Book picks similar to
Nearly by Deborah Raney


romance
christian-fiction
fiction
deborah-raney

Sweet Waters


Julie Carobini - 2009
    Soon she meets handsome but complicated firefighter Josh Adams and a host of mysterious faces from long ago. But what happens when truth is one secret after another, and the fairy tale turns out to be a soap opera?     Despite the vivid backdrop of their budding romance by the sea, Tara and Josh soon find themselves at odds with their families, their faith, the quirky townspeople of Otter Bay ~ and each other. Can they face the truth together ... and be set free?

The Envelope


Emily Josephine - 2012
    She cannot bear the thought of accidentally destroying another man’s life again.Then she meets Hank Johnson. At first, the new fourth-grade teacher gets on Sheila’s nerves, especially after a run-in between one of his students and one of her Kindergarteners. But Hank’s rugged handsomeness and fun-loving personality begin to win Sheila over when he ends up one day after school, helping her to search for her favorite student, Diana, who mysteriously goes missing.Sheila’s faith in God compels her to take a personal interest in Dianas’s broken home life, and at the same time makes her begin to wonder if Hank might be part of God’s plan for her life.But while Hank attends church and seems to have his own brand of faith, he is hiding his own past tragedy that has caused him to doubt God’s love for him during the past several years. So when Sheila’s heart begins to lead her in the direction of missions, Hank abruptly drops his relationship with her. But it cannot end there. A mysterious envelope that Hank has forgotten about turns out to be an intricate and shocking connection between both their tragic paths. Will Sheila ever receive the forgiveness she desperately needs? Will Hank ever admit his love for Sheila – and shake off the past hurt that threatens to keep them apart? “The Envelope” weaves together the lives of one man, one woman and an innocent five-year-old girl to bring about a heart wrenching story of healing, forgiveness and God’s persistent love.

Mistletoe at Moonglow


Deborah Garner - 2015
    But the small town of Timberton, Montana, hasn't been the same since resident chef and artist, Mist, arrived, bringing a unique new age flavor to the old western town. When guests check in for the holidays, they bring along worries, fears and broken hearts, unaware that Mist has a way of working magic in people's lives. Old-fashioned time spent together, exquisite food, conversation and a snowball or two offer guests a chance to trade sadness for hope. One thing is certain: no matter how cold winter's grip is on each guest, no one leaves Timberton without a warmer heart.

A Question of Destiny


Anita Higman - 2014
    Will this new found wealth be Lucy’s undoing, or can she rise above the temptations within high society and choose to become a nobler version of herself? And will the solitary Andrew Whitfield—a man who watches over Lucy as she adapts to her new lifestyle—cause her to close the door on her dreams or be the key that opens the rest of Lucy’s destiny?

Finding Hope's Ridge


Silver McKenzie - 2020
    However, he’s stunned to discover he still has feelings he can’t ignore for his sister’s best friend, the one woman in Hope’s Ridge who’s hated him since high school.When her business plans crumble overnight, Asha Jones is wrong to assume life can’t get any worse. She’s made an enemy of an influential local property developer, and the man who crushed her heart ten years earlier has returned to town. Sure, she can do her best to ignore Zane’s existence, but what will she do when her feelings resurface for him? She can’t go there again…can she?Zane needs to redeem himself and fight for a second chance. But is working with the man who wants to destroy Asha’s business a guaranteed way to reignite her hate - or could it be an opportunity to change her opinion of him?Finding Hope’s Ridge is the first story in the Hope’s Ridge small town series.

The Lending Library


Aliza Fogelson - 2020
    How is a small-town art teacher supposed to cope without the never-ending life advice and enjoyment that books give her? Well, when she’s as resourceful and generous as Dodie, she turns her sunroom into her very own little lending library.At first just a hobby, this lit lovers’ haven opens up her world in incredible ways. She knows books are powerful, and soon enough they help her forge friendships between her zany neighbors—and attract an exciting new romance.But when the chance to adopt an orphaned child brings Dodie’s secret dream of motherhood within reach, everything else suddenly seems less important. Finding herself at a crossroads, Dodie must figure out what it means to live a full, happy life. If only there were a book that could tell her what to do…

Welcome to Last Chance


Cathleen Armstrong - 2013
    But as she encounters the people who make Last Chance their home, it’s her heart that is flashing bright red warning lights. These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and too interested in her personal life for Lainie’s comfort-especially since she’s on the run and hoping to slip away unnoticed.Yet in spite of herself, Lainie finds that she is increasingly drawn in to the dramas of small town life. An old church lady who always has room for a stranger. A handsome bartender with a secret life. A single mom running her diner and worrying over her teenage son. Could Lainie actually make a life in this little hick town? Or will the past catch up to her even here in the middle of nowhere?Cathleen Armstrong pens a debut novel filled with complex, lovable characters making their way through life and relationships the best they can. Her evocative descriptions, observational humor, and talent at rendering romantic scenes will earn her many fans.

