romance

Free books January 31, 2022

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BookBub has a FREE suggestion for us, one I’ve read.

For Real: A Contemporary Christian Romance Novel (The Courage Series, Book 3)

Blaine Donovan has a secret, but so far his plan to keep the rest of the world in the dark about who he really is and what’s really going on in his life has worked. If he can just finish school before the demons catch up with him, he knows he can make life make sense once again. However, when he runs into Melody Todd, a semi-friend he had thought was long-gone, life takes a turn Blaine wasn’t at all expecting.

Still hurting from watching her best friend marry someone else, Melody Todd has given up on dating, guys, and herself. In fact, when Blaine shows back up in her life, she does what she always does with the eligible guys who look her way—she sets him up with someone else. But Blaine soon proves to be much different than he at first seems. Too many things are not adding up the way they are supposed to, and the more Melody digs, the more she sees that the Blaine she knows is not the real Blaine at all…

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LPC Free Books also has a FREE suggestion, one I’ve read and enjoyed.

A Season to Dance

Everyone has a dream. A passion. You work hard, you get there. Right? But what if you don’t get there? Despair? It happens… Then what? Give up? Try harder? What if all this time, you’ve been going after the wrong dreams? What if the best part of life hasn’t even started?

Ana Brassfield tries everything to be happy. An important career. A dream of dancing. A famous boyfriend. A move overseas. But all she experiences is a series of almost successes with a side of heartbreak. Then when she hits rock bottom, a stranger opens an unexpected door. Could she change her whole life? Should she? Or would this be another mistake in a life defined by rushed decisions and wrong turns?

A Season to Dance is a journey. From hard to better. From striving to being.

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This month has come and gone in the blink of an eye. My head is still spinning.

Winter is still here though, another storm is blowing through tonight and is expected to dump one more pile of snow on us. We’ve had more than usual this year.

I’m not complaining though, it’s a dry snow and we rarely get the high volume that comes with wet snow.

Dry snow is not much good for snowballs or snowmen, it doesn’t stick together, but I can live with that. haha

So, currently I’m reading a book I’m not sure I like. I prefer something with a strong story line rather than the seemingly popular weak story focused mainly on romantic attraction. This one is not strong.

I’ll let you know what I decide.

Happy Reading!

Free book January 30, 2022

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BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us. This is on my read and enjoyed list from 2015, it’s nice to see it here again.

Sticky Notes:

An unusual friendship forms between a young history professor and the grandmother of one of his loveliest students.
When master’s student, Katherine King, receives an unsatisfactory grade on an exam, she learns two valuable lessons: Don’t lose your cool with a young, handsome professor. And, two, don’t tell your grandmother about it.

This sweet, clean Christian romance is set in the rolling hills of the Palouse, in the university town of Moscow, Idaho.

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That’s all I’m seeing at the moment. I’ve looked around a little to see what else is out there but it’s slow going today. If anything pops up later I will be sure to let you know.

In the meantime I’m anxious to get back to my current read. It’s a house full of stress. And secrets.

Whisper If You Have To

Secrets. Alison Prescott has collected a boatload of them in her short lifetime. Moving to a new school in a new town was supposed to fix everything; however, when she meets a new set of friends, keeping those secrets might just ruin everything.

Chad Dourozette has the world by the tail as his crazy T-shirts proclaim every day, but Chad has deeply held secrets of his own. When Chad meets Alison whose life looks absolutely perfect from the outside, will he have the courage to try to win her heart, or will the secrets they both carry keep them apart forever?

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Happy Reading y’all

Free book January 29, 2022

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BookRunes has a FREE romance suggestion for us.

Choices of the Heart: A Sweet Romance (Three Sisters Resort Book 1)

Marianne (Mari) Wright and her two sisters are thrust from an average life into the heart of luxury.

Their wealthy uncle leaves them the Emerald Resort, in a prime spot near St. Simons Island in Georgia.

Mari meets Dexter (Dex) Scofield during a wedding reception at the resort. She sees something special in him and they become friends.

Mari makes it her personal mission to unmask a mysterious stranger lurking around the resort. When Dex realizes what Mari is up to, he offers to help the impulsive woman, wanting her to stay safe.

Will their adventure bring them together, or will it kill their chance at love?

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Current read: is by a favorite author with an exceptional gift. It amazes me the way Staci Stallings can write a slow moving story that is 344 pages long and yet I can hardly bear to put it down. I need to know what happens next. It is definitely a gift.

Whisper If You Have To

Secrets. Alison Prescott has collected a boatload of them in her short lifetime. Moving to a new school in a new town was supposed to fix everything; however, when she meets a new set of friends, keeping those secrets might just ruin everything.

