romance

A Change of Pace November 10, 2023

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A nice change with two new-to-me authors and a detour to the romance side of things after a long stint with mysteries. Both of them, historical fiction set in the American wild west. Add to that a couple of spunky women and it should be a good read times two.

When Love Comes in Disguise: A Historical Western Romance Book

After meeting in an orphanage many years ago, Ellen and Alice promised to stay close and protect each other, no matter what. When Alice attracts the attention of a kind man who wants to marry her, Ellen follows her to Fort Worth without a second thought… not even about where she will stay in this new town. Fearless and determined, she quickly comes up with an outrageous plan; she disguises herself as a man and gets a job at Alice’s husband’s ranch. Yet she never counted on meeting a handsome man there who complicates her thoughts and feelings. Should she risk telling him who she really is? Or should she keep her secret and never even have the chance to be with him?

Ben is happy helping at his best friend’s ranch, learning a lot and guiding the new ranch hands. When his best friend finds a wife from a newspaper ad, Ben thinks he’s quite careless to marry someone he has never met. His thoughts are completely forgotten though the minute he meets a mysterious woman in town and becomes determined to learn more about her. Much to his frustration, she disappears and reappears at the ranch out of nowhere, visiting a friend and always seeming to keep her distance from him. Where did she come from and why doesn’t she allow him to spend more time with her? Can Ben solve this riddle and earn her trust?

Both Ellen and Ben feel a strong pull to each other from the very first moment their eyes meet. Ellen’s heart flutters during their fleeting moments together but sinks as soon as she has to disguise herself again. When everything inevitably comes to light, will it shatter their growing connection forever? Or could their feelings be enough to keep them together?

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The Wagon Master’s Wife (First Families of Sterling Book 1)

A woman set on escaping her circumstances. A man determined to start a new life, and a past that haunts them both.

Amanda Crumb is determined to have a fresh start. After hearing her brother’s plans to offer her as a prize in a high-stakes poker game, she knows she must leave the only home she’s ever known immediately. When she is rejected by the local wagon master to join his traveling party, she takes matters into her own hands. What she didn’t expect was a man with hard rules and a secret that is closer than she could ever imagine.

Charlie Holstead has rules he lives by. No unmarried women on his wagon train. Never get married…again. He is ready to lead his final wagon train and settle down in the town of Sterling, Co. and he doesn’t want any complications. But when he finds a stowaway in one of his wagons, things just became more complicated.

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I’m ready for a change after the intense mysteries I’ve been reading the last while. I do like mysteries though.

To break things up a little I’ve been re-watching my plentiful music video collection while redoing a ten puzzle box of jigsaw puzzles, puzzles I don’t remember doing in the first place. There’s plenty of evidence to convince me I have though. Lots of fun on a snowy Friday.

A little ADHD kicking in here.

2 authors new to us November 08, 2023

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It’s always a good day when we have a chance to experience an author for the first time. BookBub is bringing this first one to our attention.

The Georgia Rae Winston Mysteries Books 1-3 (Georgia Rae Winston Mystery Collections Book 1)

The introduction to these books is very long so I’m gong to share a shortened version.

Deadly Harvest

All Georgia Rae Winston wants is to fall in love. Life, of course, has other plans.

Georgia’s biggest challenge in the farming town of Wildcat Springs, Indiana, is figuring out how to win Evan Beckworth’s heart. Until the day she discovers the body of a former student in the woods.

She assumes it was an accident. When she starts to suspect it wasn’t, it stirs memories of her father’s murder nine years earlier. A murder never solved. Georgia refuses to let that happen this time.

Deadly Holiday

A new boyfriend. (Maybe.) A Christmas program to run. And a man dying at her feet.
Georgia Winston is now dating Detective Cal Perkins, planning a Christmas program, and navigating her relationship with her twin stepbrothers. Just another day. But then her church’s youth pastor dies of poisoning, and she’s the only one who hears his final word, “Anchor.”

After the youth pastor’s girlfriend disappears, Georgia starts asking questions. Too many. When she’s almost run off the road, she goes on the offensive—with her stepbrothers’ help—and starts putting the pieces of the murder together. But Cal isn’t happy. Because any one of those pieces could get her killed.

