Fiction

Free and bargain books March 24, 2022

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BookBub has a FREE suggestion for us. Another author who has been around awhile.

Catching Katie: A Novel

Katie Jones is committed to fighting for the cause of woman’s suffrage. She has no time for romance, especially not with her best friend Ben Rafferty. But when Katie’s column in Ben’s newspaper stirs things up, sparks begin to fly. Ben is set on winning Katie over, but Katie is just as determined to stay true to her 1916 feminist ideals. With such strong obstacles in the way, their relationship can’t possibly progress. Unless somehow love finds a way…

“You can run all you want, Katie. You still can’t run away from your feelings or from my love. Not today. Not ever.” With determination in his voice, he added, “I will catch you, Katie.”

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While Catching Katie entertains us with an appealingly feisty heroine and a tender love story, author Robin Lee Hatcher is not afraid to challenge us with thought-provoking issues and valid spiritual insights. A truly enjoyable read! — Cindy Swanson, host of Weekend Rockford radio show.

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1531 Entertainment has bargain suggestions. This author is new to me, it’s nice to meet her and experience her writing.

Pride, Prejudice and Poison: A Jane Austen Society Mystery

This charmingly bookish cozy mystery sees an antiquarian bookstore proprietor use her sense and sensibility to deduce who killed the president of the local Jane Austen Society

Erin Coleridge’s used bookstore in Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, England is a meeting place for the villagers and, in particular, for the local Jane Austen Society. At the Society’s monthly meeting, matters come to a head between the old guard and its young turks. After the meeting breaks for tea, persuasion gives way to murder—with extreme prejudice—when president Sylvia Pemberthy falls dead to the floor. Poisoned? Presumably . . . but by whom? And was Sylvia the only target?

Handsome—but shy—Detective Inspector Peter Hadley and charismatic Sergeant Rashid Jarral arrive at the scene. The long suspect list includes Sylvia’s lover Kurt Becker and his tightly wound wife Suzanne. Or, perhaps, the killer was Sylvia’s own cuckolded husband, Jerome. Among the many Society members who may have had her in their sights is dashing Jonathan Alder, who was heard having a royal battle of words with the late president the night before.

Then, when Jonathan Alder narrowly avoids becoming the next victim, Farnsworth (the town’s “cat lady”) persuades a seriously time-crunched Erin to help DI Hadley. But the killer is more devious than anyone imagines.

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Two more books to add to our reading list. It’s a good day.

Happy Reading!

Free book March 23, 2022 Part two

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I missed one suggestion email, it landed in my junk for some reason.

BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us.

Charming the Troublemaker (Mitchell’s Crossroads Book 2)

When Dr. Alex Murdock is demoted to a university in rural Virginia, the last thing he expects to find is a future. But country charm never looked as good as it did on Rainey Mitchell.

Rainey Mitchell does not need a high-class flirt in her wounded world, but trouble and temptation wafts off the new professor as strong as his sandalwood-scented cologne.

When circumstances thrust them together to save her tutoring clinic, can the troublemaker find the hero inside and encourage the reticent Rainey to open her heart again?

“Rainey Mitchell is doing just fine. She has a great job helping children in need, her family is around her, she is mother to a fabulous little girl, and is getting over the betrayal of her ex-husband. Dr. Alex Murdock is not doing so well, as he is forced to work at a rural university, his life is full of secrets surrounding his family, and he has to start over in a new town. Luckily, Rainey, the daughter of his landlord, is there to get him settled. Rainey just wants to stay away from the new professor, who has the same charm as her ex. Unfortunately, they seem to need each other. Rainey needs his grant-writing ability to save her program, and Alex is terrible at the lecturing at which Rainey excels. The two must work together to fulfill their goals, but will they be able to do it? Rainey’s insecurities and Alex’s obsession with protecting his family could be their undoing. 

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Happy Reading y’all

Bargain books March 23, 2022

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BookBub has bargain suggestions.

Secrets She Knew: A Secrets and Lies Suspense Novel

Boston police detective Dani Lake dreads returning to her small hometown of Skye, Alabama, for her ten-year high school reunion—and not just for the normal reasons.

At only fifteen, Dani tragically discovered the body of her murdered classmate, setting in motion events leading to the unjust conviction of a dear friend and an unshakable burden of guilt she carries to this day. So when new evidence surfaces during her trip home which suggests the truth Dani’s always suspected, she embarks on a mission to expose the real killer. Unexpectedly, she finds help in Skye police detective Chris Newton—who happens to be the man Dani’s best friend is dying to set her up with and the only person who believes her.

