reading

Free books November 03, 2022

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It looks like it is shaping up to be a good new-book day. BookBub has a FREE suggestion from an author we’ve seen recently but I’ve not read, yet. Checking out the first chapter in today’s book collection, so far anyway, I’m liking the authors writing style and I’m hooked, needing to know what happens next. Sounds like there is a good chance this will be the next read. I’m hoping that PDA will not be the overriding theme. Strong story is definitely the preference for me.

First Kisses: A Collection of Sweet & Inspirational Romance Series Starters

This set includes the first books in Jo Grafford’s top fan-favorite series — full of faith, family fun (and sibling rivalry), laugh-out-loud humor, and happily-ever afters.

HEART LAKE #1: Winds of Change
The cowboy who broke her heart and the career opportunity that brings her back to the small town where they first fell in love…

BORN IN TEXAS: HOMETOWN HEROES A-Z #1: Accidental Hero
After a bad breakup, former Army Ranger Matt Romero is on a new mission — to remain single. Rescuing a lovely cowgirl from a highway collision is definitely not in the plan. Neither is the unexpected attraction it sparks.

COWBOY CONFESSIONS #1: Mr. Not Right for Her
A scarred cowboy determined to remain single and the klutzy new ranch hand who trips up his carefully laid plans…

BLACK TIE BILLIONAIRES #1: Her Billionaire Boss
When the CEO of a mega corporation hires the rebel youngest daughter of his family’s biggest rival to serve as his personal assistant…

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Sadly, that’s it for book suggestions today but at least we have four in this one. That’s awesome.

Maybe something else will show up later too, you just never know what can happen as the day goes on.

Happy Reading.

Emptying the read folder November 02, 2022

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It has been a good week for enjoyable books and it was a delight to spend time with them.

They have accumulated quite nicely. Probably because they weren’t terribly long, which was nice for a change. The count adds up rather quickly and pumps up my sense of accomplishment.

The View from Coral Cove: A Sweet Contemporary Romance 

Not Until You: A Christian Romance (Hope Springs Book 3)

Sunburst (Sky King Ranch Book #2) 

Of Pens and Ploughshares: Hearts Unlocked

SCARS: Contemporary Christian Romantic Suspense (Spiritual Warfare Series, Book 4)

Sealed with a Christmas Promise: A K-9 Romantic Suspense (Called To Protect Book 7)

There are more but I will save the for next time.

I hope you are feeling inspired.

Happy Reading

More from Christy Barritt November 01, 2022

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As promised, we have several more attractive bargains from favorite author Christy Barritt.

Swept Away: A Squeaky Clean Honeymoon Novella (Book 11.5) (Squeaky Clean Mysteries) 

Finding the perfect place for a honeymoon, away from any potential danger or mystery, is challenging. But Gabby’s longtime love and newly minted husband, Riley Thomas, has done it. He has found a location with a nonexistent crime rate, a mostly retired population, and plenty of opportunities for relaxation in the warm sun.

Within minutes of the newlyweds’ arrival, a convoy of vehicles descends on a nearby house, and their honeymoon oasis is destroyed like a sandcastle in a storm. Despite Gabby’s and Riley’s determination to keep to themselves, trouble comes knocking at their door—literally—when a neighbor is abducted from the beach directly outside their rental.

Will Gabby and Riley be swept away with each other during their honeymoon . . . or will a tide of danger and mayhem pull them under?

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The next one looks fun too.

It Came Upon a Midnight Crime: Squeaky Clean Mysteries, Book 2.5 (a Christmas novella)

Someone is intent on destroying the true meaning of Christmas—at least, destroying anything that hints of it.

All around crime-scene cleaner Gabby St. Claire’s hometown, anything pointing to Jesus as the “reason for the season” is being sabotaged. The crimes become more twisted as dismembered body parts are found at the vandalisms. Who would go to such great lengths to dampen the joy and hope of Christ’s birthday?

Someone’s determined to destroy Christmas . . . but Gabby St. Claire is just as determined to find the Grinch and let peace on earth and goodwill to men prevail.

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Checking out some of the ever present suggestion strips, there were books that I wish were at bargain prices. I would love to read them. It’s taking a fair amount of self discipline to keep from giving in.

I have a budget for a reason. To keep me from going overboard, ordering more books than I can possibly read.

It’s a good thing the fiscally responsible side of me balances out the ever present desire for more. It cringes over books bought but not read and fans into flame my guilty conscience for indulging.

Thanks goodness for a hard line price range, I don’t feel guilty very often. I hate the feeling and that is a deterrent right there

It’s funny how easy it is to quickly read the inexpensive books while dragging my feet on the full priced books. Maybe it has to do with expectations. They are much higher as the price goes up. It seems disappointment happens more readily too with unmet, probably unreasonable, expectations.

