It has been a reading marathon for me in every spare moment this week and beyond.
Here are the covers for all of them. It was a good time.
Next read
A Deep Divide (Secrets of the Canyon Book #1)
After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it. When she discovers her father has offered her up as a bargaining chip to expand his empire, she disappears into the night. Determined to stay hidden, even if it means always looking over her shoulder, she finds herself working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel.
When Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel on business, he is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Though his fame-seeking father aims to lure new investors to the Arizona Territory, Ray dreams of one day taking over the family business and doing good with the profits.
Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though an attraction begins to form, she can’t let go of the deep-rooted fear that he’s just like every other wealthy man she’s known. When suspicious activity follows Emma Grace and Ray to the El Tovar, they are pulled into a mystery that stirs up their worst fears. And as shocking revelations come to light, they are left to question all they thought to be true.
A new-to-me author is first up today. The usual suggestion emails didn’t hold anything worthwhile (from my point of view) but at least they were a good jumping off place. This new book starts off well and I want to see where it all goes from here.
A Deep Divide (Secrets of the Canyon Book #1)
With her past behind her, she has nothing–and everything–to lose.
After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it. When she discovers her father has offered her up as a bargaining chip to expand his empire, she disappears into the night. Determined to stay hidden, even if it means always looking over her shoulder, she finds herself working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel.
When Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel on business, he is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Though his fame-seeking father aims to lure new investors to the Arizona Territory, Ray dreams of one day taking over the family business and doing good with the profits.
Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though an attraction begins to form, she can’t let go of the deep-rooted fear that he’s just like every other wealthy man she’s known. When suspicious activity follows Emma Grace and Ray to the El Tovar, they are pulled into a mystery that stirs up their worst fears. And as shocking revelations come to light, they are left to question all they thought to be true.
*************************
This next one is from a three book series where we downloaded and enjoyed the first books two earlier this year. Happily, all three are at a bargain price today.
Northern Protector (Heroes of the Tundra Book 3)
Constable Ben Koper is still healing from the bear attack that almost killed him. Nine months after it happened, he returns to Churchill, Manitoba, a changed man—scarred more than just physically. PTSD is his new shadow, haunting his every step, and he can’t seem to kick the pain meds he shouldn’t need anymore. He’s determined to prove, to himself and his colleagues, that he’s still up to his job. Failure isn’t an option.
ER nurse Joy Gallagher spent the entire last winter texting with a healing Constable Koper. What started as friendly concern from this single mother has grown into full-fledged romantic feelings, and she’s eager to level up their friendship and introduce him to the idyllic comfort of small-town life. Until a teenager is murdered at a summer party. The crime is strikingly similar to the cold case murder of Joy’s foster sister, stirring old trauma Joy has never fully dealt with.
When another victim is snatched in town, Ben and Joy must confront their own demons, and join forces to track down an elusive killer. The race to rescue the next victim before it’s too late will test Ben and Joy to their limits. Can they survive their encounter with this heinous killer, or will the past destroy them.?
***********************
This looks interesting. It’s another new-to-me author. A short book with an enticing opening chapter. I’m hooked, needing to know some things, although the book description does answer a number of them.
It’s not a stand alone novel so we won’t know the final outcome but at least it will be an introduction to the author, so there is that.
Second Chance Love: A Christian Clean Romance Novel (The Grand Bay Series Book 1)
Second Chance Love is Book 1 where Tracy Moore must endure one of her life’s greatest challenges when participating with her ex-fiancé, Paul, at her sister’s wedding.
Stuck with Paul for several days on a beautiful tropical island, Tracy struggles over old feelings for her ex-fiancé while doubts about her relationship with her current boyfriend Joseph creep to the surface.
But fate puts her present romance to the test when she and Paul are injured in a disastrous car accident, and Paul must abandon Tracy with her critical injuries to find help.
Paul Myers is the best man for his brother Kenneth’s wedding. But when he discovers he must interact with his ex-fiancé on an intimate tropical trip, he’s not sure he can suppress his intense feelings of love for her.
When an unfortunate accident causes them to become stranded on a deserted part of the island, Paul’s love for Tracy is put to the test. Can he find life-saving help for Tracy in time so they can have a second chance at love? Or will Paul fail to find a rescue team and lose the love of his life?