But when Dani pushes too hard, someone pushes back, endangering Dani and those closest to her as she unearths secrets deeper and darker than she ever imagined she’d learn—secrets that may finally bring the truth into the open, if they don’t get her killed first.

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A Reluctant Bride (The Bride Ships Book #1)

Living in London’s poorest slum, Mercy Wilkins has little hope of a better life. When she’s offered an opportunity to join a bride ship sailing to British Columbia, she agrees. After witnessing so much painful heartache and loss in the slums, the bride ship is her only prospect to escape a bleak future, not only for herself but, she hopes, someday for her sister.

Wealthy and titled Joseph Colville leaves home and takes to the sea in order to escape the pain of losing his family. As ship’s surgeon, he’s in charge of the passengers’ welfare aboard the Tynemouth, including sixty brides-to-be. He has no immediate intention of settling down, but when Mercy becomes his assistant, the two must fight against a forbidden love.

With hundreds of single men congregating on the shore eager to claim a bride from the Tynemouth, will Mercy and Joseph lose their chance at true love, or will they be able to overcome the obstacles that threaten to keep them apart?

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1531 Entertainment has bargain suggestions as well.

Ember (Ladies of Garfield Book 16)

A DIFFERENT SORT OF LOVE:

At twenty-two, college student Ember Monroe thought she’d found her happily-ever-after in Quinn Abbott. All it took was one ill-fated night and the worst betrayal imaginable to rip those dreams to shreds. Now, almost a decade later, Ember’s happily-ever-after has a new look as she raises the two daughters of her deceased best friend. With a business she loves and a family she never expected, Ember has all she wants…until Quinn comes back into her life determined to break her heart a second time.

HE ONLY WANTS HIS FAMILY BACK:

Quinn went to prison for a crime he didn’t commit and it cost him every good thing in his life. When new evidence sets him free, all Quinn wants is a fresh chance with his children. Unfortunately the only way to repair his family is to tear Ember’s apart.
Can Ember find the forgiveness required to embrace the blessings God has for her? Can Quinn rebuild the family that was taken from him? It’ll take a miracle…Maybe God has one.

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The Girl in the Painting

An orphaned young math prodigy in need of family. A painting that shatters a woman’s peace. And a decades-old mystery demanding to be solved.

Australia, 1906: Orphan Jane Piper is nine years old when philanthropist siblings Michael and Elizabeth Quinn take her into their home to further her schooling. The Quinns are no strangers to hardship. Having arrived in Australia as penniless immigrants, they now care for others as lost as they once were.

Despite Jane’s mysterious past, her remarkable aptitude for mathematics takes her far over the next seven years, and her relationship with Elizabeth and Michael flourishes as she plays an increasingly prominent part in their business.

But when Elizabeth reacts in terror to an exhibition at the local gallery, Jane realizes no one knows Elizabeth after all—not even Elizabeth herself. As the past and present converge and Elizabeth’s grasp on reality loosens, Jane sets out to unravel her story before it’s too late.

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Happy Reading!

Free and bargain books March 21, 2022

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LPC Free Books has FREE suggestions for us. I’ve not read this author but it looks interesting.

Fifteen-year-old Adriana Nicu lives in the sheltered world of Bucharest, Romania, in the year 1987. Under the rule of Communist president Nicolae Ceaușescu, citizens of Bucharest live with the eyes and ears of the government ever present. Adriana’s future, which will involve becoming an engineer, is locked in against her will.

During a visit to her aunt’s apartment, Adriana walks through a wardrobe into a hidden room filled with stacks of forbidden novels. Stories bring light into the darkest of circumstances as her family begins to unravel and her life strangely parallels those of her novels’ heroines. Adriana’s childhood loyalties and her belief that God doesn’t exist are called into question as her circumstances force her to rethink things she once believed were certain.

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Another author new to me.

The Chamomile (Women of the American Revolution Series Book 1) 

Lilyan joins Patriot spies in British-occupied Charlestown, South Carolina, to rescue her brother from a notorious prison ship. She’ll lie, steal, kill or be killed in order to protect her family. Desperate for help, she seeks out Nicholas, a scout with Francis Marion’s partisans.

Together the pair set out to save her brother. But will they reach him in time? Or will her growing feelings for Nicholas compromise their mission and send the pair to the gallows?

