romance

Bargain books April 14, 2021

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We have books. I am so excited. It’s been feeling like a long dry spell. I know it’s not really been that long but to me a day or two feels loooong. I start to go through book withdrawal.

So, first, on the lighter side, BookBub has a suggestion for us. This author is new to me. The first page starts out well so I’m going to take a chance.

All of You, Always (Walker Beach Romance Book 1)

Amazon quote:

Going undercover is Bella’s only hope.

Her mission?

Convince Ben to sell his inn, and she’ll get the information needed to locate the family she’s never known.

Should be simple, right? After all, he’s behind on his mortgage, and a recent earthquake has rocked the town—and his finances. His beachfront property is ripe for the picking.

But the big-city executive didn’t count on him being so stubborn. So rooted in family and tradition and everything that small-town America stands for.

She also didn’t count on him being so attractive and wounded and … good.

And Bella has to wonder if the ends really justify the means.

But more than that—can love survive a lie?

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Next, 1531 Entertainment has a suggestion. Colleen Coble is right up there near the top of my favorites list, I never pass up the chance for one of her books.

Strands of Truth

Amazon quote:

Suspense, romance, and generational secrets meld when a DNA test helps Harper Taylor locate the family she’s always longed for . . . but has it also put her in the crosshairs of a killer? 

Harper Taylor is used to being alone—after all, she grew up in one foster home after another. Oliver Jackson finally took her under his wing when she was a runaway teenager, and now Harper pours her marine biology knowledge into Oliver’s pen shell research. But she’s never stopped wishing for a family of her own.

When a DNA test reveals a half-sister living just two hours away, Harper is both hopeful and nervous. Over warm cinnamon rolls, Harper and Annabelle find striking similarities in their stories. Is it just a coincidence that both their mothers died tragically, without revealing Harper and Annabelle’s father’s name? 

Oliver’s son Ridge still sees Harper as a troubled teen even all these years later. But when Oliver is attacked, Ridge and Harper find themselves working together to uncover dangerous secrets that threaten to destroy them all. They must unravel her past before they can have any hope for the future. 

Strands of Harper Taylor’s childhood are resurfacing—but will the truth save her . . . or pull her under? Suspense, romance, and generational secrets meld in this engrossing new novel from USA

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Another favorite author. That may be a bit of an understatement since there are 34 Christy Barritt books in my downloads library.

Rocco: a clean romantic suspense novel (Lantern Beach Blackout: The New Recruits Book 1)

Amazon quote:

Former Navy SEAL and new Blackout recruit Rocco Foster is on a simple in and out mission. But the operation turns complicated when an unsuspecting woman wanders into the line of fire.

Peyton Ellison’s life mission is to sprinkle happiness on those around her. When a cupcake delivery turns into a fight for survival, she must trust her rescuer—a handsome stranger—to keep her safe.

Rocco is determined to figure out why someone is targeting Peyton. First, he must keep the intriguing woman safe and earn her trust. But threats continue to pummel them as incriminating evidence emerges and pits them against each other.

With time running out, the two must set aside both their growing attraction and their doubts about each other in order to work together. But the perilous facts they discover leave them wondering what exactly the truth is . . . and if the truth can be trusted.

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Currently, I’m reading and thoroughly enjoying a book by an author I’ve loved before.

Out of Hiding 

After witnessing the brutal murder of her parents as a child, Sadie Lane was placed into Witness Protection. Now as an adult, she has a thriving business as a private investigator, but her biggest case is yet to come.

Sadie’s on the hunt to find the man who killed her parents—a brutal crime boss running a dangerous and corrupt syndicate.

Her quest for justice collides with FBI Special Agent Kip Moore who is targeting the organized crime network.

Sadie can’t trust anyone with her secrets—even Kip, but she must work with him to get the killer who forever changed her life. Sadie must put her faith in Kip even when it seems impossible to trust anyone.

The secrets of her past catch up to her when she stares into the eyes of the murderer. Can she keep her true identity secret long enough to bring the killer to justice?

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I hope you all are half as excited as I am to have more new books.

Happy Reading!

Free book April 11, 2021

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BookBub has a FREE suggestion for us today. I have a lot of respect for this author. He has a tender heart filled with wisdom and has a gift for sharing encouragement. I don’t know his full story but he must have one the way he can relate to our pain. He has written many books and has a robust online presence. It adds a new dimension to the impact of his message if you can experience the visual version of his wisdom.

