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04 Friday Sep 2020
Tag Archives: ACFW
New Releases in Christian Fiction
03 Thursday Sep 2020
Posted in Writing Christian Fiction
September 2020 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Contemporary Romance:
Until I Met You by Tari Faris — Libby Kingsley dreams of a new life and a new library for the charming small town of Heritage, MI. Things get complicated when her big ideas threaten Austin Williams’ blueprints and his plan to leave town unattached. (Contemporary Romance from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)
A Love Redeemed by Lisa Jordan — They agreed to help each other out. No one mentioned falling in love. Back home after losing her job, Isabella Bradley plans to stay only long enough to save her father’s diner, but she can’t do it alone. Her childhood friend Tucker Holland has the perfect solution—he will renovate the diner if she’ll be a nanny for his twins. But as Isabella and Tucker reconnect, their arrangement begins to feel a lot less temporary… (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Contemporary:
The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox — When Ivy Rose returns to her hometown to oversee an estate sale, she soon discovers that her grandmother left behind more than trinkets and photo frames–she provided a path to the truth behind Ivy’s adoption. Shocked, Ivy seeks clues to her past, but a key piece to the mystery is missing. Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James finds an abandoned newborn who gives him a sense of human connection for the first time in his life. His desire to care for the baby runs up against the stark fact that he is homeless. When he becomes entwined with two people seeking to help him find his way, Harvey knows he must keep the baby a secret or risk losing the only person he’s ever loved. In this dual-time story from debut novelist Amanda Cox, the truth–both the search for it and the desire to keep it from others–takes center stage as Ivy and Harvey grapple with love, loss, and letting go. (Contemporary from Revell [Baker])
Finding Wings by Deborah Raney — Taking care of her family is a blessing, but Britt thought there would be more to life–like falling in love . . . (Contemporary from Kregel Publications)
Historical:
A Christmas Tale for Little Women by Linda Brooks Davis — Broadview is attired for Christmas. Adelaide Fitzgerald must provide two girls a Christmas like no other. Has she thought of everything? Has she accomplished enough? What would top off this Christmas in an extraordinary way? Addie’s answer lies just the other side of Rock Creek. What will it take for her to recognize it as the Christmas topper she’s been seeking? (Historical, Independently Published) The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer — During the Great Depression, city-dweller Addie Cowherd dreams of becoming a novelist and offering readers the escape that books had given her during her tragic childhood. When her father loses his job, she is forced to take the only employment she can find—delivering books on horseback to poor coal-mining families in the hills of Kentucky. But turning a new page will be nearly impossible in Boone’s Hollow, where residents are steeped in superstitions and deeply suspicious of outsiders. Even local Emmett Tharp feels the sting of rejection after returning to the tiny mountain hamlet as the first in his family to graduate college. And as the crippled economy leaves many men jobless, he fears his degree won’t be worth much in a place where most men either work the coal mine or run moonshine. As Addie also struggles to find her place, she’ll unearth the truth about a decades-old rivalry. But when someone sets out to sabotage the town’s library program, will the culprit chase Addie away or straight into the arms of the only person who can help her put a broken community back together? (Historical from Waterbrook/Multnomah [Random House])
Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee — Sixteen-year-old Lorena Leland’s dreams of a rich and fulfilling life as a writer are dashed when the stock market crashes in 1929. Seven years into the Great Depression, Rena’s banker father has retreated into the bottle, her sister is married to a lazy charlatan and gambler, and Rena is an unemployed newspaper reporter. Eager for any writing job, Rena accepts a position interviewing former slaves for the Federal Writers’ Project. There, she meets Frankie Washington, a 101-year-old woman whose honest yet tragic past captivates Rena. As Frankie recounts her life as a slave, Rena is horrified to learn of all the older woman has endured—especially because Rena’s ancestors owned slaves. While Frankie’s story challenges Rena’s preconceptions about slavery, it also connects the two women whose lives are otherwise separated by age, race, and circumstances. But will this bond of respect, admiration, and friendship be broken by a revelation neither woman sees coming? (Historical from Tyndale House)
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright — In 1928, the Bonaventure Circus has become a refuge for many, but Pippa Ripley was rejected from its inner circle as a baby and is no longer content to leave the reason for that rejection unquestioned. When she receives mysterious messages from someone called the “Watchman,” she is determined to find him and the connection to her birth. As Pippa’s search leads her to a man seeking justice for his murdered sister and evidence that a serial killer has been haunting the circus train, she must decide if uncovering her roots is worth putting herself directly in the path of the killer. Decades later, an old circus train depot’s future hangs in the balance–it will either be torn down or preserved for historical importance, and its fate rests on Realtor Chandler Faulk’s shoulders. As she dives deep into the depot’s history, she’s also balancing a newly diagnosed disease and the pressures of single motherhood. When she discovers clues to unsolved murders of the past, Chandler is pulled into a story far darker and more haunting than even an abandoned train depot could portend. (Historical from Bethany House [Baker])
Historical Romance:
Enduring Dreams by Sandra Ardoin — Claire Kingsley once dared to assert herself into the male world of 1890s architecture. It cost her husband both his life and an heir. Now fear controls her choices and her dreams. When offered a chance to create another design, she fights against the pull, afraid of further disaster. But disturbing news ignites a fierce loyalty to her past love and a powerful attraction to a new one—an attraction she resists…for his sake. Mark Gregory’s first architectural project in town comes with the proviso that he works with a female. He balks, even though Claire stirs his heart like no other woman. Yet, with a loan payment looming, risking his business on someone of unknown talent invites failure, a word he’s struck from his vocabulary. When bigotry and Claire’s fears threaten an important commission, will she summon the courage to help Mark succeed, or will she destroy another man’s dream? (Historical Romance from Corner Room Books)
Light in the Mountain Sky by Misty M. Beller — Determined to prove her worth, Meksem fiercely fought to earn her place among the warriors in her Nez Perce camp. When her half-sister is captured by an enemy tribe, she refuses to trust the rescue to anyone else. But her new friends insist on joining her mission, and she battles between relief and frustration at their presence. Especially the white man who peers at her as if he can see through the face of the warrior she struggles so hard to maintain. Spaniard Adam Vargas thrives on adventure wherever his travels take him. He’s fallen in love with this Rocky Mountain wilderness, as well as the spotted horses the Nez Perce tribe raise. His fascination with this Indian maiden-turned-warrior catches him off guard though, including the way she seems to be fighting for more than her sister’s safe return. The journey proves more perilous than any of the group expects, and the secret Meksem hides becomes impossible to conceal. If they live through this mission, the life they knew will never be the same again. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
A Joyful Christmas by Cynthia Hickey, Liz Johnson, Vickie McDonough, Liz Tolsma, Carrie Turansky, and Erica Vetsch — A Christmas Collection to Warm the Heart Grab a warm cup of tea and watch as romance is kindled and joy is restored to broken lives during six bygone era Christmas celebrations. (Historical from Barbour Publishing)
Love’s Pure Light by Susanne Dietze, Shannon McNear, Deborah Raney, and Janine Rosche — Be transported to unique time periods as you follow a treasured family nativity set through four generations of the Shepherd family. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Palmer Girl by Dawn Klinge — When insurance tycoon, Cornelius Nordeman, is recruited to work for the Exposition Corporation, the New Yorker brings his family to live at the Palmer House Hotel, far away from any reminders of a recent tragedy. He’s hopeful this move will offer respite from his family’s grief. Elizabeth Nordeman, his daughter, has something to prove, which leads her to seek work as a florist at Marshall Field’s, Chicago’s finest department store. John Lewis knows something is different and intriguing about the new florist he hired. When his boss, Marshall Field, informs him that Elizabeth is the Nordeman heiress, his job suddenly becomes more complicated–especially when he finds himself falling for her. On the eve of the Columbian Exposition of 1893, Chicago prepares to prove that it’s a first-class city, and the brightest minds from around the country will plan the most spectacular fair the world has seen. The World’s Fair will bring change and innovation into a society bound tightly by class and tradition. Elizabeth’s heart longs to push against those boundaries, so what’s holding her back? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Love at First Flight by Linda Shenton Matchett — Evelyn Reid would rather fly than do anything else, so when war engulfs the U.S., she joins the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. One of the program’s top pilots, she is tapped for pursuit plane training…the dream of a lifetime until she discovers the instructor is her ex-fiancé, Jasper MacPherson. Collecting enough points to rotate stateside, fighter pilot Jasper MacPherson is assigned to teach the WAFS how to fly the army way. Bad enough to be training women, but things take a turn for the worse when his former fiancée shows up as one of his students. (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)
