Book picks similar to
Miss Alphie's Secret by David R. Johnson
fiction
david-johnson
southern-gothic
The Scottish Doctor's Daughter
Jo Bartlett - 2018
DI Hannah Blair has returned to Scotland to head up a small team of detectives investigating the whole range of crimes that occur in the wild Highlands. When her team is asked to investigate a suspicious death in the rural town of Balloch Pass, Blair isn’t just looking for a potential killer, she’s also chasing the ghosts of her past. Dr Noah Bradshaw has only been in town for a year. But as one of three GPs in the small medical practice, he’s already well-liked in the community… until the finger of suspicion points at him, and some of his patients start to believe he really could be capable of murder. With a local priest also under suspicion, Blair is preoccupied by her strained relationship with her father and her unwanted attraction to one of the suspects, until the investigation seems to be slipping through her fingers. But when Noah reveals the secret that brought him to Balloch Pass, everything changes… Blair faces a race against time to stop the killer striking again, and grab her own chance of happiness with both hands.
Riverbreeze: Part 3 (Riverbreeze Trilogy)
Ellen E. Johnson - 2012
Part 3 continues the saga of the Bassett brothers and their twin wives as they face the greatest threats to their lives. After a slight mishap and reconciliation at the end of Part 2, the two couples experience a time of peace and happiness during the Christmas season. That peace is soon shattered during a Twelfth Night party when an unexpected, and unwelcome, guest arrives. Now they must find the strength to prevail against this foe from the brothers' past as he plots to ruin their lives. And finally, the climax, a historically correct event brings treachery and sorrow to Riverbreeze plantation, forcing the brothers to defend their home and protect their family from Indian attack and war. Full of drama, excitement, humor, romance and details of early American life, the Riverbreeze series will appeal to a wide range of readers.
The Durham Trilogy
Janet MacLeod Trotter - 2013
Stirring, passionate and uplifting.The Hungry Hills: The Great War is over but life in Whitton Grange mining village is hard and dangerous. Louie Kirkup fears becoming a spinster drudge until she sets eyes on 'Red' Sam Ritson: hard, muscled and a natural leader. But the General Strike looms and Louie fears for the fate of her village and unborn child, as the strain takes its tragic toll.The Darkening Skies: When pretty Sara Pallister's father dies she is taken in by a bullying uncle in Whitton Grange pit-town. Here she is irresistibly drawn to motorbike-riding Joe Dimarco, wild son of the extrovert Italians who run the ice-cream parlour. But as war comes and hostility to the Italians erupts into violence, Sara and Jo's passionate love seems doomed.Never Stand Alone: An emotionally charged family drama set against the momentous backdrop of the 1984 Miners' Strike that divided a nation. Rebellious Carol defies her family to marry miner Mick Todd, but the strike brings tragedy, shocking secrets and tests their love to the limits.
The Lion and the Leopard (The Lion and the Leopard Trilogy, #3)
Brian Duncan - 2016
"The Lion and the Leopard" takes place during the Great 1914-18 War when German forces invaded Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia and Portuguese East Africa. Martin Russell ("The Settler") and his step-daughter, Clare, travel to the war front, while the Spaight family (Alan, from "Lake of Slaves", and his son Drew, and daughters Mandy and Kirsty) are also drawn into the conflict. A young British officer falls in love with Mandy, but she finds her true love elsewhere. Kirsty's friend, a Britsh naval reservist, joins the gunboat flotilla on Lake Tanganyika. The Chilembwe Uprising in Nyasaland provides an unwelcome distraction early in the war. The loves and tragedies in the families unfold during the long and bitter campaign.
The Christmas Gift (Return To Wyoming Book 1)
Vivian Sinclair - 2017
His ranch is his life and the approaching Christmas doesn’t mean much to him. He’s not exactly a Grinch, but who has time for decorating and celebrating when there is work to be done? Discovering a young woman lost on the country road that leads to his ranch, he has to take her home as a blizzard is coming. Violet Kendall was looking for the sister she has never known she had, and her tiny car was ill equipped to face a real Wyoming snowstorm. Is Connor going to appreciate the real Christmas gift he got this year? And are the secrets Violet is hiding going to place in danger these people that she has come to love? Will the stern Wyoming rancher and the delicate girl from Atlanta find a way to happiness in this season when miracles are possible?