***********************
In the end it has been an interesting book day, punctuated by an interesting YouTube podcast day. It’s so easy to get caught up in spending way too much time to the detriment of other planned activities. Namely focusing on finishing one book and starting another.
Watching YouTube does not, for the most part, contribute to my blog posts.
I’m feeling strongly about an argument happening just now in an interview. I’m dying to say my piece but the comments on that video have been turned off. I can see why, there were probably enough of them to crash the site.
I’m tempted to say my piece here but it is a hot button topic and I don’t want to start something I’m not well prepared for, something that could blow up on us. Maybe tomorrow if I’m still feeling strongly about the topic.
I can see both sides but in my mind each one is viewing the phrase from a different perspective. One is negative and wrong while the other is benevolent and responsible.
At the altar, she is not your’s to become property, a slave to own. She becomes your responsibility to love, cherish, protect, provide. Her father has provided all of that for her (in a perfect world) and, symbolically, he is handing off his responsibility to you, the groom.
That’s the short part of the conversation in my head. There is so much more to be said (that is highly positive.) Maybe it will come together for a future post.
For now. . . ownership and responsibility are two vastly different realities. One is onerous and the other can be heavenly.
Unfortunately some men do consider their bride as property and some don’t but don’t embrace responsibility either. Sadly, taking responsibility in this day and age is not something that comes naturally in many situations. Too bad, because if done for the right reasons it is a tree that will bear much good fruit.
********************
I feel a little better now but not completely done with the topic.
Back to books anyway. Need to read, that was today’s goal..
The very first book I’m going to download is book 2 in the current series I’m reading. Book 1 was that good. I’m hoping book 2 will deliver just as well, my expectations are high.
The Best-Left Questions: Love Across Londons Book Two
The stakes increase and the intrigue deepens as Charles and Tori journey across Londons.
Finalist in the 2017 Chatelaine International Writing Competition
After returning to London in 2014, Charles Stratford finds himself in need of a job – and answers to questions he’d rather not ask.
Spurred by Tori’s irrepressible spirit, Charles agrees to go in search of another hidden treasure, the Firestorm Amber of Brighton. Guided by clues from his father’s journal, Charles and Victoria are confronted by old foes and new friends when they travel to 1666, the year of the Great Fire of London.
But their most loyal protector may turn out to be the one man Charles cannot forgive.
From present-day London to eighteenth-century Westminster, The Best-Left Questions continues the romantic adventures of Charles Stratford and Victoria Smith. It is the second book in the Love Across Londons series which should be read in order.
***************************
Two things I loved most about book 1 – it was well written, and original. I think well-written says it all.
***************************
1531 Entertainment has several suggestions for us as well. This first one, I’m on his mailing list for aspiring writers. I’m not one of them but I like learning things. I have read one or two of his many successful books, a number of decades ago, so this read will be a good catch-up experience for me.
Dead Sea Conspiracy: A Novel
In this thrilling adventure, archaeologist Nicole Berman is about to discover the key to unifying three major religions—if a dangerous enemy doesn’t stop her first.
ArchaeologistNicole Berman is the first woman to be awarded a permit to lead a dig in Saudi Arabia. Nicole believes what she hopes to discover has the power to to rewrite world history. She assembles a team that will ultimately surprise – and in some cases – betray her.
In a parallel storyline, readers are launched back to ancient Ur where young Abram is sent to learn from his forebears, who tell him firsthand stories of being on the ark during the Great Flood.
***************************
The second suggestion is another novel from one of our regular authors.
How Her Ex Stole Christmas
The countdown to disaster is on, and time is running out . . .
Event planner Kaylee St. James didn’t expect to see her ex-fiancé again after he broke her heart. Especially not now . . . two days before their canceled wedding. But when Ethan Sloan waltzes into her premier Christmas party—uninvited—with danger close on his heels, she realizes there’s much more to Ethan than she ever knew.
Ethan, a CIA operative, must keep dangerous information out of the wrong hands or people will die. He found the perfect hiding place, but he’ll need Kaylee’s help to retrieve the classified intel. Unfortunately, his jilted bride-to-be isn’t in the mood to talk, much less cooperate.
When Kaylee is swept into the middle of the ensuing chaos, she soon learns that danger is closer than she could ever imagine. Will her Christmas be totally ruined—if she even survives? Or is it possible that Ethan might not only save Christmas . . . but also save Kaylee?
