Book picks similar to
Everything and a Happy Ending by Tia Shurina
memoir
self-help
recommended
true-story
Société
Alexander Helas - 2015
Christian Matters is a neurotic architect living in Chicago, but thrown off his routine by a bizarre episode he blames the whiskey on, he abandons his promising career, girlfriend, and home for a life-changing journey to California, where he meets a cavalier aristocrat named Lester Rothschild and the extravagant musician Ella Athens. Mysterious and insane, Lester takes Christian on his adventure to open Société, the most luxurious entertainment complex at the heart of the world's richest city. But, with the chance meeting of an unlikely visitor and the sudden death of a lover, colliding events lead him to unravel the true ambitions behind the greatly anticipated opening of Société, where he discovers the fate of something much greater is at stake. @AlexanderHelasForeword INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards Finalist, 2015USA Best Book Awards Finalist Visionary FictionUSA Best Book Awards Finalist New Age FictionSouthern California Book Festival Honorable Mention, LAMidwest Book Awards Honorable Mention, Chicago
The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun
Gretchen Rubin - 2009
“The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.
White Collar Blackmail
Peter Ralph - 2015
.Their only connection is irregular share dealings that took place in their companies before their deaths.When young auditor, Todd Hansen, runs up a huge gambling debt with illegal bookies, he finds himself in serious trouble. The only way he can pay them is by providing confidential information about his firm’s corporate clients.Caught, and sentenced to nine years in New York’s toughest prison, Todd is given a way out BUT it’s dangerous. There are those who think they’d be safer if he was dead. Will a chance meeting with a Mafia boss in prison save Todd?
Insincerity
Richard Godwin - 2018
With the help of her colleague Arlene, she locates a killer known as The Pimp, who killed her sister Holly.The Pimp has Tammy under surveillance, coming and going to her house as he wants, sending her Holly’s body parts. The Beekeeper, a killer that abducts women and coats them in latex before killing them, enters the story. Both killers collect body parts. Karen Sincere is married to dangerous and disturbed Micky Sincere. His obsession with bees convinces her Mickey is leading a double life as a killer. She hires Tammy, who begins tailing Micky and discovers he is gay and is involved with a gangster named Gary Krane. Karen meets the handsome Julius Gold in the exclusive Attic bar in Canary Wharf and starts an affair with him. The model Kitten Rogers, aka Ashley Greene - also having an affair with Julius - hires a detective. Ashley is convinced Julius is hiding something. The Pimp closes in, abducting Tammy, Arlene, and Ashley. Only Julius can save them - the man hiding his involvement with a gangster. A novel replete with characters leading double lives, Insincerity'ssecrets are not yielded until the final pages.
Devil's Bait
Debbie Boek - 2017
The supernatural occurrences in the old house begin on the very first day, but the reality of the situation takes time for Emma to understand and accept. Her sanity is challenged when she cannot convince her husband that these eerie happenings are actually taking place and Emma even begins to doubt them herself, until the danger becomes very real and her children's lives are now at stake.Emma's love and loyalty are tested as her relationship with her husband continues to disintegrate and she is left to handle the dangerous situation on her own.Even more trouble comes her way when two brothers arrive to help her get rid of the dangerous entities that have taken over her home.Emma must find the courage and resolve within herself to join them as they do battle with the ghosts and demons. But, if they succeed in surviving the evil residing in the house and are able to make it safe once again, will Emma be able to disregard the feelings she now has for one of the brothers and put her children first, giving up her own happiness in return?
Notice Me
Emem Uko - 2018
Being the frontman of a popular band in a foreign country? Never in his wildest dreams. Anders finds himself living a cool life but at a price of projecting an effeminate image to the public. His fans love it. They’ve only known him since his makeover after his debut as a singer. They don’t know the manly Anders. But the girl he wants to notice him thinks he’s not her type. Now he has to choose between his public image and his private life. Millions of fans versus one? Their happiness or his happiness?"Emem Uko takes you on a suspense-filled journey on the behind-the-scenes struggles of the lead vocalist of a boy band. A journey of growth, loss and finding a long-needed love. It is music to your ears. You will want it on repeat."
