Lucie Marshal is absolutely furious! How did she go from being a successful wife and mother to divorced, teetering on bankruptcy, and barely speaking to her grown-up daughter? Even worse, she’s just heard that her moronic ex-husband Miles is marrying a much younger woman in an influencer-style wedding in France #blessed #theone
Lucie will absolutely NOT be going. To hell with Miles, his new teeth, new hair and new wife! She’s perfectly fine…In fact, Lucie feels lost and angry almost all of the time. Just what happened to her younger, freer wild child self, who used to live life to the full?
But then pregnant daughter Zoe needs a lift… and eccentric nephew Deva needs a lift too and now Lucie has somehow agreed to drive her Dad’s beloved old Jag all the way across France to take them to her ex-husband’s wedding.
With a pitstop in Paris, a breakdown, unexpected passengers, and miles of open road, all set to Deva’s showtunes soundtrack – could this be the journey Lucie needs to find a way back to herself?
Hydra, the picturesque Greek island, is a paradise for most, yet for sisters Ella and Georgia, it is a place where their darkest secrets dwell. And now the time has come for them to confront their past as they return to Greece to scatter their mother’s ashes.
Ella is haunted by a love song that was written for her by the man who broke her heart years earlier and she longs to find peace so she can move on with her life.
Georgia pretends everything in her life is perfect, but she is plagued with guilt. If what she’s kept hidden for decades was revealed, their family would never be the same again.
Sisters Ella and Georgia are opposites in looks and temperament: Ella is an olive-skinned, free-spirited photographer, while Georgia is a fair-skinned, conventional stay-at-home mother. Despite their differences and friction, they are bound by their love for their mother and Georgia’s daughter, Phoenix. After their mother’s death, they embark on a journey to scatter her ashes on Hydra, a Greek island laden with painful memories—Ella’s heartbreak over a lost lover and Georgia’s guilty past. On Hydra, they confront their secrets and strained relationship, with the narrative exploring themes of family, loss, love, and fate. This is a beautifully woven tale of reconciliation and emotional depth, enriched by the island’s mythical ambiance and poignant use of music.
India Redding is juggling a web design career, a long-distance romance, and an exasperating promise she made to her late father: keep an eye on her vivacious mother, Eldora. A former Las Vegas showgirl, the flamboyant sixtysomething bombshell never lacks for curveballs. Her latest idea is that she and India hightail it out of Colorado Springs and hit the road for Sin City in her turquoise ’57 Thunderbird.
Eldora can revisit the neon strips of her youth, and together they can track down India’s twin sister, Gypsy, a haunted vagabond artist prone to disappearing. As mother and daughter sail down Route 66—the Mother Road of souvenir shops, outlying motels, and roadside diners—a flood of memories returns for Eldora. So do the secrets of her past that she could never bring herself to share, until now.
But India has her own secrets, too. Maybe she and her mother are getting to know each other, truly, for the first time. Whatever bumps lie ahead, it’s going to be a life-changing ride to remember.
Lady Luck’s Map of Vegas by Barbara O’Neal is a compelling inter-generational road trip story. Eldora, 63, embarks on a Route 66 journey with her twin daughter India to find Gypsy, her schizophrenic twin. Eldora reveals her adventurous past while India harbors her own secret. Despite an imperfect ending, the characters and engaging narrative captivate throughout.
Avery Reed knows how to fire up the grills! And with his piercing blue eyes, the rugged pitmaster makes women’s mouths water, including Layla Jenson’s. She’s a YouTube cook-off host who’s spotlighting talented BBQ cooks across the country. Her current project is a bunkhouse cook showdown—and former pitmaster pro Avery holds the key to its success.
Unfortunately, Layla’s running from a troubled past. And Avery has his own demons nipping at his heels.
When Layla visits the TRIPLE R to ask Avery to be on the show, will their scorching chemistry seal the deal? Or will their complicated pasts tear them apart?
“Fired Up” offers a sizzling romance between Avery and Layla, whose chemistry is as intense as the grills they cook on. Gigi Templeton crafts a charming cowboy in Avery and a determined heroine in Layla, creating an enjoyable, light-hearted read perfect for a lazy afternoon. While the romance is well-executed, the spice level may feel a bit lacking for some, and there’s a desire for deeper exploration of the characters’ backstories and challenges. Despite this, the book provides a delightful mix of barbecue and love, with a touch of danger to keep things interesting.