**************************
This last one showed up in one of the many suggestion strips. It turns out I have read book 1 in this series, back in 2018. It’s been a while and I can’t say that I remember much about the experience. I’m looking forward to rediscovering this author.
Romeo’s Way (Mike Romeo Thrillers Book 2)
“I don’t want anybody bleeding to death, okay?” I said. “I think your problem is education. There’s just no discipline anymore. You have to know there are consequences for bad behavior. Without that, society falls apart.” Baton Guy croaked, “I can’t breathe.” “You just can’t go around doing this sort of thing,” I said. “It isn’t right. Now, one of you is bleeding pretty badly and won’t be riding a bike anytime soon. The other one still needs to learn, am I right?” “Don’t kill us,” Knife Guy said.
Mike Romeo, the former cage fighter living low in L.A., doesn’t look for trouble. He doesn’t have to. It comes after him. So when he’s hired by a California senatorial campaign to do undercover work, Romeo doesn’t have any illusions. Especially when his duty takes him to San Francisco.
But as Romeo gets closer to solving the mystery of who is behind the hit job on an honorable man, things heat up in the City by the Bay –– and between Mike and a beautiful political operative. Until a bullet nearly takes him out for good.
Now all bets are off. Because if there’s one thing Romeo wants, it’s justice. And he’s going to get it––his way.
**************************
Four new books is a good day. A very good day, I’d say.
I hope you are enjoying this good-for-reading winter season too.
Christmas is a huge family time for us and it was especially nice this year with more of the family than usual able to be together. I know we will remember this special time for many years to come.
I am excited to be stocked up on new jigsaw puzzles and I’m looking forward to a new coffee flavor to enjoy along with them
The most important part of the season for us, though, was remembering and celebrating the birth of Jesus, The son of God. For years he has been an important part of our daily lives and we couldn’t handle the ups and downs of life without him. Even more importantly he didn’t come to earth to be there for a few of us, he came to be there for as many as want him to care about them. I’m grateful that he is as close as a whisper and he hears my heart even when I can’t find the words to express it.
After two nights away I need some sleep. An unfamiliar bed doesn’t make for a restful sleep, although a busy mind caused most of the problems, It’s good to be home.
******************
I think we need a picture to brighten this space up a little so I will share my current read. It is time travel London England 1854 to London 2014, incredibly different times to be living.
He ends up in 2014 unable to comprehend the drastic changes of 160 years. Three days later they both inadvertently end up back in 1854 where cultural norms create havoc for the uninitiated, which describes her perfectly.
There is so much more to be said but I don’t want to give too much away and spoil it for you.
This well written book is a joy to read and I can hardly wait to see how it all turns out. That’s if they survive the evil people following them around. It’s unclear what the intent is but it’s evident that loss of life is part of the plan.
The Never List: Love Across Londons Book One
Victoria Smith’s life seems dreary until someone knocks on a sealed door inside her London bookshop. When Tori discovers it’s not a ghost but a journalist from 1854, she accidentally strands him in 2014. Intrigued by the dapper and crusading Charles Stratford, Tori offers to help him locate a pendant that will reopen the door to his century. Even when their treasure hunt across London turns dangerous, Tori finds herself wishing that Charles could stay. But after losing her family a decade before, can Tori risk loving someone again, especially a man from 1854?
Lured into the future by a mysterious pendant, Charles Stratford must track down its counterpart to unlock the door between Londons. When the winsome Victoria Smith volunteers to join his search, Charles becomes smitten with the intrepid bookseller. He also uncovers an ancient struggle between two underground societies and becomes entangled in their secret intrigues. If Charles fails to return both pendants to 1854, he places his own London at risk. But how can he succeed when it means saying farewell to Victoria in 2014?
From modern-day Soho to 19th-century Mayfair, The Never List takes readers on a whirlwind tour of Londons new and old, as its time-crossed heroes search for a way to love each other within two centuries. It is the first book in the Love Across Londons series which should be read in order.
*********************
This book is still a bargain if it appeals to you.
One book suggestion. Pretty skinny pickings today.
This author is new to me too so at least it will be an adventure. I love an adventure.