Broken Promises (Past Imperfect Mystery Book 1)
Anne Willow - 2018
The unexpected death of her favorite aunt sends Julia to the artist town of Grand Marais. There she starts to weave tattered threads into a new tapestry while rediscovering her love of sketching and running the antique shop, Past Imperfect. Everything is just starting to go right when a mysterious package arrives bearing an antique letter opener arrives. Julia's natural curiosity is piqued but before she can untangle the mystery it's found embedded in Tom Peterson's chest. The tapestry of her new life begins to unravel as she is named a prime suspect. Now, left with few clues and a past not willing to let her go, Julia works to solve the mystery and the murder. Infidelity through time and a curse that only she can break - once she figures out how.
The Importance of Being Wild
J.J. Sorel - 2020
Hot and sultry, readers will be enthralled with this unique love story." Chick Lit Café A STEAMY CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE. FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITEDI pretended I didn't notice him.My ex had shattered my heart--and my confidence--when it came to men.Especially scorching hot ones like the muscular inked man who walked into my bar and lingered at a photo of a motorbike I could all-too-easily imagine him straddling.His gaze, then locked on mine with a bold and intrusive look that left no doubt that he wanted... no, he intended... to undress me. And God help me, I wanted him to, even though I was terrified.When I let him in, pleasure blinded me--insatiable, toe-curling, guilty pleasure of the adults-only type. It was a second chance at love, and it seemed all my dreams had come true. Then his ex turned up with a chilling secret that turned my dream into a nightmare. Suddenly, I hated him as much as I craved him. I lost myself in Curtis, and he destroyed my trust.But then, I also had a secret...*****Soft and vulnerable one moment, and then defensive and feisty the next, Bonita Wild captivated me. She had curves that I wanted to spend a whole night savoring...the type to bring a man to his knees.I never thought I could want so badly. Was it a twist of fate that I walked into her bar that day, or destiny? Sure, I'd messed up, but now I'd been given a second chance. She was my soulmate.She gave me everything--her trust, her body, and her heart.Then a long-buried secret resurfaced, revealing a past I'd rather forget.It looked as though I'd betrayed her...Now I'll do anything to win her back. AUTHOR'S NOTE: THIS BOOK CONTAINS STEAMY EXPLICIT SEX SCENES FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY"Everything got put on hold as I found myself glued to the pages. A guilty pleasure that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. A big thumbs up from this reader!" Karen E Proctor"This book kept me captivated consistently throughout. Sometimes, I laughed loud enough for my husband to wonder what was going on. Great summer read!" FIVE STARS Amazon Customer
I'm With You
Allie Frost - 2016
After their father makes a startling decision, the Morrigan siblings are forced to flee the only life they've ever known and embark on a dangerous adventure across the nation of Empirya. With the help of a disinherited vagabond, a cynical violinist, a fire-juggler with a fierce temper, an aspiring mechanic, and a cheerful librarian, Ciarán and Remiel must fight to escape those who have been hired to hunt them. But will Remiel's dark secret prevent the Morrigan children from finding a place they can truly call home?
The Last Valentine
Felix Alexander - 2017
Olivia, daughter of a drunkard police investigator who never knew the truth behind her mother’s disappearance, finds a bloodstained love letter in the hidden compartment of her father’s coat. Convinced it belonged to the man recently found dead she sets out to deliver it to the Labyrinth of Love Letters. A mysterious place believed to be an urban legend where the transients of forbidden love leave missives for one another. She enlists the help of Isaac Quintero to find the Labyrinth and they soon realize their quest has opened the door into Old Sienna’s darkest secrets—the perils, madness and depth of tragic love
A Love Story How God Pursued Me and Found Me: An Impossibly True Story
Samantha Ryan Chandler - 2011
Even in bad times, they know that God will help them see things through and come out better when the trials have ended. But what about those who have not been raised with God in their lives? Samantha Ryan Chandler knows about living without God. Or at least she thought. In A Love Story: How God Pursued Me and Found Me, she tells her story of love, hatred, abuse, forgiveness, betrayal, greed, enlightenment, and fear. Born to a pagan mother and a former altar boy living in a land of denial, she recounts how God was involved in her life even before she knew who He was. She shares the story of her trip to the Holy Land and how her prayers at the Wailing Wall were interrupted because of a hamburger. Yes, despite her tribulations, her life has had its funny moments as well.You'll find inspiration in A Love Story: How God Pursued Me and Found Me-and like Chandler, you, too, may find themselves pursued by God.