Chad Dourozette has the world by the tail as his crazy T-shirts proclaim every day, but Chad has deeply held secrets of his own. When Chad meets Alison whose life looks absolutely perfect from the outside, will he have the courage to try to win her heart, or will the secrets they both carry keep them apart forever?

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Have a good rest of the weekend.

Happy Reading!

Read and enjoyed this week January 28, 2022

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I’ve enjoyed all of these books, I can’t say that any one stood out above the rest but if I had to pick one… nope, can’t do it. They were all enjoyable. The most I can say was that I didn’t love any of them enough to give my rare and coveted five star.

It was a good, disappointment free week.

In no particular order…

It has been an awesome week. I’ve just started my current read. Maybe if I’m loving it I’ll share it in another post.

Later!

Bargain books January 28, 2022

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BookBub has an interesting suggestion from an author I’ve not met I’ve read books in a similar genre but not this one. I’m planning to check it out for sure.

Within and Without Time (Within & Without Time Book 1)

Be prepared to laugh and cry, to be inspired, and find your heart rejoicing!

Experience the Origin of a Prophet …When a sixteen-year-old boy is suddenly caught up in a series of miraculous encounters, it heralds an adventure that will transform his life, rock his town, and trigger events that will ultimately change the world!

Befriended by a powerful angelic warrior, Jimmy finds himself in the center of God’s plan for Earth’s final Great Revival. The beginning of God’s amazing harvest at the End of the Age. Like an intense roller coaster, the journey he experiences is exciting and unpredictable. Heartwarming, as well as heart-rending. God prepares him for a mission more extraordinary than anything he could have imagined, placing him in the rare company of ancient prophets and apostles alike.

WITHIN & WITHOUT TIME melds powerful Biblical truths with an imaginative and engaging story that envelopes the reader in an intense range of human emotions. Be prepared to laugh and cry, to be inspired, and find your heart rejoicing as Jimmy experiences the profound truths of God’s immense power and immeasurable love.

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1531 Entertainment has a suggestion, this is one I’ve read and enjoyed.

When Night Comes (Jack Turner Suspense Series Book 1) 

Jack Turner comes back to Culpepper to give a series of lectures for his old history professor. Within days, he starts having bizarre experiences at night. Like he’s traveling back in time, experiencing the epic events in his lectures firsthand. He has no control over these experiences and can’t make them stop.

Joe Boyd thought he’d left big city crime back in Pittsburgh when he took a detective job in Culpepper, Georgia, a sleepy southern college town. His peaceful life ends when two students turn up dead in two weeks. The coroner is saying natural causes, but something doesn’t add up.

Rachel Cook, a teaching assistant at Culpepper, can’t believe Jack is back in her life again. She’s had a crush on him since she was fourteen, but Jack never knew. He instantly seems attracted to her, but she can tell…something is deeply troubling him.

Watching all this from a distance is Nigel Avery. He’s certain this experiment’s about to unravel. It’ll be his job to tie up all the loose ends when it does.

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I’m so excited. I just discovered Christy Barritt has another new book on pre-order. How timely is that! I just finished reading and enjoying book 6 in this series.

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

For years, residents of Fog Lake thought of Bear Colson as the son of an infamous serial killer. But Bear stood his ground, determined not to be driven away. Now, new evidence has emerged that could clear his father’s name, and Bear sets out to use his skills as a computer forensics expert to find the killer’s real identity.

Piper Stephens, once an acclaimed forensic photographer, fell from grace after trusting the wrong person. Not only was her career burned, but so was her heart. When she discovers a possible clue about the GSK in a photo, she hopes this is her chance at redemption.

When she follows the trail of clues to Fog Lake, she discovers someone is one step ahead of her—and now people she loves are in danger. The only person who can help her is Bear Colson. But the last time she trusted someone, she lost everything.

As fear batters Fog Lake residents once again, Bear and Piper must work together to track down the truth. But the killer is determined to stay in the shadows—and he’ll kill anyone who stands in his way.

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I’ve made good progress this week (literary licence) keeping ahead of my burgeoning reading list. I’ll share some of them in the next post.

In the meantime…

Happy Reading!

Bargain books January 27, 2022

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1531 Entertainment has several interesting suggestions, both of them from longstanding popular authors.

Shades of Blue

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes an emotional story of forgiveness and healing. In between a checkered past and a fairytale future, three people must find a way forward.

Brad Cutler is a 28-year-old rising star at his New York ad agency, about to marry Laura James, the girl of his dreams. Anyone would agree he has it all: a great career, a beautiful and loving fiancée, and a fairy tale life ahead of him—until memories of his high school girlfriend, Emma, begin to torment him.