The Never List: Love Across Londons Book One
“F. E. takes the reader on a fascinating journey between two Londons with danger or intrigue around every corner.” – Margarite Martin Gray, author of the Revolutionary Faith series
2018 Indie B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
Victoria Smith’s life seems dreary until someone knocks on a sealed door inside her London bookshop. When Tori discovers it’s not a ghost but a journalist from 1854, she accidentally strands him in 2014. Intrigued by the dapper and crusading Charles Stratford, Tori offers to help him locate a pendant that will reopen the door to his century. Even when their treasure hunt across London turns dangerous, Tori finds herself wishing that Charles could stay. But after losing her family a decade before, can Tori risk loving someone again, especially a man from 1854?
Lured into the future by a mysterious pendant, Charles Stratford must track down its counterpart to unlock the door between Londons. When the winsome Victoria Smith volunteers to join his search, Charles becomes smitten with the intrepid bookseller. He also uncovers an ancient struggle between two underground societies and becomes entangled in their secret intrigues. If Charles fails to return both pendants to 1854, he places his own London at risk. But how can he succeed when it means saying farewell to Victoria in 2014?
From modern-day Soho to 19th-century Mayfair, The Never List takes readers on a whirlwind tour of Londons new and old, as its time-crossed heroes search for a way to love each other within two centuries. It is the first book in the Love Across Londons series which should be read in order.
*************************
There is one more, a novella from Christy Barritt. Another book in this series. Wow.
Troubled Tidings: a Christmas novella (Vanishing Ranch Book 8)
A blown tire on a lonely desert road leads to Christmas Eve trouble.
Vanishing Ranch chef Dean Burns just needed to pick up a few things for Christmas dinner. When his tire blows on the way home, he assures coworker Kota Perez that they’ll be back on the road in no time.
Dean soon realizes the flat tire was no accident, and the simple trip transforms into a terrifying fight for survival. Robbers known as the Roadside Bandits have set their sights on the pair, and Dean and Kota have no choice but to leave the truck and run for their lives, striking out on foot into the vast Arizona desert.
Will Christmas tidings turn deadly this year? Or will Dean and Kota manage to pull off the ultimate Christmas takedown?
***************************
It has been a good day. Stolen moments for reading. Christmas gifts finished up. But best of all. . .
The picture for my new drivers licence turned out better than I hoped. At least the quick look I had made me happy. How often does that ever happen hey? A good day indeed.
I’m off to see if I can finish up the current read.
The first one was a new-to-me book from a favorite author. Maybe I’ll find the other books in this series will have a familiar vibe to them but in the meantime this story was fresh and engaging.
Finding the perfect place for a honeymoon, away from any potential danger or mystery, is challenging. But Gabby’s longtime love and newly minted husband, Riley Thomas, has done it. He has found a location with a nonexistent crime rate, a mostly retired population, and plenty of opportunities for relaxation in the warm sun.
Within minutes of the newlyweds’ arrival, a convoy of vehicles descends on a nearby house, and their honeymoon oasis is destroyed like a sandcastle in a storm. Despite Gabby’s and Riley’s determination to keep to themselves, trouble comes knocking at their door—literally—when a neighbor is abducted from the beach directly outside their rental.
************************
This has also been a week of historical novels with pretty covers.
This next one covered many decades and generations. The author did an excellent job with this method of story telling.
Where the Last Rose Blooms (Heirloom Secrets)
Alice runs a New Orleans flower shop alongside her aunt, but thoughts of her mother, who went missing during Hurricane Katrina, are never far from her mind. After getting off on the wrong foot with a handsome yet irritating man who comes to her shop, Alice soon realizes their worlds overlap–and the answers they both seek can be found in the same place.
In 1861 Charleston, Clara is known to be a rule follower–but the war has changed her. Unbeknownst to her father, who is heavily involved with the Confederacy, she is an abolitionist and is prepared to sacrifice everything for the cause. With assistance from a dashing Union spy, she attempts to help an enslaved woman reunite with her daughter. But things go very wrong when Clara agrees to aid the Northern cause by ferrying secret information about her father’s associates.
************************
Three more excellent reads.
Promise Kept (Harland Creek Series Book 1)
Promise Kept (Harland Creek Series Book 1) a well written story.
The Ornament Keeper: A Novella This story had a different spin on it. Interesting and emotional.
****** Three more. *******
All excellent reads
*********************
Today has not been the best day for new book suggestions but that’s OK. I know most of us are good for reading material already on hand.
