book reviews

I loved this book November 23, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Northern Redemption (Heroes of the Tundra Book 4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s been a good day.

I love this book, July 23, 2023

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I love this book so much I have to stop and tell someone. I’m glad you stopped by.

Two thirds of the way through and I know I will be looseleft when I turn the last page. Looseleft is one of the many emotionally charged words used in this book. That’s one of it’s fascinating aspects, words.

They also often mention the phrase, Looseleft in the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. I’m still trying to wrap my head around that concept. A Google search tells me that contrary to my incorrect assumptions this is a real book written by John Koenig, published in 2021.

Looseleft is the bereft feeling of loss at the end of a good book when the characters stay behind and we have to leave to go on without them. This will be a book like that for me. Sad, sad, sad, when it’s over. But glad for the way I expect it to end for the characters.

Harper inherited a thriving bookstore from an aunt she thought hated her. Harper loves books (understatement of the century) but is lacking in social skills (also a gross understatement) and struggles with the responsibilities of a new occupation.

Noah recently discovered he was a father as a result of a brief relationship with someone he hasn’t seen in years. Now he is struggling to learn how to be a dad to his grieving son. Bennie’s life has not been easy since the loss of his dying mother, As a result of his unfortunate experiences there are unexpected pot holes popping up all over their road of life and Noah is grateful for every one of them that Harper is able to smooth over.

Bennie is a sensitive little boy and can read people as well as Harper can, she is very good at it. They understand each other and Bennie’s adoring looks tell the whole world he is smitten with her. Harper would readily but secretly admit it’s mutual.

Complicated is a weak word to use to describe the dynamics going on with the characters. The bumpy relationships work well on so many levels with these three, Noah, Harper, and Bennie. It will be nice to see their relationship work out the way I think it will but not so easy to see my time with them come to an end.

Twice Sold Tales (Bookstrings Book 1)

If only owning a bookstore didn’t mean dealing with people.

No one was more surprised than Harper Brevig when Great Aunt Lorene (not “Lori,” thank-you-very-much) died and left her least favorite niece her bookstore–including a prime piece of real estate in downtown Red Wing, Minnesota.

Making a go of the place shouldn’t be too hard. With her library science degree, she should be set. Then again, the website describing library degrees had said it would teach her excellent communication skills. It had not. Could she get a partial refund?

Still, owning the building should mean crazy-low overhead to offset her less than optimal “book-side” manner.  Ahem. So when yet another huge bill arrives, and she starts getting twitchy about the low bank balance, Harper does the only thing she can think of.

Enter Milton Coleridge. He’d been excited about the possibilities of the store last year, but Harper had sent him packing before he could talk to her about them.  Now he has a chance to make a difference. But she’s right. She’s bleeding money, and it doesn’t make sense!

Milton’s job is to figure out what’s going on, plug the financial leak, and maybe… do a little matchmaking. That dad with the adorable little boy would be good for her… and she’d be good for him. Probably.

A solid five stars in my experience.

Clearing out the read pile April 01, 2023

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I will admit, most of the time I have vague memories of the reading experience for anything older than a day. Unless the experience made a huge impression.

First up is a book doing just that.

There were so many elements making this a good read. The main ones being the characters – their complex lives and relationships – and the setting. This was a split time story, historical and contemporary, and the characters from both eras added something special to the mix. One unique element of the current time frame was the selective amnesia causing Beck to have no memory of Bruno, her childhood best friend.

Just as important as the unique and lovable characters was the house itself. It was amazing and so much more than Beck expected to find after all these years. I loved the story, and the setting. A solid five stars.

The Memory House

The inspirational story of two women whose lives have been destroyed by disaster but find healing in a special house.

When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order.

When a mysterious letter arrives informing Beck that she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, she discovers something there that will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a sports agent who has never forgotten their connection as teenagers. But Beck can’t even remember him.

Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into her former high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share.

