Current read November 24, 2022

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Good evening one and all. This has been a quiet day as far as books go. There were a few suggestions earlier but they were repeats of recent books mentioned on other sites. I read a couple of books while waiting for the sun to move past my work computer this morning. They were written in such a way that it was possible to jump ahead every two or three chapters and still know what was going on. They are the good kind of reads to have every now and then, keep things moving a long.

I started a new book tonight and it doesn’t look like it will be the type to let me get away with that kind of behavior. It’s shaping up to be a good read. It doesn’t have the same old same old vibe going on either. I have to say I’m enjoying that aspect.

Wow, this one didn’t stay at the bargain price for very long. Jump on them quick is my motto. It isn’t too bad a price even at this though, could be much higher.

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Sarah: Cold Case Murder Mystery Series

Investigating cold case murders comes with a deadly price…

After a life-threatening home invasion, Ava Montgomery refuses to let her fear stop her from investigating cold case murders and she throws herself back into work.

Her next case: the murder of fifteen-year-old, Sarah Lewis.

This time, Ava has a connection to the case, a boy she grew up with: Elite performer and Olympic athlete, Jaxson Wells. Handsome, successful, and currently the lead suspect.

But is the man she once attended Bible study with capable of killing? The more time she spends with him, the more her gut tells her he is innocent.

But if Jax didn’t kill Sarah, then who did?

Can Ava and Jax uncover the killer’s identity before she becomes their next victim?

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And now back to the book.

Browsing hasn’t produced anything interesting this time either but tomorrow is another day. Never give up hope.

Happy reading y’all

Firefly Cove – a book review November 23, 2022

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Firefly Cove (Miramar Bay Book 2)  by Davis Bunn

I cried and still want to, although with time the need is finally fading. The book ended. Intensely bitter sweet.

Honestly, the story brought me to tears a number of times, I would dare you to read it and not cry too. It can’t be done. Really.

Davis Bunn understands on a deep level the way we as people behave in complex situations, which I find amazing.

I think it’s amazing because not many authors are able to do and do it so very well. Charles Martin is the other name that springs to mind when I read a book like this. He has the same deep understanding of human nature.

In both cases their characters are believable, the stories are rich, and every word must be read or we will miss important threads in the story.

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This is a story of the unexpected, a story of second chances, a story of mind bending situations.

Anything could be possible, right?

The impossible starts this way . . .

Luke has been attempting suicide, four times. This time it works. A neighbor notices something is not right and intervenes calling for an ambulance, but it’s too late.

Then there is an issue with getting a pick up from the morgue so it’s decided to place him in the basement of the hospital while they are waiting.

Before they leave him Luke moves and wakes up to a cold room with a sheet over his head. It’s a harrowing experience. As could be expected, things don’t go well and he ends up totally restrained in a hospital bed. With burly guards, nurses, a doctor, and his therapists all surrounding him.

It seems he’s lost his memory because he has no idea about this person they think they are talking to.

Here is some back story.

Since the age of seven, Lucius Quarterfield has known he is dying. Doctors told him he had a “bad ticker” and might not live to see his next birthday. But somehow, the frail yet determined boy managed to hang on and surprise everyone. Lucius not only survived to adulthood, he thrived, turning a small car dealership into a successful chain. But now, at twenty-eight, his time is finally running out. So he’s returning to the one place he ever felt happy, near the only woman he ever truly wanted—the California seaside town of Miramar Bay…
 
Jessica was the only daughter of the only dentist in town. She was able to follow in her father’s footsteps, as he desired. But Jessica preferred the simple things in life—a trait that captivated Lucius from the moment he arrived in town. Her quick wit and carefree approach to life were a breath of fresh air to a man who devoted all his time to work. Soon they were falling head over heels—until Lucius pulled away, to spare her the pain of his inevitable fate.

Now, after all this time, he’s going to make each moment count. Because he knows that everything is about to change…he just can’t know exactly how.

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I loved this 5 star book and I highly recommend it if you are a fan of these kinds of stories. The genre is listed as romance but it is so much more than that. Love it.

You won’t know how good it is until you get into it.

Happy Reading.

Bargain books November 22, 2022

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Good morning on this beautiful sunny day. We have a book suggestion, or two, that looks very interesting, it is from 1531 Entertainment. They have the best track record so far for having good suggestions and we appreciate it a great deal.