My All Wasn't Enough: A Twisted Love Affair
Tynessa - 2016
She is all about money, and does not care a bit about them going back home to their wives. After the heartache that her ex-husband left her with, she vows to never fall for another man. That is until she meets, Cainan Wallace, better known as Cain, a handsome 28-year-old businessman. His hood demeanor has Zoe ‘judging a book by its cover’ and not wanting to get to know him. When she does, he steals her heart in a matter of time. Yet, Cain has secrets of his own and demons that he’s trying to fight off. We’ll see if he’s able to keep his secrets and Zoe apart. Or will he have to sacrifice his reputation, all for the love of Zoe. Linda is Zoe’s sister, and the type who wants everyone to believe she has the picture perfect marriage. Behind closed doors, there are secrets, infidelities, and lines that have been crossed in more ways than one. Let’s just see if love is enough to keep this family as one.
Ocean of Regret
Mary E. Hanks - 2018
And complicated. Paisley Grant arrives in her hometown of Basalt Bay, Oregon, with three goals in mind—face her past, make amends, and learn how to breathe again. Three years ago, she left her husband a Dear John letter, then secretly drove to Chicago where she’s been living ever since. That wasn’t fair to Judah—or to her dad, whom she hasn’t spoken with in all this time. Facing them will be hard, but even more difficult will be seeing certain townspeople whose hurtful remarks made her run in the first place. Like her father-in-law, Mayor Grant. It will take every ounce of courage she possesses to look that man in the eye again. As determined as Paisley is to make amends, her plans don’t include getting back together with Judah. It’s time to move on—alone and independent. But when hurricane winds and destructive waves hit the coastal town, and she must face her greatest fear, will she cling to her plans and live with regret, or let them go to find love again?
Out of the Desert
Tom Walker - 2021
Joining the proud and distinguished XXI Squadron, Peter will risk everything to win the plaudits and reputation he desires.But his navigator, Charlie Kendrick, doesn’t see it the same way, and treats his new crew as a marriage of convenience.That is until a series of unforeseen disasters befall the squadron – after their home base is attacked and its aircraft ambushed - suspicions are raised of a double-agent operating in their midst.Braving Italian and German fighters, deadly flak, and a conspiracy of silence, Peter and Charlie enlist the help of Margot Dacre, a gifted intelligence officer with secrets of her own, in a race to prevent further setbacks before it’s too late.The blistering crescendo comes in an intense air battle to prevent the invasion of Greece. XXI Squadron is committed to the fight in a last, desperate struggle to hold onto the Balkans. Peter and Charlie will have to sacrifice everything, to save their friends – and to save Greece.
Virgil Dalton: Mountain Man: Vengeance in the Rockies: A Mountain Man Adventure (Virgil Dalton: Mountain Man: West of the Rockies Series Book 1)
Harvey Wood - 2020
The Widow Makers: Road's End
Jean Mead - 2014
The Standish family are poor but the eldest boy, Tommy, desires wealth and position and will do anything in pursuit of his dream regardless of the misery he causes anyone who dares to step in his way. His ambitions realised, a terrible secret from his past threatens his very existence. THE WIDOW MAKERS 1842-1860 Review the Welsh Books Council www.gwales.com Mead's novel is inspiring reading; a classic tale, full of all the ingredients which make the finest novels. My only criticism was that it ended too soon; I felt bereft! A sequel please. THE WIDOW MAKERS; STRIFE 1860-1874 Review Historical Novel Society The author is a wonderful storyteller who uses authentic well-written language. A page turner. The story stays with you after the book is finished. THE WIDOW MAKERS; STRIFE 1860-1874 Review Welsh Books Council www.gwales.com Jean Mead sweeps you along with her vivid descriptions of 19th century life. A compelling vivid account that leaves you finishing the last page with regret and hoping for more.