You can’t have the breakthrough without the breakdown…
No one in Spring Valley recognizes Lark Woodley anymore. They only remember who she used to be. Homecoming queen. Valedictorian. And one half of Spring Valley High’s golden couple. But Lark knows that her once-perfect life wasn’t really perfect. Hell, it wasn’t even her. And in one evening, she lost it…and that perfect girl is gone forever.
Now Lark’s trying to put the fragile pieces back together, with no idea of where to start. She’s only a faint sketch of the person she was, with blurry, tentative lines—and under the constant scrutiny of her overbearing parents. The only bright spot in her life is a community art class taught by Nick Hoffman, the esoteric and unreasonably hot guy from high school. And he’s not interested in a “perfect” Lark at all…
Suddenly Lark’s world is taking shape and the colors are growing more vibrant, from afternoon margaritas with Southern-fried divorcées to late-night apple pie with chocolate ice cream and an increasingly spicy situationship with Nick.
But what she’s found comes with a “best before summer’s end” expiration date. And Lark doesn’t know if she can ever truly let go of aiming for perfect…
This book follows Lark, a former prom queen and valedictorian now at Dartmouth, as she navigates life after a public breakup and the decision to leave medical school. Battling depression and anxiety, she finds solace in an art class taught by a former classmate, Nick. As they reconnect, Lark learns to indulge in life’s pleasures and starts healing. The story, filled with humor, wit, and deep emotion, highlights Lark’s journey from perfection to embracing her true self. Lark’s supportive friends, Tammy, Linda, and Julia, and Nick’s tender care add warmth and depth. The book portrays the non-linear path of healing and the importance of self-acceptance, with well-written, steamy romance scenes adding to the charm.
It’s been months since her dreams of forever were brutally shattered. Seven long months since her husband and soulmate, Lew, died in her arms, leaving her to carry on. Alone. And Davina Klein-Roberts still isn’t sure how to move forward.
To escape her anguish, Davina throws everything into work, pushing Golden Oil Co., her self-built skin care line, to become a viral success. Now she’s poised to clinch a major endorsement deal too. But it’s bittersweet without Lew by her side.
A meeting with Deke Bishop, the hot NBA star she’s courting for her brand, leaves Davina flustered. With his dimpled smile and warm handshake, Deke’s a natural pitchman. And he’s clearly interested—not only in her lotions.
Davina soon discovers that Deke’s more than just another player and carries his own pain. But as her feelings for him grow, so does her guilt. Will the pain of a future already lost keep her from embracing hope for a new one?
I was so happy when my son, Knox, began dating my best friend’s daughter. Our kids grew up together and we used to joke, as we sipped wine and watched them play, that they’d get married one day. But when Knox came home late after a party, zipping his hoodie up to hide the scratches I caught a glimpse of on his collarbone, a chill went down my spine.
That night, our whole world shattered. Now, I hardly recognize my husband as he sweeps into action, calling in a hot-shot lawyer to defend our boy.
I love my son, but what if I don’t know him at all? It turns out, everything I thought I knew about my perfect family is a lie. And I’m about to discover just what I’ll do to stop it from falling apart.
Lorrie and Eden, best friends for 15 years, live across the street from each other and share many aspects of their lives, including raising their children, Summer and Knox. As the children start dating around their high school graduation, Eden receives a call that Summer is in the hospital. Summer’s only word, “KNOX,” leads to an accusation that shatters their world and their friendship. The story follows the two mothers as they navigate the ensuing family crisis and make difficult decisions to protect their loved ones. The book is a thought-provoking and emotional domestic drama that explores the ripple effects of the accusation on everyone involved, highlighting the complexities of the characters’ choices and the strain on their relationships.
1920s, Blue Moon, Montana.The small cattle town is alight with the excitement of cars, telephones, and airplanes. But as new inventions and new roles for women collide with Prohibition and the rising battle between gangsters and the FBI, Blue Moon finds itself—and some of its most infamous residents and powerful families—at a crossroads, and in battles of their own, between hearts and minds . . .
Heir to the Hollister Ranch on his mother’s side, Mason Dollarhide is back home after a five-year prison sentence for smuggling bootleg liquor. Cynical and daring, he’s already up to his old tricks, having his goods trafficked to him by plane. . . . Until the pilot is injured in a crash and captured by federal agents.
Ruby Weaver learned to fly from her smuggler father. To keep him out of prison, she agrees to take over his route and go undercover to help the Feds break up a bootlegging ring. Mason is only one part of that large operation, but he’s the rugged, rebellious, and tantalizingly irreverent part that makes an impression. Against her better judgement, Ruby finds herself falling for him, fighting an attraction that could jeopardize them both, while harboring a secret that could destroy any hope of a future together . . .
