Book picks similar to
Joanna (Court of the Tetrarch #1) by Katrina D. Hamel


biblical-fiction
new-testament
religion-fiction
1st-in-series

The First Word


Isley Robson - 2017
    Her job as a pediatric occupational therapist is the perfect distraction from the unspeakable tragedy she experienced as a child. But when she meets alternative-energy magnate Rhys Griffiths and his autistic toddler, Will, she quickly realizes her heart will never be the same. Especially when her name becomes Will’s first word.After accepting a position as a live-in therapist for Will, Andie steels herself against the appeal of the disconcertingly attractive—and attracted—Rhys. But their chemistry can no longer be denied, and their heated affair seems destined for happily ever after. A destiny Andie’s terrified to embrace.When Andie’s guilt, Rhys’s awkwardness, and the abrupt appearance of an erratic ex threaten to dismantle their delicately blooming relationship, they must decide if love is worth the challenge. Can Andie and Rhys find their way back to each other? Or will the demons of the past simply prove too strong?

The Austrian: A War Criminal's Story


Ellie Midwood - 2016
    All this is only the tip of the iceberg in the myriad of emotions for Ernst, former leader of the Austrian SS incarcerated in Nuremberg prison, who already knows what fate awaits him. Day after day he recollects his life, trying to understand where he made that wrong turn that changed his whole life and brought him into service of his new masters, who soon dragged his whole country into the most blood-shedding war in history. With agonizing sincerity he analyzes his past, which made him, a former promising lawyer, into a weapon of mass murder in the hands of his new leaders. Self-loathing and torturous doubts are plaguing Ernst’s mind, which together with unwanted hopes for salvation, terrifying visions of the nearing end, and ghosts from the past turn his incarceration into a never-ending nightmare. And yet, at the very edge of the abyss, he’s still clinging to life, because a woman is waiting for him, a woman, whose secret he’s still carefully guarding, and the one who he still hopes to see… Reviewed By Sarah Stuart for Readers’ Favorite The Austrian: A War Criminal’s Story by Ellie Midwood opens with a short prologue entitled “Nuremberg prison, October 1946.” Ernst Kaltenbrunner, a former leader of the Austrian SS, has been tried by the International Military Tribunal and sentenced to hang. He is preparing to meet his death, ten minutes ahead, with dignity. The chapters that follow recount the events that led to his trial and the verdict. The author has based this novel not only on actual historical events, but has fictionalized many of the main characters who lived and fought for the Third Reich, such as Ernst Kaltenbrunner himself, Martin Bormann, Adolph Hitler’s private secretary, and Heinrich Muller, the Chief of the Gestapo. Ellie Midwood’s historical novel, The Austrian: A War Criminal’s Story, has a prologue that features the last ten minutes of Ernst Kaltenbrunner's life. It seemed an unlikely start to the story, but the drama had me gripped instantly. The secret lies in the sixteen chapters being sub-divided into sections, each with the place and date stated. This makes it incredibly easy to follow a book written almost entirely in flashbacks. Some of them are set in the years immediately prior to WW2; others recount Ernst’s earliest childhood memories, including the departure of his father to fight in WW1. Still more show him growing to adulthood and his love life, his first interest being a girl with golden hair who is actually a Jewess. Well-written and researched, the whole book is vivid and intriguing. I recommend it to anyone, whether or not they have a special interest in war stories.

Songbird: A Small-Town Romantic Comedy


Caroline Tate - 2018
    He’s a career-focused charmer whose greatest appeal is his nerdy sense of humor. Ellie Stone’s only goal this summer is to get the Southport Music Festival off the ground without a hitch. But when she randomly meets Mason Matthews at a concert in Wilmington, they instantly connect on an honest, soul-stirring level.As they head their separate ways after sharing an almost-night of pure lust, Ellie is ready to focus all of her attention back on festival prep. When plans nosedive and the feature band pulls out of the lineup, she decides to get scrappy and take action, no matter who it involves.After an ego-shattering scuffle with Mason in the middle of town, Ellie has to swallow her pride in exchange for his help promoting the event. But Mason, Editor of the Southport Anchor, swears his hands are tied.While his feelings for Ellie continue to grow, are they strong enough that he’ll risk breaking company policy just to help promote her dream? Or will he leave her hanging on the very last note?

Exiles


R.J. Larson - 2014
    But Araine secretly questions Atea’s power as a goddess. Wrestling with her spiritual doubts, Araine finds old scrolls containing verses that come alive, beckoning her soul. Within those words, Araine senses the presence of the Infinite, the despised Most Ancient God, enemy to all Ateans, and she’s captivated—secretly risking her life to read the Books of the Infinite.You are forever in My sight…Betrayed and condemned, Araine is swept away to the kingdom of Belaal, where she is swiftly apprehended and marked as a slave. Caught up in the lethal political and religious struggles within Balaal, Araine joins forces with another slave, Nikaros, a hostage and exiled son of an Eosyth Lord. As they fight to survive the antagonistic royal court, Nik and Araine soon realize that they must also protect the despotic god-king who has enslaved them.But the god-king, Bel-Tygeon, has plans of his own.Child of Dust, are you My servant?

