Book picks similar to
A Better Life by Frankie McGowan


on-calibre
random
amazon
bought-but-not-yet-read

Grace Space: A Direct Sales Tale


Robin Merrill - 2014
    So, when she heard that Grace Space Independent Consultants make $40 per hour, she could hardly wait to sign on the dotted line. That signature launched her into a crazy adventure full of embarrassing blunders, kooky characters, and sidesplitting laughs, and it's not long before she starts to wonder if the purple dream is too good to be true.

Healing Touch (A Place to Call Home, #1)


Laura Browning - 2017
    Luke knows he needs to be a better daddy for his troubled kids, but his work as a veterinarian made it difficult in the past. He’s vowed to change, but he needs help while he settles into his new position with the local animal hospital.Rachel Hastings is a woman with a healing touch. She takes in injured and orphaned animals, so helping out with two new-to-town children shouldn’t be tough. What she hasn’t counted on is their sexy father, her secret crush from back in their high school days.Their attraction is immediate, but so many obstacles stand in the way. Luke and his family still grapple with the shock of the accident that killed his wife. Rachel carries baggage from her own failed marriage. Worst of all, Luke’s children hide a secret that is tearing them apart and may destroy any chance Luke and Rachel have of building a future together.Don’t miss Healing Touch, book one of a sexy new contemporary series from author Laura Browning.

Christmas to the Max A Return to Welcome Novel


Bonnie Edwards - 2020
    (Return to Welcome)Max Whyte moves to Welcome WA to live closer to his daughters after their mother remarries. He wants to fix up an old home, settle into his new position at an IT firm, and try not to think about turning forty alone.Burned by a single mother in the past, he vows not to get tangled with another woman with children. When he saves the life of a small boy, he finds himself tangled in more ways than he could imagine.When the boy’s mother turns out to be the perfect person to do his renovations, Max has trouble keeping his personal feelings out of their employer/employee relationship.Kaylin Simpson has returned to Welcome to give her boys the kind of home she wanted as a child. She needs a fresh, stable start and wants to run her own business. Her three-year-old twins keep her hopping, but after she finishes the renovations for Max, she hopes to have her life well in hand.Max is drawn to Kaylin and her adorable twin boys. Her wit and feisty spirit pull at his heartstrings until he realizes being a stepfather is never what he wanted.Christmas in Welcome can be a time to heal and move forward and Max and Kaylin must set aside their old hurts to allow love to blossom.

Texas Jack


Bart Hopkins - 2013
    His father, Billy, is a happy-go-lucky drunk from East Texas whose behavior varies from outdated to outrageous. He isn’t a bad person, but he tends to make bad decisions. Billy drives his life like he drives his truck: under the influence.Against all odds, Jack escapes his fifty-percent-alcohol-by-volume fate. How? He meets a girl, of course. Samantha rescues Jack from his path of self-destruction. Fast-forward twenty years, and Jack’s life is nearly perfect: he has the job, the house, a wonderful marriage, and a 10-year-old son he loves more than anything.But life is never perfect...is it?Texas Jack is a compelling story about family relationships, forgiveness, and finding harmony with those you love. From lighthearted and humorous to achingly painful, it captures real people, at their best and worst, and chronicles the choices they must make along the way.About the AuthorBart Hopkins is originally from Galveston, Texas, but has lived in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, South Korea, and Germany. He has also been on brief forays into Bosnia and Kuwait. He was born in the middle of the 1970s. The author has a BS in Liberal Arts and an MA in Adult Education; he has served in the United States Air Force for nearly 19 years as a Meteorologist. For now, Bart writes when he can, in those spare moments between work, Scouts, and soccer games. One day soon, he hopes to devote all of his time to bringing the characters in his head to life. Bart’s passions include reading, traveling, photography, writing, and sharing time with his beautiful wife and three awesome children. Texas Jack is Bart’s second novel. His first, Fluke, was co-authored with a friend during their back-to-back deployments. You can learn more about the author, and contact him, through his website: www.barthopkins.com. He’s always happy to hear from readers.

