romance

Read and enjoyed. March 05, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

This book is right up there on my favorites list. There are aspects of the story that I know will stay with me for a long time. It was well written, well thought out and I would love to read the other five books in this series. This one is still free, grab it quick before that changes.

His Pledge to Honor: a Sweet Marriage of Convenience Romance (The Silver Star Ranch Book 1)

Scout Silver can rehabilitate the most wounded of horses. But when an injured soldier shows up at her ranch, will she follow his lead down a trail of love?


Though she’s the daughter of a general, Scout Silver is used to giving orders, not taking them. That’s why horses thrive on the rehabilitation ranch she runs with her half-sisters. Over the years, her absentee father’s many divorces created a patchwork family, held together by their love of the ranch. But his last will is an order that threatens to rip their lives apart.

As the leader of an elite group of soldiers run by the brilliant tactician General Abraham Silver, Lincoln Rawlings has set out on his final mission—to fulfill the dying wish of his commander by ensuring that the general’s six daughters are taken care of. When Linc arrives on the Silver Star Ranch, he learns that what the Silver sisters need are husbands, else they’ll lose their beloved business. Instead of doing an immediate about-face, Linc’s heart stands at attention under the assessing gaze of Scout, the eldest Silver.

Unwilling to let her father once again interfere in her life, even from the grave, Scout has no plans to give in to the general’s demands. But when she meets the handsome and accommodating Linc, she has a hard time reigning in her heart.

Letting down the general is not an option, but Linc is hiding a secret from Scout. And if she learns of the deep wounds he bears, he might lose everything—the ranch, his honor, and the woman he’s falling for.

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

Here is my next read, just started. This is a favorite author and I’m looking forward to another one of her books.

Bookshop by the Sea

Sophie Lawson should be enjoying her sister’s wedding day. But nothing could have prepared her to see the best man again.

After her mother became bedridden and her father bailed on the family, Sophie found herself serving as a second mother to her twin brother, Seth, and younger sister, Jenna. Sophie supported her siblings through their college years, putting aside her own dream of opening a bookshop in Piper’s Cove—the quaint North Carolina beach town they frequented as children.

Now it’s finally time for Sophie to follow her own pursuits. Seth has a new job, and Jenna is set to marry her college beau in Piper’s Cove. But the destination wedding reunites Sophie with best man Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart who left her without a backward glance.

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

Happy Reading y’all.

Bargain books March 04, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

1531 Entertainment has several bargain suggestions for us.

The Number of Love (The Codebreakers Book #1) 

Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network–field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy who just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the intelligent Margot, but how can he convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?

Amid biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save themselves from the very secrets that brought them together.

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

The Witnesses

Young lawyer Parker House is on the rise—until his grandfather’s mysterious past puts both of their lives in danger.

Parker House’s secret inheritance is either his greatest blessing . . . or his deadliest curse. The fresh-faced North Carolina attorney shares his German grandfather’s uncanny ability to see future events in his mind’s eye—a gift that has haunted 82-year-old Frank House through decades of trying to erase a murderous wartime past.

While Parker navigates the intrigue and politics of small-town courtroom law, Frank is forced to face his darkest regrets. Then, a big career break for Parker collides with a new love he longs to nurture and the nightmares his grandfather can no longer escape. Sudden peril threatens to shatter not only Parker’s legal prospects but also his life and the lives of those dearest to him.

Two witnesses, two paths, an uncertain future.

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

I’ve read and enjoyed The Number of Love but not The Witnesses and I’m looking forward to it after reading the first chapter.

Contrary to first impressions, it has turned out to be a decent week for books afterall. Just in time for weekend reading. It will be good.

Happy Reading y’all.

Free and bargain books part three … March 03, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

This has been an excellent day for free books.

BookRunes has another FREE suggestion for us.

Bayou Liberty

An emotional story about the importance of family, the secrets of the past, and the healing power of love.

Growing up, sisters Maggie and Sawyer were close and carefree. Following their parents’ death when they were teens, Maggie was forced into a caretaker role for her younger sister, changing the nature of their relationship forever.

