romance

Bargain books today April 12, 2023

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It has been awhile, or at least it seems like it, since we’ve had any new books to download.

BookBub brought this one to us this morning. I’m late noticing it’s a Christmas novel. I don’t think it matters much though, it’s probably not a strong element of the story. Melanie Snitker is on my list of appreciated authors, a definite plus.

Finding Grace: A Single Dad Christmas Romance (Love’s Compass Book 6)

Beth was determined to remain single…until Tyler and his daughter remind her of the family she used to dream of.

Single dad Tyler Martin can’t be more grateful to the woman who finds his missing daughter. Even though he feels a spark between them, falling in love is a risk he shouldn’t take. Too bad chance encounters and his stubborn heart keep trying to convince him otherwise.

After escaping a nightmarish relationship, Beth Davenport is content with her safe and blessedly normal life. Yet something about Tyler and his adorable daughter makes her wish for more. With the walls around her heart finally starting to crumble, she’s afraid of a future she can’t predict.

Can they let go of their fear and trust God to lead them to the love they desperately need?

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Browsing, yielded another interesting find. I’ve read and enjoyed this author once before.

Finding Love in a Stagecoach: An Inspirational Romance Novel 

Sarah Nesmith is the nineteen-year-old daughter of a well-to-do family, beautiful and outspoken, nonetheless respectful of her parents’ wishes. Ever the dutiful daughter, when her father expresses his intentions to marry her into an advantageous marriage, she reluctantly agrees. During her trip to meet her betrothed, she unexpectedly finds herself growing fond of her chivalrous driver, wondering if her fiancé in Texas is anything like him.

Will she let her overflowing emotions shape her destiny?

Tyler Hatfield has given up on marriage, persuaded that no woman is capable of loving him for who he is, but rather for the glowing gold in his pocket. When his father agrees to an arranged marriage, Tyler comes up with a plan to see for himself what kind of woman his wife-to-be really is. He pretends to be nothing more than her stagecoach driver, escorting her to her destination and thus getting to know her true colors. What he discovers turns his world upside down…

Can she be the exception to his rule that will give new life to his withered heart?

Their otherwise uneventful journey is derailed by an attack by outlaws and a kidnapping that threatens Sarah’s safety and Tyler’s only chance to love. In this complicated situation, the two of them must find a way to unfold their hidden feelings and save both their lives and their hearts. Will they survive the dangers and get their happy ending or will they be doomed to a bitter one?

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Another interesting collection showed up for me. All different authors and it’s FREE. 1173 pages, can’t beat that.

Small Town Love Story: 9 Small Town Stories by USA Today Bestselling Authors

Get books in nine different series, from nine amazing, USA Today bestselling authors! In this bundle, you’ll (of course) get small towns and fun side characters, but also diverse, younger, older, military, and SWOON-WORTHY heroes!

Do you love that small-town feel where you know everyone, and everyone knows you? Fit right in with this escape away from city life, where heroes better have manners, the town busybody knows all your business, and every guy has known every girl his whole life. Grab this boxed set and don’t miss SMALL TOWN LOVE STORY!

Whole Latte Love by USA Today Bestselling Author Kari Trumbo:

The Marine’s Marriage by USA Today Bestselling Author Liz Isaacson: 

Not Until Christmas by USA Today Bestselling Author Valerie M. Bodden:

One Thursday Morning by USA Today Bestselling Author T.K. Chapin: 

Her Best Friend by USA Today Bestselling Author Hannah Jo Abbott:

A Thousand Words by USA Today Bestselling Author Mandi Blake:

Rescued By Love by USA Today Bestselling Author Cami Checketts: 

Second Chance Sweethearts by USA Today Bestselling Author Liwen Y. Ho:

Ask You Later by USA Today Bestselling Author Jan Thompson:

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It has turned out to be a good day for new books.

Collections have been a good thing for me lately too. I’ve read and enjoyed most of the first three of four recent downloads and I’m still loving them. I’m a quarter of the way through the third 9 book collection. They are still bargain priced if you are interested.

The current book is called Stolen Secrets: Legacy of Lies.