Mystery:
The Sleuth’s Surprise by Kimberly Rose Johnson — Mary Daley has been the sheriff of Tipton County for more than two decades, but someone wants her job. When it seems circumstances can’t get more complicated, a murder happens on her watch. Had she been the intended victim? Deputy Chief Lyle Griffin only wants Mary to be happy, but when he asks her if she’d consider retiring, it sets off a string of events and emotions that muddy their friendship. Nancy Daley-Malone can’t believe anyone would run for sheriff against her mom. She is onboard to help run the best campaign Tipton County has ever seen until the sheriff’s opponent is murdered and Nancy’s husband joins the race. On top of that, it appears someone is out to kill her mother as well. Can Nancy, along with the sheriff’s department, find the murderer before it’s too late? Will Lyle and Mary be able to admit their feelings for one another or will the status quo remain? (Mystery from Mountain Brook Ink)
Romantic Suspense:
Airborne by DiAnn Mills — A female FBI agent boards an international flight, and two hours into the flight, a deadly virus spreads through the aircraft. (Romantic Suspense from Tyndale House)
Speculative:
Forsaken Island by Sharon Hinck — The people of Meriel have long believed their island world floats alone in the vast ocean universe, so they are astonished when another island drifts into view. With resources becoming scarce, Carya and Brantley quickly volunteer to search the new land for supplies. After navigating a barrier of menacing trees, the pair encounter a culture of perpetually happy people who readily share their talents and their possessions. But all is not what it seems. At the core of the island is a horror that threatens everyone, including Brantley and Carya. Freeing the villagers of the bondage they’ve chosen may cost Carya and Brantley more than they could have imagined. Even if the two succeed, they’ll have to find a way to return to Meriel quickly … or be cut off from their home forever. (Speculative from Enclave Publishing)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:Holiday Hitches at Mustang Pass by Cindy M. Amos, A deputy falls in love with a judge’s daughter while racing to build a new church building in time for his three friends’ weddings. (Historical Romance) All I Ever Needed by D. L. Lane, He’s the beast lurking within the shadows. She’s the beauty living in the light. (Contemporary Romance) Sown in Peace by Joy Avery Melville, How much can one wounded soul take? (General Contemporary) Puppy Ciao by Annette O’Hare, In the small town of Kerrville, Texas, thirteen-year-old Jeannie McKay rescues two purebred Weimaraner puppies found drowning in Johnson Creek and vows to find out who is responsible. (Children’s)
August New Releases!
08 Friday Aug 2014
Posted in ACFW, Fiction, News & Updates
Tags
ACFW, books, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical, inspirational ficion, new releases, Romance, suspense
Contemporary Romance:
Small-Town Billionaire by Renee Andrews — When trapped in a tiny North Alabama “Mayberry” town, billionaire Ryan Brooks wants nothing more than to get back to Chicago ASAP, but a business opportunity–and the eclectic yet gorgeous woman with the brainstorm idea–keep him planted, if only temporarily, on his sister’s ranch. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
The Doctor’s Return by Narelle Atkins — After years spent traveling the globe, Megan Bradley never expected to be back in her hometown sharing an office with her former sweetheart, Dr. Luke Morton. Though too busy to dwell on past mistakes, she can’t ignore her feelings for the handsome doctor. Luke is afraid to trust his heart to Megan, knowing she may not stay for long. But as they work together, their romance quickly rekindles. When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes her way, Luke must free Megan to choose between a big-city career or love and family…right there in Snowgum Creek. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Rescuing the Texan’s Heart by Mindy Obenhaus — Cash Coble is desperate for a change. Stressed out and overworked, he heads to Colorado to visit his ailing grandfather and finds his mood lifted by the beautiful woman living next door. After a troubled past, ice climber Taryn Purcell isn’t looking for love. Especially not with a charming Texan who’s consumed by work. But there’s something about Cash that captures her heart. Never one to back down from a challenge, Taryn promises to show Cash how to carve out a happy life-one that includes her. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
A Heart to Heal by Allie Pleiter — Guidance counselor Heather Browning is desperate. She needs a mentor to help Simon, a disabled student who is struggling at Gordon Falls High School. Unfortunately, hotshot Max Jones is her only option. Confrontational and cavalier, Max uses his flashy persona to hide the bitterness he’s felt since his life-changing accident. Perpetually cautious, Heather finds Max’s bad-boy bravado as intriguing as it is infuriating. But as Heather and Max work together to build Simon’s self-confidence, they begin to trust each other. Max has never been slow and careful with anything. Can he be gentle with Heather’s heart? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Stranded with the Rancher by Tina Radcliffe — Stranded at single father Dan Gallagher’s ranch during a Colorado blizzard, Dr. Beth Rogers is counting the days until the roads are clear. She can’t wait to leave for her exciting new life in New York. But suddenly the big-city doctor is delivering babies in log cabins, helping to feed newborn calves and teaching Dan’s little girl to play hymns on the piano. No-nonsense Beth even throws a snowball or two at the handsome, love-shy cowboy. She thought she had her heart set on leaving, so why does she dream of Dan asking her to stay forever? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Herb of Grace by Adina Senft — Amish widow Sarah Yoder struggles with single motherhood and a forbidden attraction while she learns herbal medicine … and God cures the ailments of the heart and spirit. (Contemporary Amish Romance from Faith Words [Hachette])
General Fiction:
Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney — When empty-nesters Grant and Audrey Whitman spend the bulk of their retirement funds to renovate their home into a beautiful bed and breakfast, the last thing they expect is that their five kids will return home. Can Audrey still realize her dream and at the same time provide the comfort of home her children so desperately need? (Contemporary from Abingdon Press)
A Grand Design: Quilts of Love Series by Amber Stockton — A quest to piece together an heirloom quilt takes a surprising turn when a man from Alyssa Denham’s past-the reason she hadn’t returned to the island in fifteen years-interrupts the relaxing getaway for her and her best friend, Libby. Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will the quest to piece together the heirloom quilt restore Alyssa’s fractured heart-and bring healing to her entire family? (Contemporary from Abingdon Press)
Historical Romance:
With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden — In the shadow of the nation’s capital, Kate Livingston’s respectable life as a government worker is disrupted by an encounter with the insufferable Trevor McDonough, the one man she’d hoped never to see again. A Harvard-trained physician, Trevor never showed the tiniest flicker of interest in Kate, and business is the only reason he has sought her out now. Despite her misgivings, Kate agrees to Trevor’s risky proposal to join him in his work to find a cure for tuberculosis. However, a shadowy enemy lies in wait and Trevor’s closely guarded secrets are darker than she ever suspected. With everything to lose, they must find the strength to trust that hope and love can prevail over all. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Tried and True (Wild at Heart) by Mary Connealy — Kylie Wilde fought in the Civil War dressed as a boy and now she’s homesteading as a man. But when land agent Aaron Masterson comes to inspect her claim, he immediately realizes she’s a woman. She begs him not to tell, but can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government, even if she really did serve in the war? Aaron is interested in the little spitfire from the moment her long hair falls from her cap, but when he tells her of his plans to make a life up in the mountains, she draws away. Kylie’s focus is to “prove up” her homestead, sell it for a profit and move back east to civilization. When someone tries to burn her out, Aaron and Kylie suspect local land baron Gage Coulter, who denies any involvement. He does suggest a way for Kylie to stay safe, though–marry him! More attacks scare Kylie into considering matrimony. Should she tie her fortune to Gage or Aaron? Either choice will put an end to her dreams of a civilized life. And what if marrying doesn’t stop the attacks after all? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
The Lady and the Officer by Mary Ellis — Madeline Howard never planned to become a spy, but when military intelligence falls into her lap, how could she not serve her country behind enemy lines? Two men love her-one a Rebel, the other a Union General. Maddy’s heart is pulled between wanting to be loyal to those who care for her and wanting to help the man she believes is on the right side of the conflict. Will her faith in God show her the way to a bright future, or will her choices bring a devastation of their own? (Historical Romance from Harvest House)
