Book of the month? August 19, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

I think it is. This book stood out for me, way above the rest of this months reads. I love it when that happens.

A well crafted story is what did it for me this time. The relatable characters were fully developed and interesting. From beginning to end the tale was engaging. But the biggest reason, aside from the plot, was the slow reveal of a complex story. The unforeseen twists and turns continued right to the very last page.

It doesn’t get any better than that.

Nothing is ever perfect though and one scene did rankle. There was an altercation with life threatening injuries but the outcome was barely mentioned. The story just stepped over the body and kept moving on. We, the readers, were left stuck at that spot needing resolution of some sort. The incident was briefly mentioned later but it came across as an after-thought.

In a way I can see why it was left hanging like it was. More time given to the who and why of the incident could have taken the story down an unwanted rabbit trail. The event did clear up an aspect of the mystery and was needed for that but . . .

I can see the issue but have no thoughts on how it could have been handled any better.

In spite of that blip, I loved the book. Well done.

A Midnight Dance 

“Politano writes beautifully, evoking the magic of ballet and the theater from the opening turns to the final curtain, leaving readers applauding for an encore.”–Booklist starred review

***

All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most–and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.

Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?

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

Usually I open a new book the minute a last page is read.

Out of respect, this beloved book needed to be savored for a while.

Morning might be soon enough to move on.

Or not.

I doubt I can wait that long.

I’ll check out today’s book suggestions while I’m waiting and reassess later.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Not much to be had today. August 17, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

I did browse Amazon today looking for books but still have nothing new. Tomorrow is another day and there is every chance it could be better.

Today was a good day for one thing though and that was mosquito bites. Something we all could do without. It’s tough working outside while being eaten alive.

That’s my big complaint for the day.

Other than that things went well and we got lots done.

Photo by Mau00ebl BALLAND on Pexels.com

I can hear a book calling my name too. I had best answer.

Happy reading y’all.

Bargain books August 16, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Two books, but two is better than none.

Christy Barritt is one of my favorite authors and boy is she prolific. It looks like she has written over two hundred books and she’s sold over three million. Impressive.

I’m not sure how I didn’t know about this new book but I do now. It’s the beginning of another new series.

Bound by Murder (Beach Bound Books and Beans Mysteries Book 1) 

When widow Talitha Robinson buys an old store on the boardwalk in Lantern Beach, North Carolina, she’s in for a surprise . . . or several. She plans to renovate the space and open Beach Bound Books and Beans, but never expects to find a decades-old skeleton hidden inside one of the walls.

As word of the discovery spreads across the island, strange occurrences begin to occur around her. It soon becomes clear someone still knows something about the dead person—something they don’t want discovered.

Thankfully, former police chief and current mayor Mac MacArthur seems just as eager to unravel the mystery behind the skeletal remains as Tali. But as the two bind together to solve the case, a devastating secret is revealed.

Will their newfound friendship come unglued before they find the answers to the past? Or will their blooming relationship die like the man hidden in the wall?

Bound by Murder is book 1 in a four book series of novellas. Though the main mystery is resolved, there are threads that will continue throughout the entire series.

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

I have read and enjoyed this next author too, just not as many times.

Strike Force (Courage Under Fire Book 1)

Out of the ashes of defeat comes a brand new mission.

Who will survive?

Forced to change their names just to survive, Former CIA Agents Piper Morgan and Reed Decklin fled the frozen tundra of Alaska to take refuge in the mountains of Wyoming.

With their new identities in place, Sidney Morgan and Kaiden Bennett join the recently-formed Strike Force in order to bring down the deadly terrorist team known only as Legion. But how can you win against an enemy that will stop at nothing to fulfill its deadly plot?

The one good thing to come out of the attack in Alaska was Sidney and Kaiden found each other again. As their love grows stronger, nothing prepares them or the team for the magnitude of Legion’s plan, or how far up the command chain Legion’s reach truly goes. Even to some of the highest offices of government.

In this sequel to the USA Today Bestselling story, Storm Warnings, the Strike Force team is determined to finish the mission that started two years earlier in the deserts of Afghanistan with the deaths of Sidney’s entire CIA unit.

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

This was fun tonight. A no-pressure relaxed time to browse was very nice. It makes me want to do it again soon. Hopefully.