Years later, Sawyer’s turbulent marriage finally ends, and she returns home to live with her sister. But the reunion is bittersweet. Maggie, now running their parents’ old bed and breakfast, reveals a diagnosis of cancer. As the sisters reconnect and support each other through tragedies, a friend from the past reemerges, and with him, secrets about their parents that could change everything.

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

1531 Entertainment has a bargain suggestion for us, from a favorite author.

Bookshop by the Sea

Sophie Lawson should be enjoying her sister’s wedding day. But nothing could have prepared her to see the best man again.

After her mother became bedridden and her father bailed on the family, Sophie found herself serving as a second mother to her twin brother, Seth, and younger sister, Jenna. Sophie supported her siblings through their college years, putting aside her own dream of opening a bookshop in Piper’s Cove—the quaint North Carolina beach town they frequented as children.

Now it’s finally time for Sophie to follow her own pursuits. Seth has a new job, and Jenna is set to marry her college beau in Piper’s Cove. But the destination wedding reunites Sophie with best man Aiden Maddox, her high school sweetheart who left her without a backward glance.

When an advancing hurricane strands Aiden in Piper’s Cove after the wedding, he finds the hotels booked to capacity and has to ask Sophie to put him up until the storm passes. As the two ride out the weather, old feelings rise to the surface. The delay also leaves Sophie with mere days to get her bookshop up and running. Can she trust Aiden to stick around? And will he find the courage to risk his heart?

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

This has been a good day and I’m thrilled with all the new books we are seeing.

I would have saved some of them for tomorrow but you can never tell whether the good price will last that long. Often it is only set for a day or two so we have to move quickly

We will find something else to talk about tomorrow if necessary. I’ll tell you all about my current read. I’m loving it.

I promise this is it for today.

Happy Reading

Free book part two… March 03, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Cruising through the suggestions strip a FREE romance showed up. I’ve read a few book by this author but didn’t add her to my assessment list. The read is hazy in my memory but must have been good or I’d remember more.

His Pledge to Honor: a Sweet Marriage of Convenience Romance (The Silver Star Ranch Book 1)

Scout Silver can rehabilitate the most wounded of horses. But when an injured soldier shows up at her ranch, will she follow his lead down a trail of love?


Though she’s the daughter of a general, Scout Silver is used to giving orders, not taking them. That’s why horses thrive on the rehabilitation ranch she runs with her half-sisters. Over the years, her absentee father’s many divorces created a patchwork family, held together by their love of the ranch. But his last will is an order that threatens to rip their lives apart.

As the leader of an elite group of soldiers run by the brilliant tactician General Abraham Silver, Lincoln Rawlings has set out on his final mission—to fulfill the dying wish of his commander by ensuring that the general’s six daughters are taken care of. When Linc arrives on the Silver Star Ranch, he learns that what the Silver sisters need are husbands, else they’ll lose their beloved business. Instead of doing an immediate about-face, Linc’s heart stands at attention under the assessing gaze of Scout, the eldest Silver.

Unwilling to let her father once again interfere in her life, even from the grave, Scout has no plans to give in to the general’s demands. But when she meets the handsome and accommodating Linc, she has a hard time reigning in her heart.

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

This next book also showed up as FREE, It’s one I have read and enjoyed in the past and I’ve probably even shared it more than once.

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.

Tony knew God had led him to Robin. Would she ever allow herself to trust him? Could she ever allow herself to trust God? Or would the winter of their tragic youth rise from the shadows of the past and freeze any chance at happiness?

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

Part three coming right up.

Happy Reading.

Free books March 02, 2020

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

BookRunes has a Free collection suggestion. I’ve read and enjoyed this author but not these books, a very pleasant surprise indeed. It seems like most of the suggestions lately, I’ve read. Although, as I check out the synopsis book 1 is sounding awfully familiar. Not a big deal if I have, there are still three more in the set.