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My current book is still a bargain and it is a good read. The main character is strong willed, smart, but she has her flaws. She makes the story worth reading.

Bittersweet Motives (Serena Manchester Mysteries Book 1)

Former reporter Serena “Rena” Manchester has transitioned into her new career as a private detective. The Clayton Matthews Law firm sends a few investigations her way that pays the bills, though the work is hardly exciting. However, a shift occurs one day while she is taking photos of a prominent businessman, Edwin Peters, with his young mistress. When the woman shows up dead, Serena has no doubt that Edwin Peters is the prime suspect.

A monkey wrench is thrown at her theory when Serena realizes her client, Mrs. Judith Peters, has just as much motive to kill the young woman. Rena is going to need her hard-nosed tactics to find a murderer because the suspects keep piling up.

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Enjoy.

Happy Reading!

Read and enjoyed March 19, 2022

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Two books.

The first one The Cryptographer’s Dilemma (Heroines of WWII Book 1)

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.
 
FBI cryptographer Eloise Marshall is grieving the death of her brother, who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when she is assigned to investigate a seemingly innocent letter about dolls. Agent Phillip Clayton is ready to enlist and head oversees when asked to work one more FBI job. A case of coded defense coordinates related to dolls should be easy, but not so when the Japanese Consulate gets involved, hearts get entangled, and Phillip goes missing. Can Eloise risk loving and losing again?

The unique thing about this book was that while it was totally fiction the story was based on real historical events. The author used creative licence to make time lines and activities fit within the story framework while at the same time using real names and many details. The idea was to honor those involved in this heroic retelling.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable read with a great ending. It’s interesting to catch a glimpse of what life was like in hard times for some of our ancestors

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The second book is Wounded Heart: A Mystery (Reed Family Mysteries Book 5) 

The final book in the crime-fighting Reed Family mystery romance series.

Jackson “Jax” Reed has exchanged his years as a reporter to become a New York Times bestselling author. Being birthed from an affair, Jax has always had a cloud that’s loomed over his life. Despite the growing success of his true crime books, a secret that his mother took to the grave has turned his life upside-down. Jax runs into an old flame, Ebony Hampton, the woman who broke off their engagement fifteen years ago. These two quickly find themselves at odds since Ebony is the FBI agent tasked with investigating the serial killer who happens to be the subject of Jax’s latest book. When their shared “subject” makes a daring escape from prison, the former couple will find themselves risking their lives together.

This was a highly enjoyable read too.

A special part of this story, for me, was the authors treatment of interpersonal relationships. We all have our own approach to living life and it showed up in the way her characters conducted themselves. It was refreshing to see a new treatment to an often experienced scenario. It was more pragmatic and less emotionally reactive.

The mystery part of the story had a fresh take on it too.

Overall, this was a great read. I would love to read the rest of the series.

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Both of these books are still at bargain prices. Grab them while you still can.

Happy Reading!

Free and bargain book March 17, 2022

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BookRunes has a FREE suggestions for us. I’ve not read this author so I’m looking forward to this.

A Bend In The Road 

Just when she thought her future was settled, Loretta learned that her new husband was only trying to spite his parents for their controlling nature and was not at all interested in having a wife. For three years she endured his neglect and forced poverty until her presence was requested by the high and mighty in-laws. To her shock, she learned some disturbing news that put her in a sticky situation.

Living a long way from any family, she was forced to direct her own path taking her even farther from the security of loved ones. Just as she was about to plant roots, she heard from her absent husband with a threat to find her if she didn’t return the money his parents paid her to disappear.
Again she was uprooted and went even farther west into territory where it would be difficult to find her.

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My current read is wonderful and still a bargain. I’m just getting started so the good details are not here yet but I’m excited to see where the story is going.

The Cryptographer’s Dilemma (Heroines of WWII Book 1)

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.
 
FBI cryptographer Eloise Marshall is grieving the death of her brother, who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when she is assigned to investigate a seemingly innocent letter about dolls. Agent Phillip Clayton is ready to enlist and head oversees when asked to work one more FBI job. A case of coded defense coordinates related to dolls should be easy, but not so when the Japanese Consulate gets involved, hearts get entangled, and Phillip goes missing. Can Eloise risk loving and losing again?

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It’s a good day with one book. It’s a good day too with the snow melt. The worst is over and it’s crazy how fast everything disappears when the temp warms up close to 0 and the sun shines bright.

