historical fiction

Read and enjoyed, up to July 31, 2022

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This first one was a great read. Realistic characters, facing real situations. Women doctors were rare in that day & age and life was not easy or fair for them most of the time. Edie didn’t expect to ever marry either as men generally had rigid ideas about proper conduct for married women – full time mothers and housewives. That would be an unacceptable waste for a woman graduating at the top of her class.

The Way to Healing: A historical Christian romance (The Waymaker series Book 1)

After their first meeting, Edith “Edie” Carmichael would have been content to never lay eyes on Lucas Brown again.

She thinks he’s no more than the grumpy owner of Pine Creek’s lumber company, and he thinks she’s a know-it-all lady doctor intent on putting folks in their place.

The two must quickly form a truce when suspicious accidents and theft at the sawmill threaten both his livelihood and the lives of his men, but can Lucas ever learn to trust a woman after a lifetime of being abandoned by them? Can Edie be content running the clinic in the hometown she thinks she’s outgrown, or will her dreams prove more powerful than her growing feelings? And when the world around them goes up in flames, will Edie and Lucas make it out alive?

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This next one also addresses historical inequalities for women, particularly in the Regency era. Elizabeth is faced with the expectations of a controlling mother with prestige aspirations. It has been declared that she must travel to Great Britain and join the social season looking for a titled husband. Her father is willing to go along with her mother’s decree knowing Elizabeth is adamantly against it. Her heart wants to stay in America. It was fun watching her learn how to stand up for herself.

A Touch of Scarlet (Gilded Promises)

Never was there a more charmed debutante than the impeccable Elizabeth St. James. Her sterling reputation makes her a favored guest in the most exclusive homes in New York City. But behind the gilded curtain of turn-of-the-century society, Elizabeth despises being her mother’s perfect “specimen” and refuses to forgive the woman for her treacherous family betrayal. Now, with only two months before Elizabeth sets sail for London to marry a British lord, she resolves to live a lifetime of adventure—including kissing a man under the moon and stars. And Elizabeth has the perfect candidate in mind: Luke.

Lucian Griffin, the brother of Elizabeth’s dearest friend, intends to protect Elizabeth from letting her adventures forever sully her reputation. He knows too well the regrets that come from taking unnecessary risks. Soon his earnest fondness for the sweet debutante gives way to deep affection. But if either is to have a chance at true love and happiness, they must have the courage to let go of the past—and the grace to embrace forgiveness.

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More to follow.

Bargain books July 30, 2022

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I’m back. It’s been great spending the last two weeks camping with my kids and their kids. Good times. Even with the wild thunder storms. I’m sad to see it end, it has been an awesome experience for us all to be together again for the first time since 2018. Six years is a long time in the life of a child. They have all become young adults or are close to it. Camping is done but we still have a few more days before they all head home, and we are making the most of it.

Along with enjoying family, it’s time to get back to book browsing and I am looking forward to it too. The read and enjoyed list has grown too and that will need to be shared soon as well.

This first current suggestion was from 1531 Entertainment, in Regency genre with an author unknown to me. It looks interesting and worth a chance.

Lord of Worth (Ladies of Worth series Book 3)

London 1776: Lord Worth is busying himself restoring his family fortunes and burying any feelings he still harbours for the woman who rejected his proposal.

The fact that the lady in question—Lady Rebecca Fairing—happens to be his sister’s best friend, his niece’s godmother, and present at every Societal gathering of consequence is… unfortunate.

Meanwhile Rebecca fears she made the wrong decision in rejecting James Worth, but when he assures her he won’t be renewing his proposal, she is forced to accept her choice. It doesn’t take long for the eligible Lord Worth to attract other suitors, among them Lady Sophia, daughter to Society’s most notorious gossip, Lady Goring.

Rebecca knows she must step aside and allow James to find happiness, but when she senses all is not as it seems in the Goring family, she can’t help but intervene.