In the meantime . . .

Happy Reading

This and that part two. August 15, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

It would be helpful if I put the coffee cup under the spout before I press the start button. It did prove, though, that I can move pretty fast first thing in the morning. The unusual sound of water meeting plastic alerted me to my mistake early in the process or I could have had a mess to clean up, although the counter could probably use a wiping anyway.

I’m grateful, more often than I’d like, that the Kuerig designers thought to create a platform to hold unexpected liquid. Especially for those times when distracted me forgets I did push start and though the dark colored cup looks empty it’s not. I hate it when that happens. I’m usually not there and there is a mess to clean up. The overflow reservoir is not built to hold 12 ounces.

The added blessing . . . usually it was only hot water. Coffee comes later, and the good smell reminds me I did push start. Probably awhile ago.

Sometimes I get to drink a cup of very hot coffee.

In last post I mentioned I was almost finished book 5 in the current collection and the ending would still be a surprise. The surprise was, it was anticlimactic. Sadly.

The good news is there are still four more chances to be delighted.

OK, I’m off to drink my cup of hot water. It’s still mostly hot. I think I need that cup of coffee, and my stomach reminds me it needs breakfast.

Photo by lilartsy on Pexels.com

There could be book suggestions today. I will be back if they look good.

Here’s to a hot cup of coffee.

This and that August 14, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

I have nothing so I’ll have to wing it. Because I feel like posting.

I’ve been distracted today, listening to the latest news, over and over again. It’s not easy, leaning toward hope for the world. We don’t know the future, things can turn around on a dime in the most unexpected of ways, every now and then.

Hopefully the voice of reason will break through somewhere and save us from crazy decisions that leave us shaking our heads in despair.

With hindsight, we have seen times that didn’t turn out to be the done deals we thought they were. That means there is always hope no matter how bleak life looks in the moment.

I managed to tear myself away from the news long enough to get some grocery shopping done today. The cupboards were seriously empty and my son and family will be dropping in for the night in a couple of days. Now we are ready to be fed.

I’ve been reading another book in the current collection. It has soldiers, spies, assassins, and allies that are suspect for trustworthiness. There are robotic eyes, hands, dogs, even drones that can band together to kidnap people. It has been a good story but somewhat challenging to follow at times. It definitely has unexpected twists and turns. I’m close but not quite at the end yet so it will still be a surprise.

ZERO TRUST by Jan Thompson is the one I’m about to finish

When Mira hires a former soldier to help her assassinate her mother’s killer, she doesn’t expect to target her own father.

◆◆◆

TRIGGERS by Terry Toler is up next.

Will Trigger, the loveable German Shepherd with military skills, be able to save a woman running from an abusive husband and a war hero with PTSD? . . . good question.

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

We must always have hope,

and a good book to read when we need a distraction.

Happy Reading y’all

Bargain books August 13, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

BookBub has two suggestions for us this time. One is an author new to me and reading the first few pages has me wanting to read more, much more.

A Midnight Dance

Politano writes beautifully, evoking the magic of ballet and the theater from the opening turns to the final curtain, leaving readers applauding for an encore.”–Booklist starred review

All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most–and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.

Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?

Mystery and romance make the perfect dance partners in this evocative story from fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano.

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

This second one, a collection, is something we have seen before. I can remember the read three years ago.

Dangerous Love (Secrets of Rios Azules Sets Book 1) 