Fat Tuesday 1972, a floater surfaces in Sheriff Colin McDonald’s parish, south of New Orleans. The body–a Russian diplomat throws local and Federal law enforcement into chaos. Sheriff McDonald isn’t excited to have the FBI stepping into his investigation, but knows his parish doesn’t have the funds to sort out this mess and deal with all the prickly silliness of international negotiations. Jessica Franklin, one of the first female FBI agents, heads the task force looking into the Russian’s death. Jessica is a talented, no nonsense woman, who isn’t sure about this laid-back Cajun sheriff, who calls her Chere, but the man knows his parish and gives her views a fair hearing. Lt. Gabriel Fontenot of the Louisiana State police is also assigned to the task force and runs into an old girlfriend, Amy Prejean, who is working with the Russian Mission on grain shipments. As Gabe, Jessica, and Colin work the case, odd and seemingly unrelated things surface which pull local residents into the tangled web the KGB has created in the Big Easy. With time winding down, the tangled threads of the truth lead to the Prejean warehouse where old sins are revealed… Who will survive the confrontation? And what will the fallout be?

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Happy Reading!

Another multi book collection April 06, 2023

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I think I’m hooked on large collections with full length books. Mysteries. This one today will make four recent downloads. The nice thing about them is lower stress levels, not having to search diligently looking for reading material. Certainly can’t complain about the price. $1 for 10 books is a great deal. If all 9 or 10 books were written by the same author it wouldn’t sound very fair to the author but with the same number of authors as there are books, it sounds like an easy way to get yourself out there and noticed. Well worth it.

So far I’ve been exposed to a number of authors I’ve not read before and it’s been a worthwhile experience for me.

I know for sure collections will only be a fleeting phase in my reading life. It won’t be long before I’ve had enough for awhile and will move on. For now, though, it’s a good respite from the fruitless searches I’ve been seeing lately.

The most recent collections were volumes 1, 2, and 3, basically 3 book series within the collections. This one today moves away from that plan, at least I think it does. I think by the time I get to it I will be ready for a few stand alone stories that are not part of a series. Series are great but reading them close together some times emphasizes the sameness that can happen. Oh well, there is no law that says I must read them one after the other.

Small Town Danger: 10 Full-Length Romantic Suspense & Mystery Novels

More than lives are in danger when small town tranquility meets heart pounding suspense in this collection of ten brand-new novels from some of the genre’s most explosive romantic suspense authors!

Join Mary Alford, Liz Bradford, June Foster, Therese Heckenkamp, Cynthia Hickey, Gina Holder, Edie James, Ann Malley, Carol Nemeth and Colleen Snyder as mystery, suspense, and faith combine to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Sins of the Past – A Hope Island Securities Book by Mary Alford
Ten years earlier, Janine put him away for murder. Now Bennett’s back in her life with a challenge—help me find the real killer.

Swept Away – Tracking Danger Book Two – A Search and Rescue Novel by Liz Bradford
When a SAR mission ends with a murder, Josh and Chloe must fight rising tensions before they get swept away.

Danger in Cranberry Cove by June Foster
When Julie Wilder joins local lawyer Lucas Ethridge in uncovering clues of who murdered their high school friend on the beach fifteen years before, phone calls from their deceased classmate are unnerving. After incriminating evidence turns up, can Lucas and Julie discover the killer’s identity or will they suffer the same fate as their friend?

Escaping Illusions – A Frozen Footprints Book by Therese Heckenkamp
All she wants is a new beginning, but a man famous for deception is the last person she should trust.

A Place to Hide by Cynthia Hickey
Is there nowhere to hide? Will Marley and Dirk escape a fan who always seems to be one step ahead of them?

Handmade Mayhem – Addie Masters Mysteries Book 1 by Gina Holder
“Who Knew DIY Could Be So Deadly.”

Hidden Sins – A Redemption Creek Romantic Suspense by Edie James
Redemption Creek, where sometimes justice needs a helping hand.

Debt of Honor by Ann Malley
Where’s the honor in loving your best friend’s wife? Or keeping the secrets that may get her and her baby killed?

Death Goes to School by J. Carol Nemeth
The rewarding profession of teaching: it could get you killed.