A Stranger On My Land by Sandra Merville Hart — Carrie and her little brother, Jay, find a wounded soldier on their land after a battle which later became known as “The Battle Above the Clouds.” Adam, a Union soldier, has been shot twice in the arm. Though Carrie is reluctant to take Adam to their cave where her family hides their livestock from both armies, she cannot turn her back on him. But her Aunt Lavinia, bitter over what Yankees have done to their land, urges Carrie to allow Adam to die. Carrie refuses, but cannot remove the bullets. Adam’s friendship with Jay softens her heart toward him. Even though Carrie’s father fights for the Confederacy in far-off Virginia, her feelings for the handsome young soldier begin to blossom into love. When Adam’s condition worsens, Carrie knows a Union surgeon is needed to save his life. How can she accomplish this and keep her family’s hiding place a secret? (Historical Romance from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
Song of the Prairie by Vickie A. McDonough — Janie Dunn’s life changes when, at the request of her dying cousin, she flees with her cousin’s newborn son to protect him from his abusive father. She moves to Kansas, but things take a dire change when her brother is killed. Is a marriage of convenience to kindhearted Aaron Harper the answer to her problems? Is Kansas far enough away from New York that they are safe from the baby’s father? (Historical Romance from Whitaker House)
Romancing the Widow by Davalynn Spencer — Martha Stanton isn’t looking for love. The light went out of Martha’s soul when her husband fell to a bullet in St. Louis. Now, back in her hometown of Canon City, she’s convinced she’ll never know happiness again. Until she crosses paths with a darkly mysterious Colorado Ranger. Haskell Jacobs has a mission. And the beautiful, flame-haired widow sure isn’t it. But Martha is somehow mixed up in the crime that brought Haskell to the rough-and-tumble town…and soon, she’s entangled in the lawman’s heart. But the danger that lurks around them is all too real. Can they find strength and love in each other before it’s too late? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin — World War II flight nurse Lt. Kay Jobson collects hearts wherever she flies, so how can C-47 pilot Lt. Roger Cooper be immune to her charms? Still, as they cross the skies between Italy and southern France, evacuating the wounded and delivering paratroopers and supplies, every beat of their hearts draws them closer to where they don’t want to go. Can they confront the fears and misunderstandings in their pasts? (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas — It’s 1954 and Perla Long’s arrival in the sleepy town of Wise, West Virginia, was supposed to go unnoticed. She just wants a quiet, safe place for her and her daughter, Sadie, where the mistakes of her past can stay hidden. But then drought comes to Wise, and Perla is pulled into the turmoil of a town desperately in need of a miracle. Casewell Phillips has resigned himself to life as a bachelor…until he meets Perla. She’s everything he’s sought in a woman, but he can’t get past the sense that she’s hiding something. As the drought worsens, Perla’s unique gift divides the town in two, bringing both gratitude and condemnation, and placing the pair in the middle of a storm of anger and forgiveness, fear and faith. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
The Wrangler’s Inconvenient Wife by Lacy Williams — With no family to watch over them, it’s up to Fran Morris to take care of her younger sister, even if it means marrying a total stranger. Gruff, strong and silent, her new husband is a cowboy down to the bone. He wed Fran to protect her, not to love her, but her heart has never felt so vulnerable. Trail boss Edgar White already has all the responsibility he needs at his family’s ranch in Bear Creek, Wyoming. He had intended to remain a bachelor forever, but he can’t leave Fran and her sister in danger. And as they work on the trail together, Edgar starts to soften toward his unwanted wife. He already gave Fran his name…can he trust her with his heart? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Sweet on the Cowgirl by Rose Ross Zediker — Laura Barnes Wants to Be a Wild West show. But her father will only allow her to perform if she disguises herself as Mr. Buckskin Jones. When soda-pop king Guy Roberts shows up to do business with her family, Laura is torn between keeping her identity under wraps and revealing her growing feelings for Guy. Guy is drawn to Laura’s poise and beauty, but he, too, guards a secret. As their affection for each other grows, Guy begins to think about a future that includes Laura. When both their secrets suddenly come to light, their romance will face the ultimate showdown. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Middle Grade/Young Adult:
Speak No Evil by Mary L. Hamilton — At 15, Taylor Dixon dreams of getting his driver’s license and driving race cars when he’s older. His sister, Marissa, is the only one who believes in his dream, but her adventurous spirit keeps landing him in trouble. Consequently, Dad won’t let him get his license and predicts Taylor is heading for the same jail cell as his once-favored older brother. Taylor returns to Rustic Knoll Bible Camp expecting softball, swimming and sermons. Then he finds a classic Mustang in the camp’s garage and jumps at the owner’s invitation to help restore it. But when Marissa falls for his snobbish cabin mate, the war of words and pranks escalates until it threatens both the car and his dreams for the future. Will Taylor fulfill Dad’s prediction and end up in jail? Or will he finally learn the Truth found in the old car’s engine? (Middle Grade from HopeSprings Books)
Rebels (The Safe Lands) by Jill Williamson — The Safe Lands have long kept the true meaning of Liberation secret from their people. But after being sentenced to Liberation themselves, Mason and Omar soon discover the truth. Levi watched his brothers’ public sentencing and tries to hold out hope they are still alive, He is forced to focus his attention elsewhere, however, when his new wife, Jemma, is captured and made the Safe Lands’ newest Queen. His only choice to save Jemma may be to take up Omar’s old role of undercover vigilante, leading the rebels in their quest to overthrow the government. But will Levi’s new role be enough? Meanwhile, Jemma’s sister, Shaylinn, is ready to give birth to the “Safe Lands'” children … but not even Ciddah is sure they can be delivered safely in the midst of a rebellion. And Mason must face the fact Omar’s illness could be fatal. If they can all unite their efforts, together they may be able to expose the Safe Lands’ lies to the people. But if they fail, they will all surely die. (Young Adult from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Thriller/Suspense:
Her Stolen Past by Lynette Eason — When Sonya Daniels finds a kidnapped baby’s birth certificate hidden in her late mother’s home, she’s shocked. What was her family’s connection to the child, still missing for over two decades? And what happened to the little girl? Sonya hires detective Brandon Hayes to help her get to the truth. But someone doesn’t want the truth to come out and will stop at nothing to keep them from investigating. Sonya knows the guarded cop won’t rest until he unravels the mystery-but the answers could be more than she can bear alone. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
A Cry from the Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks — In the shadow of the Mormon church, a 19th-century conspiracy is about to be shattered by a 21st-century forensic artist. In 1857, a wagon train in Utah was assaulted by a group of militant Mormons calling themselves the Avenging Angels. One hundred and forty people were murdered, including unarmed men, women, and children. The Mountain Meadows Massacre remains controversial to this day-but the truth may be written on the skulls of the victims. When renowned forensic artist Gwen Marcey is recruited to reconstruct the faces of recently unearthed victims at Mountain Meadows, she isn’t expecting more than an interesting gig . . . and a break from her own hectic life. But when Gwen stumbles on the ritualized murder of a young college student, her work on the massacre takes on a terrifying new aspect, and research quickly becomes a race against modern-day fundamentalist terror. Gwen finds herself in the crosshairs of a secret society bent on fulfilling prophecy and revenging old wrongs. Can a forensic artist reconstruct two centuries of suppressed history . . . before it repeats itself? (Thriller/Suspense from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Operation Zulu Redemption: Hazardous Duty Pt 3 by Ronie Kendig — After all the hits they’ve taken, it’d be easy to quit. But Annie, Teya, and Nuala didn’t train so intensely to be part of the first all-female special ops team to let their enemy win. Now that the fight’s been incited so fiercely with Jessie, Candice, and Keeley, the rest of Zulu won’t go down without a fight. They’ll find answers, justice, and vindication for that tragic night they were set up in Misrata. Or die trying. Sam Caliguari won’t give up, either. Not even the thugs who steal him away from Manson in an effort to muzzle him will stop him from getting Annie out of trouble. Annie knows Sam will use every bit of his SEAL training to track her down, but she didn’t expect the tangle of strong feelings she’d have for him and Trace. Teya never imagined the nightmare that would hit after crossing the deadly path of The Turk. What could he possibly want with her so specifically? And while Trace anticipates physical threats, he’s also watching his back for the next political fallout, because Francesca Solomon is unyielding in her quest to bring him down. Will Zulu ever catch a break? (Military Suspense from Barbour Publishing)
Operation Zulu Redemption: Act of Treason Pt 4 by Ronie Kendig — It’s Zero hour for Zulu. They’ve been targeted, hunted, deceived, and betrayed. Zulu is crumbling in their pursuit of justice. Even rifts within the team are tearing them apart. In the shocking, explosive finale of Operation Zulu: Redemption, the team has one last plan to draw the enemy out and take them down-for good. But will it work? Who can they really trust? Ultimately, what price will justice demand? (Military Suspense from Barbour Publishing)
July 2014 New Releases!