That’s why I like free books. They make it easy to lower expectations. And, they help soothe what could be a guilty conscience over the many unread books still in my library.

I wouldn’t change a thing. I still love books and always want more.

It’s time for lights out and I wanted to read. I’ll sneak in a chapter or two.

Thanks for working your way through my late night rambling.

Happy reading!

Bargain books October 31, 2022

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Today may be a good book day. Lots of suggestion emails this morning. We will see if it works out or not. Maybe, hopefully.

This book wasn’t in one of the emails, instead it showed up in Amazon suggestion strips as I checked out email suggestions.

This is the next book in a series we’ve been following and I’m excited to see it.

Lethal Betrayal (Vanishing Ranch Book 5)

Emily Holcomb never thought working for a nonprofit would endanger her life. But when she’s abducted by ruthless men, it’s clear someone has an agenda they don’t want exposed. She manages to escape, only to find herself at the mercy of another man. But is he her oasis or a deadly mirage?

Former Mexican federal police commander Mateo Garcia wants to leave his painful past behind. Vanishing Ranch offers him a fresh start. When he stumbles upon a mysterious woman in dire need of help, he realizes something about the woman seems familiar. He’s certain of one thing—Emily didn’t end up at Vanishing Ranch by chance.

Even though Emily and Mateo don’t trust each other, they’re forced to work together. With danger closing in, the answers they need are buried deeper than the desert sand and clothed in betrayal. Can they discover the truth before their search becomes lethal?

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I decided to take the time to check out more of Christy’s books since the other suggestions were not working out well for me. I’m sure they would be worth while to someone maybe, but not to me. And since I get to decide what to pick, since it’s my blog, well. . . you get the idea.

I did find more bargains on her site, books that I don’t already own, and I own quite a few. Let’s see, it looks like I’m up to 67 including today’s purchase. Christy is a writing machine. There are others that I don’t own, not yet anyway.

The next bargain I found is also next in another series I’ve recently started following. I’m up to book two and enjoying it. I’m not a big fan of cutesy, the thing the little dog on this cover would suggest. In this case the cover is very cute but the story is not, the lapdog plays a minor role.

Book four is next up for purchase.

This is a continued story so it is good to read them in order but not really necessary. Each book follows a different crime, their relationship status is the continuing story.

Bound by Trouble (Beach Bound Books and Beans Mysteries Book 4) 

With the grand opening of Beach Bound Books and Beans, Tali Robinson’s dreams are finally coming true. She hopes to now put the past behind her and start a new chapter. When a suspicious stranger mysteriously shows up at her celebration, her hopes disappear faster than a bestseller at a book signing.

Mac MacArthur is ready to solidify his relationship with Tali. But mending their differences is easier said than done. Then someone sets their sights on Tali—and wants to put her out of print . . . permanently.

With trouble brewing, Tali and Mac have no choice but to dive into the chaos of the past. However, as more answers are revealed, the danger increases. The truth will come at a great cost . . . one that will bind them together or drive them apart.

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The first three.

There are several more bargains from other series but they will keep until the next post.

Happy Reading y’all.

Free book October 28, 2022

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This is interesting. BookRunes brought us this suggestion.This is the first time we’ve crossed paths with this author and her story description is unique. Checking out the warnings at the bottom this blurb, this book does not sound anything like our usual reads in a number of ways. Maybe that’s not a bad thing. Sometimes a story like this helps us see the real world and the horror that victims are forced to live through. Some of us may find this triggering. That was not mentioned in the warning but maybe it should be. Read carefully.

The Woof Pack

BOOK ONE in The Woof Pack Trilogy
A Christian Romantic Suspense Series

It’s just a regular evening when Iyana’s neighbors ask her to babysit their dog. Everything seems fine until two masked men enter the apartment without an invitation.
At first, Iyana thinks they’ve come to steal the dog—she’d heard of a string of break-ins in the community by a group called The Woof Pack. But when these thugs overpower her and drag her away, she realizes they’re not pup-loving enthusiasts at all.

A case of mistaken identity gets Iyana taken in by one of the deadliest gangs in New York. Now, she has seen their faces and has learned their names; even though they know they’ve got the wrong girl, they aren’t going to let her go.
Fortunately, Iyana is a smart woman. She strikes a deal with the leader of the gang … they’ll let her live as long as she makes herself useful. But Iyana is just a naive Christian girl babysitting an innocent pup. What can she offer the most dangerous man in the city?

She knows exactly what he wants. She can tell from the way he looks at her, the way his eyes linger when she catches him staring. But she’s not willing to give him that. Anything but that.
The Woof Pack have taken her hostage; they’ve taken her mind, body, and her will. But she won’t let them have her heart.

If only Vito Gerardo were that easy to resist.

