Book picks similar to
Peaks and Valleys by Emilie Richards


anthology
arc
contemporary-fiction
keeper-shelf

I Plan on Forever


Stefanie Jenkins - 2020
    He opened her heart to love again. Almost four years later, their wedding day finally arrives. Family and friends travel from near and far to witness them promise each other forever. Kyler may not have been her first love, but he plans on being her last.

Best Seller


Terry Tyler - 2016
    A twenty-three year old with model girl looks and a book deal with a major publisher, she's outselling the established names in her field and is fast becoming the darling of the media.Becky Hunter has money problems. Can she earn enough from her light-hearted romance novels to counteract boyfriend Alex's extravagant spending habits, before their rocky world collapses?Hard up factory worker Jan Chilver sees writing as an escape from her troubled, lonely life. She is offered a lifeline—but fails to read the small print...In the competitive world of publishing, success can be merely a matter of who you know—and how ruthless you are prepared to be to get to the top.BEST SELLER is a novella of 40k words (roughly half as long as an average length novel), a slightly dark, slightly edgy drama with a twist or three in the tale.

Prize Stories 2001: The O. Henry Awards


Larry Dark - 2001
    Henry, throughout its history this annual collection has consistently offered a remarkable sampling of contemporary short stories. Each year, stories are chosen from large and small literary magazines, and a panel of distinguished writers is enlisted to award top prizes. The result is a superb collection of seventeen inventive, full-bodied stories representing the very best in American and Canadian fiction. And in celebration of this distinguished literary form, Prize Stories 2001 a Special Award for Continuing Achievement is presented to Alice Munro.FIRST PRIZEMARY SWANThe DeepSECOND PRIZEDAN CHAONBig MeTHIRD PRIZEALICE MUNROFloating BridgeFRED G. LEEBRONThat WinterT.CORAGHESSAN BOYLEThe Love of My LifeJOYCE CAROL OATESThe Girl with the Blackened EyeDAVID SCHICKLERThe SmokerANTONYA NELSONFemale TroubleELIZABETH GRAVERThe Mourning DoorPICKNEY BENEDICTZog-19: A Scientific RomanceRON CARLSONAt the Jim BridgerLOUISE EDRICHRevival RoadWILLIAM GAYThe PaperhangerDALE PECKBlissMURAD KALAMBow DownGEORGE SAUNDERSPastoraliaANDREA BARRETTServants of the Map

Fifty First Times


Julie CrossCole Gibsen - 2014
    These are the memories that will never fade.Join nineteen fantastic authors as they pull back the curtain and give you a peek inside that one intense moment in their characters' lives when everything changes and nothing will ever be the same again.Featuring stories from some of the hottest names in New Adult, Young Adult, and Romance including New York Times Bestselling authors J.Lynn/Jennifer Armentrout, Molly McAdams, Sophie Jordan, and Carrie Ryan.NOTE: These stories are works of fiction. If you want to know about our first times, you'll have to buy us a pet monkey first.

