Jean Stone Livres

Martha's Vineyard may be picturesque and peaceful, but even there, happily-ever-after has its dark side... Annie Sutton is not only a bestselling mystery author, she's the proprietor of the newly opened Vineyard Inn. Recently engaged to local police sergeant John Lyons, instead of making wedding plans, Annie's fighting with him about his older daughter, a troubled teen who has moved home--bringing chaos in her wake. With Annie's beloved brother away on a troublesome journey of his own, Annie needs a friend. She begins to confide in one of the Inn's guests, a mysterious stranger named Mary Beth Mullen. Her mix of kindness and vulnerability makes Annie trust her--until Mary Beth shares a secret that leaves Annie torn between family loyalty and a promise she made. When a handsome, internationally acclaimed journalist checks into the Inn, he too unpacks a boatload of trouble for Annie, triggered by a provocative photo, covertly snapped--and posted on the internet. Intrigued, as tensions mount between her and John, Annie decides to eschew the police and get involved herself--enlisting Mary Beth's help. But Annie is soon questioning whether anyone on the Vineyard this season is who they seem--and realizing that any chance of happiness rests in finding out just who her real friends are...

"With her long-awaited wedding to police sergeant John Lyons only weeks away, bestselling author and Vineyard Inn proprietor Annie Sutton is faced with more drama than usual. Between the hideous heirloom gown her new family expects her to wear and the challenges of bonding with John's contentious daughter Abigail, Annie's having serious doubts. But when the baby she once found on her doorstep goes missing, Annie has bigger concerns, including that the little girl's pregnant, older half-sister is in no condition to hear bad news . . . Desperate for answers, Annie combs the island, questioning friends and even her family-to-be. Because suddenly it seems as if Abigail will do just about anything to stop her father from marrying Annie--even if it means putting a child at risk. But if scaring Annie half to death is the plan, it's working. Nothing else matters now except finding the little girl. And if postponing her future with John--indefinitely--is the only way to make that happen, it's a sacrifice Annie may have to make . . ."--Page 4 of cover

Life is usually quiet during the off-season on Martha's Vineyard, but not for island newbie and bestselling novelist Annie Sutton. Finally settled into her adopted island home, Annie is looking forward to writing her next mystery, making soap for her new business, and starting renovations on the Inn she plans to open by the summer. She's also enjoying spending more time with local police sergeant John Lyons, the man she's only just gotten comfortable calling her boyfriend. She's even starting to relish her relationship with John's teenage daughter, Lucy. It's probably not the best moment for a visit from the biological mother Annie only recently met. Still, it's high time she got to know the mysterious Donna MacNeish. But Donna's visit isn't merely a social call-- she's come to share some devastating news. Seeking solace in an outing with Lucy, Annie and the teen stumble upon skeletal remains on the Inn's property, a finding that calls a halt to all construction while the police investigate. Desperate for answers, Annie starts asking questions of her own. But when secrets about her own past bring shattering revelations, suddenly everything Annie understands about love and loyalty is tested--and she wonders if the ties that bind her to her beloved community will reach a breaking point..

Includes an excerpt for A vineyard Christmas.

In the midst of a Christmas blizzard: A baby on the doorstep. It's taken a long time and a little heartache, but Annie Sutton is finally following her dream of living on Martha's Vineyard. She fell in love with the island's singular beauty while using it as a setting for two of her novels. In her cozy rented cottage on Chappaquiddick, she's settling in for her first Vineyard winter--complete with a fierce nor'easter on the way, forecast to bring high winds and deep snow. But the blizzard also brings something unexpected to Annie's front porch: a basket, encircled by a ribbon, containing a baby girl. The note reads: "I named her Bella, after my grandmother. Please help her, because I can't." Adopted as a child, Annie is grateful for wonderful parents who raised her as their own. Yet she also hopes to spare little Bella the feelings of abandonment that still haunt her. And so, rather than take the baby to the police, Annie decides to keep her and try to find the birth mother, giving her a chance to change her mind. But it's not easy keeping a secret in a close-knit, island community, especially amid the bustle of Christmas. Before the holiday ends, there will be revelations, rekindled hope, and proof that families--the ones we are born into and the ones we claim for ourselves--are the gifts that truly matter . . .

Exploring the weight of unfulfilled promises, this narrative delves into the emotional struggles of characters grappling with their past choices. As they navigate complex relationships and the consequences of their decisions, themes of regret, redemption, and the enduring impact of words emerge. The story weaves together moments of reflection and tension, ultimately revealing how some commitments can shape lives forever.

Jill McPhearson, a successful TV host with a seemingly perfect life, is drawn back to her childhood home on Martha's Vineyard, where she must confront her past. As she navigates complex emotions of friendship, betrayal, and love, Jill discovers a dark family secret that could either help her face her painful memories or jeopardize her future. This emotionally charged narrative explores themes of forgiveness and the impact of unresolved issues, leading to a pivotal moment in Jill's life as she seeks the story of a lifetime—her own.

Four friends are wedding planners who operate a business tailored for second weddings.

The story revolves around four best friends navigating love and life decisions amid their flourishing wedding planning business. Lily grapples with choosing between her inheritance and true love, while Elaine unexpectedly reconnects with a past romance. Sarah, an unconventional artist, faces an unforeseen choice, and Jo begins to doubt her own path to happiness. As they confront these pivotal moments, each woman's decision about love will profoundly impact their futures, exploring themes of friendship, love, and the complexity of second chances.