TBR 2026

21.  Lord of the Storm (The Coalition Rebellion series Book 1) by Justine Davis Sci-Fi fantasy romance. This series has more bedroom scenes than her other books. Those who want books free of inmate situations need to choose something else. So, why did I read it? First, I love Justine's characters. Ultimately, her stories are character driven. Being an abuse survivor, she's helped me explore the difference between unhealthy and healthy. Yes, I realize that God needs to be part of a marriage. I'm able to add Him in with that understanding. What drew me in and kept me reading was the good vs evil and how evil strips beauty and intimacy from relationships, just like the coalition. She also focuses on the right to choose, the intrinsic value and power of it. 

22. Skypirate (The Coalition Rebellion series Book 2) by Justine Davis Sci-Fi fantasy romance. This is a redemption story, for both characters. 

23. The Kingbird (The Coalition Rebellion series Short Story) by Justine Davis Sci-Fi fantasy romance. This is a tie from the first generation into the next generation. 

24. Rebel Prince (The Coalition Rebellion series Book 3) by Justine Davis Sci-Fi fantasy romance. This next generation ties the futures of two worlds together. 

25 Raider (The Coalition Rebellion: Ziem series Book 4) by Justine Davis Sci-Fi fantasy romance. For those on Ziem, the planets of the first part of the series are myths. I search for how the characters' struggles reflect my own and what I can learn. Experienced a moment of catching my breath and unexpected tears. 

REAL 2 March 2026

The heat is unexpected. Grateful it won't last, yet. A few short walks. Physical therapy done. Yard work, ie, trimming my pygmy palms. Eating was pretty good. Sleep was iffy, as always. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Waffle lunch with family

~ Favorite books by favorite authors

~ Lunch and laughter with dear friends

~ Inspirational speakers

~ God's grace       

No Leap Day

Celebrate with a story anyway.

Leap of Faith Day 

The ninth novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Her life a mess, EMT Belle Carlisle wants a fresh start. She's lived in Holiday a few years and likes it well enough. She's happy, mostly. 'Be Bold' is her personal aphorism, but it was never intended to include asking a man on a date.

Born and raised in Holiday, Vince Timmons is certain the prettiest EMT on the planet could never be interested in a younger man. Besides, his life is a mess. Not to mention the woman he pursued for over a year humiliated him in public. The last thing he needs is to fall for another woman who doesn't want him.

Man looks on the outward appearance and judges accordingly. God looks on the heart...

http://www.amazon.com/Leap-Faith-Day-Holiday-Book-ebook/dp/B01EX4Y2IO

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2016-17

All four novellas, 9-12, are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://a.co/5ETTtmt 

 

No Leap Day, this year

Created by Donna Keevers Driver for Laurel Hawkes

REAL 23 Feb 2026

It was a cold week, making it difficult to force myself outside for walks. I have been doing PT. Sleep is pretty awful, maybe two hours at a time, if I'm lucky. Eating is sometimes good and sometimes not. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Blessed rain

~ Dip into cooler weather, blessedly

~ Favorite books

~ Visits with friends 

~ God's grace       

Brain Dump

Interfering with an officer doing his legal job is illegal. Pretending it's compassionate to the criminal is not compassionate; it's pride saying "I know what's best better than you." If you don't like what's happening, address the heads of the department who issued the orders, not the individuals carrying out their orders. A state officer interfering with a federal officer enforcing federal law is breaking federal law. Sadly, state officials have been interfering left and right with federal law enforcement. At the egging on of state officials, everyday people are pretending like they are morally more powerful than federal officials. Interfering with the everyday law officials isn't righteous or noble or courageous. It's interfering with a man doing the job he was hired to do. It's a teacher telling a dentist he doesn't know what he's doing and physically interfering. It's a baker who doesn't like a building going up interfering with the bricked layer doing his legal job. For the record, if state law officials had simply turned over criminals as asked instead of setting them loose or hiding them, the federal officials would accomplish their job in no time and be on their way. 

TBR 2026

16.  Hidden Identities (Guardian series Book 8) by Traci Hunter Abramson suspense romance. No spice, for those who try to avoid it. It was a joy to see familiar friends from earlier books. I also enjoyed the quick visit to Thailand. Story ripped from the headline. 