And then He Kissed Her


Melinda Curtis - 2015
    Chef Sean O’Malley could use Nicole’s dessert skills at his restaurant in New York City. In fact, he’s banking on a joint venture with Nicole, although he hasn’t yet approached her about it. When he learns during a pre-wedding event they’re both working that she’s moving to L.A. because she’s giving up on Jake, he decides to give her a crash course on how to be noticed. Sean has, after all, three younger sisters. He knows how a woman’s mind works. But he doesn’t factor in how his heart works or how easily it could be broken. CHARMER by Brinda Berry, Reese McClain has a solid plan in place: finish raising her teenage niece, run her pie bakery, and avoid entanglements with a tempting man. After all, her sister deserted her own child for a freewheeling lifestyle. Life is much less complicated without dating. Especially dating a man like Cord Barton—a rock star who’s too gorgeous, too young, and too carefree.Cord knows his life needs change, but he doesn’t expect it in the form of a beautiful pie maker named Reese. She’s a much needed star in his burnt out life. Because when it comes to plans, he wants her for more than dessert. RIVERBEND by Ciara Knight, Amazon Bestselling AuthorFive years after the death of his wife, Dr. Mitchem Taylor is ready to share his life with someone. Only one thing stands in the way of giving love a second chance--the strictly enforced "no dating" rule. A rule that pierces his heart every time he thinks about his university assistant, Cynthia. When a handsome man shows interest in her, Mitchem must choose between love for his career or love for his beautiful assistant.Since the day she saw her boss, Mitchem, care for his son’s knee at a little league game, Cynthia Gold has been in love with him. Pining away over a love she can never have forces her to make a drastic change—a new job thousands of miles away. But can she walk away from her life she enjoys and a boy who’s like a son, or keep her heart bound to a man who may never love her.ALONG CAME YOU by Hildie McQueen, Amazon Bestselling AuthorOff to an awkward start, Gina Mills and Jake Weston attempt to ignore the attraction between them and stick to the business of selling his house. Unfortunately circumstances keep cropping up that make it difficult. When the past collides with the present, a surprising turn of events makes them rethink if they were meant to be after all.UPTOWN HEIRESS by Lindi Peterson:At an after-party for the reality series, Love Atlanta Style, hotel empire heiress Grace Adams has an epiphany. Love isn’t a game and neither is life. It’s time to find a job and prove she doesn’t need Daddy’s money.Waiter, Justin Walker, is biding his time working for the rich crowd who thinks they’re owed everything. But his service pays off when he meets the beautiful Grace Adams. He asks her out, oblivious to the fact that she’s a hotel heiress.When they find out they are competing for the same job, Grace and Justin try to maintain their budding friendship and romance, until Justin discovers the truth. Grace represents all he tries to avoid.

The Chronicles of Larry: Season One


Seymour Snatch - 2016
    In that moment, Seester noticed a leather bound journal illuminated by the bright moonlight next to a dumpster.She never knew that when she opened it their lives would be forever changed. Contained therein was a journal of a man named Larry. For hours they poured over tale after tale of revenge of the highest order, the ultimate in chicanery, and lived out a romance for the ages, coupled with the most electrifying profane lexicon either of them had ever bore witness to.They searched for years trying to locate this rockstar of revenge and purveyor of profanity, only to come up empty in every search. Soon after, they decided it would be selfish to keep to themselves this epic saga of one man’s transformation from every day office drone to freedom and f*ckery. So they transcribed his journal in order to release it to the world.*WARNING*This book contains the most offensive stories of all time and should be banned worldwide. Seymour and Seester are not responsible for any material contained herein and are merely vessels transporting these stories to the masses. Please proceed with extreme caution. You have been warned.

