Book picks similar to
States of Grace by Mandy Miller


mystery
book-club
arcs-ive-received
contemporary

Dark Bastard (Dark Sparrow, #5)


India Kells - 2021
    As everybody around is celebrating the New Year, the joy of new beginnings, all he wants is to end it all.As a soldier, he knows the job is not finished; his father still threatened his bastard brothers and loved ones, but Sam’s strength has vanished… until he dialed a wrong number and connected with a soft female voice, as sad and lonely as he was.Just as his heart started beating again and he dared to approach the beautiful Ellie, determined to drag her away from the edge, Sam’s darkest monster crashed in his life.No more choice now: if he wanted to save Ellie, he would have to confront his father. Little did he know that the women he desired and vowed to protect, his kindred spirit, would be the one surprising him with a secret that would bring him to his knees.With his heart on the line and his soul in tatters, will Sam dare to take one last chance at love, or will his demons finish dragging him under for good?

Celia's Puppies


Claudia Hall Christian - 2009
    Over the course of her life, she gathered those who needed her special brand of love. Nine years after her death, Celia's puppies are facing themselves and their lives. Exciting, heart-warming, and always fun, Celia's Puppies is the second installment of the Denver Cereal. An Internet sensation, Denver Cereal is a serial fiction grounded in Uptown Denver, Colorado. "I am completely addicted to this series." - P. Cooper "Claudia Hall Christian brings life to each of these characters, a life that you long to be a part of, that you just can't get enough of." - C. Sund "I love Denver Cereal." - L. Richards Crunchy, sweet and always addicting - you deserve a little Denver Cereal in your life. DenverCereal.com

Mercy Like Sunlight


Liz Curtis Higgs - 2014
    Adrift on the streets of Chicago, she is surrounded by strangers and hounded by demons, both real and imagined. Her neighbors in Lincoln Park call her Mad Mary—until a fearless young pastor dares to call Mary his friend.Inspired by the biblical account of Mary Magdalene, this touching contemporary story first appeared in Liz’s nonfiction book, Mad Mary, later titled Unveiling Mary Magdalene. Now updated as a stand-alone novella, Mercy Like Sunlight is a powerful tribute to God’s boundless compassion and unending grace.“I was deeply moved by the story of Pastor Jake and Mary Margaret Delaney. So well written. So challenging to me. So Christlike. And so Chicago!”—Neta Jackson, best-selling author of The Yada Yada Prayer Group“Irresistible, unconditional love shines through on each and every page!”—Sharon Ewell Foster, Christy Award-winning author of Passing by Samaria

The Heavenly Grille Café


J.T. Livingston - 2015
    She packs all of her belongings into her old car and drives north from Tampa, FL for several hours until she comes upon an out-of-the-way restaurant, accen-tuated by a huge golden halo instead of the more well-recognized golden arches. Th e Heavenly Grille Café is operated by three angels who take Amanda under their wings (no pun intended): Max was once a Roman Gladiator; Bertie was a loud and boisterous housewife who died unexpectedly in 1911, leaving behind a husband and two children; and Doug was a strong, handsome soldier who died serving his country in 1953. Amanda meets another young woman, Kris DeVone, who is completely opposite to herself in character and personality. While Amanda is a happy, secure Christian with tremendous faith, Kris has done everything in her power to be the ultimate "bad" girl, and does not believe in God. Amanda befriends Kris, who is seven months pregnant and has been abandoned by her live-in boyfriend. Th e women become best friends and move in together so that Amanda can help take care of the baby girl, Charlotte Grace, who is born in September 2011. By the time Christmas rolls around, both of their worlds have been turned upside down with the shocking kidnapping of Charlotte Grace. Th e next two months provide insight into Kris’ eventual relationship with God, the angels’ inability to change destiny, and a look into the lives of the kidnappers, Jack and Susan Peterson, and the reason behind why they committed such a horrible crime.

