the tourist mountain town of Gatlinburg, TN, she has no room for the bad boys of her past and devotes her whole life to the struggling boutique and her teenage daughter, Maribelle. She’s perfectly happy with her country-living life until he walks into her store.

Nate Myers travels the globe for his job and has the bank account to prove his success. The former “bad” boy is in town for a short visit with his sister and is determined to not get caught up in all the Christmas hype. But then he falls for the beautiful shopkeeper—quite literally.

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Alaskan Refuge (Sweet Christian Romance Series)

Amazon quote:

Cassandra Stuart’s ministry is photography and she travels the world with journalists. Yet, God has her on a special assignment: find Kurt Halden. The elusive tycoon disappeared shortly after his fiancée died. Cassandra has information about his fiancée that will bring him vindication, and hopefully set him free from the past. When she meets him at his reclusive cabin in Alaska, she expects to encounter an aggressive, arrogant business genius. Instead, she finds a rugged, sincere man that could steal her heart. Somehow, she has to keep her feelings out of it. She’ll do what God sent her to do, then get back to her life. That’s the plan.

Kurt Halden despises reporters for the way they treated him when his fiancée died and he was accused of embezzling two billion dollars. To escape harassment, he moved to a beautiful yet desolate hideaway in Alaska where God has healed his heart and set him free from the corrupt man he’d become. In four years, he encountered only two people until he has to pull Cassandra Stuart from her crashed plane. He doesn’t trust her, yet he’s forced to house her until a rescue plane arrives. He tries to keep his guard up and hold tight to his secrets, but he finds it impossible not to fall in love with his uninvited guest. He knows God isn’t finished with him, and meeting Cassandra is only a diversion. So why is it that when she leaves, she’ll take his heart with her?

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It’s funny how often it feels like I’ve added at least a dozen new downloads by the time I get through adding all of the possibles I have picked out. It’s a shock to realize there are no where near that many. Only five this time.

Mind you, five is still plenty, it’s just that I was excited to have more. My eyes are bigger than my stomach, obviously.

That’s OK, I’m excited about all of them this time and that’s a plus. I’m not sure if I can handle the first two, we’ll see, but the last three will go down well for sure.

I hope you are excited about some of these new picks too.

Happy Weekend 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.

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

Bargain books January 26, 2021

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BookBub has several bargain suggestions for us. This first one is book 3 and it seems I’ve read books 1 and 2 in this series. It’s been awhile and I don’t remember much, this will be a refresher.

Trial by Fire (Second Chances Book 3) 

Amazon quote:

Faith is often tested by fire…

After his criminal trial is set to convene, Ace Anderson manages a daring escape from Federal custody. Keeping one step ahead of FBI Agent Samson Sinclair, he plots vengeance on the two women who put him behind bars.

Two very different women connected by the plans of one very evil man…

Ivy Sinclair, finally comfortable in her new marriage and confident her children are healing from the psychological wounds of the past, finds herself once again running and hiding from a man who wants her dead. She longs to be as strong and fearless as her friend. Will this new trial serve to toughen her up, or bring her to her knees where God can show her His strength alone is sufficient?

Brenna Blackman, recently engaged and juggling a ready-made family while running an open-door art studio for homeless teenagers, is suddenly bombarded by circumstances out of her control. A private investigator is caught snooping around her life and an enemy from her past is suddenly threatening to destroy everything and everyone she now loves. Will the old Raven rear her head in retribution, or will God use this trial to strengthen her trust in Him?

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This next one looks like it deals with heavy topics. That’s not a bad thing even if it is tough reading.

All in Good Time 

Amazon quote:

With three rambunctious, young children, Melanie Lombardi can’t see beyond the day-to-day struggle to maintain her home and her sanity since her husband’s sudden death. A second chance at romance isn’t on her radar.

Brian Perella is done with dating, resigned to being the fun uncle and never the dad. Until he meets Melanie and her brood of lively kids on the sidelines of a Little League game.

But when Brian uncovers a co-worker’s secret, it re-ignites a temptation that Melanie can’t know about. It’s his secret to keep until an unexpected diagnosis brings everything to the surface, jeopardizing his future with Melanie and her children, who, when threatened by an unknown stalker, may need him now more than ever.

