reading

I am feeling relieved October 04, 2021

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It’s true. And unexpected. I would have done it long ago if I’d known it would make this big a difference in my anxiety levels.

By now, many of you have read my coming out in the open post. It can be found here if you’ve not read it. Basically it’s purpose was to admit that I am much older than pretty much all of my readers. I don’t feel like I’m older but pictures don’t lie.

I don’t really know what people think about my admission as there’s not been enough reaction to give me any hints. I’m OK with that though. I’ll just keep on being me, as authentically as I can, and see what happens. If I manage to write some things people like to read maybe they will forget to care about age.

One thing I’ve long understood, it’s easier to be real if you don’t care what people think. On some levels I care more than is healthy, on other levels I care very little. That’s how I made it through high school. Marching to the beat of my own drum, not worried if I was the only one.

Anyway, I feel more relaxed now that my secret is out there.

This is especially good since I have been thinking about possible new directions this blog could take in the near future. I love finding good deals and blogging about books but it seems to be getting a little tired, sticking to the same theme almost exclusively. Not everyone has the appetite for books that I do and their to-be-read pile fills up very quickly leaving them with little reason to come back.

The This and That posts have been attracting the most attention, I’m finding.

We will see how the future looks depending on the direction inspiration takes it.

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In the meantime, there were book suggestions today but I rejected them all. Mostly because we’ve seen them before, but also because I didn’t love them all that much. I prefer telling you about great stories if I can.

I will mention the one just finished tonight.

It’s hard to know sometimes, when we see the promotional blurb, whether it will be a bona fide story or something sappy. This story was anything but sappy. It was well written, well developed, and held my interest – beginning to end. I loved this book.

Marrying Mandy (Brides of Clearwater Book 1) 

A marriage of convenience might be crazy…or an answer to both of their prayers.

Mandy Hudson swore she’d never marry. Abandoned by her parents and raised by her grandparents, she has a hard time trusting that real love will last. When her grandmother dies, Mandy is shocked to discover a stipulation in the will. Considering marriage to her best friend may be the only way to keep her family’s beloved bed-and-breakfast.

The loss of his job threatens Preston Yarrow’s shaky financial stability. Besides, he can’t watch his best friend give up the only real home she’s ever known. Frustrated by Mandy’s stubborn refusal to let him help, he’s certain they are stronger together than they are apart.

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It’s still FREE if you are interested.

It will be exciting to see what is going to happen next. I feel like there is change coming but I have no idea what it will look like.

It will be a surprise.

In the meantime, keep reading.

Reading changes us, helps us grow.

Embrace it, learn to love it.

Read books that bring out the best in you and make you a better person.

That’s what I do and I like who I am becoming.

Join me in the march.

Free and bargain books October 02, 2021 Part two

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I mentioned this Lori Wick book in my last post and promised to share it with you. Here it is.

Leave a Candle Burning (Tucker Mills Trilogy Book 3)

Lori Wick’s bestselling Tucker Mills trilogy concludes with Leave a Candle Burning about a widowed physician, Dannan MacKay, who creates a new life for his daughter but longs for the faith to love again.

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The blurb for this book is pretty short and does not reveal much of anything.

I guess I’ll just have to read it to find out what this story is all about. At least I know this author and her writing, I can trust this will be another good one.

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BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us. It’s a mystery, just what I was hoping for, to offset the long list of romance we have had going on lately. I’ve read this author but have not read this book.

Murder at Black Lake

Film actress Jamie Riedel was barely a teenager when, while on a camping trip, she witnessed the brutal murder of her father. Fourteen years later, Jamie returns to Jackson Ridge to settle up the estate of her estranged mother. Soon after her arrival, a note appears on her door: ‘I saw you in the woods today.’ Now Jamie is questioning if the right man was sent to prison for her father’s murder.

