A college student is haunted by dreams of the past that could get her into trouble in this psychological thriller by the New York Times bestselling author. Kathi Ellison is an English literature major at the University of California in Berkeley, living with her boyfriend off-campus. She is also the daughter of a candidate for the U.S. Senate, a role that could affect her life should her father win the election. But before she can consider her future, Kathi must first come to terms with her past. A car accident when she was four-years-old killed her mother and left her in a coma for several days. The migraines and nightmares that plagued her as a child have recently returned with a vengeance, leaving her mind full of visions that feel more like memories. Memories that are not her own. Memories of a frightened and traumatized child named Sheri Walker. Memories linked to her mother’s death that her stepmother doesn’t want her to remember . . . For lighter mysteries, don’t miss Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen series!

Stepchild is the saga of the Gibsons, Adrienne and Josh, a fictional contemplation of love and race in America in the post-civil rights movement era. Set in Atlanta, Georgia, during the 1980s, it chronicles the love affair of Josh, a dispirited soul haunted by tragedy, and Adrienne, the love of his life. Determined to provide a solution rather than a conversation about America's most enduring problem--race--Adrienne is pursuing her doctorate in sociology when she arrives at Morehouse College and meets the man she will come to call my Josh. They fall in love amongst the ruins of the crack epidemic beginning to rage through America and struggle with Josh's battle to overcome an addiction to the devil's dandruff. Loss seems to be the theme of their life together, but they never cease to believe in the power of love--the same belief Adrienne bequeaths her community in her dissertation, a document dedicated to the power and consequence of choice.

Three-year-old Millie Everleigh disappears on a crisp winter's day, and nothing is as it seems... It's the phone call every mother dreads. I'm climbing into the car after a trip to the grocery store. As the engine starts, my phone rings. It's my stepdaughter, Shelby, who is babysitting my three-year-old little girl Millie. 'I only went upstairs for a second, ' she says through her sobs. 'She's gone.' I race home to find my blue-eyed baby girl missing, and my heart ripped out of my chest. When the police turn up, Shelby's story starts to unravel. What is she hiding? Then I get a message saying, 'Your husband is not who you think he is.' Could he be lying? Suddenly, my family feel like strangers. Everyone has a secret - even me. No one knows why I was late coming back from the shop, and the guilt I've been feeling ever since... Once the truth comes out, all of our lies exposed, will it be too late to save my precious child? A pulse-pounding psychological thriller about family secrets, shocking pasts and the lies we tell ourselves in order to survive. You'll lose sleep as you race through the pages until the final gasp-worthy twist! Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Liane Moriarty and The Wife Between Us. Readers love The Stepchild: 'Omg, wow... Just wow. There are not enough superlatives in the English dictionary to express how much I loved this incredible thriller. I was hooked into the story from the first page and found myself so captivated that I was compelled to read the whole book in one sitting. The author takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride with multiple twists and turns that culminates with a nail-biting, seriously chilling epilogue. The story caused me to experience a wide range of conflicting emotions and even caused me to experience a lump in my throat... If I could, I would award The Stepchild far more than five stars... Very very highly recommended by little old me.' Nicki's Life of Crime, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Amazing amazing amazing. The Stepchild is brilliantly written. There is every kind of emotion that a person could feel within the plot... I adore Nicole Trope.' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Had me HOOKED from page one. Seriously. It dives right in and is absolutely unputdownable... Everyone has secrets and no one is spilling... It's twisty-turny and full of holy shiiiii moments... The story flows fast and furious. There's no downtime in this one, each page more gripping than the last. You'll definitely want to clear your schedule, because you'll be finishing this in one sitting. Off to add all of Nicole Trope's books to my TBR.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she's on. She's never brought her work home with her -- -until now. This time, it's personal.

An honest and groundbreaking guide to understanding the complicated emotions that develop between stepmothers and children. When faced with often overwhelming challenges, what woman with stepchildren is unfamiliar with that “stepmonster” feeling? Half of all women in the United States will live with or marry a man with children. To guide women new to this role—and empower those who are struggling with it—Wednesday Martin draws upon her own experience as a stepmother. She's frank about the harrowing process of becoming a stepmother, she considers the myths and realities of being married to a man with children, and she counteracts the cultural notion that stepmothers are solely responsible for the problems that often develop. Along the way, she interviews other stepmothers and stepchildren and offers up fascinating insights from literature, anthropology, psychology, and evolutionary biology that explain the little-understood realities of this unique parent-child relationship and—in an unexpected twist—shows why the myth of the Wicked Stepmother is the single best tool for understanding who real stepmothers are and how they feel.

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.

The true story of Donna Ford, who between the ages of five and eleven was abused by her stepmother Helen. Labelled 'the bastard', the 'little witch' and 'the evil one'; beaten, isolated and afraid to even look at her own reflection, this beautiful little child was told she was lucky to be the victim of abuse - abuse which began as physical and mental, but progressed to the most appalling sexual attacks. Despite an horrendous early life, Donna is now a successful artist and mother of three with an enormous enthusiasm and an optimism which completely belies her experiences. In 2003, Donna watched as her stepmother was found guilty of 'procuring a minor' for sexual abuse and sentenced to two years in prison. Beautifully written and savagely honest, The Step Child is Donna's story. It is an inspiring tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.

Each member has their own unique place in a family. Ron Deal explores the myth of the "blended" family offering practical, realistic solutions for stepfamilies.

Written by contributors from around the world, The International Handbook of Stepfamilies: Policy and Practice in Legal, Research, and Clinical Environments is a collection of research, legal, and clinical recommendations that fills a growing need for complex, re-formed families. Using the information in this book, which includes contemporary research and its implications, you will be able to consider stepfamilies in an international context. Understand the issues that clinicians face when they work with stepfamilies, both before and after formation, and gain more knowledge about this topic as the rates of family reformation increase.

You found the love of your life, and you vowed to have, to hold and to stepmother. You always thought that in time you'd grow to be the perfect, loving family. So why does it seem that the harder you try, the more unappreciated you feel? As a stepmother, therapist and founder of the popular Web site stepsforstepmothers.com, Dr. Rachelle Katz knows all too well how challenging stepmotherhood can be. Based on thousands of in-depth interviews and the latest research, she's created a powerful program to help you: * Alleviate stress and take care of yourself * Bond with your new family * Set and enforce clear boundaries * Get the respect you deserve * Strengthen your relationship