Christy Barritt has another new book coming out soon and it’s a bargain on pre-order. Book 4 was published today so we have that to read while we’re waiting for book 5.

Deceptive Shallows (Lantern Beach Exposure Book 5)

It should be the happiest day of Brandon Hale’s and Finley Cooper’s lives: the day they’re married.

But things take a turn for the worst when, moments before walking down the aisle, federal agents arrest Finley.

Brandon knows the accusations against his fiancee are false, and he’ll do whatever it takes to prove her innocence. Who would set her up like this? And why?

When the two realize just how determined someone is to enact their vengeance, Brandon and Finley’s worlds are turned upside down. If they don’t find answers soon, their happy ever after will be destroyed . . . forever.

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Carolyne Aarsen has a 6 book series out. Several years ago she published this as a three book series, now we get the next three books. The up side is that I will only need to read three books to get through this, and if you haven’t read the first three, you get all six of them. What a deal.

Holmes Crossing Series: Six sweet romances set in Holmes Crossing

Holmes Crossing is a place you’ll want to hunker down and lose yourself in. These six sweet romance novels will make you yearn for each characters’ happy ending as they deal with loss, family and especially, romance.

The Only Best Place, All In One Place, This Place, A Silence in the Heart, Any Man of Mine, A Place in Her Heart.

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Another box set showed up with an author we’ve seen twice. I can’t remember what I thought of that experience so I guess I will have to check out these books for a refresher.

The Chestnut Ranch Cowboy Billionaire Boxed Set: Three Sweet Cowboy Billionaire Novels (Chestnut Ranch Boxed Sets Book 1)

A Cowboy and his Neighbor: Best friends and neighbors shouldn’t share a kiss… Jenna Wright grew up next-door to Chestnut Ranch and the five Johnson brothers. Her older brother was best friends with Seth Johnson, and Jenna may or may not have had a crush on the handsome cowboy in her younger years. It was a long time ago, she tells herself. Now that she’s divorced and back in town, she definitely has eyes for her best friend…

A Cowboy and his Mistletoe Kiss: He wasn’t supposed to kiss her. Can Travis and Millie find a way to turn their mistletoe kiss into true love? Travis Johnson attended the speed-dating event during Chestnut Springs’s Octoberfest and got exactly two phone numbers. One woman’s already told him there’s no spark between them. Ouch. The other has a boyfriend. Double ouch. But when Travis spots Millie at his brother’s wedding, he learns she broke up with that other guy. Perfect.

A Cowboy and his Christmas Crush: Can a Christmas crush and their mutual love of rescuing dogs bring them back together? Russ Johnson has the degree and the experience to run a ranch successfully. Not that it really matters if he doesn’t, because this cowboy billionaire’s bank account can take a hit. Too bad his heart can’t…

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That’s enough new books for today, I think, it’s time to quit. Although I must say, it is awfully tempting to keep looking.

I’ve just finished three in a row, books I couldn’t put down. There are several others too but we’ll look at these three first. Valerie Hansen has now been added to my favorites list. The other thing I noticed was the expiry of the bargain price, it didn’t last long that’s for sure.

The Rookie’s Assignment (Fitzgerald Bay Book 2)

Law enforcement in Fitzgerald Bay is full of Fitzgeralds, from the chief of police to brand-new detective Keira Fitzgerald. Are they tampering with a murder investigation to protect one of their own? Internal affairs detective Nick Delfino is sent undercover to investigate the powerful clan. Yet the deeper he digs, the more Nick comes to admire the Fitzgeralds…especially his rookie partner, Keira. When a killer targets Nick, can he maintain his cover, catch his attacker and protect Keira while the looming danger closes in?

My favorite aspects of this book were the great characters and the complex development of the story line.

This next one is still a bargain. The thing I love most about this story is that it is nothing like the one above. Different setting, different scenario, different characters too and all of it was awesome.