17. Chances Are (Chances Book 1 of 2) by Traci Hunter Abramson romance. Love these books. My reading choice for Valentine's weekend.

18. Chance for Home (Chances Book 2 of 2) by Traci Hunter Abramson romance. These books always draw me in, giving me a glimpse into a different world than mine, including learning healthy relationships.

19. Love's Fiercest Light (Love and Honor series) by Hallee Bridgeman Christian suspense romance.   A very short story revisiting the characters from the series. 

20. Once Upon a Night at Sea by Barbara Longley contemporary romance. A Princess Cruise romance. A fun visit to the Caribbean but more modern than I like now, ie, language and innuendos. 

REAL 16 Feb 2026

Trying to rebuild stamina. Walked to the post office, reminding myself to not push faster than I'm able. Physical therapy being done. Even with Valentine's Day, I did pretty good with the eating. Did not eat all the treats immediately, actually spread it out. Go me! Sleep is what it is, sometimes good and sometimes not. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Yummy lunch with a church friend

~ Luau with friends in the community 

~ Gospel study with sisters in Christ

~ Beautiful sunrise

~ God's grace       

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day

Celebrate with a story.

The third novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and maybe a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Lance Nelson delivers flowers every Valentine's Day. This year, he decides to show the woman he's secretly loved all his life exactly how he feels, creating a unique bouquet especially for her.

This Valentine's Day, Sharon Kelly decides to stop waiting for someone to send her what she wants and orders a bouquet of flowers for herself. She might as well arrange for her secret crush to deliver them.

God works in mysterious ways to provide the way to Happily Ever After, even when His children stand in their own way...

http://www.amazon.com/Valentine-Delivery-Holiday-Laurel-Hawkes-ebook/dp/B00IGVA8SY/ref=sr_1_3 

 

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2014

All four novellas published in 2014 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2014-1/dp/150773459X/ref=sr_1_6
 

 

Valentine Delivery Quote

 

Thanks to Donna Keevers Driver for this lovely creation.

Keep the sense of humor

 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Beautiful weather

~ Gospel study with friends

~ Visiting with my sister

~ New book by a favorite author

~ God's grace      

Brain Dump

So disappointed in the chocolate "expert" on Modern Marvels. If you advertised yourself as fiction, it would have been all right, but you advertised yourself as fact. Credibility is lost. Interest in watching any further shows with this "expert" has diminished to zilch. No, the Baby Ruth bar was NOT named after the baseball player Babe Ruth. It was named after President Grover Cleveland's daughter, baby Ruth. Really. 

TBR 2026

11.  A Forbidden Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 9) by Arlene James Christian romance. Delves into the world of seeking guidance from anyone or anything but God. If it isn't God, it's the adversary, and the adversary will gladly pretend to be God and send minions to deceive any unwilling to look only to God. 

12. The Sinner's Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 10) by Arlene James Christian romance. The adversary has convinced the world that chastity is old fashioned, silly, nothing. However, it's one of the Ten Commandments, Commandments created by God to help us find the deepest, richest joy in life. We break ourselves against the Commandments. Blessedly, Jesus came to take upon Himself our sins. Sad to see the end of the series.

13. Supporting Neurodivergent and Autistic People for Their Transition Into Adulthood by Danny Combs nonfiction. The book explains how to set up a TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades). While it's geared toward trade school training for those who are Autistic, mention is made also of those with ADHD and dyslexia, which interested me. I think the concepts and philosophies would work well for most students. I wanted to read the book to see if it might give me some insights into dealing with my dyslexia and my own learning style. However, my struggles with the abuse I was living in played a bigger role. Perhaps abuse survivors are more closely related to those with different learning styles than what's deemed normal.

14. Reflections on Life II: Notes from the Journey by Staci Stallings nonfiction. 81 short, 1-5 pages, essays/stories on finding God's path for your life and following it. I bought it in paperback, as I do every book I'm able by Staci Stallings. Her books are keepers, and I find passages I underline or star. I will always read her books again as I find insights and deepen my understanding. While we don't agree on everything, she inspires me to strengthen my own faith.   