Catholic Christian contemporary romance.

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Currently it’s a lighter but still serious read. A change of pace after some of the recent books and I’m enjoying it.

Rugged Cowboy: A Mulbury Boys Novel (Hope Eternal Ranch Romance Book 3) 

He’s a cowboy mechanic with two kids and an ex-wife on the run. She connects better to horses than humans. Can Dallas and Jess find their way to each other at Hope Eternal Ranch?

Dallas Dreyer was once a decorated surgeon. After getting involved in insurance fraud and then spending thirty months in a low-security facility, he gets released only to learn his wife of fifteen years has left their two children at her sister’s and fled the state. He’s determined to figure out how to be a single dad and do right by his kids, and he goes to Hope Eternal Ranch to attend the wedding of one of his best friends.

He meets Jessica Morales, the stable master at the ranch, and he’s instantly attracted to her. She has a big heart, a wide smile, and she’s great with his kids. Jess likes him too, but she’s wary of the rugged cowboy mechanic who doesn’t seem to know when it’s okay to take calls from his ex-wife and how to juggle all of his new responsibilities. Her horses, though, she gets, and since she’s never had a relationship that’s lasted longer than two months, she’s not sure she wants to take a chance with her heart.

When Dallas finds himself dealing with thugs who want him to pay off his ex-wife’s debt, he has to make difficult decisions to keep himself, his children, and Jess safe. That means dealing with his ex-wife and paying whatever price necessary to get dangerous men away from Hope Eternal Ranch.

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Happy Reading…

…on this bright sunny chilly day.

-26c, feels like -35c with the windchill.

It’s lovely sitting in the puddle of sunshine streaming in the window. It’s beautiful to look at. Cold, crisp and sparkly.

So happy to look and feel warmth, not the burn on every little patch of exposed skin.

I do know how to kill a mood. lol

It is beautiful, I love days like this.

Another awesome bargain book Jan 22/21

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Another bargain book I can’t resist. I would save this for tomorrow but what if the promo price expires before then. That would be a tragedy of epic proportions. The audio sample will have you clicking the purchase button just like me.

Stay with Me (Misty River Romance, A Book #1)

Amazon quote:

A mysterious letter alluding to a secret in her parents’ past brings Genevieve Woodward back to her Blue Ridge Mountains hometown, but she’s also in need of a break from a high-profile career that has left her dangerously burned out and concealing a powerful secret of her own. When she wakes inside an unfamiliar cottage to find the confused owner staring down at her, she can no longer ignore the fact that she needs help.  

Sam Turner has embraced his sorrow and his identity as an outsider. The solitary, disciplined life he lives on his historic farm is the life he’s chosen for himself. The last thing he wants is to rent his cottage to a woman as troubled as she is talkative. Yet, he can’t force himself to turn her away right when she needs him most. 

As Genevieve researches her family’s history and her and Sam’s emotions deepen, they will have to let go of the facades and loneliness they’ve clung to and allow light to illuminate every hidden truth.  

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The temptation is strong to start the book this minute. It kills me not to but my just-started current read is every bit as enticing. What a nice problem to have. Two books loudly calling my name. It’s going to be a great weekend.

My current read found here Secrets at Cedar Cabin

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Happy Reading!

Free and bargain repeats, January 22, 2021

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The books popping up today showed up several years ago and it’s a good time to mention them again.

Summer of Dreams: A From This Moment Novella (bargain)

Amazon quote:

The daughter of a powerful army general, Evelyn White dreams of attending college and vows she will never marry a man in uniform. . . . which is why West Point cadet Clyde Brixton presents a problem. Clyde’s brilliance in the new field of electrical power has him poised for a promising career in the Army’s Corps of Engineers, but his penchant for racking up demerits threatens his chances for graduation.

Evelyn and Clyde feel instant attraction toward one another as they spend one magical summer together. As their lives become more entwined, their friend Romulus’s begins to come undone. When faced with helping Romulus at the expense of his own future, which one will Clyde choose? And when nothing turns out the way Evelyn planned, where will that leave her own future?