Naked and Not Ashamed: It’s Time to Reveal What God Longs to Heal 

Amazon quote:

Secrets to Healing and Wholeness

Can you present your hurts and failures to  God without shame?

In this classic bestseller, Bishop T.D. Jakes brings encouragement that casts out the fear of vulnerability before God. When you can stand before God, unashamed, you can receive the healing He freely offers.

From the pain of a sick body to the sadness of a dying relationship, from the crushing blow of betrayal to the mental torment of reliving past mistakes—God longs to set you free and release cleansing rivers of mercy, forgiveness, and restoration into every hurting part of your life!

Discover how to:

  • Rest in God’s healing power as you honestly give Him your pain, fear, and hurt.
  • Live your life with confidence because you’ve learned how to break the power of guilt and shame.
  • Boldly access the power of Jesus’ blood and apply it to every area of brokenness you are facing. 

When you open your failures and hurts to God, He will open the floodgates of healing over you!

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T.D. Jakes has written many books, most of them non-fiction but there are a few novels mixed in. I’ve never read any of them but one caught my eye as I breezed past.

Cover Girls by T.D. Jakes

Amazon quote:

This compelling novel follows four women as they learn to balance children, estranged husbands, boyfriends, and problems at work through their faith in God.

Michelle, Tonya, Mrs. Judson, and Miz Ida. African-American, white, rich, poor — they seemingly have nothing in common. Yet every day they face the complex realities of twenty-first-century urban life as they try to balance their needs with their belief in God. Through the course of a year, these women must come to terms with the past, discover their true identities, and recognize the unexpected miracles that reveal God’s all-encompassing love.

These four women entertain us and invite us to join in their lives. As they welcome us, they also introduce us to the men in their lives. The men play supporting roles, adding color and zest to the lives of the Cover Girls.

Bishop Jakes knows the struggles real women encounter and the losses that make it difficult to face the future. He brings compassionate insight and deep wisdom to this novel and proves that he is not only a gifted preacher, but a born storyteller.

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Currently, I’m reading an engaging thriller. My favorite of the week from an author I’ve previously enjoyed at least four times. This experience has not disappointed and I am very happy. This book is still FREE so check it out if you enjoy thrillers and clean novels.

Mind Games (Kaely Quinn Profiler Book #1) 

Kaely Quinn’s talents as an FBI behavior analyst are impossible to ignore, no matter how unorthodox her methods. But when a reporter outs her as the daughter of an infamous serial killer, she’s demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis.

When the same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely’s, the reporter’s ulterior motives bring his claim into question. But when a body is found that fits the poem’s predictions, the threat is undeniable, and the FBI sends Special Agent Noah Hunter to St. Louis.

Initially resentful of the assignment, Noah is surprised at how quickly his respect for Kaely grows, despite her oddities. But with a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else–including Kaely herself–is killed.

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This has definitely been a slow week for great book suggestions that fit my free or bargain criteria.

I use this criteria for several reasons and I can’t figure out which one is more important. It’s a tie, I think.

For one thing, I use it as the only unemotional way I can come up with to narrow down the possibilities. I use clean as a filter too but it still leaves far to many choices. To be honest I can’t keep up with all of the downloads as it is. I need a filter with muscle.

I suppose I could resort to not ordering every book I mention but that creates another problem. I want to offer books that I know are worth the read. I can’t do that if I don’t read them or know the authors from previous reads.

The other reason, for the most part, that I stick to free and bargain is budget. It would be really easy for me to go over board on spending without restrictions of some sort.

The other thing I like about free and bargain is that it gives me a chance to liberally experience unknown authors. This privilege has been a blessing in so many ways. My favorite authors list has grown to be unbelievably long.

I’m hoping by focusing on free and bargain suggestions it will give you a chance to read books you might not otherwise too. It is so much fun to discover new loves.

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Happy reading y’all

Free book April 08, 2021

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BookRunes has a FREE suggestion for us. This is a book from two years ago for me. I know I read it and have a vague recollection so I’m planning to read it again to refresh my memory. If I remember right it was well worth the read.

Lost and Found

“Yttrup has penned a many faceted novel that challenges the reader to pursue spiritual growth as fully as any self-help book would, making her fiction as inspirational as it is entertaining.” Publishers Weekly
Two women who’ve compromised for the sake of security… Will they risk it all?