I’m trying to decide what comes next. Some choices don’t look as exciting as the books read. Kind of like when you eat all the delicious looking food first and the rest is still waiting for you.
Half the time, looking at the cover, I don’t remember anything about the story and the title doesn’t always appeal to me either. That’s a problem. That’s about where I am again tonight. Nothing looks interesting. They might be though, that’s the thing.
It could go either way, really.
Maybe I should listen to a podcast and work on the new jigsaw puzzle for awhile.
We have a bargain book today, suggested by LPC Free Books. Colleen Coble has written an impressive selection of books in the last ten years.
Black Sands (Aloha Reef Series Book 2)
Page-turning romantic suspense set amid the gorgeous beauty of Hawaii and the impending danger of a volcano.
A brainy—and perpetually single—volcanologist, Annie Tagama works alongside her father at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. But despite her pedigree, Annie has lost her passion or volcanology. She’s quietly grieving the mysterious loss of her brother in the Middle East.
When Annie discovers that her brother might still be alive—and in trouble—she shakes off her malaise and joins forces with Mano Oana, the unnervingly handsome family friend she had always blamed for her brother’s death.
As Annie and Mano investigate—and find that they have a lot more in common than tragedy—an evil force gathers strength on the main island. An ancient cult has reemerged—and Annie’s little sister is somehow involved. As the old religion bubbles to the surface like lava, the old practices are not far behind . . . including human sacrifice.
Annie and Mano are desperate to find her brother and save her family from destruction before the ancient evil smothers them all in an earth-shattering eruption.
This full-length romantic suspense can be read as a standalone, but is also part of the Aloha Reef Series.
*************************
That’s it for now, if anything else shows up later I will be back.
I have last minute Christmas shopping to do first. After I finish my coffee. It a new Christmas blend that needs savoring and I’m more than happy to oblige.
This house makes a lot of startling noises. It’s worse in the winter when it’s well below freezing, like it is today. It’s probably expansion and contraction of the wood frame with the temperature changes but it’s scary sometimes. I want to run outside to see what hit the house or who could be doing who knows what. I don’t because it’s futile. There is never anything to see.
Except for one time, a time when I didn’t look but maybe should have. Although it wouldn’t have helped much. There was a long plastic downspout to keep rain runoff from the roof away from the house. It was 5 or 6 feet long running over to a flower bed. I think the horrendous noise I heard was a large dog chasing a little rabbit. It was quite a while before I noticed he had destroyed the pipe.
I’m assuming it was a he, who else would be chasing a rabbit in a flat out run? Actually I think it would have been one of the neighbor’s dogs that probably got out. I have it on good authority that they are guys.
A few summers ago I met one of them when I was out weeding in the front yard. He was on his own out for a visit, checking out the neighborhood. It wasn’t too long before his owner came looking for him. I have no proof it was that dog on one of his evening adventures but having met him that day it was a pretty good possibility, in my mind anyway.
I like dogs but they can be a handful. I’m more of a cat person, they don’t seem to get into as much trouble as a large energetic dog.
Aside from rabbits, dogs, and squirrels running through the yard, one day we saw deer. I was surprised, or maybe a better word would be shocked. It had never occurred to me that they would be in this area. Now I wonder how many other visits I’ve missed. I would have missed this one too if my kids hadn’t been here and noticed first.
I need to pay more attention to what goes on in my yard. The trouble is I can’t read and look outside at the same time, and reading takes hours of concentration. At least in the winter I have a better idea about what goes on and when. Foot prints tell the story of visits and chases. Some days seem to be busier than others.
The wild animals seem to have a routine about who they visit in the neighborhood and when. I think it depends somewhat on their needs. Shelter, food. The animal residents vary from year to year too. Some years there were a large number of cats. They’d spend more time in the yard, lounging in the flower beds or on the back deck. Maybe there was safety in numbers and they were bolder. Right now there are few, maybe one of two. and they are more cautious, I rarely see them. The rabbit population has been smaller too. I hear the eagles like to hunt rabbits and cats. I’ve never seen them do it but my neighbor has. They swoop down and carry them off.
The only eating I’ve seen in the backyard is done by the crows. They like to eat the eggs out of the robin’s nests. Horrible birds.