Twisted by Colleen Snyder
She’s eighteen. A visitor to a tornado-stricken town in need of help. Half of the residents think she’s a saint. While the other wants her dead.

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The descriptions are sounding fresh and new so I’m excited to try this out too.

Intriguing and refreshing April 03, 2023

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Nine full length books in a 2124 page collection is a daunting task. Just the thought of it is probably the reason why it took almost three years for me to find the courage to tackle it. The memory of a few disappointing collections didn’t help much either. It’s not easy to figure these things out going in.

The only reason I took the plunge this time around was a belated New Years resolution to clear out a good chunk of the growing list of unfinished reads. I’m happy for the choice I made because this collection has been a pleasant surprise.

I think the one thing I could name as the biggest surprise is hard for me to put into words. Have you ever driven into a town where you feel like you’ve entered a different world. I took a road trip once in the US, travelling south in the eastern states. It felt like a different world. Building materials and architecture, so very different, and not just from what I was used but even different from only a few states further north. That was one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

Reading these books, it has been like that. It’s refreshing. The difference shows up for me in the way the characters do life, the choices they make. Even the way the authors build their stories. Maybe the flavor is different because most of them are new to me and as a collaborative group they’ve chosen a path for the collection that is unique to their group. Whatever it is I’m loving the experience. So much so that I’m going to order the next two in the series.

They are all still at bargain prices if you are interested. They aren’t quite as long. Only 1860 and 1951

I’m hoping that the series for each of the nine will be continued in the new collections. Wouldn’t that be nice.

Here they are.

The blurbs are short so why not include them too.

Run: (tales of suspense Book 1)

From corporate America to overseas intrigue, from small towns to Urban sprawl, from farms to raging rivers these romantic suspenses will keep you on the edge of your seat, breathless, far into the night.

Nine gripping stories full of faith, danger, and a dash of romance.

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Run Again: (tales of suspense Book 2)

Nine gripping stories full of faith, danger, and a dash of romance.

With the success of volume one, RUN, the authors banded together for a volume two. Get yours while you can!

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Run Faster: (tales of suspense Book 3)

Nine gripping stories full of faith, danger, and a dash of romance.

With the success of volume one and volume two, RUN and RUN AGAIN, the authors banded together for a volume three. Get yours while you can!

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In a way it’s disappointing that so little has been said about each story. On the other hand, there are nine of them, what can be said about that many in a reasonable length of time.

I can tell you a little about the most recent read.

Megan is a successful New York reporter specializing in telling the stories of hardship in war torn countries. The last assignment was the worst yet and she doesn’t feel like she will survive another one like it. Walking away sounds good to her.

She does walk away, or at least tries, for a few weeks. The trouble is, trouble keeps finding her.

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One nice thing about these collections … with this many new books I don’t really need any others for a while. Doesn’t mean I won’t keep looking though.

Clearing out the read pile April 01, 2023

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I will admit, most of the time I have vague memories of the reading experience for anything older than a day. Unless the experience made a huge impression.

First up is a book doing just that.

There were so many elements making this a good read. The main ones being the characters – their complex lives and relationships – and the setting. This was a split time story, historical and contemporary, and the characters from both eras added something special to the mix. One unique element of the current time frame was the selective amnesia causing Beck to have no memory of Bruno, her childhood best friend.

Just as important as the unique and lovable characters was the house itself. It was amazing and so much more than Beck expected to find after all these years. I loved the story, and the setting. A solid five stars.

The Memory House

The inspirational story of two women whose lives have been destroyed by disaster but find healing in a special house.

When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order.

When a mysterious letter arrives informing Beck that she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, she discovers something there that will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a sports agent who has never forgotten their connection as teenagers. But Beck can’t even remember him.

Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into her former high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share.

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The next bunch holds a variety of reactions to the reading experience. Every one was worth the read but I did love some more than others. The differences were there but they weren’t significant really.

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I do remember strong impression of this next one. One element that had me standing up and shouting No, don’t do it! was the relationship with her fiance, a man who was a liar and a manipulator. He said otherwise but he didn’t care about her life and dreams, he wanted to uproot her, forcing her into his ambitious choices for life. She would be his neglected possession not a cherished partner.

Thankfully he wasn’t the only voice speaking into her life. I loved this book. and the way it turned out.

