From a double-wide trailer on a farm in Georgia to the 2016 Miss America pageant, Betty Cantrell was not a likely contender for the crown. She won by being herself—mistakes and all. Miss Unlikely takes you through Betty’s unconventional childhood, the surprising pageant journey, an incredible year as Miss America, a fairytale wedding, and everything in between. She offers wisdom on school, boys, self-esteem, choices, disappointments, insecurities, mentors, cyberbullies, and more. Behind-the-scenes moments and previously untold stories show how her faith and family ultimately carried her through difficult times. Betty’s personal and sincere account will remind you the only way to get where you want to go is through God’s unique plan. Find confidence in being you, and turn your dreams into reality.
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry comes an exquisite love story about Queenie Hennessy, the remarkable friend who inspired Harold’s cross-country journey. “This lovely book is full of joy. Much more than the story of a woman’s enduring love for an ordinary, flawed man, it’s an ode to messy, imperfect, glorious, unsung humanity.”—The Washington Post A runaway international bestseller, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry followed its unassuming hero on an incredible journey as he traveled the length of England on foot—a journey spurred by a simple letter from his old friend Queenie Hennessy, writing from a hospice to say goodbye. Harold believed that as long as he kept walking, Queenie would live. What he didn’t know was that his decision to walk had caused her both alarm and fear. How could she wait? What would she say? Forced to confront the past, Queenie realizes she must write again. In this poignant parallel story to Harold’s saga, acclaimed author Rachel Joyce brings Queenie Hennessy’s voice into sharp focus. Setting pen to paper, Queenie makes a journey of her own, a journey that is even bigger than Harold’s; one word after another, she promises to confess long-buried truths—about her modest childhood, her studies at Oxford, the heartbreak that brought her to Kingsbridge and to loving Harold, her friendship with his son, the solace she has found in a garden by the sea. And, finally, the devastating secret she has kept from Harold for all these years. A wise, tender, layered novel that gathers tremendous emotional force, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy underscores the resilience of the human spirit, beautifully illuminating the small yet pivotal moments that can change a person’s life.
Every Reason to Fail is unlike anything you've ever read. It's not a history book, but it's full of old history-and new history-from cover to cover, and with historic people and airplanes to boot! It's not a mystery book, but it's full of genuine suspense and intrigue. It's not an aviation book, but in it you will get a glimpse into the real world of aviation and aviators that few will ever be fortunate enough to experience. It's not a geography book, but The Crew will take you to places you've probably never heard of, and few will ever go. It's not a self-help book, but in it you might find the inspiration to attempt something worthwhile that seems impossible. It's not an adventure book, but the tale is about an adventure like few in modern history. It's not a military book, but it's full of military history and it's main characters are old warbirds. It's not a book on project management, but you will learn many things about how NOT to run a major project...and why those things don't matter if you get the main things right. It's not a math book, but...it's just not a math book. So there's that. The mission seemed simple enough. Completely restore a 75-year-old historic DC-3 and fly her from Montana to France for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Starting with no volunteers and no money. In under a year. With a crew that had only a few hours of experience flying one. Ride along with author and pilot Bryan Douglass, the rest of the flight crew, the volunteers, paratroopers, World War II veterans, and others on this inspirational story of an impossible dream that almost didn't come true. The underdog of the D-Day Squadron faced insurmountable odds, constant delays and a shortage of nearly everything except determination. The idea of crossing the north Atlantic in a 75-year-old, newly restored airplane only a few hours after her first flight would terrify most, but you'll meet the people who believed it co
Fall in love with these three gorgeous Regency romances by Olivia Drake, includes all books in the Unlikely Duchesses series; The Duke I Once Knew, Forever My Duke and When A Duke Loves A Governess. The Duke I Once Knew: Abigail Linton has devoted herself to caring for her parents and her siblings’ children. Eager to create a life of her own, Abby seizes upon a position as a governess on a neighbouring estate. Unfortunately, her employer is Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell – the notorious rake who once broke her youthful heart. Since he hasn’t set foot on his estate for fifteen years, Abby assumes she’ll never have to see him... Until, one day, he appears. Both Abby and Max have changed over the years, but has their passion for each other stayed true? Forever My Duke: Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, needs a bride. He even has the perfect one picked out. That is, until he meets outspoken American Natalie Fanshawe – the opposite of what a man of his high rank should desire in a wife. Natalie couldn’t care less about Hadrian’s title or his need to marry. He can’t understand what it’s like to be a busy woman, planning to open a school while trying to reunite a six-year-old orphan with his English relatives. Nevertheless, Hadrian launches his campaign to win Natalie’s heart. But can the American beauty ever find a way to love him? When A Duke Loves A Governess: Tessa James has worked tirelessly to open her own millinery shop. All she needs now is a loan from the lord who sired and abandoned her. The easiest way to track him down? Infiltrate the aristocracy by becoming a governess. Guy Whitby, the Duke of Carlin, has returned to London after years abroad to discover that his young daughter, Sophy, has been scaring away her governesses. So when bold and beautiful Tessa applies for the job, he hires her despite his misgivings that she might be fibbing about her qualifications. But Guy’s murky past comes back to haunt him, and when an old enemy threatens his family, he and Tessa are thrown into the path of danger... A sweeping Regency romance series for fans of Bridgerton, Tessa Dare and Mary Jo Putney. Praise for Olivia Drake ‘A really lovely feel-good story that had me smiling throughout. There was never a dull moment... a jolly good passionate romance and a perfect read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Fast paced with strong characters & a lovely mix of intrigue, mystery & romance. I loved both Guy & Tessa... their chemistry simmers then sizzles. The road to their HEA isn’t easy but it made for a book that I found very hard to put down. A very well written engrossing read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘After a really long week at work, there's nothing better than a weekend with a lovely book... I would recommend this if you need a little romantic getaway. Really well worth a read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Olivia Drake always writes consistently good stories that keep her readers wanting more. I could not put these books down and absolutely loved them.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Loved the characters and the opposites attract concept. Highly recommend.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
She'd Grown Up In Frontier Forts, so if she couldn't handle a harmless kiss with a soldier, who could? Rebecca Huntington blithely declared. But she hadn't planned on her heart being captured by the likes of officer Clark Forrester, a gentleman whose "casual" kisses were anything but! If Lieutenant Clark Forrester wasn't careful, he would find himself marching down the aisle with Rebecca Huntington. And while a woman who could ride astride, beat him at chess and unnerve him just by deepening her dimples was a fascinating pastime, wooing the boss's daughter and a court-martial could go hand in hand!
