romance novels with shy heroines audiobooks Audiobooks

Free-spirited Grace Sheldon is used to living on a tight budget as a freelance photographer. But nothing short of a miracle could produce the thirty thousand dollars she owes on the house she’s inherited. Without steady employment, the bank refuses to give her a loan. Working a temp job won’t give her nearly enough, but she’ll take any little bit she can get until she figures out a solution. Her first day, though, she realizes this is no ordinary office—and her handsome new boss is no ordinary man. After Sawyer Rivera’s well-planned career in Seattle officially imploded all he’s looking for is a small beach town where he can open a dog training facility and start a simple life. Except, his new office assistant is anything but. Grace is carefree, artsy, and doesn’t know a thing about dogs. The woman has pet chickens! She’s also funny, kind, and the best part of his day. Grace is his complete opposite—and completely refreshing. But when her month of temp work is over, she could disappear from his life for good. Sawyer realizes he has just one chance to try to change their fate.

The only thing she knows better than walking into a disaster is digging herself out of one. Tess Greene knows disaster—dating disasters, computer disasters, family disasters, you name it. But just when her life is finally almost perfect, she’s targeted by an internet celebrity who runs a revenge porn site admired by douchebags across the country. She has one month before the entire world will have an up-close-and-personal view of her sexual history. Tess has always handled everything on her own, but for this disaster, she needs backup. Max Hampshire, a brilliant hacker, is exactly the lifeline Tess needs. What she doesn’t need is Max himself. She does not need his quick wit, sexy black-framed glasses, or all-around sweetness. The last guy who helped Tess left with his life crushed and his heart broken, so she knows that staying far away from Max would be safer for everyone. But safety isn’t really an option when dealing with sleazy predators—or love…

California wedding planner, Kate Ludlow, moves back home to New England after her marriage implodes. In tow is her teen daughter Ellis, unhappy and nervous about the move. Suddenly, Kate's responsible for turning her part-time wedding planner gig into a full-time business. Kate's off to a good start, too, when she books the society wedding of the year. The prosperity of her business is dependent on the success of Marcy Simpson's wedding. The joy of an unlimited wedding business is intoxicating. But when Kate's best florist is murdered, her focus changes from pulling off the year's most glamourous wedding to saving her own skin-for Kate's suspect number one for the murder. Further complicating her life, Kate's old high school flame, Brian McAllister, is the police detective assigned to the murder case. The spark is definitely not gone from their connection, as they have unfinished feelings. Throw in a scavenger hunt for an antique missing family ring, the job transfer of Kate's ex to New England, and quirky and endearing townsfolk, Kate has more than she can handle-almost.

I've been on Whiskey Mountain for years, refusing to live off my family's fortune. I can take care of myself like a real ass man by flying sea planes, delivering illegal cargo, and keeping my profile low. Then Jemma knocks on my door. And my world changes. Everyone thinks she's dead. But by the way she moves ... Hell, she is very much alive. And she needs a man who can protect her, a man she can trust. She thinks I'm a good guy. I better become one before it's too late. Dear Reader, We're back on Whiskey Mountain ... and trouble is afoot. But before the sh*t hits the fan, Jameson's determined to give Jemma the night of her life! He's next level mountain man and he's swinging more than an axe, just sayin! He's carrying solid wood, baby! It's filthy, it's sweet, it's everything you need. Xo, Frankie

Blending Families responds to the need for a book that explores step-parenting by starting with the marriage as the central relationship in a new blended family unit. Just as you are better able to help your child in an airplane emergency if you put your oxygen mask on first, you are better able to blend two families if you take care of the marriage first. Starting with a discussion of attachment styles, the authors explore how those styles translate into the new family unit when trying to forge a new marriage while parenting tween and teen children in a family unit that is new to them as well. They provide parenting guidance premised on the fact that parenting occurs within a context, and in this case, a context that is unfamiliar territory for everyone involved. Using true stories throughout, they explore the variety of challenges that may arise, such as sibling rivalry, puberty, dating, emotional and intellectual differences, and preferential treatment, and offer suggestions for overcoming obstacles to fully blending. By focusing the light on the marriage as the most important source of stability, the authors encourage readers to develop a style of parenting that works for everyone and brings a sense of unity and strength to the household.