We’ve seen many books from this author and it’s good to see more. Here is today’s suggestion.

Turbulence (A Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense Novel Book 5)

Facing doubts and terror at forty thousand feet …

Kennedy can’t wait to spend winter break in Alaska. Unfortunately, her vacation might end up cut short before her plane ever lands.

As terror unfolds in the air, Kennedy stops worrying about reaching her destination. For now, her biggest challenge is just to stay alive …

As gripping, thrilling, and unforgettable as always, Turbulence is book 5 in the bestselling Christian suspense series readers can’t put down.

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Another series has a bargain box set available. Books 1 – 3. We had this set two years ago and I’ve read and enjoyed it.

Alaskan Refuge Christian Suspense Box Set (Books 1-3)

Deep in the heart of Alaska, there’s more to fear than just the cold …

Real faith meets real suspense in these 3 thrilling novels you can’t put down!

Find out why Christian fiction readers are racing headfirst into the depths of rural Alaska, where unforgettable characters face unimaginable dangers. These believers will risk everything to save the ones they love:

A woman hiding from the fatal mistakes of her past. A sister rescuing her autistic little brother from the clutches of danger. A mother confronting the demons in her past to rescue her kidnapped daughter.

If you like determined characters, faith-based suspense, and heart-stopping action, then you’ll love these riveting novels from bestselling Christian novelist Alana Terry.

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One more bargain appeared as I browsed the suggestion strips. Complete change of subject. A four book box set.

Destination Christmas (The Christmas Lights Collection)

♥ This Christmas, pack your bags for a holiday away from home. ♥

Join the Christmas Lights Collection authors as we travel to Colorado, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and New Cheltenham for warm and wonderful stories of love and Christmas cheer.

Kiss Me on Christmas by Sarah Monzon

Single mom Kaitlyn Stafford has never considered Christmas a balancing act, but when her sister calls with the news that she’s getting married in less than two weeks—on Christmas Day—that’s exactly what the holiday looks like becoming. Helping with the out-of-state wedding will be fun. The challenge will be doing so while accommodating her neurodivergent son’s need to keep every single one of their Christmas traditions while they’re away from home. It’ll be tricky, but she can do it.

At least, that’s what she thinks before her son’s favorite YouTuber, Beckett Walsh, shows up on the scene, knocking her world off-kilter with his speaking glances and knowing smiles. How on earth is she supposed to pull off her balancing act when her world’s just tilted on its axis?

Christmas Camp by Cathe Swanson

Julia is eager to prove herself in her first job as project manager for the family’s charitable foundation, but she expected it to be something more meaningful than creating a winter wonderland Christmas vacation for snow-deprived southerners. Why is this project so important to her grandmother?

Tom doesn’t understand why anyone would want to renovate his uncle’s broken-down Wisconsin deer camp, either, but if it will save the old man’s home and business, he’ll help the ambitious city girl put together the most cliché-filled Christmas ever.

Not Another Christmas by Jaycee Weaver

The palm trees and beaches of Florida are far from her chaotic family as Cindy Sinclair can get. Her anticipated promotion is the perfect excuse not to come home for the holidays… until she’s passed over and the job is given to none other than her childhood nemesis.

This far from New Mexico, Nick Hoover never imagined he’d beat Cindy out for a job. Again. He’s messed up her plans since the day they met, but this time, Nick is determined to prove he never wanted to be her enemy. If only she’ll let him.

When their reignited adolescent rivalry gets out of hand, their boss insists they both go home, face the hurts of their pasts, and bury the hatchet once and for all. With help from her meddling family, this could be the Christmas they quit clashing and give love a fighting chance.

The Hearts of New Cheltenham by Chautona Havig

The only way not to break her best friend’s heart is to get someone else to steal it.

Jarod doesn’t need a month off and certainly not halfway across the country. His best friend doesn’t agree. She’s been researching places for him to go and has found him a perfect match on a dating website who just happens to live in New Cheltenham. It’s a match made online until she begins to wonder if she’s made a mistake trying to offload him on someone else.

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Free and bargain books November 21, 2022

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BookBub has a Free suggestion by an author new to me. Interesting, I’m going for it.

Sarah: Cold Case Murder Mystery Series

Investigating cold case murders comes with a deadly price…

After a life-threatening home invasion, Ava Montgomery refuses to let her fear stop her from investigating cold case murders and she throws herself back into work.