Tess in Boots


Courtney Rice Gager - 2014
    But she doesn’t plan on running her boyfriend off by bringing up the topic of marriage before he’s ready. And she doesn’t plan to lose her job on the day she’s set to receive a huge promotion. So when her perfect world unravels, Tess makes a new plan: disappear.Tess packs her bags and leaves her city apartment for a remote vineyard in North Carolina. At first, she’s put off by the slow pace of small-town life in the South. She’s especially irritated by Thatcher, the vineyard’s smart-mouth, dimple-faced farmhand. But she soon begins to appreciate the area’s charm, and Thatcher’s charm, too. She even swaps her trademark heels for a pair of cowboy boots. As Tess spends more time getting to know Thatcher, she finds herself loosening her grip on her old life little by little. Unfortunately, things on the vineyard aren’t as simple as they seem. There’s a secret here, and when the truth comes to light, Tess is forced to reconsider every plan she’s ever made.

Second Chance in Summit County


Katherine Karrol - 2018
    God, however, had other plans. Her: “My marriage, career, and reputation just crashed around me and eliminated the little trust I had left in myself to make good decisions. I packed my bags, shook the dust off my feet, and started driving, begging God to tell me where to go. He brought me to a tiny, charming Northern Michigan town, where I’m recreating my life from scratch – without men.” Him: “My whole world turned upside down when I lost the love of my life and had to start over as a single father. I am now both mother and father to my little girl and have built my life around taking care of her; and protecting my heart from ever being hurt like that again. Love is not a part of my life anymore.” God: “We’ll see about that.” Can two people who have sworn off love stop fighting their attraction long enough to see that God is doing something? Can they trust Him enough to risk giving happiness another try?

Courageous Love


Kelsey MacBride - 2015
    It begins with the story of Michelle Clemens’ struggle to come to grips with the loss of a relationship, the discovery of an unplanned pregnancy, and her journey back to Hawaii to pay her last respects to her dying grandmother Lilo. This story highlights Michelle’s journey of courage as an unwed mother, her hopes, her struggles, and her achievements as she trusts God to help her grow. *This is a FREE Preview and not a stand-alone novel* In this first book, Michelle Clemens’ life turns upside down when her longtime boyfriend Luke walks away from their relationship, leaving her to deal with an unexpected pregnancy. Afraid of what the future has in store for her, Michelle returns to her faith, trusting God to help her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. But when she thought life couldn’t get any worse, she discovers her precious grandmother Lilo in Hawaii is dying and only has weeks to live. Michelle rushes back home to Trinity Ranch, a cattle farm tucked in the beautiful valleys of Haleiwa, a small town on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The ranch has been in her family for decades ever since Queen Lili-uokalani, the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Islands granted it to her great-grandfather. Michelle is apprehensive about visiting her family, especially because of the estranged relationship with her father since she ran away with a boy eight years ago. During her journey home, she meets Daniel, a handsome man who touches her heart with his kindness and genuine concern for her wellbeing. But Michelle is forced to keep her love for him secret when she finds out that Daniel is engaged to be married. Daniel is a stunt man working a shoot for an action movie in Hawaii. While on location away from his home town of Newport Beach, California, he struggles with his conscience trying to rationalize his engagement to Kimberly, the daughter of a wealthy family. He goes through the motion of planning the wedding with his fiancé, but his life is changed forever when he bumps into the beautiful Michelle at the Honolulu airport. A mix up with their airline tickets sends Daniel on a mission into the beautiful countryside of Haleiwa in search of Michelle. But instead of a quick trip to swap plane tickets, he becomes mesmerized with Michelle and the grace and beauty of Hawaiian life on Trinity ranch. Unable to resist, he accepts the Clemens’s hospitality to stay longer even though he knows Kimberly expects him back home soon. Will Daniel recognize the soul mate God has brought into his life or will he leave Hawaii and succumb to the worldly pressures of marrying into a wealthy family? If you love a clean tropical romance, you need to download this book! Other titles in The Hawaii Love Series by Kelsey MacBride -Perfect Love : Book 2 of the Hawaii Love Story

