Why am I passionate about this?

I love my family. I canā€™t do without them. I have three siblings, and Iā€™m the oldest. My father is a hard-working Texas man who I like to compare to Gus from Lonesome Dove. My mother is a lady. Like Jackie. Sheā€™s a classic. This made for interesting suppers. We were expected to behave like royalty while our father wanted us to ā€œpull his fingerā€. I canā€™t tell you the mischief that went on in my house. And the fanciness. Oh, my heavens, the fanciness. My mother has so many teapots. My family is the reason I can tell stories, and I applaud any author who makes family come alive.


I wrote

The Inventor's Heart

By Kara O'Neal,

Book cover of The Inventor's Heart

What is my book about?

The Inventorā€™s Heart is a second chance, historical romance that emphasizes what genius truly is. Love is the center ofā€¦

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Anne of Green Gables

Kara O'Neal Why did I love this book?

Anne of Green Gables is a rich, complex book because not only is Anne someone I know to the depths of my soul, but her family and her neighbors are so well-developed that I am transported to the town. As the reader, you are made to feel like you live in Avonlea, and itā€™s a place youā€™ll never want to leave. No matter the situationā€”happy or heart-wrenchingā€”youā€™ll be there.

By L.M. Montgomery,

Why should I read it?

29 authors picked Anne of Green Gables as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Anne of Green Gables is the classic children's book by L M Montgomery, the inspiration for the Netflix Original series Anne with an E. Watch it now!

Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert are in for a big surprise. They are waiting for an orphan boy to help with the work at Green Gables - but a skinny, red-haired girl turns up instead. Feisty and full of spirit, Anne Shirley charms her way into the Cuthberts' affection with her vivid imagination and constant chatter. It's not long before Anne finds herself in trouble, but soon it becomes impossible for the Cuthberts toā€¦


Book cover of Years

Kara O'Neal Why did I love this book?

Years is a beautiful age-gap romance that also allows the reader to get to know a gentle older brother, a feisty mother, a risk-taking son, and many other townsfolk. The Heroine is a teacher, and the author paints such a beautiful picture of the students. Each of them has their own personalities. Years overflows with so much heartache, sweetness, and love that I have read it multiple times.

By LaVyrle Spencer,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Years as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

As World War I threatens to take those she holds dear, a lovely schoolteacher grows to womanhood in the arms of a man who'd given up on love.


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Book cover of Bernardine's Shanghai Salon: The Story of the Doyenne of Old China

Bernardine's Shanghai Salon by Susan Blumberg-Kason,

Meet the Jewish salon host in 1930s Shanghai who brought together Chinese and expats around the arts as civil war erupted and World War II loomed on the horizon.

Bernardine Szold Fritz arrived in Shanghai in 1929 to marry her fourth husband. Only thirty-three years old, she found herself inā€¦

Book cover of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Kara O'Neal Why did I love this book?

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Societyā€¦ post-WWII. Told through letters it reveals the story of Juliet Ashton who lost her parents and is looking for a new family. Though she doesnā€™t know it. She finds it in an odd assortment of characters who are part of a book club I would die to join. Again, each ā€œfamily memberā€ has a different personality that draws you in and moves the story forward. A lovely, lovely book about taking risks and finding love.

By Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows,

Why should I read it?

14 authors picked The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The beloved, life-affirming international bestseller which has sold over 5 million copies worldwide - now a major film starring Lily James, Matthew Goode, Jessica Brown Findlay, Tom Courtenay and Penelope Wilton 'I can't remember the last time I discovered a novel as smart and delightful as this one ... Treat yourself to this book, please - I can't recommend it highly enough' Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love To give them hope she must tell their story It's 1946. The war is over, and Juliet Ashton has writer's block. But when she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams ofā€¦


Book cover of Texas Destiny

Kara O'Neal Why did I love this book?

Texas Destiny is a historical romance that showcases a family of three brothers trying to start a ranch. Each brother has his own personality, his own way to contribute to the development of their family which enthralled me. Dallas holds it all together, a Type A personality to be sure. Austin, the youngest, does everything he can to help but still makes impulsive decisions. And Houston, the middle brotherā€¦scarred in battle, he has to fight feelings of worthlessness. Itā€™s a beautiful story about how three brothers learned to be a family. My heart almost couldnā€™t take it.

By Lorraine Heath,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Texas Destiny as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

He's fallen for a woman...

Anxious to meet her soon-to-be-husband, Dallas Leigh for the first time, mail-order bride Amelia Carson is en route to Fort Worth, Texas. When she steps off the train and locks eyes with her betrothed, she immediately feels drawn to him. But the cowboy standing before her isn't Dallas. Instead, Dallas' brother Houston has been sent to accompany her on the three-week journey to the ranch where she'll begin her new life.

Who belongs to another...

The war Houston Leigh fought has left him with visible scars, a daily reminder of his cowardice on the battlefield.ā€¦


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Book cover of The Off Season

The Off Season by Kelly Simmons,

Kelly Simmons has been published in 12 countries by Simon & Schuster and Sourcebooks, and her widely praised novels are frequently compared to Big Little Lies.

Her new book, The Off Season, is set on the tranquil shores of the Chesapeake Bay, where headstrong thirteen-year-old Savannah bursts into theā€¦

Book cover of Slightly Dangerous

Kara O'Neal Why did I love this book?

Slightly Dangerous is a Regency romance, and itā€™s book 6 in the Slightly series. Wulfric Bedwyn is the hero, and I would compare him to Fitzwilliam Darcy. To understand Wulfric, to see him as he truly deserves, you should read the first 5 books in the series, as well. You will discover a family of six stubborn, risk-taking, highly intelligent siblings, headed by Wulfric. And Wulfric is, without a doubt, the most misunderstood. And the most brilliant. My heart pounds every time he speaks. I canā€™t tell you how much I longed for his family to learn how much he cares. And he cares deeply. The Bedwyns are a rowdy bunch. Youā€™ll adore them!

By Mary Balogh,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Slightly Dangerous as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

All of London is abuzz over the imminent arrival of Wulfric Bedwyn, the reclusive, cold-as-ice Duke of Bewcastle, at the most glittering social event of the season. Some whisper of a tragic love affair. Others say he is so aloof and passionless that not even the greatest beauty could capture his attention. But on this dazzling afternoon, one woman does catch the duke's eye - and she is the only female in the room who isn't even trying. Christine Derrick is intrigued by the handsome duke...all the more so when he invites her to become his mistress.

But Christine hasā€¦


Explore my book šŸ˜€

The Inventor's Heart

By Kara O'Neal,

Book cover of The Inventor's Heart

What is my book about?

The Inventorā€™s Heart is a second chance, historical romance that emphasizes what genius truly is. Love is the center of this story, and the families of the Hero and Heroine play a big part. With Christmas as a beautiful backdrop, Alex and Julia find their way to each other through long-awaited letters, leaps of faith, and the encouragement of their kind, mischief-making families.

Book cover of Anne of Green Gables
Book cover of Years
Book cover of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

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Bergthora's Saga by Reiner Prochaska,

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