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Toward the Sunrise: An Until the Dawn Novella (bargain)

Amazon quote:

Julia Broeder is only six months shy of graduating from the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania when one small decision spirals out of control and results in her expulsion. Hoping to travel the world as a missionary doctor, her only choice is to return back home . . . or throw herself upon the mercy of Ashton Carlyle.

Formal and straight-laced, Ashton is not pleased to see an expelled Julia arrive at his Manhattan office. His position as an attorney for the Vandermark family’s world-famous shipping empire entails taking care of the Broeders, longtime employees of the Vandermarks. But Ashton has no intention of using his employer’s resources in defense of Julia’s impulsive and reckless actions.

What Ashton does not expect are a scathing reprimand from none other than the Vandermark family patriarch and the bewildering resistance from Julia herself when he’s forced to change his tune. At an impasse, Ashton and Julia are unprepared for the revelations that arise or the adventure that awaits them.

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None So Blind (Sight Unseen Book 1) (FREE)

Amazon quote:

Dani and Ella Weeks–two women who share one thing in common–the same life, the same family, and the same body.

When Dani wakes with no knowledge of who or where she is–no memories of her life at all–David and Dani Weeks discover that “til death do us part” takes on an entirely unexpected meaning. Practically speaking, Dani died. But she didn’t.

In a desperate attempt to separate the old life from the new, Dani insists on a new name–Ella.

Ella’s doctors can’t explain what happened. Her children can’t understand why she doesn’t know them, and her husband finds himself torn between admiration for the “new” version of his wife and missing the woman he’s known for over fifteen years.

Will Ella ever regain her memory? Why does their pastor suspect it’s one great hoax?

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I’m currently reading one of yesterday’s suggestions. I think it is going to be a nail-biter. This is a limited-time special offer so it pays to be quick if you are interested.

Secrets at Cedar Cabin (A Lavender Tides Novel Book 3) 

Her mother lied about her identity and her husband wasn’t who she thought he was. Can Bailey even trust herself anymore?  

Running for her life in the wake of her mother’s murder, Bailey Fleming escapes to the only place she can think of—a remote, dilapidated cabin in Lavender Tides. Intending to finally get to the truth behind the lies of her past, Bailey only finds more questions when bodies are discovered near her cabin hideout along with traces of a dangerous human trafficking ring. In an unlikely partnership with FBI agent Lance Phoenix, Bailey races to understand the mystery surrounding her life and circumstances before the murderer tracks her down. 

Meanwhile, Lance is determined to rescue his sister, Ava, who was abducted after running away from home as a teenager. An unexpected lead brings him to the remote cabin, and he wonders if Bailey—with her suspicious past and strange connections to his sister’s case—is really who she claims to be and if she can somehow lead him to Ava. 

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I’ve read and enjoyed the first three so I’m confident you are seeing worthwhile reads. I’m confident about the fourth one too because of the author. It’s been another good day for treasures.

Happy Reading

I hope you are as excited about your current read as I am about mine.

Bargain books December 06, 2020

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I needed a distraction after an emotional morning so I went book browsing. It paid off this time. I found a bargain pre-order on a new release for an enjoyed author and I’m excited. It will be out in February. Here I was hoping for sooner.

Tides of Duplicity (Coventry Saga)

Amazon quote:

A jewelry heist, a kidnapping, and a choice. When Fitz’s sister disappears, he’ll do anything to get her back, even if it means betraying the woman he’s come to love. 

Private investigator Fitz McCaffrey went to Belize on a case, bringing his teenage sister Shelby along with him. They have no good reason to leave the resort and hurry back to the harsh New England winter. They lost their parents, he lost his job as a cop, and they both need time to heal. Besides, when Fitz meets and spends time with the beautiful and charming Tabitha Eaton, he falls hard.  

But minutes after Tabby’s flight leaves, Fitz is summoned by a mobster who believes Tabby broke into the hotel safe the night before and made off with half a million dollars’ worth of jewels—and he has the video evidence to prove it. As Shelby’s guardian, Fitz has to focus on caring for his sister, whether Tabby is innocent or guilty. He refuses to help the man—until he learns the mobster has abducted his sister.  

The clock is ticking as Fitz scrambles to recover the jewels. If he succeeds, it’ll cost the woman he’s come to care for. If he fails, it’ll cost his sister’s life. 

