Book picks similar to
A Splash of Substance by Elizabeth Maddrey


romance
christian
contemporary
christian-fiction

Bachelor Number Five


Kenneth Rosenberg - 2014
    Handsome, smart and kind, Grant Hutchinson is everything she's ever dreamed of in a man. The problem? She's not a contestant. And she lives halfway across the country. These small details aren't about to stop Amanda, who will do whatever it takes to win her man.This novel is the first volume in Kenneth Rosenberg's "Bachelor Series" about a group on young professionals living in the same Hollywood apartment building. He is also the author of "The Extra - A Bachelor Series Prequel."

A Love Story


Jean C. Joachim - 2010
    Barely eking out an existence working part-time, she meets Mac Caldwell, the handsome dean. As she and Mac draw closer, a deadly campus drug ring sets their sights on her with heart-breaking results. The blend of tears, laughter, and unexpected twists grips you all the way to the astonishing conclusion. A unique mix of contemporary romance and suspense, this first book in the Caldwell Saga keeps you guessing. No cookie-cutter tale, the riveting story of Callie and Mac will melt your heart.

Gift of Grace: A Sweet Holiday Romance (Gifts of Christmas Book 1)


Shanna Hatfield - 2019
    . . Ready to begin a new life far away from the sad memories of the Civil War, J.B. and Nora Nash head west on the Oregon Trail. They settle into the small community of Pendleton, Oregon, on a piece of land where they’re excited to build a future and their dreams together. A devastating tragedy leaves them both reeling as they draw further and further apart. Nora blames J.B. for her unhappiness while he struggles through his own challenges. Only a miracle can bring them through their trials and reunite them for Christmas. Together, will they discover the gift of grace in this sweet holiday romance brimming with hope, history, and abiding love?Gift of Grace is the first book in the Gifts of Christmas series, a collection of heartwarming, wholesome romances, featuring precious gifts given straight from the heart. Don't wait! Order your copy today!

Smolder


Carina Alyce - 2021
    Kissable as he may be, he’s not in play and is treating her with kid gloves, lest they succumb to temptation and take their mutual attraction further . . . even if it's spontaneous combustion hot.But after one kiss, the gloves and the clothes come OFF . . .WARNING: This steamy romance may lead to actual smoldering when you get hot and bothered after it ends in a HFA since the sexiness continues to a second book. You should only read if you wish Grey's Anatomy and Chicago Fire featured a shirtless fire chief who can paralyze you with the power of his eyes . . . and abs.***Author note: A section of Part 1 was published as Ignition but has since been re-edited and more than doubled in size.

Bayou Cottage


Suzanne Jenkins - 2020
    It’s the perfect place to run away to after her heart was broken.The first night while she’s down at the road to lock the gate, a hunky guy on horseback steps out of the woods, but Maggie doesn’t recognize him. Turns out they were childhood playmates long ago during winter visits to her grandparents’ cottage. Justin Chastain, local vet and wild horse advocate, heard through the grapevine that Maggie had returned to Cypress Cove and wanted to see her for himself. But he didn’t know that she was hiding from a failed marriage, leaving her with a big chip on her shoulder. It remains to be seen if she can ever trust again. The chemistry Maggie senses fluctuates between lukewarm and molten, but for Justin, it’s constant and he’s falling in love, hard. Then he unintentionally commits a blunder that Maggie will struggle to forgive, and they have to start all over again. Is there another chance at love for Maggie Angel?

Mending Fences with the Billionaire


Lorin Grace - 2018
    Mandy needs one last photo to complete her MFA project, digitally transforming the deteriorating Crawford mansion into the stately building it could have been. But a fence stands in her way. Determined to keep land developers and paparazzi from his great-grandfather’s estate, Daniel Crawford has taken to chasing off intruders by any means possible. No one is going to cross the fence into his land. Or his heart.

The Accidental Kiss


Heatherly Bell - 2019
    Two best friends are about to find out if the legend is real. Lt. firefighter Dylan Reyes believes the sunset kiss legend is nothing more than a tourist attraction. He's a big fan of exit plans, science and health insurance. But since the last time his best friend Charley was in the city, he hasn't stopped thinking about her naked. One night, and a realistic dream, changed everything. When Charley Young spreads the word that Dylan has kissed a woman at sunset and is now engaged, her prank sets off a sequence of events. Her intent was to keep single women away from the hunky firefighter, but it has other, far reaching consequences. Charley doesn’t quite know how to break the news to Dylan, but he’s been kissed at sunset. By her. Last time she was in the city a year ago. It was an accident. Seriously. She’s not kidding. And if the legend is true, this could be the start of something big. Like true love. Too bad Dylan isn’t a believer… "Readers looking for a tender romance that leans more toward the emotional than the physical will find this very satisfying." ~ Publishers Weekly on Country Gold.

Christmas on Breakers Point


Chautona Havig - 2019
     Mallory Barrows has one last Christmas with her uncle. She’s determined to make it the best one he’s ever had. She knows when she asks what he wants as his final gift, it won’t be a tie or a new mug. He won’t need those where he’s going, and he’s quite happy about that. Mallory just didn’t think he wanted a miracle wrapped in paper and tied with a shiny red bow! Christmas on Breakers Point is the introductory book to the Independence Islands Series.