Love Starts With Elle (A Lowcountry Romance Book 2) 

Elle’s living the dream, but whose dream is it?

Elle Garvy loves her life in Beaufort, South Carolina, spending summer days on the sand bar and enjoying coastal bonfires and dinners with friends. She’s found her stride professionally as the owner of a successful art gallery, and she’s found love with handsome, confident Jeremiah Franklin. Life is good.

Then Jeremiah accepts a large pastorate in a different state, and Elle turns her life upside down to go with him. When Jeremiah has a change of heart, Elle is hurt and her faith is shaken.

New York lawyer and recent widower Heath McCord imagines the low country cottage he’s rented for the summer is the balm his grieving heart needs. That and time to connect with his little girl. He’s unprepared for his beautiful landlord, Elle, and the love her friendship awakens.

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There is one more well loved book to share but I’ll leave it for next time.

Christy Barritt Bargain books March 29, 2023

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Two new Christy Barritt books showed up in my search tonight, both pre-order, which is quite common for her new books. I’m definitely ready for more so the timing is good.

Fractured Lies (Lantern Beach Exposure Book 1)

Lantern Beach has seen its fair share of trouble. But the danger isn’t over yet . . .

As security agent Jonah Gray zeroes in on his current mission, he finds scientist Rachel Atwood in his crosshairs. Right before his foster brother died, he handed Jonah a slip of paper with the woman’s name on it and muttered the word “killed.” But the more Jonah gets to know Rachel, the more he’s uncertain if she’s a killer or a target.

Rachel Atwood hopes to leave trouble behind when she takes a new research position at a cosmetics company located on Lantern Beach. But things aren’t as idyllic on the coastal island as she’d assumed. Something fishy is going on at the waterfront lab, and Rachel is unsure who to trust.

When lies are exposed, Jonah and Rachel’s newfound trust is shattered. Can they pick up the fractured pieces of truth in time? Or will a killer’s devious plan destroy them both?

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Shattered Whispers (Lantern Beach Exposure Book 2)

When theater owner Abby Mendez goes in after hours to work on the set for their newest production, she’s shocked to find a body behind stage. She’d just gone out to dinner with the dead man earlier that very night. Even worse, the killer is still in the building.

Blackout operative Hunter Bancroft is nearby when Abby screams, and he rushes to help her. He’s trying to build a new life for himself after the death of his wife, and Lantern Beach seems like the perfect place to do so–until he’s pulled into the chaos surrounding Abby. Yet he can’t walk away, not knowing the jeopardy she’s in.

As more dangerous incidents begin to occur, Hunter and Abby find themselves in the middle of the killer’s deadly game. But the person behind the violent acts remains a mystery–as do his motives. When the truth comes to light, will whispers from the past shatter the new starts both are desperately seeking?

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Colleen Coble has a new series out too and book one is looking interesting. I’m excited to have another one to add to the new pile. I’ll put some of the old partially read books back on hold again for a while.

Edge of Dusk (An Annie Pederson Novel Book 1)

Even though secrets lie off the coast of Rock Harbor, the truth will set Annie Pederson free—if it doesn’t kill her first. Return to the beloved town of Rock Harbor in the first installment of a new series by bestselling suspense author Colleen Coble.

Nine-year-old Annie Pederson’s life changed the night her sister was kidnapped. The two had been outside playing on a dock, and Annie never forgave herself for her role in her sister’s disappearance. Twenty-four years later and now a law enforcement ranger, Annie is still searching for answers as she grieves a new loss: the death of her husband and parents in a boating accident.

But Annie and her eight-year-old daughter, Kylie, aren’t the only people in the town of Rock Harbor whose lives have been marred by tragedy. While managing the property around the Tremolo Resort and Marina she inherited, Annie discovers a dead body floating in the cold Superior surf and begins to work with the sheriff’s office to tie the death to a series of other mysterious reports in the area.

At the same time, her first love, Jon Dustan, returns after nine years away, reigniting the town’s memory of a cold case he’d been suspiciously linked to before he left to pursue his orthopedic residency. For the sake of her investigation and her heart, Annie tries to stay away. But avoiding Jon becomes impossible once Annie realizes she is being targeted by someone desperate to keep secrets from the past hidden.