Wind River Hearts Box Set: Books 1-4

BOOK 1: MARRYING MISS MARSHAL
Town marshal Danna Carpenter doesn’t need anybody. Especially not city slicker Chas O’Grady who seems determined to get in her way at every turn. But when she and Chas are forced into a marriage of convenience, they’ll have to work together to find a way out of the parson’s trap and catch the outlaw gang that’s terrorizing the town…

BOOK 2: COUNTERFEIT COWBOY
Erin O’Grady is the perfect mark. Or she would be, if former confidence man Jesse Baker hadn’t reformed. When they end up stuck together on a long train journey at Christmas, Jesse discovers that starting over isn’t as easy as he’d hoped. Can he complete his quest for redemption? And win Erin’s heart?

BOOK 3: COWBOY PRIDE
First impressions count and Liza Bennett and Rob Darcy seem to be star-crossed from the moment they meet. Liza wouldn’t care about the man at all except for the fact that he seems determined to ruin her sister’s chances with her perfect match. She vows not to let that happen. Even if it means she has to endure Rob’s presence and her secret feelings for him…

BOOK 4: THE HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART
Penny Castlerock needs a place to hide from an unwelcome suitor. The quiet refuge she finds on her grandfather’s ranch is short-lived when she finds herself roped into helping neighbor Jonas White with his passel of ornery kids. Matchmaking kids. Who seem to think she’s a perfect match for their shy father, a man with secrets she delights in discovering…

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

Happy Reading!

I’m liking my current read. I’ll share it next post

Bargain books March 02, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

BookBub has a bargain for us. It’s a three book collection and I’ve read and enjoyed two of them.

Coastal Hearts: The St. Simons Novels

Book 1 The Art of Rivers
Rivers Sullivan bears both visible and invisible scars—those on her shoulder from a bullet wound and those on her heart from the loss of her fiancé during the same brutal attack. Not even her background as an art therapist can help her regain her faith in humanity. Still, she scrapes together the courage to travel to St. Simons Island to see the beach cottage and art gallery she’s inherited from her fiancé. When she stumbles upon recovering addicts running her gallery, she’s forced to reckon with her own healing.

After the tragic drowning of his cousin, James Cooper Knight spends his days trying to make up for his past mistakes. He not only dedicates his life to addiction counseling, but guilt drives him to the water, searching for others who’ve been caught unaware of the quickly rising tides of St. Simons. When he rescues a peculiar blond woman and her sketch pad from a sandbar, then delivers this same woman to his deceased grandmother’s properties, he knows things are about to get even more complicated.

Book 2 Star Rising
Star Youngblood has always been a fighter–a necessity after her mother married a monster of a man. Now, she’s finally on the path to the stable life she’s always wanted. Her employer, Priscilla Kelly, is a sweet woman ravaged by rheumatoid arthritis, and Star will do anything to help her. Even if that means going toe to toe with Mrs. Kelly’s neglectful son.

After being betrayed on the mission field and devastated by the tragic death of his father, Paul Kelly gave up on God. He lives life on his own terms, biding his time as a corporate pilot until he can save enough money to begin his own flight school closer to home. His mother is all he has left, and he wants to be near her. He just didn’t expect her health to decline so quickly. When he discovers his mother has taken in a stray—a woman he’s not at all sure can be trusted—his protective instincts kick into high gear. Paul’s handled a lot of turbulence, but he’s never gone up against a force like Star.

Book 3 For the Love of Joy
Is he married or isn’t he?

Years ago, a Dear John letter and then an IED explosion overseas rocked Davis Donnelly’s world and left him unclear about his marital status. He’d signed divorce papers, but broken mentally and physically, he’d never bothered to find out if his marriage actually ended. Now that he’s about to start a new position as an outreach minister, it’s time to settle things once and for all. At the moment he tracks down his wife—or former wife?—she takes a tumble while chasing a little boy. Her son. And that’s when life flips upside down.

Joy Jennings Donnelly made her share of mistakes. But one thing she never considered a mistake was her child, and she’ll do anything to protect him. Even keep his paternity a secret.

When she’s suddenly injured with not a soul to help her or her son, Joy is forced to rely on the man who has the most reasons to hate her.

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

Happy Reading y’all

There may a part two if things look as good as I think they will.

Bargain book March 01, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Today was a search day. I’ve found one so far.