I guess they do have their good uses though. One day a small bird flew into one of my windows and was lying dead on my deck. I was going to put the body in the garbage as I did once before for a bigger bird found lying in the garden. This time I decided to leave it there to see if nature would take it’s course. Finally after a few days went by there were crows out there eyeing the bird. They flew off but the next day I noticed the body was gone. That is how it should be. Crows are scavengers, clean up crews keeping the world a healthy place to live. Amazing isn’t it. Except eggs waiting to hatch don’t qualify as needing cleanup.
OK, I’m talked out. We will discuss books another time.
Maybe I will just share the cover of my current read with you, Well, there were two actually.
The first one is suspense and so was the last one finished. Something lighter was needed for a minute which meant the mystery needed to be put on hold. The romance was an excellent change of pace and is almost finished. It was a god decision, my mood is much lighter than it was before.
*********************
Well, that conversation was a fun surprise. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
We have an interesting line up today. Nothing too serious, I don’t think so anyway. No murders and dead bodies this time. A number of new authors for us too.
First up, BookBub has a Christmas offering for us. We’ve seen Dan Walsh often lately.
Keeping Christmas
For the first time since their children were born, empty nesters Judith and Stan Winters spent Thanksgiving alone, without the kids and grandkids. It’s looking like Christmas will be the same.
Judith can hardly bear the thought and struggles even to decorate the house. But soon some wonderful and totally unexpected events turn things completely around, starting with that box of “ugly ornaments” (as Stan calls them). Could they be the key to rescuing their Christmas this year?
A “beautifully written story” for the holiday season, or any time of the year.
*********************
LPC Free Books has a suggestion for us. Tis the season for Christmas stories. This is an author we have not seen so this will be a surprise.
The Ornament Keeper: A Novella
Award-winning author Eva Marie Everson wraps up a Christmas story of hope, love, and forgiveness just in time for the holidays.
The Ornament Keeper, a contemporary Christmas novella, features Felicia and Jackson Morgan who are spending their first Christmas apart after twenty years of marriage. But a lifetime of gifted ornaments helps Felicia piece together the story of their marriage and the one mistake of unforgiveness she made before they said, “I do.”
Can these memory-filled ornaments reunite this family before Christmas? Only time will tell.
********************
Browsing, I discovered an offering from an author new to me. It’s always nice to meet someone for the first time.
Promise Kept (Harland Creek Series Book 1)
Lying on her job application wasn’t the best way to kick off her fresh start in a small town, but Heather Smith is out of options. She desperately needs the job, or she will soon be without a place to live. Even so, Heather truly likes Elizabeth Harland, the old woman who hired her as her caregiver, and is eager to work hard and prove she’s right for the task.
Now, if she could just figure out why a local farmer keeps casting suspicious glares her way...
Sure, Grayson McCade has his hands full with his farm. That doesn’t change the fact that he considers the residents of Harland Creek family, and he takes time to look out for them all. The second he learns a newcomer has been hired to care for Elizabeth, he worries the kind-hearted old woman is being scammed.
Acting on what he believes to be the best of intentions, he sets out to uncover the truth about Heather’s past. Will the secrets revealed tarnish Heather’s new start before it even begins? Or will Grayson help make Harland Creek the home her heart longs for?
*********************
Another author new to us. Beautiful cover. I have high hopes for the story too.
Where the Last Rose Blooms (Heirloom Secrets)
“Tender and true, this novel draws you in from the first page.”–SUSAN MEISSNER, bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things
Alice runs a New Orleans flower shop alongside her aunt, but thoughts of her mother, who went missing during Hurricane Katrina, are never far from her mind. After getting off on the wrong foot with a handsome yet irritating man who comes to her shop, Alice soon realizes their worlds overlap–and the answers they both seek can be found in the same place.
In 1861 Charleston, Clara is known to be a rule follower–but the war has changed her. Unbeknownst to her father, who is heavily involved with the Confederacy, she is an abolitionist and is prepared to sacrifice everything for the cause. With assistance from a dashing Union spy, she attempts to help an enslaved woman reunite with her daughter. But things go very wrong when Clara agrees to aid the Northern cause by ferrying secret information about her father’s associates.
Faced with the unknown, both women will have to dig deep to let their courage bloom.
************************
A good day for new an interesting stories.
I’m enjoying the fascinating characters in my current read. It’s historical fiction and I think the main characters will turn out to be spies for the good guys. Haven’t gone far enough yet to discover how that all works though. It’s still a bargain if you hurry.