The Wretched Needle Worker
Iris Cole - 2021
Her father was a monster.How could Vera have been so blind to what was right before her eyes?After the death of her kind and loving Papa, Vera’s home is claimed by ne’er do well Uncle Merritt, who drives the household with cruelty and deprivation. Working for her keep, the once privileged Vera is driven to skin and bone and dreads the harsh beatings that Merritt regularly delivers.Ralph, Papa’s loyal and brave stableboy, cannot bear to see Vera shrinking daily under the hand of Merritt. In an attempt protect her, he challenges Merritt and now, tossed to streets, must survive however he can.With the loss of Ralph, Vera’s soul aches, made worse as she watches her father’s elderly servants treated with cruel indignity. In a desperate bid to protect them from Uncle Merritt, his rage is fuelled, and Vera is delivered an ultimatum, causing her to flee from her home. With nowhere to go, Vera too, finds herself on the streets.As starvation threatens, it is only Ralph and her new friend, Maggie, that keep her alive. But when Maggie unexpectedly reveals the truth about Vera's Papa, Vera is plunged to new despair. Will the truth destroy her? Can she keep secrets for the rest of her life? Will she ever be able to make things right? And will she agree to Ralphs’s plan, even though it means she may lose him forever?For fans of Dilly Court and Historical Romance
Goliath: A Thriller
Oceanview Publishing - 2016
On this maiden voyage, Captain Borodin is at the helm. He is the only one aboard aware of the mission.Soon an engineer discovers a defect—seemingly minor, but one with disastrous potential. Despite his attempts to correct the problem, a fire erupts, contained at first, then rapidly spreads out of control, consuming the behemoth ship.A Mayday call alerts Sonny Wade some two hundred miles from the burning ship. This could be the lifeline that Sonny and his rag-tag crew need to save their failing salvage business. But Dan Sharp, Sonny’s nemesis and former employer—the owner of the largest salvage business in northern Alaska—also hears the call. A brutal race is on to claim the burning ship before it sinks or runs aground, contaminating the entire north Pacific Rim—and not only with oil.
Married To An East Cleveland Bully 3
Keisha Elle - 2019
Since meeting and marrying Chevron, she’s seenenough to last a lifetime. She’s no longer the ‘goody-two-shoes’ that she was known to be. Life is different; even unbearable at times. Sadness, guilt, anddepression loomeverywhere she turns, but she is Chevron’s rib; anything that affects him, affects her. Pregnant or not, she’s determined to seek justice for her mother and help eliminate Chevron’s new archnemesis, Ro. Coming face-to-face with the devil himself, Roxie’s past comes back to haunt her. Ambria continues to distance herself from Jaren. He may have been her long-lost love, but his commitment to another woman proves that he’s not the man for her. Reconciling with Roxie, she’s pulled into her sister’s crazy scheme for revenge. Trying to be the peacemaker, Ambria agreesbut soon realizes that they are in way over their heads. Everything in Jonah’s life isn’t good for him. His loyalty to Cicely has resulted in a sleuth of bad decisions that put his entire operation with Chevron in jeopardy. Those decisions cost him money, and that’s something Jonah doesn’t play about. Vowing that Ro’s days are numbered, Jonah contemplates what to do about the woman who used to share his bed. Cicely will always have a piece of Jonah’s heart, but someone he least expects slowly moves in to take that spot. His guard is up, but she’s loyal – a trait he’s never been able to find in another woman. Romaine continues to cause trouble all over Cleveland. He hates Jonah and Chevron with a passion, but his number one mission is to get rid of Cicely for good. After kidnapping her from Jonah’s spot, he takes her on a wild ride that results in Cicely’s life hanging in the balance. His cockiness, invincible persona, and unexpected luck runs out when his greediness leads him right into the lion’s den. Will he be able to use his wit and quick thinking to get away once again? Or, will his reign of terror finally come to an end? Find out the answers to these questions and more in the third installment of Married to an East Cleveland Bully!
Maid in Dubai: Dusting sand. Changing a life.
Zana Bonafe - 2019
They also experience the property bubble, traffic jams, and the unbearable summer heat.Thousands of maids serve these expats, cleaning their villas and apartments seven days a week, battling tirelessly to keep the sand and dust away. MAID IN DUBAI is the harrowing journey of one such maid.Meet Aubrey, a Filipino girl who works for a cleaning agency in Dubai. Aubrey sees a city that is quite different from the one presented in travel brochures. She experiences the hardships of life in a city with many secrets. From her encounters with maids who lie, steal, prostitute themselves, and swindle their bosses to the shocking stories of corrupt employers, illegal schemes, and seemingly unending greed, Aubrey reels from one scandal to another as she tries to work hard and build a better life for herself in the infamous “City of Gold”.From ironing competitions to banned sex toys, MAID IN DUBAI perfectly captures the oddities of everyday life in one of the richest cities in the world, and is a captivating, often heartbreaking tale of one maid’s struggle for empowerment in a thankless industry. MAID IN DUBAI delivers the perfect mix between Jean Sasson’s Princess setting in the Middle East and Elisabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray and Love journey of self-discovery, on a diary format, from a unique and very realistic point of view. A novel that will challenge all your perceptions about Dubai!