Color of Danger
Life as the sister of a serial killer is never easy, especially when a former runaway Mari Del Lobo becomes a target herself. A recent crime has her late brother’s signature and MO, what Mari finds highly unusual, as she still blames herself for her only sibling’s death. Soon Mari encounters an unexpected – and a very attractive – ally in Dr. Luke Goodman.
Luke couldn’t save his fiancée from the Smiling Killer, but he’ll do anything to prevent more murders, even ask help from the serial killer’s sister. Finding a kindred tortured soul in Mari, Luke is determined to keep her alive, but it’s not easy to protect the stubborn ex-rebel. Can Mari survive to solve the mystery, renew her faith, and find love and redemption?
Taste of Danger
Small-town librarian Soledad Sokolova has three days to find a hidden Russian treasure – or she and her father will die. Out of options, she turns for help to a hunky stranger, private investigator James O’Hara. But she knows better than to let a ladies’ man break her heart for the second time.
Bound by his word to Soledad’s father, James is ready to protect her at all costs. However, once betrayed, he’s reluctant to fall in love again. Will James and Soledad escape danger and find treasures of faith, love, and hope?
Touch of Danger
Rookie cop Ivan Vargas blames small-town accountant Julia Morrison for his brother’s suicide, as claimed in the note. When Julia is attacked, Ivan wonders if she’s right about the suicide being staged. He’s determined to find his brother’s killer and keep Julia safe but reluctant to lose his heart to the stubborn beauty who’s known to break them…
Hurt in the past, Julia has avoided letting men too close. But she needs Ivan’s help to uncover traumatic secrets someone would kill to keep hidden. Can she stay alive long enough to learn to love and trust again?

Three full-length novels in the Secrets of Rios Azules series. Each book is a complete romance featuring one of a group of childhood friends.

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

My current read is still a collection. I’m on book 3

Winter Deceptions: A Collection of Christian Suspense Novellas 

ONE WONDERS by Luana Ehrlich

Silas McKay’s worst fears are realized when his investigation takes an unexpected turn.

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

They sure don’t give us much of an idea about the story lines in this collection.

I can say, so far I enjoyed book 1 the most, book two not as much. It was an ok story but not much suspense. Book three is living up to the suspense theme quite nicely at the moment and I hope it continues.

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

Another good book day. I’m looking forward to the first read A Midnight Dance

Happy Reading y’all

I’d add categories but they don’t seem to be working for me these days. Haven’t figured out how to fix them.

A rewired brain – abuse, pornography

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Abuse and pornography = a rewired brain. Mine has been rewired by abuse starting at a very early age and I’m just now figuring it out.

Probably because I didn’t want to figure it out sooner.

Two things set this event in motion.

One of the comments appearing often over the last several years is that “the body remembers.” I have to say that’s true. One of the fleeting memories I had as a young kid and remember vividly to this day was straddling a metal barrel warmed by the sun, struck by the thought “I’ve had this experience of warmth before somewhere.” There are many other similar memories and thought patterns that added all together lead to a dark place.

Another happening adding to the discussion in my head was a recent podcast where the interviewee talked about his early introduction to pornography and how the practice rewired his brain and made relationships difficult. One of the biggest reasons, aside from guilt, for this difficulty in relationships is connection, or more precisely, a lack of it, and pornography contributes to it. But that’s a subject for another day.

For years I have wrestled with many things about my thought processes regarding men, especially compared to thought patterns of other women. I have an inexplicable love/hate relationship with them. I love having long conversations with my sons and brothers so there’s that. Then, I don’t exactly hate other men, I just run away from any who show interest.

This rewiring is apparent when I can’t understand the fascination young girls, or women for that matter, have with boys/men. The only experience I have with normal teenage thoughts is reading about them in books. I can’t relate to the giggling fascination. Swooning over cute boys, falling in and out of love regularly and sharing all the details of these interactions daily with their friends.

The reason I am happy about this recent new level of understanding about my mixed up feelings is my incessant need to know why. Why am I this way?

I’ve heard other abuse victims say this: there are two sides to the coin. On the one hand you hate the abusive experience forced on you while at the same time, the physical experience has a level of enjoyment to it. Our bodies betray us by liking what is happening.

I guess all of this explains why I have a good attitude toward the physical experience but a negative reaction to the thought of having a man in my life. The unwelcome hazy face rising up at the thought of sharing my life inevitably looks like one I wouldn’t want to be with. A thought killer right there.

I don’t really know how to end this. This whole conversation has been working in my mind for a while and today it seemed like this was the day I finally needed to talk it out.

My journey from abuse to wellness has been decades long and I have to say I am now the healthiest I’ve ever been. I’m grateful. The truth has indeed set me free.

I’m understanding, on a minor level, the kind of abuse inflicted on me, I’ve made peace with the people involved even though they are no longer with us, and I’ve allowed enough difficult memories to surface to make understanding and healing possible.

