Collections have been very popular this winter season, and there were many to choose from. More than I could possibly read before winter is over so I had to show some restraint.
I’ve always enjoyed collections. Especially the ones with various authors, because their individual styles make the flavor of the story change. The more books the better, is my thinking, and 3 – 7 books in 1 is a veritable gold mine.
Today, it looks like collections are still being offered, so it’s not too late to get in on the bounty and enjoy the spoils of your own treasure hunting.
I’ll share several I’ve downloaded this season. Most of these are on the lighter side as other parts of my life have been busier than usual lately, and I’ve needed something in this part of my life that didn’t require a lot of concentration.
There are a wide range of genres and intensities out there to choose from, though, so I know there will be something to please you.
If there is something you like, in your search, grab it quickly before it disappears. Looking for the cover picture to go with one of the boxed sets, I found it is no longer available, (I should have downloaded the picture while I could). The good news is – there are still other sets available.
I will mention one of the sets anyway, even without the picture. It was an interesting collection and you may run across some of these authors sometime. The boxed set was called Pursued and it was a Romantic Suspense collection. There were 7 Novellas and I enjoyed them all. They were: NOWHERE TO RUN – Mary Alford IMPERFECT – Christy Barritt THE UNRELENTING TIDE – Lynette Bonner SAVING GRACE – Lesley Ann McDaniel PREY – Lisa Phillips IDENTITY THEFT – Alana Terry, and, HOMECOMING SUICIDE – Virginia Vaughan.
It’s possible the individual authors will release their own book as a single since they each retained their rights. It could even be that some are planning their own series and this novella will be the first book in the series. Something to watch for.
Then: Here is a collection that is still available
Out of the Blue Bouquet (Crossroads Collection book 1)
The interesting thing about this collection, the 5 novellas are written by different authors but the characters from each book walk in an out of each story. It’s very cool to have them all tied together like that. You get a different flavor and focus in each novella but they are all part of a bigger story. Chautona Havig is one of the authors and it may be her influence as this strategy happens in many, if not most, of her successful and prolific books.
The five books are: COURTING CALLA – Hallee Bridgeman SEOUL IN LOVE – Alana Terry A KOERASTI FOR CLARI – Carol Moncado PREMEDITATED SERENDIPITY – Chautona Havig, and OUT OF THE BLUE BOUQUET – Amanda Tru
The other unusual and interesting thing about this collection, is the vast difference in approach to romance, and the type of characters involved. Usually this sort of collection would be about a group of five friends and the story would be about each of their romances. This was so not like that. I won’t say more and spoil it for you. It was interesting, I’ll say that.
I will finish this list with the mention of a couple of single books.
Logan Point Series – Shadows of the Past book 1 – Patricia Bradley is one I read a couple of years ago. I was reminded of it today as I was considering another of her books and was trying to remember if I had read anything of hers before. I found this one and read the last of it to see if I enjoyed it. I did and now I am looking forward to reading the latest download from her which is;
A Memphis Cold Case – Justice Buried book 2 – Patricia Bradley
Check them out – Shadows of the Past is still free and Justice Buried is a good deal right now. Time to take a chance on a, possibly, new-to-you author.
The last one to recommend tonight.
Don’t Leave Me – James Scott Bell …. a thriller ….Chuck Samson, a military chaplain with the Marines, comes home to take care of his adult, autistic, brother. The trauma from his capture and torture in Afghanistan is enough to deal with, and now both of their lives are being threatened, for unknown reasons, from unknown sources. Will they be able to figure it out and survive? A good read.
Happy reading, may you find many treasures this weekend!
The Nick Kismet Adventures Volume 1 – Sean Ellis… I’ve read the first book, the Shroud of Heaven, it is a middle eastern adventure involving historical artifacts and struggles for possession. It was a good story but it was like an action movie, full of car chases and gun fights. I was telling my grandsons about the book, that there were too many chases for my liking. My son-in-law thought it sounded like a pretty good book. This is one for the guys!