Helping her to answer that question is childhood friend, Deputy Chief Gage Hansen. He’s more than willing to find the truth that will finally bring Jamie peace in her life, but at what cost? A nasty divorce from his cheating wife has made Gage gun-shy when it comes to relationships, especially with beautiful women who use their feminine wiles to get what they want in life. His defenses start to crumble once he learns that most of the stories he’s read about the starlet are lies, and that Jamie is basically the same girl he had a secret crush on when they were best friends. They live in two separate worlds, though, and Gage knows he could never fit into her celebrity lifestyle.

When it becomes apparent that someone in Jackson Ridge will go to any lengths to get rid of Jamie, the pair risks everything to solve the fourteen-year mystery that’s haunted the town.

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For current reads I have two, as of a few minutes ago. The collection I’ve been caught up in for the last few days is down to the last book and a change was needed, so I started (barely) a new one.

Oops, I didn’t notice the new read is also a collection. I was looking for a single read or two to make the list decrease a little faster. This 4-in-1 business just doesn’t cut it, especially two in a row.

Maybe I’ll read this mystery next instead.

I will get back to the other two eventually, promise.

Happy Reading y’all

Bargain books October 02, 2021

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A few years ago, back when I was still borrowing library books, I kept an eye out for all things Lori Wick. After a while I’d read most everything of hers and gradually found myself side-tracked by a multitude of emerging new authors. Lately Lori has been coming back into view for me.

This time three books caught my eye.

Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams Book 1) 

Token Creek, Montana Territory, 1880—Cassidy Norton is a fine seamstress who makes her living sewing for others. Amid the bustle of a busy frontier town, her life is rich. What time her business doesn’t take, her friends and church family fill. But Cassidy hasn’t always lived in Token Creek, and few people know her full story. So she struggles with a nagging unsettledness in her heart.

Cassidy’s friend Meg is married to a rancher and has a baby, something Cassidy wants for herself. But that would mean revealing the details of her life. Will Cassidy find the strength to take that risk?

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Sabrina (Big Sky Dreams Book 2) 

Sabrina Matthews, a young prostitute in the rough frontier city of Denver, is befriended by a police officer and his wife. Because of their kindness, she listens to what they have to say about Jesus and believes in Him.

Sabrina stays with Danny and Callie until she’s ready to make a fresh start in a new town. She boards the train for the long trip to Token Creek in Montana Territory, where she meets Jeanette Fulbright and is befriended by the church family and many of the townsfolk there.

All is well until she finds herself falling for Pastor Rylan Jarvik, who has begun to care for her as well. Will she be able to tell him about her past? How will Rylan respond? 

A moving novel about past mistakes and forgiveness—both from God and people.

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Jessie (Big Sky Dreams Book 3)

Jessie is book three in bestselling author Lori Wick’s popular new Big Sky Dreams series (more than 215,000 copies sold). Readers will be transported to the vast landscape of Montana Territory in the late 1800s where they meet Jessie Wheeler, whose husband, Seth, abandoned her before their second child was born. As a single mom and the sole proprietor of Token Creek’s general store, Jessie lives day to day with her hands full and her heart broken.

When Seth suddenly returns to town claiming he’s a man changed by faith, Jessie is reluctant to trust him or God with her family’s future. But Seth sets out to prove his commitment and his love. This is a timeless story of the transforming power of God’s love and forgiveness.

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At the last minute another one of Lori’s books showed up. It’s in different series and I’m going to keep it for the next post. Be watching for it.

In the meantime…

I would love to have written something in my own words about each of these books but since I haven’t read them yet …

It’s a dilemma.

I’m sure you forgive me.

Happy Reading!

Free books October 01, 2021

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BookRunes has a FREE suggestion. Two things: I’ve not noticed this author before, her subject is dark and I can relate. I haven’t read the specifics yet but…

I’m impressed with her writing skills, in the few pages I’ve read, and I’m hoping it’s a sign of good things to come.

A Vessel of Mercy

An impossible marriage. An unforgivable act. A story of redemption testing the bounds of forgiveness and the depths of God’s grace.

1842, New York. Abigail Wyndham, daughter of English nobleman turned investor, Sir Rathburn, has crossed the ocean to be reunited with her father. As she comes of age, however, she discovers she is only a pawn in her father’s schemes, fated to secure a business deal and preserve the family reputation.

