Steena Holmes Books

When Brian finds out that his wife, Diane, is pregnant, he is elated. He's been patiently waiting for twelve years to become a father. But Diane has always been nervous about having children because of her family's dark past. The timing of the pregnancy also isn't ideal - Diane has just been promoted, and Brian is being called away to open a new London office for his company. Fast-forward one year: being a mother has brought Diane a sense of joy that she'd never imagined and she's head over heels for her new baby, Grace. But things are far from perfect: Brian has still not returned from London, and Diane fears leaving the baby for even a moment. As unsettling changes in those around Diane began to emerge, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems. A woman's dark past collides head-on with her mysterious present in this surreal and gripping family drama.

A mother's near-obsessive devotion to her missing daughter threatens to destroy more than one family. Megan is the harried but happy stay-at-home mother of three little girls living in a small town. Her life implodes when her youngest daughter, Emma, disappears on her third birthday. Two years later, Megan is preparing to commemorate Emma's birthday and the anniversary of her kidnapping, compelled to keep her name alive in the minds of her community and her family. Her commitment to Emma, however, borderlines on obsession as she follows the families of little girls who look like the daughter she lost. Her obsession with finding Emma has distanced Megan from both friends and family. Her two older daughters are resentful of her relentless and fruitless search for their sister, and her husband pleads with her to accept that Emma is gone so that the family can move on with their lives. Meanwhile, in the same small town, Jack is beginning to question his wife's secrecy about their adored granddaughter, Emmie. As Dottie slips into dementia and becomes increasingly protective over Emmie, he can't help but wonder if there could be a dark secret that Dottie is keeping from him. Jack and Megan's worlds finally intersect at the town carnival, when Megan snaps a photograph of a little girl on her grandfather's shoulders.

"After losing her son in an elementary school shooting that devastates the tight-knit community of Stillwater Bay, Jennifer Crowne finds herself unable to settle back into her role of perfect stay-at-home mom and committee organizer. Meanwhile, her best friend, Mayor Charlotte Stone, struggles to keep the town together, and Charlotte's husband, the school principal, may not be the hero everyone thinks him to be. As they try to heal from this irrevocable trauma, Jenn and Charlotte find themselves at a crossroads--within the town and within their friendship. For Jenn, broken and grieving, there is no going back, and she demands that the school be closed so that she can bury the past. Yet Charlotte is equally desperate to hold the town together, fighting the school closure and helping the shooter's mother regain her place in the community. Jenn and Charlotte's relationship is put to the ultimate test as each weighs her own interests against the bonds of their friendship"--Page [4] of cover.

The bond between twin brothers is tested when one reveals a significant secret that could change everything. After the death of their father, the narrator believed they were finally free from danger, only to learn that Bryce has been concealing a truth that could threaten their relationship and safety. This revelation sets the stage for a gripping exploration of trust, loyalty, and the complexities of familial ties.

In a small town facing decline, the community bands together to seek a miracle to revitalize their home. With the warmth of hot cocoa and cookies, they embark on a heartfelt journey filled with hope and determination. As they navigate challenges, the story highlights the power of unity and the importance of simple joys in bringing people together.

In a small town called Halfway, family holiday traditions play a crucial role in shaping relationships and community bonds. As residents navigate the joys and challenges of their customs, the story explores the significance of these traditions in their lives, highlighting the connections formed through shared experiences and celebrations. The narrative delves into how these rituals impact personal growth and the dynamics within families, making it a heartwarming tale of love, belonging, and the spirit of togetherness.

Zwei Jahre lang wünschen sich Megan, Peter und ihre Töchter Alexis und Hannah nichts sehnlicher, als ihr jüngstes Familienmitglied Emma zurückzubekommen, die kurz vor ihrem dritten Geburtstag entführt wurde. Als Emma wie durch ein Wunder nur wenige Kilometer vom Haus der Familie bei einem älteren Paar lebend gefunden wird, sind alle voller Hoffnung, dass ihre Rückkehr alle Wunden heilen wird, die ihr Verschwinden verursacht hatte. Aber Emma ist nicht mehr das fröhliche Kleinkind, das alle in Erinnerung haben. Sie erinnert sich kaum noch an ihre Eltern oder ihre älteren Schwestern. Sie ist still, sehr zurückgezogen und – was am schlimmsten ist – sie sehnt sich nach den Leuten, die sie entführt hatten. Megan ist voller Bitterkeit, während Peter immer länger in der Arbeit bleibt, in Gesellschaft seiner attraktiven Geschäftspartnerin. Und inmitten all dessen ist Megans beste Freundin plötzlich auch noch abweisend und verschlossen. Dann führt eine zufällige Begegnung in der Stadt zu einem Geheimnis, das erneut alles für Emma verändert. Und Peter muss sich zwischen dem Glück seiner jüngsten Tochter und dem Vertrauen seiner Familie entscheiden.