Book picks similar to
Sophie's House of Cards by Sharon Oard Warner


first-reads
fiction
entered-giveaway
grad-school

Rock Needs River: A Memoir About a Very Open Adoption


Vanessa McGrady - 2019
    Her sweet baby, Grace, was a dream come true. Then Vanessa made a highly uncommon gesture: when Grace’s biological parents became homeless, Vanessa invited them to stay.Without a blueprint for navigating the practical basics of an open adoption or any discussion of expectations or boundaries, the unusual living arrangement became a bottomless well of conflicting emotions and increasingly difficult decisions complicated by missed opportunities, regret, social chaos, and broken hearts.Written with wit, candor, and compassion, Rock Needs River is, ultimately, Vanessa’s love letter to her daughter, one that illuminates the universal need for connection and the heroine’s journey to find her tribe.

The Other Family


Loretta Nyhan - 2020
    Her greatest concerns, though, are the health problems of her young daughter, Kylie. Symptoms point to a compromised immune system, but every doctor they’ve seen has a different theory. Then comes hope for some clarity.It’s possible that Kylie’s illness is genetic, but Ally is adopted. A DNA test opens up an entirely new path. And where it leads is a surprise: to an aunt Ally never knew existed. She’s a little wild, very welcoming, and ready to share more of the family history than Ally ever imagined.Coping with a skeptical soon-to-be-ex husband, weathering the cautions of her own resistant mother, and getting maddeningly close to the healing Kylie needs, Ally is determined to regain control of her life. This is her chance to embrace uncertainty and the beauty of family—both the one she was born into and the one she chose.

Vivian's Choice: An Expanded Scene from Orphan Train: With an Excerpt from A Piece of the World


Christina Baker Kline - 2016
    Christina has longed to write a scene in which she clarifies Vivian’s motivations. Now, in this newly released scene and within the book itself, she gives her readers new insights into Vivian’s thoughts and feelings behind that fateful decision.

The Passing Storm


Christine Nolfi - 2021
    With her father, Connor, she tends to their Ohio farm, a forty-acre spread that itself has enjoyed better days. As memories sweep through her, some too precious to bear, Rae gives shelter from a brutal winter to a teenager named Quinn Galecki.Quinn has been thrown out by his parents, a couple too troubled to help steer the misunderstood boy through his own losses. Now Quinn has found a temporary home with the Langdons—and an unexpected kinship, because Rae, Quinn, and Connor share a past and understand one another’s pain. But its depths—and all its revelations and secrets—have yet to come to light. To finally move forward, Rae must confront them and also fight for Quinn, whose parents have other plans in mind for their son.With forgiveness, love, and the spring thaw, there might be hope for a new season—a second chance Rae believed in her heart was gone forever.

Just for One Night


Elizabeth Smith - 2002
    When she learns the buyer is Price McCord, things become even more complicated. Just being near him after all these years has rekindled her feelings for him. And Price, now a successful architect and real estate developer, is amazed to discover that the shy teenaged girl he used to ignore is now an amazingly pretty woman. Amanda knows she should walk away, but old dreams die hard. Soon it becomes impossible to ignore the growing attraction between them. Caught up in the heat of desire, they make love. Afterwards, Amanda dreams of a future with Price, while Price vows to get as far away from her as he can. He cannot give her what she wants. Later, when she realizes his plans for the home that is no longer hers are not at all what he promised, tempers sizzle and emotions flare, leaving no doubt that the passion they have each tried to hide is on the verge of igniting.

Merit Badges


Kevin Fenton - 2011
    There is Quint, whose rebellion frays into self-destruction; Slow, who struggles to become the world’s first teenage father figure; Chimes, who fears losing his friends while picking up a 7-10 split; and Barb who escapes the conformity of Minnisapa only to find herself returning by dark of night. You will feel as if you’ve always lived in Minnisapa, Minnesota. And you will never underestimate nice kids from the Midwest again.