Charles Henderson appears to have it all: a thriving shipping company and the hand of the prized Lady Abigail Wyndham. But he is a broken man who commits the unspeakable—an act that threatens to ruin all he has built and puts Abby’s very life—and faith—at risk. In a prison of his own making, Charles grapples between guilt and God’s grace. Can a sinful, self-seeking man ever believe in the hope Abby so desperately wants him to receive? Or will scandal send him to the gallows?

In this, the first of her Vessels Christian fiction series, author B. Taylor Lewis introduces a female heroine who defies the stifling conventions of her status and time.

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1531 Entertainment has a Free suggestion. A Mystery.

Effective Immediately (The Agency Files Book 3) 

As a security agent for The Agency, his career creates situations that redefine danger. As a Christian, he sleeps well, knowing that he serves his “neighbors” with the protection he and The Agency offers.

But when an assignment ends badly before it has a chance to begin, Keith questions everything—his job, his judgment, and even his faith. Feeling like a failure, he resigns and turns to his would-be girlfriend, Erika, for emotional support and advice.

Contrary to everything she’s ever felt or thought, Erika finds herself arguing in favor of a job she once didn’t understand, supporting a faith she doesn’t share, and reconciling the two in ways she never imagined possible.

Keith’s quest to piece together the remnants of his shattered faith and to redeem himself in the eyes of a friend puts him in more danger than he realizes. As a result, both he and Erika must make decisions that could change the courses of their lives.

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Free books, all from the same author September 30, 2021

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BookBub has a FREE suggestion. It looks to me like this young man has some serious bitterness going on. It doesn’t seem like this will be a frivolous read. If you enjoy Romance, check this out, as well as the other unexpected finds.

Finding Joy (Love’s Compass Book 5) 

When Chelsea starts working for a stubborn cowboy, what seems like a dead end might really be a new beginning. 

A horrific accident changed everything for Parker Wilson. The beautiful new employee his mom hires is the last thing he needs and he’ll do whatever it takes to make the girl quit and regain the peace and quiet he prefers.

Nothing short of desperation would force Chelsea Blake to work on a local cattle ranch. She may not be cut out for ranch life, but her determination to succeed is stronger than her handsome employer’s efforts at forcing her to leave. 

Unprepared to discover all they have in common, if they set aside their initial dislike, they might find joy beyond measure.

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Checking out this author I found another interesting FREE book.

Marrying Mandy (Brides of Clearwater Book 1)

A marriage of convenience might be crazy…or an answer to both of their prayers.

Mandy Hudson swore she’d never marry. Abandoned by her parents and raised by her grandparents, she has a hard time trusting that real love will last. When her grandmother dies, Mandy is shocked to discover a stipulation in the will. Considering marriage to her best friend may be the only way to keep her family’s beloved bed-and-breakfast.

The loss of his job threatens Preston Yarrow’s shaky financial stability. Besides, he can’t watch his best friend give up the only real home she’s ever known. Frustrated by Mandy’s stubborn refusal to let him help, he’s certain they are stronger together than they are apart.

A marriage of convenience sounds like the perfect solution until love enters the equation and complicates everything.

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There are more! The next two I’ve read. Years ago. 4 or 5 at least.

Finding Peace (Love’s Compass Book 1)

Tuck is determined to keep Laurie safe, even if it means risking his own heart in the process.

Police Officer Tuck Chandler works hard to protect the citizens of Kitner, Texas. He’s also good at holding women at arm’s length. Jilted by his fiancée for his dedication to his job, he’s not about to open himself up to hurt like that again.

Laurie Blake is a struggling photographer. After growing up in a wealthy family, she’s determined to make it on her own, even if it means doing it the hard way. 

When Tuck is assigned to a puzzling burglary involving Laurie’s fledgling photography business, he goes into it with his usual perseverance. He wants to help her – if she’ll let him. As the case unfolds and the mystery deepens, another question arises. 