Her next case: the murder of fifteen-year-old, Sarah Lewis.

This time, Ava has a connection to the case, a boy she grew up with: Elite performer and Olympic athlete, Jaxson Wells. Handsome, successful, and currently the lead suspect.

But is the man she once attended Bible study with capable of killing? The more time she spends with him, the more her gut tells her he is innocent.

But if Jax didn’t kill Sarah, then who did?

Can Ava and Jax uncover the killer’s identity before she becomes their next victim?

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

While I was looking at Sarah, a new Christy Barritt mystery showed up. So glad I noticed.

High Stakes Deception (Vanishing Ranch Book 6) 

Former Texas Ranger and rodeo champion Ainsley Tatum will do whatever is necessary to figure out the truth surrounding her brother’s death in a terrorist bombing fifteen years ago. When her boss at Vanishing Ranch hands her the opportunity to find answers, Ainsley is all in—except for one caveat.

In order to discover the truth without raising suspicions, Ainsley has to go undercover, pretending to be newly married to the man who once broke her heart.

Carter Winslow knows his father’s fatal car crash was no accident. When he agrees to work with Vanishing Ranch to find answers, he never imagines what’s in store for him. Pretending to be married might not be so bad . . . if his fake bride didn’t despise him.

With thousands of lives potentially on the line, Ainsley and Carter must find a way to get past their differences and pull off the biggest charade of their lives. But when the deception around them deepens, the stakes grow higher and more dangerous than either could have imagined.

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This is a had-to-have, it’s not much of a bargain, which is what I’m usually looking for but it is still better than full price (price is the guideline to keep my buying under control, some people gamble, I buy books, what can I say) (it is possible to find great bargains on awesome books) Anyway I have books 1 – 6 in this series, all except for book two. A few days ago I read and loved book 6 and now I must read book 2, the blurb has me hooked. That and Mr. Bunn has a gift for creating characters that are deeply emotional and real. Enticing enough to keep me reading all night. Not tonight though.

Firefly Cove (Miramar Bay Book 2)

A dying man hopes for a second chance with the woman he loves in this novel for fans of Nicholas Sparks.
 
Since the age of seven, Lucius Quarterfield has known he is dying. Doctors told him he had a “bad ticker” and might not live to see his next birthday. But somehow, the frail yet determined boy managed to hang on and surprise everyone. Lucius not only survived to adulthood, he thrived, turning a small car dealership into a successful chain. But now, at twenty-eight, his time is finally running out. So he’s returning to the one place he ever felt happy, near the only woman he ever truly wanted—the California seaside town of Miramar Bay…
 
Jessica was the only daughter of the only dentist in town. She was able to follow in her father’s footsteps, as he desired. But Jessica preferred the simple things in life—a trait that captivated Lucius from the moment he arrived in town. Her quick wit and carefree approach to life were a breath of fresh air to a man who devoted all his time to work. Soon they were falling head over heels—until Lucius pulled away, to spare her the pain of his inevitable fate. Now, after all this time, he’s going to make each moment count. Because he knows that everything is about to change…he just can’t know exactly how.

“In Bunn’s emotional novel, readers will be…swept away by Lucius’s and Jessica’s love story.”—Publishers Weekly

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It has been an unexpectedly good book day. What a gift.

Happy Reading.

PTSD Conversation. November 21, 2022

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Our body remembers and keeps track. This is a recently acquired piece of information that explains a whole lot of things for me.

Memory suppression is a coping mechanism our minds will use to help us survive life. That has been the truth of my formative years. I have to be intentional about allowing snippets of information to settle in my mind long enough to consider what they might mean. Doing this has been an enlightening experience and explained may things, but it didn’t start happening until I was willing to allow my mind to dwell on the visiting thoughts.

For many decades I refused to entertain the idea of abuse precisely because I had no concrete memories. I suspected but wouldn’t make an accusation I couldn’t prove. A decade or so ago my brother forced me to admit it was true. He used persuasive force so it was all good. I think he remembers more than he was willing to admit. His assertion came out of nowhere although I think he must have been thinking about it for quite some time. It was like he was on a mission to finally talk about it and now was the time.

So back to the body remembering thought. . . It’s kind of funny when I think about it because I have been on a quest for emotional healing for many decades. That would be proof of the body remembers where my mind doesn’t. Subconsciously I knew I had a deep need for healing in my life and over the years I’ve been driven to pursue it relentlessly. The motivation was I want to be well.

