Book picks similar to
The Ragged Maid by Molly Britton
historical
listen
z-audible
Firebird: The Spy Thriller of the 1960s
Noel Hynd - 2018
It is 1968, one of the most tumultuous years of the 20th Century. Frank Cooper, a former star investigative reporter now writes obituaries for a popular New York City tabloid. He hears the confession of a dying man named Leonard Rudawski, a former American diplomat, who bitterly questions the fate of Pavel Lukashenko, a would-be Soviet defector in Paris in 1965. Lukashenko promised to expose the espionage secret of a generation if he could get to the West. But the defector, code named “Firebird,” vanished. Or did he? Cooper teams with Lauren Richie, a young NY/Latina reporter from the same tabloid. They prowl into the dying man’s confession. Soon they are onto the story of their lifetimes, reviving a dangerous once-cold trail of back channel/back alley CIA and KGB intrigue and tradeoffs, all of which factor into the 3-way racially tinged American election of that year: Nixon vs. Humphry vs. the segregationist George Wallace. Murder, espionage, romance, betrayal and conspiracy intertwine. Readers will meet and recognize dozens of memorable “real life” characters: reporters, gangsters, diplomats, call girls, spy masters, politicians and assassins. The story is tough, large, sprawling and historically precise. "Russians sabotage and destabilize the west," says one experienced reporter with KGB knowledge. "It's not just what they do. It's what they do best." The story straddles the decades from World War Two to 2018, even throwing a cynical light on Russian-American relations of today. “Hynd is a solid, dependable writer with enough literary flair to move him up a few notches above the Ludlums and Clancys of the world. —Booklist
When Hannah Played Ragtime
Vera Jane Cook - 2021
It is a man who finds her far too beautiful to marry God.Hannah turns her back on the church and she and Wade settle in Jacksonville, Florida, where the world holds the promise of sunshine. They have two wonderful children before life changes and Wade insists that Hannah abort her third child. When Hannah refuses, light turns to darkness and fate unfolds before Hannah with the cruel consequences of her choices.A story told against the backdrop of the Depression, Hannah struggles with anguish and despair highlighted by brief moments of triumph, lost love returned, deep friendship and the cruelty of laws so unfavorable to women.
Nanny for the Billionaire (Billionaires of Manhattan #2)
Jenna Brandt - 2019
It's hard enough to change his life for himself, but suddenly his world is turned upside down when his secret son is literally left on his doorstep. He has no idea how to take care of a four year old child so he turns to a friend of a friend for help.Celeste Allen knows exactly who Roger Boswell is because he nearly destroyed her best friend's relationship. Yet, in the past few months, she's seen him change for the better, so when he asks for her help to find a nanny, she agrees. When no one fits the bill, Roger asks Celeste to fill in temporarily.As the trio start to form a life together, friendship blossoms into something more, but it could be ruined before it has a chance to fully bloom.Can Roger find a way to be the man they all need? Will Celeste decide that being with Roger and his son is what she really wants? And what will happen when the mother of Roger's son returns?From international bestselling author, Jenna Brandt, enjoy a clean billionaire tale filled with epic romantic moments, faith-inspiring characters, lots of laughs, and even a few twists.
Promise of Dreams
Cecelia M. Chittenden - 2017
Her father has gone to bring home a son missing because of the war. Loyal servants give her support and comfort and are at her side when she learns of her father’s death. She promises to fulfill her father’s dream but someone doesn’t want her to, the one person she should be able to trust. He sets out to defeat her until another man, a Northern stranger, comes to her aid.
On the Trail of a Vicious Killer
Ethan Westfield - 2019
When the Arapaho mine collapses, a series of tragic events are to follow: murdered bodies of locals are identified in the woods, as well as downtown. Jack will attempt to solve the riddle of the sudden deaths, while he'll be confronted with an impossible dilemma: Is it a creature that should be blamed for the mysterious losses, or is there another evil force that is threatening the town?Laura Allsop had just moved to Griswold along with her husband, when he tragically died in the mine cave-in. Although they got married for companionship and she was never genuinely enamoured with him, Laura is deeply traumatized by his bitter end. Despite the fatal start of her new life in Griswold, she will not give up. She is determined to stay, and run a small kitchen in order to make her living. Will she finally manage to overcome the sorrowful events of the past and build a better future? A thrilling story full of adventure, mystery and romance, where the expected becomes the unexpected. How will Jack and Laura trace the dangerous menace, so that the cursed town doesn't face another horrific loss?
Paradise Park (Potter's S)
Iris Gower - 2002
She gains a respectable post as housekeeper to an elderly man, but when he dies his waspish sister throws her out onto the streets where she faces destitution. At the entrance to the notorious Paradise Park Hotel she encounters Sal, a young street girl whom she tries to rescue.
Her attempt ends in failure and Sal returns to her old life on the streets, leaving Rhiannon is even more determined to become respectable. She obtains a job as maid to unhappy Janey Buchan, who takes a liking to Rhiannon and teaches her ladylike ways. Her rascally husband Dafydd, once the lover of Llinos Mainwaring, causes Janey great unhappiness, and eventually she runs away, leaving Rhiannon once more without a job or a home.