Lost innocence and one very difficult choice flood his conscience, and he is no longer sure what the future will bring except for this: he must find his old love and make amends.

Friends since childhood, Brad and Emma became a couple in high school—before their relationship was forever altered by a single decision. Haunted by the past and confused about the future, Brad turns to God seeking forgiveness and redemption for the choice he and Emma made long ago.

Brad, Emma, and Laura must work through the repercussions of a decision made as teenagers that continues to affect each one of them before any of them can look toward a new future.

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One Little Lie (The Pelican Harbor Series Book 1)

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

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

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

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

“Colleen Coble always raises the notch on romantic suspense, and One Little Lie is my favorite yet! The story took me on a wild and wonderful ride.” —Diann Mills, bestselling author 

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That’s all there is for the moment. If more shows up, I will be back.

Here is my current read … much enjoyed, as usual with this author.

Secrets of Shame: The Colsons (Fog Lake Suspense Book 6)

Attorney Isaac Colson only wants to put his tumultuous past in Fog Lake behind him and return to his life in Memphis. But when an ominous text threatens that he must come back or there will be deadly consequences, he knows he can’t take any chances.

Rebecca Moreno has only ever loved one man—her high school sweetheart, Isaac Colson. But when his dad went to prison for murder, Rebecca’s father forbade them from seeing each other again.

Years later, Isaac is back in town and old feelings are stirring. But Rebecca is harboring a secret that could change everything. When The Good Samaritan Killer strikes again, guilt pummels her. She has to tell Isaac the truth. But as events unfold, she has more to lose than ever.

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Happy Reading ….

On this awesome, bright and beautiful, marshmallow snow day

Current read January 23, 2022

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I’m reading a book I can barely put down. It is well written and an awesome story.

It is also still Free, you should grab it quick before it disappears.

When You Look at Me (A Pleasant Gap Romance Book 2)

An unexpected mother-to-be
A romance-leery composer
And a forgotten melody from the past that holds the keys to their futures

When Julia Jenkins’ great aunt dies and leaves her a Victorian mansion with decades of secrets, Julia never expects to unearth a World War 2 espionage mystery. Struggling with her own past since an assault left her pregnant, her future as a solo parent leaves her dreams uncertain. The inheritance from her great aunt gives Julia the ability to take a step back into her future, but also sends her into the discovery of a love story she’d never anticipated. As she goes through her aunt’s treasured possessions, Julia uncovers some oddly written piano music with a musical code she can’t decipher on her own. Not to worry, introverted Englishman and composer, Henry Wright, is thrust on the scene by a pair of homespun matchmakers who know the ‘right’ man for Julia’s wounded heart.

Henry arrives in Pleasant Gap with the task of composing the soundtrack for his best mate’s newest film. The Jenkins’ family’s southern welcome and gregarious personalities set his reticent nature on edge, but he’s inexplicably drawn to his gentle and music-loving hostess, Julia. Uncertain how to build a friendship with the wounded woman, and rather hopeless in communicating well through words, the bond of music becomes a bridge between her uncertainty and his awkwardness.

But her broken past and his families’ expectations build a wall much greater than the cultures that separate them. As they work together to solve a musical mystery from the grave, will an unlikely romance from the past inspire their hearts to trust in a God who’s written the perfect melody for their lives?

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With these two, there will be three five star books in a row.

In the Unveiled Series the author has a gift for playing our heart strings with a wide variety of emotions. I think if I had anything to say about this book it would be just that, it was deeply emotional across all three books.

The Domino Effect was also an intense experience. It was very well written and engaging.

I loved them both and when the current read is finished I will be able to say I loved it too. I don’t get to say that nearly as often as I would like to.

Happy Reading y’all

Free and bargain books January 22, 2022

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The day is almost over and I’m finally getting to books.

BookBub has a couple of suggestions. One is an author I’ve never read but would like to take a chance on. The other is a book read and enjoyed five or six ears ago. New first.

Best Friend Hero: Hometown Heroes A-Z (Born In Texas Book 2) 

From best friends, to high school sweethearts, to barely talking… He knows he was a fool to let her go. Unfortunately, it’s going to take a miracle to convince her to give him a second chance.

Brody Anderson and Star Corrigan made all the superlatives in their high school yearbook, right down to being voted the Most Romantic Couple. But life happened, tragedy struck, and they drifted apart. No, it’s actually worse than that. He allowed his pride to push her away.