It’s something how books, conversations, lectures, stories, all sorts of things, cross my path just when I need them.

Like I said the body remembers concept showed up in the last year or so and it was so helpful. I had been paying attention before but now I was more intentional. Besides noticing physical responses, fight or flight, I started thinking more deeply about the reasons and implications of those reactions. I’ve known forever than I don’t have normal reactions or even interpretations to words or situations, but I want to.

The latest idea for me to explore builds on the last one. Your body remembers and is convinced that danger still exists and raises the alarm to protect you. That’s why we are triggered by anything remotely resembling past dangerous situations. I have many triggers and have yet to figure out what is behind most of them. There are so many because the worst of the abuse stretched over a decade and on top of that there were multiple people involved as well as multiple types of abuse. Both emotional and physical. Then there is the complication that the emotional abuse continued on much longer than a decade.

The idea today was that, to get past these reactions we have to face our triggers/fears, convince our internal memory that all is well and the danger is past. And mostly it is, that’s true.

For a while I have been thinking about changing thought patterns by laying down new memories over the old. Creating new neural pathways. I’ve been thinking about facing and figuring out what caused the triggers in order to understand the why of the triggers, by knowing what happened to me. Understanding what is behind the triggers helps us chase away the proverbial bogey man hiding under the bed or in the closet.

I can see now that finding a way to convince my body that the danger is past and I’m safe, is badly needed.

Easier said than done. But worth a try.

Today’s moment of revelation came in the form of a podcast. It was a valuable conversation between professionals, a clinical psychologist and a popular guest with several degrees in the mental health field. These two come at the conversation from different perspectives and it has given me food for thought that will be around for some time to come.

One more much needed building block on the journey.

Here is the link. They had so much more to say that is worth hearing.

https://youtu.be/B_373YVlnDA

Among many others they talked about answering the question – What do you want? a serious question that most of us cannot articulate. Possibly because no one has ever asked us that question. At least not in a serious, really wanting to know, kind of way. It’s usually more like – what do You want? That’s the first thought that popped into my head as I wrote the first question. Sad. Probably heard that version a lot as a kid.

I have to say they covered a lot of ground in the hour long podcast.

Anyway, their enlightening conversation was definitely worth the time.

Until next time

Hope this makes sense, didn’t leave enough time for needed rewrites.

Free and bargain books November 18, 2022

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It’s Friday again. It’s unbelievable the way the weeks fly by. I’d like to say stop the ship, I want to get off but life would move on for everyone else at breakneck speed and when I look closely at the picture that thought conjures up, me left behind in a fractured world, I think I’d better cancel that request. Hopefully the wish granting genie wasn’t paying attention to the beginning of this discussion.

Books, now there’s a safe topic for us.

BookBub has an interesting suggestion. It goes with a book suggestion we read and enjoyed a year ago.

Christmas at Cranberry Cove (Cranberry Cove Series Book 3) 

Ryder Langston retires from commercial fishing and manages Blake Sloan’s supply stores. When the owner of the inn in Cranberry Cove hires a new executive chef, Ryder is intrigued by the tall woman with ebony hair who hides a dark family secret.

Juliette Duplay must flee from her French roots and her past when a family member turns against her. She’d like to blend into the American culture but can’t escape danger even in the small community of Cranberry Cove.

Can Ryder and Juliette unravel the mystery in time to celebrate Christmas at Cranberry Cove?

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1531 Entertainment has an intense and attractive suggestion for us.

Cruise to Death

When opera singer Riley Williams agrees to sub as a musical-theater performer on a luxury Rhine/Moselle River boat cruise, she gets more than she bargained for. Not only does she have to come up with 250 Broadway songs, she must dance with the male passengers. Dance—the subject she nearly failed in her conservatory courses, and the cause of her recent flop in an opera house. To make matters worse, she overhears two terrorists at a café in Antwerp, Belgium, discussing the transfer of deadly Agent X to the highest bioterrorist bidders.

Interpol Agent Jacob Coulter, an anti-terrorism desk analyst in Brussels, Belgium, insists on serving as an undercover agent after his best friend Noel is murdered by terrorists from the cell he infiltrated in Brussels. Shortly before Noel dies, he manages to tell Jacob snippets of the terrorists’ plans. Plans that seem to involve the same river boat cruise Riley is on. When Interpol learns of Riley’s encounter with terrorists at the café, Jacob’s supervisor insists he work with her to identify the terrorists and retrieve Agent X. But their relationship is fraught with distrust because of Riley’s suspicious past and a romantic attraction neither of them wants.

