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  • Home
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    • Adults
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    • Interviews
  • About
  • Contact Me
  • Disclosures & Policies
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      • Bout of Books
      • LDS Fiction Reading Challenges
    • Resources
    • About the Logo
Singing Librarian Books

Adult Blog

First Line Fridays -- 12.30.16

12/30/2016
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​​​​It is Friday and I am joining these lovely ladies in First Line Fridays:

Carrie from Reading is My SuperPower
Rachel from Bookworm Mama
Beth from 
Faithfully Bookish​
Andi from Radiant Light
Heather from Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Sarah from All the Book Blog Names are Taken
​Robin from Robin's Nest


​Click the links above to be taken to their posts and...
If you would like to join us, send Carrie a meassage and let her know!
​
​Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from

12 Days of Snowmen
by Sarah Monzon

From the first time I saw the cover for this book, I just new I had to read this novella.  Especially since it has snow and a snowman on it.  I LOVE snow!!!  So, this cover was quick to catch my eye!  And of course because it is by Sarah Monzon!!!
GOODREADS | AMAZON--KINDLE
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She'd heard about not crying over spilled milk, but no one had ever warned against weeping over melted ice.

​What are you reading?  What is your first line?
​Open the book nearest you and post the first line...

Bout of Books 18 Sign-Up and Schedule

12/27/2016

I am participating in the Bout of Books 18 Read-a-thon!

Bout of Books 18

Bout of Books 18 Sign-Up

Sign-up HERE.

Bout of Books 18 Schedule

Challenges/Giveaways
**This is the overall list for the challenges offered during Bout of Books 18. Make sure you check the blog each day of the read-a-thon for instructions and details on how to complete the daily challenges**

Monday 1/2
Introduce Yourself #insixwords

Tuesday 1/3
2017 in a Picture

Wednesday 1/4
Book to Movie

Thursday 1/5
Book Spine Poetry

Friday 1/6
If you like this, try this...

Saturday 1/7
FREE DAY!

Sunday 1/8
FREE DAY!


Twitter Chats
(chats last approximately one hour)
TZC = Time Zone Conversion

Monday: 8pm CST (TZC)
Saturday: 10am CST (TZC)
For more details check out the schedule HERE.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Best Books of 2016

12/27/2016
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​via The Broke and the Bookish
This is a difficult task.  But I have compiled my list of top reads from 2016 in four different genres--Children's, Young Adult, Contemporary, and my all time favorite genre, Historical Fiction.

Children's

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Young Adult

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Contemporary

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And my all time favorite genre...
​Historical

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Have you read any of the books on this list?

What were your top reads for 2016?
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First Line Fridays -- 12.23.16

12/23/2016
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​​​​​It is Friday and I am joining these lovely ladies in First Line Fridays:

Carrie from Reading is My SuperPower
Rachel from Bookworm Mama
Beth from 
Faithfully Bookish​
Andi from Radiant Light
Heather from Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Sarah from All the Book Blog Names are Taken
​Robin from Robin's Nest


​Click the links above to be taken to their posts and...
If you would like to join us, send Carrie a meassage and let her know!
​
​Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from

Christmas Makeover: An Echo Ridge Anthology Romance
by Cami Checketts
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​This novella is in the Christmas Kisses Anthology with several fantastic authors.  I love anthologies and who doesn't love Christmas?  It is that time of year and this is just the perfect story (and collection) to add to your TBR pile!!
​GOODREADS | AMAZON--KINDLE
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​Chelsea Jamison snuck in the back door of Kenworth's Department Store.

