Read and enjoyed January 08, 2023

January 8, 2023 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Do you ever keep your eye faithfully on the clock and still lose track of time trying to finish a book before you have to go somewhere?

Happened to me today. Promised to be there by 3 pm, eventually deciding 4 would work and surfaced from the book at 4:05. There is an hour away. It’s a good job they love me and it was no big deal. I wanted to be there to spend time with my son who is flying home tomorrow.

It was fun anyway. The last thing we did was watch the new Top Gun movie. It was good. Not best movie ever but it was worth seeing. It was nostalgic. I still have a copy of the first Top Gun.

So midnight is fast approaching and I better get on with it. As promised; here is the book I just had to finish this afternoon. Need to know kept me going. It was definitely worth the time, although the ending was abrupt and disappointing. Overall it was a very good read.

All That Really Matters (A McKenzie Family Romance)

Molly McKenzie’s bright personality and on-trend fashion and beauty advice have made her a major social media influencer. When her manager-turned-boyfriend tells her of an upcoming audition to host a makeover show for America’s underprivileged youth, all her dreams finally seem to be coming true. There’s just one catch: she has little experience interacting with people in need.

To gain an edge on her competitors, she plans to volunteer for the summer at a transitional program for aged-out foster kids, but the program’s director, Silas Whittaker, doesn’t find her as charming as her followers do. Despite his ridiculous rules and terms, Molly dives into mentoring, surprising herself with the genuine connections and concern she quickly develops for the girls–and Silas. But just as everything seems perfectly aligned for her professional future, it starts to crumble under the pressure. And as her once-narrow focus opens to the deep needs of those she’s come to know, she must face the ones she’s neglected inside herself for so long.

“In Deese’s charming fish-out-of-water tale, a social media influencer finds humility and purpose while trying to find fame. . . . Deese combines to great effect her bracing take on those affected by foster care and Molly’s personal evolution. Fans of Rachel Hauck should take a look.”–Publishers Weekly

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Happy reading!

More this and that. January 07, 2023

January 7, 2023January 7, 2023 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

I took the plunge. It has taken a while to get to this point. I follow a number of people on YouTube and several of them start out their long form podcast there and then part way through takes it over to Rumble to finish. They encourage all of us to switch over with them (they were streaming simultaneously on Rumble to keep that audience up-to-date) so far, I’ve never followed along.

I’ve heard varying opinions on the site since it all started. I follow Dave Rubin pretty much every day and he is forever encouraging us to try it out. He and his brother-in-law started Locals as an alternative to YouTube and it seemed good but was lacking something that Rumble had so, they joined forces. On the front end they look separate but on the back end, in ways I don’t understand, they are connected and they are better together we are told.

Today I decided to check it out to see how it works. It appears they have come a long way. The setup is similar to YT and I was able to easily find people I wanted to follow.

They also promote videos they think you might be interested in. I like the way it works at this point and decided to sign up and stick around.

It’s easy to see they are looking for content providers because that is the first sign-up page we come to. The thought of making videos has crossed my mind over the last year or two but life has been consumed with family here visiting and the idea soon faded into the back ground. I’ll have to see if it will come back to the front and demand to be heard once everyone is gone.

One of the observations someone made today was that things seem to be freer on Rumble. Several popular contributors found their audience grew faster and larger there than it did on YT. The difference must be in the way they promote their subscribers.

Content is on my mind. By necessity it will have to be presented differently. It will take a lot of thought to figure this out. Maybe I should make the book focus smaller and my this-and-that thoughts bigger.

There are many subjects I currently avoid, partly due to the audience showing up on my site and partly due to worry over what is acceptable and what is not. I didn’t want to take a chance on being shut down.

I would probably attract a different audience over there and the allowances for differing opinions are better on Rumble/Locals.

Here’s a rabbit trail.

Whenever someone wants a certain group of people to be in unity thinking the same way, my favorite thought is always about the cars we drive, the sports teams we love, and the side of the sink we work from.

It makes me laugh because how many people do you know who love the same make of car, love the same sports team, and always wash dishes from left to right.

Fierce family feuds have developed over less than these three things. I think it’s hilarious whenever someone expects us to all think the same way, and be happy about it. There is a better chance of water flowing up hill.