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This one showed up again this week. Too many good books lately, I’ve not had a chance to read this one yet.

Courting Misfortune (The Joplin Chronicles Book #1)

Calista York needs one more successful case as a Pinkerton operative to secure her job. When she’s assigned to find the kidnapped daughter of a mob boss, she’s sent to the rowdy mining town of Joplin, Missouri, despite having extended family in the area. Will their meddling expose her mission and keep Lila Seaton from being recovered?

When Matthew Cook decided to be a missionary, he never expected to be sent only a short train ride away. While fighting against corruption of all sorts, Matthew hears of a baby raffle being held to raise funds for a children’s home. He’ll do what he can to stop it, but he also wants to stop the reckless Miss York, whose bad judgment consistently seems to be putting her in harm’s way.

Calista doesn’t need the handsome pastor interfering with her investigation, and she can’t let her disguise slip. Her job and the life of a young lady depend on keeping Matthew in the dark. 

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Happy Friday y’all

Free and bargain books November 17, 2022

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This looks like fun.

Pistols and Poinsettias: A clean read whodunit filled with mystery, suspense and murder (Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series Book 3) 

Steve isn’t celebrating Christmas…he’s trying to survive it.

Blind PI Steve Smiley loathes Christmas—too many memories. When his partner secures an invitation for them to teach at a mystery writers’ conference in Miami, what promises to be a welcome early December escape turns into a tidal wave of mysteries to solve.

Steve and Heather walk into the midst of a raging civil war between two factions of the writers’ group. When they agree to locate a missing author slated to be the next organization president, they find themselves plunged into the midst of the battle. Before they can solve that mystery, another one lands at their feet, along with a dead body.

With more than a thousand mystery writers watching, Steve’s reputation is on the line. He and Heather make a plan to unravel the mysteries and expose the murderer. But the killer has a plan too. Steve’s no longer worried about enduring another lonely Christmas…this year he just wants to survive it.

If you like your Christmas reads full of mystery and suspense, you’ll love Pistols and Poinsettias!

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Look at that, here is a FREE book related to our newest bargain. How can we pass up free?

Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells: A clean read whodunit detective mystery (Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series Book 2) 

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells…Rifle Shells?

Blind private investigator Steve Smiley and his partner hear a rifle shot. Hordes of Christmas shoppers scatter. A famous big-game hunter drops to the sidewalk. They grab the beautiful teen who was arguing with the man and flee to safety. Bella, the adopted daughter of the victim and a celebrity in her own right, shows no emotion over the murder. Her one passionate request: find her birth parents.

Smiley and McBlythe’s search intertwines with the murder investigation of Bella’s adopted father again and again—and uncovers a shocking secret. Like it or not, they must first identify the killer in order to discover the truth about Bella’s adoption.

A host of suspects line up like Santa’s reindeer. Can the determined investigators tie a ribbon on the case? Will Bella have the best Christmas ever—or will death and heartache be the only presents under the tree?

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Yesterday’s wonderful book is finished and I will save talking about it for the weekend when there is more time. It was like savoring every morsel of the best dessert ever. The perfect blend of ingredients.

It reminded me of another reading experience, early on in my Kindle life. I’ll dig out those books to share with you if I can.

That’s it for tonight.

Happy Reading y’all

Current read November 16, 2022

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I’ve found the much needed book to brighten my day! (the antidote to my last post)

Davis Bunn is a long time favorite author and this new book is a recent download. It is book 6 in the Miramar Bay series and I’ve read and enjoyed them all.

I have never read a book like this one which is both exciting and refreshing. There have been several in a similar vein over the years but they were by different authors with their own special flair.

I’m loving this read and chapter nine has put in an appearance.

A breathtaking new novel about letting go, taking chances, and embracing the healing power of love—from the international bestselling author of Tranquility Falls.

Just when he thought he’d buried his past and was moving on . . .

Four years after his wife’s death, art history teacher Derek Gaines.has finally made a kind of peace with himself. He tries his best to stave off memories. His days are ones of familiar routine. Guarded against further pain, he keeps relationships at a safe distance. It’s all part of his necessary transition to surviving alone. If anything is truly responsible for Derek making it back from the brink it’s his edifying work as a consultant for auction houses—and indulging a consuming sideline job: tracking stolen art. But Derek’s latest hunt will lead him toward challenges both professional and personal—that he’s not prepared to
face . . .
 