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Next, I found a couple of bargain novellas by another favorite author. One is Historical while the other isn’t.

On the Wings of a Whisper: A serialized historical Christian romance. (Sonnets of the Spice Isle Book 1)

Amazon quote:

Stone Town, Zanzibar, Early 1866

RyAnne Hunter is determined to stop her father from leaving for the continent of Africa, where he plans to start a mission station. And she only has until morning. Tonight at the Harcourts’ Annual Ball will be her last chance to change his mind. She must succeed! Papa’s health, and her future, depend on her success. But, as if her task isn’t difficult enough, now the insufferable Captain Dawson has agreed to guide Papa’s expedition!

After spending six months at sea, Captain Trent Dawson only wants to think about rest and relaxation. However, when he’s recruited by a British naval officer to help put an end to a slave smuggling ring, the perfect opportunity presents itself in Dr. Hunter, who needs a guide to the Interior. Now if he can just help the doctor without spending too much time with the man’s troublesome and flighty youngest daughter.

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My Blue Havyn (Heart’s of Hollywood series Book 1)

Amazon quote:

When Havyn Jessup agreed to join her church’s building trip, she had no idea the man who broke her heart was coming as well. The last thing she wants is to spend time with the now internationally famous actor, Levi Carter. Even if it is in Africa, where he might, if God had any sense of justice, be eaten, one tiny bite at a time, by a pride of hungry lions. Two whole weeks. She’d never survive that long.

Levi is elated to learn that Havyn will be joining the building team. He had planned to look her up just as soon as he got home to tell her what a fool he’d been. But there is no time like the present. And what better place to ensure she would hear him than when she was strapped in at thirty thousand feet above sea level? Two short weeks. Could he convince her he was a changed man in that amount of time?

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Usually, I prefer regular length books but the attractive thing about shorter right now is I can plow through them so much faster. It will help clear up some backlog… maybe. One can hope.

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Currently I’m reading a story fraught with misery. Sort of like my story prompt post today. There is enough hope in it to keep me reading, though. I can relate to this story.

The Fragrance of Geraniums (A Time of Grace Book 1)

Amazon quote:

The Fragrance of Geraniums (A Time of Grace Trilogy, Book 1)

Told from multiple perspectives, this is a powerful story of three women – of the threads of mercy that connect them – and of heart-wrenching sorrows alchemized by the Heavenly Father’s overwhelming redeeming grace.

Rhode Island – 1934

A GIRL
Grace Picoletti has nothing going for her – but she’s determined to succeed in life, nonetheless. Born to severe destitution, she claws her way up from the pit of family shame and secrets. She avoids close friendships – even with the likable, persistent Paulie Giorgi…

A WOMAN
Despite her own agonizing emotional pain, childless Emmeline Kinner reaches out to a young woman so far beneath her. She could never have known whom else God would set in her path through her friendship with Grace…

A MOTHER
Long ago, Sarah Picoletti resigned herself to a loveless, abusive life – and she believes that her daughter Grace must inherit the same fate. Yet Sarah’s own soul cries out for the blessed peace and hope of which the radio minister speaks…

A multi-generational Christian women’s novel set during the U.S. Great Depression of the 1930s. (Also appropriate for older teens.)

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Happy Reading …

… on the tail end of this cheerful sunny day.

I can tell it’s chilly out there by the way people are dressed but that hasn’t seemed to stopped them any. Many are still walking past my window as I sit here typing this up for you. My window on the world.

Bargain books November 25, 2020

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Casual browsing is today’s method for discovery of interesting bargain reads.

Distorted 

Amazon quote:

Mallory Baldwin is a survivor. A former victim of human trafficking, she’s been given a second chance, yet not a night goes by that she doesn’t remember being a slave to weapons dealer Dante Torres. Despite being afraid of the dark and wary of strangers, Mallory is trying to rebuild her life by turning her tragedy into redemption.

To former Navy SEAL Tennyson Walker, Mallory seems nothing like the shattered woman he rescued two years ago, and he can’t help but be inspired by her strength and resilience. So when a stalker suddenly makes Mallory vulnerable once again, Tennyson steps up as her bodyguard to keep her safe.