A Sunset Cove Novel – The Inn at Ocean’s Edge book 1 – Colleen Coble …. When Claire makes a visit to the luxury hotel in a beautiful resort town, repressed memories begin to surface. Claire disappeared from her 4th birthday party at the hotel, reappearing at the same hotel a year later, and no one knew where she had been. She didn’t even know she had been missing and her parents seem to be discouraging her from remembering. Her friend Luke’s mother also disappeared that weekend. There must be a connection somehow.
A Sunset Cove Novel – Mermaid Moon book 2 – Colleen Coble …. Mallory hasn’t been back to her hometown in fifteen years but when her dad dies on his mail route she has to go back. Kevin, the local game warden, is warily helping her solve her dad’s murder, Mallory broke his heart the day she left.
A Sunset Cove Novel – Twilight at Blueberry Barrens book 3 – Colleen Coble …. Kate has shouldered the responsibility of her families blueberry farm but when the crop fails she has to look for a new way to make ends meet. Renting out their cabin when Drake and his nieces show up looking for a place seems like a solution to her dilemma. It’s even better when he needs a nanny for the girls while he spends time looking for his brother’s killer. Life would be good for Kate except someone seems to be stalking her.
Northern Intrigue – Winter’s Secret book 1 – Lyn Cote …. Someone is vandalizing during a record winter, targeting empty homes of senior citizens. Wendy, their public health nurse, is always the one to discover the break ins and seems to be the common thread between all of them. Rod is the new sheriff in town and the opposition to his appointment is not helping his investigation. It seems this town has secrets.
A Land of Canaan Novel – Seek Me with All Your Heart book 1 – Beth Wiseman …. Why would the Amish move to Colorado leaving their friends and family behind. For Emily and her family the reason is personal. They are trying to start over after her devastating attack. David’s family has moved for reasons he doesn’t understand and he wants to find a way to go back to the home he loved. An attraction blooms between Emily and David but they each have a secret that makes a future seem impossible for them.
Finding Love At the Oregon Coast – a romantic novella collection – Angela Ruth Strong, Christina Coreyell, Heather Woodhaven, Lisa Phillips ….. when a wedding is cancelled, three bridesmaids and a runaway bride contemplate the true meaning of love in four related novels.
Untangled: The Truth will set you free – Michele Pillar …. The personal story of a successful singing career derailed by tragedy and bad choices, and how facing the truth of her life and choices, gave her a second chance at a career and more. Truth brought freedom to the tangled mess that was her life.
Irish Angel Series – Heart of Glass book 3, Jill Marie Landis …. Kate Keene returns to the place of happy childhood memories, determined to honour her friends and restore their plantation to it’s former glory after the ravages of war. She was not expecting to arrive and find someone living in the deserted buildings, least of all, a broken, bitter man. The changed man was her best friends brother and the love of her young teen heart. He demands she leave and orders her off the property, but he is in no shape to get up and make her go. She is determined to stay; to repay the kindness of his family for taking her in all those years ago, so there is a reprieve. If she can find a way to escape his notice.
A Sloane Monroe Mystery – Black Diamond Death book 1, Cheryl Bradshaw …… Charlotte is upset about something and wants to talk it over with her sister but before they can meet for lunch, Charlotte dies on the ski hill. Although the authorities rule her death accidental, her sister knows there is something wrong with this conclusion. It doesn’t make sense for a skier of her caliber to die on such an easy slope. Somehow, Audrey has to convince someone to help her find the truth.
Love in the Cascades series – A Christmas Surprise book1, Kimberly Rose Johnson ….. After reluctantly agreeing to a blind date, Keira thinks he’s changed his mind when he doesn’t show. Pete, called away for an emergency before they can meet, is relieved in a way, to have it work out like this. Earlier, when he stopped to pick up a gift for his date, the owner of the chocolate shop caught his interest, making him wish she was the one he was meeting for dinner.
Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity Ray Bradbury
Death Ship book 5 Danforth Saga – Joseph Badal …. After decades, it is time to retire from his clandestine job and take his wife and grandson on the holiday he’s been promising. Some people seem to attract trouble wherever they go. In the right place at the wrong time, he finds himself in the middle of trouble of the worst kind, and like it or not his retirement is delayed.
Telling Lies book 1 A Sam Mason Mystery Series – L. A. Dobbs …. as police investigate the recent shooting of one of their own, a body is discovered near the popular local campsite, the victim of a suspicious drowning. There are multiple suspects but no clear motive and it is hard to tell if truth is being told. Add to that; pressure from the mayor who seems to have a questionable agenda for solving this murder quickly. Things are often not as they seem. Who do you trust?
Dakota Moons Series – Valley of the Shadow book 1 – Stephanie Grace Whitson …. Genevieve, the daughter of Good Song Woman and a French trader, is distressed when her father sends her to live with missionaries, to be educated the way her mother wanted for her. When a young warrior is found gravely wounded and left in their barn, Gen begins to lose her heart. Their love is just starting to blossom when the war of 1862 breaks out dragging them both into the valley of the shadow of death.
The Gondola Maker – Laura Morelli …. This was my next favorite book this week. It’s set in 16th century Venice and is about a family of traditional gondola makers. Luca figures his father has his life mapped out for him in the family business until a disagreement turns tragic and the course of his life is drastically changed. This was a gripping tale hard to put down.
Refuge on Crescent Hill – Melanie Dobson … another novel based in history. The mansion has been in the family for 150 years and there are rumors of ghosts, underground railways, and buried treasure. Camden returns determined to see her grandmother only to find she has passed away. Unsettling things keep happening, and it seems other people are trying to claim what is hers. This was a page turner.
Come to me Again – Leah Atwood …. A devastating broken engagement nearly destroys him. Four years later they cross paths, can there be forgiveness. Will he achieve his dream of a music career and an escape from poverty? Will she escape the clutches of her controlling father and wealthy upbringing. Sometimes we make decisions, for what seems to be the right reason, but the result is heartache, will love win in spite of it all?
Time Lottery (Time Lottery Series Book 1) – Nancy Moser …. This is a lottery like none other. A chance to go back in time and make new choices; or not. We get to follow the three winners on their ground breaking journeys, a surgeon, a socialite, and a homeless man. It was definitely an interesting new treatment of the idea of time travel.
Echo (A Kate Redman Mystery Book 6) – Celina Grace …. Torrential rains cause unprecedented flooding and a hillside gives way to expose the skeletal remains of a young woman. There are no clues to help establish identity or date of death. Cold case files go missing and it seems like someone in authority wants the investigation stopped. Kate’s long estranged mother also makes contact which only adds to the mystery. Age old secrets and people in high places. This was a good book.
Fatal Frost (Defenders of Justice Book 1) – Nancy Mehl …. Mercy Brennan has followed in her absentee father’s footsteps in law enforcement, only in a different branch, US Marshall. When she finds herself assigned to a joint task force it puts her in contact with him again, an unwelcome situation. To make matters worse, unknown to her, the boss assigns her ex fiancé as protector from a high powered gang who have the mistaken idea she has a valuable piece of information they want back, at any cost. The ice storm complicates her protection. The twists and turns made this a favorite book this week.
Hit and Run (The Delilah West Thriller Series Book 3) – Maxine O’Callaghan …. A down on her luck private eye is witness to a rainy night fatal hit and run. It seems straight forward at the time but doubts arise as the teen’s mother pleads with her to prove his innocence. Her reluctant investigation turns up more questions than answers. I like this protagonist and her irreverent way of going about life.
This is a heartwarming story about a young dietary assistant trying to find her place in life. While she is trying to win the Vegan Valentine Bake-off, in hopes of finding her calling, she feels drawn to the needs of some of the patients adding doubt about where she belongs. A nice lighter read.
For the Love of Books 