10 Thursday Jul 2014
Biblical Fiction:
In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar — Destitute, grief-stricken, and unwanted by the people of God, Ruth arrives in Israel with nothing to recommend her but Naomi’s, love. Her loftiest hope is to provide enough food to save Naomi and herself from starvation. But God has other plans for her life. While everyone considers Ruth an outcast, she is astounded to find one of the most honored men of Judah showing her favor. Long since a widower and determined to stay that way, Boaz is irresistibly drawn to the foreign woman with the haunted eyes. He tells himself he is only being kind to his Cousin Naomi’s chosen daughter when he goes out of his way to protect her from harm, but his heart knows better. (Biblical Fiction from River North [Moody Publishers])
Contemporary Romance:
A Plain Love Song (The New Hope Amish) by Kelly Irvin — Adah Knepp wants nothing more than to sing and play the guitar and write her own songs. That’s a dream that will never come true in her strict Amish community. But then she meets Jackson Hart, and all of a sudden she finds the chance for a different kind of life. But pursuing her dreams means turning her back on her family and community–and saying goodbye to Matthew, the gentle Amish farmer she can’t get out of her mind. Is it worth giving up the only home she’s ever known to pursue her dreams? (Contemporary Romance from Harvest House Publishers)
When I Fall in Love (Christiansen Family) by Susan May Warren — Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled-or maybe yanked-away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime. (Contemporary Romance from Tyndale House)
Contemporary Women’s Fiction:
Hope Deferred by Elizabeth Maddrey — Can pursuit of a blessing become a curse? June and July and their husbands have spent the last year trying to start a family and now they’re desperate for answers. As one couple works with specialists to see how medicine can help them conceive, the other must fight to save their marriage. Will their deferred hope leave them heart sick, or start them on the path to the fulfillment of their dreams? (Women’s Fiction from HopeSprings Books)
The Tidewater Sisters by Lisa Wingate — Tandi Reese and her sister, Gina, have always been bound by complicated ties. Amid the rubble of a difficult childhood lie memories of huddling beneath beds and behind sofas while parental wars raged. Sisterhood was safety . . . once. But now? Faced with legal papers for a fraud she didn’t commit, Tandi suspects that her sister has done something unthinkable. With Tandi’s wedding just around the corner, a trip to the North Carolina Tidewater for a reckoning with Gina was not part of the plan. But unraveling lies from truth will require confronting strained sibling bonds and uncovering a dark family secret that could free Tandi from her past or stain her future forever. (Novella) (Women’s Fiction from Tyndale House)
Historical Mystery:
Murder at the Mikado (A Drew Farthering Mystery) by Julianna Deering — Just as Drew Farthering thinks his life has found smooth waters, Fleur Landis, an old flame, reappears in his life. She’s married now, no longer an actress, and he expects she’ll soon disappear–until she comes to him in dire need. The lead actor in her old troupe’s production of The Mikado has been murdered, and Fleur is the police’s number one suspect. Drew would love nothing more than to just focus on his fiancé, Madeline, and their upcoming wedding, but he can’t leave Fleur in the lurch–even if she did break his heart once. As Drew, Nick, and Madeline dive into the murder, they discover more going on behind the scenes of the theater troupe than could ever have been imagined. Nearly everyone had a motive, and alibis are few and far between. It’s Drew’s most complicated case yet. (Historical General Fiction from Faith Words [Hachette])
Historical Romance:
Captured By Love by Jody Hedlund — Michigan Territory, 1814. A voyageur and a young woman swept up in a time of upheaval and danger discover firsthand the high price of freedom. The British Army has taken control of Michilimackinac Island and its fort, forcing the Americans to swear an oath of loyalty to the crown in order to retain their land. Pierre Durant is a fur trader who returns after being away from the island for years, only to find the family farm a shambles and those he cares about starving and at the mercy of British invaders. Pierre is drawn deeper into the fight against the British–and into a relationship with Angelique MacKenzie, a childhood friend who’s grown into a beautiful woman. She now finds herself trapped by the circumstances of war and poverty, and the cruelty of her guardian, Ebenezer Whiley. As tensions mount and the violence rages on, Pierre and Angelique must decide where their loyalties rest and how much they’ll risk for love. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Groom by Design (The Dressmaker’s Daughters, #1) by Christine Johnson — Dressmaker Ruth Fox gave up her dream of a husband and children long ago. Her family’s floundering dress shop, her ailing father and her two younger sisters require Ruth’s full attention. Though the handsome new stranger in town is intriguing, Ruth is certain he wouldn’t look twice at a plain spinster of twenty-six. Sam Rothenburg’s connection with the shy young woman next door is immediate, but he knows Ruth will be crushed when she discovers his real purpose in town. Sam is secretly working to open one of his father’s large department stores in Pearlman, Michigan, which will surely put Ruth out of business. How much is Sam willing to sacrifice to claim Ruth’s heart? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
A Hero in the Making (Brides of Simps) by Laurie Kingery — Nate Bohannan won’t let anything stand in the way of his grand plans in California. Even if it means traveling there with unreliable huckster Robert Salali. But after a destructive bender in Simpson Creek, Texas, the unscrupulous Salali runs out, leaving Nate to carry the blame-and the debt. He can fix broken furniture…but can anything fix the despair in café owner Ella Justiss’s eyes? When her café was destroyed, Ella felt sure she’d lost her dreams along with it. Yet somehow Nate’s cheerful care and optimism fill her with hope again. When danger threatens, will Nate be the hero Ella can finally trust-and love? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
The Warrior’s Vow by Christina Rich — Swept away from her home and into the desert, Abigail is as much a prisoner as she is a princess. A ruthlessly ambitious captain of the palace guard intends to force her into marriage and rule Judah through her. Yet the badly beaten soldier Abigail rescues offers another choice-if she dares trust him. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Historical:
Annie’s Stories (Ellis Island) by Cindy Thomson — The year is 1901, the literary sensation The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is taking New York City by storm, and everyone wonders where the next great book will come from. But to Annie Gallagher, stories are more than entertainment-they’re a sweet reminder of her storyteller father. After his death, Annie fled Ireland for the land of dreams, finding work at Hawkins House. But when a fellow boarder with something to hide is accused of misconduct and authorities threaten to shut down the boardinghouse, Annie fears she may lose her new friends, her housekeeping job . . . and her means of funding her dream: a memorial library to honor her father. (Historical Women’s Fiction from Tyndale House)
Military Suspense:
Operation Zulu Redemption: Overkill by Ronie Kendig — In this FREE TEASER episode, readers meet the Zulu team. In the aftermath of their first highly successful op, the first all-female special ops team, known as Zulu, discovered that innocent civilians-women and children-died at their hands. Zulu was set up to take the devastating fall. Fearing for their lives, the Zulu team vanished. With new identities and spread across the globe, they live in relative but isolated peace-yet still haunted by the past. Five years after that horrific night, they’ve begun to hope they might be safe and the tragedy forgotten. Until two of them are murdered. (Military Suspense from Barbour Publishing)
Operation Zulu Redemption: Collateral Damage Part 1 by Ronie Kendig — Five years ago, six soldiers made American military history as the first all-female Special Forces team, named Zulu. A tragic mistake in Misrata, Libya, leaves twenty-two dead and Zulu fleeing for their lives. Now Jessica Herring and Candice Reyna are dead at the hand of an assassin. Keeley Shay clings to life in a hospital. The last three Zulu members are forced into a fight for answers, for redemption, and for their very lives. They must track down who hit the team and deliver justice to the enemy-before the interference of Sam Caliguari and relentless Army intelligence analyst Lieutenant Francesca Solomon gets them all killed. (Military Suspense from Barbour Publishing)
Operation Zulu Redemption: Out of Nowhere – Part 2 by Ronie Kendig — Zulu continues the fight! The remnant of the first all-female Special Forces team, Zulu, will do whatever it takes to determine what really happened that night five years ago-when a trap entangled Zulu in the deaths of twenty-two innocent people in Misrata, Libya. With Lieutenant Colonel Trace Weston and Boone Ramage leading the way, Annie Palermo, Téya Reiker, and Nuala King are training harder and stronger, digging deeper for clues, and tracking down leads in the U.S. and Europe to clear their names. Just when things start to turn for Zulu, one of the team is targeted by one of the world’s most deadly assassins. Then another vanishes. Zulu wanted the truth, but they didn’t know it might cost every one of their lives. (Military Suspense from Barbour Publishing)