12 Nights of Christmas


Kate AllentonSarah Hegger - 2018
    However, most of the individual stories will be released separately. **Twelve bestselling and award-winning authors each bring you a sexy night of romance, fun and a little magic. ‘Tis the season for falling for the right guy!Two people stuck in an elevator, snowed in, on an all-night bus trip, locked in a store... Can a magical fruitcake be the special ingredient they're all looking for? **‘Tis the season for giving, too!**20% of the proceeds will be donated to the hunger relief organization Feeding America December 25: “Scrooge You” by MK SchillerChristmas is the worse time of the year for Eva. It’s nothing but a reminder of her tragic past. To make matters worse, her boyfriend invites his entire family over…so she goes into total Scrooge mode.When three ghosts visit her, will she be able to remember the joy in her heart and the true meaning of Christmas?December 26: “Unexpected Daddy” by Gemma BrocatoShe let him go to pursue his dreams without telling him she was pregnant. Five years later, he’s back in town and her secret’s out. Can they get over past hurts to seize a future for their small family?December 27: “The Meant to Be Girl” by Tawdra KandleWhen Ashley Webbar meets Zane Fletcher, the new lawyer in Burton, it's insta-lust . . . but she soon realizes he's already smitten with someone else, even if Zane himself doesn't seem to know it.Ashley is so busy matchmaking that she might miss out on her own happily-ever-after . . . if something or someone doesn't intervene first. This just might call for a Christmas miracle.December 28: “For One Night Only” by Carrie ElksWhen two strangers are stranded at a rest stop in the middle of Nowheresville—thank you, Mr. Bus Driver—they’re forced to spend the night together. Not that it’s exactly a hardship, thanks to the sizzling chemistry between them. But when morning, and rescue, comes, they both find themselves asking one question. Will they see each other again, or was their connection for one night only?December 29: “Best Friends for a Night” by Alice GainesEvery year, Steve has been cheering up his army buddy’s widow with popcorn and zany movies on the anniversary of her husband’s death. Will a little holiday magic make Steve and Hannah more than friends?December 30: “Entwined” by Kristi RoseDonovan survived combat, but can he survive being stranded over Christmas with the girl of his dreams? He swore he’d stay away from his best friend’s kid sister years ago, but after a near-death helicopter crash, this sailor knows second chances don't come around often. Loving Bailey would mean risking not only his friendship but his heart. And that would be one wound that would never heal.December 31: “Rekindled” by Stacy FinzThe last place Branna and Drex want to spend New Year’s Eve is stuck on a broken-down elevator, together. They’ve finally put their divorce behind them and don’t want to open old wounds. But fate and a fruitcake step in, making them question whether love could be better the second time around. January 1: “New Year’s Negotiation” by Kate AllentonWhen Detective Elizabeth Cross’s high school crush and star of all of her what-ifs shows up at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve ready to take her on a trip down memory lane, she’ll have to decide if this is a second chance at having her happily ever after or the start of another broken heart.January 2: “Playing House” by Kim GoldenCassie Delk isn’t having the best holiday season. With her ex-husband about to get remarried, she’s not very excited about still being single. The last thing she expects is for a second chance at love to turn up on her doorstep.January 3: “Book of Love” by Cd BrennanHey, wait a minute, Mr. Postman! Where's your Christmas spirit?Nothing infuriates Melanie more than the one-armed, ex-army hunk who chucks her mail at her book shop door. When Nick delivers a special package at the end of the day, she's ready to give him what for. Except a blizzard strands them together, and the fruitcake delivery sparks magic between them instead. Now, Melanie isn't sure what she wants to give him—a piece of her mind or all of her heart.January 4: “A Winter Wonderland” by Rebecca HunterComing face-to-face with her first love after ten years is a reminder of everything Selena left behind when she moved from Delilah’s Cove. And an evening with Jace is even more dangerous when mixed with a little magic… January 5: “Wild Honey” by Sarah HeggerTwo people who couldn’t be more different. One elevator, a dark and stormy night, and a magical, bourbon-laced fruitcake. What could go right?

The Barber


Mazzy King - 2020
    My promise to you, the reader: no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed HEA.

Christmas at the Farmhouse


Rebecca Boxall - 2020
    A wonderful Christmas read." Victoria Connelly, bestselling author of The Rose Girls. As the anticipation of Christmas builds in the Nielsen family’s cosy farmhouse, Jo, Magnus and their grown-up children begin to congregate for a hybrid Danish-Jersey festive season, each with a surprise of their own – though the surprise that arrives over Christmas is the most life-changing of all. Fifty years earlier, in 1969, Susan Jones finds herself being pursued by Mr Jenners, her former English teacher, and at the age of seventeen is packed off to a Home for Unmarried Mothers in London by her uncompromising father. As Christmas approaches, all she can do is desperately hope to be rescued, but will anyone be able to reach her in time?The two timelines of this festive story gradually weave together in a tale that examines whether love and hope can eventually triumph over even the deepest sadness.Rebecca Boxall is the award-nominated author of five bestselling novels – Christmas at the Vicarage, Home for Winter, Christmas on the Coast, The Christmas Forest and Christmas by the Lighthouse.