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Safe In His Arms (Life Unexpected Book 1)

Anna Henderson is guilty of one thing: trusting the wrong man. Now she’s running for her life from an ex-boyfriend who will stop at nothing to find her. The little town of Quintin, Texas seems like the perfect place to lay low, and its quaint little diner may just give her the new start she’s looking for. The more she gets to know the diner’s handsome owner, the more of a connection she feels with him. But she can’t put her heart—or his safety—at risk.

Joel Ash knows all about second chances. After all, he pulled himself out of his rough past and became a successful restaurant owner. So, when a nervous woman walks into his diner looking for a job, he can’t say no—even though he’s convinced she’s hiding something. He soon finds himself falling for the beautiful stranger, and he thinks he may have a real chance at winning her heart. But when Anna’s past catches up with her, both their lives are thrown into turmoil. His only thought is to protect Anna, and their possible future together, at any cost.

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A very good book day.

Happy Reading.

Bargain books September 29, 2021

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BookBub has a bargain suggestion for us. A collection. The first chapter has me willing to give it a go. I have read two other books by this author but didn’t make a note of my thoughts so I’d remember if I enjoyed the experience. I definitely like the first chapter in this one.

The Main Street Minden Series: A Complete Small-Town Contemporary Christian Romance Series

Falling on Main Street – (Hate to Love)

Charlotte’s world as a high-powered executive recruiter comes crashing down after a classified document under her care is leaked to the press. Taking refuge in a small Indiana town, she is determined to heal before taking back her life.

Luke Brand chases off any threat to the memory of the wife he lost too soon. When his world is invaded by a city-slicker with stunning green eyes, Luke struggles to follow God’s instruction to help the town’s newest resident. Winter Wishes (Friends to More)

Despite their long friendship and the romantic tension when they are alone together at the holidays, will Chrissy and Todd let their secrets and their insecurities hold them back from happiness? Kissing in the Kitchen

Love after 50 is impossible, isn’t it? Spring Fever (Single Dad)

Dr. Garrett Pike is entirely focused on his career. When tragedy strikes and he becomes a father overnight to his four-year-old niece, Garrett is way out of his depth. He turns to the only person he can think of—the intriguing daycare owner he met exactly one time. Summer to Remember

Danielle Washington is left with no family, no job, no car, and no money to pay rent. An unexpected call leads her across the country to her mother’s home town. Maybe the small town holds her chance to start over—or at least discover the secrets that kept her mother from ever returning.

As a middle-school teacher, Mark Dawson tries to teach students it’s okay to embrace your quirks; a lesson he also finds himself reiterating to the cute new baker in town. When he is accused of the unthinkable and his career and community threaten to crumble; the shame is too much to share.

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That’s all I have for new book suggestions at the moment. Mind you, there are 5 books in this collection maybe it will make up for the lack of other good suggestions.

Today was another 30 C day and it was lovely. I was having trouble staying awake and snoozed for awhile out on the deck. There was a gentle breeze to make the heat enjoyable. What a great way to finish off summer.

Happy Reading

I’m still here. Too many bright shiny things catching my eye on the internet, keeping me glued to my chair. Times a-wasting and I’d best get moving. The plan is to mix up a batch of cookies to bake in the morning. My newly arrived grandsons will be stopping by for a few minutes tomorrow evening and it would be a crying shame to be found cookie-less at such an important time as that.

OK, I’m going.

Another this and that kind of day September 28, 2021

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I have nothing much in my head at the moment but I need to come up with a post to meet my daily goal commitment. Besides the discipline of putting something down on paper is actually good for me.

I guess it’s not really fair to say I have nothing in my head. I’ve been reading, trying to work my way through the burgeoning stack, and it has been disappointing. The just-finished read was a collection by an author I normally like, for the most part. The collection was disappointing because all three books were short on story and long on attraction. Lots and lots of time spent aware of each other. It’s boring listening to the same basic thoughts over and over again. A good story with some meat on it makes me happy. Anyway, I can’t even tell you the name of the collection because it’s been removed. The minute it was over.

Currently I’m reading a romance somewhat similar but at least it has a healthy story line running right through the middle of it. It isn’t a very long book either so there isn’t room for it to be plumped out with over the top attraction angst.