Romantic Suspense:
Seagrass Pier (The Hope Beach Series) by Colleen Coble — Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit. But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks-and vivid dreams of being strangled-she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor’s murder. Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself. Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked-by a man she’s only met in her nightmares. (Romantic Suspense from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Firewall (Deadly Force) by DiAnn Mills — After a whirlwind romance, Taryn Young is preparing to board a plane at Houston International Airport, bound for a dream honeymoon, when a bomb decimates the terminal. Injured but still alive, she awakens to discover her husband is missing and they’re both considered prime suspects in the attack. Further, the FBI is convinced her husband isn’t who he appears to be. Agent Grayson Hall’s number-one priority is to catch those responsible for the day’s act of terror. All evidence is pointing to Taryn and her new husband. But his instinct tells him her pleas of innocence are genuine. With both their lives and reputations on the line, and the media outcry for justice increasing with each passing minute, Taryn and Grayson have no choice but to trust one another . . . and pray they can uncover the truth before they become two more casualties. (Romantic Suspense from Tyndale House)
Shake Down by Jill Elizabeth Nelson — To clear his imprisoned father’s name, Shane Gillum must find evidence hidden in a Martha’s Vineyard cottage. But he arrives to find the “vacant” property being prepped for sale by real estate agent Janice Swenson. Is she tied to the notorious owners? Or is she in over her head as the “accidents” on the property grow increasingly dangerous? And who is the saboteur targeting-Shane with his search, or Janice with her dark, hidden past? With so much at stake, trusting Janice is a huge risk…but keeping silent about the cottage’s mysteries could mire them both in a deadly scheme. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin]).
Historical Speculative Fiction:
Shenandoah Dreams by Lisa Belcastro — What if she met the man of her dreams…in another century? (Speculative Fiction/Historical from OakTara Publishers)
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New Book Releases for June 2014
12 Thursday Jun 2014
Posted in ACFW, Fiction, Writing Christian Fiction
Contemporary:
All Right Here by Carre Armstrong Gardner — Ivy Darling can’t have children of her own, and her husband Nick’s resentment is forcing them apart. And while Ivy has the support and love of her large, close-knit family, Nick’s family has never welcomed her into the fold. When the three children next door are abandoned by their mother, Ivy and Nick take them in for the night. One night becomes several, and suddenly Ivy and Nick find themselves foster parents to the only African-American kids in the town of Copper Cove, Maine. As Ivy grows more attached to the children, Nick refuses to accept their eclectic household as a permanent family. Just as Ivy begins to question whether or not she wants to save her emotionally empty marriage, Nick begins to discover how much Ivy and the children mean to him. But is his change of heart too little, too late? (Contemporary Fiction from Tyndale House)
A Woman of Fortune by Kellie Coates Gilbert — Texas socialite Claire Massey is living the dream. Her world is filled with designer clothes, luxury cars, and stunning homes. But her Neiman-Marcus lifestyle comes crashing down when her charming cattle broker husband is arrested for fraud. Suddenly, she finds herself facing attorneys, a media frenzy, and a trail of broken hearts. Betrayed and humiliated, Claire must start over against incredible odds to save her family–and discover a life worth living. (Contemporary Fiction from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
The Cat Lady’s Secret by Linda W. Yezak — Emily Taylor loves to help people, loves to ease their burdens and make their dreams come true. But when a conman ruins her reputation, she discovers that helping others is safer and easier from behind the scenes. When one of Emily’s gifts captures the attention of an avid journalist, her identity as the town’s anonymous benefactor-and her renewed relationship with her high school sweetheart-are threatened. As her private life begins to unravel, she realizes the one hope for regaining control lies behind prison walls. (Contemporary Women’s Fiction from Harbourlight Books[Pelican])
Contemporary Romance:
A Romance Rekindled by Kimberly Rose Johnson — Susan Hill can’t forget how Blake Mitchell jilted her and left their hometown without an explanation. But when he returns to Leavenworth, the ruggedly handsome writer evokes conflicting emotions, especially when Susan meets the child she assumes is his daughter. Since his parents’ deaths six years ago, Blake’s been raising his little sister on his own. But he’s never forgotten the woman he left behind. Now, he can’t undo the past, but maybe he can change the future…if he can convince Susan to give him one more chance. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Lakeside Sweethearts by Lisa Jordan — Agnes Kingsley can hardly bear to walk past the house she lived in as a married woman. It’s full of bad memories she’s never shared-not even with her best friend, Ian James. But now Ian wants her help to restore that old home for a community project. Agnes knows it’s for a good cause, but as their work brings them even closer together, she’s afraid to trust-in herself or in the feelings she’s secretly harbored for her childhood friend. Yet as they chip away at the house, walls come down around both their hearts…uncovering a foundation to last a lifetime. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Their Unexpected Love by Kathleen Y’Barbo — Widowed contractor Logan Burkett knows exactly what troublemaking teens need: discipline. A former rabble-rouser, Logan had his life turned around by firm guidance and hard work. But try telling that to Pippa Gallagher. The softhearted event planner runs a skate park ministry for troubled teens and thinks a place to be themselves is the answer. As he and Pippa work together renovating the space, they seem to disagree about everything. But when disaster strikes, Logan finds himself feeling very protective of the beautiful planner and surprised to discover they share one very special thing in common…love. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inpspired [Harlequin])
Historical Fiction:
The Hatmaker’s Heart by Carla Stewart — Nell Marchwold is fortunate to have landed a job as an apprentice designer at the prominent Oscar Fields Millinery in New York City. When Nell’s fresh designs begin to catch on, her boss holds her back from the limelight, claiming the stutter she’s had since childhood reflects poorly on her and his salon. But it seems Nell’s gift won’t be hidden by Oscar’s efforts. Soon an up-and-coming fashion designer is seeking her out as a partner of his 1922 collection. The publicity leads to an opportunity for Nell to make hats in London for a royal wedding. There, she sees her childhood friend, Quentin, and an unexpected spark kindles between them. But thanks to her success, Oscar is determined to keep her. As her heart tugs in two directions, Nell must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for her dream, and what her dream truly is. (Historical General Fiction from Faith Words [Hachette])
Historical Romance:
Four Weddings & a Kiss by Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy, and Robin Lee Hatcher — In 1885 five western preachers sit around a campfire talking about unlikely couples they’ve seen God bring together. (Historical Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
The Beaches and Brides Romance Collection by Lynn A. Coleman, Susan Page Davis, Mary Davis, Paige Winship Dooly and Cathy Marie Hake — Venture along historic American shorelines, enjoying five stories that are full of adventure, challenge, and romance. In Key West a couple collides over a child’s welfare. In Washington, a captain’s wife guards a secret. In Maine, a castaway returns from the dead. In Georgia, a woman dares to man a lighthouse alone. In Virginia, a wounded soldier recoups at a seaside cottage. Watch as God works through their challenges to bring them safely to a harbor of love. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