What are you reading?  What is your first line?
​Open the book nearest you and post the first line...
​

Saving Lord Whitton's Daughter by Susan Tietjen - Blitz 

12/21/2016




Susan was born and raised a California girl but is grateful to have lived on the Oregon coast and in the Rocky Mountains of northern Utah. She’s now enjoying living with her husband in the incomparable beauty of the Redwood forest, nestled against the rugged coast of Northern California.
Susan raised a tribe of children, making ends meet as a registered nurse and lactation consultant, and now her tribe members have tribes of their own and she just doesn’t get to see enough of them. She loves to travel and is thrilled with a good movie or a great book, but writing is her passion. She writes almost anything, especially epic fantasy and romance. Saving Lord Whitton’s Daughter is her first Regency Romance.
Susan would love to hear your comments. Please review her book at your favorite retailer, and at Goodreads, and/ or drop her a note at: stietjen.author@gmail.com.



Connect with the Author here: 
~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Amazon ~ Twitter ~





Lady Bethany would rather die a spinster than submit to marriage—and thus reveal the horrible secret she has harbored for more than a year
Lord Locke is far too immersed in his service to the Crown for romance, but Lady Bethany is in dire circumstances.
Indebted to Bethany’s late father and his close friend, the earl offers a perfect solution for both of them: a marriage in name only.
Perfect, if only they weren’t so irresistibly drawn to each other—and if Bethany hadn’t found herself falling in love with a man even more mysterious than his reputation. Perfect, until she unwittingly learns he’s protecting her from a threat to her life.
To Mark, Bethany is just another assignment, a woman he’s convinced is hiding something. His offer of marriage was meant only to make it easier to safeguard her.
But when the simple threat turns to attempted murder and treason, Mark realizes that Bethany has stolen his heart and he can do nothing less than throw himself into a race against time to save her, whatever the price.



~ Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon CA ~
~ Amazon AU ~ Goodreads ~



Snippet:

“Oh no! My skirt. It’s caught between the stirrup leather and the saddle and it’s tearing.”
“I’ll hold you up,” Locke said, raising her enough to tug it free.
She weighed almost nothing, but he was more than overwhelmed by the sweet lemony smell of her. When he at last lowered her to the ground, he found himself unable to let go, at least until she turned to face him.
Emerald eyes opened wide, Lady Bethany’s cheeks flushed prettily. Was that wonderment on her features? He didn’t see the slightest hint of fear in her. He felt her gaze admire him, drifting from his brows to his nose and arriving at last at his mouth. Her hands, so small and delicate against the firm muscles of his chest, gave no hint of the resistance she’d shown last night.
She stood perfectly still, obviously aware that his breath had faltered. Did she realize what she did to him? Had she any idea how much he wanted to kiss her? And then he saw it, the glimmer of desire in her eyes that battered at his resolve. He raised a hand to brush a stray hair from her cheek and her eyelids fluttered shut, a tremble sweeping over her. His resistance melted and he traced her jaw to her chin and lifted it, leaning towards the soft pillow of her lips, wanting more than anything to taste their sweetness.


To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 



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Hosted by:

The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection: 9 Historical Women Win More than a Blue Ribbon at the Fair by Cynthia Hickey et al.

12/21/2016

About the Book

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Meet nine men and women whose competitive goals take them to state and county fairs between 1889 and 1930. From baking pie to polishing pigs, from sculpting butter to stitching quilts, everyone has something to prove to themselves and their communities. But in going for the blue ribbon, will nine women miss the greatest prize of all—the devoted heart of a godly man?
GOODREADS | AMAZON--KINDLE & PRINT

About the Authors

Jennifer AlLee was born in Hollywood, California, and spent the first 10 years of her life living over a mortuary one block away from Hollywood and Vine. An avid reader and writer, she completed her first novel in high school. That manuscript is now safely tucked away, never to see the light of day again. 

She has worked in numerous fields, including as a church secretary and as an administrative assistant at a cable company, but wherever she works, writing always becomes part of the job description. 

Her first novel was published in 2007. Since then, she's published 11 novels and quite a few novellas with five different publishing houses. While she's thrilled to be living her dream as author, Jennifer considers raising her amazing son to be her biggest creative achievement. 

