Sorry guys, this will be short and sweet, not paying attention to time and it’s almost midnight. Today’s finish is fast approaching and the chain will be broken without a sprint.
BookBub has a bargain book that looks exciting. We read and enjoyed book 1 in this series a while back and more is good.
False Pretense (A Murder in the Mountains Book 4)
Tess has her work cut out for her—from her day job at the police station to her nights on the campaign trail with her husband, she’s stretched thin. Her two young children also keep her busy, but thankfully she has a supportive mother-in-law who lives just next door.
When the legendary Mothman makes a terrifying appearance and a local librarian goes missing, Tess feels compelled to get involved, convinced something evil has been unleashed on her little town. Then another woman disappears—this one bearing an eerie resemblance to Tess—and the police receive a cryptic message hinting that a serial killer is on the prowl.
After a nightmarish turn of events completely upends the Spencer family, Tess musters her courage to hunt for the monstrous murderer in the woods…even if she has to walk straight into the Mothman’s lair to do it. **********************
For a Monday morning things were not going well. Last week I missed garbage pick-up, not an uncommon occurrence since I don’t put it out every week, and I needed to get it done this week. Pick up days move ahead one day every time we have another statutory holiday. That messes me up so much that I’ve stared leaving a note in a prominent place to jog my memory. I remembered this time. As a double check I even remembered to look out to see what the neighbors had done.
The street was clear, not a single garbage can to be seen anywhere. Maybe it’s too early. I checked the time. This was very strange, someone always get their stuff out early before anyone else. Nothing. I checked back a few more times, still nothing.
Maybe I’m wrong about the day. I’ll check the online garbage schedule just to be sure Monday is October pick-up day. Nope, not wrong, Monday is the right day. This is so bizarre, what is going on? I think I’m going out of my mind. Maybe everyone slept in, give it some time..
Still nothing. People in this neighborhood are dependable. Some of them can be counted on to be first out every time. What am I missing? There has to be an explanation. Maybe I have the date wrong or something. The date looks right. Doesn’t it? Maybe I need to look closer, the font it so small it’s hard to tell for sure. Hover over the date, bend down and squint, look closer. It’s SUNDAY.
I was positive it was Monday. It’s month end and I have been burning the midnight oil to beat a work deadline (because I left it to the last minute) and was feeling good to be all ready to roll first thing this morning. Finding out it was only Sunday still seems unbelievable. One the other hand it’s a huge relief.
Reading until 4 AM does not make for a good start on a Monday morning. What was I thinking?
All bets are on me forgetting it’s garbage day tomorrow. Remember the day before, forget on the day. I have to find a new way to keep from messing this up. A boxing glove that flies out and hits me upside the head would work.
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Here is the book I lost sleep over. Such a good read. I loved it. And laughed, The sense of humor was awesome.
When a man arrives at the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, anxious to hire them to find a missing heiress, Eunice Holbrooke realizes her past has finally caught up with her . . . and that she may no longer be able to hide under the disguise that has kept her safe for so long.
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I think I’ll stop fighting sleep and go back to bed. At least that’s the plan. Unless something sidetracks me.
What a disappointment. I’ve read both of these but forgot. I kind of remember the second one but have no memory at all of the first one. I may have to read it again to jog my memory, it sounds like a fun read.
BookRunes has the free suggestion for us.
Daughters of the Heart (Texas Romance Book 5)
God’s perfect plan is sometimes so hard to determine. Gwendolyn, Cecelia, and the youngest, Bonnie, make a pact never to break their father’s heart like their big sister did. Then their determination is sorely tried when suitors show up, and he gets so pigheaded with his rules. Will Henry survive his daughters coming of age? Will they endure and keep their promises to each other? From one man asking to court her—who Daddy sends packing—Gwen goes to three! How can she ever decide? Cecelia knows exactly who she wants, but she’s still a year away from Daddy’s acceptable courting age. What if her beau doesn’t know or won’t wait? And Bonnie hates being the baby and wants to be grown-up more than just about anything…except her man. She is for sure and for certain in love. In his life, Henry Buckmeyer has never been so beside himself. His little girls are so young, just babies, too young. He hates the whole idea of men coming to take them away and is inclined to shoot every one of them, but praise God for a level-headed, loving wife and step-mother! She helps keep him sane amidst the female chaos. Packed with fun, romance, deception, action, heartbreak and tears, this delightful Christian novel keeps the twists and turns coming. Will the Buckmeyer home ever be settled and peaceful again? Will any of his daughters find true love…a man he’ll approve and to whom he can give his blessing?