Waiting For Rachel: (Those Karlsson Boys Book 1)

Damian Karlsson, the oldest of Those Karlsson Boys, has decided it’s time to settle down and start a family. Rachel Perkins has captured his attention, but she won’t even give him a chance to romance her. It seems to Damian she feels something for him, but still she resists. Damian is determined to find out why.

Though she is attracted to Damian and even finds his pursuit of her flattering, Rachel is equally determined to keep her secrets close to her heart. Betrayed in the past by men she’s loved, she isn’t prepared to take that risk again. But when her secrets are forced out in the open, will Rachel discover that forgiveness and trust are worth the risk when it leads to love?

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

Some days are less than fruitful. Like today.

One is not much but I guess it’s something.

It’s discouraging searching these days because the big push is toward what amounts to soft porn. I know I keep harping on this but it’s frustrating. I don’t have anything against affection. I would appreciate it intensely if I had a significant-other in my life. The trouble is the focus in these books is on including as many swoon-worthy moments as possible, and to be perfectly honest, it’s boring. I don’t want to keep reading the same thing over and over. I want you to tell me a story that is strong and real, the kind to draw me in and make me forget I don’t live where the story is happening.

The writer loses me every time there is another swoon worthy moment. And when it happens often, not only has the spell been broken but now I’m irritated and impatient too.

I realize there is a market for these kinds of stories but surely to goodness I’m not the only reader out there wanting something more than what they are offering.

My beef is more with the site I’m searching than with the authors. (the site shall remain nameless) because the algorithms are set to push the kinds of books I don’t want and to hide the books I do want.

And that brings up a sore point that really gets me worked up. I don’t appreciate someone trying to push things on me, trying to force me to buy whatever it is they are selling. The makers of search engines try to do that too. Force me to use the engine of their choice. NOT happening.

That’s the reason I’m finding so few books these days. It’s like searching a hay stack looking for a needle. I’m mad and out of there in about three minutes flat. OK, so that was an exaggeration but it’s not too far from the truth. I used to spend a lot of time searching through different pages looking for books I hadn’t read. Now I’m down to just minutes before giving up.

My frustration levels rise pretty quickly when I’m pushed but now that I’ve let it all out … I think it’s pretty funny.

We still don’t have many new books. Major disappointment.

There will be good books again another day though. I’m an eternal optimist when it comes to books.

They can’t hide always.

I would share my current read but it is turning out to be one of those books. Way too much time spent on PDA.

That’s probably what set me off on this rant in the first place. It’s not the worst offender I’ve seen but sadly, it’s getting there. Sadly because it has so much potential to be a really good story. And sadly because I try to weed out books like this early in the decision process, before they make it onto my TBR pile.

OK, I’m done. I’m going back to hurry through reading this book to see how the interesting parts of the story end.

Happy reading y’all

Free books February 28, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Another month coming to an end. Unbelievable.

We may have books today, it will depend on how many turn out to be interesting. Hopefully lots.

BookBub has a FREE suggestion.

Seeking Home: A Sweet Rockyview Romance (Family Bonds Book 1)

She’s a single mother looking for redemption.

He ‘s a widower who wants to sell the ranch that stole his family from him in a tragic accident.

Sabine Radowski’s rocky childhood left her looking for a stable future for her daughter. So when the insurance payment arrives from her estranged husband’s passing, she brings her dream alive and buys a ranch. And though she’s determined never to lean on another man, she’d still appreciate the handsome former owner’s help to get things running…

Tanner Bond is plagued by the guilt of the death of his wife and daughter. Ready to flee the property that reminds him of his loss, caring for his sick grandmother forces him to put his plans on hold. But despite the new owner’s young daughter being an ever-present reminder of his burning grief, Tanner finds himself falling for the fiery widow.

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

LPC Free Books has a FREE suggestion.

Murder Mezzo Forte (A Preston Barclay Mystery Book 2)

”Two professors accused of murder on a college campus must find the killer in a whodunit that plays to the beat of a unique soundtrack. The main character and narrator, Preston Barclay, suffers with musical hallucinations that started when his wife died and music passed from Faith’s soul into his.