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There was another one that caught my eye but it was a thriller and I could tell by the opening pages it would be triggering and I’d never make it through. It’s a wise move to just leave it there.

Less tell, more show March 28, 2023

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I wasn’t sure if I would connect with this book and sadly, I didn’t. I think it was probably a good enough story, just not for me by the looks of it. I did, at least, read the last three chapters to see how it turned out. It seemed like all the high points were covered at the end and that was good enough for me.

This is the book I had in mind with the less tell and more show comment. I felt like I was being educated and it wasn’t what I was looking for.

Shadowed by a Spy (Suspicious Shores Book 2)

When Lexie Smithfield boards the early morning Long Island train to Manhattan in 1942, she feels safe having left the threat of danger behind her at Jekyll Island. Little does she know, the four men who boarded the train with her are Nazi spies sent to wreak havoc in the United States.

Did the so-called Smithfield family curse follow her to New York?

What will happen to Lexie when she innocently befriends one of the spies and gets involved in the spy ring? And with her fiance Russell overseas, who will protect her?

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This next one is the book I thought I had in mind with the too much tell and not enough show comment but at this point I don’t think so anymore. Looking back over the chapters I can tell I didn’t read the whole book although I did read the last few chapters. I do remember that much. But I gave it four stars so I must have read enough to have an opinion.

I’m surprised and sad, given the glowing endorsements, that I didn’t love the book. Maybe another time.

The Dark Guest: A Standalone Romantic Suspense novel (The Cold War Legacy Book 1) 

When Violet Lundy isn’t cleaning rooms at Happy Hills Assisted Living Facility, she loves spending her free time with resident Rainer Kopecek. Hearing his stories of the dangerous life he led behind the Iron Curtain in East Berlin makes her own life seem more tolerable. But when Rainer is found dead and his room in disarray, Violet suspects foul play.

Dr. Henry Silverton lives among his books, teaching and writing about the Cold War. A letter about an East German traitor known only as “The Wolf” propels Henry out of academia and into Violet’s life. Together, they embark on a perilous quest to uncover the truth about Rainer’s death and the traitor’s identity.

Can Violet and Henry uncover the secrets of the past before one of them ends up as The Wolf’s next victim?

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This is another one I couldn’t get into and didn’t rate. I did read the last couple of chapters with this one too, to see how it ended. I’ve read and enjoyed other books by this author so I’m not adding him to the dislike list. It is not a bad book, it just wasn’t for me at this moment. Maybe it was the archaeology element that I found boring.

Promised Land (A Chosen People Novel Book 2) 

Despite their Israeli citizenship, Hana and Daud cannot safely return to their homeland because a dangerous terrorist ring is threatening Daud. Hana is perfectly fine remaining in the United States, working for a law firm in Atlanta, especially when she learns she’s pregnant. But Daud can’t shake the draw to return home to Israel, even if it makes him a walking target.

Hana is helping her boss plan a huge summit in Atlanta when Jakob Brodsky, her old friend and former co-litigator, asks for her help with a case. His client is attempting to recover ancient artifacts stolen from his Jewish great-grandfather at the end of World War II. Because the case crosses several national borders, he needs Hana’s knowledge and skill to get to the bottom of what happened to these precious artifacts.

Meanwhile, Daud is called in to help a US intelligence agency extract a Ukrainian doctor from a dangerous situation in Egypt. While overseas, he can’t resist the call of Jerusalem and thus sets off a series of events that puts thousands of people in danger, including his wife and unborn child.

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On the bright side, there are still books I loved on the read-and-enjoyed but not-yet-shared list. I was hoping to give all of them more attention than usual but I’m falling behind faster this way, not keeping up at all. It’s a good thing I’m not reading quite as many lately as I was, the list would be even longer.

Maybe I’ll dump the whole pile tomorrow. Just a thought.

More read and enjoyed. March 27, 2023

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Just now finished this one. It’s another 5 star read and to my great disappointment it ended much too soon. It could have easily gone on a few more chapters.