As James and Rebecca work together to unearth Societal secrets, deal with scheming matriarchs, and face villainous highwaymen, they find themselves more in each other’s company than ever before.

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BookBub also has an interesting suggestion. We have seen this author before but not very often. I’m looking forward to experiencing her again.

The Crushing Depths (Coastal Guardians Book #2)

When an accident claims the life of an oil-rig worker on the first drilling platform off the North Carolina coast, Coast Guard investigators Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers are sent to take the case. Tensions surrounding the oil rig are high and the death has everyone on edge. Environmental activists are threatening to do whatever it takes to stop the structure from being completed, while rumors are being whispered about ancient curses surrounding this part of the ocean.

Mounting evidence shows the death may not have been an accident at all. Was he killed by one of the activists or, perhaps more frighteningly, a member of his own crew? Rissi and Mason have to sort through not only a plethora of suspects, but also their own past and attraction to each other.

Just as the case seems like it’ll break open, worse news arrives. A tropical storm has turned their way and soon they’re cut off from any rescue–and right where the killer wants them. It’s a race to discover his identity before he eliminates the threat they pose.

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My current read is a delight. I love stories with angels and guardian angels, they add a new dimension with abilities far beyond those of us poor humans. They can appear and disappear at the most unexpected times and say and do things that leave us shaking our heads. Angels add a whole new level of possibility to any story and it’s usually a fun ride. It is definitely fun in this collection. I’m reading number four of seven.

Albert the angel is on assingment!

Because let’s face it, sometimes romance needs a little help …

Albert: Angel Box Collection One

Watching the Wrangler: 

Arabella Simpson’s family lived a nomadic life. Now they were in Creede, Colorado and it was no different than other place they’d stayed and high-tailed it out of. But, she had to admit, the scenery was beautiful and in more ways than one.

If she didn’t stop watching the wrangler at the neighboring ranch, they might have to vamoose for a reason other than her father’s gambling habit. Can two people determined not to fall in love find it? Maybe with a little help from one of Albert’s friend, Hansel, they can …

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The angels are doing a good job, so far they have managed to be successful in all their assignments. It will be fun to see how this one will go.

I will see you again soon.

Happy reading!

Free book July 14, 2022

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BookBub has a FREE suggestion for us, from an author we’ve seen a number of times through the years.

A romance filled with intrigue and family skeletons, I mean secrets. The best kind.

The Way Back Home: (Aspen Valley Homecoming Book 1)

The pain of betrayal by the ones she trusted, stung.

But she can’t stop the love that haunts her still.

Eight years ago, Courtney left Aspen Valley, heartbroken, sure she’d never return. Now with a daughter, a failed marriage, and the loss of her ex-husband, she returns to Aspen Valley and her emotionally distant father.

She does her best to swallow her long-buried feelings about life on the farm and the pain caused by her boyfriend and father. For young Fenna’s sake, she puts on a happy face.

What she doesn’t expect is her father’s interaction with her daughter, the bonds they form. And, even more troubling, the love she still feels for Cole, the man who broke her heart all those years ago.

But the longer she stays, the more hope grows. The more she sees the possibility that she might stay.

And have a future with Cole.

But what seems promising is soon rocked by shocking secrets, stunning revelations, and decisions she thought she’d never have to make.

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That’s it for today as far as new books go.

My current read is awesome. Over half way through and Tenley still hasn’t found a way to open the stuck drawer in the writing desk, it could hold valuable family secrets.

She isn’t trying very hard. Such a disappointment.

Generations apart – two women do have similar stories, but that’s a secret yet to be discovered. Except by us, we know.

The Writing Desk 

Tenley Roth’s first book was a runaway bestseller. Now that her second book is due, she’s locked in fear. Can she repeat her earlier success or is she a fraud who has run out of inspiration?

