Book picks similar to
Moments of Joy by Ysa Arcangel


contemporary-romance
romance
first-in-series
fiction

Living Apart Together


Elise Darcy - 2015
    As they try to pick up the pieces in the aftermath, John has a plan that takes Sylvie by surprise. Is this really a plan for their future together or is this the beginning of the end of their marriage? All at sea over what the future holds, Sylvie makes some plans of her own. She sets a chain of events in motion that lead her on a journey to discover it's never too late to start over and meet the man you were meant to spend the rest of your life with. A tale of family secrets, second chances, and finding the courage to follow your dreams – wherever they might lead. Book 1 in the series Living Apart Together.

Love A Sailor (The Captain, #1)


Amanda Sandton - 2014
    Does their love stand a chance?Eighteen-year old Meredith Roxley is on the run from Kempton, the man who preyed on her when she was in her early teens. When Meredith tells her aunt Clara that Kempton has tried to snatch her, her aunt spirits the family away on a three-month sea trip. On board the "MV Albion" Meredith meets Captain Raphael Maynard, a handsome hunk of a man, well-seasoned in the art of love. Meredith finds herself falling for him, but two things stand in the way of any love affair: - An age gap of twelve years. The Captain is thirty years old. Meredith knows that her over-protective aunt will not allow such a relationship. - Meredith’s fear of sexual intimacy. This threatens any chance of happiness with the Captain as she struggles with her past. Will the Captain persevere in his attempt to free Meredith from this psychological bondage, while knowing nothing of her history? Or will he decide the effort is not worth his while? ** This the first of a series of novellas telling the story of Meredith and the Captain, and includes the first two chapters of Book 2 : "Perilous Seas". ** The adult content of the story makes the series suitable for those of 17 and over.

Unraveled


Lisa-Marie Cabrelli - 2017
     When Claire's creepy new boss Nick promotes her to a job she doesn't understand; it's obvious to everyone but her that he wants something in return. To make matter worse, she accidentally upsets the very man that Nick told her to avoid, the unbearably sexy Vice-President, Satish Bhatt. Things get even stickier for Claire when her "friends" decide that sabotage is the answer, her roommate Sally drops a bombshell and Claire starts to want a lot more of the man she supposed to avoid. A man who seems to have secrets of his own. Unraveled is the first book in the Jersey Girls series. If you like fast-paced, breezy, funny chick-lit with characters you fall in love with and a dash of intrigue and suspense that will keep you turning pages, you will love Unraveled. Pick up Unraveled today to find out the secrets that rock Claire's world!

Love at Sunset Lake


Sally Bayless - 2018
    An artist who's withdrawn from the world. A property battle that just might heal them both.When struggling caterer Tess Palmer inherits her great-aunt's home at Sunset Lake, Missouri, she thinks she's found the way to save her business. Selling the property can provide just the infusion of capital she needs to pay off her debts and move to a larger commercial kitchen.Wildlife painter Jack Hamlin, who lives across Sunset Lake, wants the area kept exactly as it is--a place where waterfowl can thrive and where he can find peace and solitude to ease his troubled heart. Although he's drawn to Tess's honesty and beauty, he's appalled to learn she would welcome a deal with a developer, and he vows to stop her.As Tess discovers the reasons why Jack is so passionate about protecting the lake, she finds him more and more attractive. She takes a tentative step past her own emotional pain to risk her heart again. But there seems to be no solution to the impasse over the property. As a sale becomes imminent, can Jack and Tess trust God--and each other--and finally find a love that will last?

Then She Danced (Islander Romance Book 1)


Janice Godin - 2018
    A story within a story, two fabulous endings, and characters that you will fall in love with." ~ The Artful Reader "This book is about love and growth, tears and happiness and healing. I was so deeply affected and moved by this story, I had my own laughter and tears." ~ Amazon reviewer Everyone in Kathleen's life thinks she's crazy when she decides to spend her well-earned summer working in a tiny, dusty attic sorting through old church papers, but the peace and quiet of working alone is exactly what she wants. She's back home again and happy, or as happy as anyone who's left behind a troubled past can be. She has amazing coworkers, a wonderful best friend, a supportive family, and not one single person in her life who knows what she's been through. So, when Kathleen stumbles across an old French diary written by a battered wife, she connects with the story and Emilie. Kathleen's life changes when she meets Grant, a gorgeous local man with a past of his own. Their connection is undeniable, even for her, and proves that second chances are possible, if she can just leave her past behind.