***WARNING***
This book is a work of Christian fiction: there is no foul language, and no graphic scenes of violence, sex, or gore. Due to content involving gang activity and hostage situations, this series is recommended for mature audiences ages 17+

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1531 Entertainment has a bargain suggestion.

One Little Lie (The Pelican Harbor Series Book 1) 

It started with one little lie. But Jane Hardy will do everything in her power to uncover the truth in this gripping romantic suspense.

Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, after her father retires, but there’s no time for an adjustment period. When her father is arrested for theft and then implicated in a recent murder, Jane quickly realizes someone is attempting to destroy the only family she has.

After escaping with her father from a cult fifteen years ago, Jane has searched relentlessly for her mother—who refused to leave—ever since. Could someone from that horrible past have found them?

Reid Dixon is well-known for his documentaries, and his latest project involves covering Jane’s career. Jane has little interest in the attention, but the committee who appointed her loves the idea of the publicity.

Jane finds herself depending on Reid’s calm manner as he follows her around filming, and they begin working together to clear her father. But Reid has his own secrets from the past, and the gulf between them may be impossible to cross—especially once her father’s lie catches up with him.

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Two complex stories, how awesome is that?

Happy Reading y’all

Free books October 27, 2022

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BookBub has a FREE suggestion for us

My Father’s House: a novel

Growing up, life is idyllic for Lily Rose Cates due to one constant – her father’s love. But in her sixteenth summer, all that changes without warning. There begins Lily’s struggle to find herself and the life she’s lost. . . .
Marriage promises fulfillment, but her happily-ever-after barely survives the honeymoon. Her husband’s sophisticated façade hides a brooding man with even darker secrets. When all illusions shatter, Lily must make hard choices – abandon her husband or risk losing much more than her marriage. She flees their home in Detroit and sets out on a fearful journey to a house in Georgia that her husband knows nothing about.

This is one woman’s compelling tale of love and survival as she finds her way back home to who she’s meant to be . . . in her father’s house.

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BookRunes has a FREE suggestion too.

Jane: A Fierce Heart (Harvey Girls Book 3)

Jane is determined to make the world a better place even when everything seems so bleak in this clean and wholesome historical western romance story.

Independent, red-haired Jane Harris is twenty years old in 1917 when war breaks out and changes her life. In her hometown of Beaumont, Virginia, she does her best to be a good sister, a good daughter, and to volunteer however she can for the war effort.
But it’s not enough. Her brothers, many of her friends, and the man she loves are gone to France, and Jane needs to do more than knit socks for them. She needs to be busy. She needs to leave home. Luckily, her mother understands, and soon Jane is interviewing to be a Harvey Girl.

The job comes with challenges she has never before experienced. Far away from home, she must stand against her adversaries, and sometimes against her friends. She will have to work hard to achieve things that come easily to those around her, but luckily she will learn that character triumphs over talent, especially when times are hard.

Watching a new world unfold all around her, Jane realizes she is changing too. Will she recognize the difference between childhood devotion and true love? Will she choose the man who can give her the love she deserves? And will he make it home safely?

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Happy Reading!

Free book October 26, 2022

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This will be a short and sweet post, once again.

1531 Entertainment is behind this suggestion. We’ve read and enjoyed other books in this series.

SCARS: Contemporary Christian Romantic Suspense (Spiritual Warfare Series, Book 4)

He tried to leave the past behind, but it won’t leave him…

Ex-gang member Garrett Lovett is a new creature in Christ. At least, he’s trying to be. He’s got a wholesome routine, a place on the IronWorks football team, and a pretty woman he wants to know better.

But when the old gang resurfaces with the ultimatum to re-up or face consequences, Garrett has tough decisions to make. These guys know how to get to him—his addictions, his fears.

When things get life-threatening, Garrett must decide if this God he’s heard about is real or not. And if so, can he rescue Garrett and those he loves before it’s too late?

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This is my current read and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.

I’m just starting book 4

Finding Love Medical Romance Boxed Set: Five Sweet medical Romance 

Home For Love
She’s a widow who has loved and lost.

He’s just been jilted.

Neither of them have love in their plan… As situation forces them together, Jared finds it hard to step away from the woman and her two sweet kids who have captured his heart.

Alison knows the longer she depends on Jared, the harder it will be to leave. If only she didn’t have to leave.

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Have a good day.

Happy Reading.

Bargain books October 25, 2022

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This may be a good day afterall.

BookBub has a suggestion for us with an author we’ve seen many times before. It’s possible I’ve even read this book, it was first published in 1997.

A Time to Mend 

Her mother’s tragic death led Jacquelyn Wilkes to her career as a nurse, in hopes of saving others from similar sorrow. But her carefully built world was shaken when a new doctor, Jonah Martin, arrived at the clinic. Warm with his patients, yet coolly distant toward the nurses, his behavior fueled her mistrust, until she discovered a lump in her own breast–one that was malignant.

