Short Family

Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella are back with another collection of warm and witty stories that will strike a chord with every woman. This four-book series is among the best-reviewed humor books published today and has been compared to the late greats Erma Bombeck and Nora Ephron. This fourth volume, Have a Nice Guilt Trip, maintains the same sterling standard of humor and poignancy as Lisa and Francesca continue on the road of life, acquiring men and puppies.

Pen/Hemingway finalist Jamil Jan Kochai ​breathes life into his contemporary Afghan characters, moving between modern-day Afghanistan and the Afghan diaspora in America. In these arresting stories verging on both comedy and tragedy, often starring young characters whose bravado is matched by their tenderness, Kochai once again captures “a singular, resonant voice, an American teenager raised by Old World Afghan storytellers.” The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories is a moving exploration of characters grappling with the ghosts of war and displacement.

Mary Rose MacKinnon is a successful author of YA fiction doing a tour of duty as stay-at-home mom while her partner Hilary takes a turn focusing on her career. She tries valiantly to balance the (mostly) solo parenting of two young children with the relentless needs of her aging parents. But amid the hilarities of full-on domesticity arises a sense of dread. Do others notice the dents in the expensive refrigerator?

Eugeena Patterson is marrying her neighbor and companion Amos Jones. Her family and friends are happy to finally see the couple walk down the aisle. But there’s something missing. Since his wife’s death, Amos has been estranged from his two daughters. Eugeena encourages Amos to reach out to his daughters by inviting them to spend Christmas with him.

If you love messy family dynamics, unforgettable characters, and sizzling chemistry, you’ll devour these three sexy, hilarious full-length novels, all in one convenient package. Grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, silver foxes and more await you in this trio of nerdy rom-coms.

Live and work together, or lose everything that matters…The ultimatum tilts Dru Hampton’s contented life in Chandlerville, Georgia, on its ear. The man that Vivian, her cantankerous boss and benefactor, wants Dru to partner with -live- with - is Brad Douglas, who’s let Dru down every way a man can. Sheriff’s deputy Brad has come a long way since his rebellious youth. He’s back home to care for Vivian, his ill grandmother. He’s stayed out of her way all these years to make up for the hurt he once caused.

She left to find herself. Will she lose everything she loves instead? Hannah Zook always believed her future was set—marriage to kind, steady Jacob Byler and a peaceful life in their Amish community. But when a restless longing sends her on rumspringa to Boston, she’s swept into a world of dazzling city lights, modern luxuries, and the undeniable charm of Michael Pearson. A life she never imagined is suddenly within reach. Back home, Jacob waits, his heart heavy with love and worry. Whispers of Hannah’s new life reach him—talk of English clothes, glittering parties… and a man who ...

A feel-good story of unexpected second chances and hope. Birch Springs was supposed to be my past. But when my dad needs me, I walk away from my city life and come back to take care of him. What I don't see coming is Blake Donovan, my first love, living right across the street. Now he's a widower with a son. Before I know it, I’m sharing sweet moments with Blake and his son. Reconnecting stirs up feelings I thought I'd buried for good. Suddenly those old feelings are back, stronger than ever. Spending time with Blake feels like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, but I wonder if ...

"A bend in the road is not the end of the road . . . unless you fail to make the turn." ~Anonymous Short and light, a few stories about things unexpected in life, but what's wrong with happy endings or new beginnings? A bit of history, a little mystery and some optimism too.

Will the prodigal son make amends with his loved ones and find a happily ever after for himself in the town of Last Chance, Nebraska? With the death of her mother, Nora Silverthorne finds herself longing for the only family she now has left, a half-sister she's never met. Upon arriving in Last Chance, Nebraska, Nora struggles with the handsome stranger who greets her with shotgun in hand. Nora's guarded her heart for years against men and their conniving ways. She's not looking for a husband, but the man intrigues her, putting her heart at risk, and possibly hindering her from connecting ...

Disasters strike without warning, leaving little time to react. Whether it is a wildfire racing toward your home, a hurricane forcing evacuations, an earthquake shaking your foundation, or a sudden outbreak of civil unrest, knowing how to evacuate quickly and effectively can mean the difference between safety and catastrophe. Evacuation Ready: What You Need to Survive and Thrive is a comprehensive guide that prepares individuals, families, and pet owners to leave at a moment’s notice with confidence. This book provides practical, easy-to-follow steps to help you prepare in advance, ...