Now that he’s back on his feet after a near-crippling accident and his ranch is finally turning a profit, Brody can’t get Star out of his mind. More than anything, he wants her back. It won’t be easy convincing her to date him again, though — especially while running the new bed-and-breakfast on his ranch. Not to mention how much of his time his newfound cousin, Crew, is demanding these days after a few brushes with the law. Nor is he overly thrilled about Crew’s former prison buddy who’s been hanging around and the trouble he brings.

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It seems I’ve shared this book a few times. I had forgotten that little piece of information, but I can still remember reading the book. If I had the chance I would read it again.

Shelter (Shelter Trilogy Book 1)

She begged God to rescue her. 

He said, “Go.” 

So she headed out into the blizzard. In a car that wasn’t exactly hers, with a dog who wasn’t exactly a rat terrier, she drove. Until she ran out of gas in the small Maine town of Mattawooptock. Mattawoopwhat? What on earth is God thinking? 

But it is there, in a weird little bathroom in a weird little church in a weird little town that Maggie Hansen finds herself. And as God would have it, she finds a lot more than that.

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This next one from BookRunes is an author I’ve read and enjoyed a number of times. I’m looking forward to this book too. It is FREE.

When You Look at Me (A Pleasant Gap Romance Book 2)

An unexpected mother-to-be
A romance-leery composer
And a forgotten melody from the past that holds the keys to their futures

When Julia Jenkins’ great aunt dies and leaves her a Victorian mansion with decades of secrets, Julia never expects to unearth a World War 2 espionage mystery. Struggling with her own past since an assault left her pregnant, her future as a solo parent leaves her dreams uncertain. The inheritance from her great aunt gives Julia the ability to take a step back into her future, but also sends her into the discovery of a love story she’d never anticipated. As she goes through her aunt’s treasured possessions, Julia uncovers some oddly written piano music with a musical code she can’t decipher on her own. Not to worry, introverted Englishman and composer, Henry Wright, is thrust on the scene by a pair of homespun matchmakers who know the ‘right’ man for Julia’s wounded heart.

Henry arrives in Pleasant Gap with the task of composing the soundtrack for his best mate’s newest film. The Jenkins’ family’s southern welcome and gregarious personalities set his reticent nature on edge, but he’s inexplicably drawn to his gentle and music-loving hostess, Julia. Uncertain how to build a friendship with the wounded woman, and rather hopeless in communicating well through words, the bond of music becomes a bridge between her uncertainty and his awkwardness.

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Happy Reading y’all

Bargain books January 21, 2022

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BookBub has several bargain suggestions for us. This first one is an author I’ve never met. It appears she lives in my area but I’m not recognizing her name, I must ask around. I’m sure others in our monthly group will have met her somewhere along the line. I’m looking forward to experiencing her book.

Northern Deception (Heroes of the Tundra Book 1)

Reunions can be deadly.

After a savage attack in university, Kira Summers fled to the safety of northern Canada and her work as a polar bear scientist. But when her whistleblower brother dies in a mysterious car crash, she must return home to bury him and pack his belongings. Unaware she’s carrying explosive evidence someone’s willing to kill for, she has no choice but to rely on the one person she never thought she’d see again.

Lukas Tanner, a widowed single father of a special needs toddler, moved to Churchill five years ago. As the proud owner of Guiding Star Enterprises, a wilderness tour company, he and his daughter lead a simple life. But when Kira comes crashing back into his world, he realizes God has other plans. Now, Lukas and Kira must confront a merciless killer as their past and present collide in a deadly race—a race they must win if they have any hope of a future together.

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I’ve read two books from this next author. I think she belongs on my favorites list but reading another one would help decide for sure.

Four Little Blessings: Contemporary Christian Romance (The Dalton Brothers Book 1)

Introducing the Dalton Brothers series.

When Wade Dalton moves to a small Florida beach community for peace and quiet and a new job, he encounters the four little kids next door who are anything but quiet.

Because of difficult circumstances, the little noisemakers live with their young aunt, Cassie Rankin, who is their guardian. Wade is drawn to her determination, giving nature, and beauty, but she’s at least a dozen years younger than he is—way too young for him. At least that’s what he keeps telling himself.

Besides, he has issues that would only make life more challenging for Cassie and her charges. He plans to stay out of their lives, but four little blessings refuse to let that happen.

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Oops, this is taking longer than I thought.

I was checking out the current read to see if I should share it and kind of got sucked back into the story. When I pulled out to take a breath it took a few seconds before I remembered I was supposed to be writing not reading. I guess that’s a good enough sign that I should share the book. I’ve read and loved the first book of the three. I wasn’t sure I would like the second installment as I suspected it would be predictable. It has turned out to be anything but.

