historical fiction

Free and bargain books April 07, 2022

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This is a good day, we have books.

BookBub has a FREE suggestion for us.

Piercehaven: Welcome to the Island (Piercehaven Trilogy Book 1)

Should Emily try to fit in—or fight for what’s right?

Emily has finally found her dream job. She’s moving to a remote Maine island to teach high school English. The handsome lobsterman is an unexpected bonus.

But life on the island is very different. The eccentric islanders seem to be hiding something from her, but what is it? And does she even want to know? If she figures out the secret, she might have to do something about it.

Welcome to Piercehaven, an idyllic small town in the middle of the Atlantic, where things aren’t as simple as they seem and everyone is obsessed with basketball. You’ll love this faith-filled story because you’ll feel like you’re right there with Emily, tasting the fresh, salty air. Visit Piercehaven today!

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BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us and I’m looking forward to it.

A Lawman for Lisette: Christian Historical Western Fiction (Willow Wood Brides Book 1)

When Lisette Pelletier answers an ad to become a physician in the frontier town of Willow Wood, Idaho, she knows her life will change forever. What she doesn’t expect is to fall in love with the U.S. Marshal whose life she saves on her way to town. Federal Marshal Grayson Dutton spent his career protecting pioneers, chasing down bandits, settling disputes before they erupted into gunfire, and returning fire when needed. None of it prepared him for dealing with a feisty lady doc who can’t see when she’s in over her head.
When Grayson hears the gang of outlaws that attacked the stagecoach that brought Lisette to Willow Wood have targeted the lady doc, he’ll stop at nothing to protect her. Lisette doesn’t want to give the lawman the reins to her life. She came west to serve the people of Willow Wood, not hide under her bed in fear at the first sign of danger.
She certainly didn’t plan to fall for a long-legged lawman whose kisses make her dream of marriage, babies, and happily-ever-after, all the things that conflict with her call to medicine. Can she find a place in her life and her heart for love? Can Grayson tame the wild filly before she gets both of them killed?

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1531 Entertainment has a bargain suggestion.

Rekindling Trust (Widow’s Might Book 2)

Widow Edythe Westin’s rebellious young son is suspected of arson and assault. With nowhere else to turn, she defies her controlling father and appeals for help from the only man she ever loved—the man who deserted her when she needed him most.

Attorney Barrett Seaton returned to his hometown to make his brother’s final days comfortable. Seeing Edy again raises his guard, especially when she remains under her father’s thumb…just like the day she rejected Barrett to marry another man.

A second betrayal by Edy would destroy Barrett as surely as her devious father destroyed his brother. But to save her son, somehow, they must rekindle the trust that was lost years earlier.

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Three books new to us. Awesome.

I’m excited, and trying to figure out how I can free up more reading time!

Check these out.

What a good deal. Three books for the price of one bargain. Grab them quickly before they disappear.

Happy Reading.

Current read April 05, 2022

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Today’s new read has a fresh slant to the family-secrets scenario. Besides that, the author is stingy with clues. At nine chapters in the main thing we know is that we don’t know anything. Who was this man? Famous author, awesomely wealthy, loving husband-father-grand father, frustratingly private. Where did he, or his wife, come from? Why is the first picture in the album their wedding picture? What happened to their childhood?

I’m intrigued with the story but admit to unexplained frustration. Sometimes it’s the writing style that leaves me on edge. That could be it.

There is an abundance of scene description and I’m wondering what importance this has to the story. Admittedly, it is a beautiful house and many will appreciate the word pictures. I guess I just don’t want to spend time figuring out what matters and what doesn’t. Especially when it comes to clothes and furniture.

There are a number of threads in the family dynamics that may or may not matter, as well.

Each member of the family (and their spouses by association) has become wealthy overnight. How will this change their lives and will the changes matter to the story.

Or:

Maybe the secrets once uncovered (if uncovered) will affect their lives more than their sudden wealth.

I’ll have to go back and read the blurb to see if I’m on track with my observations and projections.

The Discovery

Gerard Warner was not only a literary giant but a devoted family man. When he dies he leaves his Charleston estate to his grandson, Michael, an aspiring writer. Michael soon discovers an unpublished manuscript his grandfather had written, hidden from everyone but clearly intended for Michael to find. Michael reads an exciting tale of Nazi spies and sabotage, but this story is very different from all of Gerard Warner’s other books. It’s a love story.

