Book picks similar to
Balcony Stories by Grace Elizabeth King


new-orleans
short-stories
écriture-féminine
southern-lit

Christmas at the Grand Hotel: White Pine Island Novellas #1 and #2


Amie Denman - 2016
    Many residents call the island home year-round, but day visitors and tourists bring plenty of excitement with them. Like other resort islands, there are quaint shops, cool restaurants, and friendly bars. There are several resorts on the island, but the queen of them all is the elegant Grand Hotel on a bluff with an ocean view. Owned by the extensive, multi-generational Phillips family, the Grand Hotel offers elegant service, five course dinners, and plenty of romance. White Pine Island Novella #1: Ned & Bethany Sometimes the heart hits a hole in one… Bethany Hinkle arrives at White Pine Island’s Grand Hotel for her sister’s wedding and to do a little environmental snooping. She snaps pictures of the hotel’s pristine golf course to ensure its compliance with EPA standards. Soon, she realizes that the course’s manager is as attractive as the course he so carefully protects. Ned Phillips feels the weight of family expectations squarely on his broad shoulders. The Phillips Family has owned and operated the Grand Hotel for three generations. For now, he manages the hotel’s golf course and makes plans for its future—plans that could be destroyed by Bethany’s spying. He gets close to the lovely environmentalist to watch for her next move until he gets too close to let her go. ***** White Pine Island Novella #2: Ellen & Pete What happens when you fall in love with your best friend just when it’s too late? All her life, Ellen Phillips has loved working for her family’s Grand Hotel on White Pine Island. Flying the hotel’s airplane and piloting the island ferryboat while knowing someday she will inherit the luxurious resort is a fairy tale existence she has no desire to change. She’s always loved Pete McCormack, too. After all, he’s her best friend, confidante, and playmate. Until she suddenly sees him in a different light just before Christmas. Pete McCormack has made sacrifices for his family’s golf cart rental business on the island, choosing to stay home and run it instead of pursuing his dream of his own career on the mainland. When his parents announce their plans to sell the business so Pete can leave the island, he has to choose between the future he thought he always wanted and his newfound love for the woman he would be leaving behind.

Before I Let You Go


Kimberly Brown - 2021
    With both of them being prominent, successful lawyers, she followed in their footsteps and set out to create a name just for herself. Her career has been the forefront of her life, coming before everything, including her once upon a time longtime friend and lover, Emerald Hampton. Their relationship suffered long ago due to her commitment to school and her career and his rising music stardom. Years have passed and Emerald has returned to claim the woman that was always supposed to be his. However, confronting old feelings means confronting old secrets.Emerald Hampton also known professionally as GEM has had success all over the world with his beautiful vocals. Even with all of his fame and fortune, he still feels like something is missing from his life. That something is Rhyon Capers, the woman he has loved since he was eight years old. After taking some time off from the industry, he ventures home to get his woman. While he knew he would not receive the warmest of welcomes from her, he was prepared to go put in work to make her his again. Will they be able to work through the dormant feelings and past secrets to rekindle a lost love, or will they have to accept that their time has passed?

Wicked Love: Seven Wicked Historical Love Stories


Christina McKnight - 2017
    As the illegitimate daughter of London's disreputable Craven House Madame, Miss Samantha Pengarden has never had to face society alone--until now. When Samantha is named Elijah's mistress in White's betting book, her reputation is in ruins--and only Elijah can save her.Surrendering to My Spy by Dawn BrowerA rogue, a marquess and a spy... Each an integral part of Dominic Rossington's life and he does them all rather well. Love throws him off balance and he'll do everything in his power to protect the one who holds his heart, Lady Rosanna. Danger lurks on the horizon and he'll have to put it all on the line to save her.Scandalous Redemption by Amanda MarielCan two wary people overcome past hurts, an old scandal, and social strictures to embrace true love?For The Love of A Viscount by Callie HuttonBluestocking Lady Elise Smith and content bachelor Lord St. George made a pact to thwart Lady Elise's father's plans for her to marry. What they don't understand is a pretend courtship can only if work if you don't fall in love . . .Beauty and the Rake by Erica MonroePolice inspector Michael Strickland sees the beauty inside Abigail Vautille, not the scarred beast she believes herself to be--and he'll do anything to protect her from the blackguard who left her disfigured.Wicked Designs by Lauren SmithEmily, a rebellious debutante, is kidnapped by a devilish duke and his infamous league of rogues as part of a revenge plan, but Emily gives the duke more than he's bargained for.Mad About the Marquess by Elizabeth EssexLady Quince Winthrop has been robbing from society's rich and giving to the poor for years--but when the Marquess of Cairn returns to Edinburgh, Quince discovers love is even harder to resist than temptation.