With pressure mounting from her publisher, Tenley is weighted with writer’s block. But when her estranged mother calls asking Tenley to help her through chemotherapy, she packs up for Florida where she meets handsome furniture designer Jonas Sullivan and discovers the story her heart’s been missing.

A century earlier, another woman wrote at the same desk with hopes and fears of her own. Born during the Gilded Age, Birdie Shehorn is the daughter of the old money Knickerbockers. Under the strict control of her mother, her every move is decided ahead of time, even whom she’ll marry. But Birdie has dreams she doesn’t know how to realize. She wants to tell stories, write novels, make an impact on the world. When she discovers her mother has taken extreme measures to manipulate her future, she must choose between submission and security or forging a brand new way all on her own.

Tenley and Birdie are from two very different worlds, but fate has bound them together in a way time cannot erase.

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Happy Reading y’all

More bargains July 13, 2022

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Author Renee Ryan has another bargain book for us, in the series we had earlier. I love the covers.

A Touch of Scarlet (Gilded Promises)

Never was there a more charmed debutante than the impeccable Elizabeth St. James. Her sterling reputation makes her a favored guest in the most exclusive homes in New York City. But behind the gilded curtain of turn-of-the-century society, Elizabeth despises being her mother’s perfect “specimen” and refuses to forgive the woman for her treacherous family betrayal. Now, with only two months before Elizabeth sets sail for London to marry a British lord, she resolves to live a lifetime of adventure—including kissing a man under the moon and stars. And Elizabeth has the perfect candidate in mind: Luke.

Lucian Griffin, the brother of Elizabeth’s dearest friend, intends to protect Elizabeth from letting her adventures forever sully her reputation. He knows too well the regrets that come from taking unnecessary risks. Soon his earnest fondness for the sweet debutante gives way to deep affection. But if either is to have a chance at true love and happiness, they must have the courage to let go of the past—and the grace to embrace forgiveness.

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Another bargain book showed up in the suggestion strips, I see I have read 5 books by this author, Amanda Cabot, but I can’t remember if I like her, she’s not on any of my lists. Probably because I didn’t think of it and should have. This story looks interesting though so I’m going for it.

Out of the Embers (Mesquite Springs Book #1)

Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents’ murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don’t include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.

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This has been an excellent book day.

Bargain books July 13, 2022

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1531 Entertainment has a bargain suggestion for us. I may have read this author as there is one book in my library from 2013 but I don’t think so. Looking forward to this read. Family secrets are always interesting.

Journey’s End (Gilded Promises)

Having grown up on the mean streets of nineteenth-century London, Caroline St. James is used to fighting to survive.

So when her beloved mother—abandoned and ignored by her wealthy family—suddenly dies, the scrappy twenty-two-year-old devises a plan to right this terrible wrong. With nothing to lose, she sails to New York to find the man who turned a cold shoulder to her mother’s suffering: Caroline’s grandfather. To settle the family score, Caroline infiltrates her grandfather’s privileged world, hoping to sabotage his business from the inside.

But as she sets her plot in motion, she meets Jackson Montgomery, a virtuous man who is struggling to recover from a family scandal of his own. As their friendship grows, and Caroline begins to piece together the motives that led her family to turn its back, she is forced to make a decision: Should she risk everything in the name of justice? Or can she look toward the future and let love and forgiveness guide her instead?

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Then they have a nine book bargain collection, Mysteries. I’ve read many of these authors and I’m looking forward to this experience. This is a pre-order and is scheduled to be out in a few weeks.

Winter Deceptions: A Collection of Christian Suspense Novellas 

Nine riveting wintery suspense novellas. Ten-award winning Christian suspense authors.

MURDER ON FLIGHT 91 by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry

When a passenger collapses on an international flight, is it a medical emergency, or attempted murder?

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TWAS THE NIGHT by Dan Walsh

After experiencing an unspeakable tragedy, a young mother relocates from Brooklyn to a small mountain town in North Carolina. Will this be the fresh start she’s hoping for or the beginning of an even greater upheaval to her fragile world?