In desperation, knowing that little stands between her and a return to her old life, she finds herself back at the Paradise Park Hotel. Once scarcely more than a bawdy house, it has now changed hands and Rhiannon starts working there, helping gradually to transform it from a place of ill-repute into one of the finest hotels in Swansea. The only thing lacking in her life is love, and with Bull Beynon married to sweet, gentle Katie, she fears that she may have to live out her life alone . . .
Paradise Park is the triumphant finale to Iris Gower's Firebird sequence, set amongst the romantic clay potteries of South Wales.
A Brush with a Billionaire
Lorana Hoopes - 2018
Wanting something different, he decides to take some time off to think. However, when his car breaks down in the small town of Soda Spurs, Texas, he is forced to rely on people he doesn't know, Brent rediscovers the charm of a small town and a feisty female mechanic, but will it be enough for him to stay or will the fame call him back?Sam Jenkins moved to Soda Spurs after a hard breakup. All she wanted to do was open up an auto shop and return to her small town roots. Then Brent McKasson lands in her lap. Literally. She's the only mechanic in town, and with the only hotel in town booked for the Cowboy festival, she is forced not only to fix his car but to open her spare room to him for the weekend. What she hadn't expected was to open her heart to him as well.Can a spark between two opposites create a lasting love? Or will his fame and her independence keep them apart?A new inspirational Christian romance by Amazon best selling author Lorana Hoopes, this story focuses on second chances and trusting God to bring the right people into your life at the right time.Follow the journey by clicking the button above. Nominated for the Clean Wholesome Romance Reader's Choice Award for 2018.
The Heartbreak Cowboy: Book 1 in the Coldiron Cowboys Series
Mina BeckettMina Beckett - 2018
It’s been four long years since McCrea Coldiron watched Eleanor Mackenna walk out of his life. He wasn’t ready for the marriage noose then and never thought he would be. Single, free to do as he pleases, and running the Promise Point Horse Rescue Ranch are the things that make him sure he was right to let Eleanor go… This is until she comes back to town with a daughter he never knew about in tow. Eleanor knows just how badly McCrea can burn a woman and how persuasive he can be when he wants something, so she’s more than cautious about his charming words and cocky grin when she comes home to arrange the sale of her grandparents’ ranch. But when a flat tire in a thunderstorm introduces four-year-old Sophie to her daddy, Eleanor knows McCrea’s love for his daughter is genuine. Can she trust it will be the same for her? As the icy walls around her heart begin to melt, Eleanor must find the courage to trust her heart or run away from the man who has always owned it. Being shown what he lost is a wake-up call for McCrea and he isn’t about to let Eleanor or Sophie walk away. It’s time to prove he’s a man who believes in love and happy-ever-after.
Moonshine Hollow Box Set
Kathleen Brooks - 2019
Moonshine and Murder: Zoey Mathers had everything going for her until one night she lost her biggest client, her job, and her reputation. Leaving her life up to fate, Zoey closed her eyes and pointed. She would serve out her career exile in the small mountain town of Moonshine Hollow where moonshine flowed as freely as a mountain stream. Giving up the law to become a baker in Moonshine Hollow turned out to be the best thing Zoey had ever done. She was happy and enjoying life in her new small town. But Zoey should have learned the first time . . . one night can change your whole life. After unknowingly crashing a battle between witches, Zoey accidentally becomes a witch herself. That’s all before Zoey stumbles over a murder victim and the town’s sheriff becomes involved. Now she’s trying to find a murderer, stop two old witches from playing matchmaker, and learning she’s way more than a mere accidental witch. And that’s all before fate turns up one more sexy hunk of a twist . . . Moonshine and Malice: What was an accidental witch to do when fate sends a sexy witch on a motorcycle, only to find out he might be there to kill her? Zoey Mathers was adjusting to life as a witch— a real finger wiggling, magic casting, talk to spirits witch who was thrown into the middle of a war between good and evil. And now Slade, fate’s sexy twist, was asking her out on a date and talking about her part in an ancient prophecy. It was up to Zoey to decide if she could trust Slade not to kill her. She also has to discover the reason for her particular powers. And then there’s that little thing about her possibly being the key to ending the War of the Witches. Ah, the quiet small town mountain life. Now, if only she could only avoid losing her heart, and more importantly her life to Slade. Moonshine and Mayhem: Zoey Mathers was a witch. Not on purpose. It had happened accidentally. But as Zoey was finding out, maybe this had been her fate all along. Luckily the potential witch hunter, Slade, had turned out to be on her side and had found a place in her heart. With the War of the Witches heating up, it’s not just Zoey’s life on the line, but all the witches fighting for good. But fate wasn’t done with Zoey yet. There was a reason she’d become a witch when others wouldn’t have. And that answer was going to change her life even more. Now Zoey was falling in love, fighting for good, and defending the sweet small town of Moonshine Hollow. All while the humans were completely unaware of a war around them. But that was nothing compared to the fight to end the war—the one the prophecy said was up to her. Only one witch was going to survive and she just hoped fate knew what she was doing because Zoey’s life was in the balance.