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Traces of Guilt (An Evie Blackwell Cold Case)
A Riveting Cold-Case Mystery from Dee Henderson
Evie Blackwell loves her life as an Illinois State Police detective . . . mostly. She’s very skilled at investigations and has steadily moved up through the ranks. She would like to find Mr. Right, but she has a hard time imagining how marriage could work, considering the demands of her job.
Gabriel Thaneis a lifetime resident of Carin County and now its sheriff, a job he loves. Gabe is committed to upholding the law and cares deeply for the residents he’s sworn to protect. He too would like to find a lifetime companion, a marriage like his parents have.
When Evie arrives in Carin, Illinois, it’s to help launch a new task force dedicated to reexamining unsolved crimes across the state. Spearheading this trial run, Evie will work with the sheriff’s department on a couple of its most troubling missing-persons cases. As she reexamines old evidence to pull out a few tenuous new leads, she unearths a surprising connection . . . possibly to a third cold case. Evie’s determined to solve the cases before she leaves Carin County, and Sheriff Thane, along with his family, will be key to those answers.
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Nothing else interesting has come to my attention so that’s it for books today.
I did finish one of our recent downloads and was disappointed with it. I will share my thoughts about it in another post.
I’ve been binging on Fox news clips today rather than spend time reading so I must turn to books to have something more to say. It’s quiet now, videos are all shut down so I can think about this post and my next read. I’ve got one picked out but haven’t started it yet. I’ll wait to share it until I’ve read a chapter or two to see what it’s like.
Do you ever look at words and think they just don’t look right. I often find myself thinking that way and that’s how I’m thinking right now about binging. You know binge-ing, as in I’ve been binging. I Googled it for spelling clarification and binging is what came up but it’s been flagged as incorrect here. It looks wrong to me too but… I’m not seeing a better spelling.
The other word that drives me crazy is read and read. And it comes up often.
Like – my current read is . . . and I just read . . . I am so tempted to use read and red. I would but that doesn’t sit well with me either. It feels so wrong but I really want to. I don’t but I want to, you have no idea.
It would be nice to come up with another spelling but thinking it through I can see that it could potentially create even bigger problems. After all, read is not the only word in the English language with multiple meanings. Once started where would it ever end?
Anyway, moving on. I’m going to read now. I’ll be back hopefully.
1531 Entertainment has a bargain suggestion for us. Reading the synopsis it’s clear the attraction of this story is complex, which increases the allure. We’ve had three enjoyable books from this author recently and remembering that experience tells me the chances of this one being worth our while is high. Many good reviews reinforce this assessment. We will still have to read it for ourselves to decide if we agree.
A highly relevant and gripping novel that challenges us to ask what it means to forgive while seeking justice and to pursue reconciliation while loving others as ourselves.
Adisa Johnson is living her dream of practicing law with a prestigious firm in downtown Atlanta. Then a split-second mistake changes the course of her career.
Left with no other options, Adisa returns to her hometown where a few days earlier a white police officer shot an unarmed black teen who is now lying comatose in the hospital.
Adisa is itching to jump into the fight as a special prosecutor but feels pulled to do what she considers unthinkable as a young black woman—defend the officer.
As the court case unfolds, everyone in the small community must confront their own prejudices. Caught in the middle, Adisa also tries to chart her way along a path complicated by her budding relationship with a charismatic young preacher who leads the local movement demanding the police officer answer for his crime.
In a small Georgia town where racial tensions run high and lives are at stake, can one lawyer stand up for justice against the tides of prejudice?
