Book picks similar to
Act I: Seed On Fire by Michele Sims


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An Old Love's Shadow


Abby Gray - 1999
    She’s on a charitable mission, by damn, and that rowdy cantina next door is drowning out her gospel singing. The clash with the sexy-as-hell man who runs the cantina hits with enough force to burn down the small Mexican town. What happens in Mexico… Is supposed to stay in Mexico but Hunter can’t get that blonde with the ice blue eyes out of his mind when he goes home to Texas. Finding her isn’t the problem. Convincing her that he’s interested—well, that’s another story. Mercy tried to get over Hunter, especially when she found out about his past. She had two choices: move on or give him one more chance because no other man should have to live in an old love’s shadow. If you liked Carolyn Brown’s books, Love Is, Trouble in Paradise, The Wager or The Yard Rose, you will love An Old Love’s Shadow.

The Lost and Found Girl


Catherine King - 2011
    When the legitimacy of her twin babies with Edgar is called into question, the tiny infants are taken from Beth and sent far away. James is adopted by Edgar's uncle, the very wealthy Lord Redfern, master of Redfern Abbey. But little Daisy is sent to a cold-hearted childless couple who raise her to be a maid rather than a daughter. When Daisy, at 16, finally escapes her hard life with her adoptive brother Boyd, they arrive at the Abbey to seek work and refuge. Little does Daisy know that her flesh and blood is the next in line to be Lord of the Abbey. There is a strange connection between Daisy and James, something they can neither explain nor ignore. But will the truth be discovered in time?

Grave Secrets


Linda Trout - 2012
    But six months later, time is running out and Sara turns to the one man she shouldn't--insurance investigator Morgan Daniels. Dangerously attractive, he's a threat to more than just her heart, and if she isn't careful, he'll unearth secrets better left buried. Proving Sara murdered her husband is Morgan's top priority. Helping her find her child is the perfect opportunity to get the proof he needs. But when he starts to think of her as a woman rather than a suspect, she slips under his armor. He can't trust her. Worse, he can't trust himself around her. All evidence points to Sara as a murderer, but Morgan's gut tells him the evidence is wrong. Is his obsession with her blinding him to the facts? Or is the real murderer still out there--stalking Sara? This is a new release of a previously published edition.

Sins of Thy Mother


Niki Jilvontae - 2015
    Come on this emotional roller coaster with the Lewis sister's and find out whether the sins of a mother can be visited upon her child.

Stripped


Stacy-Deanne - 2017
     Baltimore Detectives Dee Quarter and Connie Wilks spring into action when a woman is strangled to death. The investigation immediately leads to Dee’s ex, Grayson, who still wants her. As if Grayson isn’t enough to deal with, the case brings Dee to Jonathan Wild, the leader of a cult called The Circle. The charismatic Jonathan is unlike any man Dee’s ever met and his interest in the feisty cop goes beyond the case, threatening Dee’s romance with Winston Lewis. Dee loves Winston with all her heart and despite curiosity for Jonathan, she refuses to get sucked in, but Dee doesn’t know Jonathan plans to make her a member of The Circle whether she likes it or not. While juggling her love for Winston and intrigue toward Jonathan, Dee fights to solve the case, but will she lose herself in the process?

Serene Chaos


C. Monet - 2018
     She was chaos. Serene Daniels was her name. After losing the love of her life she climbed into a dark hole and vowed to stay there until death greeted her. She had a vice and it filled her emptiness on most nights. Serene wanted to move forward, she desired happiness but didn’t know where to find it. One night, while out with friends she meets Corik, who sweeps her off her feet without having to try too hard. It took her awhile to realize that he wasn’t the one and when she did, he showed his true colors. In the midst of drama, here comes another man singing the same tune as Corik and she refuses to give him the time of day even after he rocked her world for one night only. Rex, however, is a different type of man. He’s rare, rough and incredibly sexy and he refuses to give up on Serene. Something tells him that she’s the one. In Serene Chaos, friendships are tested, hearts are broken, lives are changed and as tragedy strikes will Serene walk out of the fire blazing?

Giving Up the Dream


J.L. Campbell - 2011
    In a perfect life, these promises are easy to keep. When faced with spousal betrayal, idealistic oaths take a back seat. Justine Charles made the ultimate sacrifice for her dying husband. Will she rally after his death or be forced to give up a final chance at happiness?