Stuck Together by Mary Connealy — Tina Cahill, newly arrived from the East, is determined to get the saloon in Broken Wheel, Texas, closed for good. To that end, she pickets outside the place every afternoon. Unfortunately, so far no one has paid any attention. Vince Yates earned the nickname “Invincible Vince” because of his reputation for letting absolutely nothing stop him. But Vince is about to face his biggest challenge yet: his past has just caught up with him. His father, mother, and the sister he didn’t know he had, show up in Broken Wheel without warning. Vince has a lot of people to take care of, and Tina doesn’t approve of how he’s handling any of them. But with almost all the other men in town married off, Vince finds himself stuck with feisty Tina over and over again. Of course, Tina is the prettiest woman he’s ever seen, so if he could just get her to give up her causes, he might go ahead and propose. But he’s got one more surprise coming his way: Tina’s picketing at the saloon has revealed a dark secret that could put everyone Vince loves in danger. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Truth Be Told by Carol Cox When Amelia Wagner takes over her father’s newspaper in 1893 Granite Springs, Arizona, she vows to carry on the paper’s commitment to reporting only the truth. But Amelia soon learns that even the truth can have serious consequences. Her father’s revealing articles about the Great Western Investment Company have caught the attention of the wrong people, and pressure mounts for Amelia to retract her father’s statements. Determined to find out the real story, Amelia begins her own investigation. She’s joined by Benjamin Stone, a Great Western employee who’s been assigned to keep tabs on her. What they uncover stuns them both–and has far-reaching implications for not only Ben and Amelia but all of Granite Springs. Can they reveal the truth before the enemy finds a way to silence them for good? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
A Place in His Heart by Rebecca DeMarino — Anglican Mary Langton longs to marry for love. Puritan Barnabas Horton is still grieves the loss of his beloved wife and needs only a mother for his two young sons. And yet these two very different people with very different expectations will take a leap of faith, wed, and then embark on a life-changing journey across the ocean to the New World. Along the way, each must learn to live in harmony, to wait on God, and to recognize true love where they least expect to find it. (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Ozark Reunion by Helen Gray — In the aftermath of the Great Depression, it’s time for Riley to start over. And the first step is winning the trust of his Missouri hometown. But it isn’t easy for a man with a troubled past. Especially when his first love, Jolene Delaney, seems to believe that the new rumors about him are true. After Riley broke her heart, Jolene threw herself into teaching school and caring for her father and little sister. But she knows something is missing from her life. Especially when she comes face-to-face with Riley again. Can he convince Jolene that he’s truly a changed man? Or will he succumb to old temptations and destroy her faith in him once again? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer — Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston, Texas, to find her father deathly ill. Though she loves him, Nicole’s father has always focused on what she’s not. Not male. Not married. Not able to run Renard Shipping. Vowing to find a suitable husband to give her father the heir he desires before it’s too late, Nicole sets out with the Renard family’s greatest treasure as her dowry: the highly coveted Lafitte Dagger. But her father’s rivals come after the dagger, forcing a change in Nicole’s plans. After a boiler explosion aboard the Louisiana nearly took his life, Darius Thornton has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. Even if it means letting a female secretary into his secluded world. Nicole is determined not to let her odd employer scare her off with his explosive experiments, yet when respect and mutual attraction grow between them, a new fear arises. How can she acquire an heir for her father when her heart belongs to another? And when her father’s rivals discover her hiding place, will she have to choose between that love and her family’s legacy? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Historical Women’s Fiction:
Yankee In Atlanta by Jocelyn Green — When soldier Caitlin McKae woke up in Atlanta after being wounded in battle, the Georgian doctor who treated her believed Caitlin’s only secret was that she had been fighting for the Confederacy disguised as a man. In order to avoid arrest or worse, Caitlin hides her true identity and makes a new life for herself in Atlanta. Trained as a teacher, she accepts a job as a governess to the daughter of Noah Becker, a German immigrant lawyer, who enlists with the Rebel army. Though starvation rules, and Sherman’s troops edge closer to Atlanta, rages, she will not run again. Will honor dictate that Caitlin and Noah follow the rules, or love demand that they break them? (Historical Women’s Fiction from River North [Moody Publishers])
Mystery:
Blind Trust by Sandra Orchard — Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money, and she can’t believe that it came from her sweet neighbor. Or that it lands her in the middle of another one of Detective Tom Parker’s investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor’s innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue that is far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation-and strikes too close to home for comfort. As family secrets come to light, her world-and her budding romance with Tom-begin to crumble. To Kate, it’s clear that she won’t be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster’s secrets. But is it too late for her and Tom? (Mystery from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
Romantic Suspense:
Moon over Maalaea Bay by H. L. Wegley — They expected the honeymoon of their dreams. What they got was a nightmare wrapped in revenge and kidnapping. (Romantic Suspense from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])
Suspense:
Sky Zone by Creston Mapes — Jack Crittendon is expecting a mindless night on the job at Festival Arena, but when Homeland Security picks up intel about a potential terrorist threat, Jack is thrust into a life-or-death battle to save himself-and the lives of thousands of innocent people. (Suspense from David C. Cook)
April 2014 New Releases
03 Thursday Apr 2014
Posted in ACFW, Fiction, News & Updates
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Contemporary Romance:
A Plain Man by Mary Ellis — When a man returns to Amish ways after years apart, rigid district rules, a judgmental father, and his own pride conspire to separate him from the woman he loves. Josie Yoder was just a girl when he left. All grown up now, she gives Caleb hope for the future and reminds him that while his faith may have wavered, God never left his side. But will past mistakes end up destroying their fledgling romance before it really has a chance to begin? (Contemporary Romance from Harvest House Publishers)
A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert — After ten years in the fashion industry, twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark has learned a sacred truth-appearance is everything. When it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line-an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white. If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Is it possible that God sees her-a woman stained and broken by the world-yet wants her still? (Contemporary Romance from Waterbrook/Multnomah [Random House])
Rescued by the Firefighter by Gail Gaymer Martin — A firefighter who has saved many lives except his own meets a woman with a surprising secret who could save him if she would allow him to save her first. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Unexpected Wedding by Carla Rossi — In a wheelchair since a fall in college, Rocky Lionakis plays guitar and shares his testimony every week with the campers at Towering Pines summer church camp. At peace with his chair, he has settled into a boring but successful career in technology…but then stunning camp counselor, Gia Rinaldi, enters his life and turns it upside down. Giavanna Rinaldi, with a trail of bad choices in her wake, has finally grown up and found her niche as a student of Christian child psychology. She returns to Camp Towering Pines where she’s worked since high school, but unsettling dreams and an unexplained illness lead her to a harrowing discovery. (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])
Rodeo Song by Shannon Taylor Vannatter — Jenna Wentworth found the man of her dreams. But when silken-voiced Garrett Steele set out for stardom, he left Jenna-and his cowboy past-far behind. A chance encounter at one of his concerts propels him back into Jenna’s life. Once upon a time, Garrett vowed he’d be a success, no matter what. But that path shattered his soul. His reunion with Jenna makes him long for things he once took for granted. Now he must show her that he’s found what he was looking for all along…right here in his hometown. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Historical Romance:
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin — A young, bitter, Jewess-in-hiding must send her own people to Auschwitz in order to survive, or put her trust in God by giving her heart to the man responsible for their doom. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])
Rainy Day Dreams by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith — When the Burgert family moves to Seattle in 1852, Kathryn is convinced her father has destroyed her life. The backwoods settlement offers none of the comforts and culture she loves in San Francisco. She cares nothing for the new sawmill the townsfolk are so excited about. That is, until she meets Jason, a lumberjack with dreams for a bright future. As she comes to know Jason, Kathryn can’t help catching his vision. But the future they hope for is anything but secure. There are some who see Seattle as a threat and will stop at nothing to make sure the sawmill fails. A gripping story of love, tenderness, and survival in the rugged Pacific Northwest. (Historical Romance from Harvest House Publishers)