She lives in southern Nevada with her husband, Nic, who is a hunky Englishman and the best cabbie in Las Vegas.
Angela Breidenbach is the captivating host of Grace Under Pressure Radio show on iTunes about becoming a woman of courage, confidence, and candor. She's a speaker/author/coach. Her newest book, Eleven Pipers Piping is the sequel to Snowflake Tiara: The Debutante Queen, a historical Christmas romance set at the beginning of Montana statehood. More books by Angela include A Healing Heart,#6 Quilts of Love Books from Abingdon Press, Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life, Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance, and the Kindle release, Creative Cooking for Colitis. Other works by Angela include compilation books and devotionals from David C. Cook (The Quiet Hour), Guidepost, Group, and articles in magazines, ezines, and newspapers. Angela also coaches and is certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and CTA life coach. She's the Christian Authors Network president. Don't miss the hijinks of Muse, the famous fe-lion, as he sasses Writer on Angie's blog, A-Muse-ings, and on Facebook.
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Interact with or learn more about Angela Breidenbach:
http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
http://www.twitter.com/AngBreidenbach
https://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreide...
Award-winning author and speaker Darlene Franklin lives in cowboy country—Oklahoma and loves writing about the American West. Oklahoma also has the benefit of being the home to her son, his wife, and their four beautiful children. Darlene loves music, needlework, reading and reality tv. Talia, a Lynx point Siamese cat, proudly claims Darlene as her person. Darlene is the author of seventeen contracted books and novellas, as well as several hundred short pieces. Two of her books have finaled in ACFW’s Book of the Year (now the Carol award) contest: her novella, Dressed in Scarlet, and her cozy mystery, A String of Murders.
Multi-published author Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries published through Barbour Publishing, with a novella releasing in March 2013. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series. She has several historical romances releasing in 2013 and 2014 through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs and two cats. She has five grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”. Visit her website at www.cynthiahickey.com
Carrie Fancett Pagels is a multi-published award-winning author of Christian historical romance. Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn't "cure" her overactive imagination! She resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia, which is perfect for her love of history. Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at the same time!  Visit her at http://www.CarrieFancettPagels.com.
Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood. Today, she is an award-winning author, speaker, virtual assistant, and freelance web site designer, who lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have a daughter and a son, and a vivacious Australian Shepherd mix named Roxie. Amber has sold 11 books and 1 novella to Barbour Publishing with more on the horizon. Other writing credits include several writing articles for various publications, five short stories with Romancing the Christian Heart, and nine contributions to the book, 101 Ways to Romance Your Marriage. A born-again Christian since the age of seven, her faith in Christ has often sustained her through difficult experiences. She seeks to share that with others through her writing.  Visit her at http://www.amberstockton.com.
Niki Turner is a novelist, journalist, and blogger. Her first completed manuscript earned second place in the Touched By Love 2009 contemporary category romance contest. She writes for local newspapers, and won second place for best agriculture story at the 2013 Colorado Press Association annual convention. She also blogs at www.nikiturner.net and is a co-blogger at www.inkwellinspirations.com. Niki is the Colorado Area Coordinator for American Christian Fiction Writers and is involved in establishing an ACFW chapter on Colorado's Western Slope, where she resides. She published “Sadie’s Gift” as one of the Christmas Traditions novella collection. Her next project, “Santiago Sol,” will be published by Pelican Book Ventures, LLC, as part of the Passport to Romance novella collection.
Gina Welborn worked in news radio writing copy until she had the epiphany that the news of the day was rather depressing, so she took up writing romances because they always end happily. Gina is a 2009 ACFW GENESIS historical romance finalist and a 2007 RWA GOLDEN HEART® inspirational finalist. As a member of RWA and ACFW, she is an active contest judge and coordinator. Her manuscripts have also finaled in the Daphne du Maurier, Duel on the Delta, Dixie, and Maggie contests. Oklahoma-girl Gina now lives in Richmond, Virginia with her youth-pastor husband and their five Okie-Hokie children. Gina is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency. Her debut novella, "Sugarplum Hearts," part of the HIGHLAND CROSSINGS, is a February 2012 Barbour Publishing release. Her second novella, "All Ye Faithful," releases this fall as part of A CASCADES CHRISTMAS. http://ginawelborn.blogspot.com/
Becca Whitham (WIT-um) is a multi-published author who has always loved reading and writing stories. After raising two children, she and her husband faced the empty nest years by following their dreams: he joined the army as a chaplain, and she began her journey toward publication. Becca loves to tell stories marrying real historical events with modern-day applications to inspire readers to live Christ-reflecting lives. She’s traveled to almost every state in the U.S. for speaking and singing engagements and has lived in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Alaska.