Montana Rose


Deann Smallwood - 2016
    There’s no doubt in her mind that if given another chance, she can make a success of homesteading. She will not fail this time. People scoff, saying ranching is too much of a job for a lone woman to undertake. But Rose is no ordinary woman. She may be petite, stylish, and beautiful, but she is also strong and driven. Every aspect of ranching brings joy to her heart. Then why is she here in Wise River, Montana, taking orders from a mean-spirited school board and attempting something she has no clue how to do? Teaching? Jesse Rivers carries his own baggage on his wide shoulders. He’s been called home by a dying stepmother to take over the Rocking R Ranch and the care of a belligerent and wounded brother. A rugged, lanky cowboy, Jesse is also demanding, surly, and afraid to love. No, he can’t love. What if he has buried inside him the same volatile anger as his father, resulting in brutality by strong fists or a whip? Then Jesse meets Rose. Strong willed, outspoken, determined, and oh-so-desirable.

The Way My Heart is Set Up


Dechella Taylor - 2014
    After years of childhood abuse, Kylah finds herself grown, single, and scorned, and it isn't until life forces her to break down that she realizes that she must heal from yesterday's trauma's in order to move on to brighter tomorrow's. When Kylah loves, she loves hard, so when her old high school sweetheart walks back into her life only to end up destroying her heart, he validates her cynical view of men. She warns her sister Kyree and best friend Trixie about love, but soon enough, she finds herself falling in love faster than she could ever imagine. Then to make matters worse, her drug addicted mother pops back into her life, spilling secrets that turns Kylah's life upside down. When it's all said and done, Kylah is forced to either face the pain of her yesterday's or risk losing everything and everyone she loves for a past she can't seem to shake. Formerly My Yesterday's Text

The Cowboy's Forever


Elizabeth Grey - 2021
    The last thing I need is to fall for a billionaire playboy who might cost me my job.But when I discover more about his struggles of being the black sheep of the family and how hard he worked for everything he has, my heart softens. My walls break down bit by bit, and I find myself unable to resist the handsome cowboy. Soon, our passion is reignited.Little do I know that our first night together has already altered my life forever. I’m pregnant.I want to tell Chris, but I can’t.I’m on the run from my abusive ex-husband who’s determined to take my son. If my ex catches up to me, neither Chris, nor my son, nor my unborn baby will be safe.I need to end things with Chris before he realizes I’m carrying his child. Yet despite what my mind says, my heart is begging me to stay.The Cowboy's Forever is a tantalizing cowboy billionaire romance, featuring a hard-working single mom and a cynical playboy cowboy.

I Choose You


Miralee Ferrell - 2019
    She finds a friend in her cousin Millie as she puts the pieces of her shattered life back together. Frank, a local pastor, is everything she would look for in a spouse. If she were looking. But she discovers that Millie has set her hopes on becoming the pastor’s wife. Aunt Penny’s outrageous attempts to ensure that Millie wins Frank’s heart might destroy any chance she has at a happy future. Can love find a way to break through? Runaway Romance by Miralee Ferrell Ann Stanway had it all—a reality show and a sparkling future. Until that life no longer existed. She flees L.A., lands in Kentucky at an Amish inn, and realizes what was missing--peace, friendship and a man who accepts her for who she is--or who he thinks she is. Hunter is intrigued by the woman staying at the inn. Annie is secretive and won’t open up. He’s been burned by a woman before. His interest in Ann grows, and the attraction is mutual—Dare he risk his heart, when he’s sure Ann is keeping secrets? Or will Ann run again? Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington by Annette M. Irby Professor Mikaela Rhoads wants to help an old friend’s whale touring business stay afloat. The challenge? The tour captain is her first love and ex-fiancé, Hunter Cahill. Mikaela longs to help, but she’s keeping secrets. She’ll have to face her past to make it through the summer. Hunter has taken over the family touring business. He’s drowning in debt and hoping the incoming professor will resurrect the business, but he’s not prepared when it turns out to be his former fiancée. How much will it cost him to spend the summer romancing Mikaela? A Love to Treasure by Kimberly Rose Johnson Nicole’s Grandmother’s final wish lands Nicole in a mysterious scavenger hunt. She finds a fellow sleuth in handsome police officer, Mark Stone. Mark is hoping for a quiet summer in Sunriver as he considers his future in law enforcement. To complicate matters, Nicole is in danger, and Mark knows his growing feelings for her could cloud his judgment. Will their differing career goals be the end of their summer romance—or just the beginning of forever after? An Anchor on Her Heart by Patricia Lee McKenna, abandoned by her husband for his work, is left alone to raise their autistic child. When circumstances drive a wedge in their marriage and Dane chooses to escape, how long can she be strong? Can she remain faithful to her marriage vows when tempted by the friendship of an unlikely stranger? Rudy Taylor, who senses McKenna's loneliness, struggles to keep his concern for the young woman pure. Will McKenna’s faith in God and Rudy’s commitment to his Lord keep their relationship simple until McKenna's husband one day returns? The Broken Trail by Christa MacDonald Katherine takes a job in smalltown Maine to break away from the toll of secrets she’s buried. With evidence of shady dealings on her job, there’s nothing relaxing about it. Maybe it would be easier if she wasn’t so distracted by Captain MacAlister. Mac has enough to deal with from poachers to drug crime. But when he meets Katherine, he’s drawn in by her intelligence and strength, despite getting burned by her quick temper. If only their scars didn’t threaten to tear them apart. Two wary hearts must soften to have any hope of making it down the broken trail to love. Finding Love in Eureka, California by Angela Ruth Strong Raised in a family of adopted siblings, Genevieve works to keep her family together. If she isn’t good enough to keep her parents from giving her up then no way she’ll be enough to have a lasting relationship. Matt’s life is easy until he starts hanging out with Genevieve more than his girlfriend. He tells himself he’s intrigued by Gen’s quirkiness, but nobody makes him smile the way she does. Can Matt give up his plan and Gen risk her heart?

