Book of the month? August 19, 2022

August 19, 2022 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

I think it is. This book stood out for me, way above the rest of this months reads. I love it when that happens.

A well crafted story is what did it for me this time. The relatable characters were fully developed and interesting. From beginning to end the tale was engaging. But the biggest reason, aside from the plot, was the slow reveal of a complex story. The unforeseen twists and turns continued right to the very last page.

It doesn’t get any better than that.

Nothing is ever perfect though and one scene did rankle. There was an altercation with life threatening injuries but the outcome was barely mentioned. The story just stepped over the body and kept moving on. We, the readers, were left stuck at that spot needing resolution of some sort. The incident was briefly mentioned later but it came across as an after-thought.

In a way I can see why it was left hanging like it was. More time given to the who and why of the incident could have taken the story down an unwanted rabbit trail. The event did clear up an aspect of the mystery and was needed for that but . . .

I can see the issue but have no thoughts on how it could have been handled any better.

In spite of that blip, I loved the book. Well done.

A Midnight Dance

“Politano writes beautifully, evoking the magic of ballet and the theater from the opening turns to the final curtain, leaving readers applauding for an encore.”–Booklist starred review

***

All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most–and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.

Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?

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

Usually I open a new book the minute a last page is read.

Out of respect, this beloved book needed to be savored for a while.

Morning might be soon enough to move on.

Or not.

I doubt I can wait that long.

I’ll check out today’s book suggestions while I’m waiting and reassess later.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Bargain books August 16, 2022

August 16, 2022 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Two books, but two is better than none.

Christy Barritt is one of my favorite authors and boy is she prolific. It looks like she has written over two hundred books and she’s sold over three million. Impressive.

I’m not sure how I didn’t know about this new book but I do now. It’s the beginning of another new series.

Bound by Murder (Beach Bound Books and Beans Mysteries Book 1)

When widow Talitha Robinson buys an old store on the boardwalk in Lantern Beach, North Carolina, she’s in for a surprise . . . or several. She plans to renovate the space and open Beach Bound Books and Beans, but never expects to find a decades-old skeleton hidden inside one of the walls.

As word of the discovery spreads across the island, strange occurrences begin to occur around her. It soon becomes clear someone still knows something about the dead person—something they don’t want discovered.

Thankfully, former police chief and current mayor Mac MacArthur seems just as eager to unravel the mystery behind the skeletal remains as Tali. But as the two bind together to solve the case, a devastating secret is revealed.

Will their newfound friendship come unglued before they find the answers to the past? Or will their blooming relationship die like the man hidden in the wall?

Bound by Murder is book 1 in a four book series of novellas. Though the main mystery is resolved, there are threads that will continue throughout the entire series.

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

I have read and enjoyed this next author too, just not as many times.

Strike Force (Courage Under Fire Book 1)

Out of the ashes of defeat comes a brand new mission.

Who will survive?

Forced to change their names just to survive, Former CIA Agents Piper Morgan and Reed Decklin fled the frozen tundra of Alaska to take refuge in the mountains of Wyoming.

With their new identities in place, Sidney Morgan and Kaiden Bennett join the recently-formed Strike Force in order to bring down the deadly terrorist team known only as Legion. But how can you win against an enemy that will stop at nothing to fulfill its deadly plot?

The one good thing to come out of the attack in Alaska was Sidney and Kaiden found each other again. As their love grows stronger, nothing prepares them or the team for the magnitude of Legion’s plan, or how far up the command chain Legion’s reach truly goes. Even to some of the highest offices of government.

In this sequel to the USA Today Bestselling story, Storm Warnings, the Strike Force team is determined to finish the mission that started two years earlier in the deserts of Afghanistan with the deaths of Sidney’s entire CIA unit.

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

This was fun tonight. A no-pressure relaxed time to browse was very nice. It makes me want to do it again soon. Hopefully.

In the meantime . . .

Happy Reading

Current read August 11, 2022

August 11, 2022 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Awesome! I’ve switched reads mid stream once again. You know how it is, it seems we have a streak of great books followed by a stream of less than great books. Three times I’ve changed, leaving four books unread while moving on. Maybe this time is a charm.

A pre-order release showed up this morning and I’m hooked on the first book. We have a medical emergency on an international flight. One passenger in fragile health, her nurse overcome with an unknown cause, passengers panicking lest they fall victim, and a military doctor without answers. Her support staff is worried about the flight crew. . . hoping they aren’t part of whatever terrible thing is going on.

It looks like I will be reading this book through to the end. I’m not sure about the other eight books in the collection but I have high hopes.

Winter Deceptions: A Collection of Suspense Novellas

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?

*********

Book two should be good judging by other books I’ve read by this author.