There were strong elements of the story that were familiar enough to make me think I had read this before. On the other hand there were also unfamiliar elements. Mostly, I think it was a new story but I’m not one hundred percent sure about that. I loved the story anyway and I’m glad to have read it, either way.

Searching for Anna: (Love in Lansing Book 1)

As the Great War rages in Europe, Anna Gibson struggles to make ends meet as a seamstress in a small dress shop in Lansing, Michigan. She is content with her life. Or, so she thinks. However, a handsome suitor from her former life unexpectedly reappears, and she finds herself questioning her future when he begins to open doors to her past.

Warren Mallory has never taken life too seriously…until now. Suddenly, he is very serious about finding the amber-eyed beauty that has haunted his thoughts since she left him standing alone on that street corner. And once he has, he doesn’t plan to let her vanish again.

But even as fate draws them together, the sparks of chemistry are doused when a mysterious package and a long-hidden secret threaten to drive them apart. Can Anna forgive the past in order to be with Warren, or will pride and misconceptions make her walk away from the only man she has ever loved?

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This next one did not rate as high in my estimation. I gave it four stars. The story was enjoyable, I had no complaints there. It just couldn’t hold my attention as well as the previous book. When I consider the reason for that, it comes down to the writing, or maybe more fairly, it comes down to the editing. Many of the lines shaking my attention were easily fixable and I so wanted to do it. It wasn’t a waste of time though, I did enjoy the story…

Two life changing events have adversely affected Jade’s work performance and her boss insists she take all of her three months accumulated vacation time to grieve and recuperate.

Returning to the scene of happier days and deep regret, Daniel is at the end of his rope, hoping somehow to make things right.

Beach House Promises (Brighton Beach Retreat Series Book 1)

Jade Brighton can’t take much more. Her life has already been upended, leaving her and her daughter in desperate need of recovery time. So they pack their bags and head to the family beach house to recharge and recover.

Daniel Barnhill has spent his life lamenting the one who got away. In a desperate attempt to escape his father, Daniel heads for the small town of Blackstone Cove. Not only is he surprised to find her again, but he also can’t believe she has a child.

Can Jade and Daniel rebuild what they once had or has time and life pushed them too far apart?

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I thought I had my next read picked out but if I did it’s disappeared. Maybe it would be good to try another partially started World War II story. Hopefully it will work for me this time, some stories are just tough to get into. If it doesn’t work, I will at least read the ending, I can do that much.

Shadowed by a Spy (Suspicious Shores Book 2) 

When Lexie Smithfield boards the early morning Long Island train to Manhattan in 1942, she feels safe having left the threat of danger behind her at Jekyll Island. Little does she know, the four men who boarded the train with her are Nazi spies sent to wreak havoc in the United States.

Did the so-called Smithfield family curse follow her to New York?

What will happen to Lexie when she innocently befriends one of the spies and gets involved in the spy ring? And with her fiance Russell overseas, who will protect her?

Books read and enjoyed March 25, 2023

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I wasn’t sure about choosing strictly Romance novels for the most recent downloads but they turned out to be a very good choice. Great characters and well thought out story lines in all of them.

Hooked By Love: The Pattern of Piney Series Book One

This one earned a solid 5 stars for keeping me up reading half the night. I loved the quirky and brokenhearted Reesa. In spite of her pain she had a soft heart that was determined to provide for and protect her fatherless daughter. She couldn’t help herself, she had to be there for anyone else crossing her path too, including the fierce bear of a neighbor. He didn’t know what to do with her spontaneous and tight hugs. His grandmother said Reesa was good for him and set out to dabble in a little matchmaking.

Synopsis.

Determined to provide a wonderful life for her daughter, single mom, Reesa Tate, makes a gutsy move to a cabin in the forests of Piney, Arkansas. Not only is it a short distance away from her estranged parents, but it’s overseen by an odd man that she can’t quite figure out.

Theodore Whitley grew up in Piney. After his dreams of playing college ball were shattered, he found himself sliding into a comfortable life in his hometown. A comfortable and quiet life, at least, until Reesa Tate shows up. Something about the woman gets under his skin, and Theo finds the more he gets to know her, the more he doesn’t mind.