Unveiled Series Boxed Set

Read all three books of the Unveiled Series in one boxed set and follow one girl’s unforgettable journey of self-discovery, faith, and love.

Eyes Unveiled: A broken past. A jeopardized future. And a song of hope holding the answers to both. Not now. Anytime but now. With her junior year of college hanging in the balance, the last thing Emma Matthews needs is a blue-eyed distraction capable of undoing her plans with a single guitar strum. But when the reflection she sees in musician Riley Preston’s eyes borders dangerously close to the one she’s spent the last five years searching for, Emma discovers her walls can’t guard her heart from the hope he awakens.

Light Unshaken: A promise threatened. A love shaken. And a song of grace whispering courage to both. Between an unexpected relocation and mounting danger at her internship, there’s too much at stake to come undone now. Emma’s determined to be strong for those depending on her. But the more she strives to protect them, the more risks escalate until her worst fear collides with all she’s fought to trust.

Hope Unbroken: A dream worth fighting for. A fear worth surrendering. And a song of love leading them through it all. With an ultimatum jeopardizing Riley’s career and a ruthless vendetta sabotaging Emma’s efforts to save the Portland center, the fires they’d spent the last four months facing are far from over. As danger strikes and rifts emerge, the unrelenting war between the past and future tests Emma’s convictions until she has no choice but to put her faith in the one thing she’s always doubted.

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Whew, OK, so now I can go back to my book.

I had several posts in mind earlier but I guess I waited too long and now I can’t remember what they were. I’ll do some thinking before tomorrow, maybe they will come back to me. Or not. I guess if they don’t it means they weren’t all that great anyway. Something will show up I’m sure.

Until tomorrow.

Happy Reading!

It’s snowing again. bigger flakes this time. Not huge but not miniscule like the other day either.

Bargain books January 19, 2022

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1531 Entertainment has several interesting suggestions for us.

The first author is a favorite and this book is already part of my collection.

Justice Mission (True Blue K-9 Unit Book 2)

Police officers fight for justice with the help of their brave K-9 partners in the True Blue K-9 Unit series.

After K-9 unit administrative assistant Sophie Walters spots a suspicious stranger lurking at the K-9 graduation, the man kidnaps her—and she barely escapes.

With Sophie’s boss missing and someone determined to silence her, NYPD officer Luke Hathaway vows he and his K-9 partner will guard her. But he must keep an emotional distance to ensure this mission ends in justice…not cold-blooded murder.

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This next one is an author I’ve not read. It does look interesting though.

The Brontë Plot 

When a bookseller’s secret is unearthed, her world begins to crumble. But it may be the best thing that has ever happened to her.

Lucy Alling makes a living selling rare books, often taking suspicious liberties to reach her goals. When her unorthodox methods are discovered, Lucy’s secret ruins her relationship with her boss and her boyfriend, James—leaving Lucy in a heap of hurt and trouble. Something has to change; she has to change.

In a sudden turn of events, James’s wealthy grandmother, Helen, hires Lucy as a consultant for a London literary and antiques excursion. Lucy reluctantly agrees and soon discovers Helen holds secrets of her own. In fact, Helen understands Lucy’s predicament better than anyone else.

As the two travel across England, Lucy benefits from Helen’s wisdom as Helen confronts ghosts from her own past. Everything comes to a head at Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters, where Lucy is reminded of the sisters’ beloved heroines who, with tenacity and resolution, endured—even in the midst of impossible circumstances.

Now Lucy must face her past in order to move forward. And while it may hold mistakes and regrets, she will prevail—if only she can step into the life and the love that have been waiting for her all along.

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My current read is an author I’ve not experienced and it’s too early on to have an opinion. So far so good, though.

The Tin Whistle (‘Tis the Season Book 2)

Inspired by a true story…
1854
Jacob Gusky wakes up hoping Santa has arrived. And he has… but not for Jacob, one of two Jewish boys living at the Boys’ Home of Manhattan. When a friend gifts him a tin whistle, Jacob learns the power of giving, the joy in receiving, and hears what he considers to be the sound of happiness.
1881
Recently widowed and completely out of options, Frannie takes her daughter Molly to the Home for the Friendless. “You’ll be back before Christmas?” Molly asks. Frannie gives Molly half a quilt square and keeps the other, choking on her reply.
Now a happily married father of three, Jacob Gusky owns Gusky’s Grand Emporium, Pittsburgh’s first premier department store. After unearthing the tin whistle from the orphanage, he is reminded of what it felt like to have nothing, and decides to make a difference in the lives of others no matter their faith. But with so little time before Christmas morning, can he even begin to give the orphaned children of Pittsburgh what he knows they need?
When giving is more important than receiving…

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Happy Reading!