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ONE WONDERS by Luana Ehrlich

Silas McKay’s worst fears are realized when his investigation takes an unexpected turn.

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THE VOW by D.L. Wood

Kate’s husband left her a year ago, ending their marriage without warning. But when things turn sinister, will she be able to uncover what’s really going on before the danger closes in?

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ZERO TRUST by Jan Thompson

When Mira hires a former soldier to help her assassinate her mother’s killer, she doesn’t expect to target her own father.

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TRIGGERS by Terry Toler

Will Trigger, the loveable German Shepherd with military skills, be able to save a woman running from an abusive husband and a war hero with PTSD?

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AGAINST THE DARKNESS by H.L. Wegley

When Meiling Chen flees to America with vengeful Chinese agents in pursuit, can she find an American medical researcher she can trust?

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TOO LATE by Liz Bradford

Can Chloe Jacobs, a search and rescue K9 handler, overcome her past trauma before it’s too late for her and her partner, Josh Schneider, or will her fears cause a fatal mistake?

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STEALTH GENESIS by Vikki Kestell

East of Dr. Daniel Bickel’s Albuquerque laboratory lies the old Manzano Weapons Storage Facility, a mountain with dangerous secrets that have all but been forgotten . . . or have they?

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It’s a good book day.

Happy Reading!

Bargain book July 09, 2022

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BookBub has an interesting suggestion. It’s all about cowboy days in the wild wild west. A scumbag father who has put his kids in a dangerous position. On top of that, he may or may not be dead.

The first few pages are well written and I’m positive this will be my next read. It will be a change of pace too.

Braced for Love (Brothers in Arms Book #1)

Left with little back in Missouri, Kevin Hunt takes his younger siblings on a journey to Wyoming when he receives news that he’s inheriting part of a ranch. The catch is that the ranch is also being given to a half brother he never knew existed. Turns out, Kevin’s supposedly dead father led a secret and scandalous life.

But danger seems to track Kevin along the way, and he wonders if his half brother, Wyatt, is behind the attacks. Finally arriving at the ranch, everyone is at each other’s throats and the only one willing to stand in between is Winona Hawkins, a nearby schoolmarm.

Despite being a long-time friend to Wyatt, Winona can’t help but be drawn to the earnest, kind Kevin–and that puts her in the cross hairs of somebody’s dangerous plot. Will they all be able to put aside their differences long enough to keep anyone from getting truly hurt?

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That’s all we have for the moment. One is definitely better than none.

I’m off to pull more weeds but I have to say, I’d rather be reading.

Happy Reading.

Read and enjoyed July 07, 2022

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It’s time to clear out the backlog of read-and-enjoyed books once again.

Saving Hope (The Men of the Texas Rangers Book 1) the latest book read is about rescuing young teen girls finding themselves slaves of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

When a teenager goes missing from the Beacon of Hope School, Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan and school director Kate Winslow are forced into a dangerous struggle against a human trafficking organization. But the battle brings dire consequences as Wyatt’s daughter is terrorized and Kate is kidnapped.

Now it’s personal, and Wyatt finds both his faith and investigative skills challenged as he fights to discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil destroys everyone he loves.

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This next one was also a favorite.

The Reunion – Dan Walsh

There are people in this world we pass right by without giving a second thought. Some have amazing stories to tell, if we only took the time to listen. The Reunion tells the story of Aaron Miller, an old Vietnam vet and handyman in a trailer park.

Almost fifty years ago, Aaron saved the lives of three young men in a horrific battle, was even awarded the Medal of Honor. Severely wounded, he came home from the war and wound up losing everything. But God is a master at redeeming the lost things of life. Unbeknownst to Aaron, someone is looking for him. And the one who finds him might just find the love of his life, as well.

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Then three more (twice), much enjoyed.

I will attempt this one next.

Hopefully this book takes, and draws me in. I’m shocked at the mounting list of partially read books.