Deadly Heritage

Georgia’s life has finally settled down. Or so she thought. She couldn’t be more wrong.

Georgia Rae Winston’s life in the farming community of Wildcat Springs, Indiana, has found a nice, quiet rhythm. She’s dating Detective Cal Perkins, and everyone predicts wedding bells—if only Cal weren’t so consumed with work.

But then Clara Alspaugh, the town prodigal, comes home after thirty-eight years. She just so happens to be the woman who broke Georgia’s dad’s heart back in high school.

The night she returns, Clara’s mother is killed during a break-in gone wrong. The scenario is eerily similar to Georgia’s father’s murder nine and a half years earlier, and Georgia suspects there are lies from the past someone doesn’t want unearthed.

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This next author we have experienced once before. It’s nice to have a second chance.

Flash Point: Hometown Heroes: Book 2

She was the last contact with a missing man…
…He will stop at nothing to protect her.
But will the cost be too high?

Directionally-challenged architect Sarah Brockman never thought getting lost on the way to a job site would put her in danger. But she finds it when the man who assists her goes missing. Attempts to help the police thrust her into a series of events that could cost her everything.

Fire Captain Joe Romero has let too many things get in the way of his pursuit of Sarah. And now she is in danger, he’ll stop at nothing to protect her. No matter the price.

With Sarah’s firm and Joe’s career at risk, they must learn to trust each other completely to uncover the guilty. But can they discover his identity in time?

Or will they lose everything, including each other?

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Coming soon will be another clearing of the growing read and enjoyed pile.

New books in the series, November 01, 2023

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Winter is full on here, folks. It’s all my fault. I said I wanted to move before the snow flies, visualizing weeks down the road. This is not working out well for me.

Not that I’ve decided on a new place to live yet either. Procrastination is the name of the game. If I could pick up this house and move it to the new city, maybe that would help. Or not.

I can’t visualize what life will look like for me in the new location. It’s not easy to be excited when the road ahead is non existent. Or maybe it’s just the idea of the road ahead looking like the same-old, same-old in a new location that’s the problem.

It’s a good thing I’m on here now because there are new books. I need a steady supply to keep me sane in these uncertain days.

On the flip side, I’m always up for a move. My kids tell me it’s the Attention deficit disorder kicking in. Eleven years is a long time to stay in one place (in my mind, anyway.) It’s time for a new adventure. I’ll let you know how that goes.

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So, it was exciting this morning to see two of the series I/we have been reading lately have come out with new installments. It’s a good day after all. The first one is from one of my top five favorite authors.

Roulette: A Thriller

Don’t trip. It could cost your life…

They call it Roulette because there’s no way of knowing what kind of ecstasy awaits. A rollercoaster ride through any one of seven heavens—or straight to hell.

A new and dangerous substance has suddenly appeared at the rave scene of Gainesville, Florida. When former special agent Eric Bannon comes to investigate, the local sheriff doesn’t know whether to be relieved someone is finally taking the rave issue seriously, or disturbed about who has answered the call. The inquiry must be kept quiet. But why are senior government officials turning a blind eye to such a dangerous drug?

As the county hospital’s senior ER nurse, Carol Steen has seen her share of small-town trouble. Her greatest concern is the snobbish new doctor. Stacie Swann is everything Carol detests: fresh out of med school, too many years her junior, drop-dead gorgeous—and with a bad attitude. Why did Stacie, an upcoming surgical star, leave her prestigious residency at the University of Florida medical center and take up station in their remote clinic?

To Stacie, the nosey nurse is only a bitter reminder of what the medical establishment took from her, landing her in Middle of Nowhere, Florida. But when the night’s emergencies are rushed in, the two ladies begin to bond over a common challenge.

What appears to be a simple case of overdose turns into an ER nightmare. Patients seem to be suffering symptoms from multiple drugs. None are detectable.

Eric arrives at the clinic in time to witness the victims’ transformation from near-coma to bestial strength and ferocity. Eric and the ladies track the drug’s origin to clandestine operations based within the university student body. These young people both finance the production and facilitate the human trials of the world’s most exciting new high.

Roulette makes you feel like your best self, times ten. Because it’s no longer the old you.

Carol and Stacie’s patients belong to the 1% of consumers exposed to Roulette’s true purpose, a purpose so heinous it will rewrite not just history, but the human genome.