All that to say differing opinions are inevitable, just like the resulting fireworks when opinions clash sometimes.

The raging battle in my mind is Ford or Chevy?

Never Ford!

I’ve owned a number of other makes but never a Ford. I’m proud of it but don’t usually say it out loud around the multitude of guys driving Ford pick-up trucks. They’ve explained why they make that choice but I still don’t get it.

I have to say, though, that I’m not very loyal to Chevy either. I think all six (or ten) of the cars I’ve\we’ve owned through the years have been different makes. I’ve even owned and loved a looked-down-upon Dodge. It was small and cute with a stick shift (or was it column) and went really fast. My favorite was a Mazda 626 but it met a sad end when it was kissed by an elk. Somehow, I ended up with the never-to-be-tolerated Oldsmobile. After 10 years I still don’t love it although I will admit it is a good ride and handles well in winter driving.

My son thinks it handles too well. He doesn’t live where there is winter. While he was here, he wanted to do some fish tailing, or maybe donuts, but the car wasn’t coopperating like he wanted it to. He loves my car; he keeps borrowing it.

I think I’ve pretty much exhausted that rabbit trail.

My car was similar to this but didn’t have the spoiler on the back or the vents on the hood. And it was a gold color. Mazda 626. And could it ever go on the hills. I loved that car. Vroom Vroom.

This and that January 06, 2023

January 6, 2023 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

It has been quite a day. A very good day actually.

It started out with signing of a renewal for my mortgage. Normally this would be fairly quick and easy but for some reason the process of signing was complicated this time. I have multiple devices but to my mind all of them had issues. Why can’t I print, wet ink sign, and scan. Eventually (a few days later) we got it done.

There was an upside to the struggle though. In the end some of the decisions were changed to something better and it was worth the hassle. Besides that, the experience of chatting with the bank representative was well worth the time spent.

Signing using the mouse left us with an interesting version of my signature. I guess the app doesn’t care, it just knows a signature has been applied.

At least it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Couriers have devices with such small awkward screens and those signatures were out of this world every time. I’d never have to worry about forgeries that’s for sure. It’s a good job we didn’t have to use them to identify the signor as me. lol

The next good thing in this day was having three muscled family members show up to install a new water softener device and then hang some drywall for a needed repair. It was a fun day. It took longer than the 2 hours originally estimated and I was happy with that. There are always challenges with these things and it sounded like the guys enjoyed working on it together.

The next while was spent on chores and work projects with a little reading thrown in and later some videos but now that the day is ending I’m missing having my kids here. (grown men but still my kids.) In all honesty, I’ve been preparing emotionally to have them gone but now I’m feeling it more than I thought I would.

My son will be flying back to his home on Monday, several thousand miles away, and it is another good bye. We’ve had three already as his boys left at different times, in different directions, and then his wife and daughter left on a flight home early yesterday morning. School was starting and she had to be there.

I was happy, I seemed to be taking all this in stride without any tears and figured I was going to do well this time. I guess it just took a little longer to hit me.

To fill in the time this evening I was watching/listening to videos and working on a puzzle.A black and white puzzle the rest of my puzzle loving family members were reluctant to work on for some reason.

One video was an interview with the author of a wildly popular book on developing good habits that will help us reach our potential. (the interviewer has a gift for asking great questions) (the intro to this video has an ad for materials related to church leadership skills but this interview does not address any of that. It is about successfully building an online presence.)

The second was a documentary about the life and career of Alan Rickman. He played the terrorist in the Die Hard movie with Bruce Willis. I had no idea he was so successful and broadly talented. (I watch this movie at least once a year, usually at Christmas. The perfect time 🙂 )

Both videos were lengthy and well worth the time spent. (I’ll add them at the bottom for you) And they helped me focus on the puzzle too – a definite plus.

I enjoyed the whole experience but was left wishing some of my puzzle loving family were here with me. I sent a wish you were here note on our group chat and expressing that thought was probably what caused the sadness to surface.

A good nights sleep will probably cure the worst of the lonely feelings. It has been a full day that’s for sure and a rest is in order.

I’ll share the two videos and the puzzle picture I sent to my family.

Anyone else want to pop over and work on it with me? No? I like the interesting picture and a challenge is always a good thing.