A Prophet Without Honor: A Novel of Alternative History


Joseph Wurtenbaugh - 2017
    Written in epistolary style and populated with interesting, fully-realized characters, the multi-general narrative is a seamless blend of authentic fact and sound speculation. The plot focuses on the one great, unrealized opportunity of the Twentieth Century. In the first months of 1936, Adolf Hitler risked everything by ordering his untrained military to reoccupy the Rhineland. It was a bluff. The Germans would have been forced to retreat if the French or British had offered the slightest opposition. But the bluff succeeded. History changed decisively. Hitler quieted the opposition at home, and marched the world relentlessly on, to the edge of destruction and beyond. The story examines that lost chance in detail. The result is a compelling story full of intrigue, danger, romance, and action, culminating in the reckoning that Hitler might have faced, had events taken a different course. It is a celebration of ordinary integrity and the enduring power of simple good will - even in times when honesty is the most dangerous virtue of all and the effects of good will seem lost in obscurity.

The Ares Trials: The Complete Collection


Eliza Raine - 2021
    It’s less great when you turn up to find him dead on the floor, and an armored giant dressed like a freaking ancient warrior standing over his body though.Ares, the God of War, has lost his power and the only way for him to get it back? Me. Apparently, I’m a goddess. One with the power of war. I mean, it does explain a lot.To my relief, Joshua, my shrink and only friend, isn’t really dead. He’s been kidnapped and taken to Olympus—the world where I’m supposed to belong. I vow to do whatever it takes to find him. But Ares has other plans for me. He wants my power, and the easiest way for him to get it is to kill me.When Hades suggests a compromise, I’m forced to work side-by-side with a giant, murderous warrior god. One with far too many secrets. Ares might be the brute everyone thinks he is, but I’m no angel. He awakens a power within me that I’ve failed to control my whole life.And I soon discover that Joshua isn’t the only one that needs saving.This is the complete collection of The Ares Trials, including The Warrior God, The Savage God and The Golden God. It is intended for adults and is packed with magic, mythology and enemies-to-lovers soulmate romance!

MIЯЯЯO : at THƎ WƎIЯⱭ WAYWAЯⱭ


Manoj Kumar Sharma - 2019
    But at the same time many perennial social problems also grew manifolds, remained inattentive and giving birth to exponential intensification to grievances. The volcanoes of grievances led to Genesis of MIЯЯЯO … MIЯЯЯO’s unpredictable fearless Modus-Operandi breaks all the Laws and leads to the out-of-the-box solutions as Weird Way Ward, to rejuvenate the Eco-Systems of today’s hypocritical SYSTEMS…it’s up to the discretion of the PEOPLE, to allow or not! The Story indicates India’s perennial problems through the eyes of the Protagonist, who always dreamt for the solutions as his own personal aspirations, but, couldn’t succeed meeting even single one, out of his own personal flaws. Time compels him taking help of someone, whom he never believed cordially. Out of gist of many, only 3 problems are selfishly picked-up by the Protagonist, which hurt him most personally. MIЯЯЯO weirdly solves those 3 problems with the essence of absolute cleansing as permanent solutions… Will INDIA wish to have such weird, but, permanent solutions to all other problems? Let TIME tell…

Gathering Storm


Kenneth R. Tarr - 1999
     Steven Christopher struggles to make sense of his life after his wife abandons him and their three children to join a polygamous cult. He meets Mary Fleming at his new ward and is deeply attracted by her beauty and intelligence, but his bitter experience with marriage makes him feel unworthy and afraid to give his heart to another woman. Mary, recovering from her own failed relationship, sees something in Steven that even he doesn't realize exists, but how can he trust her? Then the first great catastrophe strikes. Steven and Mary soon find themselves in the midst of apocalyptic prophecies regarding latter-day events—both terrible and marvelous—that unfold shortly before the Second Coming of the Lord. As natural disasters, plagues, anarchy, and the collapse of the American government lead to the degradation of civilization throughout the world, a great worldwide secret combination expands its evil influence. The people of God are the only power that can stand against this evil, people like Steven and Mary—if they will accept the challenge. Join Steven and Mary as they begin a tumultuous journey for survival in a dangerous world. Gathering Storm is a compelling novel that will have you turning pages and looking into your own heart to see how you might deal with the trials ahead. Fast-paced and well-researched, Gathering Storm is not only fascinating but technically sound. As you read this exciting LDS novel, you will recognize yourself and those in your ward, and you will be amazed at how ordinary people grow to meet extraordinary challenges. Adventure, romance, tragedy, and triumph—Gathering Storm has them all! —Rachel Ann Nunes, author of Ariana and Before I Say Goodbye

William Faulkner: The Sound and the Fury and as I Lay Dying: Essays, Articles, Reviews


Nicolas Tredell - 2000
    By the end of the Second World War, however, the reputation of both novels had grown and Faulkner's great fictional creation, Yoknapatawpha County, had become as much a part of America as any real area of the Mississippi landscape. This "Guide" explores the wealth of critical material generated by these two exceptional works of modernist fiction. From the initially mixed critical responses to the novels in the early 1930s, the "Guide" follows the enormous growth of interest in Faulkner's work across six decades. New writings shaped by a range of critical theories are discussed, offering the reader a clear view of the place now given to one of America's most innovative and influential novelists.