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The next bunch holds a variety of reactions to the reading experience. Every one was worth the read but I did love some more than others. The differences were there but they weren’t significant really.

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I do remember strong impression of this next one. One element that had me standing up and shouting No, don’t do it! was the relationship with her fiance, a man who was a liar and a manipulator. He said otherwise but he didn’t care about her life and dreams, he wanted to uproot her, forcing her into his ambitious choices for life. She would be his neglected possession not a cherished partner.

Thankfully he wasn’t the only voice speaking into her life. I loved this book. and the way it turned out.

Love Starts With Elle (A Lowcountry Romance Book 2) 

Elle’s living the dream, but whose dream is it?

Elle Garvy loves her life in Beaufort, South Carolina, spending summer days on the sand bar and enjoying coastal bonfires and dinners with friends. She’s found her stride professionally as the owner of a successful art gallery, and she’s found love with handsome, confident Jeremiah Franklin. Life is good.

Then Jeremiah accepts a large pastorate in a different state, and Elle turns her life upside down to go with him. When Jeremiah has a change of heart, Elle is hurt and her faith is shaken.

New York lawyer and recent widower Heath McCord imagines the low country cottage he’s rented for the summer is the balm his grieving heart needs. That and time to connect with his little girl. He’s unprepared for his beautiful landlord, Elle, and the love her friendship awakens.

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There is one more well loved book to share but I’ll leave it for next time.

Free and bargain books February 16, 2023

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We would have had two free books today but one of them was a good example of less-than-good writing. The second paragraph was all it took for me to make the decision.

The equivalent of one bite before pushing the plate away.

This makes me sad. Reading the synopsis, the story could have been a good one. Two things could have been helpful in making it better. One would be editing, or maybe better editing, and most importantly, time spent perfecting her craft.

There are several things that a person could do to accomplish this. One of the very best things an aspiring writer can do to is to read voraciously.. Well written books and nothing less. We will find ourselves reflecting the habits of an accomplished writer, and that is a good thing.

This is a fact of life for all of us, we begin to sound like the people we hang out with whether we want to or not. Just to show how this can work, unintentionally. This month, I’ve been spending endless hours hanging out with a murder trial. Yesterday, on an office email, I found myself saying let me rephrase the question.

This mimicking can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on our choice of companions.

Hopefully I’ll lose the lawyer lingo.

Although, reflecting on the strategizing conversation with my boss yesterday, I was pleased to see the progress I’ve made toward the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely. I attribute this growth to the people I’ve spent time with (mostly in the pages of a book) and to the conscious practicing of my craft (trying to achieve explanations that make sense.)

I could be writing instruction manuals. There’s a thought.

I’m still a work in progress though. It takes me hours to write a lengthy email with detailed instructions.

So, here is our one free book.

From This Day Forward: Encore Edition (Heartland Homecoming Book 1) 

They thought their marriage was over—
but can forgiveness open the door to a new future?

After his surgical career ends in tragedy and his marriage shatters, Dr. Sam Martin leaves Philadel-phia for a new life in Oak Hill, Missouri. But he’s never stopped loving the woman who stole his heart. Determined to win her back, Sam invites Cara to recover at his home after she suffers a trauma of her own.

Desperate to find a way to conquer the panic attacks that are paralyzing her, Cara accepts—though she wants no part of the husband who betrayed her. Deep in America’s heartland she discovers a changed man—but can she and Sam find a way to build a new future from the ashes of their past?

In this HOLT Medallion winner, bestselling author Irene Hannon takes readers on an uplifting journey that illustrates the healing power of love…and hope.

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Another interesting suggestion showed up on this journey, book two in a series we’ve seen before.

Sylvia’s Journey: Betrayals & Beginnings (Seeds of Faith Book 2)

The beach. A kidnapping. An agonizing secret.