Jenna Bouvier is losing everything: beauty, family, and wealth. When her emotionally destructive mother-in-law accuses Jenna of an affair with her spiritual director and threatens to expose them, Jenna also risks losing her reputation as a woman of faith. She must choose between bowing to her mother-in-law’s control or fighting for what she holds dear. As Jenna loses her life, will she find it?

Andee Bell has found exactly what she wanted: fame, fortune, respect, and a special man–Jenna’s brother. Despite her success, a secret quells her contentment. As memories torment, Andee can pursue peace in a relationship with God or sabotage herself while taking down the only person she cares about. As Andee finds her life, will she lose it?

Moving between San Francisco and the Napa Valley, Jenna and Andee form an unlikely relationship that leads them to a crossroad. They can follow familiar inclinations, or risk it all and walk in faith.

“A fascinating and helpful read about a woman caught in the web of another person’s deceit and manipulation.” Leslie Vernick, Author of The Emotionally Destructive Relationship, and The Emotionally Destructive Marriage

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A book I do remember reading by this author is Words. It is not a bargain or Free but is worth mentioning just because it is. It made a huge impact on me. Insightful and heart grabbing. I would read this again, in a minute. If my TBR pile was not so large I would read it again.

Words

A child whose silence holds the truth captive. An artist whose work speaks the agony of her past. When drawn together, will they let the truth set them free?

Ten-year old Kaylee Wren doesn’t speak. Not since her drug-addled mother walked away, leaving her in a remote cabin nestled in the towering redwoods, in the care of a man who is as dangerous as he is evil. With silence her only refuge, Kaylee collects words she might never speak from the only memento her mother left behind: a dictionary.

Sierra Daw is thirty-four, an artist, and alone. She has allowed the shame of her past to silence her present hopes and chooses to bury her pain by trying to control her circumstances. But on the twelfth anniversary of her daughter’s death, Sierra’s control begins to crumble as the God of her childhood woos her back to Himself.

Will Kaylee and Sierra let the truth set them free?

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I’m currently reading a nine book collection. I can’t say I’m loving it. I’ve just finished the 5th book and so far it is the one I liked the best. Sometimes the best are the first. Maybe this time the best will be last. I’m hoping, anyway. It is still a bargain price if it is appealing to you.

The Second Chance Brides Collection: Nine Historical Romances Offer New Hope for Love

Hope for Happy Endings Is Renewed in Nine Historical Romances
 
Meet nine women from history spanning from 1776 to 1944 feel the sting of having lost out on love. Can their hope for experiencing romance again be renewed?

Book 5 The Widow of St. Charles Avenue by Grace Hitchcock – New Orleans, 1895
Colette Olivier, a young widow who married out of obligation, finds herself at the end of her mourning period and besieged with suitors out for her inheritance. With her pick of any man, she is drawn to an unlikely choice.

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I suppose one thing that could account for the lack of depth in this collection is the length. Less than 100 pages each, although sometimes it feels like more.

At least I am still reading it, that has to mean something. If it was really bad I would have given up long ago and banished it from my device. It’s true.

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Happy Reading y’all

Bargain books April 08, 2021

/ For the Love of Books / 1 Comment

I’m reminded today of Charles Martin, the well loved author of deep and engaging stories. My sister-in-law introduced me to his books. and I have to agree, they are everything she said they would be. More than a read they are an experience. To be honest, they have spoiled us. It’s not easy finding other authors with stories that move us the way his do.

One of his books came up as a suggestion this morning. It doesn’t qualify as a bargain but I decided to mention it anyway. Then I noticed the two books included in this collection can be purchased individually at a combined price that is lower than the price of this book. A good deal indeed.

Down Where My Love Lives

USA TODAY bestseller from the author of The Mountain Between Us, now a major motion picture!

Collected together for the first time—Dylan and Maggie’s love story.

Down Where My Love Lives is a bittersweet yet triumphant love story—a tale of one man’s spiritual journey through the darkness of despair into the light of hope.

The Dead Don’t Dance was New York Times best-selling author Charles Martin’s debut novel. Even then, the deep characters and emotional power for which he has become so well-known were apparent in his writing. Now, this story—and its sequel—are together in one volume.

The Dead Don’t Dance—A sleepy rural town in South Carolina. The end of summer and a baby about to be born. But in the midst of hope and celebration comes unexpected tragedy, and Dylan Styles must come to terms with both love and loss. Will the music of his heart be stilled forever—or will he choose to dance with life once more?