15. The Long Way Home by Staci Stallings Christian romance. Another reading, and I still love it. Staci Stallings shares so many insights in her stories. They're more than just storytelling; they uplift, inspire, and encourage. 

REAL 2 Feb 2026

Trimmed bushes. Yard work. Walks, short. Physical therapy, more consistent. Eating is so-so. Sleep is okay. Nightmares are more weird than scary right now, blessedly. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Trimmed bushes

~ Praying for mourning friends

~ Worshiping with friends

~ Cold spell didn't last

~ God's grace       

Brain Dump

Baffling. Why would law abiding citizens fight to keep criminals free to do what they want in their midst? Why won't law abiding citizens allow law enforcement to do their job, removing criminals? Why would law abiding citizens defend murders, assaulters of all kinds, child and women abusers, thieves, and law breaking offenders? What kind of backward thinking supports vile monsters and demonizes those trying to remove them from society? Why would any one risk death for those who would deal out death should the opportunity arise, because they've done it before? It isn't good to support evil. It isn't honorable to stand for law breakers. It isn't noble to harass, impede, or otherwise interfere with law enforcement personnel doing their job, attempting to make the world a little safer by removing those who make it more dangerous. The inanity and evil is escalating. It's difficult to ask for God's mercy when His laws are being violated by those who are willfully doing so and those who pretend they are more compassionate than God. Repent, before it's too late. 

Today is Chocolate Cake Day

Celebrate with a story. 

Chocolate Cake for Two

The second novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and maybe a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Freed, after being wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, Henry Weaver needs a fresh start. The "Help Wanted" sign in the cupcake shop window couldn't possibly be the answer to his prayer.

Holiday Sweets, a specialty cupcake shop, is Annie Sweet's heritage. Everything would be perfect if only she could find competent help. An ultimatum demands Annie make a painful decision.

Choosing God is rarely the easy way, and sometimes the way to Happily Ever After appears impossible...

http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Cake-Two-Holiday-USA-ebook/dp/B00HYLK0P8/ref=sr_1_1

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2014

All four novellas published in 2014 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2014-1/dp/150773 

Tomorrow is Chocolate Cake Day

 

Created by Donna Keevers Driver for Laurel Hawkes

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Visiting friends

~ Favorite books

~ Lovely weather

~ Butterfly bushes

~ God's grace       

Brain Dump

Mars is the machine planet, the only planet populated by 2 lone rovers, sent there by people here on earth. Just a fun fact. 

TBR 2026

6.  Honor's Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 4) by Arlene James Christian romance. In this series, Arlene tackles one of the most serious sins, breaking the law of chastity. God doesn't measure one sin better or worse than another. Sin is sin. However, the reason sins of a sexual nature are more grievous is because we are demeaning, degrading, trivializing, mocking God's gift of the power of creation to His children. It is meant to make a husband and wife one flesh and to bring children into the world. Anything else is reducing creation to a nothing moment of pleasure or a way to control, humiliate, reduce someone else. The adversary encourages making common the power and beauty God created. It breaks God's heart. It is for this and every other sin that Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. It is because of Jesus Christ, His Atonement, that it is possible to place all sin in the passed and start over new and clean.

Point of clarification: Abuse survivors do not need to repent of what was done to them. The Atonement is for them as much as anyone but through grieving and forgiving - not giving the abuser absolution but the abused giving the anger and bitterness and hurt and humiliation to Jesus. Let Jesus carry the load; it's too heavy for us.

7. Fidelity's Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 5) by Arlene James Christian romance. Unfaithful Matt is quite a change from honorable Charlie. Arlene doesn't sanitize the sin but creates stories that reflect the variations people spin on sin and how Jesus covers it all if we give ourselves to Him. 

8. A Courageous Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 6) by Arlene James Christian romance. More of the wonder and power of repentance. 

9. A Love Song in Quarantine (Hobby Run series Book 7) by Arlene James Christian romance. Most of the romance novels avoided the quarantine of 2020. I thought Arlene managed to depict the situations without diving into politics. 

