This Time Around

Denise Hunter,Melissa Ferguson,Kathleen Fuller

For lovers of happily ever afters—this collection of three light and sweet romance stories will sweep you off your feet.

In A Summer Detour by Denise Hunter, you’ll meet free-spirited Allie Adams, who undertakes a road trip to deliver her grandparents’ newly restored ’57 Chevy in time for their fiftieth anniversary party . . . along with Luke Fletcher, the former boy-next-door who callously crushed her heart.

My thoughts: Denise Hunter is one of my favorite romance authors and this novella was adorable. I simply loved it. Second chance at love and yet the road to happiness was paved with unexpected potholes. I laughed. I cried. I didn't want the story to end. In fact I went back and read it again.

Pining for You by Melissa Ferguson invites you to a cozy Virginia mountain town where Christmas tree farm owner Theo Watkins III has the opportunity to drop everything for one weekend to play farmer and potentially win back the heart of his childhood best friend, Skye Fuller. Only problem? He’s the kind of man who drives a Tesla, not a tractor. 

My thoughts: This is a relatively new author for me. In fact this is only the second story of hers that I've read. I can't say that I'm really a fan. A gentleman farmer and a farm girl what an unlikely pair. I learned more about spiders than I ever wanted to know. There were some funny moments.

Last but not least, He Loves Me; He Loves Me Not by Kathleen Fuller will transport you to a small town in Arkansas where thirty-five-year-old Sophie Morgan has spent years making her flower shop a success. But when this workaholic decides she’s ready to make time for dating again, she finds herself with two handsome men vying for her attention.

My thoughts: the story was kind of nondescript. It was pleasant, a good read, but nothing about it really stands out. Maybe that was the intent. Love when you're least expecting it.

Whether your perfect romance involves rows and rows of Fraser firs and white pines glinting in the moonlight, childhood love that never ends, or a second chance at a happily ever after, you’re sure to find a story within this collection to warm your heart any day of the year.

Praise for This Time Around:

“Cozy up and prepare to lose yourself in this enchanting collection. Each story is as inviting and wonderful as the last. Reunion romances and heartwarming second chances are sure to delight readers.” —Nancy Naigle, USA TODAY bestselling author

“Romance readers are in for a sweet treat! Authors Denise Hunter, Melissa Ferguson, and Kathleen Fuller have joined forces for a novella collection all about second chances, making the most of them when they’re right in front of you, and fighting for them with everything you’ve got when necessary. Come for this trio of talented storytellers and stay for the humor, heart, and confident hope that there will be a happily ever after, This Time Around.” —Bethany Turner, award-winning author of Plot Twist


Perfect for lovers of sweet happily-ever-afters
Stand-alone novella collection
Book length: 80,000 words
Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Overall thoughts: I would definitely buy this book. It was a good read and Denise Hunter's story was definitely worth it. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.  

320 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2021

Being with Papa by B J Bassett

She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. Luke 10:39 NIV

We didn’t live close to my parents while raising our children, so every summer, one of our children would fly to their grandparents’ house and spend a week with them. It was a wonderful experience for them to spend quality time with their grandparents.

The year our middle daughter, Kathy, visited my parents, my mother had just been released from a mental hospital. So my dad took four-year-old Kathy to work with him. She was a tomboy, so being with her Papa at a construction site was perfect for her. He bought her boots. Kathy was born premature and had small hands and feet. I was amazed they made boots that small. She loved the worker boots that her Papa bought for her.

Dad would designate a spot for Kathy in one of the corners of the house he was building. He gave her blocks of wood, nails, and a hammer. Kathy’s visit brought my dad joy during a difficult time in his life. She loved her Papa, and he loved her.

Like Papa, our Heavenly Father also wants to spend quality time with us/His children. Are you spending time with your Papa—your Heavenly Father?

Papa, I love You so much. I am happiest while sitting at Your feet each day. Thank You for the joy You provide in our relationship. Amen.

Reprinted from

The King’s Daughters—

A Women’s Devotional

By B. J. Basse 

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.

 

Night Watch: (Nighthawk Security Book 5)

 

Night Watch: 

(Nighthawk Security Book 5) 

August 18, 2021

by Susan Sleeman  (Author)

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Edge of Your Seat Books, Inc

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 338 pages

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1949009361

Everything points to suicide or accidental death…

Underwater crime scene investigator, Kennedy Walker is shocked when her mother dies and the police rule her death a suicide or an accidental overdose. Her scientist-mother was on the verge of a scientific breakthrough, and Kennedy knows her mother would never end her life, but the detective won’t listen. Kennedy moves back to her home town and commits to finding her mother's killer and finishing her work.