Here Among Us


Maggie Harryman - 2010
    After all, she has been battling Maeve most of her life. Disagreeing about the extent of their Irish mother’s creeping dementia and the fate of the family’s thriving restaurant business, named for their beloved, long dead father, Paddy, is surely a recipe for a world-class brawl. What Flynn doesn’t expect is the fragile truce the sisters forge to save O’Shea’s from the clutches of Maeve’s scheming husband, Jeffrey. Flynn and Maeve are reluctantly aided by their forty-four-year-old brother, Osheen, a handsome Peter Pan still cruising the Jersey shore, getting high and dodging responsibility. And while Didi tries to convince her mother that “everything is as it should be,” just when Flynn is sure she’s gained the upper hand on Jeffrey, her own mother’s shocking confession sends her into a wine-soaked tailspin and forces her to deal once and for all with the ghosts of her past. Devastated, Flynn must choose to save O’Shea’s or risk losing forever all she has left of her father.In Here Among Us, the O’Sheas find themselves dealing with the very timely issue of Alzheimer’s, a disease that strips the victim's identity and wreaks havoc on the family left to pick up the pieces. But Flynn, Osheen and Maeve’s troubles began long before their mother started to “slip.” For the O’Sheas, much of their shared angst is rooted in the single most devastating event of their lives—the death of their father when they were young children. The novel explores not only how deep wounds can seem impossible to heal, but how refusing to let go of the stories the O'Sheas desperately cling to about who they are, threatens to hasten their demise.

Give Her the Moon (Fated Mates Book 7)


Rochelle Paige - 2018
    Or at least it’s felt that way ever since he attempted the impossible—uniting witches and shifters. As he tries to maintain the delicate balance, finding his fated mate is more vital than ever. Jane Smith has no responsibilities to anyone but herself. Finally. She’s more than happy to fade into the woodwork. But when her favorite customer insists on setting her up on a blind date, she reluctantly agrees. It was only supposed to be a harmless night of fun... until it was more. Until he was everything. Give Her the Moon was previously published as Ask for the Moon as part of the Paranormal Dating Agency Kindle World.

One Way Or Another


Lucy Barker - 2011
    Once upon a time she was writing songs and the adored girlfriend of super-hot popstar Nate Jones. Now she’s broke, single and stuck on the road trip to hell with her acid-tongued grandmother and a photographer who’s distracting her for all the wrong reasons.Still reeling from the humiliation of being publicly dumped by Nate in favour of glamour model, Ruby Wright, Isla retreats to the sanctuary of her parents’ home to hide from the world and begin her new life plan: feeling sorry for herself. But every cloud has a silver lining, and Isla’s relentless agent, Miriam, has a plan that will turn her world around.All she has to do is drive her eighty-nine year old grandmother, Nana Mac (she of the neon dresses and white beehive) to Inverness in the company of Bill, a struggling photographer who’s there to propel Isla back into the money. But is that the only thing Bill has on his mind?As things start to heat up in the back of the SUV, Nate, freshly dumped by Ruby, is suddenly back on the scene and hell-bent on charming his way back into Isla’s affections. And he’s got company. But Isla’s not giving in without a fight and as secrets and lies are exposed she begins to wonder if anyone is what they seem.Amidst the paparazzi scrums and tabloid revelations, can Isla figure out what – or who – she really wants? Or is she destined to a life living in her parents' spare bedroom reading magazines about cats?One thing's for sure, one way or another Isla Morgan's going to do everything she can to get it all back. Even if that means spending twelve days driving an impossibly large car whilst being told you’re a loser by an eighty-nine year old geriatric gremlin.

High Heels and Cowboy Boots: A Small Town, Second Chance Romance (Lone Tree Ranch Book 1)


Dawn Luedecke - 2020
    

Diana Adores the Puzzled Earl


Hanna Hamilton
     After much searching, he finds the young Diana Browning, a charming and well-established romance writer, who agrees to publish the book under her name. As Diana and Robert begin to work together, they find they are becoming increasingly attracted to each other. But, Diana is engaged and unavailable. However, circumstances contrive to bring many surprises, and nothing comes out as anyone quite expected. ♥ A historical romance novel full of twists that'll keep you turning the pages ♥ *Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke is a historical standalone romantic story of 80,000 words (around 350 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after. Get this book for free with Kindle Unlimited!

The Returners: Season One Omnibus


Mikey Neumann - 2012
    Alex Heton is living a second life and so is his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend, Chloe. After a man tries to kill both of them in a restaurant, they reveal to each other that they are the reincarnated bodies and minds of Alexander the Great and Joan of Arc.Before long, they find out that there are many out there like themselves, from Eliot Ness to a thirteen-year-old Albert Einstein. As the group tries to band together and figure out how they have returned, they are hunted by a crazed killer who is just like them: a returner. Can they figure out who the killer is in time? Will they find out how they managed to retain all of their memories from a previous life? How many returners are there?