Mallory and Tennyson’s mutual attraction can’t be ignored, but neither can Mallory’s suspicion that Tennyson is keeping a terrible secret about her past. As the nightmare closes in, it’s not only Mallory and Tennyson’s love that comes under fire but their very lives as well. Will their faith sustain them? Or will the darkness win once and for all?

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Falling For Zeke

Amazon quote:

An ex-Army Special Operations member burned once by love. A single-mom stalked by a powerful enemy. Can he risk his heart for her safety?

Zeke has everything he could want. A multi-billion dollar inheritance allows him to protect others…

… and with the camaraderie of his brothers-in-arms.

He spends his time growing his security firm and keeping his head down. Love is the last thing on his mind, until Samantha and her daughter are in need of his help.

Samantha used to have a comfortable life. Now she waits tables to put food on her own.

Forced from the life she had built, Samantha works to restore what was lost. With her daughter in tow, she begins a new life in the Colorado mountains. It’s not perfect, but it’s all theirs. But when the tempting Zeke offers to help her, she begins to wonder if love could heal her shattered life.

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Light the Dark: A Carolina Moon Christmas Novella 

Amazon quote:

Nine months pregnant, Hope Solomon is on the run and fearing for her life. Desperate for warmth, food, and shelter, she finds what looks like an abandoned house. Inside, she discovers a Christmas that’s been left behind—complete with faded decorations on a brittle Christmas tree and dusty stockings filled with loss.

Someone spies smoke coming from the chimney of the empty house and alerts Dr. Luke Griffin, the owner. He rarely visits the home that harbors so many bittersweet memories for him. But no one is going to violate the space so near and dear to his heart.

Then Luke meets Hope, and he knows this mother-to-be desperately needs help. With no room at any local inn, Luke invites Hope to stay, unaware of the danger following her. While running from the darkness, the embers of Christmas present are stirred with an unexpected birth and a holiday romance. But will Hope and Luke live to see a Christmas future?

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My current enjoyable read, just started.

The Practice of Prying (The Sidekick’s Survival Guide Mysteries Book 4)

Apprentice P.I. Elliot Ransom has almost lost her life, her family is being targeted by bad guys, and her love life is a confusing mess. Can anything else go wrong?

Her newest case has her posing as an assistant coach for a local charity softball game in order to figure out if the previous coach was murdered. The problem is that Elliot, who grew up in the jungle, knows nada about softball.

More than one mystery haunts her, and it’s hard to know which clue leads to potential answers. But one thing she does know: danger is close—too close. Whoever thought a little prying could lead to so much distress?

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

Happy Reading everyone.

Story prompt – Company

/ For the Love of Books / 2 Comments

Sunday Scribblings initiator of these story prompts is hosted by peckapalooza – the Confusing Middle.

Company

Company led to Military and, in my mind, that thought led to one of my favorite movies.

Cadence

It was a terrible hardship but I had to watch this movie again this morning before I could lay pen to paper, just to be sure I had the story straight in my mind.

I was right, this is still one of my favorites even after all these years.

Filmed in 1990, starring Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen, and Laurence Fishburne, the setting is a US Army stockade in W. Germany during the 1960s.

His father’s last ditch effort to help him grow up is the reason Private Bean was in the US Army in the first place.

Now, home on bereavement leave for his father’s death Private Bean is experiencing enough grief filled remorse to do some crazy things. Things like multiple tattoos – on his hands, rip – roaring drunk, starting a major bar fight, punching the arresting MP.

His 90 day sentence lands him in a minimum security stockade living in a tight security barrack.

His bully Sargent placed him with a group of guys he expected Private Bean to hate. The Sargent has an agenda to reform Bean and bring him over to his way of thinking, although it’s unclear exactly what that means.

To tell you what I like about this film I have to take a step back and look at the big picture. The bird’s eye view.

  • Things are not always what they seem.
  • We can survive impossible situations if we find ways to see the good in life.
  • If we let down our walls we can form alliances that will make us stronger.
  • An eclectic group of guys can become a brotherhood.
  • They stood up to the bully and won.
  • Most of all… I liked the song,
  • … and the fact the movie made me, and everyone else, cry.

This trailer sums it all up well, I think

Private Bean was in good company with these guys.