Prosecuting Attorney Sylvia Mason has no idea her latest case will have ever-lasting consequences that change her life forever. As a widow, she’s had two years to learn to live with heartache but is unprepared for what’s to come.

Alvin Griffin is a former Navy officer turned part-time preacher. He’s stuck by Sylvia’s side after the death of her husband, even though she pushes him away at every turn.

Will Alvin wait on Sylvia, or has she hurt his already battered heart too many times?

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Well, that’s it for today as far as books go.

I hope it is a good reading day for you too.

Read and enjoyed January 12, 2023

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It’s time for another batch of read and enjoyed books.

This first one was my favorite. It wouldn’t let me go and I simply had to give it five stars.

Honor Bound (Love and Honor Book #1)

It may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. But all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a local warlord’s mortally wounded son.

As part of the Army Special Forces “A-Team” on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia’s life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia tries to hold on to her anger–but an unwanted attraction is taking hold.

With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to draw upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive . . . because he’s beginning to think they just might overcome their differences and be able to make a life together.

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This next one was a fun read too. I loved it almost as much as the first one. I would be happy to read this one again. The first one too, really.

The Sport of Matchmaking (Clavering Chronicles Book 3)

For once, he has met a lady less inclined to marry than he is. How unfortunate that she is the only bride he will consider.

George Clavering is much too young to think about getting married. Yes, his older brother—and even his younger sister—have managed to tie the knot, but he has plenty more years of play and sporting events ahead of him before he need consider such a thing. Even matchmaking becomes a sport when gentlemen bet on the Season’s successes or failures in the club. He will not give them an opportunity to bet on him. Furthermore, why settle down when there are young women like Lady Alice who liven the sport of matchmaking with friendly wagers?

Lady Alice St. Clair is the fifth daughter of the Duke of Carr, and as she is independently wealthy and may do as she pleases, she has no reason to wed. She certainly has no intention of doing so. If the marriage mart offers nothing more than the unattractive boors who have presented themselves at her door for the past five seasons, it should hardly surprise her parents she cannot be persuaded to the altar. True, George Clavering has a full head of dark hair and a smile that is as mischievous as it is attractive, but no lady of character would change her mind for one above-average specimen of the male race.

For both, what began as a friendly bet between two bored guests at a ball turned into an earnest desire to help their protégés find happiness. And if some deeper feelings should stir in George to win Alice’s heart, then he has no choice but to dampen them. After all, Lady Alice has sworn she will not marry, and George has applauded her decision. For him to try to weaken her resolve now would be…unsportsmanlike.

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More excellent books …

One more

It has been a good time, reading this week, or at least since last time I listed the read books for you.

It has been a slow week for new books all the way around. Maybe this weekend will be better for good suggestions. Not that I need any, it says there are over 900 unread books on my device now.

Must remember to read faster. I start out with good intentions but get into the story and forget to hurry. At least I enjoy the book, there is that.

Until tomorrow,

Happy reading!

I loved this book December 28, 2022

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Well that bargain didn’t last long. It seems we have to hurry if we want the good deals. But enough of that.

There are many things about this book that I loved. There was one thing in particular, though. Read on to see what that was.

Romeo’s Way (Mike Romeo Thrillers Book 2)

Mike Romeo had a difficult life as a kid. Bullied, not fitting in, misunderstood, neglected at home, he had to find ways of coping to survive. He started life as an overweight kid, that was bad enough but attending university as a young teen was no picnic and his out in both cases was books.

A kind soul took pity on him as he grew older and taught him to box. Well enough to hold undefeated titles. As an adult he was a powerhouse with an arsenal of moves that made him a formidable opponent. That coupled with his vast reading and wicked sense of humor, he was amazing.

That’s what I loved most about him, his sense of humor. His opponents were either impressed or confounded with the flow of pithy quotes. Most of the time words did the job leaving no need for physical altercations.