Haunted by a Mountain Man: a short mountain man instalove romance (Holidays with a Mountain Man)


Kate Tilney - 2021
    They think our lodge is haunted. I think there are plenty of explanations for what goes bump in the night. No one will convince me differently. Not even a gorgeous paranormal investigator.But after we both witness something I can't explain, it's harder to be skeptical. And as we work together more closely, I find that ghosts aren't the only things I may be willing to believe in now.MARNIEIn my line of work, I'm used to dealing with skeptics, but Wes takes the cake. If this job wasn't so fascinating, and he wasn't so handsome, I'd pack up my EMF reader and audio recorder and head home.But I'm glad I stick it out and wait. This quickly turns out to be my most interesting case. And not just because we may have actual evidence of a ghost. I may have found proof of something else: true love.Holidays with a Mountain Man is a series of short, sweet, and steamy instalove romances set during some of your favorite holidays. No cliffhangers. No cheating. Happily Ever After guaranteed!

My Sweet Friend


H.A. Leuschel - 2017
    She brings a much-needed breath of fresh air into the office and ambitiously throws herself into her new job and friendships. But is Alexa all she claims to be? As her life intertwines with Rosie and Jack’s, they must all decide what separates truth from fiction. Will the stories that unfold unite or divide them? Can first impressions ever be trusted?In this original novella, H.A. Leuschel evokes the powerful hold of appearances and what a person is prepared to do to keep up the facade. If you like thought-provoking and compelling reads with intriguing characters, My Sweet Friend is for you.

Merry Little Wedding: A Curvy Girl Holiday Insta Love Romance


Tarin Lex - 2021
    ;)But you can eighty-six the mistletoe, babe…Cuz these two are headed straight for bed. <3Kisses, Tarin

My Mother's Eyes: A Short Story


Jeremy Ray - 2021
    You’ll see. Draw me just one more time.”No one knows if his mother will come out of her coma, so fourteen-year-old Jordie memorializes her in the only way he knows how: by drawing her. His older brother doesn’t approve of these sketches, but Jordie’s determined to capture the person she used to be. Unfortunately, Jordie must draw her from memory because his mom didn’t keep pictures, and her body in the hospital no longer looks like her. But the images of her are quickly fading, and if he doesn’t get a drawing right soon, the mother he remembers may slip away forever. No matter how close Jordie gets to completing a drawing, his mom’s most vital feature always evades him.Will Jordie capture his mother’s eyes? Or are they and his mother gone forever?Content Warning:SuicideDeathAnimal Death​Reader discretion advised

Destiny


Taylor Brent - 2018
    I wanted adventure. What I got was two men, one giant town secret and enough passion to light me on fire- literally!I moved to Utah to find myself, to find my destiny.What I found was love.I fell in love with the town, the people and two unbelievably sexy men.Roger was sexy and sweet.From the moment we met, he swept me off my feet.He impressed me, seduced me, and melted my insides.If you could bottle romance, the label would say Roger.But something was missing.I didn’t know what, until Luke.Tall dark and handsome, he sizzled my blood with just one look.He showed me his world.Roger swept me off my feet, but Luke saved me from myself.So who do I ride off into the sunset with?Romance or Passion? They tell me I have to choose.But I have to wonder- Why can’t I have both?Adventure and Fire. Romance and Passion. Secrets and Lies. Who said small towns are boring?

Cupid Cowboys


Em Petrova - 2019
    You know this will be a short, hot treat... She has more than heart-shaped cakes on her mind this Valentine’s Day. And they can’t quit thinking about her heart-shaped buns. LeeLee has a secret—she has two lovers. Or at least she does in her very dirty fantasies about Jared and Brock, two of the sexiest men ever to walk the Boot Knockers Ranch. Each time one of them—or SWOON, both—walk into her kitchen, she has the urge to tear off her chef’s apron and paint her entire body with whipped cream. Jared and Brock are sick and tired of dancing around their favorite sweetheart, and this Valentine’s Day, they’ve got it all planned. A locked kitchen door, a curvy chef with a wicked sharp tongue… and enough chocolate to cover her from head to toe.