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?

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

Today has been a slow book day, there have been a few suggestions but nothing enticing me to read.

Join me with this collection, it could be good.

Happy Reading.

Bargain books August 09, 2022

August 9, 2022 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

BookBub has an interesting suggestion from an author on my favorites list.

Her First Love: A Christian Veteran Romance (Patriot Peak Book 2)

Can an attraction turn into a forever love?

Israel Martinez was attracted to Tiffany the first time he saw her, so much so that when he gets out of the military, he decides to make Courage, Colorado his home. But will she return his feelings or will he be forced to look elsewhere?

Tiffany’s only desire has been to be a mother for as long as she can remember, but none of the men she’s dated have supported her desire. When she meets Israel, she wonders if finally she’s found the right man, but when she receives news that throws her world upside down, will she throw it all away?

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

1531 Entertainment has a suggestion with an author new to us, although we have read this author three times recently.

Crystal Clear: A Contemporary Small-town Interracial Christmas romance (Romance In The Rockies Book 5)

It’s Crystal Clear he’s never going to risk his heart again and she risks hers too easily. But stuck in this small town for Christmas, can they unwrap the true gift of love?

Sheltered accountant Ena Chinen aches to prove herself after being sequestered on her family’s island resort. But when she attends a conference in Colorado Springs weeks before Christmas and her new “boyfriend” steals, not her heart, but her car, purse, and laptop, all she proves is how naïve she is. So how can she go home and tell her family she’s compromised their business by losing a laptop with sensitive information?

Noah Buzz works well with his hands, but he’s never managed to work with his heart. As the small town’s only contractor, he builds love into the community with every project he takes on, but he won’t risk that love to a woman’s rejection again. So, he’s constructed a wall around his heart—and any walls he builds are meant to last a lifetime. But when Ena shows up, how could he not offer to help the fragile stranger track down an elusive thief?

As they work to recover her lost belongings, neither expects to recover their hearts and fall in love. Can they trust their feelings and build a lasting relationship, or will their fears leave them alone forever?

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

Browsing I came across a bargain from an author we’ve seen often but not so much lately. I’m in chapter two reading the sample and this will definitely be my next read. It may even replace my current read. It’s definitely more exciting, at this point anyway. The story line does have a lot pf promise.

No Fake Dating for a Cowboy (Escape to Cowboy Crossing Book 1)

Small-town romance with faith, humor, and more than a dash of danger!

A woman in jeopardy, a cowboy turned small-town cop grieving his fiancée, and a relationship too real to be fake… Escape to Cowboy Crossing, where people care about each other, romances are sweet and swoony, and six cowboy brothers with hot Irish blood fall in love when they least expect it.

When her foster siblings are in danger, former policewoman Jessie Ashford makes sure their temporary home in a small town far from their home place is fortress strong. After her ex shot at her, her heart is just as tough and secure. But when a local cop helps investigate suspicious incidents that threaten her friends’ safety, her defenses start to crumble. Yet, abandoned so many times, can she open her heart again before it’s too late?

While Jessie wears a chip on her shoulder, Ronan O’Neill wears his heart on his uniform sleeve. He’s already lost one woman he loved to a dangerous profession and is still reeling. But Ronan can’t let something happen to the mysterious newcomer. Will she take his heart when she leaves? Because she’ll do anything to protect the secret that spans many years—or die trying.

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

It has been another good book day.

Happy Reading y’all

More free and bargain books August 08, 2022

August 8, 2022 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

As promised:

Suggested books we have seen before. I’ve read and enjoyed all of the them through the years.

Hope’s Gentle Touch

After her abusive husband’s death, Misty Stephens returns to her job as a nurse and volunteer at a women’s shelter. She intends to put her life back together and has no intention of ever being vulnerable to a man again. But when an abuse victim dies in her care, Misty finds herself consoling the girl’s brother … and fighting attraction.

Adam Jenkins sees Misty’s heart for the oppressed and implores her to help build Hope House, a women’s shelter, in honor of his sister. Though grieving, Adam is drawn to Misty. But he approaches romance the way he does ranching—quick and decisive—an almost disastrous mistake. While dealing with family fallout and troubles at work, this new project and Misty become a light shining into Adam’s grief.

The Socialite: A Novel of World War II

When her younger sister runs away to Paris to live with a German officer high up in Hitler’s favor, English socialite Kat embarks on a dangerous journey to save her sister from the Nazis. Glamour, romance, and espionage collide in this exciting, high-stakes adventure.

