Bøker av Amy Lillard

THIS BOOK WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AS TAKE ME BACK TO TEXAS AND WELCOME HOME, BETHIE MCGEE. THIS IS THE CHRISTIAN (CLEAN AND INSPIRATIONAL) VERSION OF THE STORY. Elizabeth McGee never thought she'd set foot in Loveless, Texas, again. But after the reading of her father's will, Elizabeth learns she's inherited her grandmother's house and all of the personal contents. If that wasn't enough to knock her off her feet, she soon discovers that JD Carmichael, her lost love from high school, is the contractor who has been hired to finish renovating the house.JD once had the world by the tail. But after a premature end to what would have been a promising career in professional football, JD wants nothing more than to raise his daughter and enjoy the life he has now. And he surely never thought he'd ever see Bethie Grace again.Now he's faced with her every day as they work side by side restoring and cleaning the old house in order to ready it to sell. But the rambling old Victorian isn't the only thing rattling with memories. Elizabeth finds that she can't concentrate with JD around. And JD has trouble forgetting the heady effects of her kiss, even if it's been fifteen years since he last held her in his arms.Past hurts and betrayals stand in their way. That and JD's vow never to get married again. But as much as he tries to keep the two halves of his life separate, he finds himself breaking all his rules for Bethie Grace McGee.Elizabeth has plans for her future. She's waiting for a loan to buy her very own French bistro on the edge of Hollywood. But JD's kiss makes her second guess her decisions and think about staying in Texas. Forever.

Suzanne Rose never intended for Brice Van Sant to drink a cup of her homemade herbal shampoo. And she certainly didn't expect an impromptu marriage proposal from the hunky CEO. After an incredible wedding night, Brice wakes unable to remember his bride's name or why he proposed. Too late they realize the bright blue shampoo is responsible. Almost like...a love potion! Brice doesn't believe in love. But as chief executive of the area's largest pharmaceutical company, he needs that formula. He strong-arms Suzanne into reproducing it for him, demanding that she pretend they are happily married until it's recovered. As Suzanne struggles to remember the shampoo's ingredients and forget their perfect wedding night, she finds herself falling for her husband. Can she convince Brice that love is a chance worth taking before she loses her heart to him forever? This book was originally published under the title Love Potion and Other Travesties, then as The Trouble with Millionaires. For those of you who have read Love Potion Me, Baby or The Trouble with Millionaires, this is the clean and sweet version of those stories--same tale just scrubbed up a bit. This book contains no cursing or sex scenes. It may be suitable for most Christian readers, though it does not contain a Christian worldview.

Gabriel Fisher knows that as the oldest of the Fisher clan he has to set the best example for the family. As the widowed father of six he knows it's time to remarry. He needs a wife to help him care for the farm and the children. What he doesn't plan on is marrying a slip of a girl nearly half his age.Rachel Yoder has two choices, marry Gabriel or move to Ohio. Both prospects are equally frightening to her. As an orphan, Rachel doesn't have much to offer the man she marries and knows that any match she can make will be a good one. She just didn't plan on that match being to Gabriel Fisher with his big hands and stern face and permanent frown.Rachel has always considered herself to be plain and those around her consider her to be accommodating and malleable. But as Gabriel's wife, she finds confidence in herself and her abilities as a mother to his brood. As she makes a new life with Gabriel, she starts to understand the feelings he held for his wife and the adoration he still holds for his children. Rachel wants a little part of that for herself-though love was never a part of their agreement. Still at times, she imagines what it would be like to have a real marriage instead of the arrangement that she has with her husband.Gabriel understands all too well that the things you love the most are the things most likely to be lost. That's why he doesn't plan on falling in love with anyone-especially his new wife. But as time passes, Rachel blossoms and grows, and Gabriel finds himself thinking about a real marriage with his young wife. Yet despite the vows they have spoken to God and each other, can he risk his heart again with Rachel