Courting Calla: A Christian Romance (Dixon Brothers Book 1)

CALLA VAUGHN has spent the last three years desperately trying to get her life in order so that she can go back to culinary school. No matter how hard she works, though, she feels like she is just treading water and can’t see any way out of the hole dug for her by a con artist who stole her identity.
When flowers she sends to her best friend with a dinner invitation accidentally get delivered to IAN JONES, she decides to cook him the best meal he’s ever had. By the time she admits that the flowers were never for him, he is as convinced as she is that God orchestrated the mistake in the first place.
All that’s left is to tell him the dark secret about her father’s widow. She waits a little too long, though, and is carted off to jail for questioning on felony charges before she gets a chance.
Will Ian understand her situation, or will the deception surrounding Calla destroy any trust he has in her?

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Work has been taking up a lot of my thinking time too. I won’t bore you with the details but a new software program on one of the sites I frequent is still under construction even though it is in full use. Navigation seemed impossible on one task. Today was a good day because the sticky issue has finally been resolved. Another file closed, at least it looks like it from my current point of view. Fingers crossed.

That’s mainly it for my day.

The weather was warm today, in the 30’s C and it should be like that again for several more days. I’m happy for the chance to experience a little more warmth before the bitterness of winter sets in. The illusion of summer is gone though, with darkness quickly falling hours earlier than it did on the longest days. The leaves are turning color and falling faster than I’d like. I’m sad to see the end of summer this year. It’s gone by much too quickly.

There have been bright spots, though, lately. Chatting with friends I haven’t talked to in a while.

There are always things I’m can be grateful for and they over-shadow the sadness whenever I let them. At this moment I’m choosing to see the good things in my life since it looks like I’m digging myself a bit of a hole with all this talk of melancholy over summer’s demise.

Tomorrow’s another day, and it’s looking better already since one dreaded work task has been successfully completed.

If I’m going to squeeze in a bit more reading before lights out I’d better get moving.

Happy Reading to you.

Free and Bargain Books September 27, 2021

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Author Chautona Havig shared several interesting collections on her Facebook page.

The first one is a FREE.

This omnibus edition includes the first THREE books of the beloved Urban Farm Fresh Romance series and is over 500 pages of tears, laughter, and happily-ever-afters!

SECRETS OF SUNBEAMS (Book 1)
Eden Andrusek knows she should have fixed her fence last week. It’s too bad her runaway goat makes a less-than-ideal first impression on her new neighbor, who turns out to be cute, brilliant… and a little uptight.

Solar architect Jacob Riehl is furious when he returns outside to find a goat eating his presentation. As someone who likes everything in its place, he has little sympathy for a farm animal in the city or its tattooed owner, but there’s something about the lovely Eden that captures his attention.

BUTTERFLIES ON BREEZES (Book 2)
Working for her dad’s landscaping business stifles Linnea Ranta. When she’s invited to design and build a community garden with an intriguing master carpenter, she seizes the chance to unfurl her wings, but at what expense to her heart?

Logan Dermott eases back his flirting when he senses Linnea’s fragility, but she has more backbone than he suspected. As they work together, Logan finds he’s falling for her, but it may be too late to win her love.

MEMORIES OF MIST (Book 3)
Single mom Adriana Diaz isn’t about to let the new teacher derail the PTA’s hard work in securing a greenhouse and garden area for Bridgeview Elementary School, but taking matters into her own hands turns awkward when she realizes her attraction to the teacher.

Pro-level conflict-avoider Myles Sheridan finds himself against an entire community with his reluctance to incorporate gardening into his classes. The only thing that could make his situation worse is falling in love with the ringleader, whose child is his most difficult student and whose husband had died a hero.

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The next collection is a bargain pre-order, it will be released the middle of October.

Home for Christmas: The Christmas Lights

★ The Christmas Lights Collection is back, and this year’s collection is better than ever! ★

Full of love, joy, and hope, this year’s collection offers the celebration of freedom, sacrifice, and the greatest Gift ever given.

These novellas feature two veterans and two active servicemen and their stories.