No books today. I did investigate but nothing popped up. Maybe tomorrow

I love this puzzle.

I’m off to bed as soon as I read through this thing another time or two. Maybe you will forgive me if I miss a few problem areas? Hopefully it will make sense. It made sense in my head.

Happy watching and reading.

I hope you enjoy these videos as much as I did.

Bargain books and goodbyes January 04, 2023

January 4, 2023 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

This has been a special year with family home for the first time in six years. I cherish every minute of the time we’ve had together but it can’t last forever, life moves on. Today was the beginning of it. There will be more before they finally leave for distant places. One family, three destinations. The beginning of empty nest syndrome. The up side to it all will be that each pursuit will bring each of them a step closer to discovering what life holds for them.

Bittersweet – sad to accept the change as they go, glad to see exciting opportunities for all of them.

For those of us left behind life will go on as is. But then again maybe it won’t. Life is like that, just when we think we are stuck in a rut life takes a hard left turn, or maybe a soft one. A turn is a turn though and we will hope for a happy one.

In the meantime, I need to drown-my-sorrows in a book. And what better thing is there to do, at a time like this, than look for more new books.

1531 Entertainment has one I want to read. It starts off with a bang, literally, and I want to see where it all goes. The setting is not one we see everyday and that adds an interesting element to the experience.

Honor Bound (Love and Honor Book #1)

t may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. But all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a local warlord’s mortally wounded son.

As part of the Army Special Forces “A-Team” on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia’s life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia tries to hold on to her anger–but an unwanted attraction is taking hold.

With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to draw upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive . . . because he’s beginning to think they just might overcome their differences and be able to make a life together.

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An interesting read showed up in the suggestion strips. It is tense, to say the least.

The Heiress of Winterwood (Whispers On The Moors Book 1)

In this sweet Regency romance, Amelia Barret will risk everything to keep her word—even to the point of proposing to a sea captain she’s never met.

Amelia Barrett, heiress to an estate nestled in the English moors, defies family expectations and promises to raise her dying friend’s baby. But she knows she can’t do it alone and finds herself in the surprising position of asking Graham, the child’s father—a man she’s never met before—to marry her.

When the baby vanishes with little more than an ominous ransom note hinting at her whereabouts, Amelia and Graham are driven to test the boundaries of their love for this little one.

Amelia’s detailed plans would normally see her through any trial, but now, desperate and shaken, she’s forced to examine her soul and face her one weakness: pride.

Graham’s strength and self-control have served him well and earned him much respect, but chasing perfection has kept him a prisoner of his own discipline. And away from the family he has sworn to love and protect.

To save the child they’ve both come to love—and any hopes of preserving their fledgling love—both must learn to relinquish control so they can embrace the future ahead of them.

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I’ve run out of time, caught up in reading the sample, so no more searching for tonight.

Tomorrow.

Happy Reading

Free and bargain books January 03, 2023

January 3, 2023 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

So many new books I want to read right this minute. What a dilemma, having to pick one.

It’s a good thing I didn’t read all of the samples or the attraction would be even worse.

So 1531 Entertainment mentioned these two winners. The first one is the one I’m dying to read, I love characters with a dry sense of humor. This should be a fun ride.

The Sport of Matchmaking (Clavering Chronicles Book 3)

For once, he has met a lady less inclined to marry than he is. How unfortunate that she is the only bride he will consider.

George Clavering is much too young to think about getting married. Yes, his older brother—and even his younger sister—have managed to tie the knot, but he has plenty more years of play and sporting events ahead of him before he need consider such a thing. Even matchmaking becomes a sport when gentlemen bet on the Season’s successes or failures in the club. He will not give them an opportunity to bet on him. Furthermore, why settle down when there are young women like Lady Alice who liven the sport of matchmaking with friendly wagers?

Lady Alice St. Clair is the fifth daughter of the Duke of Carr, and as she is independently wealthy and may do as she pleases, she has no reason to wed. She certainly has no intention of doing so. If the marriage mart offers nothing more than the unattractive boors who have presented themselves at her door for the past five seasons, it should hardly surprise her parents she cannot be persuaded to the altar. True, George Clavering has a full head of dark hair and a smile that is as mischievous as it is attractive, but no lady of character would change her mind for one above-average specimen of the male race.

