Happy Wednesday!

Hello there,

This week we received some torrential rain which resulted in some flooding. Thankfully, the water didn't rise to the levels of 2018 when we had numerous bridges and roads wash out. Whole houses even floated away (pictures of some of the damage from that flood are below). 

A local wildlife and livestock animal rescue had to evacuate as they're located along the creek, but they were very gracious when asked if they needed help and suggested helping those down in Texas who had it much worse than we did. 

So, speaking of Texas. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to grieve the loss of so many lives from the flash flooding they experienced. Here's a video from the Camp Mystic kids singing praise songs as they were bussed out of the area, but I warn you, it might make you cry. If you want to help, please consider a donation to ADRN.

Please reach out with any prayer requests. I'd be honored to pray on your behalf.

FARM NEWS

Sadie and the goats got doused with fly spray last night. It's that time of year when the flies won't leave them alone.

In other news, the broody hen has been showing up in the mornings, but I'm heartbroken for her as I think her eggs must be sitting in water (which means they're not viable) as she showed up soaking wet after the weather dried out. If I can ever figure out where she's going, I plan to toss her eggs and give her fresh ones in a safer place. 

FROM MY WRITING DESK

Not much news to report, but I did get the outline finished and some scenes written on Midnight Masquerade since we last spoke, so that's good news. 

Here's the opening line to pique your interest:

Dante Reyes had moved cocaine, weapons, and stolen art in his three months undercover, but he'd never expected to be unloading his SEAL brother's sister, Wendy Blackwood.

EXCERPT FROM PROJECT SENTINEL

The man she’d seen at the cemetery earlier stepped into her path. Her breath hitched, and she skirted around him, heart thudding against her ribcage, but his solid form blocked her way. Panic clawed up her throat.

Her fingers twitched, but she’d left her pistol in the nightstand never dreaming she might need it here.

He grabbed her, and she struggled to wrench her arm free, but his hold tightened. "I'm not here to hurt you, Faith."

She pulled free. Her pulse pounded in her neck, and her breath caught in her throat. She was parched, so her words came out sounding hoarse. "How do you know my name?"

His lips formed the barest of smiles. "You know me, Faith."

There was no way she was going to trust some random guy who approached her on the deserted path that wound around the cemetery. "Who are you?"

He frowned. "A co-worker."

"I don't have co-workers, I'm a housewife."

He smirked. "You most certainly are not. Nor have you ever been a housewife."

"You have something against housewives?"

"Absolutely not. It may be one of the hardest jobs around, but you had a much different career."

He was either lying or Donovan was. She'd prefer to believe her son over a stranger. But the word 'stranger' didn't suit this man, did it? She couldn't reach below the surface to pull out exactly what their relationship had been, but his face was one of the few she recognized.

"Do you have a name, co-worker?"

"Elijah." He swiped a hand across his chin. "I didn't mean to startle you, but you're no longer safe, so I came to warn you."

"Why would I be in danger?"

"Do you recall much about your accident?"

She shook her head. The broken glass. The fumes from the fuel. The thwap, thwap, thwap of helicopter blades. That was the sum of what she remembered of the accident.

"I was there."

"What do you mean you were there? It was a single car accident. No witnesses according to the police."

"I was in the helicopter."

The cops and psychiatrists insisted she'd imagined the chopper. She'd refused to embarrass herself further by sharing that detail with anyone else. So, how did he know?

Her nerve endings tingled. Maybe he was telling the truth. It was a possibility. A remote one. "It was real?"

"We were there to whisk you both away. Take you someplace safe, but there were two dark SUVs. One coming from the south and another from the north. They forced Thad off the road and over the embankment. I rappelled from the chopper and pulled you from the wreckage but couldn't stick around to answer questions."

"Why didn't you pull Thaddeus from the car?"

He shut his eyes before slowly opening them and shaking his head. "We were too late. He was gone."

WHAT I'M READING

Truly Medley Deeply by Kate Watson

This was Book 5 in the series, and it was even better than the four previous books. Romance. Chemistry. Character Growth. Everything I want from a romance and more. I loved the entire series.

One scene felt a touch unrealistic where Lou pulled a stunt in the middle of a concert that would've violated any music contract. It would've landed her in deep trouble with her label in the real world, but it's brushed over like it wasn't a big deal. Despite the lack of realism, I enjoyed her sticking up for herself and her man.

Also, I'm not a fan of the "red flag/green flag" terminology popular in today's culture, and the story includes it, but overall, I loved this book. Paddy was absolutely swoon-worthy. I especially loved all the little things he did for Lou without seeking acknowledgement—getting her comfortable shoes and whispering encouragement (or sarcastic barbs when he thought they would help her focus).

What an amazing guy. He kept his secrets longer than necessary, but given his past, I found it plausible rather than obnoxious.

This might be my favorite book in the series. I'm looking forward to Sean's story in Kate Watson's upcoming series.

The Wright Heroes of Maine series by Robin Patchen

In Protecting You, you get CIA, former NSA, and terrorists. This book will keep you turning pages long into the night. It's book five in the series, and each one is a little better than the one before it. Robin's books deliver heart-pounding suspense, introspective faith, and romance that sizzles without any spice.

In Capturing You, you have hidden identity, unsolved murders, and a smuggling conspiracy. The protective hero and the grumpy/sunshine heroine's dynamic, along with the forced proximity between the two, work well and kept me glued to the pages.

I can't keep up with her books because she releases so often, but I caught up on this series finally.

LATISHA SEXTON

It was love at first sight . . . or at least, love at first bloody nose.

Thor

If there’s one thing the Marines taught me, it’s that you don’t quit until you’ve completed your mission. Or you die trying. And by the way Clover Mason keeps shooting fire at me from those violet-colored eyes of hers, it just may be the latter. But like me or not, her Hollywood producer father hired me to protect her, and I will risk my life before letting any harm come to the grumpy recluse.

Clover

Sometimes I wish I were as brave as the heroines in the books I edit for clients. That doesn’t mean I’m ready for a six-foot, tattooed, red-head bodyguard who thinks he’s God’s gift to women shadowing my every move. But Daddy refuses to fire him, claiming that I’m not safe, and unless I want the entire neighborhood to see the large Viking lounging on his motorcycle outside my house 24/7, I’m going to have to let him in my home.

But when very real danger threatens to upheave my quiet life, I realize that Thor is the only one who can keep me safe.

CRYSTAL'S ARC REVIEW

Dante Reyes had moved cocaine, weapons, and stolen art in his three months undercover, but he'd never expected to be unloading his SEAL brother's sister, Wendy Blackwood.

CHECK OUT THESE FANTASTIC READS