I can also see the truth in the idea that rewiring by repetition of positive healthy experiences will change neural pathways. We can learn healthy new ways of being. That has been my prayer, that my thought patterns and reactions would be changed to a healthier version.

While I’m still baffled by my complicated thoughts and attitudes toward men, it’s something to realize that over the years (especially the teen years) many of my best friends were guys. It’s with thankfulness that I can agree that the abusive first decade of my life has been somewhat influenced and overwritten by the positive relationships of my free and healthy second decade, the teen years.

I guess I am a product of the good and the bad.

I’m grateful. Grateful for the good parts of life, grateful for the healing and understanding I have today.

I won’t lie though. The healing is not complete, it’s just markedly better. I’m still hiding away from men.

Somethings may never change lol

Enough of this, I’m off to rescue the dryer.

Current read August 11, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

Awesome! I’ve switched reads mid stream once again. You know how it is, it seems we have a streak of great books followed by a stream of less than great books. Three times I’ve changed, leaving four books unread while moving on. Maybe this time is a charm.

A pre-order release showed up this morning and I’m hooked on the first book. We have a medical emergency on an international flight. One passenger in fragile health, her nurse overcome with an unknown cause, passengers panicking lest they fall victim, and a military doctor without answers. Her support staff is worried about the flight crew. . . hoping they aren’t part of whatever terrible thing is going on.

It looks like I will be reading this book through to the end. I’m not sure about the other eight books in the collection but I have high hopes.

Winter Deceptions: A Collection of Suspense Novellas

MURDER ON FLIGHT 91 by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry

When a passenger collapses on an international flight, is it a medical emergency, or attempted murder?

*********

Book two should be good judging by other books I’ve read by this author.

TWAS THE NIGHT by Dan Walsh

After experiencing an unspeakable tragedy, a young mother relocates from Brooklyn to a small mountain town in North Carolina. Will this be the fresh start she’s hoping for or the beginning of an even greater upheaval to her fragile world?

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

Today has been a slow book day, there have been a few suggestions but nothing enticing me to read.

Join me with this collection, it could be good.

Happy Reading.

Bargain books August 09, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

BookBub has an interesting suggestion from an author on my favorites list.

Her First Love: A Christian Veteran Romance (Patriot Peak Book 2)

Can an attraction turn into a forever love?

Israel Martinez was attracted to Tiffany the first time he saw her, so much so that when he gets out of the military, he decides to make Courage, Colorado his home. But will she return his feelings or will he be forced to look elsewhere?

Tiffany’s only desire has been to be a mother for as long as she can remember, but none of the men she’s dated have supported her desire. When she meets Israel, she wonders if finally she’s found the right man, but when she receives news that throws her world upside down, will she throw it all away?

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

1531 Entertainment has a suggestion with an author new to us, although we have read this author three times recently.

Crystal Clear: A Contemporary Small-town Interracial Christmas romance (Romance In The Rockies Book 5)

It’s Crystal Clear he’s never going to risk his heart again and she risks hers too easily. But stuck in this small town for Christmas, can they unwrap the true gift of love?

Sheltered accountant Ena Chinen aches to prove herself after being sequestered on her family’s island resort. But when she attends a conference in Colorado Springs weeks before Christmas and her new “boyfriend” steals, not her heart, but her car, purse, and laptop, all she proves is how naïve she is. So how can she go home and tell her family she’s compromised their business by losing a laptop with sensitive information?

Noah Buzz works well with his hands, but he’s never managed to work with his heart. As the small town’s only contractor, he builds love into the community with every project he takes on, but he won’t risk that love to a woman’s rejection again. So, he’s constructed a wall around his heart—and any walls he builds are meant to last a lifetime. But when Ena shows up, how could he not offer to help the fragile stranger track down an elusive thief?

As they work to recover her lost belongings, neither expects to recover their hearts and fall in love. Can they trust their feelings and build a lasting relationship, or will their fears leave them alone forever?

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

Browsing I came across a bargain from an author we’ve seen often but not so much lately. I’m in chapter two reading the sample and this will definitely be my next read. It may even replace my current read. It’s definitely more exciting, at this point anyway. The story line does have a lot pf promise.

No Fake Dating for a Cowboy (Escape to Cowboy Crossing Book 1) 

Small-town romance with faith, humor, and more than a dash of danger!