Stones for Bread


Christa Parrish - 2013
    Liesl is an artisan bread maker, like her mother and grandmother before her. Even though she lost her mother to suicide when she was eleven, she keeps this maternal bond alive as she bakes.Liesl prides herself on living an uncomplicated, unattached life. But that changes when Seamus walks through the door of Wild Rise, lugging the large bags of whole wheat flour from the local food co-op. He and his daughter Cecelia have recently moved to the country seeking simplicity. Despite her best effort, Liesl becomes attracted to this teddy bear of a man who laughs easily and eats strange sandwich concoctions—on her bread, much to her dismay.Her simple life is further complicated when a popular cooking show features her bakery. The publicity increases her business and brings several offers from larger businesses, all of which she turns down. But it also brings a completely unexpected phone call, one from a woman claiming to be her half-sister.Liesl’s sense of identity dissolves as everything about her relationship with her mother—and the bread that held them together—comes into question. Has she been given stones rather than bread? And how can she ever take these crumbs and make them whole again?

Walking Shoes


Lynne Gentry - 2016
    Each step she takes toward finding happiness turns the dusty Mt. Hope community on its heels. Heart-warming characters will have you laughing until you cry.

Serenity Landing Second Chances Compilation: Discovering Home, Glimpsing Hope, & Reclaiming Hearts


Carol Moncado - 2018
    It’s not his first choice, but it seems to be what God has for him, at least for now. Until a chance encounter with a familiar face changes his outlook.MacKenzie Davidson has been a single mom since before her daughter was born. Just once, she’d love not to worry about losing her job or what will happen if her fledgling yarn dyeing business doesn’t take off. A stormy night and flooded road bring the straws that finally break the back of her independent streak.Her knight-in-shining-SUV comes in the form of American royalty. She’s read enough of the tabloids to know that’s how Jonathan’s family is seen and knows she can’t begin to measure up.But when he puts everything aside to help her, her daughter, and her now-floundering business, she begins to wonder. Jonathan quickly comes to believe he’s found everything he’s looking for. Will they find their way to each other or will they be ripped apart before discovering home?Glimpsing HopeChristopher Bayfield enjoys his single life. Unencumbered by relationships, he works and travels whenever he wants. He can even drop everything to do something he's been dreaming of for a while - return to acting in a Happily Ever After TV Network movie. But before he can leave a knock on the door changes his life.Julia Quisenberry never planned to have one child out of wedlock, much less be pregnant with number two, but this was what her life had become. Unemployed and barely making ends meet with her knitting patterns and teaching, she's almost desperate enough to take a handout from her best friend.A phone call from Christopher changes Julia's plans. He offers her a job and a lifeline, in more ways than one. So when the paparazzi threaten all he holds dear, she'll do anything to help him out - even marry him. Can they overcome the obstacles in their path to find a glimpse of hope for their own happily ever after?Reclaiming HeartsAll of the next generation of royals from the Commonwealth of Belles Montagnes have found love.Except one.Crown Prince William of Mevendia has done an exceptional job of keeping his private life out of the public eye. It’s been half a decade since he was last romantically linked with anyone, and even then, no one actually knew who she was.Margaretha Delatreaux had once fancied herself in love with a prince. Maybe she still did. Promises broken still cause her heart to ache, and she longs to repair the damage the last words they’d flung at each other had done.After a chance encounter, a life or death situation, a foreign country, and unflattering press, just maybe they’ll have a second chance at reclaiming hearts.

Walking on Broken Glass


Christa Allan - 2009
    But a paralyzing encounter with a can of frozen apple juice in the supermarket shatters the faCade, forcing her to admit that all is not as it appears. When her best friend gets in Leah's face about her refusal to deal with her life, Leah is forced to make an agonizing decision. Can she sacrifice what she wants to get what she needs? Joy, sadness, and pain converge, testing Leah's commitment to her marriage, her motherhood, and her faith.

Love Story


Karen Kingsbury - 2017
    Their whirlwind romance started when they were young college students and lasted nearly thirty years—until Elizabeth died of cancer.So when John Baxter is asked to relive his long-ago love story with Elizabeth for his grandson Cole’s heritage project, he’s not sure he can do it. The sadness might simply be too great. But he agrees and allows his heart and soul to go places they haven’t gone in decades. Back to the breathless first moments, but also to the secret heartbreak that brought John and Elizabeth together.At the same time, Baxter family friend Cody Coleman is working through the breakup of his complicated relationship with Andi Ellison. He is determined to move on when a chance sighting changes his plans—and heart. Can Cody convince Andi to give their love another try, or is it time for them to say goodbye for good?As school comes to an end, Cole presents his report on the love story between his grandparents John and Elizabeth Baxter. It is a tale that touches the hearts of the entire family, and one that causes Cole to better understand his own beginning.Whether you’re meeting the Baxter family for the first time or finding them all over again, Love Story will stir your heart and remind you of the generational impact of love and the eternal bond of family.