"Best Books of Fall 2018 Selection by PopSugar
“Stunning... An intricately satisfying story about love and understanding that is full of both nostalgia and surprising optimism.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A propulsive and endearing debut.” —J. Ryan Stradal, New York Times bestselling author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest
A formidable matriarch learns the hard way that no family is perfect in this witty, sparkling debut novel
Dearest loved ones, far and near—evergreen tidings from the Baumgartners!
Violet Baumgartner has opened her annual holiday letter the same way for the past three decades. And this year she’s going to throw her husband, Ed, a truly perfect retirement party, one worthy of memorializing in her upcoming letter. But the event becomes a disaster when, in front of two hundred guests, Violet learns her daughter Cerise has been keeping a shocking secret from her, shattering Violet’s carefully constructed world.
In an epic battle of wills, Violet goes to increasing lengths to wrest back control of her family, infuriating Cerise and snaring their family and friends in a very un-Midwestern, un-Baumgartner gyre of dramatics. And there will be no explaining away the consequences in this year’s Baumgartner holiday letter…
Full of humor, emotion and surprises at every turn, Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners brings to life a remarkable cast of quirky, deeply human characters who must learn to adapt to the unconventional, or else risk losing one another. This is the story of a family falling to pieces—and the unexpected way they put it all back together."
"Tyler Campbell is rescued from having his butt handed to him by Jessica, a courageous biker bartender with gorgeous ink. Jess is a single mom, her life taken up by raising a son and keeping away from her ex. Tyler is the first man who’s truly looked at her in a long, long time, the first to make her remember what passion is.
Though she recognizes that Tyler’s a playboy, she sees something else in him, a pain he’s kept hidden from all, even his close-knit family. Jessica doesn’t believe she’ll ever have anything with Tyler, but when she needs help, she risks all by seeking him in a little Texas town called Riverbend. "
"The Granger siblings thought they'd left their ranching days behind, until fate sends them home to Wrangler's Creek, Texas—and into the passionate arms of those they'd least expect…
It's some run of bad luck when Sophie Granger loses her business and gets left at the altar all in one day. Desperate to not appear jilted, Sophie begs Clay McKinnon, Wrangler's Creek's smoking-hot police chief, to pretend they're having an affair. But Clay refuses, leaving Sophie to retreat to the family ranch to lick her wounds.
Hoping to leave his disreputable past behind, Clay moved to Wrangler's Creek for a fresh start. But that looks unlikely when Sophie's ex-fiancé shows up married to Clay's impulsive kid sister. Overcome, Sophie resuggests the affair—but this time for real. Clay is hesitant. City-girl Sophie isn't usually his type. But he can't deny the desire she elicits—or his yearning to have her plant her cowboy roots for good."
"Grace Malory always had a crush on Carter Sullivan, the dark and damaged man who never quite fit in to the close community of Riverbend. When Carter’s foster mom needs help running the domestic side of the Circle C ranch, Grace is ready to help out cooking for the brothers and their growing families.
Carter’s troubles rise again in the form of his dangerous ex-girlfriend, who returns to try to claim custody of his daughter, Faith. Carter’s greatest fear is losing Faith, and he turns to Grace for help in a race against time and his past."
"Grant Campbell, famous trick rider from Riverbend, Texas, thought it was over with Christina, the love of his life. But a chance encounter one dark spring night gives Grant hope that he can have a second chance. Things are changing in Riverbend, though, that threaten to take Christina away from him forever.
Christina Farrell has tried to move on after her breakup with Grant, the hot Texas cowboy who stole her peace of mind the day he walked into her bar and gave her his sinful smile. But every reminder of him tells her it’s not over in her heart. Christina realizes she’ll never forget him until she makes some changes in her life, but before she can, a reconnection with Grant alters everything for her in an unexpected way."
"Stunt rider Adam Campbell returns home to Riverbend, Texas, seriously injured by a movie stunt gone wrong. He settles in to heal at his family’s ranch, where his four brothers, famous trick riders, train horses.
Adam is stunned to find Bailey Farrell working there–she was the shy girl who’d helped Adam graduate high school so he could run off to fulfill his dreams. Except the budding Bailey, with whom Adam had a brief but intense affair, has blossomed into a beautiful woman. Now the sparks that had once ignited between them threaten to explode.
Adam is beaten-up, broken-down, and has lost his nerve—the stunt that injured him also killed his best friend. The only one he can turn to is Bailey, but will Bailey, who has come back to Riverbend to lick her wounds, be willing to help him again?
Book 1 of Riding Hard."
"From J.R. Ward, the #1 New York Times bestselling author who has kept readers on the edge of their seats with her phenomenal Fallen Angels novels, comes one of the most heart-stirring and eagerly anticipated events in that acclaimed series.
This is a world where sin and salvation collide. This is a world where a cynical fallen angel struggles with the seven deadly sins and seven chosen souls. With the spellbinding Immortal, the riveting series that “changed the face of paranormal romance” (Suit101.com) comes to an epic close as mankind’s reluctant savior struggles with his greatest challenge yet...
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"#1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward explores what really happens when good and evil toy with humanity in her new novel of the Fallen Angels, as the salvation of a doomed soul depends once again on a crossroads...
When Cait Douglass resolves to get over her broken heart, throw off her inhibitions, and start really living, she’s unprepared for the two sensual men who cross her path. Torn between them, she doesn’t know which to choose--or what kind of dire consequences could follow.
Jim Heron, fallen angel and reluctant savior, is ahead in the war, but he puts everything at risk when he seeks to make a deal with the devil--literally. As yet another soul is unwittingly caught in the battle between him and the demon Devina, his fixation on an innocent trapped in Hell threatens to sidetrack him from his sacred duty...
Can good still prevail if true love makes a savior weak? And will a woman’s future be the key, or the curse, for all of humanity? Only time, and hearts, will tell."
"Out of the wickedly inventive imagination of #1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward comes a world where sin and salvation collide in a battle for the future of mankind-where a cynical fallen angel struggles against the seven deadly sins and a demon's lure over seven chosen souls…
Mels Carmichael, reporter for the Caldwell Courier Journal, gets the shock of her life when a man stumbles in front of her car outside the local cemetery. After the accident, his amnesia is just the kind of mystery she likes to solve, but she soon discovers they're in over their heads with his past. Over their heads with passion, too...
As shadows walk the line between reality and another realm, and her lover's memory begins to come back, the two of them learn that nothing is truly dead and buried. Especially when you're trapped in a no holds barred war between angels and demons. With a soul on the line, and Mels's heart at risk, what in Heaven-or in Hell-will it take to save them both?"