And she must prove them wrong.

Kennedy digs deeper, garnering the killer’s focus, and he puts her in his cross-hairs. She can’t give up on such an important project, so she swallows down her unease over the tumultuous breakup with Erik Byrd in college and hires Nighthawk Security, not only to protect her, but to help find her mother’s killer. It takes only one look for both of them to know their feelings for each other haven't gone away. With so many people counting on her to complete the project, giving in to old feelings is a distraction neither she or Erik can afford, and they both need to keep watch. Especially in the darkest hours of the night, when the killer comes out to play.

My thoughts: this is the second chance at love  romantic suspense. I really enjoyed reading the story and I learned somethings I never knew... Such as actual houses that float on the water not houseboats. I enjoyed getting to know the characters in their budding romance so I wonder how it would work out with her being stationed on the opposite side of the country from where Eric lived. The suspense was top notch and I was kept guessing who done it until it was revealed. If you'd like romantic suspense you will love Susan Seeman's books. She is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors with good reason. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

Celebration at Christmas Cove (A Sea Spray Island Romance) 

by Carrie Jansen  (Author)

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley

Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593336748

In this humorous and heartwarming romance, sparks fly between a woman who can't wait to leave a wintry New England island, and a widower who would do anything to stay.

Travel magazine writer Celeste Bell is in a terrible mood. Not only was her flight to the Caribbean diverted to a Massachusetts island, now it looks like she'll have to spend Christmas there. Single and still mourning the loss of her mother a year earlier, Celeste is desperate to avoid any emotional entanglements and all holiday festivities. She just doesn't feel like celebrating.

But that's exactly what community center director Nathan White and his young daughter, Abigail, want to do. Nathan is entirely focused on making sure that his daughter has a happy Christmas, especially with the knowledge that if he can't raise money for the community center soon, it will close and they'll have to leave the island. When he meets Celeste, Nathan begins to feel a connection and wonders if he's brave enough to risk his heart once more.

Thawing their frozen hearts and saving the community center will require a Christmas miracle. But 'tis the season....

My thoughts: this is so sweet, clean romance set in an New England Island community at Christmas. The residents go all out celebrating this Holiday season and have some really fun sounding activities going on. There's even some guests on the island although one might be there under duress. Still the community welcome to them and invites them to join in, forging a relationship with the reader that makes them feel as if they were part of the community as well. The story was slow, but engaging, and I didn't want to put it down. In fact I wanted to continue on and find out more about this community and its residents. If you're looking for a good Christmas read for this holiday season, you will want to read this book. Highly recommended. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

 

Lethal Cover-Up Kick-Off Package and #giveaway!!!!

 

About the Book

Book:  Lethal Cover-Up

Author: Darlene L. Turner

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: July 27, 2021

Some secrets are dangerous…

But uncovering the truth could be deadly.

Border patrol officer Madison Steele knows her sister Leah’s fatal car crash was no accident. Someone’s willing to kill to cover up a pharmaceutical company’s deadly crime of distributing tainted drugs. Now they are after Madison to tie off loose ends. But with her high school sweetheart, Canadian police constable Tucker Reed, at her side, can Madison expose the company’s deadly plan before she becomes the next victim?

 My thoughts: this book starts with a bang and keeps delivering. Set in Canada it is a different type than one set in the United States. But it is still formula romantic suspense and thus somewhat predictable. When  it came to brains our hero got the short end of the stick. However, there are some twists that I never saw coming, and I enjoyed the read. If you like romantic suspense and second chance romance then you will love lethal cover up. This is the first book by this author that I have read, but I'm sure it won't be the last. I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

 

More from Darlene

The Hidden Staircase, The Secret of the Old Clock, The Sign of the Twisted Candles—these were just some of my favorite Nancy Drew books. I couldn’t get enough of them growing up! My family often saw me with my nose stuck in one of Nancy’s many tales. When I was finished with those, I’d sneak my brother’s Hardy Boy books and devour them too. This is where my love of writing and of a good mystery/suspense began.

Creating stories in the romantic suspense genre was a natural journey for me. I had always wanted to be a policewoman after watching Charlie’s Angels (they even kicked butt while wearing high heels…what could be better than that?!), Cagney and Lacey, Police woman, Murder She Wrote, etc. My love for all-things-mystery carried into my adult life. Who doesn’t love Sydney Bristow and Kate Beckett?