No Time for Love


Raine English - 2018
    But could meeting the right man at the wrong time cause them to break their vows to each other?Kinsley King loves her lavish lifestyle as one of Manhattan’s most in-demand real estate brokers. She’s worked hard to get to the top, and she’s not backing down now… But when her favorite aunt bequests her a wildlife sanctuary in the middle of nowhere, she has a tough decision to make: honor her aunt’s last wish or put the property on the market and maintain the life she adores.Dylan Reese, on the other hand, thinks life off the grid is just about perfect. That is, until the owner of the wildlife sanctuary he manages dies suddenly and leaves the place to her spoiled city-slicker niece. Now he, too, has a choice: leave it all behind or swallow his pride and take orders from a woman who wants no part of this particular commitment.Sparks fly in this opposites attract sweet romance as Kinsley finds herself falling for the swoon-worthy sanctuary manager, causing her to rethink the no marriage vow she made with her girlfriends, while Dylan wonders how he’s going to keep from losing his heart to the one woman who’s sure to break it.

Her Second Chance Cowboy


Ellen Joy - 2020
    So she escapes with her children to her small home town of Prairie Valley and takes a teaching job in hopes of restarting her life. Sam inherited his family’s ranch years ago, but running the ranch cost him everything, including his high school sweetheart, Georgie. When she returns to town, heartbroken, he soon realizes he still has feelings for her. But, he figures he’s the last guy she would look at after he broke her heart back in high school. When Sam’s nephew comes to stay with him it’s a blessing and a curse. Looking after a teenager wasn’t in his plans; however, when his nephew enrolls in Georgie’s night class, Sam and Georgie find their paths intertwined and old feelings begin to resurface; good and bad. Georgie starts to fall for Sam, but she’s afraid of love, especially with someone who’s already hurt her in the past. To make matters worse, her children miss their father, the cheating Governor. This all leaves Sam with a lot of convincing to do if he wants that second chance.Is Sam the answer to Georgie’s prayers and, if so, will she have to choose between her own happiness and that of her children? Or, will they find a way to all live happily-ever-after in Prairie Valley? Start at the beginning of this sweet, small town, western romance and fall in love with Prairie Valley.

The Lost Art of Reverie: (Aveline Book 1)


Rae Walsh - 2019
    A long-forgotten dream. A new life in a spacious place.Corporate life has not been treating Katie Grace well. Suffering from extreme anxiety due to a recent incident at work, she learns that she has inherited her late grandmother's Victorian house in the lake town of Aveline, in the rolling hills of the Los Padres National Forest. Maybe a new start will be exactly what she needs.Hardware store owner Sam Grant remembers Katie from when they spent summers together, years before. Sam has determined never to get involved in a relationship again, but working on Katie's house renovations might put that resolve to the test.In Aveline, Katie allows herself to dream again, finding solace in creating food and a space for her new friends to gather. As members of the town welcome Katie, her heart begins to find safety, but will the events of the past repeat themselves?The Lost Art of Reverie is the first book in the Aveline Series, a collection of inspirational romantic stories with quirky, lovable characters, set in a fictional lake town in California. Perfect for fans of Jan Karon, Katherine Center, or Elizabeth Berg.

Walk With Me, One Hundred Days of Crazy


Ernesto H. Lee - 2019
    As a successful commodities trader with one of the leading London trading houses, he was happy, healthy and, engaged to be married to the woman he loved. Then came the devastating news that would change his life forever. Less than two years later, his health is in tatters, his fiancée is gone, and his life is reduced to nothing more than a series of difficult choices and harsh realities. In search of answers and, in search of a drink, he walks an unfamiliar part of London. He doesn’t find the answers he is looking for, but he does find Karen. With Karen, he finds hope. With Karen, he finds love. With Karen, nothing is ever going to be the same again.Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite- 5 StarsWalk With Me: One Hundred Days of Crazy is a romantic and bitter sweet work of fiction penned by author Ernesto H Lee. Written for mature audiences, but not overly graphic in its romantic content, this tale focuses on love later in life. Our central hero Mark Rennie is a man who once thought he had a perfect life all figured out, but then his life and health fall apart aged forty-one. In a world of difficult choices, Mark chooses to drift the streets of London in search of some kind of answer. When he finds Karen, however, he gets a lot more than he was looking for.This is an emotional and unusual love story in the realm of tragic romances, but it has so many beautiful and uplifting qualities in spite of the situation that Mark finds himself in. The back drop of London is well drawn to bring out the atmosphere of each moment in Mark and Karen's relationship, and author Ernesto H Lee has a cinematic sense of how to construct scenes and move the plot along without any unnecessary details derailing it. The narration is personal, close to the characters, and sensitive in matters of health, the future and the notion of hope. What results is an emotionally intelligent and realistic romance that will grip its readers from start to finish. Overall, Walk With Me: One Hundred Days of Crazy is a rollercoaster ride with stylish narration, compelling dialogue and a plot you'll cry over again and again.Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite- 5 StarsWalk With Me: One Hundred Days of Crazy by Ernesto H Lee is a novel about love, acceptance, and learning to live in the moment. We are all guilty of it and we all take our present for granted while we push for the future. This is something that happened to Mark Rennie in this novel. He kept looking forward and worked hard, only to have his life slip away from him. His story is heartbreaking as well as encouraging.The author did a great job of creating an atmosphere that is sensitive yet hopeful. There were emotional ups and downs in the story, but the author kept the momentum going and ensured that the reader enjoyed the journey with Mark and Karen. While the topic of cancer is very bleak,the author added as much hope and happiness to the story as possible. To say that I got emotional reading this novel would be an understatement. I was so involved and invested in Mark and Karen that I just didn't want their story to end. Absolutely beautiful! “Walk With Me, One Hundred Days of Crazy is a novel with a powerful tale of romance and one that explores the deep longings of the human heart.” Ruffina Oserio for Readers Favorite. “Walk With Me, One Hundred Days of Crazy by Ernesto H Lee is a fascinating book packed with craziness, emotions, family, and love (lots of love).” Ankita Shukla for Readers Favorite.

