According to Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and the late Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy is the greatest blues guitarist of all time. An enormous influence on these musicians as well as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck, he is the living embodiment of Chicago blues. Guy's epic story stands at the absolute nexus of modern blues. He came to Chicago from rural Louisiana in the fifties—the very moment when urban blues were electrifying our culture. He was a regular session player at Chess Records. Willie Dixon was his mentor. He was a sideman in the bands of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. He and Junior Wells formed a band of their own. In the sixties, he became a recording star in his own right. When I Left Home tells Guy's picaresque story in his own unique voice, that of a storyteller who remembers everything, including blues masters in their prime and the exploding, evolving culture of music that happened all around him.
Enter the world of Holly Well Springs... where the Christmas spirit lives on. With long gorgeous silver-blonde hair and stunning eyes that flicker with silver, Nessa can’t help that so many men find her fairy-princess-like appearance irresistible. But she doesn’t want to settle for a maybe relationship when she knows her forever love is out there somewhere. Things take a dangerous turn when one guy just won’t take no for an answer. Nessa’s parents decide that the best way to keep her safe is to send her far away to a small town in Montana, where her mother had grown up and her aunt is still running the town’s bakery. Nessa has always heard about Holly Well Springs, the town that celebrates Christmas all year long. From the time she sets foot there, she knows it feels like home. The only problem? A somewhat gruff yet handsome chief of police who keeps bumping heads with her from the moment she arrives. But as she spends more time with him, Nessa begins to realize that what she feels for Evan may just be that forever she’s been looking for all along. True love.
When an army vet becomes a firefighter in small-town Colorado, the flames of an old love reignite in this sweet romance by bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray In Woodland Park, a small town nestled in the foothills of Pikes Peak, Anderson Kelly and Chelsea Davis were once the high school “it” couple—the star quarterback and the valedictorian. They broke up when Anderson joined the army and one poor decision at a fraternity party changed Chelsea’s life. Now, she works long shifts in a senior center to support her nine-year-old son, Jack. After multiple tours in Afghanistan, Anderson has changed, too—physically scarred but mentally strong—and he decides to move back to Woodland Park. Anderson and Chelsea steer clear of each other to avoid reopening old wounds, until they are forced to reconnect through the senior center. They soon discover that the love they once shared never completely vanished. But it will take a fire, a dangerous collision, and the love of one little boy to help Anderson and Chelsea see that the future they've always yearned for is in sight...
Award-winning journalist Brian McGrory goes head to beak in a battle royale with another male for a top-spot in his home, vying for dominance with the family’s pet rooster. Brian McGrory's life changed drastically after the death of his beloved dog, Harry: he fell in love with Pam, Harry's veterinarian. Though Brian’s only responsibility used to be his adored Harry, Pam came with accessories that could not have been more exotic to the city-loving bachelor: a home in suburbia, two young daughters, two dogs, two cats, two rabbits, and a portly, snow white, red-crowned-and-wattled step-rooster named Buddy. While Buddy loves the women of the house, he takes Brian's presence as an affront, doing everything he can to drive out his rival. Initially resistant to elements of his new life and to the loud, aggressive rooster (who stares menacingly, pecks threateningly, and is constantly poised to attack), Brian eventually sees that Buddy shares the kind of extraordinary relationship with Pam and her two girls that he wants for himself. The rooster is what Brian needs to be – strong and content, devoted to what he has rather than what might be missing. As he learns how to live by living with animals, Buddy, Brian’s nemesis, becomes Buddy, Brian’s inspiration, in this inherently human story of love, acceptance, and change. In the tradition of bestsellers like Marley and Me, Dewey, and The Tender Bar comes a heartwarming and wise tale of finding love in life’s second chapter - and how it means all the more when you have to fight for it.