Twenty-something advice columnist and amateur sleuth Sissy Yoder loves helping out at her Aunt Bethel’s Sunflower Café in Yoder, Kansas. It connects her to family, to the close-knit community—and to the suspicious events that always seem to bubble beneath small-town life . . .The unusual death of local herb farmer, Ginger Reed, is the talk of Yoder. Naturally, Sissy is intrigued. The official report classifies Ginger’s demise as an accident, concluding that she ran herself over with a tractor. But Sissy’s cousin, Naomi, a friend and longtime employee of Ginger’s, insists that’s impossible. When she asks for Sissy’s help in unearthing the truth, Sissy’s on the case—accompanied as ever by her loyal Yorkie companion, Duke . . . The deeper Sissy digs, the longer the list of suspects grows—and none of them are Ginger. Near the top is Ginger’s resentful sister-in-law, Mallory. Next is Naomi’s brother, Lloyd, who’s bitter about the oil derrick presumably pumping black gold from Ginger’s land—land that once belonged to his family. Naomi herself could be a suspect—it’s her tractor, after all. But the investigation stalls when Naomi makes a shocking turnaround in her story. Is she lying? And if so, why? Then a missing dog, a desperate lawyer, and a teenage con artist are added to the mix, and the puzzle becomes hopelessly complicated. If Sissy doesn’t solve it quickly, she’ll be lost in the weeds as a killer reaps a deadly harvest . . .

Waite Harris has been dealt more than a few hard knocks the last few years. After his NFL career-ending injury and more than one bad investment, Waite finds himself unemployed, broke, and adrift. From there it is a short drop to rock bottom. Then Waite's ex-wife abandons his infant daughter on his doorstep. Now he's cleaned himself up and found the perfect place to raise his brown-eyed Lacy--in the sweet air of the Texas countryside on an ostrich ranch near a town with the unlikely name of Nowhere. But he needs a business partner to make it all come together. Enter Winston Jericho. Sydney Jericho is not about to let some has-been shyster con her father into becoming partners in a run-down bird farm, located--literally--in Nowhere, Texas. Winston is obviously having a harder time dealing with his wife's death than Sydney had initially realized. But she has it all under control now; she's going to get her father from the ranch and take him back to Austin where he belongs. After Sydney falls at the ranch and loses her memory, what's a father to do but use the miraculous situation to his own advantage? After all, it was nothing short of Divine intervention that Sydney concocts her own personal backstory including a marriage to Waite and the small detail that she is Lacy's mother. It goes against every grain of Waite's being to allow Sydney to continue in her own reality, but the doctor insists that she will eventually remember the truth. Winston seems to think it's a fine idea to let it all happen in its own time, but Waite only promises a week. A week of pretending that she is his wife. A week of allowing her to believe that Lacy is her daughter. And a week to convince her that the ranch is where her father belongs. But after that week...will Sydney forgive him the deception? Or will she consider their subterfuge unforgivable? And what of the matter that he thinks he just might be falling in love with her?

"Hattie Schrock's lively optimism makes her the Widows Club's most outgoing member. The circle has helped her through widowhood--and in building a thriving popcorn shop with her cousin. So when Elsie bets Hattie that she can't help Paradise Valley's most cantankerous man learn to be happier, Hattie tackles the challenge head-on. But what can she do when she finds Christian Beachy is far more complicated--and appealing--than she thought?"--

"Twenty-something Sissy Yoder never imagined herself running her Aunt Bethel's cafâe, but her help is needed, so she's making a go of it. And she must admit that life in tiny Yoder has been anything but dull--she's already solved one homicide--after being named the prime suspect in the case! Enjoying a peaceful respite after all that excitement, Sissy just wants to write her advice column, hang out with her loyal Yorkie, Duke, and procure some of local farmer Walt Summers' scrumptious 'To Die For' tomatoes for the Sunshine Cafâe's menu. But when the unsavory Summers--resented by just about everyone in town--turns up murdered in his garden shed, it's up to Sissy to roll up her sleeves, dig for some clues, and weed out the culprit . . . "--Provided by publisher.