Have a good night, or day, depending on what part of the world you are in.

Until tomorrow…

Happy Reading.

Bargain books March 15, 2022

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BookBub has a bargain suggestion and I think we have seen it recently but can’t confirm it. I’ll pretend it’s new and not apologize for showing it twice. Lynette Eason is worth seeing again anyway.

Always Watching (Elite Guardians Book #1)

The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have more than just skill and prowess in common–they’re also all women. When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians in order to protect his son.

But when Wade’s bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap. Olivia’s skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade’s stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him. Olivia has the feeling that she’s next on the list. And to complicate things even further, she realizes that her heart may be in as much danger as her client.

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1531 Entertainment has an interesting looking bargain suggestion for us. Another author new to us.

Bittersweet Motives (Serena Manchester Mysteries Book 1)

Former reporter Serena “Rena” Manchester has transitioned into her new career as a private detective. The Clayton Matthews Law firm sends a few investigations her way that pays the bills, though the work is hardly exciting. However, a shift occurs one day while she is taking photos of a prominent businessman, Edwin Peters, with his young mistress. When the woman shows up dead, Serena has no doubt that Edwin Peters is the prime suspect.

A monkey wrench is thrown at her theory when Serena realizes her client, Mrs. Judith Peters, has just as much motive to kill the young woman. Rena is going to need her hard-nosed tactics to find a murderer because the suspects keep piling up.

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I see Tyora Moody has another bargain book. It looks intense and interesting too.

Wounded Heart: A Mystery (Reed Family Mysteries Book 5)

Jackson “Jax” Reed has exchanged his years as a reporter to become a New York Times bestselling author. Being birthed from an affair, Jax has always had a cloud that’s loomed over his life. Despite the growing success of his true crime books, a secret that his mother took to the grave has turned his life upside-down.

Jax runs into an old flame, Ebony Hampton, the woman who broke off their engagement fifteen years ago. These two quickly find themselves at odds since Ebony is the FBI agent tasked with investigating the serial killer who happens to be the subject of Jax’s latest book. When their shared “subject” makes a daring escape from prison, the former couple will find themselves risking their lives together.

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Today the theme is Mystery, Suspense, Thriller.

And, it’s exciting to add another new author to our list.

Happy Reading.

Free and bargain books March 14, 2022

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BookBub had a FREE suggestion for us, from a regular author on our site.

A Supper in Sweet Grove (Texas Hearts Book 2)

Despite her pretty face and winning personality, small-town waitress Kristina Rose Maher has never been kissed. Believing fairytales never happen for fat girls, she’s holed up that part of her heart. But when she needs weight loss surgery to treat her diabetes, Kristina Rose sees this as her chance to finally find a prince of her own.

Jeffrey Berkley’s life is all planned out, but Jeffrey can’t see himself following in his dad’s footsteps. Working as the diner’s cook, as much as he enjoys it, is delaying the inevitable.

But as Kristina’s absence from the diner where they both work grows longer, they’ll both find themselves questioning what—and who—they want in life. Will they learn to stand up for themselves to get their happily ever afters of their own?

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LPC Free Books has a FREE suggestion from another one of our regular authors.

Catch of a Lifetime – Low Country Love (Finding Love in the Low Country Book 3)

From an early age, Adella believed that love brings only pain. First her mother dies, and Adella struggles to deal with her grief and care for her younger sisters. When the young girls decide they don’t need Adella anymore, she concludes she can’t trust anyone but herself. With few options, she determines she will use her good looks and intelligence to catch a handsome, wealthy man who can give her the security she craves.

Derek Goodson appears to be the man of her dreams, and at first their marriage is wonderful. After a few years, however, Adella discovers a restlessness that nothing seems to satisfy. She is bored with exclusive parties, clothing, and vacations. When introduced to a handsome stranger, she wonders if he is the answer to her secret longings. Adele must face some tough choices, along with a tender tug on her soul. She married Derek for his money. Why can’t she love him for it?

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1531 Entertainment has a bargain suggestion from one more regular on here.

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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A nice selection of books tonight.

Happy Reading!

Read and enjoyed March 11, 2022

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This one was definitely a favorite. Excellent writing, great characters, well put together story. Today was a read day. Must finish once started. It’s still a bargain if you are interested.

Kill Shot: A Novel (White Knights Book 2)

Some fears haunt you forever….