Different With You


E.H. Lyon - 2022
    I’m slowly putting the mess of my soon-to-be divorce behind me. Not to mention figuring out how to juggle being a single dad. But when I accidentally nearly kill my parents’ dog, the dog isn’t the only one with a whole new dilemma, because I come face to face with the woman I once kissed during my hormonal teenage years.It just so happens that veterinarian Dr. Abby Call is also riding the post-divorce train. What started off years ago, as a teenage crush, could easily become something much less innocent between two newly single adults. Now we just need to find out if we’re nothing more than each other’s rebounds or if this is our second chance at love.Throw in my four-year-old son, my meddling mother, and an overprotective Labrador, and our budding romance is only about to get more complicated. Different With You is the first sweet and sexy standalone novel from the Matchbox series. Readers who love small town, single parent, and friends to lovers romance may just fall for Lucas! This story is low on angst and a feel-good romance ideal for your beach read list.

Alaska Dream Romances Box Set


Shannon L. Brown - 2017
    Does have: Sweet romances with characters you’ll love, both serious and light moments—all against a spectacular Alaskan backdrop. The author is from Alaska so she brings it to life! Enjoy all three novels in the Alaska Dream Romance series. Jemma meets her neighbor Nathaniel and love is the furthest thing from her mind. Bree needs a ride to far north gold fields and Michael’s going that way. Holly takes on real estate client Adam to help support her twin girls, but he’s a college professor she never wanted to see again. If you like wild destinations, real struggles and fun stories then you'll love Shannon L. Brown's heartwarming series. Buy the box set and begin your journey now! FALLING FOR ALASKA They’re neighbors. But not happy about it. Can loathing turn to love? Jemma inherits a house and moves to small-town Palmer, Alaska. As she begins her business of flipping furniture, her gorgeous but unpleasant neighbor gets in her way. Sure, she’s making some noise. A little sawing. A bit of drilling. Her dream’s at stake. And she’s not sure about living in Alaska. Nathaniel loves Alaska and moved here for peace and quiet. He’s terrible with relationships, but when a stray puppy enters his life, his heart begins to heal. Could Jemma and Nathaniel have a happily ever after? LOVING ALASKA A missing grandmother. A trek across rugged Alaska. A woman who’d rather be anywhere else. Bree loves cities and dislikes wilderness. When her mother sets up a handsome driver for the long trip to find her grandmother, she agrees just to get the job done. After she finds her, Bree will be on the next plane out of here. She won’t fall in love before she leaves. Michael enjoys coming home to Alaska, even for a visit. As he drives north to the family’s gold claims with Bree, he’s soon caught up in her search. Michael must guard against a romance with her. But his conflicted heart keeps pulling him closer to her and home to Alaska. Can these two find a way to make love work? CRAZY ABOUT ALASKA Two men are interested. She picked the wrong man once. Will she choose the right one now? As a single mother and a real estate agent, Holly works hard. Climb a roof? Check. Work with her former, difficult professor? Maybe. She wants a husband who can love her and her twin girls. When other men run because she has kids, they become her secret. College professor Adam enjoys his work, his dog . . . and his secret life. After his home burns, he needs to find a house in a hurry. Oh-so-appealing former student Holly is perfect for the job—and his heart. Adam has to win her before the other man does. When secrets are revealed, will love grow or die? Buy the box set to begin the series today!

Billie's Opportunity


Diane Lil Adams - 2012
    Though her B&B/Antiques business has fallen off, Billie D'Allesandro doesn't let it dampen her spirits. At forty, she no longer entertains any notions about falling in love and living happily ever after. Instead, she focuses on helping her friends and neighbors, giving generously of both her time and her money. When her niece arrives with her four-year-old twin daughters, Billie finds it a welcome distraction.After a traumatic experience, Chad Moore abandoned his faith, but not his friends. Keeping a promise, he travels to Opportunity to stay at Billie's B&B. He can't help developing an affection for the little town, and for Billie. Will he have to destroy one in order to save the other?