In an uplifting inspirational romance that will make your heart smile, award-winning, USA Today bestselling author Amy Lillard’s “Whoopie Pie Widow’s Club,” a group of women who share solace, friendship, and faith in the close-knit community of Paradise Valley, Missouri, rallies around a local widowed baker to help care for her wheelchair bound son. As she works with her brother-in-law to renovate her house to make it more accessible, they find their mutual strength of faith draws them together in unexpected ways. Perfect for fans of Charlotte Hubbard, Amy Clipston, and Shelley Shepard Gray.At the heart of a Missouri Amish community, a circle of caring friends—the Widows’ Club of Paradise Valley—sees each other through life’s storms, in this uplifting series from award-winning author Amy Lillard . . . Joy Lehman has pressed on faithfully since losing her husband, raising their children and running a thriving bakery alone. Even caring for her oldest son, Johnny—seriously injured after a fall—has not shaken her fierce independence. Johnny will walk again, she’s sure. Until then, a meeting of the Widows’ Club at her home makes it clear that Joy must consider some costly renovations. Her brother-in-law, Uriah, is happy to provide the lumber and the labor—if Joy will accept his help.Uriah understands family challenges—he’s a widower himself, and father to four daughters. Yet he can see that Joy’s struggle lies deeper than house repairs, in learning to accept an altered future for her son. As Uriah’s daughters begin helping in the bakery, and Joy and Uriah’s bond grows deeper, a new possibility glows bright—the unexpected happiness that lies in embracing one strong, united family, filled with support and love . . .

In an uplifting inspirational romance that will make your heart smile, award-winning, USA Today bestselling author Amy Lillard's "Whoopie Pie Widow's Club," a group of women who share solace, friendship, and faith in the close-knit community of Paradise Valley, Missouri, reunites as a local writer embarks upon the joyful Amish tradition of matchmaking…For fans of Charlotte Hubbard, Amy Clipston, Molly Bebber, and Linda Byler.While most women her age are searching for husbands, Astrid Kauffman has chosen a different path-writing romance novels and donating her profits to her beloved Amish community. But when Astrid struggles with writer's block, she agrees to play matchmaker for Imogene Yoder, a widowed mother of rambunctious twin boys. Perhaps the diversion-and the entrée it gives Astrid to the stories among the Widows' Club-will spark her creativity . . . Fortunately, Astrid has just the match for Imogene: a widower she believes is the finest, most handsome man in town. In fact, Astrid realizes he's perfect . . . for herself! Soon, the plot thickens as Imogene questions what kind of marriage she really wants, and Astrid wonders what kind of matchmaker falls for someone else's match. But by letting faith guide the way, all involved may discover true love has written a far better next chapter than any of them expected . . .

Every first love deserves a second chance. Shelby Patterson has come back to Texas for one reason and one reason only-to get her husband to sign divorce papers. She's worked hard to build her California bakery, where clients clamor for her one-of-a-kind creations. Seven years after her disastrous marriage, she'll finally have everything in perfect order-just as soon as Ritter McCoy signs the dotted line. Ritt is still pissed that Shelby walked out all those years ago without giving their marriage a chance. Sure, they were young and had just lost the baby that had rushed them to the altar, but they'd loved each other beyond reason. Ritt gave up his college baseball scholarship, only to have Shelby and her mom take his parents' bribe money and run. If Shelby wants those papers signed, she'll just have to wait until he's good and ready. Or maybe, before she flies the coop again, he can convince her the love they had between them is still there-and still hot enough to melt their hearts back into one.

In a charming new cozy mystery series from USA Today bestselling author Amy Lillard, twenty-something advice columnist Sissy is ready for a fresh start in the small town of Yoder, Kansas – along with her loyal Yorkie, Duke. She’s planning to help out at her aunt’s Sunflower Café, but little does she know her new duties will soon include solving a murder! After Sissy’s rodeo cowboy boyfriend turns out to be more of a rodeo clown, she packs a bag; picks up her Yorkshire terrier Duke; and leaves Tulsa, Oklahoma, bound for her parents’ former hometown. There are still plenty of Yoders in Yoder, Kansas, including Sissy’s aunt Bethel, who owns the Sunflower Café but recently broke her leg. It’s a homecoming of sorts as Sissy arrives to help in the café and reunite with her pregnant cousin Lizzie. Plus she can continue to secretly write her newspaper advice column as seventy-year-old “Aunt Bess.” But it’s Sissy who could use some advice when she finds the milk deliveryman out behind the café with a knife in his back. As the sheriff’s prime suspect, it’s up to Sissy to catch the backstabber herself—before someone else gets creamed...

Includes an excerpt from Can't judge a book by its murder.