Review

Nine splendid authors, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Gina Welborn, Jennifer AlLee, Becca Whitham, Niki Turner, Amber Stockton, and Cynthia Hickey come together to create a charming collection with county and state fairs being a main theme in each novella.  Each novella is filled with strong and charming characters, as well as an entertaining plotline involving romance at the fair.  Readers will be thrilled with each author’s unique and individuality in the various delightful stories.    I would recommend this novella collection to readers that enjoy fairs and historical fiction.
 
Genre: historical, romance, Christian
Publisher: Barbour
Publication date: November 1, 2016
Number of pages: 448
 
Content Rating: PG
Book Rating: 5 stars
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Novellas in the collection:
1-Requilted with Love by Carrie Fancett Pagels
2-Seven Medals and a Bride by Angela Breidenbach
3-A Taste of Honey by Darlene Franklin
4-Altered Hearts by Gina Welborn
5-Better with Butter by Jennifer AlLee
6-Driven to Distraction by Becca Whitham
7-First Comes Pie by Niki Turner
8-Front Page Love by Amber Stockton
9-Competing Hearts by Cynthia Hickey​

A review copy of this book was provided by Pagels' Pals.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
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First Line Fridays -- 12.16.16

12/16/2016
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​​​​​​It is Friday and I am joining these lovely ladies in First Line Fridays:

Carrie from Reading is My SuperPower
Rachel from Bookworm Mama
Beth from 
Faithfully Bookish​
Andi from Radiant Light
Heather from Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
​
Sarah from All The Book Blog Names Are Taken


​Click the links above to be taken to their posts and...
If you would like to join us, send Carrie a meassage and let her know!
​
​Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from

Giver of Wonders
by Roseanna M. White.

Want something to read for the holidays?  You will want to grab this book!!
​​GOODREADS | AMAZON--KINDLE & PRINT
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Patara, Lycia

She would die today, one way or another.

​What are you reading?  What is your first line?
​Open the book nearest you and post the first line...
​

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Historical Books I'm Looking Forward to For the First Half of 2017

12/13/2016
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via The Broke and the Bookish
Here is a list of 12 (yes I limited it this time) of books I am looking forward to for the first half of 2017 (Jan-June).  Click the book to be taken to Goodreads and to add it to your TBR pile!!!

January

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February

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March

No cover photo yet... A Fine Gentleman by Sarah M. Eden
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April

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May

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June

No cover photo yet... Romancing Daphne by Sarah M. Eden
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What books are you looking forward to reading in the first half of 2017???
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The Boy Who Wanted Wings by James Conroyd Martin -- Book Tour Spotlight

12/13/2016

About the Book

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Publication Date: September 1, 2016
Paperback; 358 Pages
ISBN13: 9780997894509
Genre: Historical Fiction