After graduating from college, Skylar Hobbs couldn’t find a job. When a friend suggested writing erotic stories for cash, she jumped at the chance. Using past experiences and fantasies to come up with stories. Even using her own former stepbrother for inspiration. When Holden Baxter moved back to town he was looking for way to be with his ex-stepsister, Skylar. Too bad Skylar doesn’t want to have anything to do with him. Looking for something, anything to connect with her, he is shocked when he finds Skylar's stories on her laptop. With this new knowledge in hand, Holden decides to make...

'Fans of Maeve Binchy and Cathy Kelly will love this.' A story of the aftermath, of picking up the pieces, of finding yourself again and discovering that life isn’t always easy . . . it’s not meant to be, but it can be worth it. Ann Maguire believes that discovering the truth of her past will set her free, but sometimes having all the answers isn’t enough . . . Forced to leave Dublin after her marriage crumbles, Ann returns to her childhood home of Knockmore, to find herself even more isolated than before. Catapulted back to grieving for her parents and the life she once knew, ...

The house is dark, quiet, and empty as Frank Wilcox makes a promise to his daddy, Tom. One day, Frank promises, he will tell the stories—the adventures and misadventures—of life on the family hog farm in north Georgia. The farm is the home where Frank and his brothers, Jack and Wayne, learn life lessons about family and faith. That’s the backdrop of Brookwood Road, a novel inspired by author Scott Douglas Vaughan’s childhood. Vaughan turns those memories into rich stories centered around Frank, the thoughtful and protective oldest brother of the bunch, and his life growing up on the...

Stories that will make you laugh, cry, and feel a thousand emotions in between. Following on the heels of his critically acclaimed first book of short works, A Flamingo Under the Carousel, William John Rostron continues with this second compilation of published works that utilizes multiple genres. Again, the reader is treated to tales of fiction, non-fiction, and his unique style of “almost fiction.” He spans the globe with stories that take place in London, Paris, and Rome…not to mention the oceans of the world and outer space. Rostron’s imagination brings you to the mysterious ...

As a graduation present for her daughter, Tammy, Samantha Moon and the gang head down to South America for the vacation of all vacations. Next stop: El Dorado—The Lost City of Gold It all begins shortly after Sam and company arrive in Colombia, when a disembodied head awakens them in the middle of the night. Turns out, the head belongs to the famous explorer, Sir Walter Raleigh, who lost it to an executioner’s ax 400 years earlier. The very essence of determination, the intrepid explorer isn’t about to let a little thing like death stop his search for the legendary City of Gold. And ...

After the stunning historical novels The Clearing and The Missing, Tim Gautreaux now ranges freely through contemporary life with 12 new stories and eight from previous collections. Most are set in his beloved Louisiana, many hard by or on the Mississippi River, others in North Carolina, and even in midwinter Minnesota. But generally it's heat, humidity, and bugs that beset his people as they wrestle with affairs of the heart, matters of faith, and the pros and cons of tight-knit communities.

The small town of Keatchie, Louisiana is growing and the town's folks are falling in love and learning to live by faith. In each of these books, you'll meet members of the Faltime Baptist Church and get a peek into their lives. About: INTENSE She’s been sidelined. And she’s wanting love just as much as me. I feel her… The pain of her past, The fear of letting another person in, And as much as I should be stuck, especially after what I witnessed, I find myself wondering about her story. I understand… The woman I wanted to love is too broken to let anyone in. She was bruised and bent ...

About HEALED She’s hurting and I feel her. Filled with tears, fears, and broken pieces of promises… I’ve decided to participate in her victory. It doesn’t take me long to discover she doesn’t feel worthy of love. She doesn’t understand why this route was chosen as a piece of her journey, but all I know is if she gives me the opportunity, I’m going to love her like she needs to be love. She’s afraid. Afraid of moving forward. Afraid of failing. Afraid of hidden secrets being revealed. And afraid of repeating past mistakes. But how will she ever understand that love was meant ...

The story before the story...What happened before A Family Affair began? Best-selling author Mary Campisi answers this question in her new Park Bench series. These short stories make the perfect park-bench listen and are named after her signature park-bench covers.