Book picks similar to
Shebang by Valerie Vogrin


female-authors
home-library-fiction
books-by-friends
chick-lit

The 13th Lighthouse


Jane O'Brien - 2015
    Alone, with no one to help or advise her, she must make funeral arrangements and then plan the next step for the direction of her life. While going through some papers and documents that her mother had always kept in a locked box, Belle discovers that her mother had been keeping secrets. Secrets that seemed to involve her daughter. Upon a chance encounter with a handsome attorney, who fills her romantic idea of the man of her dreams, Belle begins to see that it's time to take control of her life and live it the way she would like, and not necessarily the way her mother had planned. But first she has promised herself she would fulfill her mother's dream to visit the lighthouses along the Lake Michigan shore. As Belle travels the West Michigan shoreline, from Grand Haven heading north, she makes acquaintances along the way who will change the course of her life in surprising ways, and who open her eyes to possibilities of love. Book 1 of The Lighthouse Trilogy begins a series of genealogical twists and turns that you won't see coming. Suspense, romance, family lies, secrets, and mistrust, all come together in a surprising ending. A clean romance that will send sparks and passion through the characters and straight to your heart. One of Jane O'Brien's best!

The Bookshop by the Beach


J.C. Williams - 2020
    These things were certain to await her, she felt confident, in this next glorious chapter of her life – this wonderful seaside adventure on the Isle of Man.Only her business acumen was about as useless as her choice in men. Still, nothing ventured nothing gained. And, besides, what’s the worst that could happen?Well, quite a lot as she’d soon discover. In a relatively short amount of time, a business that’d operated fairly successfully for forty years was on its knees – and, sadly, Libby’s dance card was also emptier than her bank account.She wasn’t ready to let go of her dream so easily. Not just yet. All she needed, then, was a plan to turn around the ailing fortunes of The Bookshop by the Beach, and fast!

The Beach House


Megan Jacobs - 2021
    A high-flying criminal defense attorney, she's smart, independent, and living in the fastest lane of all - New York City.The more she drives herself in her career, the more she can forget her tragic past... until a manila envelope arrives one day with strange and unexpected news. Alyssa is forced to leave the city behind for a small seaside town called Clearwater Bay, where she'll find a deepening well of mystery. And a handyman whose gentle eyes seem to be calling her home...But why is he facing a court case? Who is behind the events forcing him to prove his innocence? Will Alyssa be able to help him?In this collection of all 5 books in “The Beach House” series, Alyssa has to keep reminding herself that she doesn't need anyone. Not a mysterious late relative, not her peppy assistant, and definitely not alluring Liam Carter...”

A Walk in the Rain (Seattle Rain Book 1)


Vivian Sinclair - 2015
    It all starts with the mysterious disappearance of Miranda Henderson’s two valuable art objects, a Chihuly glass bowl and an abstract painting. Miranda Henderson lives almost like a recluse after the death of her daughter Cassidy and husband Bob, trying to cope with life alone, when a chain of events changes her monotonous everyday life. Liz Barton is Miranda’s neighbor, a successful and wealthy divorce lawyer. At thirty-eight years of age, she is very content with her life except that she wants a child before it becomes too late biologically. For two years she has tried dating, internet matching, and Prince Charming failed to materialize. Or did he? Miranda’s good friend, Cindy Wallenstein, empty nester with two sons in college, is shocked when her husband of twenty-five years leaves her for a younger woman and she is served the divorce papers. Allison Porter, the mysterious cousin from Kansas, at thirty-three decides to leave Wichita and come to Seattle to meet Miranda and start a new life. This is the story of four women having to come to terms with the past, supporting each other, and making plans for the future. It is the story of friendship.

FAM: Rolling in a London Girl Gang


Chyna Chyna - 2011
    When I was thirteen years old I became part of a girl gang. This is my story. Chyna was born in the middle of gangland UK. From a young age she saw people all around her in gangs. They had the status, the ghetto-fabulous look and the money. So when girls from a rival school started picking on Chyna and her friends, they decided to take control of their lives and form their own gang. They called it Nothing 2 Lose. Soon Chyna was caught up in a world of tiefing phones, shoplifting and shanks. She rolled tight with her fam. The risk of arrest and beatings was always present, but so were the rewards: fast p's, bare liquor and draw, and the thrill of being above the law. Then boys came into their lives, and Chyna and her friends were attracted to some of gangland's most notorious boys. Now Chyna and found herself in a very glamorous world with VIP tables at the most exclusive clubs, big p's lavished on bling and champagne. She was living the highlife as the girlfriend of one of London's most feared gangstas. The deeper she got into this world, the more she discovered the dark side. The guns, the vicious drug dealers, the constant threat of prison: Chyna knew she had to find a way out. But it would take a devastating tragedy - one that ripped apart her world- before Chyna found the courage to leave gangland behind once and for all.