Trapped in the Game (The Streets Won't Let Me Go Book 1)


Tamicka Higgins - 2017
    And Black knows that better than anyone. After a drug heist gone bad, Black and Buzzy are hellbent on selling off all the pills they thought they'd gotten away with. All they want now is to unload the narcotics and live the high life by spending the cash and getting out of the business. But that's easier said than done...The two men they lifted the drugs from are making demands, and Black and Buzzy can't turn away. Now, Black is faced with a new challenge, falling for Layla, a chick he just can't have. After all, she's married to the man who's doing time for Black's heist. Black can't possibly take everything from him. With the cops on his tail, a desire to bail on the game, and a guilty conscience, Black must act carefully. But will his next move involve another man's wife?

The Garden


Elsie V. Aidinoff - 2004
    Teacher, mentor, companion, friend, and more. There was God. The Creator. Quick to anger. Dangerous. Majestic.There was Adam: as God said, a joy to behold.And there was Eve.These four hold the future in their hands. And only Eve -- or perhaps the Serpent, too -- wonders what lies outside the Garden of Eden. Passionate, witty, beautifully drawn, and utterly unforgettable, The Garden, a debut novel, remakes and offers insights into a story that forms a cornerstone of our understanding.

Forbidden Heat


Jordyn White - 2017
     But how could I help being struck speechless by the sexy smile and warm intelligence of Professor Shane Brooks? What starts as wistful gazing from the back of the room leads to stolen touches that melt my core, and ends with a midnight encounter right on school grounds. Those weren’t the kind of after-school activities I had in mind. Will Shane hate himself for what we’ve done, or resent me for wanting it? I don’t know. I’m too lost in the heat of his body and the depths of his soul. Sooner or later someone’s bound to find out about us, and it’s not going to be pretty. The only question is, are we strong enough to survive it? FORBIDDEN HEAT is a full-length standalone in the Firework Girls contemporary romance series. Jordyn White takes you on a delightful journey of secret rendezvous, nerdy soulmates, and transcendent love in this completely swoon-worthy forbidden romance.

Smoulder


Cecilia Lane - 2016
    or fated to fight? Dragon shifter Rafael Hart, one of three elite Dragonsworn guards, will not accept failure. He must protect the royal family from any and all threats, including their ancient enemy: dragon slayers. When one infiltrates their lair, it’s his job to destroy the threat even if her scent is as enticing as her lush curves. Lola Moreau hails from a line of dragon slayers, but her quiet life producing weapons for the cause is thrown into disarray with the threat of an arranged marriage. Seeking to prove her new weapons are too valuable to discontinue her work, Lola sneaks into dragon territory to test them. Her mission goes spectacularly wrong when she’s captured by an irresistible foe. Despite her upbringing, Lola can’t help warming to the sexy dragon who keeps her close. The heat between them is undeniable and makes her question everything she thinks she knows about shifters. When an old threat returns to wreak havoc, Rafe must determine if Lola is behind the latest attacks. And if she can be trusted, which way will she turn when she’s caught between the man she’s grown to love and the family that wants to destroy him?

Jabez


Thom Lemmons - 2001
    Now meet Jabez the man–and experience...• his love for a mother whose bitter tears he could never forget• his longing for relief from the pain that marked his past and present–and that seemed destined to engulf his future• his life of struggle with a broken family among a dispirited people who had forgotten their God• his struggle to find faith, then his courage in clinging to it• his journey toward God’s surprising answers to his bold prayer for blessing and expanded borders.Follow this compelling story of two pain-stricken people–a young man and his mother–in one of the Bible’s most turbulent eras. Experience the many-sided paradox of blessing versus struggle, and one man’s relentless, unshakable pursuit of God’s hand upon his life.

One S'more Summer


Beth Merlin - 2017
    She knows it’s wrong and it has to stop, but she hasn’t been able to let go ever since they all met on the bus to summer camp back when they were 7 years old. The same week that her best friends finally announce their wedding date, Gigi loses her high-profile design job. With all of her dreams unravelling, she runs to the last place she remembers being happy.Taking the Head Counselor position at Camp Chinooka, Gigi hopes to reclaim the joy she felt as a camper, but the job isn’t all campfire songs and toasting marshmallows. Gigi’s girls are determined to make her look bad in front of the boys’ Head Counselor—the sexy but infuriating Perry—and every scrap of the campground is laced with memories.When Gigi finally realizes she can’t escape the present by returning to her past, she’s forced to reexamine her life and find the true meaning of love. But will she be able to mend fences and forgive herself before she loses her one real shot at happiness?The Campfire Series1. One S’more Summer—Releases May 30, 2017!2. S'more to Lose—Coming December 2017!