Dangerous Devotion Valerie Hansen

From the majestic Ozarks to exotic jungles, from hometown to the unknown, Jessica and Greg are running against the clock. Their love and faith put to the test, just how far must they go? And is Jess’s devotion to Greg more dangerous than the relentless enemy at their heels?

I look forward to reading more from this author.

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This next one was from a favorite author and it was nothing like what I expected from her. It was an awesome surprise, definitely not your regular run-of-the-mill story and I loved it.

Blackout (Benson First Responders Book 2)

When the search for Ember’s sister lands them in the middle of a deadly scheme, there’s more than just one future on the line. Can they get to the bottom of it before it’s too late?

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Now for the last three

I’d forgotten I’ve had the privilege of reading this author before and on seeing her pop up as a suggestion today decided on the spot that I would like to. Now I know better after a little investigation and I would still like to.

Freedom’s Flight

Annalise Van Houten knows what it’s like to live in an oppressive situation. Sent to live with her conniving aunt and uncle in Ridge Gap, Tennessee, after her parents die, she dreads the plans they have for her future. When she discovers the handsome Reverend Matthias Sorenson assisting runaway slaves, can Annalise convince him to allow her to help?

Reverend Matthias Sorenson has a heart for serving others—and freeing them. An integral part of the Faith Train, he helps free slaves. When a beautiful newcomer to his church wishes to partake in the organization, can he trust her not to endanger their lives?

Lives in jeopardy. A race against time. Will mistrust prove fatal for all involved?

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Another author, new to me, showed up in my search and I’m looking forward to reading this book.

Dangerous Devotion 

Jessica was just 18 when she married the love of her life: handsome, strong, independent, Greg Dixon, who promised to always be there for her. What he didn’t tell Jessica was that he was an undercover agent, sworn to bring down a dangerous drug cartel.

In too deep, Greg had no choice but to fake his own death – the only way he could protect her – leaving Jessica alone to raise their son. Seven long years have passed since Jessica was told she was a widow…and now Greg is back, more magnetic than before, but with shocking news: someone high up in the CIA is dirty – and Jessica and their son are in terrible danger!

From the majestic Ozarks to exotic jungles, from hometown to the unknown, Jessica and Greg are running against the clock. Their love and faith put to the test, just how far must they go? And is Jess’s devotion to Greg more dangerous than the relentless enemy at their heels?

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There is a second book from this author. A must have for sure.

The Rookie’s Assignment (Fitzgerald Bay Book 2) 

Law enforcement in Fitzgerald Bay is full of Fitzgeralds, from the chief of police to brand-new detective Keira Fitzgerald. Are they tampering with a murder investigation to protect one of their own?

Internal affairs detective Nick Delfino is sent undercover to investigate the powerful clan. Yet the deeper he digs, the more Nick comes to admire the Fitzgeralds…especially his rookie partner, Keira. When a killer targets Nick, can he maintain his cover, catch his attacker and protect Keira while the looming danger closes in?

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There are more, amazingly, but I will save them for the next post. It’s been a good day.

I loved every moment of it. Well, maybe not every moment, there were 10 books after all and I did love some more than others. In fairness though, the well loved far outnumbered the rest. This is a collection that I am thrilled to recommend, it was a great experience and I’ve added more than a few new names to my favorite authors list. I may even read this collection again sometime.

What did I love the most? A few things. The biggest one was the quality of the writing and editing. No matter how engaging, exciting, and fresh the story line, it takes top notch writing to make it unforgettable. It happened often for me in this collection.

Having said all that, I need to offer encouragement. No one achieves awesome without practice so while I love awesome, I’m still happy to read best efforts no matter what stage someone is at in their writing career. I can appreciate what it takes to produce these stories, and I know I couldn’t do it. So, I applaud you for your efforts.

The rest of my appreciation goes to the fresh story ideas. It takes work to come up with something new and I appreciate the efforts the authors put into this collection.

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I’m trying to decide what comes next. With so many new downloads this week there are too many good choices. At the moment I’m looking at the two most recent ones. I’ve read the first chapter of Tru so maybe I’ll start there.