Book picks similar to
The Summer Diary by Elyse Douglas


douglas-elyse
favorites
giveaways
review-books

The Archer House


Kimberly Thomas - 2020
    A return to the Florida Keys. Her first love and all the problems she left behind twenty-five years ago — await her. Holly Archer's husband ruined her life. While they made their fortune in Miami real estate, he took a mistress and managed to make enough illegal dealings to absolutely destroy them forever. Now, Holly's lost her real estate license, her house, her husband, her friends, and her life.But Islamorada calls. It's a sunny, white-sand strip of life and love and sun in the Florida Keys, where she grew up with her three siblings, Randy, Rina, and Amy — all of whom she's lost touch with over the past twenty-five years.Now, two years after the death of their father, the Archer House, the Inn where the four of them grew up, is dilapidated and has a financial bleed that she can't put her finger on; their mother has fallen into an intense depression and Holly finds a place where someone in the world actually needs her help. It's also a good place to hide in the wake of what her husband did, a place to pretend her life didn't crumble into nothing.But patching up the Archer family won't be easy. Her brother, Randy, is the only sibling who remains in the Keys, and his love for alcohol keeps him isolated and unwilling to help out. Their other sisters hardly answer the phone. Even as Holly digs in her heels, she creates conflict between herself and her own children, the people she loves the most.All the while, her old high school boyfriend is a mainstay on the island. He's a cop and, as news of Holly's husband's illegal dealings surface in Miami, perhaps he's one of the only people she can trust in the world.Secrets unravel in this first installment in the Archer Family Series.Lose yourself in this new women's fiction series that revolves around friendship, love and loss among the Archer Clan. A heartwarming family saga that has the backdrop of the Florida Keys white sand and crystal blue waters.

Shielding Evanleigh


Melissa Kay Clarke - 2020
    She never expected her travels to California would put her square in the sights of an Alpha male SEAL. He’s hot, sexy, and a known womanizer, so why would he ever look twice at her?
Reese “Toad” Harkins used to love his bachelor life, but recently he’s found it empty. One look at the feisty woman searching for her sister, and he’s intrigued. After talking to her, he’s hooked. The only problem is, she has a complication back home and he’s no poacher. The friend zone is new to him but he’ll take what he can get.
 But when danger comes calling, Toad and both SEAL teams unite with some out of town friends to keep the sisters safe. After all, nothing comes between a SEAL and the woman he loves. 
 Not even complications.

Heir of the Hamptons


Erika Rhys - 2017
    A near-bankrupt floral designer. A fake marriage gone wrong—or could it be right?RONANI was born into money, but I can’t touch my trust fund until I turn 35. Unless I get married. But I’m not a one-woman man, and marriage isn’t a trade-off worth even considering.Until now. With my business on the line, I need to tap my trust. And to do that, I need a wife.Ava’s beautiful, classy, and smart. She’s also a hell of an actress, and more than capable of fitting into Hamptons society.In every way, she’s the perfect fake wife for me. Except I want to tap her, too.AVAI never imagined I would consider a fake marriage. All I wanted was to get my business off the ground, and someday—eventually—to meet Mr. Right.But with my dreams about to end in bankruptcy, Ronan’s offer is my only way out. Unfortunately, there’s a catch. When he looks at me, my knees turn to rubber, and when he touches me, my body lights up like a g*ddamned disco ball.He’s anything but Mr. Right. He’s domineering, stubborn, and hot-tempered, and while he knows how to turn on the charm, I can’t let myself fall for it—or for him.He’s my financial salvation. But if I don’t protect myself, he could break my heart.

Maid For You


Paisley Lang - 2016
    That's how they see me--all they'll ever see when they look at me. But I am more, so much more. We can't change the past, the hand we've been dealt, But we can play that hand and win in the end. And that's what I plan to do--what I've always planned to do. Then he came into my life. Jaxon Prescott. He's everything I want, But nothing I'm permitted to have. He's too good, too perfect, For someone like me. After all, I'm just a maid, To them. They don't know the real me, My dreams, my fears, my past, My secrets. Jax A rich playboy.... That's how they see me--all they'll ever see when they look at me. They've got it all wrong, So wrong. I've been living a lie, a fabrication of what they want, And I thought it was what I wanted. Then she came into my life. Ava Williams. She reminded me of what I want, What I need, And who I really am. She's everything, But nothing I'm supposed to have. She's not right, not polished enough For someone like me. After all, I'm high class society--better than everyone else, To them. They don't know the real me, My dreams, my fears, my past, My secrets.