For both, what began as a friendly bet between two bored guests at a ball turned into an earnest desire to help their protégés find happiness. And if some deeper feelings should stir in George to win Alice’s heart, then he has no choice but to dampen them. After all, Lady Alice has sworn she will not marry, and George has applauded her decision. For him to try to weaken her resolve now would be…unsportsmanlike.

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I didn’t read the sample on this but other books from this author have been worth it and I’m expecting the same again.

Nerves of Steele: (Steele Guardians – Book 2)

One mysterious break-in…
As a middle child, Peyton Steele has always needed to find a way to standout. But coming to the attention of the head of security for her client’s jewelry store when millions of dollars in jewels go missing is not the way to do it. She thinks the state-of-the-art cameras she’d recently had installed will make it easy to find the thief, but she’s stunned when the video doesn’t show the theft taking place.

Propels her into a level of danger she’s never known.The lack of video evidence is not acceptable to store security manager and former detective, Grant Logan. He’s given up his law enforcement career to spend more time with his daughter, and he’s up for a promotion as security manager for the entire jewelry chain. To gain the job that will give his young daughter everything he wants for her, he has to prove his abilities by finding the thief at all costs. He’ll put everything on the line to gain this new job, but how far will he go? Despite his growing interest in Peyton, will he risk both of their lives to succeed?

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Ten books in two days. The temptation is strong to look for more so but I’m resisting.

I’m halfway through my current and very enjoyable read. Sitting on the edge of my seat wondering how Ann will avoid marrying an odious old man.

In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy’s father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family–descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.

Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family’s jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the “lies” the Claddagh Ring promises.

Bargain books part two January 02, 2023

January 2, 2023 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

As promised. I’m back with more interesting reads. This time they are authors we see often.

This first author has a 4 book series on at a bargain price, we will consider all four and I’m going to choose 2 in an attempt to keep my collection in hand. We’ve had an abundance of books today and my book bin is in danger of overflowing. There are more to come after these ones.

I choose Saving Wren: and Saving Grace: The Women’s Work Exchange

Wren Schmidt is devastated when her husband divorces her unexpectedly, leaving her with a son to raise on her own. Wren ignores the hushed whispers and shame cast upon her by the community to focus on caring for her son. She surprises everyone when she sells her first toy design to Fielding Toy company and secures a contract for more.
Between taking care of her son and working as an inventor, she has a lot on her plate. Wren has neither the time nor the interest to pursue a relationship. When her son asks for a replica of a competitor’s toy ship for Christmas, Wren finds herself working with the handsome inventor, Oscar Parker, to make his wish come true…

She is a woman desperate to save her family legacy…
Grace makes a deal with the local Women’s Work Exchange to sell her blown glass Christmas ornaments in hopes of making enough money to pay off her uncle and keep her legacy. Soon strange incidents lead Grace to fear for her life and her legacy.

He’s the lawyer hired to help her…
Scott Fielding is the lawyer hired to help Grace. Meeting her was a revelation. Grace is a gifted artisan with a heart for family. Something’s wrong with her uncle’s desperate attempts to claim the house and land. What is he after? Is there more to the story?

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Another one from the same author. It looked interesting. . . what can I say. I couldn’t resist. And it is not long either which helped me say yes.

In time for Christmas: A Clean Romantic Suspense

Kidnapped and ransomed-one little boy is praying for help to get him home in time for Christmas.

It was supposed to be a girl’s night out, but something felt off about the teary-eyed little boy staring at her across the restaurant. Trinity trusts the urging of the Lord and follows her heart only to be caught up in a killer’s dangerous holiday plot.

Billionaire, Marek Reid, and his team are hot on the heels of the men who took his son. Marek knows more than most that if God brings you to it, he will bring you through it, but no one expects what happens next. A young woman steps in to protect the child and finds herself kidnapped before Christmas!

Can Trinity protect the child and escape before the killer exacts his terrible Christmas plan? Will Marek save them both before it’s too late?

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This next one looked too good to pass up. Especially since I’ve read and enjoyed two others in the series. On top of that it’s also short.

Sanctuary Hidden (WITSEC Town)

Previously published as part of the Team Love on the Run box set.