A woman in jeopardy, a cowboy turned small-town cop grieving his fiancée, and a relationship too real to be fake… Escape to Cowboy Crossing, where people care about each other, romances are sweet and swoony, and six cowboy brothers with hot Irish blood fall in love when they least expect it.

When her foster siblings are in danger, former policewoman Jessie Ashford makes sure their temporary home in a small town far from their home place is fortress strong. After her ex shot at her, her heart is just as tough and secure. But when a local cop helps investigate suspicious incidents that threaten her friends’ safety, her defenses start to crumble. Yet, abandoned so many times, can she open her heart again before it’s too late?

While Jessie wears a chip on her shoulder, Ronan O’Neill wears his heart on his uniform sleeve. He’s already lost one woman he loved to a dangerous profession and is still reeling. But Ronan can’t let something happen to the mysterious newcomer. Will she take his heart when she leaves? Because she’ll do anything to protect the secret that spans many years—or die trying.

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

It has been another good book day.

Happy Reading y’all

More free and bargain books August 08, 2022

/ For the Love of Books / Leave a comment

As promised:

Suggested books we have seen before. I’ve read and enjoyed all of the them through the years.

Hope’s Gentle Touch 

After her abusive husband’s death, Misty Stephens returns to her job as a nurse and volunteer at a women’s shelter. She intends to put her life back together and has no intention of ever being vulnerable to a man again. But when an abuse victim dies in her care, Misty finds herself consoling the girl’s brother … and fighting attraction.

Adam Jenkins sees Misty’s heart for the oppressed and implores her to help build Hope House, a women’s shelter, in honor of his sister. Though grieving, Adam is drawn to Misty. But he approaches romance the way he does ranching—quick and decisive—an almost disastrous mistake. While dealing with family fallout and troubles at work, this new project and Misty become a light shining into Adam’s grief.

The Socialite: A Novel of World War II

When her younger sister runs away to Paris to live with a German officer high up in Hitler’s favor, English socialite Kat embarks on a dangerous journey to save her sister from the Nazis. Glamour, romance, and espionage collide in this exciting, high-stakes adventure.

As the daughter of Sir Alfred Whitford, Kat has certain responsibilities. Chasing her wayward younger sister, Ellie, to Nazi-occupied Paris was never supposed to be one of them. Unfortunately, Ellie has grown accustomed to the luxurious lifestyle her Nazi lover provides and has no intention of going back to the shackled life their parents dictate—but Kat will stop at nothing to bring her sister home.

Barrett Anderson was arrested for defending himself against a drunken bully of high birth. Given the option of jail or training Resistance fighters in Paris, Barrett chooses the latter. He poses as a bar owner, entertaining Nazis at night while his men train right below their jackboots during the day. An assignment to watch over two English debutantes is the last thing he needs, but a payout from their father is too tempting to resist.

Broken Things – Faded Photographs Series

Returning to her hometown, Chicago, Allie Littenberg learns her actions had worse repercussions than she realized – especially for Jack Callahan, the handsome Chicago cop she loved, but left. She finds Jack is now a bitter shell of a man, his tenderness erased by years of anguish.

Can God use Allie to not only mend the hurts in her own family, but also bring peace to Jack, his son, and estranged wife? Allie is compelled to find out.

Island Refuge (Wildflower B&B Romance Book 1) 

Five-Star-Chef Zoe Griffin walked away from her dream job. Did she make a mistake?

Her engagement off, Zoe Griffin retreats to tiny Wildflower Island in the Puget Sound. Hiding out as a cook and maid at a shabby bed-and-breakfast seems crazy for a chef who’s used to running her own five-star kitchen. And just as she starts to feel at home, her klutzy mishaps make Zoe fear her handsome new boss will fire her.

Dr. Nick Jackson is done with medicine, and owning a B&B is as far from doctoring as he can get. He needs help, but his only employee’s mistakes give him doubts. As Zoe lets her defenses down, Nick begins to see a competent and caring woman. One whose wounds are as deep as his own. But as they fall for each other, Nick and Zoe must learn the hardest lesson of all—to forgive. Only then can they heal the past and embrace the future . . . together

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

Happy Reading y’all