Maggie—Life began again for Dylan Styles when his beloved wife Maggie awoke from a coma. In this poignant love story that is redolent with Southern atmosphere, Dylan and Maggie must accept their past before they can embrace their future.

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Here they are

Enjoy

More later….maybe

A This & That kind of day.

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This is going to be a this-and-that kind of day, mainly because I have nothing in mind I feel compelled to talk about. The usual suggestion sources have failed me, probably because it is Easter weekend. Browsing was not lucrative, either.

I could do a book review but the one just finished left me with no enthusiasm for sharing. It was actually more than one book, it was a collection. I think there twelve books spread over 2100 pages or so.

Some of the stories moved along better than others but overall it was a bit of a drag. There were many sections with action and dialogue that left the reader wondering what was the purpose? Sometimes it was overuse of an action or prop resulting in speed bumps on a road that wasn’t meant to have any. Needless to say the hop-skip-and-jump method was used to finish, just so I could say I did.

One the bright side, good reads are more normal that bad reads. Also I keep track to avoid similar situations in the future.

I could start another book except that it’s time to make the requested broccoli salad so it will be ready for tomorrow’s dinner at my daughters. I’m excited, it has been awhile since our last visit and I’m anxious to see them.

I went shopping on Wednesday for the salad ingredients hoping to find what I needed before it was all gone. They were already out of fresh broccoli. There was a big bag of pre-cut hiding in the back of the salad section, it was not my first choice but I took it anyway just in case it was my last chance. Wouldn’t you know, they did have a new supply of the good stuff today.

Now I have to figure out what to do with the big bag I won’t be using for tomorrow’s salad. It won’t look quite like this but you get the general idea.

Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

Tomorrow is story prompt day, no promises but we will see.

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Here’s the read I’m checking out as the next book to conquer. I do know I like this author so that is encouraging. A heavy subject might be a little hard to handle today though, but we will see.

Glimmer in the Darkness: Page-turning suspense with a sprinkling of romance (Coventry Saga)

Nothing could get her home…but this.

Cassidy Leblanc worked hard to shake off her tragic childhood. As a foster child with a mother in prison for murder, she was an outcast in her small New Hampshire town until she met James. But she and James’s sister, whom she was babysitting, were kidnapped. She escaped, but Hallie didn’t survive, and everybody assumed Cassidy killed her. Like mother, like daughter, after all. With public opinion and the authorities united against her, young Cassidy fled. Now, a decade later, another little girl has been kidnapped, and Cassidy may be the only person who can find her. 

He doesn’t know who to trust.

James Sullivan never believed that Cassidy killed his sister, no matter what the authorities said. When his best friend’s daughter goes missing a decade after Hallie’s murder, James keeps his opinions on the matter to himself. But when he finds Cassidy sneaking around his property, his thoughts turn dark. If she’s not behind the recent kidnapping, what is she doing back in Coventry? Her answer—that she’s returned to find little Ella, and she needs his help—has him reeling. Can he trust Cassidy, despite what the police tell him? If there’s any chance he can save Ella, he has to try.

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Happy Reading folks

Bargain books April 02, 2021

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One of our regulars – Autumn Macarthur, is coming out with a new book and it’s a bargain on pre-order. May 16th, that’s not too long to wait.

See Me :

A sweet, faith-filled fake engagement story – disabled hero, his assistant, and his matchmaking grandmother! 

Amazon quote:

Fairytale romances can’t happen in real life. Or can they?

It’s love at first sight when reclusive inventor Jesse Buckley meets unemployed music teacher Bronte, moonlighting as a take-out delivery driver. Okay, so splattering guacamole and sour cream over them both wasn’t the best way to impress the woman he hopes to make his wife, but from here on the only way is up, right?

Still, maybe offering her a job as his chauffeur and personal assistant wasn’t one of his best ideas. It means he’ll see her almost every day, sure. It also means, as one of his employees, she’s out-of-bounds. Besides, though he’s had to admit to his failing eyesight, he hasn’t told her yet that one day he’ll become completely blind. And he’s managed to keep the little fact he’s one of the billionaire owners of the business a secret, letting her believe he’s just another staff member.

Desperate to untangle the mess a conman left her life and her finances in, Bronte gratefully said yes to the job Jesse offered her. Spending most of her time with a sweet, kind, handsome guy she could easily fall head-over-heels for wasn’t supposed to be part of the deal. After all, the last man she thought loved her stole everything she had. Her home, her inheritance, her music, her faith, and most of all, her trust in her own judgment. A new love isn’t on her wish list, especially when she can’t shake the feeling Jesse’s hiding something from her.