Renewed faith and happiness await three generations of women in this heartwarming series from Amy Lillard, set in the Oklahoma Amish community of Wells Landing...With her daughter newly married, widow Charlotte Burkhart should have been content to find a companion for her later years in Amish widower Glenn Esh. Yet, Charlotte longs for more than life has offered her thus far. When she discovers a baby on her doorstep, the child seems like the miracle Charlotte's been praying for. Unfortunately, Glenn doesn't feel the same way. What's a single woman aching to experience motherhood once more to do?From the moment Paul Brenneman sees Charlotte Burkhart with a new baby, he senses his lovely neighbor and the sweet child are meant to be. Which is why he offers to marry Charlotte and make her adoption dreams come true. No stranger to heartache himself, the stalwart widower knows second chances don't happen every day--especially not with a woman like Charlotte, the first woman in a long time who has him taking a leap of faith that happily-ever-after is still possible...

In this heartwarming series from Amy Lillard, three generations of women find the Oklahoma Amish community of Wells Landing a heaven-sent opportunity to take new leaps of faith . . .   Wife, widow, mother, and grandmother—sixty-something Nadine Burkhart is everything a sensible Amish woman is supposed to be. She’s moved to Wells Landing to give her daughter and granddaughter a fresh start—not herself. So as far as she’s concerned, good-hearted farmer Amos Fisher should find something better to do than try to draw her out, be there when she needs help—and make her believe in love for the first time . . .   A friendly but solitary man, Amos is realizing there’s more to life than work. Although he hasn’t courted in years, Nadine’s honesty makes him long to know her better—and understand her standoffishness. But when everything he tries fails to soften her stubbornness, he’ll just have to trust his heart that real, true, and utterly impractical love will prevail—for a lifetime…   Praise for Amy Lillard and her Wells Landing novels   “An inspirational story of romance, faith, and trust . . . will appeal to fans of Wanda Brunstetter and Beverly Lewis.” —Library Journal   “Fans of inspirational romance will appreciate Lillard’s vivid characters and positive message.”  —Publishers Weekly

In this new novel set in the beloved Oklahoma Amish community of Wells Landing, three generations of women challenge themselves and each other to make a fresh start in faith, family-and love. Jenna Burkhart is tired of being "special" and hearing about what she can't do. Even though she suffered a head injury in a childhood swimming accident, she wants a life of her own just like any Amish woman. But now that she, her mamm, and her mammi have moved to Wells Landing, she's having a hard time fitting in. . . . Until she meets Buddy Miller, a boy just like her, who gives her the confidence to reach for the impossible . . . Like Jenna, Buddy is used to being the boy no one expects much from, the one people see as "different." Still, being around Jenna's lively, kind-hearted ways makes him strive ever-harder to become the self-sufficient Amish man she deserves. But in the face of family disapproval and their own fears, will Jenna and Buddy's courage be enough to give them a forever happiness together? Praise for Amy Lillard and her Wells Landing novels "An inspirational story of romance, faith, and trust . . . will appeal to fans of Wanda Brunstetter and Beverly Lewis." -Library Journal "Fans of inspirational romance will appreciate Lillard's vivid characters and positive message."-Publishers Weekly

For the Amish of Pontotoc, Mississippi, faith and family are everything-even when they pose the greatest challenge . . . Gracie Glick is known for being the helpful one, always available for a relative in need. But now that she's longing for a home and family of her own, it's time to help herself. With few eligible men in Pontotoc, Gracie's choices, and her time, are limited. So she takes a bold leap of faith: she proposes to Matthew Byler, a handsome, recently widowed, father of five. It's not until after they're married that Gracie learns Matthew doesn't want more children . . . With his grief still fresh, and his children needing care while he tends to his farm, Gracie is the answer to Matthew's prayers. But a marriage in name only suits him fine. And when he finally tells Gracie the dismaying reason why, they must decide whether to continue together-or apart. It's a choice that will force them both to look deeper into their hearts than ever before . . . Praise for Amy Lillard and her Wells Landing novels "An inspirational story of romance, faith, and trust . . . will appeal to fans of Wanda Brunstetter and Beverly Lewis." -Library Journal on Caroline's Secret "Fans of inspirational romance will appreciate Lillard's vivid characters and positive message."-Publishers Weekly