Christmas Cake Chateau


De-ann Black - 2017
    The paperback version contains 11 floral–themed colouring pages at the end of the book. De-ann Black is the author and illustrator. Story: Lucy is a colouring book artist who goes to a beautiful little cottage on the estate of a magnificent chateau in Scotland to get away from the city to finish her latest book, but there is filming going on at the chateau and this messes up her plans for a quiet working holiday. Struan is the handsome owner of the hotel, known as the Christmas Cake Chateau, and involves Lucy in the light–hearted chaos. Lucy just wants to work on her floral illustrations for the book, but Struan and others become a tempting distraction. Other Romance Books by De-ann Black include: Cottages, Cakes & Crafts series: Book 1 - The Flower Hunter's Cottage Book 2 - The Sewing Bee by the Sea Book 3 - The Beemaster's Cottage The Sewing, Knitting & Baking series: Book 1 - The Tea Shop Book 2 - The Sewing Bee & Afternoon Tea Book 3 - The Christmas Knitting Bee Book 4 - Champagne Chic Lemonade Money Book 5 - The Vintage Sewing & Knitting Bee The Tea Shop & Tearoom series: Book 1 - The Christmas Tea Shop & Bakery Book 2 - The Christmas Chocolatier Book 3 - The Chocolate Cake Shop in New York at Christmas Book 4 - The Bakery by the Seaside Book 5 - Shed in the City The Tea Dress Shop series: Book 1 - The Tea Dress Shop At Christmas Book 2 - The Fairytale Tea Dress Shop In Edinburgh Book 3 - The Vintage Tea Dress Shop In Summer The Bitch-Proof Suit - set in Dublin and New York Oops! I'm the Paparazzi - set in New York The Cure For Love - set in London and Cornwall

A Head Start (Cherry Blossom Point Book 4)


Christine Gael - 2021
    

Say Hello and Wave Goodbye


Marina Johnson - 2019
     After seven years of self-imposed exile after the love of her life cheated on her, Becca is finally going home. She’d like to think she’s being brave but in her honest moments she knows she’s being forced into it by the loss of her job. Can she trust herself not to hunt down her cheating ex and fling herself into his arms? Will she ever find the true love that she yearns for? Finding the perfect home with a hot but unavailable landlord and a life far better than she could have hoped for, Becca is still plagued by self-doubt. Is she annoying? Is she the most accident prone person in the world? Is she dislikeable? She thinks she might be all of these, but most importantly, is she normal? Because normal people don’t have The Beccabird squawking in their ears...

Nobody's Darling


Gina Ardito - 2011
    Now a successful businesswoman, she accepts a challenge from a daytime talk show to compete in a thirty-day battle of the sexes. April is up against a television psychologist who claims her organization hurts the very people she alleges to help. Dr. Jefferson Prentiss, television's Dr. Jeff, is haunted by the loss of his wife and newborn son, and by his role in their deaths. To atone, he's dedicated his professional life to the ideals of family. The talk show challenge presents him with the opportunity to prove not only the sagacity of his self-help book, but the inherent danger of paying strangers to perform those family tasks that should be done out of love and nurture. Once inside an isolated cabin filled with videotaping equipment, April and Jeff learn from each other, tackle their demons, and discover a new awareness between them: love.

The Butterfly Cove Collection


Sarah Bennett - 2018
    But when her first guest, Daniel Fitzwilliam, arrives it’s soon clear that the tranquil seaside village has a few surprises in store!Kiki is hoping for a fresh start after her marriage falls to pieces – and her sister’s guesthouse by the sea is the perfect escape. Yet when Aaron Spenser offers to share his cottage until she’s back on her feet, she realises she may have found more than just a new home…Nee knows that returning to Butterfly Cove means facing Luke Spenser, the man she impulsively married, then left in the middle of the night. Running away was the biggest mistake of her life – but could coming home for Christmas be the best decision she’s ever made?