A stand-alone legal drama
Book length: approximately 120,000 words
Includes discussion questions for book clubs
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I’m starting a new book and expect to love it a lot if the first chapter is any indicator. It’s not a fluff piece but it is romance and not as intense as a mystery would be, which is a nice change of pace.
Like a Winter Snow: A Sweet Romance (Port Willis Romance Book 1)
Cozy up with this charming romance all about unexpected love, true friendship, and family loyalty. Set during a Christmas-time wedding among the falling snow, this sweet story will warm your heart.
Women’s counselor Joy Beckman has always been a friend and helper to all. That’s why she’s given up everything to be with her parents as her mother suffers through Alzheimer’s.
Joy may not have a thriving career or a love life at the moment, but she’s doing what she does best—taking care of others. And even though it’s difficult, she knows it’s where she is supposed to be.
But life throws a curveball when she has to leave her parents temporarily to travel to England for the December wedding of her best friend. While there, Joy helps Sophia tackle her last-minute to-do list, and in the process, finally meets a man who turns her head—and her heart.
The only problem? He lives in snowy London, and her life is with her parents back in sunny Florida.
She tries to resist Oliver Lincoln’s charms, but it’s harder than it should be. With her heart torn in two, Joy is forced to choose between a life she knows she’s meant for and the one she didn’t see coming.
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This last book is still free, and it’s short – only 142 pages. Unlike the first book with a whopping 413 pages. We need one to balance out the other. Can you imagine if every book was 413 pages? I favor long books but sparingly.
First, I have to say it’s a bookless day, So sorry about that. And, I probably should have called this a Thisand That day because it may turn into that, you just never know.
It all started with a knock on the door. For the second day in a row.
Unexpected knocks on the door usually end up with people selling something or other that I don’t want or need and knowing that, I don’t care to answer. Maybe the reluctance is not liking to say no, even though I want to.
That’s what happened on the first day. I’ve never had someone be as persistent as this lady. She obviously knew I was here because she looked in the side window and could see me sitting at the table, typing away. After the fourth knock I went to the door and opened it a crack. She asked me a question. It was not a conversation I wanted to have so I slowly closed and locked the door walking away. I couldn’t believe did it. I still can’t. But I’m glad I did. It was better for both of us, at least from my perspective.
The next day there was a knock again. This is an unusual experience at my house y’all. And when it does happen I try to peek to see if it’s someone I know. I rarely answer the door so to do it two days in a row is unheard of.
This time there was man standing at a respectful distance from the door. He was holding something in his hand that looked suspiciously like election handouts. Sure enough they were. This confident professional man was running for school board and wanted to know if he could leave a brochure.
It’s kind of hard to say how the conversation veered from school board into a broader political conversation but it did. I’m not even sure how I had the audacity half way through to ask him what his political affiliation was, but I did. I couldn’t believe I did it and I don’t think he could either. To his credit he did answer carefully. Maybe he was trying to avoid being trapped in a negative situation.
It was good, we covered a wide range of subjects relating to politics in Canada and other places. I’m sure we don’t see eye to eye on everything but it was a positive experience. Several times before he left he commented on enjoying the experience. I did too. It isn’t often I get to have a conversation with someone that invested in the topic.
The coolest thing of all though, as I thought about it later, was that I got to say, spontaneously, things I’ve wanted to say to a politician for a very long time. I realize he is at the school board level but our city isn’t that big and I’m sure he has opportunities to meet up with our federal member of parliament now and then. He may even remember some of our conversation and things I was hoping he would pass on. Like be brave and stand up to people with crazy ideas. Say no when no needs to be said.
This was one time I was glad I answered the door.
I am learning to say no more often too. This usually generates even more I can’t believe I just said that moments. Love it.
Before we get into the current read I have to tell you that I was wrong. Last night I shared my guess, it was the doctor behind the unexplained murder attempts. Well, the book is finished, the mystery is solved and I couldn’t have been more wrong. I would love to tell you who it was but that would spoil it for you when you decide to read the story.
On the other hand by the time you may get around to reading it you will have forgotten this conversation and it will still be a surprise. Maybe, if I remember, I will mention who it was as I say good bye.