Moving On


Maggie Fox - 2017
    It’s official. Her childhood sweetheart ex-boyfriend just walked out on his wedding, telling everyone it’s because he’s still in love with Lucy - even though they broke up a long time ago! Desperate for a place to escape to while the dust dies down, Lucy gets the chance to spend two weeks in a luxury castle in the Scottish highlands - for free. The catch? She has to be a last minute replacement contestant on a reality TV series about relationships. It can’t be that bad being part of a TV show, can it? Actually, yes it can... The only good part in the whole disaster seems to be Liam, the intriguing and handsome Scottish Laird who owns the castle. Lucy senses there's a spark between them, but the reality show’s director has made it perfectly clear that Liam is strictly off limits to the Love Programme’s contestants. With her ex now pursuing her across the country, Lucy has some serious soul searching to do when it comes to matters of the heart. Will the Love Programme be able to help her find true love? Do you enjoy fun and flirty romantic comedies packed with warmth, charm and intrigue? Then you’ll love Moving On. Join Lucy today as she tries to figure out life, love and relationships in an impressive castle in the middle of the stunning Scottish Highlands...

Brownie Points


Jennifer Coburn - 2012
    They’re the only interracial family in the neighborhood. Lisa is a snarky sculptor. And 13-year-old Logan is gay.After Logan is repeatedly bullied at school, he finds his niche in an unusual place –his twin sister’s Girl Scout troop. When he tries to join, the organization refuses, so the boy sues for gender discrimination and sets off a firestorm of national media coverage. This only makes matters worse between the Logan and his father, a macho firefighter who is already struggling with his son’s sexual orientation.Adding to the strife is Lisa’s increasing distaste for Junta Moms who wish each other “Namaste” while rigging school elections and stealing each other’s husbands.Join the Taylors on their hilarious journey as they face the fight of their lives and,in the process, discover what it means to be a family.

The Replacement Bridesmaid


Laurie Ralston - 2012
    But she has no purpose, nothing to do. She is resigned to this safe and boring existence when she gets a chance to chuck it all for just a little while and run off to Ireland to be a replacement bridesmaid.Once in Ireland, her old dreams and aspirations come back to her, and so does love. Jill rediscovers herself and ends up finding herself having do choose between her old safe life, or her new risky life and the possibility of heartbreak - or love and fame.Authors note: The first edition of this book had a multitude of mistakes, but this version has been professionally proofread. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did dreaming it up.

Warship Poseidon


Peter Greene - 2010
    It is a YA and above historically-based, action-adventure fiction book. Homeless and alone on the streets of London in 1800, twelve year-old Jonathan Moore survives a harsh and dangerous world using courage, intelligence and determination. His dismal fate changes dramatically one day after he is abducted by a gang and pressed into service aboard the warship HMS Poseidon, a forty-four gun fighting frigate of the British Royal Navy. However, there is more to the event than just a change of address. How is it that some members of the crew, including the Captain, already know his name? Why do the officers seem to favor him above the other new crewmembers? As Jonathan endeavors to solve these mysteries, he is thrust into a daring mission to recover a hidden treasure on a remote Caribbean isle. Unfortunately, the crew and officers of the Poseidon are not the only ones searching for the prize. In a desperate race across the Atlantic, Jonathan is pitted against sword-wielding spies, engages in terrifying ship- to-ship battles and in the end, must match his wits and courage against a ruthless and cunning French Captain and the infamous French battleship Danielle. Warship Poseidon is the winner of the 2012 Clive Cussler Collector's Society's Grand Master Award and the 2015 Independent Author Network's Outstanding Action Adventure Novel of the Year. Kirkus reviews: "A heartwarming tale of a boy essentially orphaned in search of his father, the novel never ceases to entertain as Jonathan learns the ropes of sea life. The reader learns the ship's nomenclature, discipline and command structure, food preparation, the proper loading and operation of cannon. One even learns the difference between how British and French ships operated back in the early 1800s. Characters are interesting and sympathetic, or unsympathetic, as the case may be. The reader will grow to admire the officers of the Poseidon and her crew-and despise French Capt. Champagne and his knife-wielding cohort, Marcel. Greene's swashbuckling tale of high-seas adventure is pure, uncomplicated fun." Clive Cussler: "A robust story of a young lad in the British navy during the Nelson years. A thorough insight and beautiful portrait of those days under wind-blown sails and the creak of wooden hulls. Peter Greene has created a story that shines from every page. An excellent book. He truly nails an insight of nineteenth century sailing ships and their crews." PREVIOUSLY RELEASED AS "SKULL EYE ISLAND

Conflicted Innocence (The Cold Case Files #2)


Netta Newbound
     Lee Barnes, James’ best friend and neighbour, is awaiting the imminent release of his wife, Lydia, who has served six years for infanticide. But he’s not as prepared as he thought. In a last ditch effort to make things as perfect as possible his already troubled life takes a nose dive. Geraldine and James combine their wits to investigate several historical, unsolved murders for James’ latest book. James is impressed by her keen eye and instincts. However, because of her inability to keep her mouth shut, Geri, once again, finds herself the target of a crazed and vengeful killer.