There were no new books today among the suggestions. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

In the meantime…

Happy Reading.

Free book and current read July 05, 2022

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BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us, this will be our second exposure to this author. The beginning looks interesting. Interesting is good.

Back in the day women doctors were not well accepted and while graduating at the top of the class it wasn’t enough for our heroine to be given the hospital position she dreamed of. Deeply disappointed, she is on her way home trying to figure out what comes next.

With attitudes like they are it promises to be an interesting ride.

The Way to Healing: The Waymaker series Book 1

After their first meeting, Edith “Edie” Carmichael would have been content to never lay eyes on Lucas Brown again.

She thinks he’s no more than the grumpy owner of Pine Creek’s lumber company, and he thinks she’s a know-it-all lady doctor intent on putting folks in their place.

The two must quickly form a truce when suspicious accidents and theft at the sawmill threaten both his livelihood and the lives of his men, but can Lucas ever learn to trust a woman after a lifetime of being abandoned by them? Can Edie be content running the clinic in the hometown she thinks she’s outgrown, or will her dreams prove more powerful than her growing feelings? And when the world around them goes up in flames, will Edie and Lucas make it out alive?

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That’s it for today.

I’ll share my current read. This one fell through the cracks, it joined my library in 2012 but this is my first time reading it. It is a dark but timely subject, presented with hope. I think I placed it on the back burner worried about triggers. It is turning out to be handled in a truthful and careful way which is much appreciated.

Saving Hope (The Men of the Texas Rangers Book 1) 

When a teenager goes missing from the Beacon of Hope School, Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan and school director Kate Winslow are forced into a dangerous struggle against a human trafficking organization. But the battle brings dire consequences as Wyatt’s daughter is terrorized and Kate is kidnapped.

Now it’s personal, and Wyatt finds both his faith and investigative skills challenged as he fights to discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil destroys everyone he loves.

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It has been a warm one today. A good day to read and cool down a bit.

Happy Reading y’all

Free and bargain books July 04, 2022

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Happy July 4th to our American friends and relatives.

BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us.

Songbird (The War Song Series Book 1)

When the travesties and social changes of World War II confront a small southern town, faith, family, and love sustain the lives of one young woman and her family. Can those left behind endure?

“I’m waiting for my life to begin. Waiting for the train to come in,” Ava Stilwell, a young woman eager for life, sings a popular song with the big band that reflects her heart. In the midst of a world at war, Ava has found love, a passion for her music, and new opportunities, but the war still looms over her, threatening to take it all away.

It’s 1943 and World War II has gripped the nation, including the Stilwell family. Rationing, bomb drills, patriotism, and a changing south barrage their way of life. Neighboring Fort McClellan has brought the world to their doorstep in the form of young soldiers from all over the country and German POWs from half way around the globe. As the travesties and social changes of the war confront this small southern town, faith, family, and love sustain them.

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A bargain book showed up in the course of today’s search. It’s on pre-order and is the next book in a series we were introduced to a few weeks ago. Both books are still at bargain prices.

The new book…

As Silent as the Night (Strike to the Heart Series)

He can procure anything, except his heart’s deepest wish. She might hold the key, if she’s not discovered first.

Chicago, 1933―Lucia Critelli will do anything for her ailing grandfather, including stand in a breadline to have enough food to make him a St. Nicholas Day meal. When she catches the eye of a goon who threatens her grandfather, she discovers the end of Prohibition doesn’t mean the end of the mafia’s criminal activity.

Retired Marine Scout Giosue “Gio” Vella can find anything, especially if it helps a fellow Italian immigrant, so he has no doubt he can locate his neighbor’s granddaughter, who has gone missing from a local church. Keeping her safe is another matter. Especially when he chooses to hide out with his Marine buddy in Eagle, Wisconsin, the site of a barely-held truce among striking dairy farmers.