On the eve of September 11, 1683, a massive Muslim Ottoman horde was besieging the gates of the imperial city of Vienna and had been doing so since the previous July. Now, however, they were just hours from capturing this capital of the Holy Roman Empire. The Turks’ intent was to bring Islam to all of Europe, and this city was seen by East and West alike as the gateway. With the window of time closing for Vienna, the walls were about to be breached on September 12 when the vastly outnumbered Christian coalition, led by Polish King Jan III Sobieski and his famous winged hussars, descended Kahlenberg Mountain to engage the Turks in an attempt to lift the siege. As crucial and consequential as the 1066 Battle of Hastings, the ensuing battle changed the course of European history
(Was it the first 9/11? Some people believe that the date for the September 11th attack in 2001 was chosen to symbolically resume the effort that began in 1683.)
Aleksy, a dark-complected Tatar raised by a Polish peasant family, holds in his heart the wish is to become a Polish hussar, a lancer who carries into battle a device attached to his back that holds dozens of eagle feathers. As a Tatar and as a peasant, this is an unlikely quest. When he meets Krystyna, the daughter of the noble who owns the land that his parents work, he falls hopelessly in love. But even though she returns his love, race and class differences make this quest as impossible as that of becoming a hussar. Under the most harrowing and unlikely circumstances, one day Aleksy must choose between his dreams.
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Praise

“A poor archer in medieval Poland takes aim at the love of his life in this epic novel from Martin. The anxious Aleksy Gazdecki, a young farmhand, embodies the ethnic and political tensions of Europe during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. The believability of this novel, which is sprinkled with period-specific details, is never in question. Martin sets the stage so tidily that the plight of Aleksy and Krystyna, who desire to move beyond the social classes that keep them apart, transcends the historical moment. Sprawling but never slow, the plot moves naturally from battle to intimacy and back again. A gripping, transporting story of self-determination set against fate.”
~Kirkus Reviews
“Amidst class and religious warfare, this alternately romantic and brutal love story is also a reminder that the struggle between Christianity and Islam is a great deal older than 2001. Culminating in the re-creation of the Siege of Vienna in 1683, where monstrous killing was perpetrated in the name of God and power, this is a meticulously researched and convincingly written tale of love’s triumph that will surprise historical fiction readers with its little known historical backdrop. In an ethnically diverse Poland that is now long gone, the main characters struggle with loyalties to family, race, and country as they come to understand that no fear or evil is unchangeable.”
​~Leonard Kniffel, Past Editor in Chief of American Libraries
  Director, Polish American Librarians Association

About the Author

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James Conroyd Martin is the award-winning author of The Poland Trilogy (Push Not the River, Against a Crimson Sky, & The Warsaw Conspiracy), a saga inspired by the diary of a countess in 1790s Poland. Hologram: A Haunting was inspired by a house he lived in in Hammond, Indiana. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon.
For more information please visit James Conroyd Martin’s website. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Cutter Creek Christmas Tour with Authors Kit Morgan, Vivi Holt, Annie Boone, and Kari Trumbo

12/9/2016
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About the Novellas

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​It’s a Christmas sugarplum celebration! Christmas in Cutter’s Creek means a Christmas social; sugarplum contest, dancing, a dash of mayhem and a heaping helping of romance.

First off is Kit Morgan’s Recipe for Christmas. This novella is set in 1866 and is the very first Cutter’s Creek Christmas social, and so much mischief happens, it’s a wonder they had another! Lucius Judrow from Love is Blind has a brother and he’s on his way to Cutter’s Creek. Come see who Eldon meets in this hilarious and sweet romance!

The next is Vivi Holt’s Seasons of Love. It takes place in 1872. The social has changed just a bit. You’d think they’d learned with all the trouble, but no, the social is more fun than trouble. Margaret is a lonely school teacher from the East looking for a little love and adventure. She finds just that and a whole lot more in this sweet Christmas romance!

Third Christmas novella is just a few years later and the social has changed yet again, to a cider competition! The contestants get a little rowdy and words are said that might ruin Christmas! Felicity will need special help to solve this mess. Find out more in Annie Boone’s Christmas Spirit.

The fourth and final Christmas novella takes place in 1892 and rumors of Christmas social’s past dominate the festivities. Carol needs to find a husband and the new doctor in town provides a great opportunity. A snowball fight leads to romance in Kari Trumbo’s A Carol Plays.
Recipe for Christmas  ǀ  Season of Love  ǀ  Christmas Spirit  ǀ  A Carol Plays
Find the Cutter’s Creek author’s on Facebook!