Safe at Home


Christina Kirby - 2015
    The Georgia townsfolk’s true Southern charm is the unexpected prescription needed to heal her soul, and the sexy carpenter who touches her heart are distractions she didn’t plan on, but they might offer her a chance at a new life, if she can let go of her past. Town heartbreaker Spencer Malloy isn’t looking for anything serious. His days are perfect working as a contractor, attending his nephew’s baseball games, or taking him fishing. He never expects to fall for the big city girl, Samantha. She’s not his type, timid and closed off, but in her unguarded moments, he’s intrigued by the woman he can’t get out of his mind. The urge to get closer to her grows stronger each day, and when the shadow of evil resurfaces, he vows to protect Samantha, even if it means abandoning his home and joining her on the run. When confronted by the man who’s bent on revenge, Samantha must choose between running again to save the people she loves, or, if she has the strength, to stay and fight for her new life.

Not So Lucky


RaShelle Workman - 2015
    One man promises to help her find the killer. The other vows to steal her heart. EPISODE ONE Lucky is goal-oriented, despite her hippy parents. She has plans for her life and knows how to make them happen. There's even a list to prove it. 1. Graduate from prestigious law school. Check. 2. Find an apartment in New York. Check. 3. Get engaged to the man of her dreams. Check. 4. Become partner at a law firm. Ch--Well, she's still working on that. First she needs a job. On impulse, she goes to a club with her roommate and meets the lead singer of the band, Toxic Suspects. His name is Maxwell Legend. He's hot, gorgeous, and soooooo doesn't fit into her plans. Lucky Clover Mystery Romance Series NOT SO LUCKY DEAD LUCKY LUCKY IN LOVE FOREVER LUCKY Author's Note: This story unfolds over the course of four episodes much the same way your favorite television show does. Happy reading!

Girl on a Swing


Bella Roccaforte - 2016
    Wren's life has been spiraling downward ever since. She's trapped in an abusive marriage, her career as an artist has never had a chance to flourish, and all of her hope is gone. If she doesn't break away from all that's dragging her down, she's afraid she'll never escape it.She turns to her lifelong friend, Maddox, the only person who's been there for her through it all. He helps her understand her own strength so she can finally begin making bold changes in her life. But falling in love with him was never part of the plan.When their forbidden relationship jeopardizes everything Wren has worked for, will anyone be left standing by her side?

Falling Stars


Xio Axelrod - 2015
    Hers is skyrocketing while his, well, never really took off. Fate brings them together when they’re cast as lovers on a steamy new television series. The on-screen chemistry between them is off the charts and when it spills over into a real life attraction, they find themselves in a situation.Sam is an honorable man. He has been faithful to a toxic, Hollywood marriage for nearly half his life. He’s never strayed and isn’t about to start now, despite the fact that he is falling head over heels for his co-star.Val’s worked hard to get her career on the path to the A-list and the last thing she wants, or needs, is a scandal. If only her heart and her brain were working with the same script.Romance is an ideal. This is a love story. It explores the possibility of second chances and asks hard questions about duty, fidelity, life in the public eye, and the cost of being happy. Falling Stars is the beginning of a sexy, sensual, and emotional roller-coaster ride that reminds us that love, while not always easy, is always worth it.

Rocking Esme


Kacey Hamford - 2014
    Surrounded by her old friends and the promise of finding new friends along the way, Esme learns that there is a life for her to lead outside of her kindle - a life not all that different from the 'Rock' books she reads. Working in a bar brings its own dramas and Esme constantly finds herself at the centre of the action. As she starts to emerge from her shell, Esme is faced with new experiences and begins to unearth sides to her personality even she didn't know existed. With twists and turns, drama and deception, and at the heart of it all a rock band, 'Rocking Esme' is a story about love, life and finding your inner rockstar! This book contains strong sexual content and language and is intended for readers aged 17+

The Beginning of Loss


Nancy Adams - 2016
    Sam, meanwhile, struggles with his own emotions as he watches his terminally ill wife slip slowly away. Can their love survive beyond the deceit that it was born out of? Or will they succumb to the barriers standing between them? At the same, on the other side of the world, Jules Lee travels to a small Colombian village hoping to be reunited with the love he hasn’t seen for fifteen years, Juliette. However, dark shadows from their past threaten to ruin everything before Jules has even had a chance to be with her. These two seemingly unconnected tales of love and the things we must endure to survive it, begin the foundations for a story that will span over a decade and entwine the fates of each of the characters as they experience life after love.