When Cyan Greene finds decades-old evidence hidden among her dead mother’s belongings she’s plunged back into a world of run and hide. NFL quarterback Nate Mason knows more than he should about the secret witness protection town of Sanctuary where Cyan grew up. He’s the perfect person to protect Cyan; except he doesn’t know a thing about being a bodyguard. When the mob catches up with them, and an old nemesis interferes, Nate is the only one who stands between the woman he’s come to care about…and the people trying to silence her forever.

WITSEC Town Series book 2.5

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This last one is also a book I’m having trouble resisting. I’ve read and enjoyed books 1 and 3 in this series and it seems only right to read book 2 while I have the chance.

Rosemary Cottage (The Hope Beach Series Book 2)

The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange the respite she needs to mourn her brother, Ben. She’s even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community, a place that has always been a refuge for her and her family. She also plans to investigate Ben’s disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder.

Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland has lost a sibling too. His sister, Gina, was run down by a boat, leaving him to raise her infant daughter. If anyone knew who little Raine’s father was, Curtis could lose his beloved niece. Yet he can’t help being drawn to Hope Beach’s new midwife, Amy, and he agrees to help her investigate what happened to both Ben and Gina.

Can two grieving people with secrets find healing on beautiful Hope Island? Or will their quest for truth set them at odds with each other . . . and with those who will go to any length to keep hidden things hidden?

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Eight new books today. It has been a good day, I hope you have enjoyed it even half as much as I have.

It’s time to move on to other needs. In the meantime . . .

Happy Reading!

First Book download of 2023 – January 02/23

January 2, 2023 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

It’s the beginning of another new year. It’s exciting and all, the anticipation, wondering what the year will hold for us.The hardest part of every year though . . . remembering to date everything with the new number. It took long enough to stop using 2021 and now we have to leave 2022 behind.

After experiencing decades of new years you would think it would be easy.

What’s a new year without a new challenge, right?

Let’s forget about all this new year stuff and think about books.

New-to-me authors will be the theme for today, by the looks of it. There was a good suggestion from LPC Free Books and one thing lead to another and we have three new authors with books I can’t wait to read.

Laser Trap

If you can’t invent it, steal it!

Engineering grad student Dan Butler discovers an unorthodox way to produce lasers of unprecedented power. When the malevolent bosses at StarWay Labs, who sell weapons to the international underworld, discover this, they kidnap Dan and demand he replicate his work in their secret lab.

Dan’s fellow grad student, Lana Madison, who Dan had hired to help him find a girlfriend, is alarmed at his disappearance. She forms a high-tech team with four of their friends to help the authorities rescue Dan. They make remarkable breakthroughs in tracking down his whereabouts while the criminal cadre at StarWay pushes Dan close to his breaking point. With millions of dollars and Dan’s life at stake, can he be rescued before it’s too late? Will he survive the Laser Trap?

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All That Really Matters (A McKenzie Family Romance)

2022 Christy and Carol Award Winner

Molly McKenzie’s bright personality and on-trend fashion and beauty advice have made her a major social media influencer. When her manager-turned-boyfriend tells her of an upcoming audition to host a makeover show for America’s underprivileged youth, all her dreams finally seem to be coming true. There’s just one catch: she has little experience interacting with people in need.

To gain an edge on her competitors, she plans to volunteer for the summer at a transitional program for aged-out foster kids, but the program’s director, Silas Whittaker, doesn’t find her as charming as her followers do. Despite his ridiculous rules and terms, Molly dives into mentoring, surprising herself with the genuine connections and concern she quickly develops for the girls–and Silas. But just as everything seems perfectly aligned for her professional future, it starts to crumble under the pressure. And as her once-narrow focus opens to the deep needs of those she’s come to know, she must face the ones she’s neglected inside herself for so long.

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The Lady of Galway Manor

Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the “other side” isn’t quite as barbaric and uncultured as they’d been led to believe–and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner’s fire.

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There were other interesting books showing up in the suggestion bars but they are with authors we’ve seen before. I think they deserve a post all their own.

While I’m in the grove and the new books area all lined up for us I’ll move on to the second post of the day.

See you soon.

Read and enjoyed January 01, 2023

January 1, 2023 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Happy New Year everyone.

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.