What neither counted on was Jesse’s ailing grandmother and her determination to see him settled with the right woman. First she beguiles them into a fake engagement neither will admit they want to make real. Then she maneuvers them into accompanying her on a trip to Chapel Cove to visit his former PA, Nai. Could it be, the spring vacation in a small Oregon seaside town will bring love, renewed faith, and God’s sweet healing for them all?

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There is another collection coming out soon (they are popular these days) and it’s also a bargain on pre-order. This one is set for May 25th. The authors are regulars here on our TBR lists. New material is awesome.

Once Upon a Summer: Contemporary Retellings of Timeless Tales

Amazon quote:

Embrace the enchantment of summer with these contemporary twists on timeless tales.

A New Beginning — Who is she? Acacia Martin raised by an impostor mom serving a prison sentence for her sins, or Jasmine Callahan abducted at birth from a family she’s yet to meet? Luckily, she has Drake to help her untangle the mess that is her life. Will he ensnare her he art in the process?

Resorting to Love — Running from a forced marriage, Aleia McDermott takes a job working at Totoka Resort and Spa in Fiji. When Activities Director Jake Boring plans three masquerade balls, Aleia only intends to forget her troubles and enjoy the summer. Just because you’re wearing a mask doesn’t mean you can hide…from your father or from love.

An Ever After Summer — The employees of In a Bind are terrified of Jean-Luc Thibodeaux, so Bellamy Larson hops on a plane to France to deal with the beastly client. Yet once she arrives, she’s convinced he merely needs a friend. Then her heart begins to want ever after, not just one summer.

Gwen and the Three Dates — Life isn’t a romantic movie, but Gwen Lochs is determined to find her leading man. When she joins a cheesy dating site, Gwen agrees to just three dates. Can Ben Smith watch his best friend and soulmate find someone else? A romantic comedy about searching for that just-right love.

Unkissable — Reality diva Charlotte Lavigne’s on-camera meltdown reminds former teen-TV prince Jaime Reyes exactly why he left Hollywood ten years ago. A chance encounter leads to a bargain that transforms them both. When it’s time to face her past, will their rediscovered love be strong enough to build a future together?

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Also, there is a bargain Historical collection from a group of unfamiliar authors. A beautiful cover. Without further investigation I think I will try it out. So far it looks good.

The Second Chance Brides Collection: Nine Historical Romances Offer New Hope for Love

Amazon quote:

Meet nine women from history spanning from 1776 to 1944 feel the sting of having lost out on love. Can their hope for experiencing romance again be renewed?

Love in the Crossfire by Lauralee Bliss – Trenton, New Jersey, 1776
Gretchen Hanson watched her beau go off to war and never return. She soon falls for an enemy scout who stumbles upon her farm. If Jake is discovered, it could mean death for them all. Will Gretchen let go of love or stand strong?

Daughter of Orion by Ramona K. Cecil – New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1859
Whaling widow, Matilda Daggett, vows to never again give her heart to a seaman. But when debt drives her to masquerade as a cabin boy on a whaling ship, a young harpooner threatens both her vow and her heart.

The Substitute Husband and the Unexpected Bride by Pamela Griffin – Washington Territory, 1864
Cecily McGiver, a mail-order bride, arrives in the rugged Washington Territory shocked to find herself without a husband—that is until Garrett, a widower, offers to take the position. Can the challenges that face them lead to love?

The Prickly Pear Bride by Pam Hillman – Little Prickly Pear Creek, Montana Territory, 1884
Shepherdess Evelyn Arnold left her intended at the altar so he could marry the woman he really loved. Dubbed Miss Prickly Pear, Evelyn is resigned to a loveless life and the ridicule of her neighbors. When Cole Rawlins sweeps her out of a raging river, she realizes even a prickly pear can find love.

The Widow of St. Charles Avenue by Grace Hitchcock – New Orleans, 1895
Colette Olivier, a young widow who married out of obligation, finds herself at the end of her mourning period and besieged with suitors out for her inheritance. With her pick of any man, she is drawn to an unlikely choice.

Married by Mistake by Laura V. Hilton – Mackinac Island, 1902
When a plan to pose for advertising goes awry, Thomas Hale and Bessie O’Hara find themselves legally married. Now Bessie and Thomas must decide whether to continue the charade or walk away. Either choice could ruin them if the truth gets out. 