The Summer Holidays Survival Guide


Jon Rance - 2018
    Three children. One senile grandad. Six weeks. How bad could it possibly be? For teacher, Ben Robinson, the school summer holidays mean one thing - spending six weeks with his kids. This year, however, he also has his father and one very angry wife to contend with. The name of the game is simple: survive. Ben embarks on a summer of self-discovery that includes, amongst other things, becoming besotted by a beautiful Australian backpacker, an accidental Brexit march and a road rage attack. There's also the matter of saving his marriage, which is proving harder than he imagined, mainly due to an unfortunate pyramid scheme and one quite large bottom. But when Ben learns his father has a secret, it takes the whole family on a trip to Scotland that will make or break their summer - and perhaps Ben's life. From Jon Rance, bestselling author of Dan And Nat Got Married and About Us, comes a comedy about one man, one family, trying to survive the hardest six weeks of the year together. **Featuring an exclusive extract from the Christmas special, The Family Christmas Survival Guide, out later this year!**

Bad Habitzz: What's Yours


Ivy Symone - 2016
    Some are hard to break, while others can be stopped cold turkey. But what happens when your bad habit gets you in some shit you can’t get out of? Andrea has just returned home after her other half’s passing. She reunites with her childhood friends; however, while navigating the road to living life to the fullest, she encounters speed bumps, potholes, and detours along the way. Andrea's always been closest to Caiden, but now he seems to want nothing to do with her. While trying to mend that friendship, she finds herself slowly falling for Leonard “Lynx” King, the boy who bullied her every day as a child. The only thing is, he has no idea who she is. Meet Pascha, mother of two, who has too many struggles to count. Her baby daddy, Gunz, cares more about his bike club than being at home providing for her and their kids. She needs change, because she finds herself sinking into her own pity; that is, until Solomon “Solo” King comes into the picture and forces her to reevaluate her self-worth. But you know that saying, “When something is too good to be true, it usually is”; well, she’s about to find out, one way or the other, if that old adage holds any weight. Romyn seems to have his hands full with all of these down low men that don’t know how to treat him. Between his present, Ethan, and his past, Lonzo, Romyn doesn’t seem to realize he’s deserving of so much more. That’s where Kreme comes into the picture. But something's preventing Romyn from fully giving himself to Kreme. Is it the fear of possibly having a successful relationship? Or is he still stuck on wanting to make things work with Lonzo? Life would be perfect if only Lonzo would come out about who he really is. So come indulge in the 'vicious cycles' of Bad Habitzz as we follow this not-so-merry band of misfits and their insignificant-significant others, as they cross paths, weave webs of betrayal and unearth hidden truths that could destroy their newfound happiness. Welcome to Jewel City!

Zuzu's Petals: A True Story of Second Chances


Lauren Ward Larsen - 2010
    Shortly after she entered the ninth month of what had been an easy pregnancy, her husband, Jeff, followed a sudden and inexplicable urge to bring her flowers in the middle of a busy workday. Within hours of his visit, their lives would change forever.The rapid onset of a pregnancy-related disorder nearly claimed the lives of both Lauren and her baby. After more than a month in intensive care, and with years of recovery work ahead of her, Lauren was left with the question: What now? Amidst the wreckage of her near-fatal illness, an opportunity emerged—the chance to rebuild a different life, one that was more personally meaningful and fulfilling. With absolute clarity about their limited time on earth, Lauren and Jeff changed their priorities, their careers, their lifestyle, and even where they lived.As her physical strength grew, so too did Lauren’s understanding of just how many people — nurses, doctors, friends, family, and anonymous blood donors — had contributed to giving her a second chance in life. An overwhelming sense of gratitude emerged and found expression through her fundraising campaigns and national speaking tour. And along the way, Lauren became a shamelessly proud mother, who sought to live as joyfully as possible no matter the circumstances.At times heartbreaking, at times laugh-out-loud funny, Zuzu’s Petals is a story about human resilience, living authentically, and the power of turning gratitude into action.