I enjoy creating strong female characters in a law enforcement role. Madison Steele fits the bill head on as she works to bring down a ruthless pharmaceutical company. While she has nerves of steel, I also wanted to make her vulnerable. In the beginning Madison loses her long-lost sister in a heart-wrenching crash. One she knows was not an accident. This thrusts her into a deadly pursuit of the perpetrators with her estranged high school sweetheart, Tucker Reed, by her side.

 

I wrote this book during the tough year our world faced living in the unknown. Madison and Tucker are stuck in their own fears but eventually find hope. Hope in the unknown and hope in knowing God is in control and with us—no matter the circumstances. We just need to know where to look.

 

I hope you enjoy reading Madison and Tucker’s story as much as I loved crafting it. I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me through my website www.darlenelturner.com and also sign up for Darlene’s Diary newsletter to receive exclusive subscriber giveaways.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 18

Lighthouse-Academy, August 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 19

Genesis 5020, August 19

Simply Susan, August 19

Texas Book-aholic, August 20

Bizwings Blog, August 20

She Lives To Read, August 21

HookMeInABook, August 21

Inklings and notions, August 22

Reviewingbooksplusmore, August 22

Mary Hake, August 22

Betti Mace, August 23

Daysong Reflections, August 23

For the Love of Literature, August 24

deb’s Book Review, August 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 25

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 26

Pause for Tales, August 26

Blogging With Carol, August 26

For Him and My Family, August 27

Simple Harvest Reads, August 27 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 28

Batya’s Bits, August 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 29

Kayem Reads, August 29

Little Homeschool on the Prairie , August 30

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, August 30

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, August 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 31

Labor Not in Vain, August 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Darlene is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of Lethal Cover-Up!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1141b/lethal-cover-up-celebration-tour-giveaway

Mountain Survival (K-9 Search and Rescue, 3)

Mountain Survival 

(K-9 Search and Rescue, 3) 

March 9, 2021

by Christy Barritt  (Author)

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Love Inspired Suspense 
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1335581105

An injured victim has disappeared…

Can a park ranger and her K-9 find him?

When search-and-rescue park ranger Autumn Mercer and her K-9 partner, Sherlock, meet a stranger in the mountains whose brother is injured, they drop everything to help. But all they find where Derek Peterson last saw his sibling is a trail of blood—and men who want them dead. With gunmen closing in, can Autumn and Derek survive long enough to save his brother?

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Christy Barritt

From Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

K-9 Search and Rescue

My thoughts: this is a fast-paced l i s that will hold your interest from 

beginning to end. The hero is a lawyer trying to connect with his brother 

in the wilderness and when his brother broke his leg he went to try to 

find help. She is a ranger. A superhero of sorts.  The bad guys were, 

of course, all knowing and one step ahead, but it was far from predictable. 

This was formula romantic suspense that wasn't quite so formula. There 

were plenty of surprises. I enjoyed this book by Christy Barrett and highly 

recommend it. I especially love the dog. I was given a copy free. All 

opinions are my own.

 

Hey! That's Mine! By Jenna V Hilton

My pitbull black labrador, Skye, loves her collar. We only take it off when it's dirty, so Skye's used to wearing it. When she's not, she's a little sad and clingier than usual. 

I think she sees her collar as her proof of adoption, and she doesn't understand that she's still ours when her collar is off. 

Skye celebrates when she gets her collar back. She starts wiggling and smiling that trademark pibble smile. (Those with pit bulls know what I'm talking about.) She sees the collar and she dances up to the person holding it and then holds as still as possible while it's being put on. Then that person gets a huge pibble kiss on the face and Skye dances away. 

As Christians, we don't have something tangible to show others that we're saved. But we do have the Holy Spirit. It's a little hard to recognize at first, but as you grow in Christ, you learn to recognize the "conscience" that pricks you, or that stir in your spirit. Soon enough, you can tell whether you're being told to back away from something bad, or to pray for someone who truly needs it. That's a gift worth using! 

Dear heavenly father, thank you for giving us your spirit. Help us to learn how to use it to bless others. In Jesus name, amen.

Jenna V. Hilton is nineteen, and lives in Arkansas with her parents, two sisters, a brother, and dog.  She is a senior in high school and planning to attend college to become a veterinarian.