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Free book December 29, 2022

December 29, 2022 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Good morning! What are the chances! We have good book suggestions today from two sources and – wouldn’t you know – they are the same. It is usual for them to mention the same book, just not on the same day.

I’ve read the long sample and now I have to read the rest. A nice problem to have in my estimation.

Come Next Winter: An Inspirational Romance (Seasons of Change Book 1)

Can love triumph over tragedy and bring joy amid winter?

When unexpected tragedy hits her family, Carol Mason struggles to forge a new life for herself and her sons. Though Vermont has been their home for twenty years, betrayal and misunderstanding force Carol to leave the mountains she loves and return to her hometown of Apache Pointe, Arizona. There she is welcomed by scorching heat, lizards, scorpions, and (gulp) Aunt Penny. Carol finds a sympathetic friend in her cousin Millie as she does her best to put the pieces of her shattered life back together. But her prayers for guidance and a decent place to live away from Aunt Penny’s disapproving eye go unanswered. Has God turned a deaf ear to her just when she needs Him the most?

The answer might be found in the handsome pastor of her family’s church. Frank is everything she would look for in a spouse. If she were looking. Which she is not. Especially when she discovers that Cousin Millie has set her hopes on becoming the pastor’s next wife. Aunt Penny’s outrageous attempts to ensure that Millie wins Frank’s heart bring Carol’s past crashing into her present, and might destroy any chance she has at a happy future.

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I think the main draw of this book is that it is well written. I could be wrong but I’m thinking that any story could be interesting if it is well written.

Hmmm. This bears thinking about. This is a new thought, one I haven’t considered from all angles. It sounds like it could be true.

You know the old line, he could sell _____ to a ______. Fill in the blanks with your favorite example of impossible sells. He’s basically selling a story, a well told, convincing story. If such a thing is possible then well written should equal awesome no matter what the story line.

This would be an interesting challenge. Take a boring concept and write a story that people want to read. Prove the point if it can be done.

Maybe well written is relative. It is possible there are works that could be considered well written while they are totally boring.

But then boring could also be considered relative. There is no accounting for taste. What is fascinating to one can be deadly boring to another. How often do you want to read a 1000 page tome on the characteristics of some totally obscure microscopic topic? A few of you will say pretty often.

Maybe it’s fair to say that well written can make any subject/idea/story fascinating to someone somewhere.

I’m needing to camp on this thought for a bit.

I’ll be back with more bargains if I see any pop up later.

Happy Reading!

I loved this book December 28, 2022

December 28, 2022 / For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Well that bargain didn’t last long. It seems we have to hurry if we want the good deals. But enough of that.

There are many things about this book that I loved. There was one thing in particular, though. Read on to see what that was.

Romeo’s Way (Mike Romeo Thrillers Book 2)

Mike Romeo had a difficult life as a kid. Bullied, not fitting in, misunderstood, neglected at home, he had to find ways of coping to survive. He started life as an overweight kid, that was bad enough but attending university as a young teen was no picnic and his out in both cases was books.

A kind soul took pity on him as he grew older and taught him to box. Well enough to hold undefeated titles. As an adult he was a powerhouse with an arsenal of moves that made him a formidable opponent. That coupled with his vast reading and wicked sense of humor, he was amazing.

That’s what I loved most about him, his sense of humor. His opponents were either impressed or confounded with the flow of pithy quotes. Most of the time words did the job leaving no need for physical altercations.

He wasn’t a fun kind of guy though, life had taught him enough hard lessons that he would never be the life of the party. He was more apt to be a runner when things were uncomfortable. The definition for uncomfortable was relative. It didn’t take much for him to decide to move on. He had friends who disagreed and wanted him to stay.

All of the characters had depth but Mike Romeo was by far my favorite, just as the author intended.

I loved the way the story played out and the way it ended.

This was a Five star read, definitely.

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Book description from Amazon…

“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.

****************

I guess the synopsis was going for no spoilers and in my mind that’s why it didn’t do this book the justice it deserved. The reading experience was so much better than the book description led me to believe it would be.

This book is definitely on my top five list. Although 5 is too small for the number of books read that should be on my top five list. Maybe I will make it a fat five so more will fit. I’d have to read fewer books for there to be a smaller number of top five books, so we have to be creative.

This book is worth the read at any price.

Check it out and . . .

Happy Reading