As opposition mounts from within his own government, Eric must face off with experimental science and the question: In the battle to control the future of humanity, do they really want to fight fire with fire?

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While browsing Thomas Locke I came across a book in my collection that I haven’t read in years. It is Fantasy. There is a full book in the collection and then The Captive, a shorter book of excerpts from said book. I won’t do more than show the covers due to space but check them out if you love fantasy.

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On to the next new book. We’ve read the prequel in this series now we have the second book which is referred to as book 1.

Bait (Denver FBI Book 1)

FBI Special Agent Caisey Lyons is going undercover. To get abducted. But when the killer evades capture, an injured Caisey takes some much needed time off. In the small town of Buckshot, CO, she runs straight into a homicidal sheriff…and an old flame. Gabe Carlen has been hiding from his uncle for seventeen years. Caisey might be the one woman he’s never forgotten, but she’s also brought his uncle right to his doorstep—and revenge is sure to follow.

While the Chloroform Killer’s obsession for Caisey grows, she must repair the rift in her family and figure out if a future with Gabe is possible. Only by trusting God with their safety can she let go long enough to save herself.

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Between new books and old books, we have lots of reading material to keep our minds off those negative thoughts that keep bringing us down. Besides it’s too nice a day to be down, the sunshine is pretty on the white snow.

A Christmas Collection 2023 version October 26

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Every year I look forward to the day this collection is published. It isn’t even a pre-order this time so there will be no waiting in anticipation, we can get right down to the joy of reading.

Marry Christmas: Christmas Lights Collection 2023 (The Christmas Lights Collection)

‘Tis the season to be married!

Join the Christmas Lights Collection authors as the merriment of Christmas and romance of weddings come together in four unforgettable love stories.

Can’t Fight the Mistletoe by Jaycee Weaver

Alessia has no patience for handsome charmers, plus she’s busy enough directing activities for a retirement community. But when an octogenarian couple announces their day-after-Christmas wedding, she can’t refuse the help of Mr. Charming himself, Danger Stevens, no matter how badly she’d like to.

Thanks to family, meddling retirees, and a little forced proximity, the pair’s perceptions are challenged as their chemistry builds. With all the holiday hijinks, Alessia’s finding it hard to fight the urge to meet Dan under the mistletoe.

The Last Mountain Christmas by Teresa Tysinger

Chelsea Macintosh loves spending the holiday season at the cozy mountain cabin that her family has co-owned with the Reynolds family for two decades. When Owen Reynolds, her childhood friend and first heartbreak, unexpectedly returns for the festivities, she guards herself from being hurt again.

Back in Spruce Ridge after four years away, Owen must confront the memories of his own shattered heart he endured at the cabin. When their parents announce plans to sell the cabin, Owen and Chelsea are thrust into planning the wedding of Chelsea’s sister and her fiancé who wish to be married at the beloved family retreat while they still can.

A second chance at love blooms amidst the rekindling of old friendships and a flurry of Christmas merriment!

Hashtag Hitched at Christmas by Cathe Swanson

Aspiring social media influencer Lindy Sutton didn’t know what she was getting into when her great-aunt convinced her to promote Golden Valley’s new conference center as a wedding venue. The rural Montana town is dying, and if splashing an absurd rodeo princess dream wedding all over the internet will help save it, Lindy will give it a shot. It might be ridiculous, or it might go viral!

Sheriff Wyatt West knows they need to bring in money and jobs, but when a vivacious city girl comes blazing into town with her overpriced coffee and camera in hand, can you blame him for resisting her crazy ideas?

But when someone tries to sabotage their project, they must team up to identify the culprits. Who knew that the meeting of their minds would spark a meeting of the lips?

The Lights of New Cheltenham by Chautona Havig

She lost her job, she’s been installed as an ad-hock wedding planner, and then there’s that guy who doesn’t like her. Christmas is gonna be great this year.

Crystal Steele comes to New Cheltenham to help with a friend’s wedding. It was supposed to be simple stuff. Address a few invitations, find some décor pieces. Easy peasy. But one disaster after another strikes and leaves her redoing everything and at the last minute.

