hikikomori, n. h?kik?'mo?ri; literally pulling inward; refers to those who withdraw from society. Inspired by the real-life Japanese social phenomenon called hikikomori and the professional “rental sisters” hired to help, Hikikomori and the Rental Sister is about an erotic relationship between Thomas, an American hikikomori, and Megumi, a young Japanese immigrant hiding from her own past. The strange, insular world they create together in a New York City bedroom and with the tacit acknowledgment of Thomas’s wife reveals three human hearts in crisis, but leaves us with a profound faith in the human capacity to find beauty and meaning in life, even after great sorrow. Mirroring both East and West in its search for healing, Hikikomori and the Rental Sister pierces the emotional walls of grief and delves into the power of human connection to break through to the world waiting outside. Named an Indie Next pick, an Amazon Best Book of the Month, one of Book Riot’s 5 to Watch, and an iBooks Store Editor’s Choice in hardcover.

Estranged from the husband who cloistered himself in his bedroom three years earlier after a devastating tragedy, Silke hires a young Japanese woman to draw him back into the world by establishing a deeply intimate relationship with him.

Two North Carolinian sisters, Flo and Priscilla Oxendine are entangled in a web of betrayal, grief and loss that has span over the time of ten years. The entanglement started when the sisters become estranged after Priscilla did the unthinkable and betrayed Flo. Nine months later, Priscilla dropped another bomb shell or two after Flo had begun to rebuild her life. Jack Winston, Priscilla's New York attorney and friend, has been given the chore of calling her family late one autumn night with sad news of her accident. In search of Priscilla's family contact information, he finds a forgotten two-year old letter asking him to agree to an arrangement with Flo that knocks him off his feet.

The heartfelt new saga from Mary Gibson, bestselling author of Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts. London, 1935. Ruby is always hungry, but she will go without if it means her young brothers can eat. 1930s Bermondsey might be called the larder of London, with its pie, pickle and jam factories, but for the poor working classes, starvation is a heartbeat away. When Ruby's neighbour suggests she go to the Methodist Mission for free food, Ruby knows her father will be furious, but that she has no other option. It is a decision that will change the course of her life forever and lead her to face a terrible choice between duty and a great love. Praise for A SISTER'S STRUGGLE: 'Affecting, poignant and intensely emotional... A stirring and captivating read guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings that is absolutely perfect for fans of Call the Midwife' Julie, Bookish Jottings. 'Beautifully written book. I feel so honoured to have witnessed this raw and heartfelt story and I am hoping this review will give the book the justice it deserves... An emotional and heartfelt journey [...] told with pure honesty and heart' Stacey is Reading. 'A brilliant saga filled with intrigue and questions... Full of friendship, family and choices, it's a book I can highly recommend to all saga fans. But do remember to set aside a day to read, because once you start, you won't want to put the book down' Lauren, Mixing Reality with Fiction. 'Brilliant depiction of London and life during trying times. I immediately wanted Ruby and her family to be OK and was rooting for them' Katherine's Book Universe. 'Perfect reading on a cold winter's night... Set around the same time as the popular Call the Midwife, so if you are a fan of that you are sure to like this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much that it's one I will read again' Rachel Bustin. 'A truly beautiful book... It gives you a glimpse into real London in the 1930s... An eye-opening book, and if you love Call the Midwife, you will LOVE this book' Cara's Book Boudoir.

'Vividly rendered' Historical Novel Society 'A fantastic cast of characters' Goodreads 'Thoroughly absorbing' Goodreads Based around the WW1 female factory workers at Barratt's Sweet Factory and inspired by true stories from the author's grandmother, A Sister's Bond celebrates the everyday heroism of families who fought to survive against all odds . . . ____________________ Wood Green, North London, November 1913: The storm clouds of war gather overhead, while one brave girl fights to save her family . . . After her mother dies, Livvie Bone knows it's down to her to protect her younger siblings from their drunken father. But life on the worst street in London is dark and dangerous, and one night she needs protection herself. When the mysterious Joe Hunter steps in to help her, Livvie's fascinated by him, in spite of his unsavoury reputation. Then Livvie is offered the chance to work at the Barratt's Sweet Factory. Livvie's fragile beauty hides a formidable strength of character, and it doesn't take long for the factory manager, Lucas, to notice her. He is a sophisticated, wealthy man of the world and he can open doors to the kind of life Livvie has only dreamed of. Suddenly she has a chance to better herself - and to help her family. But time is running out, for war is approaching, sweeping everything and everyone up in its remorseless path. What life will Livvie choose - and what kind of world will be left to her when the fighting ends? ______________ A heartwarming saga about love, duty and desire by the bestselling author of The Street and East End Angel.

Another Spredemann book you won’t want to put down! Schoolteacher Jane Eicher knows Benuel Mast is trouble the moment she meets him. But that doesn't stop her from getting to know him. There’s something about the handsome newcomer that draws her, and against her better judgment, she just can’t seem to ignore his presence. Jane believes her future in her small Amish community is secure—until the deacon’s niece threatens to reveal something that would destroy Jane’s reputation and ruin her life. Ben is smitten with beautiful Jane Eicher, and he’s determined nothing on this earth will keep them apart. That is, until Jane suddenly flees the community. As time passes, Ben realizes Jane may never return. So, he does his best to move on without her. But when he discovers the reason she left, he’s determined to find her and bring her home. Can their love overcome even the darkest of secrets? The exciting sixth title in the Amish Courtship Series by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Spredemann!

The novel tells the story of Valerie Alston, Tricia Houston, and their insignificant hustler boyfriend Kevin Rogers. When Valerie gets pregnant, she’s convinced Kevin will take care of her. But when the baby is born and her mother throws her out of the house, Kevin abandons her. With no education and no way of supporting herself, Valerie finds herself facing a bleak future, while Kevin goes on to make the same promise to Tricia that he had once made to Valerie. Refusing to simply accept her situation, Valerie begins the long road to changing her life for the better, first getting a GED and then a job. But the path in front of her is a rocky one, with many obstacles. This includes her need to reach out to Tricia who Kevin has impregnated and abandoned just as he’d disregarded Valerie’s son. In extending her hand to Tricia, Valerie becomes her Sister’s Keeper (Godly Sister). But Valerie and Tricia are not the only ones who want to make changes. Kevin begins to realize how much he wants out of the petty hustler life. He leaves the neighborhood and starts over, eventually earning a college degree. He also finds God and joins the local church. However, the guilt of his past deeds still haunts him. Unable to ignore the harm he has caused; he reconnects with the women and children whose lives he has wrecked. The ultimate price Kevin pays is learning his absence as a father placed his daughter in the hands of a rapist.