Until Leaves Fall in Paris
As the Nazis march toward Paris in 1940, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. Lucie struggles to run Green Leaf Books due to oppressive German laws and harsh conditions, but she finds a way to aid the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.
Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. After they meet in the bookstore, Paul and Lucie are drawn to each other, but she rejects him when she discovers he sells to the Germans. And for Paul to win her trust would mean betraying his mission.
**********************
It has been an excellent book day. I’d better get reading if I expect to keep up. Maybe have supper along with it. My favorite way to eat.
Since it’s 2 am I guess I’ll label this third post as December 11. I said I was done after #2 but it seems I lied lol.
I made the mistake of going back to verify the purchase of the last book (I hadn’t completed the purchase step, good thing I checked) and in the process found another one I had to say yes to. This is book #4 and I see we have had books 1 – 3 show up in 2021. They aren’t bargains anymore, sadly.
Rising From Ashes (Acts of Valor, Book 4)
Lt. Commander “Monty” Monteague hasn’t needed God since he was a boy. But now the accomplished, handsome SEAL is the only survivor of a rescue mission gone wrong. His men are dead; his face is badly scarred. Wounded and hurting, Monty seeks solace in all the wrong places, until his do-gooder neighbor intrudes on his isolation, heals him, and teaches him to reach for God, not a bottle.
Opal Bonheur isn’t just Monty’s neighbor; she’s his physical therapist. Having loved him from afar for years, Opal is determined to heal the warrior, physically and emotionally. What Monty needs is the faith that has sustained her through many a tragedy—and they aren’t over yet. As the past comes back to haunt Opal, Monty’s prayers for her protection might be the only thing to keep her alive.
**********************
Maybe more will show up in the morning.
**********************
Well it’s tomorrow afternoon and so far nothing else has shown up. Not that I’ve been looking all that hard aside from checking suggestion emails. (there were two with nothing we wanted)
The thing I have been doing today (and yesterday too) is spending time with one of my favorite inspiring podcasters. Carey Nieuwhof, he has a leadership podcast with the most interesting guests and amazingly insightful questions. I’m not in leadership but I love learning new things. I love walking away from the experience feeling deeply moved and fed.
It’s the mental equivalent of a well prepared healthy nutritious meal.
The subject of today’s choice of podcasts (I’m behind in watching so I’m binge watching to catch up.) was growing your audience. His guest for this video became a multi-millionaire helping clients with this aspect of their businesses. He has much to offer us as inspiration for developing a strategy for realizing our own hopes and dreams.
To be perfectly honest, I’m not that motivated to grow my audience even though I know I should be. I’m an introvert. I work hard at not being noticed. Which is pretty hilarious when you think about it. That’s why I don’t do emails (I did put an email address somewhere in my contact section but for some reason I didn’t bother to explore, it doesn’t show up.) It’s also why, generally speaking, I put personal thoughts etc at the end of posts rather than the beginning. Readers won’t see them without going to the end. Crazy I know, but this is who I am.
The question is why do I do this, and even hope for more readers, if I shy away from being seen?
It’s motivation. My passion is to inspire reading.
(If I can do it without drawing personal attention so much the better.)
Why this passion, you ask?
Because reading is a life giving, life changing experience. And statistics show that most people are not reading. A least not in any significant way. Many read less than one book a year. This is so much more than sad.
So, that is my deepest motivation, pushing you to fall in love with reading. Yes, fall in love. Avid readers are in love with books.
Falling in love with a book is like falling in love with a person — find the right one and it will happen.
For many their reading speed is a deterrent. Reading is like exercise, the more you do it the stronger you become. Keep reading, with practice your speed will improve. If you love a book, even better, your speed will automatically improve because you are in a hurry to find out what comes next.
So, bottom line, I want to inspire you to discover the joys of reading.
The discussion on why I promote books, without realizing any monetary compensation, will be the subject for another day.
************************
In case you enjoy teaching and inspiring podcasts I will share the link for this one here. Maybe you will discover useful tools and connections.
Happy Reading,
and maybe watching, too.
I could be preaching to the choir here as you are likely a reader if you frequent a blog site.
Maybe I can inspire you to inspire someone else in your life. That would be good.
For the Love of Books 