Owner of 221-B and purveyor of all things Sherlock, Lewis Chambers has his own stresses with a niece he didn’t know existed needing a home and now can’t figure out what Crystal is up to, and he can’t figure out why he’s drawn to someone who may be trying to bust up a friend’s wedding!

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This is it for today but there are four books in the collection so there is that.

A treasure: October 24, 2023

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I’m beyond excited to find this treasure tonight from a beloved long time favorite author. This suggestion from BookBub was totally unexpected and it is a bright ending to the day. We’ve read and enjoyed the rest of this series. This book starts with a bang and I can hardly wait to get started on it.

The Christmas Hummingbird (Miramar Bay)

Ryan Eames is a policewoman and single mother dedicated most of all to her lonely, uniquely gifted son. Stretched thin by double shifts and grappling with an out-of-season coastal wildfire, Christmas cheer feels as far away as a distant carol on a winter night. Until duty draws her into the life of a stranger.
 
Ethan Lange is alive because Ryan reached his canyon home before the blaze. Christmas is weeks away, and Ethan has lost everything. A man reckoning with a painful past, it’s not the first time he’s been forced to start over. At least now it’s in the redeeming embrace of Miramar Bay.
 
Forging an animal rescue operation, Ryan and Ethan first unite by their cause and the rally of a close-knit community. But it’s Ryan’s extraordinary child who draws them into something deeper and more surprising. Something to be thankful for. Now with every beat of their hearts, Christmas in Miramar Bay looks to be a season of love, healing, and sweet mercies that will be remembered for a lifetime.

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An interesting book from another familiar author has captured my attention. Can’t wait to read this one too.

Soldier’s Christmas Secrets (Justice Seekers Book 1)

A special ops soldier presumed dead must blow his cover to save his family in this intriguing story from USA TODAY bestselling author Laura Scott, part of the Justice Seekers series.

When a plane crash left special ops soldier Hawk Jacobson with amnesia, all he knows is that the plane was sabotaged and he has a target on his back. His survival depends on letting everyone—including his wife Jillian Wade—believe he’s dead. Until gunmen come after Jillian and the daughter he never knew existed. Can Jillian help him regain his memory in time to expose a killer?

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This has been a nice surprise. New books always make for a good day.

New books October 22, 2023

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What a treat! New books; a nice start to the week.

BookBub suggested this one. A three book collection that promises to give us a few lighter moments, maybe even some laughs. That would be a welcome start to the week.

Bachelors of Clear Creek trilogy boxset: Sweet Romantic Comedies 

Jake, Ethan, & Tommy live in the small town of Idaho Springs, Clear Creek – Population 1,800. They all love the outdoors lifestyle and close friendships but one thing is lacking – the female population.

Enjoy this laugh-out-loud series with a fake identity, second-chance, and best friends to more romance to warm your heart and soul.

Meet the swoony men of Clear Creek & their sassy love interests. You’ll sigh at the sizzling kisses and laugh at the awkward moments in this clean and wholesome, small-town romance series.

What others say about Lisa Renee’s series:

“The author brings the story to life with her words and keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next.”

“A classic Lisa Renee rom com full of the kinds of unexpected moments and witty dialogue that keeps you laughing and wondering what in the world is going to happen next. Great fun from start to finish!”

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This next one will not be encouraging any laughs in us, quite the opposite in fact, but it should be a good read based on our experience with other books from this author.

PREVAIL: Contemporary Christian Romantic Suspense (Spiritual Warfare Series Book 5)

Garrett’s job with the Coastguard is high-paced and harrowing, but his social life resembles an ocean freighter stuck in the doldrums. With Christmas on the horizon, he’s trying to hold to his new faith, but a tragedy in his childhood makes it the one holiday he dreads.

Paramedic Whitney Springfield loves Christmas, and Garrett Lovett might be the best Christmas gift ever—if she could get him to notice her. But it’s evident that silky blond locks trump her red curls where the handsome IronWorks grad is concerned.

When another Christmas tragedy strikes, Garrett and Whitney join forces to catch a killer. In the midst, they may find each other—if the guilt from past mistakes doesn’t keep them apart. Novella length.

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One more with a serious note to it. We did read and enjoy Book 1 in this series so it would a shame not to read Book 2 as well.

