Showing results by author "Renee Riva" in All Categories

In 1967, nine-year-old AJ wins a trip to Ireland to spend Christmas in a medieval castle. There's only one drawback; she has to bring her big Italian family along. It doesn't take long for AJ to drive her prom-queen sister crazy with her newly acquired Irish accent, or to take revenge on her brother with her Spooky Suzu doll hanging above his bed at night. Hop on the Blarney bus with the Degulio's , a group of tap dancers, and a family of yodelers for a rip roaring ride around Ireland.

When Liza Braun tries out for the Rainier Theater production of Anne of Green Gables, she has no idea that the assistant director is going to do everything she can to make sure her daughter, Charlotte, is the star of the show. But when Liza wins the lead role, the play is suddenly revised so the character of Diana Berry upstages Anne Shirley in every scene - until Dillon Derry gets the part of Gilbert Blithe and decides two can play that game.

South Carolina, 1908: Scullery maid Lucy Forman has been serving at Worthington House since the day she turned 16. Now, at 19, she is asked to take over the duties of gathering chicken eggs out by the stables. It doesn't take Lucy long to notice there's more to see at the chicken house than just chickens. When stable boy James Parker notices the young redhead in place of Bossy Betty, he suddenly takes a deep interest in repairing loose boards down at the coop.

Animal lover, Zoey Pappas leaves the rat race of Seattle to move to the small town of Leavenworth, Washington to open her new grooming salon, Puppy Dooz. Having given up her former dream of acting, she is miffed when her cat, Sofie, is constantly pursued by a theater cat named Valentino. Especially, when his owner, Dawson, runs The Backstage Theater playhouse in town and wants Zoey to audition as his leading lady in the Jane Austen production of Persuasion.

When Peyton Abercrombie runs away from an arranged betrothal, she is soon discovered by Captain Jackson Lafitte stowing away aboard the Mon Cherisse. "Did you say your last name is Lafitte?" Peyton glanced around the Captain's cabin. "Oh my goodness; a sword, a crew of uncultured men, barrels and barrels of who knows what all…you, Captain, are a pirate! ....I am on a pirate ship!" "I prefer to call it a cargo ship," Jackson replied. "And I'm sorry to inform you that you won't be staying."

Neighbors Liza Braun and Dillon Derry began their childhood as enemies - according to Liza. Dillon called it a crush. After winning the Children's Charity Award for their performance in Anne of Green Gables, they toured with Classic Comedies and became best friends. Ten years later: Dillon has finished his tour of duty with the Coast Guard and owns a marina. Liza has finished college...The two friends have one last performance together in The Frog Prince before parting forever. Then Liza's red carpet is pulled out from under her...Liza decides to play summer matchmaker...

Allie Jaskie, recent fashion school graduate, needs a job. Charlie Braun, editor of Happy Camper magazine, needs a field reporter. The clock is ticking for an article about summer snow camping on Mount Rainier. Allie hates camping. And snow. But she's down to her last can of tomato soup. What's a hungry girl to do? Change her name to Sage Forester and show up for an interview in old camping duds, courtesy of Goodwill.

In 1948, 21-year-old Shannon Lyons immigrated to America, and was hired as a waitress at The Crater Lake National Park Lodge in Oregon. That same summer, an Italian bus boy, Johnny Marino, is returning for his third summer. It takes some time for Johnny to work up the nerve to ask the beautiful new waitress out on a date. A few dates, hikes, and picnics later, the two are celebrating Shannon's birthday and take a sunset drive to see Phantom Ship Island. Everyone has one summer in their life that stands out above the rest. For Johnny and Shannon, the summer of 1948 was one of those summers.

Farley's Five-and-Dime plops the reader into a fun, folksy, small town setting, with a touch of romance, humor, and sweet southern charm. Set in the small town of Hog Eye Holler, Kentucky, in the 1950 s. Kids, and the young at heart alike, will enjoy meeting 11-year-old Mazie May Farley; a cross between Pippi Longstocking and Caddie Woodlawn. The high spirited, red-headed whirlwind who helps her family run the local Five-and Dime, has her sights on the popular town hunk-a-hunk, Billy Ray Baxter.

A delightful romantic comedy! Allie Jaskie, recent fashion school graduate, needs a job. Charlie Braun, editor of Happy Camper Magazine, needs a field reporter. The clock is ticking for an article about summer snow camping on Mount Rainier. Allie is not fond of camping, much less, snow. But she's down to her last can of tomato soup. What's a hungry girl to do?