He wasn’t a fun kind of guy though, life had taught him enough hard lessons that he would never be the life of the party. He was more apt to be a runner when things were uncomfortable. The definition for uncomfortable was relative. It didn’t take much for him to decide to move on. He had friends who disagreed and wanted him to stay.

All of the characters had depth but Mike Romeo was by far my favorite, just as the author intended.

I loved the way the story played out and the way it ended.

This was a Five star read, definitely.

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

Book description from Amazon…

“I don’t want anybody bleeding to death, okay?” I said. “I think your problem is education. There’s just no discipline anymore. You have to know there are consequences for bad behavior. Without that, society falls apart.”
Baton Guy croaked, “I can’t breathe.”
“You just can’t go around doing this sort of thing,” I said. “It isn’t right. Now, one of you is bleeding pretty badly and won’t be riding a bike anytime soon. The other one still needs to learn, am I right?”
“Don’t kill us,” Knife Guy said.

Mike Romeo, the former cage fighter living low in L.A., doesn’t look for trouble. He doesn’t have to. It comes after him. So when he’s hired by a California senatorial campaign to do undercover work, Romeo doesn’t have any illusions. Especially when his duty takes him to San Francisco.

But as Romeo gets closer to solving the mystery of who is behind the hit job on an honorable man, things heat up in the City by the Bay –– and between Mike and a beautiful political operative. Until a bullet nearly takes him out for good.

Now all bets are off. Because if there’s one thing Romeo wants, it’s justice. And he’s going to get it––his way.

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I guess the synopsis was going for no spoilers and in my mind that’s why it didn’t do this book the justice it deserved. The reading experience was so much better than the book description led me to believe it would be.

This book is definitely on my top five list. Although 5 is too small for the number of books read that should be on my top five list. Maybe I will make it a fat five so more will fit. I’d have to read fewer books for there to be a smaller number of top five books, so we have to be creative.

This book is worth the read at any price.

Check it out and . . .

Happy Reading

Firefly Cove – a book review November 23, 2022

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Firefly Cove (Miramar Bay Book 2)  by Davis Bunn

I cried and still want to, although with time the need is finally fading. The book ended. Intensely bitter sweet.

Honestly, the story brought me to tears a number of times, I would dare you to read it and not cry too. It can’t be done. Really.

Davis Bunn understands on a deep level the way we as people behave in complex situations, which I find amazing.

I think it’s amazing because not many authors are able to do and do it so very well. Charles Martin is the other name that springs to mind when I read a book like this. He has the same deep understanding of human nature.

In both cases their characters are believable, the stories are rich, and every word must be read or we will miss important threads in the story.

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This is a story of the unexpected, a story of second chances, a story of mind bending situations.

Anything could be possible, right?

The impossible starts this way . . .

Luke has been attempting suicide, four times. This time it works. A neighbor notices something is not right and intervenes calling for an ambulance, but it’s too late.

Then there is an issue with getting a pick up from the morgue so it’s decided to place him in the basement of the hospital while they are waiting.

Before they leave him Luke moves and wakes up to a cold room with a sheet over his head. It’s a harrowing experience. As could be expected, things don’t go well and he ends up totally restrained in a hospital bed. With burly guards, nurses, a doctor, and his therapists all surrounding him.

It seems he’s lost his memory because he has no idea about this person they think they are talking to.

Here is some back story.

Since the age of seven, Lucius Quarterfield has known he is dying. Doctors told him he had a “bad ticker” and might not live to see his next birthday. But somehow, the frail yet determined boy managed to hang on and surprise everyone. Lucius not only survived to adulthood, he thrived, turning a small car dealership into a successful chain. But now, at twenty-eight, his time is finally running out. So he’s returning to the one place he ever felt happy, near the only woman he ever truly wanted—the California seaside town of Miramar Bay…
 
Jessica was the only daughter of the only dentist in town. She was able to follow in her father’s footsteps, as he desired. But Jessica preferred the simple things in life—a trait that captivated Lucius from the moment he arrived in town. Her quick wit and carefree approach to life were a breath of fresh air to a man who devoted all his time to work. Soon they were falling head over heels—until Lucius pulled away, to spare her the pain of his inevitable fate.

