Book picks similar to
Midnight Clear by Leslie Esdaile


chick-lit
diversity-challenge
labanks
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The Long Journey to Love


Emma Ashwood - 2021
    The man she had fallen in love with had changed beyond recognition. When his body was found one morning, it was almost a blessing. Pregnant and alone, she is taken in by her friend Mary.Mary tells her stories of women heading west to become Mail Order Brides. Fearful of what her husband's parents might do when she has the child, she begins her search. But no one is willing to commit to a widow carrying another man's child.Ben, a farmer out west, had been happily married until fate intervened and shattered him. His desire to have children to pass the farm down to had been lost. But his housekeeper, Tilly, had other ideas. She would encourage him to find a bride.It would be a long journey for Pam with no assurances of a happy ending at its completion. Ben was fearful that he would be able to love again. But it was a risk that they both had to take.

Persistent Heart: (Novella)


K. Charelle - 2020
    Two strangers... Instant attraction... Nicolette and Lem!

All That I Want: A Queensbay Small Town Romance (The Queensbay Series Book 6)


Drea Stein - 2017
    She left Queensbay, determined to leave her past behind. Now, after a mysterious inheritance she's back in town. And she's determined to make a new home for herself. Jake Owen's never forgotten his time with Colleen. It might have been ten years ago, but no one - no woman - has ever quite measured up. But he was - and is - a small town guy. And he wasn't good enough for her then. But can he show her that small town doesn't mean small time? Will he convince her that a small town guy holds the key to her heart - and her happiness? Find out if Jake Owen can win over Colleen McShane in book 6 of Drea Stein's Queensbay series.

Sunset Breeze (Miami Beach, #5)


Grace Meyer - 2021
    Embarking on a trip to the sunny beaches of Florida to care for her aging and eccentric aunt, Lydia wrestles with her own demons as she tries to build better relationships with her gossiping aunt and her troubled daughter.But when she stumbles upon the handsome and alluring Richard, she’s forced to question everything she knows about love. Richard is perfect in every way… but the thought of abandoning her husband, no matter how chaotic their marriage has become, gives her doubts.Can Lydia make the impossible choice between her shattered past and her hopes for a stable future? And can she find her dream romance on the sunny beaches of Miami?This heartwarming and wholesome romance collection will take you away on a beautiful trip to a beach where true love is possible and anyone can build a new life. With a host of eclectic characters and a gorgeous setting, the Miami Beach Series is one you won’t soon forget. Scroll up and grab your copy today!This is Book 5 of 5 in the series.

Summer Sewing Bee


De-ann Black - 2017
    The paperback version contains 11 floral and sewing bee themed colouring pages at the end of the book. De-ann Black is the author and illustrator. Story: Daphne owns a dressmaking and fabric shop in the little seaside town, and holds the local sewing bee there twice a week. Next door her best friend Ibbie owns a knitting shop. When it comes to men and romance, both of these young women are unlucky in love. So when Ibbie tries to involve Daphne in one of her madcap schemes to bring glamour, excitement and handsome Hollywood film star Shaw Starlight into their world, nothing goes according to plan. Hew the good looking local hotel owner has always fancied Daphne. Will she date Hew this summer, or will Daphne and Ibbie succumb to the sizzling hot temptations of Hollywood?Other Romance Books by De-ann Black include: The Chocolatier’s Cottage. New Release 2017.Christmas Cake Chateau. New release 2017. Cottages, Cakes & Crafts series: Book 1 - The Flower Hunter's CottageBook 2 - The Sewing Bee by the SeaBook 3 - The Beemaster's CottageBook 4 - The Chocolatier’s CottageThe Sewing, Knitting & Baking series: Book 1 - The Tea ShopBook 2 - The Sewing Bee & Afternoon TeaBook 3 - The Christmas Knitting BeeBook 4 - Champagne Chic Lemonade MoneyBook 5 - The Vintage Sewing & Knitting BeeThe Tea Shop & Tearoom series: Book 1 - The Christmas Tea Shop & BakeryBook 2 - The Christmas ChocolatierBook 3 - The Chocolate Cake Shop in New York at ChristmasBook 4 - The Bakery by the SeasideBook 5 - Shed in the CityThe Tea Dress Shop series: Book 1 - The Tea Dress Shop At ChristmasBook 2 - The Fairytale Tea Dress Shop In EdinburghBook 3 - The Vintage Tea Dress Shop In SummerThe Bitch-Proof Suit - set in Dublin and New YorkOops! I'm the Paparazzi - set in New YorkThe Cure For Love - set in London and CornwallAbout the Author: De-ann Black is a bestselling author, scriptwriter and former newspaper journalist. She has over 50 books published. Romance, crime thrillers, espionage novels, action adventure. And children's books (non-fiction rocket science books and children's fiction). She previously worked as a full-time newspaper journalist for several years. She had her own weekly columns in the press. This included being a motoring correspondent where she got to test drive cars every week for the press for three years. Before being asked to work for the press, De-ann worked in magazine editorial writing everything from fashion features to social news. She was the marketing editor of a glossy magazine. She is also a professional artist and illustrator. Fabric design, dressmaking, sewing, knitting and fashion are part of her work. Additionally, De-ann has always been interested in fitness, and was a fitness and bodybuilding champion, 100 metre runner and mountaineer. As a former N.A.B.B.A. Miss Scotland, she had a weekly fitness show on the radio that ran for over three years. De-ann trained in Shukokai karate, boxing, kickboxing, Dayan Qigong and Jiu Jitsu. She is currently based in Scotland. Her colouring books are available in paperback. Find out more at: www.de-annblack.com