Barclay’s female colleague is Wiccan, hired as part of the university’s new policy of inclusion. Her blue gaze burns Preston, but their budding friendship intrigues. Suspended by the administration and suspected by police of killing a fellow professor, evidence mounts against the pair, even as they conduct a risky investigation of their own. The ending has an unpredictable and satisfying twist.” ~ Publishers Weekly

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

Sadly, that’s it for good suggestions.

My current read is great. I’m 2/3 of the way through and still trying to decide who the killer will be.

Refuge of Redemption: The Colsons (Fog Lake Suspense Book 7) 

Home is a place of refuge—unless it’s a killer’s playground.

For years, Bear Colson has been known as the serial killer’s son. But now, someone else is behind bars for the crimes his father was accused of committing. Bear wants to believe hope for a brighter future is in sight, but he has reason to suspect more than one killer was involved.

Forensic photographer Piper Stephens’ career crashed and burned when she trusted the wrong man. Now, after discovering an alarming secret about the infamous Good Samaritan Killer, she sets out to find both answers and redemption. But things go awry when her assistant becomes the next victim.

As fear batters Fog Lake residents once again, Bear and Piper join forces to track down the truth. But the killer is determined to remain in the shadows—and he’ll destroy anyone who stands in his way.

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

Happy Reading!

Current enjoyable read February 26, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

It’s a collection. Four books.

I’ve finished the first one and I have to say it was full of tension. Which is a good thing. It makes for a gripping story, one that’s not easy to put down.

Now I’m on to the second book and it is off to a roaring start, especially when it comes to drama.

Past hurts color our reactions in triggering situations when, inevitably, all the old memories come flooding back. For Javier, everything he does is met with bad attitude, the one caused by his still weeping wounds. And now, the perpetrator is standing right in front of him, seemingly oblivious to the root cause of his rude behavior.

This leaves me dying to know what happened, and did she betray him the way he obviously thinks she did.

It’s Saturday, between loads of laundry I aim to find out.

Romance from the Heart Boxed Set by Lee Tobin McClain

The Quintana siblings are too busy saving their struggling family restaurant to fall in love… Four heartwarming, small-town Western stories of intense attraction, devastating secrets, and the twisty path to the altar, from the USA Today bestselling author of thirty Christian inspirational romances.

Sheltered Hearts: A jilted bride gets stranded in a snowstorm with a handsome restaurant cook who’s not what he seems to be.

Secrets of the Heart: When a single mom returns to her hometown to manage the farm-to-table remake of a struggling Mexican restaurant, she must work closely with the handsome ex who broke her high-school heart.

Wise at Heart: He’s an old friend. She’s his nanny. There’s a spark. It would all be so romantic… if she weren’t keeping such a terrible secret.

Joy of My Heart: Will the overprotective Quintana brothers stand by while their little sister falls in love with a mysterious older man?

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

Happy Reading y’all

I haven’t found any good bargain suggestions yet today but I will keep looking.

Bargain books February 25, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

BookBub has a bargain suggestion from another author I’ve yet to meet. The sample looks interesting.

Matchmaker at Melody Meadow Boxed Set Books 1-3: Cowboy Romance

Olivia Williams has always fancied herself something of a matchmaker, and she’s set her matchmaking sights on her fellow cowboys at Melody Meadow Ranch. If she has her way, each of the cowboys will be partnered up in no time at all!

Meet Jonas, the single dad; Levi, the cowboy billionaire; and Seth, the former soldier.

They aren’t gonna know what hits ’em in this heartwarming romance!

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

1531 Entertainment has an interesting suggestion. I’ve seen this book before and enjoyed the author many times.

Winter’s Secret: Clean Romance Mystery (Northern Intrigue Book 1)

Some secrets chill to the bone…

In a small Wisconsin town, a record-breaking winter brings a series of disturbing crimes. The new sheriff and home health nurse will do anything to stop whoever is responsible.

All the while they’ll try not to do something even more dangerous–fall in love. With God’s help, can they crack the bone-chilling mystery — and the secrets of their own hearts?

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

That all I have at the moment, Still it is four books.

Have a good weekend y’all.

Happy Reading