In Jonah, Jacquelyn found an unexpected ally in the fight of her life, though she could sense the secret turmoil behind his thoughtful gaze. When past accusations came back to haunt the handsome Jonah, Jacquelyn must find within herself the strength to heal her doctor’s wounds.

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Browsing, I found author Christy Barritt has a couple of cute bargain books.

Bound by Disaster (Beach Bound Books and Beans Mysteries Book 2)

Talitha Robinson is knee-deep in renovations as she prepares to open her new bookstore when a body washes ashore on Lantern Beach. While news of the suspicious death surges across the island, a stranger comes knocking on Tali’s door, begging her to endorse his unfinished suspense novel.

Unable to dissuade the author, Tali is left holding his manuscript in her hands. But she has no idea of the peril written on its pages.

Mac MacArthur has kept his distance from Tali since they uncovered a shocking connection about their pasts. But when someone begins to act out the murderous scenes from the book, one victim at a time, Mac’s protective instincts override his decision to stay away.

As danger escalates, Mac and Tali must manage their conflicting feelings as they work together to stop this killer . . . before the last chapter is written.

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Bound by Mystery (Beach Bound Books and Beans Mysteries Book 3)

Talitha Robinson is well on her way to completing renovations for her new bookstore, Beach Bound Books and Beans, in Lantern Beach, North Carolina. But when she hosts a friendly meet-and-greet with bookstore owners from nearby islands, the progress she’s making comes to a deadly end.

Someone is backstabbed—literally—right under Tali’s nose. To make matters worse, Tali’s fingerprints are all over the murder weapon and a neighbor claims to have seen Tali commit the crime.

Mac MacArthur knows Tali isn’t the type to hurt anyone, but it doesn’t take a former police chief to figure out things don’t look good for her. The two work together to read between the lines and decipher the truth before Tali gets locked away for crimes she didn’t commit.

As more evidence stacks up, it becomes clear that someone wants to take Tali out of the story. For good.

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Happy Reading!

Free and bargain books October 24, 2022

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BookBub has a FREE suggestion for us. It is book 2 in the series, we have seen books 1 and 3 but it’s been several years.

A Time to Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance Novel (The Hope Series Book 2)

They met on Flight 259. Now the story continues…

Jenna Davis and Scott Browning fell in love, but both have preconceived ideas about what love means. As they begin to sort out where life has left them both following Flight 259, love, hopes and dreams, and life must change. But what will that look like? Who will have to bend? How will healing and hope retake their places in their battered hearts?

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In case you would like to see books one and three . . .

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Review update October 23, 2022

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False Pretense (A Murder in the Mountains Book 4)

It’s been decided. Yesterday I mentioned that the beginning of my current read left me undecided about interest level, was it going to be worth my while? It was too early to tell given I’d only read a few pages. My assessment soon was that the story looked interesting but the writing was left wanting. In the end I didn’t read every page but did read the whole book.

My final decision? The story was well thought out, strong, and interesting. The writing/editing was inconsistent. There were large segments that worked well interspersed with smaller ones that were weak and dissatisfying.

Most of the weak segments were part of the transition between scenes. Tense seemed to be part of the problem at times. (Present? I mostly noticed when it felt off. I wasn’t paying enough attention to tell for sure what was originally intended. I’ve been told present tense is not easy to do well.) But the main distraction involved the regular habit of switching between showing and telling. I can see how it may have been easier to list the needed information leading into scene changes but that practice weakened the story.

In the end though, I loved the book.

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My current read is going much better. The stories, strength wise, are on a par but the writing/editing is much better in this one. My one complaint is excessive descriptive detail. I’m skimming pages fairly often in this read too. But I’m loving it otherwise.

Sunrise (Sky King Ranch Book #1) 

Pilot Dodge Kingston has always been the heir to Sky King Ranch. But after a terrible family fight, he left to become a pararescue jumper. A decade later, he’s headed home to the destiny that awaits him. 

That’s not all that’s waiting for Dodge. His childhood best friend and former flame, Echo Yazzie, is a true Alaskan–a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. Most of all, she’s living a life Dodge knows could get her killed. One of these days she’s going to get lost in the woods again, and his worst fear is that he won’t be there to find her.

When one of Echo’s fellow researchers goes missing, Echo sets out to find her, despite a blizzard, a rogue grizzly haunting the woods, and the biting cold. Plus, there’s more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her . . .

Will Dodge be able to find her in time? And if he does, is there still room for him in her heart?

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Sometimes I wonder if excessive descriptions are used as a tool for achieving word count. In most cases the stories would survive without them.

I’m happy reading.