As the daughter of Sir Alfred Whitford, Kat has certain responsibilities. Chasing her wayward younger sister, Ellie, to Nazi-occupied Paris was never supposed to be one of them. Unfortunately, Ellie has grown accustomed to the luxurious lifestyle her Nazi lover provides and has no intention of going back to the shackled life their parents dictate—but Kat will stop at nothing to bring her sister home.

Barrett Anderson was arrested for defending himself against a drunken bully of high birth. Given the option of jail or training Resistance fighters in Paris, Barrett chooses the latter. He poses as a bar owner, entertaining Nazis at night while his men train right below their jackboots during the day. An assignment to watch over two English debutantes is the last thing he needs, but a payout from their father is too tempting to resist.

Broken Things – Faded Photographs Series

Returning to her hometown, Chicago, Allie Littenberg learns her actions had worse repercussions than she realized – especially for Jack Callahan, the handsome Chicago cop she loved, but left. She finds Jack is now a bitter shell of a man, his tenderness erased by years of anguish.

Can God use Allie to not only mend the hurts in her own family, but also bring peace to Jack, his son, and estranged wife? Allie is compelled to find out.

Island Refuge (Wildflower B&B Romance Book 1)

Five-Star-Chef Zoe Griffin walked away from her dream job. Did she make a mistake?

Her engagement off, Zoe Griffin retreats to tiny Wildflower Island in the Puget Sound. Hiding out as a cook and maid at a shabby bed-and-breakfast seems crazy for a chef who’s used to running her own five-star kitchen. And just as she starts to feel at home, her klutzy mishaps make Zoe fear her handsome new boss will fire her.

Dr. Nick Jackson is done with medicine, and owning a B&B is as far from doctoring as he can get. He needs help, but his only employee’s mistakes give him doubts. As Zoe lets her defenses down, Nick begins to see a competent and caring woman. One whose wounds are as deep as his own. But as they fall for each other, Nick and Zoe must learn the hardest lesson of all—to forgive. Only then can they heal the past and embrace the future . . . together

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

Happy Reading y’all

Read and enjoyed August 05, 2022

August 5, 2022 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

As I considered my next read I wasn’t sure how it would go. Surprisingly, it was excellent. You can tell because it is finished early.

I thought the story’s focus would mainly be on the striking dairy farmers but it wasn’t. The main character’s story took center stage and it was good.

I’ve started another read and it wasn’t the one under consideration earlier. It is from today’s downloads and it catches my attention enough to be nearly finished the first book of three. I’ll share read and being read, in that order.

I need to mention a few more and clear them out of my device backlog of read books. These were all enjoyable.

Bargain books August 05, 2022

August 5, 2022August 5, 2022 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Morning! Hope you are having a good day. Or night, depending on where you are.

We have another suggestion today, from 1531 Entertainment. One more collection from an author we read a few weeks ago.

Brothers of Belle Fourche: Books 1-3 (Brothers of Belle Fourche Collection Book 1)

Three brothers, driven by perseverance. Three women, trying to fulfill their dreams.

Teach Me to Love
Conrad is shamed by his inability to read. When a woman shows up on his doorstep who may give away his secret, he will be tested to the limits of both his honor and his heart.

What the Heart Holds
Arnold lost his first love young. A teacher arrives in Belle Fourche and is convinced he saved her life. Her hero worship forces him to examine what he holds dear. Can he remain true to the woman he lost, or could there really be another love meant for him?

Deep Longing of the Soul
Eli killed a man in self defense. He hides his black soul from everyone by keeping his distance. A new nurse arrives in town with her own sordid secrets. A revelation, and understanding, lead to a choice: his pain or a new life?

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

Who knew I could be away camping with no internet and still download 20 books since July 15th. It has been a good book month.

With so many to choose from it’s not easy deciding on what to read next.

Heavy? Light? Hmmmm.

Maybe one of these.

Or maybe something else.

Decisions, decisions.

I’ll keep testing until I find a winner.

Happy Reading y’all

Free book August 04, 2022

August 4, 2022 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

BookBub has a FREE Mystery book suggestion. I’ve read and enjoyed one book from this author and I’m looking forward to this one too.

.A Criminal Game: A Suspense Novel (The Criminal Collection Book 1)

She’s a single mom just trying to keep it together.
Evie Diaz’s husband died three years ago, leaving her to raise their toddler and hold on to the life they built in New York. Though she loves her job as the night manager of a luxury hotel in Manhattan, it isn’t easy making it work, but she’s giving it all she’s got.

He’s a hotel driver with a crush he can’t act on.
Rune Agnellini is more than a little keen on his boss. Even though he can’t bring himself to do anything about it, he keeps a quiet, watchful eye on Evie just in case. Because things can turn on a dime in the Big Apple.