Now, after all this time, he’s going to make each moment count. Because he knows that everything is about to change…he just can’t know exactly how.

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I loved this 5 star book and I highly recommend it if you are a fan of these kinds of stories. The genre is listed as romance but it is so much more than that. Love it.

You won’t know how good it is until you get into it.

Happy Reading.

A little of this, a little of that November 13, 2022

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This is one of those days when I have nothing.

Although, it’s not strictly true in that while there is nothing structured, and filled with good content, there are still a few things on my mind.

Like how insanely frustrated I am with the recent changes to the stats page. I am sure someone loves the new feature but it’s not me. There are three little pieces of information that could fit in 1/2 inch horizontal space but no, it has to take up 3 inches, at least, meaning I have to scroll back and forth to see the information pertinent to me.

The irony in all of this is my recent decision to share only positive rather than negative thoughts and opinions. It didn’t take long for that good intention to fly out the window.

The whole negative-thoughts decision was related to my less than glowing assessment on several recently read books. My insecure mindset viewed the weak response to the post as a good indicator that I should stick to compliments. The old adage, if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.

The thing is – not all books are created equal. In truth, there are probably fewer well written books than there are not-so-well written. Like anything else in life some of us find certain tasks easier than others do. There is nothing wrong with that. In the end though, talent is one thing but willingness to do the hard work is the magic key. So, while not all books are great, I don’t need to comment on them. I’ll just keep quietly removing them before sharing a recently read and enjoyed post. Besides it not like I have a large audience and my opinion matters to the masses.

I am envious of one blogger I follow, she can, and often does, declare loudly about hating a book. She says it and we smile. I don’t have that gift, wish I did (big smile.)

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So, on to read and enjoyed.

Last night I finished Book 1 in a series and loved it. Kindle has a new feature that groups series together. It turns out, using this feature, I have Book 2 as well. I do remember starting it but having trouble making a solid connection. Now that I’ve read book one the beginning of book two is making more sense to me. Hopefully it will turn out to be as good as book one.

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Final thoughts on the rant we started out with.

Years ago we lived near a talented friend with an amazing voice. He loved to participate in community events singing solos of all kinds. We all thought he could have made it in the music industry if he wanted. He could have but he didn’t have the want to or the drive and dedication needed to make it happen. We’ve seen others with less talent who did make something special out of their gift.

We’ve seen it happen in other areas of life too, where the most talented weren’t the most successful.

It’s amazing how much of our success depends on the way we think and the way we act. A revolutionary thought.

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Tomorrow is Monday. Up and at’em

In the meantime. . .

Happy Reading

Review update October 23, 2022

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False Pretense (A Murder in the Mountains Book 4)

It’s been decided. Yesterday I mentioned that the beginning of my current read left me undecided about interest level, was it going to be worth my while? It was too early to tell given I’d only read a few pages. My assessment soon was that the story looked interesting but the writing was left wanting. In the end I didn’t read every page but did read the whole book.

My final decision? The story was well thought out, strong, and interesting. The writing/editing was inconsistent. There were large segments that worked well interspersed with smaller ones that were weak and dissatisfying.

Most of the weak segments were part of the transition between scenes. Tense seemed to be part of the problem at times. (Present? I mostly noticed when it felt off. I wasn’t paying enough attention to tell for sure what was originally intended. I’ve been told present tense is not easy to do well.) But the main distraction involved the regular habit of switching between showing and telling. I can see how it may have been easier to list the needed information leading into scene changes but that practice weakened the story.

In the end though, I loved the book.

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My current read is going much better. The stories, strength wise, are on a par but the writing/editing is much better in this one. My one complaint is excessive descriptive detail. I’m skimming pages fairly often in this read too. But I’m loving it otherwise.