Will Christmas bring the miracle they all need or will Gio discover there are some things even he can’t find, particularly when he stumbles upon the most elusive gift of all: love.

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Book 1… I’ve read part of it.

A Strike to the Heart 

Wisconsin, 1933—When a routine mission becomes an ambush that kills his team, Craft Agency sniper Miles Wright determines to find the persons responsible and protect the woman he rescued. But the fierce independence that led Lily Moore to leave her family’s dairy business for the solitary life of a dog trainer and the isolation of her farm don’t make that easy. Neither does his unwanted attraction to her. Meanwhile, escalating incidents confirm that she’s far from safe.

Lily fears letting the surprisingly gentle retired marine into her life almost as much as she fears whoever is threatening her. As Wisconsin farmers edge toward another milk strike, one that will surely turn violent, it becomes clear that the plot against Lily may be part of a much larger conspiracy. When the search for her abductor leads close to home, she must decide whether to trust her family or the man who saved her life.

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My current enjoyable read.

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Happy Reading y’all

Bargain books July 01, 2022

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Good morning y’all. Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends and family. It is going to be a quiet day for me. I’m sticking around home, I have a list of things to be done before company arrives in a few weeks so I’m going to tackle some of those. Lately my mind has not been focused on content for new posts, hopefully a quiet day will be helpful with that too. I’m feeling inspired so I’ll try to do a this and that post later.

So, on to books… we have a few possible suggestions from BookBub that look interesting. This first one is an author I’ve not come across before and I’d like to take a chance.

Beryl’s Blessing (Gems of Grace Book 3) 

Five years ago, Beryl Haywood was crippled in an accident that claimed two lives. Since then, reading and painting have been the only companions to her long, lonely days.

Could an arranged marriage be a blessing in disguise? Or will it drive her to more anguish than she’s ever known?

Frederick Sinclair is struggling to adapt to normality after returning from the French battlefields. A hefty weight of guilt and regret weighs on him, taunting him that he’ll never be free from it.

Will his unexpected marriage be a pleasant distraction? Or will it confirm his deepest fears and crush him even more?

As the newlyweds begin to wonder if love might lie ahead, a startling discovery shakes them each to the core, threatening to snatch away the future they’d begun to hope they might share…

• Can be read as a standalone novel

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This next one is a repeat from a year ago and I’ve read and enjoyed it.

Oath of Honor (Blue Justice Book #1)

Police officer Isabelle St. John loves her crazy, loud, law-enforcement family. With three brothers and two sisters, she’s never without someone to hang out with–or fight with. And she knows they’ll be there for her when things get tough. Like when her partner is murdered and she barely escapes with her own life.

Determined to discover exactly what happened, Izzy’s investigation sends her headfirst into a criminal organization, possibly with cops on the payroll–including someone from her own family. With her dead partner’s handsome homicide detective brother Ryan shadowing her every move, Izzy’s head is spinning. How can she secure justice for her partner when doing so could mean sending someone she loves to prison? And how will she guard her heart when the man she’s had a secret crush on for years won’t leave her side?

With her signature fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat action, Lynette Eason invites readers into a captivating new series where justice is a family affair.

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I’m just getting into my current read but it’s good so far. Cassidy has been kidnapped, and rescued but I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be that easy for them to get back to America unscathed. Waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Lethal Deception (Refuge from Danger Book 1)

Having rescued Cassidy McKnight from kidnappers in South America, Gabe Sinclair thought his job was done. Not that the former Navy SEAL could ever forget the brave, beautiful single mother. But when the danger followed her home, Gabe promised to protect her.

Why anyone would want to kill Cassidy was a mystery. Was the motive related to the orphaned toddler Cassidy was raising, a sweet little girl who brought out the father figure in maverick Gabe? Or did a newly revealed family secret have killer consequences?

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Well, it has been a good blogging day so far, maybe the chances are good I’ll be back before the day is over. Hopefully.

In the meantime…

Happy Reading.