Another Way


Frankie McGowan - 1993
    A sought after magazine journalist with her own column, she is a strong, sexy, independent woman, who has worked hard to fight her way to the top. Her office is regularly awash with flowers, complimentary tickets and review copies of the latest books. But when a man from her past - Theo Stirling - is unexpectedly put back into contact with her, her glamorous lifestyle is under threat. Suddenly, without reason, Ellie is fired. Her diary is empty, lunches are cancelled, doors are closed. As she is close to giving up, Ellie finds her fighting spirit. Can Ellie use her contacts to continue a successful career in journalism? Or will she be forced to find Another Way to keep her freedom and her happiness? 'Another Way' is a brilliantly told story of ambition, dreams, adversity and love.

Loving the Hendersons


Synithia Williams - 2016
    You'll fall in love, too!Love's Replay: David Henderson is so desperate to stop his father from selling their family's auto dealership, he'll even marry to prove he's serious about the future. Enter ex-lover Sandra Miller, who is back in town to help her successful business career. Too bad those prospects hang on partnering with David, the man who once crushed her heart. Will the mistrust and jealousy that tore them apart before prevent a replay of their rekindled love?Just My Type: Janiyah Henderson enjoys her stress-free post-college life, but when her dad insists she can't handle a "real job," she's determined to prove him wrong. Her high-spirited ways clash with the conservative instincts of her new boss, accountant Fredrick Jenkins, yet attraction brews between them. When Fredrick shows Janiyah the man behind the numbers, she realizes she could be just the type of woman he needs.Making It Real: After five years in prison, Kareem Henderson is on the right track as a barber, with a goal to open a high-end salon. But he needs society connections to make his dream a reality. Patrice "Neecie" Baldwin, needs a shield to return home, so she offers Kareem a deal: Pretend to be her fiance, and she'll introduce him to her well-healed relatives. But as they grow closer, this fake relationship might become something very real.From One Night to Forever: When trucker Aaron Henderson rolls into Reliant, Tennessee, for business, a singing beauty at a bar stirs feelings he's long forgotten. Then his one-night stand turns out to be his new partner's baby sister. When Kacey Randal learns that Aaron's working with her brother and has a list of conquests as high as his big rig's mileage, she's ready to pretend their night together never happened. But the fire burns hot between these two--can Kacey tame Aaron's roaming ways to go from one night to forever?Sensuality Level: Sensual

Dying To Love Her


Tina Martin - 2014
     CEO of Rockwell Computer Components, his company is on the verge of the biggest merger in its twelve-year history. However, his attention is soon diverted from company matters after a chance meeting with Ava, a young woman he met on vacation two years ago – the one that got away. And he can’t help but notice that the little boy beside her looks just like him. Andre begins to juggle the complexities of work while seeking answers from Ava – wanting to know why she chose to neglect telling him about his son. Angry and confused, he also needs closure regarding her disappearing act two years ago and demands to know the reason why she never called him after the week they spent together in paradise. But he’s not prepared for her answer... Ava knows she shouldn’t have kept Andre’s son a secret from him. But she couldn’t find it in herself to tell Andre the reason she cut off ties with him – that she’s in failing health. When he finds out the truth, Andre must decide what’s important to him – his company or his family. Will he walk away from Ava and his newly discovered son to grow his business? Or will he find forgiveness in his heart for wrongs that had been committed against him. Will love ultimately prevail?