Border Brotherhood: Heroes of Medieval England and Scotland


Claire Delacroix - 2014
    Does she dare trust in their future, despite the shadow of his past? “A lyrical medieval-era romance!”—Publishers Weekly on THE BEAUTY BRIDE, a Quill Award nominee and a #1 Kindle Bestseller.From Amazon’s Multi-#1 Bestselling Medieval Romance author Kathryn Le Veque, FRAGMENTS OF GRACE is an epic historical romance with power, passion, and a paranormal element set within the reign of Edward II. Can a knight with a tragic past find love again? “Kathryn Le Veque takes you on an emotional roller coaster!”—Amazon reviewsIn Amazon’s Bestselling author and RONE Award winner Suzan Tisdale’s ROWAN’S LADY, Lady Arline is doing her best to survive her third marriage when her husband kidnaps a little girl. When the child’s father, Rowan Graham, comes to rescue his daughter, he finds he must also rescue the woman who has been caring for her. 2014 RONE Winner for Best Historical Romance and #1 Kindle Bestseller.Be swept away to the Borders of Scotland to savor the chivalry and adventure of an era when knights and Highlanders fought for principle—and for love. Meet a trio of valiant heroes, each determined to win the heart of his lady forever, no matter the price.

Single & Seeking: Complete Four-Book Boxed Set


Desiree Douglas - 2018
    Each story connects a group of friends living in the Paradise Palms condos, a place to heal and find love. In Book 1, Single & Seeking Fabio, Shelley runs from a relationship after discovering she's "the other woman" and settles for fictional love between the pages of romance novels. Until she meets Duke! Book 2, Single & Seeking a Touch of Love, features Rachel and Liam, two painfully shy people who find love, along with an orphan in search of the perfect parents. Book 3, Single & Seeking Mr. July, tells the story of Jillian, the single mother of three boys, and Quinn, the fireman who falls for all four of them. Book 4, Single & Seeking Second Chances, completes the series with Kayden's story. She was forced to give up her daughter for adoption 14 years ago and, like a Christmas miracle, gets another chance to be a mother and reconnect with Tripp, the love of her life. Real-life characters and real-life situations, this collection is a must-read if you enjoy laughter through tears and satisfying happily-ever-afters!

Angel in Paradise: A Montana Sky Contemporary Short Story (Montana Sky Series)


Debra Holland - 2015
    Estranged from his family, Rafe settles in Seeker’s Island off the coast of Florida, where he runs a successful riding stable.Attorney Angel Howard must obtain Rafe’s signature on documents for his deceased grandfather’s estate, or the Flanigan family will lose the ranch. Receiving no response to letters, she flies to Seeker’s Island to confront him. Rafe stubbornly refuses to discuss the paperwork, and Angel won’t leave until he does. As the two clash, their attraction is as strong as ever. But can they get past old pain to rekindle their romance and save the ranch?Montana Sky Series in Chronological Order:2015Angel in Paradise1880sBeneath Montana’s SkyMail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy
Mail-Order Brides of the West: Lina
Mail-Order Brides of the West: Darcy1890sWild Montana Sky
Starry Montana Sky
Stormy Montana Sky
Montana Sky ChristmasA Valentine’s Choice
Painted Montana SkyGlorious Montana Sky
Healing Montana Sky (January 2016)Sweetwater Springs Scrooge
Sweetwater Springs Christmas

New Stories from the South 2010: The Year's Best


Amy HempelEmily Quinlan - 2010
     This twenty-fifth volume reachs out beyond the South to one of the most acclaimed short story writers of our day. Guest editor Amy Hempel admits, “I’ve always had an affinity for writers from the South,” and in her choices, she’s identified the most inventive, heartbreaking, and chilling stories being written by Southerners all across the country. From the famous (Rick Bass, Wendell Berry, Elizabeth Spencer, Wells Tower, Padgett Powell, Dorothy Allison, Brad Watson) to the finest new talents, Amy Hempel has selected twenty-five of the best, most arresting stories of the past year. The 2010 collection is proof of the enduring vitality of the short form and the vigor of this ever-changing yet time-honored series.