I Am Funny Like That: A Funny Look At Life
Helen C. Escott - 2016
There are no granny panties in this drawer!He picks up a pair of my NASA engineered favourites and insisted, "These are granny panties."No they are not!" I protested, "Granny panties are cotton, with flowers all over them and come up to your armpits." I grabbed my daily favourites out of his hand, "These are a modern-day wonder! They hide years of not doing sit-ups every day, cellulite dimples, Big Macs with extra sauce and muffin belly! My grandmother never had panties like this!"Call them what you want. They are modern-day granny panties" he informs me.Putting them back in the drawer I thought, "I would have to join a gym if I ever gave these beauties up."Anyway it got me to thinking. So I made a visit to a lingerie store. Maybe my underwear drawer did need some updating.The walls of the store were lined with massive posters of girls who don't eat so they can wear lace without tummy control panels. Looking at their photo-shopped abs didn't inspire me to drop to the floor and do a hundred sit-ups it just made me want to hold them down and force feed them hamburgers.The 20 something sales girl came over with her size 0 figure and asked if I needed help. "I am looking to update my underwear drawer" I tell her, "I am looking for something that is comfortable but... sexy." I know in her head she's thinking "Sex at her age! Wow good for her!"First she shows me the wall of underwear designed to turn on perverts. "No, that's not what I am looking for" and we move along to the "School girl" underwear to turn on pedophiles. "That's not me either" I tell her. Then she shows me the "new" line just in that week with the red or black fur around the waistband. "Doesn't that show through your dress pants?" I ask her. "Oh, you don't wear anything over these ones." That ought to make my work day more interesting I thought to myself.Then she brings out the most dreaded, torturous devise knows to woman... the G-String!I tried a pair once and I looked like a summo wrestler. Even I laughed when I looked in the mirror. It brought back a memory to me. I was doing a two-day course at university. Before the course started the students were standing around the back of the class chatting and getting to know one another. I met this lovely lady who told me she was 60-years-old and was doing the course out of interest. When it was time to sit down, she sat in front of me and to my horror she was wearing low-cut jeans that revealed a tattooed pair of eyes above her butt cheeks but the worst part, she was wearing a silver thong.It was like a car crash, I couldn't look away. For seven hours the droopy eyes on her butt watched me, staring at me, scarring me for life. Every time she put up her hand to ask a question her hips shifted and her butt winked at me. The sliver G-string thread around her waist looked like a disco Hippie headband. I would never be able to look at a G-string without thinking of her butt eye balling me."I don't do fanny-floss" I told her. I need something comfortable. "Maybe you should go to Walmart" she says. "Maybe you should go to hell" I thought in my head.With her sales commission still in my wallet, I left and called hubby from my cell phone in the car."Ok I am willing to compromise. Wh
A Child Called "It"
Dave Pelzer - 1995
It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games—games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it." Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive—dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
Robert M. Pirsig - 1974
Pirsig's Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is an examination of how we live, a meditation on how to live better set around the narration of a summer motorcycle trip across America's Northwest, undertaken by a father & his young son.
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Donald Miller - 2003
I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened." ―Donald MillerIn Donald Miller's early years, he was vaguely familiar with a distant God. But when he came to know Jesus Christ, he pursued the Christian life with great zeal. Within a few years he had a successful ministry that ultimately left him feeling empty, burned out, and, once again, far away from God. In this intimate, soul-searching account, Miller describes his remarkable journey back to a culturally relevant, infinitely loving God.For anyone wondering if the Christian faith is still relevant in a postmodern culture.For anyone thirsting for a genuine encounter with a God who is real.For anyone yearning for a renewed sense of passion in life.Blue Like Jazz is a fresh and original perspective on life, love, and redemption.