Fanned Embers by Angela Breidenbach – Bitterroot Mountains, Montana/Idaho border, 1910
Stranded in the treacherous railroad camp after her husband’s murder, Juliana Hayes has no desire to marry a ruffian like Lukas Filips. Can she release prejudice to love again? Or will they even survive the fiery Pacific Northwest disaster to find out?

From a Distance by Amber Stockton – Breckenridge, Colorado, 1925
Financial Manager Trevor Fox sets out to find a lady to love him and not his money, then meets and falls for an average girl only to discover she’d deceived him to protect her heart after he unknowingly rejects her.

What the Heart Sees by Liz Tolsma – Hartford, Wisconsin, 1944
American Miriam Bradford is shocked to see Paul Albrecht, her summer fling from Germany in 1939, escorted into church as a POW. Can they rekindle their romance amid the overwhelming objections of almost everyone in town–including her father? 

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Well, it has turned out to be a better book day than I expected. There wasn’t much to begin with and looking back I’m glad I was lazy and didn’t hurry with this post. I would have missed these good picks.

I’m still in the book collection as mentioned yesterday. It is still available as a bargain too.

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A cloudy, dreary Good Friday somehow feels appropriate for the beginning of this Easter weekend. The sun is beginning to poke out a little now that the day is nearly over, though.

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Enjoy your books, if you were able to find something you love.

Happy Reading

Free and bargain books April 01, 2021

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I haven’t been here for a few days, I will have to make it up to you with some extra posts along the way. There has been some stress going on the last few days and when that happens it’s not been easy to feel motivated for writing. Today is better though. I discovered an email in my junk folder from a dear friend I haven’t seen in several decades, if not longer. Catching up with her and focusing on the positive has been a game changer for me today.

Another positive was finding out the frustrating Adobe issues I’ve been having at work lately (in my home office) was the fault of a dying mouse. It seems to be an epidemic. I have a stable full (I have no idea what you call a mouse habitat so we will go with stable) and they have been dropping off like flies, one by one. It’s probably due to them being triplets, all the same age.

I am now the proud owner of three new mice. Someone suggested I could use the unify app with just one mouse. I was seriously considering it until I mentioned I like to have both laptops running on the same table at the same time. If I tried to make that work I might feel like throwing something. It would take an awful lot to get me to that point but I can see a shared mouse just might do it. Actually, computer issues are a hot button issue when it comes to my patience levels. I work hard at keeping the peace. The price of three mice is worth it.

So, books was supposed to be the original topic of discussion before I went off the rails. Fortunately, or maybe not, there isn’t much today but BookRunes has a FREE suggestion by an author I’ve been enjoying lately.

Mind Games (Kaely Quinn Profiler Book #1)

Amazon quote:

Kaely Quinn’s talents as an FBI behavior analyst are impossible to ignore, no matter how unorthodox her methods. But when a reporter outs her as the daughter of an infamous serial killer, she’s demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis.

When the same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely’s, the reporter’s ulterior motives bring his claim into question. But when a body is found that fits the poem’s predictions, the threat is undeniable, and the FBI sends Special Agent Noah Hunter to St. Louis.

Initially resentful of the assignment, Noah is surprised at how quickly his respect for Kaely grows, despite her oddities. But with a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else–including Kaely herself–is killed.

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I am currently reading and enjoying a book collection that is still a bargain price.

A Place to Belong: A Collection of 12 Heartwarming Novels with Animal Sidekicks

Family and friends you can depend on, close-knit communities who embrace you, and the special animal companions that have a knack for changing lives and bringing us purpose…

A PLACE TO BELONG has them all, ready and waiting for you. Immerse yourself in this 12-book collection of stories about women who rose to the challenges life threw their way and emerged stronger because of it.

New York Times bestselling author Melissa Storm joins established and emerging talent in the genre of Women’s Fiction to bring you a heartwarming set of novels to entertain, inspire, and to show you the ones you love amidst its pages.

Because home isn’t a place. It’s the people (and the animal friends) who give life its purpose.

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Happy Reading y’all

Bargain books March 27, 2021

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I wasn’t looking for books, honest. I’m actually in the middle of another post, trying to share from my lengthy read and enjoyed collection. The trouble is I just can’t ignore the suggestion strips.

So, I’ve read this author before but it’s been a few years and I can’t remember what I thought about the experience. There is this niggling thought in the back of my mind, though, that says I have read her recently, probably in a collection or two, and it was good.