Christmas Shorts 2020


Kathi Daley - 2020
    These single chapter shorts run between 25 – 30 pages each and take place over a one to two day period.A Christmas HauntingHaunting by the SeaFaced with a life altering decision, Amanda is visited by the ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Of course in this case, all three ghosts are played by alter ego Alyson, who has a vested interest in ensuring that the decision Amanda makes will be the one which will allow them both to live their happily ever after.Hunt for ChristmasA Sand and Sea MysteryIt’s just a week until Christmas and things are slow at Pope Investigations. Lani is having a hard time finding the Christmas spirit until Kekoa brings her one final case before they break for the holiday. It seems that a woman wants to hire Pope Investigations to find an angel tree topper that was mistakenly donated to the local church for their yard sale five years prior. The tree topper, was a gift to the woman’s grandmother when she fled Germany nearly eighty years ago. At first Lani is conflicted about taking on the nearly impossible case until she realizes a mystery such as this might very well provide the distraction she needs from tangled emotions relating to the oh so sexy cowboy she tried to forget but can’t seem to live without.Legacy in ParadiseTj Jensen MysteryWith Christmas just around the corner Tj is faced with the task of finding the perfect gift for her rich husband who already has everything. After a bit of thought she comes up with the idea of a scrapbook chronicling the Collins Family history. Kyle hadn’t known he was a Collins until after the last Collins living in America had died and left him his entire estate. Being the sort of guy who’s all about roots and family, Tj realizes that a gift of family really might turn out to be the best gift of all.

Love Struck Café: A Sassy Southern Romantic Novella


Carolyn Brown - 2022
    If someone doesn't answer her "Help Wanted" sign soon, her struggling café in the heart of Texas won't be open much longer. But when a handsome traveler pops in for a country-fried steak, Jasmine's luck begins to turn around. Hiring Flint Walker is the answer Jasmine has been looking for, and if her business can have a second chance, then maybe her love life can too.

One Last Time: A Billionaire Romance (The Ironwood Billionaire Series Book 4)


Ellie Danes - 2018
    The place I had dreamed of building a life, until it all fell apart. Too many bad dates to count. A broken engagement. A job I don’t love.And how do I celebrate? Being stood up by a blind date. And then he showed up. The hot stranger that rescued my night. I’d take his pity, and so much more. Declan Erikson is all that’s on my mind, but everything I don’t need. Tall, dark, handsome and rich with a heart of gold. I thought I had made up my mind, But I’m finding it growing harder to make the right decision. Especially, when he’s promised to give it all to me. One Last Time is a standalone billionaire romance and is Book 4 of The Ironwood Billionaire Series.

Whispers of Winter: A Limited Edition Collection of Winter Romances


Nicole MorganJan Springer - 2018
    Before you get snowed in, grab yourself a copy of this limited-edition collection. With heroes and heroines of all kinds, you'll be sure to find some that you just can't help but fall in love with. These romantic reads can be read as stand-alone stories. But, why would you want to do that? Read them all! Immerse yourself in this wintery ensemble from Romance Collections. This collection includes: Storm of Seduction (Gilpin County Search & Rescue 1.5) by Nicole Morgan Will Lori's plan be the thing that brings her and Kevin together again? The Gift by Stephanie Morris Sometimes love is the only gift you need Luca's Little Christmas Cracker by Caitlyn Lynch Santa's sexy helper is all Luca wants for Christmas! Finding Love by Krista Ames Sometimes the best things are found in awkward places... The Great Fruitcake Bake-off by Vicki Batman It's love and war in the baking world. Christmas Choices by Sharon Coady Which man can make this the best Christmas of her life? Hot Coffee by Donna R. Mercer Everyone Needs A Little Cream in Their... Nice Girl Naughty by Jan Springer Can Summer's bodyguard keep her safe from a serial killer? Touchdown Dance by Carma Haley Shoemaker Dance was my first love. I'm counting on you to be my last. Christmas Wishes by Livia Quinn Tis the Season for Second Chances Tied Up In Tinsel by Amber Skyze Things can go awry when a dream fantasy turns into a nightmare. Rent-a-Gentleman Two: Winter Sparks by Rebecca Fairfax A winter-spring relationship? No--more like winter sparks Stranger in the Snow by Jane Blythe Trust a stranger with her life or risk it in a blizzard. Resisting You by Suzanne Jenkins Kendall accepted a life without love until an unexpected visitor changed her mind. Mistletoe Fantasies, Book 1 in the Pleasure Your Fantasies Series by Stacy Eaton Dancing pays the bills, but it's ruining her Christmas Fantasy. A White Hot Christmas: Novella by Rene Webb Keeping warm has never been this hot! A Wolf's Claim (The Holiday Ball Book 1) by Marie Mason Will fate and some blue pixie dust be enough to get these two lovers together? Christmas Comes to Silver Falls (A BBW Holiday Romance) by Joann Baker & Patricia Mason When a long lost love rides into town, Christmas becomes even more complicated for Mayor Holly Bryant as she must choose between her responsibility as mayor or her heart. Winter Encounter by Karen Cino

