Showing results by narrator "Melissa Connell" in All Categories

Branson, Missouri, the Ozark Mountain mecca of wholesome entertainment, has been home to countless stage shows espousing patriotism and Christianity, welcoming over ten million visitors a year. Some consider it “God’s Country” and others “as close to Hell as anything on Earth.” For Joanna Dee Das, Branson is a political, religious, and cultural harbinger of a certain enduring dream of what America is. She takes Branson more seriously than the light-hearted fun it advertises—and maybe we should too.

From one sticky situation to another prickly one, Jon and Lina are back at it—stronger than ever. This time, Jon and Lina are tackling a mission that hits a little too close to home—the search for Alanna Foster, the last missing teen, aka “Cactus Blossom.” With undercover missions intensifying and the clock ticking, mistakes simply aren’t an option. But while they’re chasing serial wedding crashers, tracking down a friend’s cheating spouse, and racing against time, the real battle is unfolding behind the scenes.

Many of us experience heartbreak, abuse, and a variety of "unmentionable" challenges in trying to make our relationships successful. For many couples, these challenges are daunting, especially when your partner becomes someone you despise as much as you adore. If that happens, what do you do, and how do you take good care of yourself? That's what Do You Hate the One You Love? is all about, and though it's written primarily for women, men should listen to it, first to understand their partner better and then to learn a few lessons for themselves.

After her divorce, Darla Gregory isn’t about ready to start dating again. That is, until she meets Chandler Brown, a handyman who is a sweet gentleman, the very opposite of her philandering ex. Problem is, the cowboy’s off limits. Darla is running for city council against Chandler’s best friend, and a romance is out of the question. Chandler Brown’s best friend Royal is running for city council and he’s promised to help him. Only trouble is, the opponent is none other than Darla Gregory, a woman he very much would like to date.

When widower single dad Dylan Brown hosts a horse-riding party for his daughter’s friend Allie, he’s smitten with single mom Amanda Jones. Allie's prickly guardian isn’t interested in dating, however, after being burned by her ex.

Hear the stories of Paul's continued travels to the first-century churches narrated from the unique perspective of Priscilla, a vibrant first-century Christian woman! Paul faces the darkest days of his entire life, while he frantically searches for the missing Titus. Are Paul's fears warranted? Has Titus been assassinated in Corinth? Listen to Paul's most personally revealing letter to the church at Corinth. And marvel at the truths Paul conveys to the church in Rome, a letter of all that Paul considered central to the Christian life.

News of her son’s tragic death ushered in the worst moments of Sandra Cruz’s life. After his father abandoned them, Sandra alone had raised Preston into the man he became. Now, trudging through the difficult task of setting Preston’s affairs in order, Sandra begins learning new things about him. He was a star on a recreational beach volleyball team, he’d recently reconnected with his estranged father, and he was engaged to Krystal… a girl Sandra thought he’d broken up with. Before long, Sandra wonders if she really knew Preston at all.

Enduring the turmoil after her son Preston’s passing prompts Sandra Cruz to evaluate her life. Although she’s loved building Cruz Development into one of Florida’s most successful businesses, she decides that time spent in her office has pulled her away from what truly matters: family. Joining with Charles—her ex-husband and new boyfriend—Sandra has combined her business skills with her passion for romance. Together, they created Simply Splendid Proposals, a company men hire to stage and film elaborate marriage proposals.

Life is unpredictable. Sandra Cruz never imagined she’d once again go by the name Sandra Durro. Until now! Newlyweds Sandra and Charles head out for a much needed—and much deserved—romantic honeymoon on the island where Sandra and her sister Victoria vacationed in their youth. The island holds special meaning for Sandra, and she can’t wait to share it with Charles. She also plans to confront her past by visiting the beach where her younger sister Abbey drowned years earlier. There, she can also reflect on another more recent loss: the death of her son Preston.

Best-selling young adult crime novelist Lina Rivera is strikingly beautiful and can’t even purchase a scratch ticket without being carded. With her twins Luciana and Max beginning their freshman year of high school in the fall, she has never felt closer to understanding her target demographic: teenagers. But when the reviews of her newest release fall short and negative feedback taunts her from every angle, it becomes clear that teenage life in 2024 is nothing like her high school experience back in 1999—and people are starting to notice.

Since their marriage ten years earlier, Ayla Cruz and Bailey Morrow have built an incredible life together. After Ayla chose journalism over music, she became one of the country’s most respected investigative reporters. Bailey, on the other hand, stayed with music and teamed up with Ayla’s friend Lindsay to become a Grammy-winning writing duo. With a mansion in Miami’s most expensive neighborhood, it seems nothing can curtail their happiness…

Ayla Cruz longs for stardom. Years of playing in front of the guests at Cool Beans beside her boyfriend and songwriting partner Bailey prepared her for the ultimate opportunity: a chance to perform in front of pop superstar Fasa. After Ayla wins the talent show judged by Fasa, she earns a spot to record with him. But not everyone is excited for her. Her best friend Lindsay, and more importantly Lindsay’s mother, Ellen, are jealous of Ayla’s success and will do anything to bring Ayla’s shooting star crashing back to Earth… including murder.

When trust is shattered and darkness descends, can love become the light that leads the way back? Elizabeth Prather had it all—a loving family, beauty, and a future filled with promise. But one horrifying betrayal leaves her broken in ways she never imagined. Left ravaged by the cruelty of someone she thought she could trust, Elizabeth withdraws from the world, her spirit teetering on the edge. Healing seems impossible—until a chance opportunity changes everything.

Sandra and Charles Durro defied the odds and found love a second time. Together, they’re raising their high schooler Ayla and enjoying part time duties with their grandson Michael. Sandra continues operating Simply Splendid Proposals while volunteering at Michael’s preschool inside the church she’s attended since Preston was little, while Charles steps in as head of Cruz Development. Life is complete; life is wonderful. That is until Sandra hurts her back at the preschool and meets Victoria’s chiropractor—the sexy, promiscuous, and troubled Isabelle.

Tammy can be too sassy for her own good, but when it comes to Jeremy Hawke, she gets all tongue-tied and clumsy. When a wedding reception throws them together, they reveal mutual feelings. Unfortunately, Jeremy's manager has other plans for him—fake dating another country singer so he can land his dream contract—and tries to break them apart.