Helping her stepdad get in shape...When Haylee's mom tells her stepdad that he should consider joining Haylee for a jog, he claims he's in good shape for his age. But then next morning, he's there bright and early to join her for a run. It starts out with him out of breath, but by the end, they're both panting.

While resources abound for stepmothers, stepfathers are often left to travel a difficult road without clear directions. Ron Deal offers advice for men navigating the stepfamily minefield, including how to connect with stepchildren, being a godly role model, how to discipline, dealing with the biological dad, and keeping the bond strong with one's new spouse. He gives perspective on what the kids are going through and why things don't work the same as in a biological family. The Smart Stepdad provides essential guidelines to help stepfathers not only survive but succeed as both dad and husband.

I ran up my mom's credit card bill and now my stepdad's making me work it off as in intern at his office. When I try to mess a few things up, hoping he'll fire me, it doesn't work. He knows exactly what I'm up to. I'm ready to beg and plead for my freedom. This is the summer before college. Only, the begging has an unexpected result. My stepdad loves begging. He loves me on my knees. And he especially loves it when I call him Daddy.

Grace wants out. Out of her house, where her stepfather wields fear like a weapon and her mother makes her scrub imaginary dirt off the floors. Out of her California town, too small to contain her big city dreams. Out of her life, and into the role of Parisian artist, New York director—anything but scared and alone. Enter Gavin: charming, talented, adored. Controlling. Dangerous. When Grace and Gavin fall in love, Grace is sure it's too good to be true. She has no idea their relationship will become a prison she's unable to escape. Deeply affecting and unflinchingly honest, this is a story about spiraling into darkness—and emerging into the light again.

I hated his rules until he added the one where I call him Daddy... My stepdad loves rules. I'll admit that our house runs pretty smoothly because of all his rules, but they can be suffocating. That's when I suggest a reward system. I didn't know that would just mean more rules, except I love all the new rules, the ones that are only required when we're alone. Rule number one, call him Daddy.

A girl’s perfect life falls apart when her mother is arrested for a white collar crime in this novel School Library Journal calls “realistic yet positive.” Carly Wheeler lives a charmed life. Her mother is a stylist for the soap opera Lovelock Falls, she lives in a nice house, and goes to an excellent private school. But when her mom is arrested and charged with embezzlement, everything starts to unravel. There are shocking stories about her mother’s crimes in the local newspaper. Carly's friends start avoiding her. And her stepfather starts worrying about money. How can Carly put her life back together when it feels like she’s missing all the pieces?

Stepdads play an important role in their unique family, and this story details the positive qualities they contribute to a blended household. This book helps define the relationship between a Stepdad and his stepkids, and teaches children that LOVE is what makes someone family.