“All the world loves Kristin Hannah,” raves Newsday about this New York Times bestselling author. And it’s no wonder: She consistently writes compelling, beautifully told contemporary novels full of resilient characters and powerful emotion. Now for the first time, four of Hannah’s best-loved tales are together in one eBook bundle: ON MYSTIC LAKE “Superb . . . I’ll heartily recommend On Mystic Lake to any woman . . . who demands that a story leaves her with a satisfied glow.”—The Washington Post Book World Annie Colwater’s husband has just confessed that he’s in love with a younger woman. Devastated, Annie retreats to the small town where she grew up. There, she is reunited with her first love, Nick Delacroix, a recent widower who is unable to cope with his silent, emotionally scarred young daughter. Together the three of them begin to heal. But just when Annie believes she’s been given a second chance at happiness, she is forced to make a choice that no woman in love should ever have to make. SUMMER ISLAND “Many a daughter will see something of herself in Ruby.”—People Years ago, Nora Bridge walked out on her marriage and her family. Now she is a celebrity talk-show host. Her daughter Ruby is a struggling comedienne. The two haven’t spoken in more than a decade. Then a scandal from Nora’s past is exposed, and Ruby is offered a fortune to write a tell-all. Reluctantly she returns to the family house on Summer Island, with its frayed memories of joy and heartache. Confronting a mother who has harbored terrible secrets, Ruby finally begins to understand the complex ties that bind—and the healing that comes with forgiveness. DISTANT SHORES “There are real-life lessons here told with truth, humor, and courage. You will love this story.”—Adriana Trigiani Elizabeth and Jackson Shore married young and weathered the storms as they built a family. From a distance their lives look picture perfect. But after their two girls leave home, Jack and Elizabeth quietly drift apart. Then tragedy turns Elizabeth’s world upside down. In the aftermath, she questions everything about her life—her choices, her marriage, even her long-forgotten dreams. In a move that shocks her husband, friends, and daughters, she lets go of the woman she has become—and reaches out for the woman she wants to be. HOME AGAIN “A tender, beautifully told story of emotional growth, forgiveness [and] the possibility of miracles.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) Madelaine Hillyard may be a world-famous heart surgeon, but her personal life is less successful. Her teenage daughter, Lina, is fast becoming a stranger—a rebel desperate to find the father who walked away before she was born. Complicating matters are the vastly different DeMarco brothers: While priest Francis is always ready to lend a helping hand, Angel long ago took on the role of bad boy. Years earlier Angel abandoned Madelaine—and fatherhood—to seek fame and fortune, leaving her devastated. Now he needs help from the very people he betrayed—as a patient in dire need.
As the United States approaches its 50th year of mass incarceration, more children than ever before have experienced the incarceration of a parent. The vast majority of incarceration occurs in locally operated jails and disproportionately impacts families of color, those experiencing poverty, and rural households. However, we are only beginning to understand the various ways in which children cope with the incarceration of a parent – particularly the coping of young children who are most at risk for the adversity and also the most detrimentally impacted. When Are You Coming Home? helps answer questions about how young ones are faring when a parent is incarcerated in jail. Situated within a resilience model of development, the book presents findings related to children’s stress, family relationships, health, home environments, and visit experiences through the eyes of the children and families. This humanizing, social justice-oriented approach discusses the paramount need to support children and their families before, during, and after a parent’s incarceration while the country simultaneously grapples with strategies of reform and decarceration.
New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart presents a captivating contemporary romance novel in the tradition of Robyn Carr, Susan Mallery, and Barbara Freethy. In the wake of his wife’s murder, agent Grady Shields turned his back on the FBI—and everything else—to retreat into the vast solitude of Montana, grieve for his lost love, and forget the world. But after years in seclusion, his sister’s wedding draws him to St. Dennis, a peaceful town on the Chesapeake Bay. Though he swears he isn’t interested in finding love again, Grady can’t ignore the mutual sparks that fly when he meets Vanessa Keaton. Although her past was marked by bad choices, Vanessa has found that coming to St. Dennis is the best decision she’s ever made. Bling, her trendy boutique, is a success with tourists as well as with the townspeople. She’s made friends, has a home she loves, and has established a life for herself far from the nightmare she left behind. The last thing she’s looking for is romance, but the hot new man in town is hard to resist. And when Vanessa’s past catches up with her, Grady finds that he’s unwilling to let her become a victim again. As together they fight her demons, Grady and Vanessa discover that life still holds some surprises and that love doesn’t always have to hurt. BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from Mariah Stewart's Long Way Home.