Ian McEwan's Atonement, &, Saturday: a supplement to The work of Ian McEwan, a psychodynamic approach


Bernie C. Byrnes - 2006
    

The President Is Missing - A Free Preview of the Novel


Bill Clinton - 2018
    . . Clinton's insider secrets and Patterson's storytelling genius make this the political thriller of the decade." --Lee Child The publishing event of 2018: Bill Clinton and James Patterson's The President Is Missing is a superlative thriller . . . one that can really happen, and one that must not be missed. The President Is Missing confronts a threat so huge that it jeopardizes not just Pennsylvania Avenue and Wall Street, but all of America. Uncertainty and fear grip the nation. There are whispers of cyberterror and espionage and a traitor in the Cabinet. Even the President himself becomes a suspect, and then he disappears from public view . . . Set over the course of three days, The President Is Missing sheds a stunning light upon the inner workings and vulnerabilities of our nation. Filled with information that only a former Commander-in-Chief could know, this is the most authentic, terrifying novel to come along in many years. And a timely, historic story that will be read--and talked about--for years to come.

Ace (The Jacksons Book 1)


Brenda Barrett - 2020
    Ace Jackson Jr. resembled the Wileys and not his father, Ace Jackson Sr. His mother, Celia Jackson, told him to ignore the whispers and the innuendos, he was Ace Sr.’s son and not the son of their former gardener, Micky Wiley. For thirty-six years Ace Jr. managed to do just that. He ignored the speculation because he didn’t want to upset the status quo. However, a part of him was curious as to what was the truth of the situation, but he would honor his mother’s wishes. And then he met and developed feelings for Kiya Brady, the rumored love child of Micky Wiley, and then he realized that maybe he shouldn’t be honoring his mother’s wishes after all…

Letters from Alice: A tale of hardship and hope. A search for the truth.


Petrina Banfield - 2018
    One secret. Will they be able to keep it under wraps?It was a stormy evening in 1920s London. When newly qualified almoner, Alice, stepped into the home of Charlotte, a terrified teenager who had just given birth out of wedlock, she did not expect to make a pact that would change her life forever. Thrown into secrecy after an unexpected turn, Alice was determined to keep bewildered Charlotte and her newborn baby safe. But when a threatening note appeared, she realised that Charlotte may need more protection than she first thought. But from who?Based on extensive research into the archive material held at the London Metropolitan Archives, and enriched with lively social history and excerpts from newspaper articles, LETTERS FROM ALICE is a gripping and deeply moving tale, which brings the colourful world of 1920s London to life. Full of grit, mystery and hope, it will have readers enthralled from the very first page.

The Street Orphans


Mary Wood - 2018
    When her father is killed in an accident and her family evicted from their cottage, she hopes to leave her old life behind, to start afresh in the Blackburn cotton mills. But tragedy strikes once again, setting in motion a chain of events that will unravel her family’s lives. Their fate is in the hands of the Earl of Harrogate, and his betrothed, Lady Katrina. But more sinister is the scheming Marcia, Lady Katrina’s jealous sister. Impossible dreams beset Ruth from the moment she meets the Earl. Dreams that lead her to hope that he will save her from the terrible fate that awaits those accused of witchcraft. Dreams that one day her destiny and the Earl’s will be entwined.

The Captured Girl: A Novel of Survival during the Great Sioux War


Tom Reppert - 2016
    More than four years later in 1875, when the cavalry attacks her Indian village, she is rescued by Lieutenant Raines. Now eighteen, she returns to white society with her Cheyenne son at her side. Her struggle for survival has just begun.Filled with fascinating characters: outlaws, soldiers and warriors, English Dukes, Robber Barons, and the upstairs downstairs of back east society, this epic story of love and survival transports us from the Indian camps of Montana Territory to the mean streets of Gilded Age New York, and back again, right into the heart of the Great Sioux War. Reviews:“Realistic dialog; interpersonal entanglements and characterizations that come alive. It all adds authenticity to a historical work that makes for a delicious read.” Foster W. Cline, M.D, author of Parenting with Love and Logic.“The Captured Girl is a captivating story of survival and strength. Morgan’s is a tale of courage wouldn’t let go of my imagination even after I sadly turned the last page.” Mary Haley author of Ghost Writer, The Great Potato Murder.“An excellently written and fascinating story of the Sioux War of the 1800s. It is obvious that the author Tom Reppert has spent many hours researching that period of history, and he has made it come alive as few authors can. You can feel and identify with the inner struggle that his hero, a young soldier, goes through during his first battle.” Ana Parker Goodwin, author of Justice Forbidden