At Pemberley: 3 Pride & Prejudice Short Stories


Georgina Pryke - 2017
    What could have possibly happened to produce a tight-lipped Darcy, a sheepish Elizabeth, and an embarrassed Georgiana? Colonel Fitzwilliam is determined to find out during one entertaining and unprecedented evening. The only problem lies in knowing that truth can be hard to discern from fiction, especially with three story-tellers. Overheard at Pemberley – The position as lady’s maid to the mistress of an estate is an enviable one in service, particularly for an unrepentant eavesdropper like Daisy Tiller. She is in a unique position to be confidante and observer both, apt to hear much of interest. When she is hired by Mrs Darcy, Tiller finds there is much to keep her entertained throughout the days at Pemberley, especially with a master and mistress like Mr and Mrs Darcy. A Stolen Day at Pemberley – After an insulting marriage proposal, Elizabeth Bennet desires nothing more than to never see rude Mr Darcy again. But that very night she endures a vivid nightmare of his home at Pemberley, one in which she is his wife, and mother to his children, and happy to be so! What is she to do with this confusion, even as she becomes more convinced that the nightmare world might be real? Could she really love Mr Darcy? This collection of short stories is the first publication from Georgina Pryke, based on the novel by Jane Austen.

Her Last Missed Calls


A.K. Raj - 2017
    But as fate would have it, he ended up marrying Gayatri. He never cared for her or treated her as his wife but she was persistent and kept loving him. One evening when Rajiv got back home from work, he couldn't find Gayatri anywhere but even then he didn't bother, because he preferred to live in his past. But for how long can he ignore her?

Other Voices, Other Rooms


Truman Capote - 1948
    In this semiautobiographical coming-of-age novel, thirteen-year-old Joel Knox, after losing his mother, is sent from New Orleans to live with the father who abandoned him at birth. But when Joel arrives at Skully’s Landing, the decaying mansion in rural Alabama, his father is nowhere to be found. Instead, Joel meets his morose stepmother, Amy, eccentric cousin Randolph, and a defiant little girl named Idabel, who soon offers Joel the love and approval he seeks.Fueled by a world-weariness that belied Capote’s tender age, this novel tempers its themes of waylaid hopes and lost innocence with an appreciation for small pleasures and the colorful language of its time and place.This new edition, featuring an enlightening Introduction by John Berendt, offers readers a fresh look at Capote’s emerging brilliance as a writer of protean power and effortless grace.From the Hardcover edition.

The Complete Lake Series


AnnaLisa Grant - 2013
    Having lost both her parents and grandparents, and with nowhere else to go, Layla is moving from Florida to a small town in North Carolina to live with the only family she has left: her estranged uncle and aunt. The last five years of Layla’s life were spent appeasing her less-than-loving grandmother, followed by being her grandfather’s caretaker. Growing old before her time, Layla lost her identity. Now she must learn how to allow herself to be the one cared for and loved. Life takes an unexpected turn when Layla meets Will Meyer. His breathtaking good looks are enough to catch her eye, but his sincerity and passion are everything she needs to find the strength and confidence she lost — and lead her into love. When tragedy once again strikes Layla’s life, her hope is all but completely crushed. Through it all, Layla learns what it means to truly love and be loved. Troubled Waters (The Lake Trilogy, Book 2) College life for Layla Weston isn’t starting the way she’d intended. She’s revisiting the plans she once had to be the reclusive girl she wanted to be at Heyward Prep, and Layla is more than confident in her ability to succeed this time. After all, she’s got a whole new bag of secrets to keep. Still reeling from Will’s disappearance, Layla is doing her best to adjust to life back in Florida. She continues to hold out hope, confident she was meant to find Will’s ring for a reason. Just as Layla is starting to accept that she must keep moving forward, secrets from the past threaten Layla and her family. As Luke and Claire join with Layla to protect their family, Layla discovers that her uncle may not be the man she thought he was – and that there’s more to Will’s disappearance than she ever could have imagined. Safe Harbor (The Lake Trilogy, Book 3) Layla Weston was supposed to be planning her wedding, not waiting for her fiancé’s father to die. As Luke prepares to defend Holly for the shooting of Gregory Meyer, Layla and her family weigh the possibility of being able to return home to North Carolina. Only Layla isn't quite sure that's what she wants. Will and Layla are faced with a new set of challenges for their future - including the status of their upcoming wedding. And when new revelations about his father come to light, Will finds himself questioning his own destiny as a man. With Layla's help, he must learn that his identity is not determined by his DNA. Now that they are on the brink of their happily-ever-after, will Layla and Will get everything they dreamed of? Or will their happiness continue to be just out of reach? Anchored: A Lake Series Novella They've been to hell and back again, but now Will and Layla are beginning the biggest adventure of their lives: parenthood! It's only been a few short months since Will and Layla welcomed their twins. And while Layla is excited for all that awaits her in motherhood, she's feeling a little disconnected from the friends who have stood by her from the moment they met. Reintegrating into her social life and balancing motherhood may be a bit of a challenge, but Layla isn't going to miss her opportunity to help her dearest friends find their Happily Ever After, too. But what would life be without a curve ball once in a while? When someone from their past surfaces and asks for help, Layla isn’t sure telling Will is the best thing to do. He spent years protecting her, now it’s her turn to protect him from further heartache. She knows she won’t be able to keep the secret from Will forever, but no matter what happens, Layla is confident they’ll walk through it together, remaining just as anchored together as they’ve always been.