How do cats know when it's time to go to the vet, even before the cat carrier comes out? How do dogs know when their owners are returning home at unexpected times? How can horses find their way back to the stable over completely unfamiliar terrain? With a scientist's mind and an animal lover's compassion, world-renowned biologist Rupert Sheldrake presents a groundbreaking exploration of animal behavior that will profoundly change the way we think about animals -- and ourselves. After five years of extensive research involving thousands of people who have pets and work with animals, Dr. Sheldrake proves conclusively what many pet owners already know: there is a strong connection between humans and animals that defies present-day scientific understanding. This remarkable book deserves a place next to the most beloved and valuable books on animals, including When Elephants Weep, Dogs Never Lie About Love, and The Hidden Life of Dogs.
"Lisa Plumley creates charming characters. Her books are a delight!" -- USA Today best-selling author Rachel Gibson USA Today bestselling author Lisa Plumley does it again with another sparkling, sexy novel of crazy coincidences—and crazier love... About the book...Her name was Josie, she was a showgirl......until the night she Heimliched a martini olive out of fabulously wealthy and eccentric casino owner Tallulah Carlyle. Now Josie Day—proud new owner of one of Tallulah's spare estates—is leaving Vegas behind for...Donovan's Corner, Arizona? Ironically, her "reward" has brought her right back to the dusty hometown she thought she'd left behind forever. Still, Josie's ready to prove there's more to her than feathers and a wicked rumba. She plans to sell the old mansion and use the profits to open a dance school. But first, she'll have to figure out some fancy footwork to avoid knocking heads—and other things—with caretaker and local bad boy Luke Donovan... It isn't every day a woman like Josie comes strutting into town—which is fortunate, since her presence on the estate has Luke hotter and more bothered than he's been since, well, ever. He's a little annoyed with his Aunt Tallulah, though. This was supposed to be his property to renovate and sell—an opportunity to make good after being cut off from the family fortune. But Josie doesn't have to know that...at least not until Luke figures out a way to make both their dreams come true—and prove that Vegas isn't the only place where taking a chance can change everything... What people are saying..."In this heartwarming, often humorous story, the feisty Josie proves that you can go home again --if you've got the right stuff. And once again, the talented Plumley, whose books include Perfect Switch, proves that when it comes to writing romantic comedy, few do it better." --Booklist (starred review) "Secrets, misunderstandings, and miscommunications complicate this bright, amusing story, which takes a pair of protagonists with opposing goals, adds a host of family upheavals, and lets the off-beat tale unfold. For readers who like their contemporaries with up-front humor, sassy dialog, and small-town settings." --Library Journal "Turning not-so-perfect, unlikely characters into romance heroes and heroines is Lisa Plumley's forte, and she once again delivers a zany cast who will make you laugh. If you want a light romance that will have you chuckling every few pages, Josie Day Is Coming Home won't disappoint you." --The State newspaper "Plumley's story is lighthearted, with some serious tug-at-the-heart moments. Josie is upbeat and unbeatable, while Luke is determined and just the sort of guy Josie needs to make that happily ever after ending." --The Oakland Press "Josie Day is a delight. Plumley writes her lead character using determination, beauty, and notorious appeal. Luke Donovan is simply: sexy, dangerous and fun. They are a wonderful couple." --Contemporary Romance Writers
"[A] highly entertaining, bone-chilling must read.”—Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest "A diabolical tour de force."—P.J. Vernon, author of Bath Haus “Don’t miss this propulsive, hypnotic thrill ride.”—Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of Last Girl Ghosted First comes love. Then comes murder. Lucas Forester didn’t hate his wife. Michelle was brilliant, sophisticated and beautiful. Sure, she had extravagant spending habits, that petty attitude, a total disregard for anyone below her status. But she also had a lot to offer. Most notably: wealth that only the one percent could comprehend. For years, Lucas has been honing a flawless plan to inherit Michelle’s fortune. Unfortunately, it involves taking a hit out on her. Every track is covered, no trace left behind, and now Lucas plays the grieving husband so well he deserves an award. But when a shocking photo and cryptic note show up on his doorstep, Lucas goes from hunter to prey. Someone is on to him. And they’re closing in. Told with dark wit and a sharply feminist sensibility, Never Coming Home is a terrifying tale of duplicity that will have you side-eyeing your spouse as you dash to the breathtaking end. Don’t miss Hannah Mary McKinnon’s latest psychological suspense, The Revenge List, where a woman's list of people she wants to forgive suddenly becomes a list of victims. Want more McKinnon? Don't miss these pulse-pounding thrillers: You Will Remember Me Sister Dear Her Secret Son The Neighbors