This book was so much fun. Yesterday’s post had the synopsis, if you would like it I’ll leave the link here.
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Moving on . . .
I was excited with the thought of reading this next book when we downloaded it but sometimes the excitement fades when a little time goes by. I was worried that’s what would happen. Something that would make me sad because I wanted to love it.
It was a needless worry. I’m only 1/4 of the way in but I’m hooked. I was doing my usual walk/read laps around the long dining room table when I woke up to the fact that I was still walking, perfectly. Auto pilot kicked in. It’s crazy how that can happen. It does prove I was off in another world.
So here’s the current read. It’s set in medieval times, it isn’t dark but it leans in that direction, compared to the lightness of my last read.
A realistic, fast-paced reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale full of royalty, romance, and danger. This masterful combination of love and heartbreak—combined with the novel’s surprise ending—is everything fans of fantasy, historical, and medieval fiction yearn for.
Rose has been appointed as a healer’s apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter’s daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her—a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.
When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she’s never felt before and wonders if he feels the same.
But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose’s life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.
Frost. We’ve had the first one of the season and it’s only September 27, 2022. I wonder when the first snow will fly. I’m sad to see summer leave but… winter has it’s own charm.
Everything is still green although with the change in weather it probably won’t be for too much longer. It’s hard to tell though. Every year seems to have a different timetable.
So, I’m just popping in for a short while. My current book is a page turner and it’s not easy to break away long enough to write anything of any consequence. I’m loving the story. I love the characters, the setting, the story line, but most of all I love that it makes me laugh out loud. And long sometimes. A good laugh is good for the soul and this book does it for me. I’m going to be sad when it ends. That said, the joy of the read will soon win out over the sadness.
This is the kind of story where you forget you are reading a book and find yourself living life along with the characters. The last week or so we’ve been staying at the country estate having a house party, but the guests have all suddenly departed, a sign it’s time to go back to the city. We have a murderer to flush out and catch. Well, a potential murderer. He or she, (we haven’t ruled anyone out yet,) has made several attempts on Herman’s life but so far hasn’t succeeded. We don’t want them too either.
Personally, I think it is the grandmother’s friend. He is a doctor and some of the coddling he does to his patient/friend seems a bit manipulative. He may have a reason to want the grandson out of the picture. We’ll see if I’m right about him, or if I’ll change my mind before the end.
Miss Daphne Beekman is a mystery writer by day, inquiry agent by night. Known for her ability to puzzle out plots, she prefers working behind the scenes for the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, staying well away from danger. However, Daphne soon finds herself in the thick of an attempted murder case she’s determined to solve.
Mr. Herman Henderson is also a mystery writer, but unlike the dashing heroes he pens, he lives a quiet life, determined to avoid the fate of his adventurous parents, who perished on an expedition when he was a child. But when he experiences numerous attempts on his life, he seeks out the services of the eccentric Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency to uncover the culprit. All too soon, Herman finds himself stepping out of the safe haven of his world and into an adventure he never imagined.
As the list of suspects grows and sinister plots are directed Daphne’s way as well, Herman and Daphne must determine who they can trust and if they can risk the greatest adventure of all: love.
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This is definitely a favorite read. Five stars, for sure.
It’s still a bargain too if you are tempted. I hope you are because you will love it.
A realistic, fast-paced reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale full of royalty, romance, and danger. This masterful combination of love and heartbreak—combined with the novel’s surprise ending—is everything fans of fantasy, historical, and medieval fiction yearn for.
Rose has been appointed as a healer’s apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter’s daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her—a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.
When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she’s never felt before and wonders if he feels the same.
But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose’s life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.
Cozy up with this charming romance all about unexpected love, true friendship, and family loyalty. Set during a Christmas-time wedding among the falling snow, this sweet story will warm your heart.
Women’s counselor Joy Beckman has always been a friend and helper to all. That’s why she’s given up everything to be with her parents as her mother suffers through Alzheimer’s.
Joy may not have a thriving career or a love life at the moment, but she’s doing what she does best—taking care of others. And even though it’s difficult, she knows it’s where she is supposed to be.