Out of the Darkness: A tale of love, loss and life after death


Katy Hogan - 2015
    But after meeting a man who seems heaven-sent, she starts to feel she has something to live for again, and soon discovers that their connection holds far more significance than she could ever have imagined. And when Jessica strikes an unlikely bond with Alexandra Green, the two new friends are taken on an emotional journey into the world of the supernatural, where psychic mediums pass on messages from beyond the grave. What -- or who -- is causing the strange goings-on in Alex's home? What secret is she keeping from Jessica? And who is the young woman who so badly needs their help? In a series of surprising twists and turns, the pieces of the puzzle finally fall into place and a mystery is unwittingly solved -- with life-changing consequences for all involved. 'Out of the Darkness' is an uplifting tale of friendship and redemption; of love and loss. And life...after death.

Christmas in Dream Valley


S.J. Crabb - 2021
    Settle down in a magical place that time forgot, where the snow glistens on the frosty ground, the fairy-lights glow like magical stars in the trees and romance blossoms against all the odds.When the new vicar and his family move to Dream Valley just before Christmas, they need a lot of help.Local playboy, the gorgeous Brad Hudson, takes one look at the vicar’s daughter and, he is the first in line.He will do anything to win Dolly’s heart, but having heard of his reputation, her father has other ideas and does everything in his power to tear them apart.Not used to having to work for love, Brad tries his best but he has never come up against a protective father quite like Scott Macmillan.Ex special forces soldier, turned military vicar, he proves a tough adversary.Brad is determined to make Dolly fall in love with him and rises to the challenge until her father reveals his trump card, leaving Brad and Dolly battling to stay together.Will love blossom under the starry skies of winter or will the vicar have his prayers answered and keep his daughter’s heart safe?Curl up with a sweet, delightful romance to brighten your day and discover an array of quirky characters in a place where magic happens and dreams come true.

Flatline (The Bayou Secrets Saga #3)


Judy McDonough - 2015
    A traumatic delivery sends her into a coma, stranding her in a realm between the living and the dead. The sinister spirit of George Callahan is waiting for her there, prepared to capture her soul and use it to finally fulfill his revenge in the generations-long feud between the Fontenots and Callahans.Cade Beauregard is heartbroken, but determined to save his wife from eternal enslavement, even if he must confront his own horrors and employ the despised dark arts of voodoo to set her free.Trevor Callahan knows his father is up to no good, and he’s certain it involves the woman he still loves. He resolves to do whatever it takes to protect Caroline from Kenneth Callahan’s schemes against her family. While New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras, Caroline, Cade, and Trevor work together to stop the threats once and for all. But with George attacking from the spiritual realm, and vengeful kin with ties to the mafia plotting deadly retaliation in the physical, will rescuing Caroline’s soul be enough? Can they ever break free of the demons in their families’ pasts and find happiness together?

The Con Artist


Sandi Lynn - 2021
    

The English Billionaire (The Billionaire Princes Book 3)


Serenity Woods - 2021
    

(w)holehearted: a collection of poetry and prose


Sara Bawany - 2018
    it is the facade that many of us peruse our lives carrying, often neglecting our pain, our mental health, and most importantly, the way we are more prone to hurting others when we lack this self-awareness. (w)holehearted seeks to encompass as many stories as possible, touching on several topics, namely, spirituality, feminism, colorism, domestic violence, intersectionality, mental health and more. it aims to depict that anyone with the darkest past and pitfalls can still save themselves from drowning in the difficulties that not only plague our world, but also plague our hearts.

Unwrapped and Unraveled: Holiday Novella


Jeannette Winters - 2019
    His impeccable record should speak for itself but he wasn’t taking any chances. When his commander volunteers him to head the annual Toys-For-Toddlers Christmas gala, saying no wasn’t an option. It seemed as though Sal had pulled off the impossible, even with only sixty days to do so. But at the last minute, things seemed to unravel and he found himself in over his head. Party planner was never going on his resume. Gloria, (Rori) Boudreau loved the holidays. Her business as a photographer and graphic designer was booming. Yet she needed to think about January, when it stalls out. When a part-time dispatcher position opened up at the police department, she grabs it. Timing was horrible, but it fit her schedule and it paid enough to ensure she could continue chasing her dream next year and that was all that mattered. Through the lens of Rori’s camera, everyone except Salvatore seemed to be enjoying the Christmas fundraiser. This was her reputation on line as well, and she needed it to be picture perfect. One way or another, she was determined to get a smile out of Salvatore. In the end, Salvatore lands more than a promotion. It might not be what he wanted for Christmas, but one moment, can change a lifetime. And he can’t wait until Christmas to unwrap this gift. Was what he had to offer enough for Rori? Salvatore didn’t want his love to end up amongst her unwanted gifts to return.