Anyway, there are two appealing bargain books and I have to go for it. And, I’d better make sure to add her to the good authors list.

Once Upon an Irish Summer (Once Upon a Summer)

Amazon quote:

You Can’t Embrace Your Future Until You Deal With Your Past…

Fiona Burke has long been obsessed with Ireland’s famed, sixteenth-century pirate queen, Grace O’Malley. Now that she’s on the final stretch of earning her PhD in history, all she needs to do is finish her dissertation—with Grace O’Malley as her subject—then return home to Boston to defend it. Once that’s done she can compete for a highly coveted history professor position.

Fiona arrives in western Ireland aiming to interview the locals and find additional folklore to flesh out her work. But when she encounters Grace’s distant relative—the handsome, commanding Rory O’Malley—she gets seriously distracted. Rory shares her passion for history and Ireland, and cares for his grandfather and great-uncle in a winsome way. Unfortunately he also carries wounds beyond his injured leg…wounds that threaten to dismantle every little bit of a relationship that he and Fiona begin to build.

As a famed TV host becomes intrigued with Fiona—as well as convinced she should do guest appearances on his show—Rory starts to figure out that he might be as interested in his own personal romantic future as he is in Ireland’s epic past. But can he take the steps toward the healing he needs before it’s too late? It all remains to be seen…Once Upon an Irish Summer.

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The Bridge

Amazon quote:

LOVE CAN BUILD A BRIDGE…After a tragic accident along the Swan River took the life of his mother, young Jared Conway grew up thinking little of the family he lost. As an adult, he remains without an anchor.

With his marriage truly over–despite his attempts at reconciliation with his ex-wife–and his young son far away at boarding school, Jared discovers that his success as a commodities broker has brought him little inner peace.On impulse he suggests to his son that they go to Montana over the boy’s summer break.

Jared’s plan is simple: to spend time with his child and to clean out the cabin he has inherited, in order to make a quick sale in the hot real-estate market.

When he gets to the river in Montana, Jared encounters three things that will change his life forever: the forces that have been driving him toward empty success, love for a spiritually grounded ceramist named Eden Powell, and the bridge that will finally lead him home.

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BookRunes has a suggestion for us. It’s Urban Fantasy and this one is part of a series. I enjoy Fantasy, in a fairly narrow fashion. This one appeals to me so it’s been added to the pile.

Nearly Drowned (Tèarmann Chronicles Book 1): A Christian Urban Fantasy

Amazon quote:

Malissa has never known her true origins, but that’s about to change.

Malissa’s world is flipped upside down when rescuing a man from a pool that should have been empty makes her a target of those who tried to drown him. The closer they get the more she realizes that they might have been after her for foiling their plans, but not anymore. They seem to recognize her but from where?

Adopted as an infant, Malissa was left with no information about her parents or so she thought. After rummaging through some old papers she finds a note from her biological dad. On it, it says that he left her there for her safety. Unfortunately, no clues as to what sort of danger but surely the danger is gone, right?

Tèarmann Chronicles, Nearly Drowned, is the first in a 20+ book series. If you enjoy magical creatures and humans with powers, this series is for you.

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What we have here was not expected, but unexpected is very good.

I’ve managed to post the first installment of Read & Enjoyed, be sure to check it out if you haven’t already.

Happy Reading on a relaxed Saturday.

Read and Enjoyed March 27th

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

It’s that time again. Time to clean out the read and enjoyed books. Well at least some of them.

As always, we’ll start with the most enjoyed.

This first one was an author new to me. It thrills me to have a new name to add to the Good Authors list I keep.

The other thing that thrills me about my lists – the good authors list is the longest. Mind you, the less than great authors are divided into multiple categories and if they were added together the comparison picture may look a little different.

To be fair though, it is not always a case of poor writer, often it boils down to personal preference.

I’ve made peace with personal preference. It’s okay to I like what I like. It’s okay for you to like what you like. Once in a while we share a like and that’s awesome.

The Zookeeper’s Daughter

To receive her inheritance Kelli must abide by the conditions of her late mother’s will. She is forced work as a zookeeper for six months with animals that terrify her.

Since she needs to money to help support her aging grandmother, she must figure out a way to balance her career as a tax accountant with this new—thankfully temporary—assignment.

The zoo director is the same handsome man who stole her estranged mother’s affections and might just steal everything else too.

If Kelli fails, Jason Andover inherits everything. How can she possibly get past her animosity when he watches her every move, waiting for her to throw in the towel?