But life throws a curveball when she has to leave her parents temporarily to travel to England for the December wedding of her best friend. While there, Joy helps Sophia tackle her last-minute to-do list, and in the process, finally meets a man who turns her head—and her heart.
The only problem? He lives in snowy London, and her life is with her parents back in sunny Florida.
She tries to resist Oliver Lincoln’s charms, but it’s harder than it should be. With her heart torn in two, Joy is forced to choose between a life she knows she’s meant for and the one she didn’t see coming.
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LPC Free Books has a FREE suggestion too. This is one we downloaded a year and a half ago. It looks interesting but I have to admit I haven’t read it yet. It’s back on page one so we will see if it is selected this time around.
Fifteen-year-old Adriana Nicu lives in the sheltered world of Bucharest, Romania, in the year 1987. Under the rule of Communist president Nicolae Ceaușescu, citizens of Bucharest live with the eyes and ears of the government ever present. Adriana’s future, which will involve becoming an engineer, is locked in against her will.
During a visit to her aunt’s apartment, Adriana walks through a wardrobe into a hidden room filled with stacks of forbidden novels. Stories bring light into the darkest of circumstances as her family begins to unravel and her life strangely parallels those of her novels’ heroines. Adriana’s childhood loyalties and her belief that God doesn’t exist are called into question as her circumstances force her to rethink things she once believed were certain.
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It has turned out to be a good book day. They all look attractive but I think my next read will be the first one here.
No until after I’m finished with my current read, though. I’m not in any hurry, I’m enjoying it too much.
“an edge of your seat-do not expect to put it down adventure!”
When Grey returns to his small Wisconsin hometown on the shore of Lake Superior to care for his beloved great-aunt, he’s determined to seek forgiveness for his past. But as he falls into an unlikely romance, danger looms on the horizon…
But one truth many don’t realize until it’s too late—vengeance can be dangerous. A suspenseful love story of redemption and second chances from a Carol Award–winning author, you don’t want to miss.
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My new read is one of our recent downloads. I’m quite enjoying the experience. Sometimes there is a sameness in stories that leave you feeling like you’ve read it before. That is missing this time. The story feels fresh to me in so many ways
Western Hearts: A Sweet Cowboy Romance (Cowboys of Aspen Valley Book 1)
Two promises. Two tests of faith and love.
Kip made a promise to his dying brother, but cowboy life didn’t prepare him to run a ranch, deal with a rebellious kid sister, and raise twin boys.
Upon first meeting, Kip mistakes Nicole for the new housekeeper hired so his kid sister can avoid her work, then he realizes her true purpose is taking the boys away.
Nicole has a will from her sister – the boys’ mother – giving custody of the twins to her father. Not willing to tear the kids away from everything familiar, she agrees to stay for a getting-to-know-you period.
But the boys aren’t the only ones she’s getting to know, and Nicole finds herself falling for the ruggedly handsome cowboy.
Can something beautiful grow between them or will cross-purposes kill what could be before it truly begins?
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What do you know. I didn’t expect to talk about books today and look what happened anyway. Probably because my nose has been in a book more today than it has in weeks and that’s where my thoughts are.
Winter is coming soon and I was out pruning one of the smaller trees. It was overtaking the flower bed and was it a heavy job, at least it was for me. Now I’m relaxing with a book giving my muscles a chance to recover, I’m feeling very pleased to have that chore done, we could have snow in another four weeks and it would be too late.
Thinking back, it seems like the leaves were already falling by this time last year. We have had so much rain this summer that the grass is still green and the trees are not letting go of their leaves. When they do come down there will be a massive pile. Although, the tree pruned today lost all it’s branches including leaves so that will be one small pile that won’t need to be raked.
It was a sunny, warm day to be out in the yard and it was a mood lifter.
I have to specify it was sunny and warm because around here it can very easily be sunny and cold. There could be another warm day yet this year but we can’t count on it. Make the most of what you have sounds like a good idea to me. Not that I always do but at least my intentions are good.
For the Love of Books 