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The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline (Secrets Book 1) 

Another book I couldn’t bear to put down. It was all because of the awesome characters — and the hazardous lives they lived. Plus, having what it took to meet the challenges only added to their allure. At the beginning Robin Hood is a lady and so are her merry men. As days went on, though, their eyes were opened to the reality of threats on their lives and their property. That’s when things changed.

Fierce warriors were sorely needed . I couldn’t help but hold my breath and cheer them on.

This story wasn’t strictly Romance but it was well loved.

Synopsis

Everyone believes Lady Evangeline is dead…her survival depends on it.

If not for Lady Evangeline’s secret training in weaponry, her corpse would be rotting in a ditch. Instead, she finds refuge in a crumbling abbey—and new purpose. With her child dead and her husband lost to the lies of a devious plotter, Evangeline vows to fight for the starving widows and children in the villages surrounding the abbey. Masquerading as a nun by day, and an armed vigilante by night, she will free these people no matter what it takes.

Lord Henry Stanton still grieves the death of Evangeline. How can he ever shed the weight of guilt over not protecting his beautiful wife? She never even had the chance to know their precious baby girl, now healthy and thriving. Though he failed to keep Evangeline safe, he will stop at nothing to protect their daughter from the intrigue and corruption threatening not just the royal court, but the whole land.

When the worst happens, Henry must join forces with a nun—or is she Evangeline? They must overcome lies, treachery, and a broken marriage to save their innocent daughter—and the country—before it’s too late.

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I’m currently reading another Romance book I can’t put down. I’ll tell about it soon.

Bargain books March 23, 2023

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Do you ever feel like hiding from the world? That’s how I’ve been feeling, and behaving lately. Hiding from as much of the world as I can. I’ve even been in the process of letting this blog go. Things have changed and for some reason we don’t have the traffic we once did. I’m feeling like what’s the use? Until tonight, for just a moment or so, I wanted to make an effort.

With one of today’s suggestion emails I was drawn into checking out some bargains and came across a couple of romance type books that will be a light read. There was one catching my eye and I decided to download it but not bother sharing.

I can’t tell if people like the lightweight romance novels or feel they are a waste of time. I’m inclined to assume most people think they are a waste of time and resist bothering with downloading them.

I read through the first chapter or so of this book, looked at a few more suggestions and found another similar book but with a different author. I thought why not? and decided to download both books, just for me.

I intended to just walk away after hitting the buy button but then I remembered. One purpose of the blog was to keep track of the books I buy. If I quit, then what? So here I am sharing my finds with you once again, anyway. I can’t say I’m unhappy with the decision. It actually feels good to do this. My heart feels a little lighter and I want to smile.

Connection with another person, or two or three, has an unexpected positive impact on our emotional well being. I know we don’t have an actual connection but I’m sharing my heart, that’s important, and if you are reading this you are hearing my heart. Hopefully it’s a positive experience for you too. Maybe you feel encouraged and want to smile too. I hope so.

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Anyway, here are my finds for today.

The Loner’s Wife: Small Town Bachelors – Book 2

They said she had burnout, but she had lost so much more…

Gloria Danvers is a planner and a numbers woman. She has a tragedy she can’t reconcile, so she’s decided to walk away from her six-figure job, corporate politics, and finance finagling to be a Yoga instructor. Starting over can be costly and after she just invested in her brother’s new business her funds are low to start her Yoga studio. When she tries to get funding her past comes back demanding to be dealt with.

They thought he was eccentric; he was waiting for someone who saw him

Reid Chance understood that love was a precursor to abandonment and pain. His mom loved someone so much he and his sister landed in foster care. His ex-girlfriend loved his money and left when she found out he wanted a prenup before marriage. He funded startups but he was at home on the land with his horses wallowing in the peace, until a woman with a plan makes him reconsider the love equation.

Neither one of them wanted to deal with the past, but they’ll have to settle old accounts if they want the payout of love.

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Before I get to the second book I found there is a free book from this first author that looks interesting and is new to me. Another good opportunity.

Finding Home: Hidden Treasures Book 1

Everett Stansi had gotten all of his dreams except one. Now that
Ava Pearson was divorced maybe he’d have a chance at that dream too.

A treasure worth having is a treasure worth fighting for.