Enticed (The ROGUES Billionaire Book 6)


Tracie Delaney - 2021
    

Stella (Curvy Girls Can, #4)


Sadie King - 2020
    But when Stella Parker walks into the boardroom, I know I’m a goner. She’s smart, funny, and gorgeous.But can I convince her that mixing business and pleasure isn’t always bad?StellaFashion for the curvy girl: It’s what I do, and it’s what I’ve built my business around. Now I’m looking for the right investment to take it to the next level.Jared isn’t a typical businessman with his tight black t-shirt and arm tattoos. One look and I’m in danger of throwing away everything I’ve worked so hard for.Can I keep my business and keep my heart closed, or will the rock star investor be too much to resist?Stella is book four in the Curvy Girls Can series. Short, sweet and steamy insta-love stories about women with big curves, big attitudes, and big dreams and the alpha men who are man enough to love them.High heat, oh so sweet, and always with a happily ever after. Each book in the series is a standalone. No cliffhangers.

Tangled Threads


Sandy Hill - 2011
    Can they reconcile or will death and betrayal mark their lives and the lives of their families forever? Delia O'Toole is determined to escape the nursing home that has become her prison. So when her lifelong enemy, Ruthann, begs her to return to their hometown in North Carolina, Delia realizes it's time to confront Ruthann. It's time to deal with “the accident.” “Tangled Threads,” vetted for accuracy by an expert on early mill villages, moves between the 1890s and the 1950s. Along the way, it explores the limits of forgiveness and the difficult choices that await us at the end of life. Book club discussion questions included.

Intrusion


Mary McCluskey - 2016
    While Scott throws himself back into his law practice in Los Angeles, Kat is hesitant to rejoin the workplace and instead spends her days shell-shocked and confused, unable to focus.When an unwelcome face from Kat’s past in England emerges—the beautiful and imposing Sarah Cherrington—Kat’s marriage is thrown into a tailspin. Now wealthy beyond anything she could have imagined as a girl, Sarah appears to have everything she could need or want. But Sarah has an agenda and she wants one more thing. Soon Kat and Scott are caught up in her devious games and power plays.Against the backdrops of Southern California and Sussex, in spare and haunting prose, Mary McCluskey propels this domestic drama to its chilling conclusion.

Saving Face


Brenda Barrett - 2013
    Natasha Rowe and her partner Harry Campbell are asked to go under cover to investigate what appears to be a murder. In the process of investigating, Natasha finds herself attracted to lecturer and psychiatrist Taj Jackson. She also realizes that all is not what it appears to be at the school. There are secrets and lies under the veneer of holiness, especially in the life of the dead president.

When We Were Sisters


Cynthia Ellingsen - 2021
    One summer to bring a family back together.Jayne Winters hasn’t seen her sister Charlotte since that last childhood holiday at their grandmother’s North Carolina beach house. Separated after that summer by their parents in a bitter divorce, Charlotte has never forgiven Jayne for not fighting to stay together.So when Jayne discovers that they have both inherited the beach house, and that their grandmother’s last wish was for them to renovate it together, it feels like a miracle: one last chance to win her sister back.At first Charlotte will barely speak to her. But slowly the memories of swimming races and storytelling in their attic bedroom looking over the sea start to break down the wall between them. With the help of photographs and letters left by their grandmother for them to find, the two women begin to restore not just the creaking mahogany staircase and the faded antique wallpaper, but their own relationship.But then Jayne discovers that Charlotte has kept a heart-stopping secret from their past from her. Can she find it in her heart to forgive her sister and keep their grandmother’s dream of reuniting them alive—or are some wounds too big to heal?An emotional and uplifting read about sisters, secrets and the family bonds that hold us together no matter how complicated they are, from the bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper. Fans of Mary Ellen Taylor, Elin Hilderbrand and Mary Alice Monroe will love this.

Finding Miss Write


Gena Webb - 2018
    Sure, her life's in danger, but she's also caught the attention of handsome detective, Roger Graf, so that kind of evens things out. As Carla nears the end of her novel, it's up to Roger to catch the killer, or it might be the end of Carla's life story as well.