The Darkness Beyond (Against the Darkness Book 2)

Will she surrender her life to the darkness beyond to save her friends?
As Dr. Meiling Chen-Adams, prepares for her Maui honeymoon, a call from President Warrington changes her and Ryan’s lives forever. Meiling’s story has weaved through the media during the previous three months and attracted the president’s attention. He wants Meiling to apply her RNA virus theories to counter the CCP’s bioweapons. But staying ahead of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) requires obtaining the genomes they are using.
Establishing the espionage network she needs places Meiling and her American team in danger deep inside of China. Added to that danger is the Novel Marburg Virus the CCP unleashes on the world.
If Meiling and her team survive, can they hold the furious biological onslaught of the CCP and the PLA at bay?
Set in Colorado, D.C., Hong Kong, and Wuhan, China, The Darkness Beyond is a clean medical thriller with espionage, intrigue, and military conflict—an epic battle between good and evil.

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Well, this was unexpected. Finding new books so effortlessly. I love it when it all comes together so easily.

Hopefully the rest of the week will go as well for us and we have some happy reading.

Two free books from a known author October 07, 2023

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What a great way to take a chance on an author I haven’t read in a while, like years. It was a BookBub suggestion that caught my attention and I’m glad because the first few pages look interesting enough to take the bait.

BookBub suggested Killing it in Paris and happily Déjà Dead showed up in the thread. I’m looking forward to this opportunity to experience both of them.

Killing it in Paris: A heart-stopping thriller mystery set in Paris (The Claire Baskerville Mysteries Book 5)

Life begins to settle down for Claire after her horrific first year in Paris. Her career as the exclusive private investigator for the Paris expat community continues to thrive when the abusive boyfriend of her nanny is killed and the girl is arrested for the crime.

Determined to free the girl, Claire pushes through French red tape, double-dealing bureaucrats and a killer who is just as determined to stop her uncovering the truth—no matter the cost.This book is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex or strong languageGenre: Mystery/thriller, women amateur sleuth, cozy animal (dog)

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Déjà Dead: A riveting thriller mystery set in Paris (The Claire Baskerville Mysteries Book 1)

Things can get pretty dark in the City of Light Claire Baskerville is a sixty-something American who finds herself alone in Paris when her husband is brutally murdered. Reeling from the onslaught of devastating secrets he left behind Claire is stunned to realize she no longer knows who to trust. She only knows she can’t move forward until she finds out the truth behind who killed her husband.

In spite of a genetic brain anomaly that makes it impossible for her to remember faces –even ones she’d seen just moments before, and all alone in a foreign city, Claire doggedly collects the clues that will lead her to her husband’s killer. Unfortunately, the closer she gets to the truth, the more determined that killer is to make sure she never leaves Paris alive. This book is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex or strong language Genre: women amateur sleuth.

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Another BookBub suggestion is a collection including a book we were drawn to several years ago. This is a great chance to read books 2 and 3 in the series and I’m looking forward to this chance too.

Elle’s Freedom Ridge Collection: Christian Christmas Romance

Discover the captivating Heroes of Freedom Ridge series in this heartwarming Christmas romance collection.

In Healing the Hero, chef Ashley Castle falls for her enigmatic boss, Daniel Winchester, at the Freedom Ridge Resort. As she uncovers a dangerous plot, can they navigate their feelings, his past, and the looming threat?

In Persuaded by the Hero, a reunion sparks buried feelings between Bryce and Sabrina. With their lives and her son’s future hanging in the balance, can they risk a second chance at love in Freedom, Colorado?

In Inspired by the Hero, a blizzard traps Casey Crawford and her secret crush, Gage Buchanan. As threats close in, will their faith guide them through their difficulties?

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I’m behind in exploring suggestion emails and this one is several days old. The special price is still active so we haven’t missed out on a great opportunity. This author is fairly new to me. I think I did read one of her books a few years ago and it’s good to see her again.

Into the Flood: A Christian Romance (Seasons of Faith Book 1) 

She took this small-town job as a temporary last resort. Falling for her reserved boss was not part of the plan.

One mistake imploded Sonia Krogstad’s PR career, leaving her with a stack of debt and no job prospects. Out of options, she returns to her tiny hometown in the northern wilds of Norway, planning only to stay long enough to get back on her feet and prepare for her big-city comeback.