Meet a pair of beloved characters—Harold Fry and Queenie Hennessy—in an eBook bundle that collects two linked novels from a wise and utterly irresistible storyteller. “[Rachel Joyce] has a lovely sense of the possibilities of redemption. . . . She’s cleared space where miracles are still possible.”—Ron Charles, The Washington Post Rachel Joyce’s unforgettable debut, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, became a runaway international bestseller as readers fell in love with her unassuming hero as he embarked on an incredible adventure spurred by a letter from his old friend Queenie. In The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, Joyce reveals the other side of the story in a journey just as remarkable as Harold’s. Together these exquisite parallel novels illuminate the feelings we all bury deep within our hearts, and the small yet pivotal moments that can change a person’s life. Praise for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry “[A] gorgeously poignant novel of hope and transformation.”—O: The Oprah Magazine “Joyce’s beguiling debut is [a] modest-seeming story of ‘ordinary’ English lives that enthralls and moves you as it unfolds.”—People (four stars) “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is not just a book about lost love. It is about all the wonderful everyday things Harold discovers through the mere process of putting one foot in front of the other.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times “A moving story about an ordinary man on an extraordinary journey.”—Nancy Horan, author of Loving Frank “A gentle adventure with an emotional wallop . . . a smart, feel-good story.”—Bob Minzesheimer, USA Today “I found myself laughing through tears, rooting for Harold at every step of his journey. I’m still rooting for him.”—Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife Praise for The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy “This lovely book is full of joy. . . . [Queenie’s] love song is for us. Thank you, Rachel Joyce.”—The Washington Post “Joyce’s writing at moments has a simplicity that sings. She captures hope best of all.”—The Guardian “[A] deeply affecting novel . . . Culminating in a shattering revelation, [Queenie’s] tale is funny, sad, hopeful: She’s bound for death, but full of life.”—People “Like Harold Fry, Queenie is delightful and dark. . . . But Joyce is so deft that when the book is over and you close the cover, the darkness fades. What sticks with you is the light of Queenie’s unwavering love.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune “Wonderful . . . It is not necessary to read Harold’s story before reading Queenie’s to enjoy this bittersweet novel, which is a pleasure in its own right. However, reading both will only serve to double that pleasure.”—The Independent “After two such involving novels, readers are bound to wish for a third.”—The Telegraph
When the steward of a noble house asks Audrey to pretend to be the long-lost daughter of Lady Marianne, although it is for a great sum of money, she is reluctant. Her family has fallen on hard times, so she agrees to go to Far Winds Manor. The Lady Marianne is on her deathbed, accepting Audrey as her daughter Roxanne, grown into a lovely woman, without question. The rest of the family is furious and unbelieving. Marianne’s nephew, the baron, spends all his time with the beautiful Audrey, trying to prove her deceit. Attempts on Audrey’s life make the mystery of the missing daughter more urgent. On the Far Winds estate, intrigue and secrets abound, and no one is who they seem, nor are their motives clear. While Audrey lives in luxury, surrounded by beauty and handsome men, she must keep her wits about her if she is to save herself and her family.
Irresistible Adversary With her focus firmly on spreading her message of temperance, Marissa Bradley is taken by surprise when she meets Grant Winston. Still in mourning for her brother, whose tragic death due to strong drink drives her to speak out on the subject, Marissa cannot think of romance. Yet Grant's charm draws her in. Intrigued by the pensive young woman, Grant determines he must learn more about her. But he never expected to find her protesting his family's vineyard! When he learns her reasons, he's sympathetic, but Grant can't walk away from the business that supports his family and provides his mother a home. How can he choose between his and Marissa's growing love and his family's very livelihood?