As Michael delves deeper in, he discovers something that has the power to change not only his future but his past as well. Laced with suspense and intrigue, The Discovery is a richly woven novel that explores the incredible sacrifices that must be made to forge the love of a lifetime.

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Yup. Big changes coming!

More free and bargain books April 04, 2022

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LPC Free Books has FREE repeat suggestions and one new bargain.

Rhapsody in Red (A Preston Barclay Mystery Book 1)

It was a bad day to find a corpse on campus.

Preston Barclay is a self-made recluse (and he likes it that way). Teaching college history allows him time to grieve the loss of his pianist wife and find relief from the musical hallucinations that have been playing in his head since her death.

But when he and a headstrong colleague, Mara Thorn, discover the body of another instructor on campus, Press’s monotonous solitude is shaken up. The preliminary evidence points to Press and Mara. Now they must take some chances, including trusting each other (and bending the rules) to build their own defense. With their unlikely alliance, they must stay ahead of the police, the college’s incompetent administration, and whoever is trying to get away with murder.

If not, they might end up unemployed, behind bars, or worse . . .

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Land of My Dreams

Blessings come when you leave the familiar and take a step of faith.

Alone and betrayed by a former fiancé, American professor Bonny Bryant accepts a position at a small college in Fort William, Scotland. But when she meets a fellow professor, Bonny discovers her wounds may be the scars of healing Kieran MacDonell needs to reach past his own grief. Land of My Dreams spans the distance between New Mexico’s high desert mountains and the misty Scottish Highlands with a timeless story of overwhelming grief, undying love, and compelling faith.

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Bent Tree Bride: A Novel

“Romance. Intrigue. Honor. All that and more. I heartily recommend it.”
—Michelle Griep, Christy Award-winning author

Susanna Moore can’t get him out of her mind—the learned lieutenant who delivered the commission from Andrew Jackson making her father colonel of the Cherokee Regiment. But the next time she sees Lieutenant Sam Hicks, he’s leading a string of prisoners into a frontier fort, and he’s wearing the garb of a Cherokee scout rather than the suit of a white gentleman. 

As both Susanna’s father and Sam’s commanding officer, Colonel Moore couldn’t have made his directive to stay away from his daughter clearer to Sam. He wants a better match for Susanna—like the stuffy doctor who escorted her to Creek Territory. Then a suspected spy forces Moore to rely on Sam for military intelligence and Susanna’s protection, making it impossible for either to guard their heart.

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A day with many books is a good day.

Happy Reading

Read and enjoyed March 30, 2022

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Three books and the first one was my favorite.

Catching Katie: A Novel 

Katie is strong willed and unconventional. Definitely raising eyebrows everywhere she goes. There are many restrictive expectations put on the women of her day and Katie defies pretty much all of them. University – where women are the oddity, arriving back in town driving a motor car… unescorted. All of it scandalous. Even more so when she hops out of said motor car wearing bright pink bicycling bloomers, showing off her stockinged calves. It is more than her scandalized audience can bear.

The only one not running from Katie is her lifelong best friend. He knows all of her quirks and supports her vehemently, even when he would rather not. They’ve been on many wild childhood adventures together, this day is just an extension of all that.

I loved the way the story unfolded. Katie is caught up in the cause she vowed to support with her life. Then finds herself in a tough place when conflict develops between her pledge to the cause and her blossoming love for her best friend.

Experiencing history in a story like this is enlightening and in this case, enjoyable.

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My next favorite was…

Charming the Troublemaker (Mitchell’s Crossroads Book 2) 

This story was enjoyable and engaging. Both characters have experienced hard places in their lives. Trust and insecurities prove to be mountainous obstacles for each of them at times. But then, tense keeps the story interesting.

The story line was unremarkable, other books use similar bones. It was a good thing the details worked to make it unique.

Why didn’t I love this like the first one? There were too many repetitive scenes. I confess to scanning through many pages aiming for the good parts.

I did like the read though and I have enjoyed other books by this author. I don’t recall this experience with other Basham books so it’s likely just not one of her better books. It was good enough though, that in good conscience I couldn’t help but give it 4 stars.

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This next one I gave 3 stars. The three stories in the collection were OK but they were basically all the same. Maybe if I hadn’t read them in one sitting I’d think differently. But then again, maybe not.

Carsen Brothers of Sweet Rivers Ranch Books 1-3

At first it reminded me of past reads and it took awhile to figure out if I had or hadn’t read some of them already. The details were different enough to finally convince me this was a new read.