Snippets from the Novellas

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​Eldon had changed, a lot. He’d cut his long hair and now kept his face clean-shaven. He’d sported a long bushy beard and mustache for years and didn’t care much about his appearance. He was too busy. Besides, a bounty hunter didn’t need to look nice, he just needed to be good at his job. 
Eldon was quick to learn folks treated him different when the beard, long hair, and raggedy clothes came off. It also helped to smell nicer too. 
But the biggest change that got folks attention was the size of his bank account. Yes, they’d congratulated him on striking it rich, and a lucky strike it was, but they’d also treated him differently, some, grotesquely so. He half-expected a few old acquaintances to fall begging at his feet. Others acted as if they might rob him, given half the chance. Then came the ones that humbly congratulated him on his good fortune and went on their way. How, he wondered, would Lucius act?
He spied the town up ahead and stopped his horse, suddenly nervous. He and Lucius hadn’t seen each other since they’d fought in the Chattanooga Campaign three years ago. Someone told Eldon that Lucius was taken down by some Yankee gone loco. There were other ridiculous reports, all of them false. All Eldon knew was his brother had gone missing. Whether he was alive or dead, he didn’t know, but thank the Lord he knew now.
Once in town, he dismounted and tied his horse to a hitching post in front of the sheriff’s office. He then took off his hat, ran a hand through his hair and stepped onto the boardwalk. After he took a deep breath, he entered the small building. 
The office was empty. 
“Now doesn’t this just figure?” he muttered, hands on hips. “I travel all this way, little brother, and you’re not here.”
“Howdy,” a voice called from the other side of a half-open door.
Eldon stepped to the door and gave it a shove. Two cells occupied the back room, one of them empty. The other held a short, pudgy man with a few days growth of whiskers. Eldon sighed. “Hello. You wouldn’t happen to know where the sheriff has got to?”
“Nope. ‘Fraid not.”
“Do you know when he’ll be back?”
The man’s brow puckered in thought. “Ahhhh, er … well … sorry. Don’t know that either.”
Eldon studied him a moment. “What are you in for?”
The man smiled. “Sheriff says it’s for disturbin’ the peace. I say it’s for havin’ me a good time.”
Eldon smiled at that. “What about the deputy?”
“Lucius? He ought to be along any minute with my lunch.”
Eldon’s heart skipped a beat. “Fine. I’ll wait.”
“Here? Ya know ya ain’t supposed to be back here. Lucius is gonna bust a gut if he catches ya.”
“Good. Let him catch me.”
The prisoner eyed him suspiciously. “What’s yer name, mister?”
“Judrow. What’s yours?”
The man stared at him. “Albert Dunst.” He stared at him some more. “Hey, you got the same last name as …” he peered through the bars at him. “Slap me silly! Ya even look like him!”
Eldon smiled again. “So I’ve been told. I’ll wait up front.” 
He’d no sooner turned around when the door in the main office opened, and in walked Lucius. “I got ya a ham sandwich, Albert and some apple pie. If we got time we can have a game of check …,” he stopped up short, almost dropping the plate in his hand, and stared at Eldon.
“Hello little brother.”
Lucius’s jaw dropped like a brick. “Eldon?!” he squeaked.
“Lucius …”
Before he could say anything more, Lucius launched at him and almost knocked Eldon over in the process. A wail from Albert mixed with the sounds of the brothers talking at once filled the room.
“Where have you been? How did you find me?” Lucius asked then stopped and looked down. The plate he’d been holding was now smashed between them, Albert’s sandwich and apple pie plastered to his vest. He took a step back. The plate hit the wood floor and shattered as the sandwich and pie stuck for a second or two before landing amongst the shards with a plop. Lucius glanced between the mess, Eldon, and his prisoner. “Sorry, Albert.”
“Not as sorry as I am,” Albert huffed and sat on the cot behind him. He glanced at the two brothers, still frozen in place. “Ah go ahead and say your hello’s. But I want another sandwich when you’re done!”
Lucius laughed. “Sure.” He took another step back and studied Eldon. “Where did you come from?”
“Maybe you’d better fetch your prisoner another sandwich, then I’ll tell you. But first I want to here about this wife of yours.”
Lucius smiled. “Ya heard about that, eh?” He then looked him up and down, even reached out and touched the sleeve of Eldon’s jacket. “That’s a right fine coat ya got there brother. Life must be treatin’ ya good.”
“Yes, I’ve done all right. Now about that sandwich? I wouldn’t mind one myself.”
“Of course, follow me. The café’s just down the street.” He turned, brushing crumbs from his shirt and vest. Eldon followed. They’d worry about the mess when they got back.
“And don’t forget the pie!” Albert called after them.
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​Margaret cinched her scarf more tightly around her neck and shivered as her booted feet crunched through the icy snow. The main street of Cutter’s Creek sparkled in the sunlight, and drifts of snow pushed up against storefronts and house walls all up and down the street. Juniper and hemlock branches drooped under the weight of the white powder, and icicles hung from the eaves. Her breath burst from her mouth in white clouds as she struggled along, being careful not to lose her footing. 
When she pushed open the door to the mercantile, a bell dinged above the doorway, announcing her arrival. She stamped the snow from her boots, and unwound her scarf to greet Abigail Smith. 