And he’s not the only one who’s noticed her.
The regular high-stakes poker game hosted at the hotel brings in all sorts—movie stars, millionaires, and art dealer Kieran Carr who’s not shy about flirting with Evie, even though she’s not sure romance is in the cards for her.

Then disaster strikes.
When a poker game goes south, all the evidence points to Evie as the culprit and killers come for her, ready to do whatever it takes to get what’s theirs. She’s forced to run and trust two men she barely knows with her life—and the lives of those she loves.

Working together can they outsmart the killers in a frantic twelve-hour race around the city, and expose the true culprit before Evie pays the ultimate price for a game she never intended to play?

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

That’s all we have for the moment. I’ll be back if anything else shows up.

Happy Reading

Bargain books August 03, 2022

August 3, 2022 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

An interesting bargain book showed up in my bookish travels this morning. I enjoy Susan May Warren so this is the beginning of a good day.

Flee the Night (Team Hope Book 1)

Ex-CIA operative Lacey Montgomery is a liar, a murderer, and a fugitive—or is she?

Former Green Beret Jim Micah must either prove her innocence or bring her to justice. Too bad his heart won’t stay out of the way.

With a little girl’s life and national secrets hanging in the balance, Jim and Lacey must trust God to help them flee the secrets of the night.

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

Another bargain, this time from an author I’ve read once.

A Perilous Plan: A Regency Romantic Suspense (Imperiled Young Widows Book 1)

A new Regency Romantic Suspense series by New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson.

Penelope Hammond finds herself a widow at the age of twenty-three, having been married five years to a man she barely knew. Her husband, David Hammond, Lord Hampstead, was a member of the House of Lords who rarely said more than a few words to her in a week’s time–and often did not come home at night.

But Lord Hampstead was from a wealthy, powerful London family with no enemies, so why was he murdered?

Penelope is a penniless widow with few friends and only her cold grandmother to lean on. When she finds herself pursued by both English officials and French spies, she doesn’t know who to trust—until a handsome Member of Parliament, Henry Gilchrist, saves her from being attacked and kidnapped. Mr. Gilchrist seems so determined to help her, but can she trust him?

Henry Gilchrist seems to know more about her husband than she does–that he was unfaithful to her with a young Frenchwoman who Penelope thought was her friend, that his gambling problem had sunk him deeply in debt, and that he had stolen some very important plans that could put the entire country in danger. And now both the French and the English governments think she knows where these plans are.

Penelope had no idea that her husband stole secret plans and intended to sell to the French, but no one seems to believe her, except Henry Gilchrist. When she starts to fall in love with the handsome young Member of the House of Commons, will he be too embittered from a former lost love to accept his own growing feelings? But first they must save themselves from those who would do them harm, or there will be no future for them, either together or apart.

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

It looks like a FREE book is in our future, that will be post part two in a little bit.

In the meantime. . .

Happy Reading

Bargain books August 02, 2022

August 2, 2022 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

1531 Entertainment has an interesting Mystery suggestion with another author new to us. Mysteries are good. This cover looks familiar, not sure where I’ve seen it before.

INTERCEPTED: A Girl Gone Missing Christian Suspense (Agents of Justice Series Book 1)

Nora Milton believed her calling was to help lessen the suffering in a world filled with pain.

It’s chasing that calling, on a mission to help finish the construction of an orphanage in Mexico, that Nora meets mission pilot, Anthony Goldburg. A spark is kindled between them but it’s cut short when Nora finds herself kidnapped at gunpoint.

Desperate to save the woman his heart longs for, Anthony sets out on a search for Nora on his own. All too quickly he learns just how dangerous leaving the safety of the compound can be and finds himself entrenched in the dangerous drug trade.

Hot on the heels of a notorious drug lord, DEA Agent Greg Nelson is on a mission of his own – to clear the streets of drugs. Joining forces with FBI Agent Grisham they work to close off one of the major drug pipelines from south of the border when they discover a young woman being held against her will.

Together, can these two agents help Anthony save Nora before she’s lost forever.

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

Another bargain suggestion from 1531 Entertainment. This is a Prequel to book one we downloaded in June, which I have not finished reading, not sure why. Must do it.

To Stand in the Breach (Strike to the Heart Series)

She came to America to escape a workhouse prison, but will the cost of freedom be too high a price to pay?

1933, Wisconsin — Large animal veterinarian Katy Wells takes her patients’ welfare personally, so it’s no surprise when she stands up to angry farmers planning a milk strike or takes in an injured draft horse to save its life.

But after a visitor from the past discovers her location and reveals a threat, she must choose between her work and her freedom, and whether to trust a man to keep her safe.

Prequel novella to A Strike to the Heart and As Silent as the Night.

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

Have a good day, reading or otherwise.