There were six brothers in this series. Unrelated by blood they still developed tight knit relationships as a band of adopted brothers. There wasn’t one healthy romantic relationship among them and it’s easy to see why they unanimously decided to be done with love and marriage. Breaking the pact was unthinkable.

Their beloved adoptive father’s tender heart was committed to family and he wanted that for his boys. For a legacy to live on there must be offspring. You get the picture.

To their collective horror, their dad succumbed to cancer, leaving an iron-clad will specifying all six brothers must be married within twelve months for them to receive ownership of the ranch they love. How could he do this to them?

Not my favorite style of writing but I’m not sorry to have stuck with it to the end. (albeit with lots of skimming)

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I’m between books and think my next read will be the latest Christy Barritt mystery. This one is still a bargain. Check it out.

Dylan (Lantern Beach Blackout: Danger Rising Book 2)

Happy reading y’all

Free and bargain books March 29, 2022

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BookBub has an interesting suggestion for us.

Shattered Treasure 

Addison Morgan has spent years ignoring the broken pieces of her past that etched deep scars in her heart, scars that left her vulnerable to remain in a relationship with an unfaithful boyfriend. Her feelings for him have been fading for months, and after he betrays her again while she’s still hurting over the untimely death of her sister, Addison causes a car accident involving a teenage girl.

Police Officer Logan Tant is devastated when his sister’s in an accident involving a drunk driver. And he’s determined to bring the driver to justice. When he finds out the driver has befriended his sister and family, his anger escalates. It isn’t until he meets Addison face-to-face that the truth becomes blurred and there’s an unstoppable connection that draws him to her.

When Addison falls for Logan, her ex-boyfriend seeks to reclaim her at all costs, leaving her abused and with a life-altering choice to make that will change the course of her relationship with Logan and both of their lives forever.

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BookRunes has a FREE suggestion

Coming Home: The Route Home: Book 1

He was her first love…
… And the reason she left.
Now she’s falling for him.

In 1881 Oregon, Becca Wilson is a successful university student, determined to be a modern woman and not a resident of the frontier boomtown she grew up in. With her brother’s death, she needs the help of his best friend to find justice. But can she avoid rekindling her feelings for him?

Seth Blake wants answers about his best friend’s suspicious death. But will it come at the expense of his secret? Can he make the choice between justice and love?

As the stakes get higher, Seth must keep both himself and Becca alive long enough to offer a future to this woman he’s fallen in love with. And win her forgiveness.

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1531 Entertainment has an interesting suggestion.

Uncertain Spring: Clean Romance Mystery (Northen Shore Intrigue Book 5) 

By starlight, a frantic dog leads Lois to a young woman lying in the snow, unconscious…

In the morning, the girl is diagnosed with a state of dis-associative fugue, a form of amnesia. No ID, no car, no clues. Taking in the nameless young woman and her dog, grandmother Lois finds an ally in the local vet, Dr. Jacob. Attraction sparks but isn’t falling in love only for the young?

And why isn’t anyone searching for the young woman? Or is someone?

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These look like good books, something to be excited about.

Happy Reading!

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!

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!

Read and enjoyed March 08, 2022

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I haven’t read much from this author and wasn’t sure how I felt about his writing. This book turned out to be an excellent read and now I’ve added Robert Whitlow to my favorites list of authors.

I’m also happy to have stayed with my decision to read to the end. My initial reluctance was due to the genre. Sometimes I feel like I’ve read more WWII novels than I can handle. I was back to experiencing a spark of interest and it paid off.

This one had unique elements to draw the reader in and that was a game changer. His story treatment was a mixture of old and new with a twist. I loved his characters too, except for the ones he wanted us to hate.

I loved this read.

The whole book was a surprise and I gave it five stars.

The Witnesses 

Young lawyer Parker House is on the rise—until his grandfather’s mysterious past puts both of their lives in danger.

Parker House’s secret inheritance is either his greatest blessing . . . or his deadliest curse. The fresh-faced North Carolina attorney shares his German grandfather’s uncanny ability to see future events in his mind’s eye—a gift that has haunted 82-year-old Frank House through decades of trying to erase a murderous wartime past.

While Parker navigates the intrigue and politics of small-town courtroom law, Frank is forced to face his darkest regrets. Then, a big career break for Parker collides with a new love he longs to nurture and the nightmares his grandfather can no longer escape. Sudden peril threatens to shatter not only Parker’s legal prospects but also his life and the lives of those dearest to him.

Two witnesses, two paths, an uncertain future.