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Happy Reading

Read and enjoyed September 27,2021

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Five awesome reads, held back from instant removal so I could share them with you.

A Wish for Christmas had some cool twists to it. A beautiful old family Inn, in danger of being sold for a defaulted mortgage. A unproven legend of hidden treasure and a deranged crook trying to force the owner to marry him for access to imagined wealth. A mix up, unexpectedly has a wealthy family with handsome single sons spending Christmas with Mila and her grandmother. Will they be an answer to Mila and Nora’s desperate prayers?

Written in Ink is full of angst as Renee ends a very long courtship, leaving Cash reeling with shock. He would give his life for her, he loves her that much. With no idea why she’s walked away from him, it’s impossible to fight for their relationship. When he gathers himself together enough to confront her, she blurts out the reason and his heart is completely broken. Determined to stick to her decision they both know it means the absolute end of them, ever. How can he live with that?

The next three were greatly enjoyed and may have been mentioned earlier. At any rate, they are definitely worth seeing again. I would read any of them a second time, gladly.

Some of these are still available as bargains, I think.

Happy Reading…

…on this warm sunshiny day.

Free and Bargain books September 26, 2021

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BookRunes has a suggestion for us. An author known to me and a book I’ve read and enjoyed.

Sapphire Ice: A Christian Romance (The Jewel Series Book 1) 

To Robin Bartlett, men were nothing more than violent users. After a hair-raising childhood, Robin and her two younger half sisters battled simply to survive. Determined to give her sisters a very different life from that of their mother; to never have to rely on a man for anything, she worked two jobs and put them both through college, while accepting help from no one. Her heart had turned to ice and she had no use for men or God.

Antonio “Tony” Viscolli had grown up on the streets, homeless. At seventeen, he entered a downtown church with the intent of casing it, but found himself on his knees at the alter. After being fostered by the youth minister, Tony followed God’s leading and eventually became a very successful and powerful businessman. In a fallen world, he was a gem.

When Tony bought the restaurant where Robin bartended, she immediately resented his intrusion into her well ordered, but exhausting, life. She suspected his offering her special attention and constant kindness was merely his way of expecting something from her in return, something she wasn’t willing to give.

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The suggestion strip has a FREE suggestion from the same author, a book I’ve not read. Excellent news.

Courting Calla: A Christian Romance (Dixon Brothers Book 1)

CALLA VAUGHN has spent the last three years desperately trying to get her life in order so that she can go back to culinary school. No matter how hard she works, though, she feels like she is just treading water and can’t see any way out of the hole dug for her by a con artist who stole her identity.
When flowers she sends to her best friend with a dinner invitation accidentally get delivered to IAN JONES, she decides to cook him the best meal he’s ever had. By the time she admits that the flowers were never for him, he is as convinced as she is that God orchestrated the mistake in the first place.
All that’s left is to tell him the dark secret about her father’s widow. She waits a little too long, though, and is carted off to jail for questioning on felony charges before she gets a chance.
Will Ian understand her situation, or will the deception surrounding Calla destroy any trust he has in her?

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This next book was also in the suggestion strip and this is my second time considering it. I’ve not read this author and this time decided I will take a chance to see what she is all about.

Into the Trenches: A Christian Romance

He’s a combat medic. She’s a headstrong soldier. Can their romance survive a tour of duty in the middle of war-torn Iraq? Is faith enough when combat wounds are more than skin deep?

Annelyse’s life is derailed when she discovers her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Left with a broken heart and desperate to get away, Annelyse does the most drastic thing she can think of: join the Army.

Tragedy strikes during a deployment to Iraq, completely shattering all of Annelyse’s hopes and dreams. PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts are the combat wounds she must endure while struggling to come to grips with the constant loss of fellow soldiers. How can the statement “God is good all the time” be true even during such dire circumstances?

Join Annelyse on this spiritual journey of hope and healing that will leave you uplifted and encouraged.

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It’s a beautiful warm day here and now that I’ve had a break I will head back out to the flower beds. It’s time to start some fall cleanup.

I’ll join you reading soon, it gets dark earlier these days. Sadly.

Happy Reading.