The Preacher’s Bride Claim by Laurie Kingery — For the Thornton brothers, the Oklahoma Land Rush is the perfect opportunity to finally put down some roots. A new start, a new community-what more could preacher Elijah Thornton need. Not a wife-not after losing his fiancée. But something draws him to the pretty nurse whose eyes are clouded by trouble. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Sincerely Yours by Ann Shorey, Laurie Alice Eakes, Amanda Cabot, and Jane Kirkpatrick — Four young women find their lives altered after each receives a letter that sets her on a new path toward a changed life–and perhaps lifelong love. From a Hudson River steamboat to a lush drawing room, from a carousel carver’s workshop to a remote and controversial hospital, readers will love being swept into the lives of four young women who are making their way in the world and finding love where they least expect it. (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])
The Pelican Bride by Beth White — It is 1704 when Genevieve Gaillain and her sister board a French ship headed for the Louisiana colony as mail-order brides. Genevieve knows life won’t be easy, but at least here she can establish a home and family without fear of beheading. But when she falls in love with Tristan Lanier, an expatriate cartographer whose courageous stand for fair treatment of native peoples has made him decidedly unpopular in the young colony, Genevieve realizes that even in this land of liberty one is not guaranteed peace. (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker PublishingGroup])
Circle of Spies by Roseanna M. White— Baltimore, 1865–Marietta Hughes never wanted to be a spy…but espionage is thrust upon her as the War Between the States rolls on. Unbeknownst to her, a Confederate secret society bent on destroying the Union she loves has been meeting in her basement. When she discovers the plots and papers covering her walls, she feels as though she is losing her world. Slade Osborne, an undercover Pinkerton agent, is determined to do whatever is necessary to help end the conflict between the North and the South. When he infiltrates this secret cell, it isn’t just their inner workings that baffle him–it’s the beautiful woman who seems to be a puppet for the new leader and yet…somehow not an enemy of the Union. Can he trust her? (Historical Romance from Harvest House Publishers)
Contemporary:
Dynamo by Eleanor Gustafson — Jeth Cavenaugh trains both show jumpers and the 5-gaited stallion Dynamo, but God, in extraordinary ways, is training Jeth-for what? (Contemporary from Whitaker House)
Just 18 Summers by Rene Gutteridge and Michelle Cox — After the tragic death of Butch Browning’s wife, Jenny, four families begin to realize how precious-and fleeting-their time together is. Each is at a different stage in life: Butch is facing single parenthood. The O’Reillys are expecting their first child. The Andersons are approaching an empty nest, and the Buckleys are so focused on providing their children with everything that they’ve forgotten what they truly need. With just eighteen summers before their children are grown, how do they make the most of that time when life so often gets in the way? (Contemporary from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])
The Women of Valley View: Pam by Sharon Srock — Pam’s divorce broke her heart. The cruelty of her ex-husband broke her spirit. A bottle of sleeping pills almost took her life. Four years later the scars of Alan Archer’s emotional abuse are beginning to fade under the love of her new husband. When Alan returns to Garfield, Pam must learn that buried secrets and carefully cultivated indifference do not equal forgiveness. (Contemporary from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])
Medical Thriller:
Critical Condition by Richard L. Mabry M.D. — It was supposed to be a quiet dinner party with her colleagues. Not the scene of a murder. Dr. Frasier couldn’t save the gunshot victim on her front lawn. Now she’s fighting for her own life. With a sister suffering from addiction, and her own fear of commitment to her “almost-fiancé” causing guilt, she turns to her pastor-father for help, only to learn he’s just been diagnosed with leukemia. Shannon thought it couldn’t get any worse. Then the late-night, threatening phone calls begin, the rough voice asking, “What did he say before he died?” With everything around her in a critical state, simply staying alive will require all the resources and focus Shannon has. (Thriller/Suspense from HarperCollins [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Romantic Suspense:
Perilous Waters by Sandra Orchard — On an Alaskan cruise, an undercover FBI agent, seeking evidence of art crimes, befriends an heiress trying to convince her twin to sell their gallery, except an assassin has different plans. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
March 2014 Writing Contests
04 Tuesday Mar 2014
Posted in ACFW, News & Updates, Writing Christian Fiction
FOR UNPUBLISHED AUTHORS:
Daphne du Maurier Award
For Excellence in Mystery/Suspense
The contest is open to any writer who has never been contracted in book-length fiction (40,000 words or more) from any publisher.
The contest is also open to any author not published in the last three years and never in mystery suspense (please see the rules for eligibility).
Opened Jan. 15. Deadline March 15.
For more info: Daphne du Maurier Award
Touch of Magic
The contest is open to writers not published in book-length fiction during the past five years. For the purposes of this contest, “book-length fiction” is defined as 40,000 words or more and “published” means having fully executed a contract with an RWA-recognized publisher. Self-publishing does not disqualify the entrant.
Deadline March 15.
For more info: Touch of Magic
The Royal Ascot
The Royal Ascot is the only RWA chapter contest for unpublished writers devoted exclusively to the Regency, broadly defined for the purpose of the contest as between 1780 and 1840 and set within the United Kingdom.
Open to unpublished authors and published writers seeking representation and/or a publisher.
Opened Feb. 21. Deadline April 1.
For more info: The Royal Ascot Contest
Fool For Love
All work must be the author’s original work that has never been published in any form ever, and has not been contracted for publication prior to the entry deadline of April 1, 2014.
All categories, except the Published Author category, are open to entrants who have not published and not contracted in any novel-length fiction within the past three (3) years or as of April 1, 2011.
Authors who have published or contracted for novel-length fiction within the past three years, including e-books or books published with recognized and non-recognized RWA publishers are considered published and are eligible for the Published Author category only and no other categories.
Opened Feb. 14. Deadline April 1.
For more info: Fool For Love Contest
FOR PUBLISHED AUTHORS:
2014 Carol Awards
The Carol Awards are ACFW’s recognition for the best Christian fiction published by traditional publishing houses in the previous calendar year.
Entry must be a work of original fictional narrative prose that is offered for sale to the general public through print or digital media. The author must not participate financially in the production or distribution of the work. The novel must be written from a Christian worldview in any Christian fiction genre through a publisher on ACFW’s Recognized Publishers list* and for which the author did not participate financially in the production or distribution (did not enter into a subsidy contract of any kind) and was/is paid royalties.
Authors or publishers of e-book entries can submit 5 copies of a standard bound book with cover art and copyright page or 5 copies spiral bound. No electronic copies will be accepted.
Opened Jan. 2. Deadline March 15.
For more info: 2014 Carol Awards
Daphne du Maurier Award
The contest is open to those published in book-length fiction. There is no limit to the number of entries per author or per category, but each book may only be entered in one category and must have a 2013 copyright or a 2012 copyright and 2013 first publish date (see rules for details). Membership in Romance Writers of America and/or MRSRWA (KOD) is not required.
Opened Jan. 15. Deadline March 15th.
For more info: Daphne du Maurier Award
2014 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award
The first annual National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award celebrates published romance novels and novellas and is judged by romance readers. Open for books published in 2013.
Opened March 1. Deadline April 1.
For more info: 2014 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award
2014 Genesis Contest
The Genesis Contest is the ACFW contest for unpublished Christian fiction writers. Genesis has a number of categories/genres to enter, the opportunity for unbiased feedback on writers’ work by published authors and experienced judges, and the chance for the category finalists to have their work read by Christian publishing house editors and literary agents. ACFW has been pleased to see many previous category winners and finalists move further in their writing careers to become published authors.
Opened Jan. 2. Deadline March 15.
For more info: Genesis Contest
… Additional Amazing Writing Opportunities
Chicken Soup for the Soul
We’re Looking for Stories!
We have many Chicken Soup for the Soul® books in development and are adding new titles all of the time. We are always looking for new stories and poems and hope you have some for us to consider. Take a look at the list of our future book topics to see if you have a story or poem on a subject we are looking for and then please submit it to us.