He discovered the art of falling in love again . . .

Joining Derek on his quest is Kelly Reid, the new junior vice president of gallery operations at Christies Los Angeles. She is driven, ambitious, fiercely passionate about her work—and a fellow wounded kindred spirit. Bitterly immune to men’s promises, she’s never letting herself be vulnerable again. Yet even as trust and affection remain frightening territory, a tenuous start to her partnership with Derek slowly builds toward something more. And soon, both will be tested beyond anything they could have imagined–in the deepening mystery of a lost painting, and in matters of the heart, which can be the greatest mystery of all.

With love comes risk in The Emerald Tide, a powerful and emotional novel about daring to take a second chance.

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

Happy Reading

Bargain books November 16, 2022

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Distressed. That’s what I’m feeling at the moment. It was unexpected and disappointing. Disappointing because I was hoping for new sites to follow, replacing the old, slowly disappearing sites. What I found this time, and have before too, reading tastes among a number of book bloggers tend to fall on the dark side. I’m guessing you know what I’m talking about. Given that bent, today’s browsing experience was triggering for me.

Often I can handle honesty about the murderous things we do to one another. Maybe it’s point of view that makes the difference. Usually the stories I read are from law enforcement’s side of things. The titles in a reading list this morning were from the perpetrator’s perspective and that’s a whole new ballgame. It felt like pure evil and I couldn’t handle it. I’m guessing triggers from early childhood trauma are behind the issue.

I’m sad. I had high hopes for a new blogger friend or three to follow.

My luck hasn’t been all that great finding new friends, probably because I spend more time looking for books than I do looking for friends. A fatal flaw. Not. I love my books and the few friends I do still have.

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So, back to the book search. . .

1531 Entertainment has a bargain suggestion for us. It’s Book 2 in a series. We read Book 1 a year ago and I see it is still Free.

Dead Broke: A Cozy Mystery

Why would someone kill Nathan King?

The peace of a perfect November afternoon is shattered when Agatha hears the frantic bleating of goats across the river from her B&B. Agatha kayaks over with retired detective Tony and two guests–Bishop Henry and his wife Emma. They find the goats huddled together in a terrified group and Nathan lying face up beneath the Live Oak trees, lifeless eyes staring at the Texas sky.

Then one of Agatha’s guests goes missing. She delves into Joey’s past and learns he was Dead Broke, so what was he doing vacationing at her B&B? And why was he pretending to be Amish when in fact his permanent address was Dallas, Texas? Most importantly, did Joey have anything to do with Nathan’s death? Agatha and Tony are at a dead end before the investigation has properly begun, but this time they receive help from unexpected places.

Bishop Henry has a gift, and he’s no longer afraid to use it, even if doing so may put them all in danger as they work together to catch a killer.

Dead Broke is a story about family secrets, rare gifts, and the joy of unexpected friendships.

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Another bargain book from 1531 Entertainment looks like it could be interesting.

All I Want for Christmas by Rebekah Pace

LOSING EVERYTHING MAY JUST BE THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL.

James sells toys. He’s a workaholic and he’s made a very good living, even if his wife and four children don’t appreciate it. Truth is, his marriage is falling apart and he barely recognizes his kids.

So when James’s youngest daughter, 7-year-old Reba, asks God for a Christmas miracle to “fix” her family, something most unexpected happens—unexpected and horrible. The Christmas tree catches fire and the house burns down, taking with it all of their possessions.

One bad thing leads to another as rock bottom gives way to new lows and the family is sent spiraling down a dark and unfamiliar path. Reba wonders if God decided to give her the very opposite of what she prayed for.

Finally, separated and destitute, James and the family are left with absolutely nothing—nothing but a brand-new understanding of what’s actually important in life.

Now James must rekindle his faith, learn what’s truly important to him, and find a way to win his family back. If he can pull it off, there may just be that Christmas miracle waiting for him.


“Likable, charismatic characters…compelling and emotionally impactful…modern-day Job’s tale.” – Screencraft

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I’ve been digging myself into a deep hole just thinking about this post. For sure I won’t be reading the last book on this list.

I’m off to look through my TBR list for something light-hearted and funny.