“Abi, it’s good to see you. How’s Jasper Jnr? Last time I came in he had a cold.”
“Why, hello there Meg. Junior is doin’ just fine now, thank you for askin’. He’s still got a bit of a cough, but nothin’ some chicken broth and gruel won’t fix.”
The bell over the door rang again, and Margaret turned to discover Mrs Agatha Waverley tapping her boots on the welcome mat.
“Mornin’ Abi, mornin’ Meg. What a day it is.” Agatha had a habit of grumbling and complaining first thing, to get it out of the way so she could deal with the more important matters of conversation over the rest of the day.
“Good morning Mrs Waverley. It’s lovely to see you on this fine day.” Margaret removed her gloves with a tug at each fingertip, and smiled at the older lady. She strode to the counter, and began perusing the wares behind it, calculating in her head the supplies she’d need to get through the week. 
Mrs. Waverly nodded, and followed Abigail, who was stacking a new supply of brooms in a corner of the store. “Did you hear about the incident over at the school,” she whispered conspiratorially, with a dip of her head.
Margaret’s ears pricked at the mention of the school. She listened closely, her eyes still focused on a barrel of red and white striped candy.
“No, I did not. But I’m sure you’ll tell me all about it,” sighed Abigail as she pushed the last of the brooms into place. She turned and hurried back to the counter to wait on Margaret. Mrs Waverly followed her like an eager pup.
“As you know, Mr Waverley checks on the schoolhouse regular-like through the winter months, since no one else seems to feel the responsibility.” Here she paused with a meaningful look at Margaret, who was running her fingers over a bolt of blue and tan calico. She gasped in surprise and turned to face the women. Abigail’s face flushed red. She scurried the last few steps, to stand before Margaret.
“I’m so sorry to keep you waiting, Meg. Have you decided yet what you’ll need?”
“Yes please. I’ll have a pound of flour, a half-dozen of your wonderful eggs, and a half pound of butter, thank you kindly.”
Abigail set about wrapping the items in brown paper.
Mrs. Waverley waddled close, and interrupted them to continue. “Well, he went by the schoolhouse yesterday, and noticed smoke comin’ from the chimney. Well now, he says to hisself, ain’t no one supposed to be in there, then how come there’s smoke a’comin’ from the chimney?” She grinned with delight at the intrigue of her own story, and Margaret and Abigail exchanged a glance of aggravation.
“Is that so?” asked Abigail, strumming her fingernails against the counter top.
“Yep. And when he went inside, do you know what he found?”
“I do not. Pray tell.”
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Felicity swallowed the curse that she wanted to fling at Lana. Her friend knew that she was a disaster in the kitchen. What kind of game was she up to?
As she glanced at Josh’s dark blues eyes, she could see they were full of expectation. Maybe he didn’t know about her lacking cooking skills. Could this festival be a chance for her to show him that maybe she could be the woman he needed? That she was indeed the woman to nurture his appetite and his heart.
“It’s everything she says,” Felicity mumbled.
A smile tugged at the corners of Josh’s mouth, making the dimples in his cheeks deepen just a bit. She glanced away, biting on her tongue. It was a crime for a man to be this handsome.
“What’s in it?” he asked.
She managed to hold back the groan that wanted to escape.
“Secrets from her grandmother,” Lana said, helpfully.
“Well, I can’t wait to try it,” he said with a grin.
Well she sure could certainly wait for him to try it. She didn’t have the first clue about cider except that it was made from fruit. It was, wasn’t it? Sugar plums that grew in the area, she thought. Oh, my. This was going to be a disaster.
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​His back was so broad and his movements so sure. She scooped a handful of thick heavy snow into her hand, forming it into a ball. As he grabbed for his mitts she launched her snowball at his wide back, hitting him between the shoulder blades. She turned and rushed on her way.
A snow clod landed at her feet exploding between her shoes. She danced away from the flying bits and turned, grinning at him. “You missed!” She laughed then shrieked as another ball hit her in the shoulder.
The snow was deep enough she didn’t have to lean far for another scoop of snow. She formed it in her hands calculating her next toss.
Dr. Gentry held up his hands. “White flag!” He smiled.
She lobbed it at his stomach. “I didn’t see a flag with all this snow.”
He slid to the side avoiding the snow bomb. His intense eyes took her in as he walked slowly for her, forgetting the shovel. He stopped right in front of her. The passion in his gaze stopped her and she backed a step away. He gazed down into her eyes then down to her lips. She gasped and glanced away.
“We should get you to the chapel.” His voice rumbled between them and he touched her elbow.
Her heart tripped over itself as she backed another step from him. “I’m sure I can get there.” She turned and his grip grew tighter. She couldn’t leave, but part of her didn’t want to. Part of her wished they weren’t standing out in the street in front of everyone.
“I know you can get there, but let me be the gentleman I’m expected to be and take you there.”
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Recipe for Christmas (Cutter's Creek #10) by Kit Morgan