The Soul Bank


Adam Eccles - 2021
    

Ellie Dwyer's Big Mistake: Book 2 of the Ellie Dwyer Series


Diane Winger - 2020
    But Ellie’s idyllic world is interrupted when she is contacted by a woman who knows her oldest and best-kept secret. Viewing her past in a different light, Ellie undergoes an uplifting change-of-heart. Will her relationship with her new acquaintance bring them a fairytale ending, or is that too much to hope for?

Second Chances: A wonderful, warm novel about finding love where you least expect it


Minna Howard - 2017
    Perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley and Katie Fforde. Succumbing to a rather clichéd midlife crisis, Dan Haywood swaps his family for an expensive red sports car and a younger woman. After 24 years of marriage, his wife Sarah is left to pick up the pieces. Trying her best to re-style her life, comfort hurt children, make time for 'helpful' friends and maintain her burgeoning career as a dress designer, Sarah feels pulled in a hundred directions. And it doesn't help that obstacles – mostly in the form of other middle-aged men – seem to conspire against her. Proud of herself for moving house and starting to build an independent life, she is shocked when Robert Maynard, her rather dashing new next-door neighbour, insists that the house was promised to him. Now she is destined to be pulled into his life by events beyond her control. After one failed marriage, will she be able to find happiness again? And do second chances really come to those who wait? This book was previously published as The Orchid Lover under the name Mary De Laszlo.

Say Hello and Wave Goodbye


Marina Johnson - 2019
     After seven years of self-imposed exile after the love of her life cheated on her, Becca is finally going home. She’d like to think she’s being brave but in her honest moments she knows she’s being forced into it by the loss of her job. Can she trust herself not to hunt down her cheating ex and fling herself into his arms? Will she ever find the true love that she yearns for? Finding the perfect home with a hot but unavailable landlord and a life far better than she could have hoped for, Becca is still plagued by self-doubt. Is she annoying? Is she the most accident prone person in the world? Is she dislikeable? She thinks she might be all of these, but most importantly, is she normal? Because normal people don’t have The Beccabird squawking in their ears...

The Beach House


Megan Jacobs - 2021
    A high-flying criminal defense attorney, she's smart, independent, and living in the fastest lane of all - New York City.The more she drives herself in her career, the more she can forget her tragic past... until a manila envelope arrives one day with strange and unexpected news. Alyssa is forced to leave the city behind for a small seaside town called Clearwater Bay, where she'll find a deepening well of mystery. And a handyman whose gentle eyes seem to be calling her home...But why is he facing a court case? Who is behind the events forcing him to prove his innocence? Will Alyssa be able to help him?In this collection of all 5 books in “The Beach House” series, Alyssa has to keep reminding herself that she doesn't need anyone. Not a mysterious late relative, not her peppy assistant, and definitely not alluring Liam Carter...”

A Doctor For Doug (Mail-Order Mama, #9)


Allyson Carter - 2021
    An escape after seeing so much death working in field hospitals during the Civil War. She wasn't expecting a stubborn man. A man who lost his leg during the war. Along with a town in need of a doctor and children a mother. Can she fight her way through Doug's hard heart and earn her place in both?Doug Baker doesn't need the complication of a woman in his life. His children feel different. No one wants half of a man. Except Elizabeth won't take no for an answer, and neither will his children. Can he thaw his heart to fall in love and help her to win over the town?

The Little B & B at Cove End


Linda Mitchelmore - 2019
    ‘The perfect book to take on holiday!’ Pretty Little Book Reviews on Summer at 23 The Strand Escape to the seaside this summer! When Cara Howard’s husband passes away, she and her teenage daughter, Mae, are left with nothing except their beloved family home at Cove End.Overlooking the sparkling sea, Cara decides to renovate the house in time for the summer season, turning it into a gorgeous bed and breakfast for visiting tourists.But with the arrival of the B&B’s first guests and secrets tumbling out of the closets, it’s clear that everything could be about to change for Cara and Mae… Could this summer heal their hearts for good? A wonderfully uplifting holiday read, perfect for fans of Lilly Bartlett, Tilly Tennant and Eve Devon.