A HEARTSTOPPING MYSTERY FROM YOUR NEW CRIME FICTION OBSESSION: BIBA PEARCE. His mentor slain. A detective out for revenge. A criminal mastermind always one step ahead. Detective Rob Miller is at home with his crying newborn son when he gets the news. Retired Chief Superintendent Sam Lawrence, Rob’s friend and mentor, has been shot dead. Lawrence had always been his rock. Rob is devastated. An hour ago Lawrence had called to ask him to meet, but Rob couldn’t go because he was on daddy duty. Now he will hunt down the killer — but his boss thinks he’s too emotionally involved. This time it’s personal, but it’s not the only murder Rob’s got on his plate. The body of a young man is found on the south bank of the Thames near the London Eye with an unusual stamp on his wrist. Are the two killings related? Then a suspect has their throat slashed in custody and another body bearing the same stamp turns up. Rob knows this is not the work of some amateur criminal, but someone with terrifying reach — and the name they keep hearing is the Wolf. His baby won’t sleep. His partner needs him. Can he be there for them and bring a killer to justice? AN UNSTOPPABLE CRIME MYSTERY THAT YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN. This gripping page-turner is perfect for fans of Helen H. Durrant, James Oswald, Joy Ellis, Angela Marsons, L.J. Ross, Janice Frost and J.M. Dalgliesh. MEET THE DETECTIVE DI ROB MILLER An ambitious young detective gunning for promotion. He will do anything for his job, but can he also keep his personal life under control? THE SETTING The Murder Investigation Team is based out of leafy Putney, with its overgrown often-flooded riverbanks. One way the river leads into central London, the other out into the countryside. It’s an idyllic setting that masks a criminal underworld. PRAISE FOR THE SOUTH BANK MURDERS : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Fast paced! Riveting! Emotional! Suspenseful! Compelling! Complex! This book brings it ALL!! ” Tam ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is a brilliant read. Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.” Billie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A good read full of twists and turns and an excellent ending.” Carole ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I was gripped from beginning to end . It was a real page turner and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.” Barbara ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Good story line, and characters, making it one to recommend .” Iain ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I honestly stayed awake until 3 a.m. to finish this as I just couldn’t put it down , having been hooked right from the first few pages.” Many B. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A big twist near the end leads to a fast-paced and very satisfying conclusion.” Paul

When you grow up in Home, WA, the road always leads you to… well, home. I’m Bartlett Rough, and I’ve never left the mountain where I was raised with my six brothers and sisters. Cheesy as it may sound, Home really is where the heart is. But we’re all growing up, building cabins of our own, taking claim of our land. Things are changing. I feel that more than ever, when the winter winds sweep Abby into town. This wild, fierce beauty is everything I’m not. I own the hardware store, know everyone in this town by name, and am expected to settle down with someone local. Abby tumbled into town on a train, with nothing to her name, clutching her dog Hijinx, and holding onto her memory of Home from when she came through here years ago. I’ve played it safe my whole damn life. After one night with Abby, I have someone to fight for. A reason to risk it all. But falling for her has no guarantees -- she could leave as fast as she came, taking my heart along with her. Coming Home to the Mountain is a new filthy-sweet, high heat series by Frankie Love featuring rugged mountain men who fall hard, fast and forever. And with the women they love at their side, they choose to put family first. In this series, Dad shows up. Sister’s remember to call, big brother’s always look out for you, and Mom knows to keep an extra seat at the table for Sunday dinner. Not every family is perfect -- and the Rough family has its own set of problems -- but at the end of the day, they know what matters: Coming Home.

Reyes Walter is the man who engineers everyone’s happiness, and he’s never wanted anything else. He’s got a lucrative job as sovereign of the kink world, and he delights in playing puppet master for those under his purview…which is everyone. Allie Hart has got his hands full trying to find a job and being there for his sister and her kids. Loyal to the bone, he’s not looking for anything to get in the way of his obligations. When a chance encounter throws Allie into the wide swath of Rey’s concern, Rey resolves to play the hero as usual, and Allie is determined to tell him where to stick it. The last thing Allie needs is some rich know-it-all treating him like a damsel in distress. But the attraction between them leads to more than a back-alley tryst—although not anywhere close to for-keeps. All of Rey’s previous lovers have been polished up and paired off with someone more suitable. After all, there’s always someone in need, and Rey vowed a long time ago not to let anything or anyone come between him and his responsibilities. But Allie Hart may be the one gift he’s tempted to keep for himself. Previously published as The Cartographer.