Review coming soon...
A review copy of this novella was provided by author Kari Trumbo, as well as purchased on Amazon.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
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A Carol Plays (Cutter's Creek #13) by Kari Trumbo

Kari Trumbo has written a cute and sweet Cutter’s Creek novella in A Carol Plays.  It is about a young lady, Carol Williams who is determined to marry so that she and her father will be taken care of and don’t have to rely on her recently married brother to do so.  Carol is sure she has found her match when Dr. Manning Gentry comes to town for a few weeks to take care of her father, but her father does not want them becoming involved.  Readers will fall in love with spunky Carol as she does her best to follow her father’s wishes, even as she is falling for the kind doctor.  A sweet and delightful holiday read, I would recommend this novella to readers that enjoy historical fiction and holiday reads.
 
Series: Cutter’s Creek
Genre: historical, romance, holiday, Christmas
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Publication date: October 27, 2016
Number of pages: 70
 
Content Rating: PG
Book Rating: 5 stars
 
Other books in the series:
1-That Healing Touch by Kit Morgan
2-The Strong One by Vivi Holt
3-New Beginnings by Annie Boone
4-A Lily Blooms by Kari Trumbo
5-A Penny Shines by Kari Trumbo
6-Becoming a Family by Annie Boone
7-The Betrothed by Vivi Holt
8-Love is Blind by Kit Morgan
9-Cherished by Vivi Holt
10-Recipe for Christmas by Kit Morgan
11-Season for Love by Vivi Holt
12-Christmas Spirit by Annie Boone
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A review copy of this novella was provided by author Kari Trumbo, as well as purchased on Amazon.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
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