The Week I Ruined My Life: A powerful thought provoking story of being true to yourself


Caroline Grace-Cassidy - 2016
    She seeks solace from her toxic relationship by throwing herself into a new job that she loves, by confiding in her best friend Corina and, most dangerously of all, by spending more and more time with her workmate Owen – who just so happens to be passionate, charming and everything her husband used to be.Then one heat-of-the-moment decision on a business trip to Amsterdam sets off a series of events that will change the course of all their lives forever.

Nanny Down Under Box Set


Piper Sullivan - 2018
    An American with legs that go on forever. If only I can convince her to pose as my fake fiancée, all my problems will be solved. Bryce Suddenly, I’m an instant Daddy. The overwhelmingly sexy Cara has come to my rescue. She needs a break from the States. And I need a nanny. If only I can convince her we can be more. Zane I’m not looking for love. Especially not with the nanny. But an overwhelming attraction just keeps building between Bianca and me. I can’t let it get out of control. Author’s Promise: Nanny Down Under consists of three steamy, standalone romances featuring single daddies, with no cheating, no cliffhangers and guaranteed HEAs .

Edisto Revisited


Padgett Powell - 1996
    Not yet ready to fully embrace adulthood, Simons finds himself surrendering to cynicism, as well as to the temptations of his “turned-out-well” first cousin, Patricia.To avoid sinking further into his rut, Simons embarks on a road trip through the South. After a disastrous stint as a Corpus Christi fisherman, he exits the Lone Star State, doubling back to the Louisiana bayou to spend some quality time with his former friend and mentor—and his mother’s ex-lover—Taurus. But as even Taurus’s once sought-after wisdom wears thin, Simons begins to suspect that the grass is not greener on the other side—it may be burnt, brown, and dead wherever he goes.

The Legacy series (Volume 2): A Love series, Wrapped series, and Burning Souls series continuation


M.J. Fields - 2017
    The price will go up to 7.99. Love You Anyways When Lucas Links finds out his wife has been cheating on him his world is rocked. Ashley, his wife, blames him for her nearly five-year affair with Senator Robert Robertson. Ashley says she has lived for twenty years knowing her husband is in love with his high school sweetheart Tessa Ross. Tessa Ross Abrahams , husband Collin, was murdered in an attempt to save their daughters life. She grieved silently. She wanted to show her grown children that she was alright and that even after a devastating loss life can go on. Secretly it was something she doubted. When Lucas, who is still very much a part of her life lends his support will she take it? Will the passion they shared so many years resurface? Will the sins of his past be forgiven? Will she take a chance at the boy who shattered her heart? Will they be able to ignore the intense sexual desires they once had for one another or will they seek comfort in each other’s bodies and beds. This novel starts in Lucas's voice. We also hear from Tessa towards the end Love Notes A continuation of Lucas and Tessa's story, in Lucas Links POV. In Love Notes, Lucas and Tessa's rekindled love has never been stronger. Although she has never wanted to revisit the past it weighs on Lucas's heart. Lucas wants Tessa to know everything, yet burdening her further is not an option. Love notes is a short story, or Novella, that answers readers’ questions and gives us a more in-depth look at the man Lucas, was, and the man he has become. Loves Reminder (Never Published) Growing older with the woman he loves, is a dream come true for Lucas Links. However, growing old isn’t something he wants either of them to settle for. When everyday life gets monotonous, Lucas decides to push Tessa to embrace spontaneity.