Reclusive tech genius Axel Vikhammer bought a non-profit community arts center that’s fast becoming a money pit. Closing it down is not an option, especially since it’s a refuge for the teenage daughter he only recently learned he has. With her PR background, Sonia seems the perfect hire for the job as his center’s fundraising manager.

Yet as feelings develop between the two, Axel wonders how he can trust Sonia with his business—or his heart—when her dreams don’t include his small town or him.

With her head and her heart pulling her in different directions, Sonia needs to take a leap of faith. But every time she’s done that in the past, she’s fallen flat on her face. Why should it be different now?

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It has turned out to be a profitable opportunity today and it’s been nice to have a reason to connect with you again. Have a great weekend.

New book October 03, 2023

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BookRunes has a suggestion for the 4th book in a series we have been following lately.

Saving Faith (New England Inspirations Book 4)

How many promises will she break?

Jess is trying put a painful past behind her and finally secure her college degree.

But when a greedy man buys her entire block and threatens to evict all the tenants, including her and her uncle, she knows she has to do something drastic to save her home…

and the church property that holds her parents’ graves.

Being filthy rich has its perks.

But Axel still hates running his father’s large development firm.

Drowning his sorrows in alcohol, parties, and pretty faces, Axel is too self-absorbed to admit his life is spiraling out of control, even after a recorded display of his violent temper goes viral.

Jess applies to work for Axel to get close to her enemy, but she soon realizes her new boss is hurting almost as much as she is. Days before the mass eviction takes place, Jess must make a difficult decision to avoid becoming the monster she set out to destroy.

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Sadly, nothing else appealed to me this time. Oh well, one is better than none, I always say.

This has been a week for the raking of leaves, just to keep ahead of the game. The taller the trees grow the more leaves they contribute to the mess. They are pretty though, with all the beautiful shades of red. And it’s nice to have a good excuse to get outside in the sunshine and fresh air before winter sets in.

I’m working on making a move closer to my kids so this will be the last year for this privilege. Bitter sweet.

Reading time and browsing time has been hard to come by this week, the next few weeks will probably be more of the same.

Packing up and moving is always a lot of work, but I love it anyway. On the down side, it will be a little sad to leave my pretty house. I’ll have to hold out for another pretty house. Visually pleasing always is a mood lifter and I’m happy about that. What ever works.

I’ll let you know if I’m successful.

A new installment of Read and Enjoyed September 30, 2023

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This first one was finished today, a little bit ago. All the way through I kept feeling like I’d read it before, likely in an enjoyable collection we’ve had recently. It was just as good the second time around, no disappointment here.

Alaska Twilight

“You hide behind your camera instead of stepping out and engaging life with both hands. You’re so afraid you’ll fail at something, you won’t even try.”

For some people, Alaska is a breathtaking wilderness adventure, full of light and beauty. For Haley, it is a dangerous world of dark dreams and tortured memories. On the surface, she’s here to document wildlife activist Kipp Nowak’s bear encounters. But her real reason is to unearth the truth about a past murder. The suspense mounts when another body turns up, and Haley begins to wonder if the tragedies she experienced in the past are connected to the dangers and mysterious incidents of the present.

From behind her camera, Haley observes it all, including Tank Lassiter, the wildlife biologist who has been forced to lead Kipp and his team into the Alaskan backcountry. As she watches him with his work, she feels a growing attraction. It will take great courage and faith to confront the truth she once ran away from. Before it’s over, Haley may be viewing herself from an entirely new angle.

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This next one was finished yesterday. It’s be hanging around all year just like the one above. It was overlooked for so long mainly because I couldn’t imagine from the title that it wouldn’t be a little weird. It totally was anything but weird. It was well written and a good experience, the way the story was all laid out. I’m not going to say much, to keep from spoiling it for you. It was definitely unpredictable and that was the best part. It was not an easy read but it was one I would read again.

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water: A Novel

The best fiction simply tells the truth.
But the truth is never simple.

When novelist Kendra Brennan moves into her grandfather’s old cabin on Hidden Lake, she has a problem and a plan. The problem? An inflammatory letter from A Very Disappointed Reader. The plan? To confront Tyler, her childhood best friend’s brother–and the man who inspired the antagonist in her first book. If she can prove that she told the truth about what happened during those long-ago summers, perhaps she can put the letter’s claims to rest and meet the swiftly approaching deadline for her next book.