Late to the Wedding


Laura Briggs
    True, it was written four months ago, but could his heart have changed so drastically in so little time? Desperate to know, she packs a bag and plans to bridge the five states between them. But a series of cosmic misadventures leaves her no other choice for her cross country journey than a gypsy cab driver who’s willing to take her the distance for a hefty fee. Sardonic, arrogant Brian Stoker is the last person likely to sympathize with a quest for last chance love. But he may be her only hope as a chain of obstacles and adventures threaten to become a detour from her destiny. Will Evelyn be late to the wedding–or will she have a romantic rendezvous in time for a happy ending?Excerpt from Late to the Wedding:Evelyn closed her eyes as despair washed over her. Turning away from the taxi lane, she walked forlornly towards the automatic doors. Her glance fell on a vehicle parked nearby, a 1970s notchback Sedan she had noticed circling the lot as she spoke to the constantly moving line of cabs. Most likely a hack, or gypsy cab driver as some referred to them. Guys willing to take legal risks for a little extra cash on a busy weekend. The driver lowered his newspaper to glance up at her passing figure, revealing a faded button down shirt with an open collar. Dark, tousled hair and a jaw that sported days old stubble; coal black eyes that flicked in her direction with a hint of challenge. As if daring her to approach, knowing all the while she was too timid and guarded to risk it. Perhaps that’s what made her shoulder her carry-on more firmly and march directly to his driver’s side window.“Excuse me…” she faltered a little, her gaze taking in the car’s shabby interior, with its dusty dashboard and peeling leather upholstery. “By any chance…that is, are you…” “Operating an illegal cab service?” supplied the sardonic voice, the dark eyes studying her beneath raised brows. “Sure.” He tossed the paper into the passenger seat and offered a smile that struck her as arrogant for someone who clearly did most of their grooming with the aid of a rear view mirror. “I–I need a ride,” she stammered, realizing a second later how obvious that must be. “That is, can you take me to Binghamton?” she asked, selecting a city that was relatively near the Pennsylvania state line and roughly two hours into her journey. If he took her there and not a mile further, it would be at least be a start.He seemed to hesitate, no doubt weighing the loss of convention traffic. His gaze taking in her trim figure, expensive attire, and scant luggage with a scrutiny that made her blush. “I usually settle my fee before driving in circumstances like this,” he said, after a moment. “But I guess I can make an exception for you. Although this seems a little far for a cab ride if you ask me.”Evelyn shrugged, pretending to miss the insult behind the provision. “Well, I’m sort of playing this trip by ear, so I can’t really guarantee…” She let her voice trail off, turning her head nonchalantly in the direction of the moving cab line. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she prayed that this maneuver would call his bluff. Show him she wasn’t the usual sucker tourist in need of a cheap ride.“We’ll work something out,” he said, taking the bait.

Detective Nikki Galena #4-6


Joy Ellis - 2019
    She must fulfil her father’s dying wish and discover who the mysterious Eve is. Meanwhile a dead drug dealer is found on an abandoned airfield that the locals say is haunted. The trail of both mysteries will lead to the most shocking discovery of Nikki’s career and put her whole team in mortal danger. STALKER ON THE FENSDI Nikki Galena’s friend Helen Brook is involved in a serious accident where she is trapped in a collapsed cellar. After her hard-won recovery, Helen is still getting flashbacks to a man she says was down there with her and who confessed to a murder. But no trace of this man can be found. Then Helen tells Nikki that someone is watching her. But is all this in her friend’s imagination and part of her post-traumatic stress?And why is Stephen Cox back in town? He’s the villain who tore Nikki’s life apart and he seems to have returned for revenge. CAPTIVE ON THE FENSA young woman’s body is found in a remote barn on the fens. before she was killed, one of her fingers had been cut off. Who is inflicting this violence and why?The young woman in the barn had been kept captive for some time. And the case shows strong similarities to an unsolved murder in Derbyshire. When another woman is found alive with similar injuries the case grows even more complicated.

Millie and the American Wedding


Annabel Scott - 2012
    It's Millie's worst nightmare. Not only has she slept with the groom, but her ex boyfriend (the one that got away) is the best man and he's married. As her friend, Kristen, gets ready for the best day of her life, Millie gears up for the worst week of hers.Previously published under 'Anna Bell'

Married To The King Of Cali: A West Coast Love Story


Shaunn Aryande - 2021
    

The B&B at Tigertail Beach: COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION (Marco Island Series)


Jessie Kelley - 2021