10. The Liar's Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 8) by Arlene James Christian romance. Includes a brief description of an assault, for those who are sensitive to those topics. Again, I love how the Christians are imperfect and trying their best, and the precious journey of unbeliever to believer. 

REAL 19 Jan 2026

Short walks. Physical therapy. Eating okay, not great, but it's been worse. Sleep is all over the place. Finally stepped on the scale again (been a few months), a starting point, right back where I was five years ago. No surprise, really. I'm making changes, which is stressful and often leads to stuffing until I feel more in control. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Dear friends

~ Gospel study

~ Lovely weather

~ Good books 

~ God's grace       

Brain Dump

I live in a desert. Living in a desert means a lack of water. So, we're starting at a deficit. Keep that in mind. One of our cities recently voted down building an AI data center. Now, the main reason cited was the noise, a constant hum from the data centers already present. The community's citizens hate it. Glad they stopped it. Will another community make the mistake of volunteering to take the place? Reminder: We live in a desert that is in a 30-year drought. AI data centers require copious amounts of water. Where are they going to acquire the needed water? Will they deprive people for the sake of AI? They - the ones who want to build said facilities - have said they would. To even consider building such a center in a place already struggling with the water supply is insane and maybe even disturbing and possibly nefarious. God have mercy. 

A friend shared this on Social Media

The Woman at the Well

It was not the water that he came for. 

It was me.

REAL 12 Jan 2026

Started the week with a couple short walks, and then it rained. PT is being done. Eating and sleeping are okay - room for improvement. Self-talk isn't great - needs work.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ God takes care of all the things I cannot.

~ Blessed rain

~ Visiting a dear friend

~ Favorite books

~ God's grace      

Brain Dump

I finally broke down and listened to a male social media influencer everyone is claiming is the new right. Nick F. No, not sharing the last name only because I don't want to somehow accidentally end up in the algorithm. (Not to be confused [which I did at first because of the slight variation in the name but worlds apart in maturity, honor, and wisdom and pretty much everything else] with Nick Freitas, who is admirable and a fine example of a real man.) This Nick is young and crude. For the record, he isn't right leaning. He isn't left leaning. He reminds me of a shock jock like Howard Stern, whom I never considered worth my time and energy either. I saw an arrogant, angry, frightened little boy who is in serious need of a whole lot of Jesus and counseling. How and why anyone takes him seriously is beyond me. I know five-year-olds more mature than he is. He reminds me of the kid who's been bullied all his life who instead of growing up to be a good, honorable, inspiring man in spite of it decides that if he's a bigger, badder bully he's somehow better. He isn't. I'm praying for him, a poor, lost soul. 

TBR 2026

1.  Not Until Christmas Morning (Hope Springs series Book 5) by Valerie M. Bodden Inspirational romance.  

2. Love Starts Here (Morgan's Grove series Book 1) by Traci Borum contemporary romance.  

3. A Familiar Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 1) by Arlene James Christian romance. I was given the books available in paperback for Christmas. Of course, I have to re-read the whole series. 

4. A Hero's Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 2) by Arlene James Christian romance. Surviving abuse and trauma is courageous. Learning to love and embrace life, with God's help, is powerful.

5. The Healer's Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 3) by Arlene James Christian romance. What a blessing that Jesus offers repentance to everyone, and we can start clean.

REAL 5 Jan 2026

A new year. A new opportunity to start over, right where I am. You only fail if you fail to get up after you fall. Let's see what this year brings.  

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Gorgeous days

~ Leaving the door open

~ Cozy fireplace when it isn't. 

~ Visit with my sister

~ God's grace      

Brain Dump

Silly observation. I was watching an old western flick, in color, so not as far back as black and white. The "hero" decided to ride a horse that doesn't want to be ridden. I know that some rodeo horses are natural buckers and love it. The scene used at least 2 different horses and possibly 3 or 4. The horse was required to do some dangerous stunts, like going over a rail and running into walls and bucking through a china shop. Then I noticed the one thing that made my eyes roll almost out of my head. Hey! Cowboy! The horse will stop bucking if you take off the bucking strap. Couldn't bring myself to watch any of the rest of the movie.