Touching the Billionaire


Holly Jaymes - 2020
    Yes, our onscreen chemistry is off the charts when he touches me with those strong hands.I succumb to the combustive heat when I touch those rippled abs.It isn’t long before what was once a rehearsal now feels real. Maybe I was right to break all of the rules.Perhaps this is the beginning of a beautiful story for us. Or is everything about Theo Wolf, including the way he feels about me, an award-winning act?TOUCHING THE BILLIONAIRE IS A 60K STANDALONE BAD BOY, BOSS, NEIGHBOR, ROMANCE WITH NO CHEATING, NO CLIFF-HANGERS, AND A HAPPILY EVER AFTER THAT WILL KEEP YOU FLIPPING THE PAGES WAY PAST YOUR BEDTIME!

Operation: Spirit Angel (Shepherd Security Book 11)


Margaret Kay - 2022
    

Chesapeake Cool (Mid Atlantic Adventure Series, #1)


Don Rich - 2017
    He knew he’d have his hands full just renovating the defunct waterfront hotel and marina. However, there was something about Sally, the airport manager, that captured his attention and he wanted to find out more about her. But he’d really need to focus on his new property because the internet auction neglected to mention that it came with its own drug smuggling murderer. Paulie Sawyer was determined to keep the place for himself, and he was the most ruthless and resourceful squatter that Casey had ever faced in his real estate investing career. Even after discovering all this, Casey Shaw still saw the property as an opportunity for a fresh start, and maybe Sally Hudgins could fit into it as well. If the drug runner wasn't enough of a hurdle, the area itself came with some big challenges including a crooked building inspector, and a reputation for the locals giving outsiders the cold shoulder. Casey is what the Shore locals call a 'Come Here' instead of a 'Born Here' which can be a huge handicap for anyone who moves in. However, having had enough of the congestion and crime of southeast Florida, Casey still wants out and he is determined to make this project work. He was a 'Born Here' back in South Florida, before it was overrun with its own 'Come Here's' that bought into Florida's new, modern look, the one that Casey despises. For quite a while Casey had been struggling with his conscience. He made a fortune buying and selling properties in his native Palm Beach County. Unfortunately, he had to watch as many of the properties he renovated and cared for were bulldozed and replaced by his buyers. Concrete and glass canyons now stand where the quaint downtown of his childhood had once stood. Even though he wasn't the developer, he still felt guilty about playing a part in erasing the old Florida culture that had once been the soul of West Palm Beach. And the Florida real estate juggernaut would continue to roll, with or without him. He'd prefer the latter, as it was time to go. Except for leaving behind his best friend and mentor, Dave Chauncey, moving out is the easy part. Casey and his Golden Retriever, Bimini, live aboard an older 58' Hatteras yacht-fisherman. Leaving is as simple as untying the dock-lines and heading North to the Chesapeake. Moving in, however, turns out to be not so easy. Casey has brought along his friend and now business partner, Michael "Murph" Murphy, and together they discover they have purchased more than just real estate on the Chesapeake Bay. It turns out they bought into a boatload of trouble as well. The characters that Casey and Murph run into on the Eastern Shore rival some they thought they were leaving behind in Florida. Even though they are both newcomers, Casey and Murph assemble a unique group of friends, including a gorgeous young redhead, a matchmaking Sheriff, and even a Washington lobbyist. So, can Casey and Murph make the business a success while finding love among two of the Eastern Shore's natives? Only if they can learn to dodge bullets and get along with the natives, and they’ll need to learn fast. So download this page turner today! Its FREE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Beach Reads Boxed Set


Marie Force - 2019
    Each title offers a sizzling love story and a guaranteed happy ending. So get comfortable and be prepared to fall in love—nine times! Books included: True North Georgia on My Mind The Fall The Wreck Everyone Loves a Hero Love at First Flight Line of Scrimmage Sex Machine Sex God