Nothing moves gossip quicker than a good-looking man taking up with a discarded gem.
That’s what Ava’s friends call her, a true gem. But Ava can’t see how that’s true when
her marriage of twenty years ends. She’s not finding much to shine about these days.
Until she finds friendship with a man who really sees her…Everett.

But as their relationship grows, so do the tales. Gossip is fierce around here.
And their careers and reputations hang on what those gossipers say. Will the tale-tellers
find gold in their story, or trash?

Everett is the only man in Treasure, California, who can see the gem she truly is.

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Last but not least…this is an author new to me. I’m not sure what to expect but I’m hopeful.

Hooked By Love: The Pattern of Piney Series Book One

Determined to provide a wonderful life for her daughter, single mom, Reesa Tate, makes a gutsy move to a cabin in the forests of Piney, Arkansas. Not only is it a short distance away from her estranged parents, but it’s overseen by an odd man that she can’t quite figure out.

Theodore Whitley grew up in Piney. After his dreams of playing college ball were shattered, he found himself sliding into a comfortable life in his hometown. A comfortable and quiet life, at least, until Reesa Tate shows up. Something about the woman gets under his skin, and Theo finds the more he gets to know her, the more he doesn’t mind.

Can Reesa and her daughter find happiness in Piney?

And can Theo open his heart to new possibilities?

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These books will provide a relaxing less intense read for a change and I’ll admit I’m looking forward to it.

This has been a good night. It has turned out to be a pleasant interlude, one I’m happy not to have missed out on.

I hope this will mean Happy Reading for you too.

Bargain books March 17, 2023

/ For the Love of Books / 1 Comment

Here we are again. This day didn’t seem too promising, just the way the last few have been, until I stumbled over something that looked intriguing. Medieval is a nice change from our usual Regency fare. As far as I can tell this author is also unknown to me. I think it’s always a welcome gift to meet and experience another author.

The Secret Life of Lady Evangeline (Secrets Book 1)

If not for Lady Evangeline’s secret training in weaponry, her corpse would be rotting in a ditch. Instead, she finds refuge in a crumbling abbey—and new purpose. With her child dead and her husband lost to the lies of a devious plotter, Evangeline vows to fight for the starving widows and children in the villages surrounding the abbey. Masquerading as a nun by day, and an armed vigilante by night, she will free these people no matter what it takes.

Lord Henry Stanton still grieves the death of Evangeline. How can he ever shed the weight of guilt over not protecting his beautiful wife? She never even had the chance to know their precious baby girl, now healthy and thriving. Though he failed to keep Evangeline safe, he will stop at nothing to protect their daughter from the intrigue and corruption threatening not just the royal court, but the whole land.

When the worst happens, Henry must join forces with a nun—or is she Evangeline? They must overcome lies, treachery, and a broken marriage to save their innocent daughter—and the country—before it’s too late.

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Another book popping up for me today looks promising. I’m hearing that distressed young people are searching for meaningful connections with God. Max Lucado has been a popular and well loved author for years and has a way of making God real to us. One of his books is available at a special rate today. It talks about having hope in this turbulent and distressing world we live it. We all need a little of it, or maybe a lot of it, these days and I’m hoping this book will help with that.

Unshakable Hope Devotional: Building Our Lives on the Promises of God

What kind of life are you building?

Do you want to be unshakable in a shaky world?

You can build your life on the enduring promises of God.

If you have a problem, God has a promise. These promises stand the test of time, and they weather life’s biggest storms. In this special companion devotional based on the teaching series, Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado, Max will guide you through the powerful promises found in God’s word and show you how to make them your own. You can go from knowing God’s promises to believing God’s promises.

In this life, we will face trials and storms, but it is in our toughest moments that God’s promises prove themselves true. Because God’s promises are unbreakable, our hope can be unshakable. We have an airtight, holy contract with Him. When the world rages around you, you can stand with Unshakable Hope.

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It has been nice to be back with a few suggestions after yet another of my many breaks from daily blogging. I’ve often been absent from this site but haven’t stopped reading, and will be back soon to share some of the books I’ve finished.

I hope you are still reading as well. There are so many great benefits to be had from this enjoyable activity.

Happy Reading!