As the ballistics and weapon’s expert for the FBI’s special task force nicknamed the White Knights, Rick Cannon has known the Department of Defense was developing self-steering bullets. Rick feared these smart bullets–which have one hundred percent accuracy that can turn even a novice into a lethal sniper–would eventually end up in the hands of the wrong people. But since the ammunition was still in the development stage, he figured they had plenty of time before that happened. He was wrong. Dead wrong.

Until they become reality.

When a homeless vet is killed with a smart bullet, it’s clear that the ammunition has been stolen, and the Knights are called in to find the thief and stop the killings. But they aren’t the only ones desperate to find the killer. Therapist Olivia Dobbs is well known for her success in counseling military veterans with PTSD. When she discovers one of her clients moments after he is murdered, she becomes both the FBI’s prime witness, and suspect.

Despite the mutual attraction that immediately sparks between them, Rick can’t–no he won’t–let Olivia interfere with his investigation. But when the sniper trains his rifle on her, Rick must recall all the skills he learned as a Marine sniper to make sure the next bullet fired isn’t a kill shot that takes Olivia out.

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It’s the weekend. I’m hoping you have a few good books to read.

Happy Reading y’all

Free and bargain books March 11, 2022

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BookBub has a FREE suggestion for us. I have read and enjoyed this.

Hard Landing (Hope Landing Romantic Suspense Book 1)

Two wary souls get a second chance at love.
If a killer doesn’t find them first.
When a stalker turns to murder, pilot Kelli Spencer needs protection. What she doesn’t need is her old love Jack Reese returning to stir things up, but the former Navy SEAL and his team of protection specialists are the best of the best. Trust him with her life? If she has to. Trust him with her heart? No way.

The last time Jack left, he made it clear married life held no appeal. Ten years later, he wastes no time letting her know he hasn’t changed. Not that she’d be fool enough to hope. As the commander of Knight Tactical, Jack jumps at the chance to protect Kelli and take down a killer, but as soon as she’s safe, he plans to shake the dust of the small mountain town off his feet again…until he realizes he never should have left the first time. Can he convince Kelli to give him another chance, or will a devious killer destroy his plans for a happily ever after?

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1531 Entertainment has a bargain suggestion. It’s a pre-order for an author writing for a new market. This is the second book in the new series. I’ve not read anything from this author and samples have not been provided. Based on the number of five star reviews I’m going to give this a shot. I’m not expecting to be disappointed.

Eden: A Christian Romantic Suspense (Cold Case Murder Mystery Series Book 2)

The discovery of a shallow grave in the woods is just the beginning of Bethenny’s troubles…

Taking with her a string of failed relationships and the haunting memories of a fatal car accident, Homicide Detective Bethenny Monroe decides to step away from her demanding career in LA and return to her roots—the small town of Redwater. But, Redwater is no longer the place she remembers…

Detective Lachlan Taylor is good at running from his problems. He’s been running since his wife, Eden, was murdered in their family home. But, when a chilling note is left beside a murder victim in Redwater, Lachlan learns he can’t outrun the past and to heal from his wife’s death he must find her killer before more blood is shed.

But this time he doesn’t have to do it alone. Bethenny and Lachlan are an unstoppable duo in EDEN—a gripping story of love, faith, healing and forgiveness.

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Another bargain book showed up in the suggestion strip. I’ve read and enjoyed this one too.

First Wave (Northwest Counter-Terrorism Taskforce Book 1)

Just another Friday night. Or is it?

Homeland Security Agent Dakota Pierce is in the Washington backwoods to sniff out domestic terrorism.

DEA rookie Josh Weber and his dog show up to uncover a mystery of their own. When a young woman’s body is discovered, everything points to a local militia.

The Northwest Counter-Terrorism Taskforce is on the case.

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I know the caption for most of these say Christian but I’m pretty sure they have all been written for the General Market. That means they are clean, focused on a good story, with no “preachy” stuff.

That’s my favorite. I’m equally not a fan of preachy or over done public displays of affection. It’s not easy to find books free of those things and it is so appreciated when they do show up.

While I’m not a fan of books with an agenda, I still include those I can tell will be promoting christian values because I know there are people out there looking for answers and encouragement.

I include them because I know people are discerning and can decide for themselves what they do or do not wish to read.

In the meantime, I’m pretty sure with these three we are getting today are pure story, and I’m looking forward to the new one I have not read.

I hope you are excited about these as well. They are good reads.

Happy Reading.