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This next one was a favorite too. Anything I’ve read by this author has been enjoyable.

The other thing I have to say is this; when you see a bargain – grab it quick. Often, they don’t last long and you will miss out on some awesome deals.

Night Fall: (Nighthawk Security Book 1)

She faces dangerous situations all the time…

Olympic downhill skier, Harper Young, knows what it’s like to look danger in the face. After all, she does it every time she races down a ski slope. She’s fine with that danger and even excels under the pressure, winning Olympic gold. And as a governor’s daughter, she’s familiar with receiving threats from the general public. But when a stalker turns his sights on Harper, she possesses zero skills to protect herself.

But she has no idea what lurks in the shadows.

Former Navy SEAL and ATF Agent, Aiden Byrd of Nighthawk Security is well versed in protection skills and knows the dangers she faces. Problem is, there’s an instant attraction between Aiden and Harper, and as Aiden and the Nighthawk team contract to protect her, he has to fight to remain professional. When the stalker grows bolder and tries to end Harper’s life, Aiden’s only hope in keeping her safe is to deny his feelings. Something that borders on impossible.

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This next bunch, I’m going to hurry through. Some were more enjoyable than others but they were all worth the read.

There’s more. Coming soon.

Happy Saturday!

Bargain books March 26, 2021

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BookBub has a bargain romance suggestion for us.

Run With My Heart: Sweet, Christian Christmas Romance: (A Texas Tornadoes Single Author Sports Romance book 2)

Amazon quote:

A football player who’s lost. A woman in danger of losing all she loves. Could he be the Christmas Miracle she’s been praying for?

Pro football player Tucker Jackson has a chip on his shoulder. His mother died when he was young, his father threw himself into his work, and the team he now plays for is in danger of losing their season. His anger drives him to a bar where an ensuing fight earns him service at a community center. Can he find a way to tame his ire before it destroys his dreams forever?

Shelby Doll has a heart for kids, but the community center she runs is short on funds. Tucker Jackson is her last hope to keep the doors open, but will he leave her in a lurch when it matters the most?

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A bargain suggestion showed up in the Amazon feed, an author we’ve read before.

Not Until Now: A Christian Romance (Hope Springs Book 8)

Amazon quote:

They both know what they want. And it’s not each other . . .

Kayla has worked hard to regain her independence after her spinal cord injury, and she isn’t willing to give up that independence for anyone. Which is why she is willfully single, with no intention of dating, marrying, or starting a family—ever. But when she witnesses an accident in Hope Springs, she finds herself drawn inextricably into the life of the young girl whose mother is now in a coma—and the uncle she has to convince to take care of the girl.

On the verge of the perfect life, Cam doesn’t owe his estranged sister anything. So he doesn’t appreciate the call informing him that he needs to care for the niece he didn’t even know he had. And yet, somehow he can’t say no to the woman on the other end of the phone. He soon finds himself on a plane for Hope Springs. He’ll go there, make alternate arrangements for the girl, and get back to his real, nearly perfect life.

But as Cam gets to know his niece—and Kayla—he starts to question what the perfect life really means. And as Kayla experiences the pull of family, she wonders whether being independent really means closing yourself off to others. Can they both let go of what they thought they wanted and let God give them the love they truly need?

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Current enjoyable read with interesting twists and turns…

The Zookeeper’s Daughter

Attending a stranger’s memorial service wasn’t at the top of Kelli Jackson’s to-do list.

Especially when that stranger was her own mother.

To receive her inheritance Kelli must abide by the conditions of her late mother’s will. She is forced work as a zookeeper for six months with animals that terrify her. Since she needs to money to help support her aging grandmother, she must figure out a way to balance her career as a tax accountant with this new—thankfully temporary—assignment. But the zoo director is the same handsome man who stole her estranged mother’s affections and might just steal everything else too. Because if Kelli fails, Jason Andover inherits everything. How can she possibly get past her animosity when he watches her every move, waiting for her to throw in the towel?

But perhaps there’s another reason Jason focuses such close attention on her. Are the assignments he gives her devised to scare her off, or to help her overcome her fears? Does he really have designs on her mother’s money, or might he have designs on Kelli as well? The only thing she’s sure of is that Jason is hiding a secret past, one that could destroy any chance of a happy future together.

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It’s Friday and beside looking forward to books, the big jig-saw puzzle I shared a few days ago is finished, it’s a perfect time to start a new one. Good times.

Have a great weekend.