But what she discovers as she delves into the murky past is not what she expected. While facing Tyler isn’t easy, facing the consequences of her failed friendship with his sister, Cami, may be the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.

Plumb the depths of the human heart with this emotional exploration of how a friendship dies, how we can face the unforgivable, and how even those who have been hurt can learn to love with abandon.

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The next bunch will be a quick share for lack of time and room. They were all great reads.

It has been a good time with all of these books.

Interesting new book September 27, 2023

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This BookRunes suggestion will be emotionally challenging, adding a high level to the interest factor. They say a good story always has a requisite number of crisis points and intense interactions. While it adds interest to the story it’s sad that a situation like this happens at all never mind more often than we realize.

Picking Daisy (New England Inspirations Book 3)

It’s never too late…

to find the love of a family.

When divorcee Elise signs up to be a foster parent at the age of 50, she wonders if she made a huge mistake.

Her fear increases when her first placement comes straight from the police station in the middle of the night. Elise struggles to care for the angry teenager who is more difficult to love than anyone she’s ever met before.

At only 15, DJ has lived a harder life than most other orphans.

A terrifying step-father and a string of unfit foster parents has left DJ with a fragile heart that keeps its distance. That way no one can ever hurt her again.

When DJ is sent to live with Elise temporarily, the two struggle to connect while DJ makes secret plans to run away. But as Elise shares God’s love, both hearts begins to soften and believe that a happily family might not be completely out of reach.

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I’m excited to find another Lynette Eason mystery not in my library yet.

A Silent Terror

A deaf woman navigates a maze of danger and intrigue in the first High Stakes thriller from the USA Today–bestselling author of A Silent Fury.

When Marianna Santino’s roommate is killed, Detective Ethan O’Hara can’t fathom the motive. Then he realizes the deaf teacher was the intended target. Marianna must have something the murderer desperately wants. But what?

Digging for the truth, the guarded cop tries to learn everything he can about Marianna. Her world. Her family. Her beauty, faith and fierce independence. In spite of himself, Ethan finds that he can’t keep his feelings at bay. Soon, he’s willing to risk everything—including his heart—to lay the silent terror stalking Marianna to rest.

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Another treasure turned up. This is a good day.

Thread of Revenge (Coldwater Bay Intrigue)

There’s no quit in a Coast Guard investigator trying to save a woman from his past in this stormy thriller from the USA Today–bestselling author.

Marine biologist Sadie Strand is back in her coastal hometown to prove her best friend was murdered—but searching for evidence almost costs Sadie her life. Abducted, drugged and left for dead on a sinking boat, she’s barely rescued in time by Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Gage Sessions, an old friend. Assigned to protect Sadie and connect three complicated cases, Gage risks his life time and again to make sure the woman he once loved survives. But although the handsome, guarded agent vows to protect her, someone will keep killing to ensure the truth never rises to the surface.

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My current read is pretty interesting.

Still Waters (Low Country Series Book 1)

Apologies – The cover picture is unavailable in a form suitable for this space.

Welcome to Edisto Beach where the days are slow and the past is never far away…

Recent graduate Cora Anne Halloway has a history degree and a plan—avoid her own past. Then her beloved grandmother requests one last summer at Still Waters, the family cottage on Edisto Beach.

Despite difficult memories lingering among the oak canopies and gentle tides, Edisto tempts her with forgiveness—especially since Nan hires Tennessee Watson to oversee cottage repairs. A local contractor dedicated to the Island’s preservation from development, Tennessee offers Cora Anne friendship and more, if she can move beyond her guilt over his father’s death.

For this young woman on the cusp of a new life, peace with her past means reconciling her family and her Edisto memories. But acceptance of her story may mean loving the man determined to preserve a history she’d rather forget.

This is a heartwarming story of young love, old tragedies, and new life wrapped in an idyllic Lowcountry setting praised by NYT bestseller Patti Callahan (Becoming Mrs. Lewis) as a “moving tale of reconciling the past and living for the future.”

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That’s it for today folks. It’s been fun.