Happy Reading y’all.

Free and bargain books November 15, 2022

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We have books today. One so far anyway, and it’s free. BookRunes brought this one to our attention. I see we’ve read and enjoyed quite a few books from this author in the last two years.

Sealed with Courage: A Christian K9 Romantic Suspense (Called To Protect Book 1) 

Risking their hearts and their lives while protecting the innocent…

Will they find the kidnapped boy in time?

Sign language teacher Aubrey Clark feels responsible when ten-year-old Lucas goes missing. She’s determined to find her deaf student and knows more than she should from reading the lips of the man involved in the boy’s disappearance. Now she’s in the killer’s crosshairs too. Aubrey has little choice but to accept Navy SEAL Mason Gray’s protection, grateful for his help in searching for Lucas.

Mason’s last op as a Navy SEAL had gone sideways, leaving him deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other. But he’s not going to let his handicap prevent him and his K9 scent tracker, Bravo, from rescuing a deaf child. Mason has never balked at putting his life on the line for his country or to ensure the safety of women and children. But risking his heart? That wasn’t supposed to be part of the plan . . .

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LPC Free Books has a FREE suggestion for us too that looks interesting. I have one book in my collection from this author and now I’m looking forward to reading this one.

After the Rain

Debra Hart is moving on. Maybe. Hopefully. One day.

As a radio show host, Debra spends her mornings as Miss Lonely Heart on air, empathizing with all the broken hearts in the Denver metro area. She spends her evenings watching old musicals and trying not to think about the guy who broke up with her and subsequently fell in love with one of her best friends. Alone in a new city, Debra questions where she belongs and who she is now.

When she stumbles into the indie music scene, Debra meets singer Ben Price. Rock star appeal, with a day job as a worship pastor, Ben is everything Debra wants to avoid. But he’s determined to be her friend, and it so happens she could really use one. Because try as she might, nothing seems to erase the anger and betrayal she feels.

It’s time for a new dream. But how does she start over when the pieces of her broken past remain lodged in her heart?

“Brandy Bruce has weaved together a bittersweet tale that had me laughing and crying within a mere three words. Filled with loss, love, and beautiful life, After the Rain will forever be in my heart, sitting on my shelf of favorites.” ~V. Joy Palmer, Author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations

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1531 Entertainment also has a bargain suggestion for us. One I’m not planning to download but will still recommend, especially if you like classic mystery. I’ve read and enjoyed many Agatha Christie novels through the years and my appetite for her books has been more than satisfied but I can still enthusiastically declare that she is worth reading.

At Bertram’s Hotel: A Miss Marple Mystery (Miss Marple Mysteries Book 10) 

At Bertram’s Hotel the intrepid Miss Marple, on holiday in London, must solve a deadly mystery at the end of a chain of very violent events.

An old-fashioned London hotel is not quite as reputable as it makes out to be.…

When Miss Marple comes up from the country for a holiday in London, she finds what she’s looking for at Bertram’s Hotel: traditional decor, impeccable service, and an unmistakable atmosphere of danger behind the highly-polished veneer.

Yet, not even Miss Marple can foresee the violent chain of events set in motion when an eccentric guest makes his way to the airport on the wrong day.…

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Just for kicks, I went back to examine my Amazon book collection (it’s up to 4169 already) and sorted by the oldest to see when I started. (Spring of 2012.)

I was checking out the books from back then and noticed one by Oscar Wilde The Importance of Being Earnest. I’m not seeing the same cover, and there are lots of them, but this one sums it up well if I remember rightly.

The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy 

This blurb comes with a different cover but it still fits.

The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a play by Oscar Wilde. First performed on 14 February 1895 at the St James’s Theatre in London, it is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictitious personæ to escape burdensome social obligations. Working within the social conventions of late Victorian London, the play’s major themes are the triviality with which it treats institutions as serious as marriage, and the resulting satire of Victorian ways. Some contemporary reviews praised the play’s humour and the culmination of Wilde’s artistic career, while others were cautious about its lack of social messages. Its high farce and witty dialogue have helped make The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde’s most enduringly popular play.

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I did enjoy the humor in reading this play and I still remember the fun experience.

The title makes me smile and immediately reminds me of another favorite old line. Not sure where it originated from but it’s probably old enough to be public domain.

“You be Frank and I’ll be Ernest”

On that lighthearted note . . .

Happy Reading y’all