Falling For Him 1


Jessica Gray - 2014
     "How far are you willing to go to fight for the love of your life?" - Books and Beyond Fifty Shades Rachel Baker has just finished a stressful and demanding semester. When the camping trip with her roommate's buddy turns out a nightmare, she meets Peter Shaw. He's a breathtakingly handsome guy and Rachel is immediately drawn towards him, but can she trust him? Peter Shaw is recovering from a painful breakup with his cheating ex. The last thing he needs it to babysit an irresponsible college student, even when she's as beautiful and sweet as Rachel is. He's fighting his attraction for her with all his power. But everything changes, when they're both trapped together in a small cabin in the middle of the wilderness. Neither of them can deny the fire they're feeling for each other. Back in the city, more challenges wait for them. Can they finally admit their love for each other? Can Peter's crazy ex-girlfriend ruin everything? +++ Q & A with the Author Q-This is a sexy romance set in California. The couple meets on a camping and climbing trip to Yosemite National Park. Why Yosemite? Why climbing? Isn’t that a rather unusual setting? A-I wanted the setting to be something unusual, to convey adventure and freedom. For me being in the nature is just that. Romantic. Pure. Down-to-Earth. But I wanted it to also show adventure and something unusual. That’s when a friend posted photos of his last climbing trip and I was hooked. The sheer beauty of the Yosemite National Park, the Half Dome, sunsets, thermal springs got to me. The breathtaking landscapes and the exercise of climbing (and the lean, muscular, good-looking, handsome guys) would make the perfect setting for Rachel and Peter to meet. Q- What challenges doe your characters have to overcome? A_ Well, Rachel is a new adult, just coming of age. She’s the typical college student. Studying , working and trying to find her place in the world. Throughout the series she grows into an empowered and independent young woman. Ready to tackle the world. While rich and wealthy Peter has to cope with a disastrous breakup, and too much work. He needs to trust in love again. Q-What writers have influenced you? A-Of course, Nora Roberts was one of the first ones I read. She’s the queen of romance. Then there are two independent New York Times Bestseller authors I truly admire. Bella Andre and Melissa Foster. I love how they write steamy, romantic novels full of love. True love. Their heroes are alpha males – the good ones. No bad boys, but the kind every mother would want to have as son-in-law. The women are empowered, independent and sexy. The books are great examples of women's fiction and continuing series. Family sagas at their finest.

The Cure


Parker J. Cole - 2017
    Yet, when Savannah’s niece is injured in a serious accident, the one man she can’t trust is the one she needs. Micah can barely contain his satisfaction when he sees Savannah’s message pleading for him to come to her side. Her disloyalty nearly cost his career and he’ll never forgive her for leaving him at the lowest point in his life. Despite her efforts to remain aloof, Savannah keeps seeing glimpses of the Micah she once loved behind his cool exterior. Micah fights an ongoing battle to not succumb to the sweetness of the woman he once cared for beyond anything else. But Savannah and Micah’s hearts remain sick with the pangs of betrayal. What, if anything, is the cure?

Dear Internet: It's Me, Avery


Jennifer Ammoscato - 2015
    We all do it. Don’t try to tell me that you’ve never checked that weird mole on your thigh on WebMD. Or how to fold meringue on Epicurious. And, there’s no way that I’m the only one who clears her search history after looking up how to give a great bl— (Um, that last one’s not important.)" When newspaper reporter Avery Fowler discovers her husband is having an affair, the online help site HowTo.com is where she turns to navigate this challenging stage of her life. If the Internet is Avery’s information god, then HowTo.com is her Holy Grail. Its live chat option is like having a virtual life coach for the low, low price of $14.95 a month: Add into the mix a new boss whose managerial style calls to mind the Wicked Bitch Witch of the West—or the Anti-Christ—and the poor girl needs all the help she can get! The stakes rise and hilarity ensues as our heroine struggles to take control of her personal life and topple her boss after she learns Victoria’s guilty secret. With Clementine (virtually) in tow, our heroine tackles such tricky situations as dating after divorce, sex once nothing points north anymore, and how to cover attempted murder scenes (despite a paralyzing fear of blood) as the new and improved Avery Fowler 2.0.

Wasted


Suzannah Daniels - 2014
    It was part of his job after all, and he needed the tips—badly. When Lexi Swafford plopped her pretty little tail down on the bar stool, Mason offered her a drink. He had no idea that he would soon be working with her or that he’d be letting her room with him until her new apartment was ready.In fact, once Lexi Swafford landed in Creekview, Tennessee, life as Mason Cambridge knew it would cease to exist…because after a night of drinking away the agony of his loneliness, one touch from her would change everything.WASTED is a new adult contemporary romance recommended for adult readers due to mature content.It is the first book in the WHISKEY NIGHTS series. Since each book in this series will focus on a different couple, they can be read as stand-alones. Many readers may prefer to read them in order for maximum enjoyment.WHISKEY NIGHTS series order:Wasted #1Ignited #2Deceived #3Betrayed #4Seduced #5 (Release date to be announced.)