AN EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT MYSTERY FROM YOUR NEW CRIME FICTION OBSESSION: BIBA PEARCE. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Fast paced! Riveting! Emotional! Suspenseful! Compelling! Complex! This book brings it ALL!!” Tam ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is a brilliant read. Great suspense and action with wonderful world building .” Billie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This story had me glued to the pages from start to finish . . . the best one — so far .” Heather ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This book is my favourite. I loved it . . . The author did a phenomenal job telling the story.” Marj Please note this book is a completely revised edition of Righteous Anger . One girl disappears. And there’s a link to an unsolved disappearance close to home. Katie Wells goes missing on her way to school. Her pink backpack is found weighed down with stones in a local reservoir. Time is running out to find her, and every second counts. Acting DCI Rob Miller leads a nationwide search, but no trace of the little girl is found. Meanwhile, Detective Jo Maguire from the National Crime Agency notices striking similarities to her own sister’s disappearance twenty years ago. Jo's relationship with Rob is deepening, but they don’t have time to figure things out. Maybe Jo's sister was the killer's first victim. And maybe he never stopped. Now, a body is discovered and the public holds its breath. Is it Katie? Rob and Jo might just have a serial killer on their hands . . . AN UNSTOPPABLE CRIME MYSTERY THAT YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN. This gripping page-turner is perfect for fans of Helen H. Durrant, James Oswald, Joy Ellis, Angela Marsons, L.J. Ross, Alex Smith and J.M. Dalgliesh. MEET THE DETECTIVE DI ROB MILLER Detective Inspector Rob Miller of the Met is finally given his first case as Senior Investigating Officer. For an ambitious, young detective, this is a dream come true. He’s gunning for promotion, and will do anything for his job, but can he also keep his personal life in check? THE SETTING The Murder Investigation Team is based out of leafy Putney, with its overgrown often-flooded riverbanks. One way the river leads into central London, the other out into the countryside. It’s an idyllic setting that masks a criminal underworld. PRAISE FOR THE BISLEY WOOD MURDERS : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Another brilliant British thriller . . . I really enjoy reading this author, she has a wonderful way of telling a story that keeps the reader mesmerized from start to finish.” Sharon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A cracking read and certainly one that leaves you wrong footed the whole way through. You may get slight hints to link things together, but the final reveal is fantastic! ” Cath ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Well, Biba Pearce certainly knows how to get you going!! Such a sad, sad story!! ” Carolann ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The storyline caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book .” Jeanne ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A brilliant read. Love the story . . . Rob is my favourite .” Sue DETECTIVE ROB MILLER MYSTERY SERIES Book 1: THE THAMES PATH KILLER Book 2: THE WEST LONDON MURDERS Book 3: THE BISLEY WOOD MURDERS

"What I want you to do, Isabella, is find out what his real name is..." Those were the words spoken to me when I sat down to learn about my final grade in college. They not only shocked me, but changed the trajectory of my life. Shadows Sampson has always been bigger than life on the campus of our college. Most of the time it seems as if he's older than the rest of us. Like he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. When I get close? I find out there's more to it than I ever bargained for. And when the truth comes out; against my will - I hope I can get the forgiveness I so desperately want. "You've gotta win this fight. We can't push rent back again..." Those words from my sister's mouth put an exclamation point on how bad our situation is. Especially after I lost the fight of my life. The one that was going to get us out of this apartment building, the one that was going to put us on a path we'd only dreamed about. But me? I'd lost the fight, my confidence, and the motivation for the life I'd always wanted. Until a baby I'd fathered was left at my doorstep, and a seriously hot girl from my college started paying attention to me. With that girl? I fall hard, only to find out I'm the subject of a story for her final grade. Turns out, that's my motivation. Quitting isn't an option. Not until my knuckles are bloody and not one person stands in the way of what I want.