The Girl and The Raven


Pauline Gruber - 2013
    But can a gifted teen find her place when she's caught between good and evil?After the sudden death of her mother, Lucy Walker leaves her small town for a fresh start in the City of Chicago. Lucy hopes life with her uncles will be less dramatic than the one she left behind. But her hopes are quickly turned upside down.Beginning with a disturbing encounter at the airport, Lucy steps into a world she never imagined. From the discovery that she's half-witch, half-demon, meeting the father she never knew, and run-ins with the mysterious boy who lives in the apartment upstairs, Lucy's new life is not what she expected. And her world becomes even more complicated when the family's treasured raven goes missing.Persistent attacks from a dangerous stranger temporarily sideline Lucy's search for the beloved family pet. Despite her reluctance to embrace her new gifts, Lucy is forced to team up with her brooding, dark-eyed neighbor to hunt down the truth. But when she discovers the connections between her own history and the secretive boy's true nature, she's thrust headfirst into an ancient battle...where choosing the wrong side could prove fatal.Will Lucy accept her destined role before the darkness destroys everything she loves?

It's Only You


Sheryl Lister - 2015
    He's in the media spotlight�just like her ex, an actor who trashed her publicly after their split. Since she became guardian to her baby niece, Simona has even more reason to avoid high-profile affairs. Yet still her body is on fire from Donovan's lightest touch. Record label VP Donovan Wright tells himself it's exhaustion, adrenaline…but nothing has ever matched the feeling of having Simona in his arms. Sexy and compassionate by turns, she immediately pulls him in, even as his own trust issues surface. Before she walks away for good, he has just one more chance to prove that his promise to love and care for her will never be broken…

The Joneses


Shelia M. Goss - 2014
    In this intriguing novel full of drama and plot twists, one family tries to hold on to their “perfect” life before their secrets, lies, and scandals are exposed.On the outside, the Joneses seem like the ideal family: Royce Jones, a funeral home mogul, and his wife, Lexi, are parents to Charity, Hope, and Lovie—and everybody wants to be them. But it’s true that money can’t buy happiness, and the Joneses are harboring secrets that can’t stay hidden forever… The funeral home business has been slow lately, and Royce is in serious trouble. When Lexi learns of their financial strain, she vows to hold on to her status by any means necessary—even if it means going behind her husband’s back. Lovie, seeing his beloved mother so stressed, will do whatever it takes to put a smile back on her face. And sibling rivalries tense up when Charity and Hope both fall for the same guy. On top of this, they all have secrets they’re hiding not only from people outside their family—but from each other. It’s only a matter of time before the Joneses’ perfect life goes spinning out of control and they’re revealed for who they truly are.

States of Grace


Mandy Miller - 2021
    Fresh out of jail, living in a no-tell-motel, and eating ramen, Grace has no option but to turn to the dark side, defending the types of criminals she used to relish locking up. To make things worse, she’s fighting the opioid addiction that got her in this mess in the first place.With few options to salvage her career, Grace schemes to defend a trust-fund teen accused of capital murder to pay the bills. But her plan has two flaws. One—Grace believes accused equals guilty. Two—the accused is the daughter of the beauty queen who stole Grace’s husband.Much to her surprise, Grace soon discovers her client may not be guilty after all. With the cops looking the other way and misdirecting her every step, the only explanation that makes sense to Grace is the dead guy was neck deep in the criminal underworld.When Grace discovers irrefutable evidence of her client’s innocence, the race is on to find the real killer and leads her deep inside Florida’s illegal pill mill trade. But is it too late for Grace to save her young client from the death chamber and herself from ruin?