Sunrise (Sky King Ranch Book #1) 

Pilot Dodge Kingston has always been the heir to Sky King Ranch. But after a terrible family fight, he left to become a pararescue jumper. A decade later, he’s headed home to the destiny that awaits him. 

That’s not all that’s waiting for Dodge. His childhood best friend and former flame, Echo Yazzie, is a true Alaskan–a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. Most of all, she’s living a life Dodge knows could get her killed. One of these days she’s going to get lost in the woods again, and his worst fear is that he won’t be there to find her.

When one of Echo’s fellow researchers goes missing, Echo sets out to find her, despite a blizzard, a rogue grizzly haunting the woods, and the biting cold. Plus, there’s more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her . . .

Will Dodge be able to find her in time? And if he does, is there still room for him in her heart?

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Sometimes I wonder if excessive descriptions are used as a tool for achieving word count. In most cases the stories would survive without them.

I’m happy reading.

Read and enjoyed September 09, 2022

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Three books in a row, great books. Every one of them kept me reading much too late at night but the last one read was the best one. They were well written (less-well is a distraction to me. that’s the trouble with reading so many books, it’s easy to become picky about likes and dislikes,) and there was a satisfying amount of meat on the bones of the story.

There were a few things in each book that were less than thrilling but in the long run they were minor when stacked up against the good. Best one first.

Buried Cold Case Secrets (Deputies of Anderson County Book 1)

Recovering her missing memories

could be the key to solving a murder

Searching for her best friend’s remains could help forensic anthropologist Melanie Hutton regain her memories of when they were both kidnapped—unless the killer gets to Melanie first.

For her safety, Melanie must rely on Detective Jason Cooper, who still blames her for his sister’s death. Can Jason set the past aside to solve the cold-case murder…and shield Melanie from the same fate?

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This next story turned out to be much better than expected. A pleasant surprise, indeed. It may even be a tie for first place on this favorites list, now that I refresh my memory of the story.

Even Forever: A Clean Western Romance (Boulder Creek Romance Book 1)

The last thing Rosalie Tomkin wants is another man trying to control her life.

Rosalie’s abusive jailbird father and her ne’er-do-well brother have cured her of that. Not even the wealthy visitor staying in her beleaguered mother’s boarding house can tempt her. She plans to leave Boulder Creek as soon as she can scrape together the funds to do so, and when she does, she won’t ever look back.

Michael Randolph is in a high-stakes competition for the family business and intends to beat his half-brother, no matter what. So when an innocent encounter with Rosalie threatens to cost him everything he hopes to achieve, he’s willing to pay the price demanded by her no-good father. Even if it means marrying a damsel in distress.

Strangers placed in an impossible position, Michael and Rosalie can agree on one thing. Neither of them wants to stay together any longer than they must. What they don’t know is that fate might have a better future in store for them than either could imagine.

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Last but not least another good book.

Risky Ambition (Vanishing Ranch Book 3)

Former Navy fighter pilot Nate Casper, also known as Ghost, splits his time between flying jet-setting celebrities around the world and volunteering to help with rescues at Vanishing Ranch. When movie star Chesney Blake books a trip with him, Ghost sets aside his attraction to her in order to remain professional.

But when his flight plan gets waylaid by a barrage of bullets, putting Chesney in danger, his intention of keeping his distance takes a nosedive.

Chesney Blake needs a break before filming her next movie. But when her getaway erupts into nothing short of chaos and her pilot transforms into her protector, her vacation plans are forgotten. Does someone really want her dead? Or was she even the intended target?

As more incidents threaten their safety, Chesney and Ghost set out to uncover the truth. But as they get closer to finding answers, Chesney is faced with a fate worse than she ever imagined—even worse than death itself.

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The last two are still on at bargain prices if you are interested.

Happy Reading y’all