For more info: Chicken Soup for the Soul
March 2014 New Releases
04 Tuesday Mar 2014
Posted in ACFW, News & Updates, Writing Christian Fiction
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Contemporary Romance:
Wild Mint Tea by Valerie Comer — A local-foods chef caters events to keep her farm, but the first wedding comes with a ruggedly handsome brother-of-the-bride with no interest in settling to one place. (Contemporary Romance from Choose Now Publishing)
Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter — Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she’d never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return. The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He’s loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she’s back, his feelings are stronger than ever. Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Love Redeemed by Kelly Irvin — Phoebe Christner is thrilled when the families of her close-knit Amish community decide to spend a week at the lake. And it doesn’t hurt that Michael Daugherty will be coming along. They’ll find ways to spend time together–she’s certain of it–and their romance will have time to blossom. But when tragedy strikes, Phoebe and Michael are torn apart by their pain and the knowledge of their guilt. (Contemporary Romance from Harvest House Publishers)
An Amish Garden by Beth Wiseman, Vannetta Chapman, Kathleen Fuller, and Tricia Goyer — A collection of charming Amish stories centered around the theme of gardening by four of this genre’s most popular authors. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson & Zondervan])
Historical Romance:
Healer of Carthage by Lynne Gentry — A modern-day doctor gets trapped in third-century Carthage, Rome, where she uncovers buried secrets, confronts Christian persecution, and battles a deadly epidemic to save the man she loves. Historical Romance from Howard [Simon & Schuster])
Tide and Tempest by Elizabeth Ludwig — Two years ago, her fiancé perished during their voyage to America. Now she discovers it may have been murder… (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)
Vow Unbroken by Caryl McAdoo— Susannah Baylor, a spunky young widow with a young daughter and teenage nephew in her care, raises cotton on a small farm in northeast Texas. When a local buyer reneges on his offer to purchase her crop, she finds herself with only one option: cart her cotton to market in Jefferson herself. Sue employs Henry Buckmeyer to accompany her and the children. Facing the elements and other dangers, the foursome starts out with the common goal of getting their goods to market. (Historical Romance from Howard [Simon & Schuster])
The Guardian’s Promise by Christina Rich — An evil queen and her royal guards will stop at nothing to find – and kill – the rightful heir to the throne of Judah. When their pursuit leads them to Mira’s village, only her father’s bond servant, Ari, a man shrouded in secrets, can keep Mira safe. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Contemporary:
Because of the Rain by Deborah Raney — One unimaginable night changes a couple’s lives forever. Their love for God and for each other is put to the ultimate test as they confront heart-wrenching decisions. (Contemporary from Greenbrier Books)
The Shepherd’s Song by Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers– Psalm 23, written on a piece of paper, travels around the world changing the lives of twelve people. (Contemporary from Howard [Simon & Schuster])
Faith Departed by Elizabeth Maddrey — Starting a family was supposed to be easy. Twin sisters June and July have never encountered an obstacle they couldn’t overcome. Married just after graduating college, the girls and their husbands remained a close-knit group. Now settled and successful, the next logical step is children. But as the couples struggle to conceive, each must reconcile the goodness of God with their present suffering. Will their faith be strong enough to triumph in the midst of trial? (Contemporary Women’s Fiction from HopeSprings)
Romantic Suspense:
Beneath a Navajo Moon by Lisa Carter — What happens when love and danger collide deep in the heart of the Navajo Nation? (Romantic Suspense from Abingdon Press)
Stolen Memories by Liz Johnson — Attacked and left for dead, “Julie Thomas” has amnesia, and doesn’t know why anyone would want to hurt her. But when surveillance video of that night shows Julie holding a baby—a baby nowhere to be found—she panics. Is the child hers? Where is she now? With no answers and no place to go, Julie accepts Detective Zach Jones’s offer to help her solve both mysteries. The handsome, loyal cop makes her feel safe. But someone is trying very hard to make sure her memories stay buried forever. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Dark Tide by Susan Sleeman — When the woman Derrick Justice has never stopped loving and the baby he’s come to adore are in a killer’s crosshairs, can Derrick trap the cold-blooded murderer before he strikes again? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
Historical Mystery:
Death by the Book by Julianna Deering — Drew Farthering is determined to convince his American sweetheart Madeline Parker to accept his marriage proposal and stay on at his English country estate, but a series of baffling murders, each with a cryptic clue pinned into the body of the victim, might keep him from doing so . . . permanently. (Historical Mystery from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)
Mystery:
Final Trimester by Dianna T. Benson — Paramedic Jodi Duncan recognizes the work of a serial killer before Myrtle Beach PD even suspects a connection between the deaths of two pregnant women. Despite the vast differences in the two cases, Jodi urges Detective Nate Quigley to think outside the box. After digging deep into the separate investigations, Nate finds no evidence to support a serial killer theory, and he warns Jodi to back off police business, which only fuels her obsession with the cases. (Medical Mystery from Ellechor Publishing House)
Murder Simply Brewed by Vannetta Chapman — When the coffee shop manager is murdered in Middlebury’s Amish Artisan Village, two women from different walks of life must join together to solve the mystery and in the process renew their faith in God’s promises. (Cozy Mystery from Zondervan)
Red Gold by Sandy Nadeau — When someone tries to sabotage Mandy Phillips’ Colorado guest ranch, she risks everything to protect her guests and the land she loves. (Mystery from Harbourlight Books [Pelican])
ACFW Foundation – Online Auction Update (Correction added)
19 Wednesday Feb 2014
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS POST CAN BE DIRECTED TO ACFW Foundation Board Member LACY WILLIAMS AT lacyjwilliams@gmail.com.
Correction – *from Book Fun Magazine – a full page ad *and* ad creation valued at $400 for a total value of $1900.
We’re making great progress on organizing the spring online auction benefitting the ACFW Foundation – the 501(c)3 that is responsible for the scholarships that send members with financial hardship to conference.
Items recently added:
*Romance-ology Love Scene Critique from our own Julie Lessman
*Live Free Write Free 1-on-1 Mentoring session (30 minutes) with Allen Arnold
*Full page ad in Book Fun Magazine from The Book Club Network, including ad creation – a $400 value
And more.
*And* we have news! Family Fiction is allowing us a run a spot in one of their online newsletters. Because of this, we’d like to open a part of the online auction for READER PRIZES.
So we need those kind of donations from our published authors. Here’s some ideas:
*book basket (you ship it to the winner)
*name a character after the winning bidder
*multi-author book basket – why not get together with your chapter-mates or crit partners and offer a basket?
*”meet the author” online Skype chat for 30 minutes with winning bidder
Or anything you think a reader would be interested in bidding on. Remember it is for a great cause, to send more scholarship recipients to conference.
I NEED YOUR DONATION SUMMARIES BY FEBRUARY 28. Enter them here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kQUAiMf6seKzGmn5Oo__nw9j9mURC6v3xrZAnpAl0RA/viewform
The auction will run approximately March 15 – 31 and you will be expected to ship your prize shortly after that.
Thanks for considering giving back to ACFW in this way!
Latest Happenings Around ACFW
12 Wednesday Feb 2014
Posted in ACFW, Fiction, News & Updates, Writing Christian Fiction
Tags
2014 ACFW Conference, ACFW, ACFW's Carol Awards, ACFW's Genesis, ACFW's Mentor of the Year, Christian Fiction
There are several things going on around ACFW, so here’s a brief re-cap.
1. Contests: Both the Genesis Contest and Carol Awards are open for entries. Genesis is for unpublished writers with a completed manuscript, while the Carol Awards is for those who’ve had a book published in 2013 by a publisher on ACFW’s Recognized Publisher List. Entries open until March 15.
Details can be found at http://www.acfw.com/contests
2. Mentor of the Year: Nominations for ACFW’s Mentor of the Year are now
being accepted. Go to http://www.acfw.com and log-in with your user name and password, and you’ll be taken to the member home page, where you’ll see the link. Submissions accepted through February 28th. Or go directly to: http://www.acfw.com/members/mentor_2014
3. Conference Scholarships: Applications are being accepted to receive a scholarship to the 2014 ACFW conference in St. Louis, September 25-27. Questions can be directed to debraney at mac.com. The application can be found at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDNzbXBYSW5Rb2NrdkI4ZWRTT19mU2c6MA#gid=0
4. Finally, don’t miss our webinar on February 20, 2014 at 8 pm Eastern/5
pm Pacific, Henry McLaughlin will present an ACFW webinar entitled: The Voice in Your Head: Just Because You’re Hearing Voices Doesn’t Mean You’re Not Normal. To register, go to: http://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=EA52DB87864C3A Space is limited.
Have a great week, Fiction With Faithers!