Mason has never met a woman quite like Ruby. Not only is she brave and beautiful, but she somehow understands his ways—and may even inspire him to change them. The first step will be trusting her enough to open his heart . . .
While the fire between Ruby and Mason smolders, other star-crossed Blue Moon romances blaze, as old family rivalries between the Dollarhides and the Calders continue. But when tables unexpectedly turn, some dreams may go up in smoke . . .
Mason Dollarhide returns home after serving time in prison for smuggling bootleg liquor. He aims to regain his mother’s trust to access the family money and restart his illicit business on a larger scale. Meanwhile, pilot Ruby Weaver’s father is imprisoned for the same crime, and she collaborates with federal agents to avoid hard labor for him and prison for herself. Ruby and Mason frequently work together as she delivers shipments to him, drawing her deeper into the world of smuggling. As their lives intertwine, they face growing dangers and personal dilemmas, raising questions about their ability to escape the criminal world before it’s too late.
The streets of San Francisco aren’t as sunny as the city pretends they are. Inspector Lennon Gray has learned this the hard way, and it’s starting to wear on her. When a new case plunges her into the depths of the transient community, Lennon must once again face ugly truths about humanity.
Her new partner makes things a little easier, though.
Agent Ambrose Mars is charming—innocent, somehow, despite his own hard years in the field. The combination leaves Lennon fascinated and disturbed at the same time, and she’s even more drawn to him for it.
As they investigate the hallucinogenic drug that’s forcing homeless citizens into bizarre and dangerous role-plays, Lennon and Ambrose find their relationship intensified with every new twist. But when these revelations begin to uncover secrets she wasn’t prepared to know, Lennon will have to decide how much more she can take…before something important is taken from her.
Nobody’s Perfect By Sally Kilpatrick
Vivian Quackenbush enjoys a typical life. She has winesday evenings with her two best friends. Her son is in college. She and her husband, Mitch, are planning the next move for their empty-nester future. But to Vivian’s blindsided surprise…not together.
After nearly twenty-five years of marriage, Mitch wants a divorce. He confesses that he doesn’t love her anymore. He never even liked her chicken salad! Brutal. What is Vivian to do but channel her anger, frustration, and pain into a video she posts online. Ill advised? Perhaps. Cathartic? Absolutely. Overnight, Vivian goes viral. Millions of views and counting—to Mitch’s fury, her son’s embarrassment, her mother’s support, and the media’s delight. For Vivian, it’s a moment of truth: hide or lean into it. Vivian 2.0 chooses to lean—maybe even toward the younger single father next door.
Now Vivian is wondering where she goes from here. She’s discovering that somewhere in her trending if upended life, she’ll have to figure out who she really wants to be.
When Chase Stone’s estranged father dies, leaving his multibillion-dollar business to his children, no one is more surprised than Chase. Growing up outside of the high-stakes world filled with human vultures, Chase and his sister, Alex, are less than enthusiastic about stepping into their father’s shoes. That is until they learn of a half brother they didn’t know existed and must find to share their inheritance with.
Piper Maddox was the elder Mr. Stone’s übercapable assistant—abruptly fired two weeks before his death. She knows everything about Stone Enterprises and the man who built it. But Piper has no desire to work for another member of the Stone family. Even one as down-to-earth as Chase.
Desperately needing financial security, Piper agrees to return so long as kissing up to Chase and accepting unwanted advances are not part of her job description. A promise that becomes a serious hurdle for both of them. Piper and Chase scramble to find the third Stone sibling before the media does, sharing secrets along the way. Secrets that can bring them together or tear them irrevocably apart.
It centers on Chase and Alex, whose absentee father dies, leaving them a massive inheritance with conditions that force them to revisit their past. This story focuses on Chase as he takes over the family business and rehires Piper, his father’s assistant. Together, they manage the company and search for a sibling Chase never knew about. A will stipulation compels Chase and Alex to involve Piper, who has her own secret—she’s pregnant from a one-night fling.
The narrative delves into Piper’s emotions about her pregnancy, her conservative parents, her adjustment to a wealthy environment, and her growing affection for Chase. Chase, portrayed as smart, charming, and kind, complements Piper, who is intelligent and strong. Their workplace romance blossoms as Piper learns to rely on Chase. Additionally, Chase’s supportive and loyal relationship with his sister enhances the story.
My Sanctuary 